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The
Squamidian Report – Oct. 11 / 25
Online
Versions
Of This And Past Issues Issue
#1220
Rosemary ****
From Rosemary I was fascinated today when a colleague walked into our bookstore holding this weird stalk, almost 2 feet long, covered in green bumps. I had no clue what it was. She grinned and said it was Brussels sprouts. Get off! I reached out and touched one of the little green balls, and sure enough - a Brussel sprout. I had no idea they grew that way. Never even thought about how they grew. A lot of you folks are gardeners so you may already be aware of this crazy plant, but if not, I am sharing my new discovery with you.
Rosemary ****
From Gale
The Glasgow visit A few years ago we stayed in Glasgow for over a week during the World Pipe Band Championship and did a lot of the usual touristy things so this visit was a little different. Upon arrival in mid June, the TV weather man announced that it was (surprise! surprise!) 8 degrees but with the promise it would "soar" to 17 the next day ( he also said that Spain was going to be a "roasting" 22). We decided to do the hop on - hop off bus again. Our favourite stop was the Riverside Museum of transportation. It had full size street exhibits of by-gone years; the first subway car, old trains etc. and a poster announcing ship passage to Canada for 2 pounds - you can't even buy a glass of wine on the Queen Mary 2 for that price ! As well as the bus tour, we had a drink in Glasgow's oldest pub and lunched at a favourite spot from the past called Maggie Mae's which has changed some what. Now it's a western themed restaurant featuring male Hindu strippers dressed as cowboys every Saturday afternoon - fortunately we missed out on that ! The highlight of our Glasgow visit was again visiting with Jim and Rhona. The 4 of us had a strole along the river Clyde and through Glasgow Green and lunch at a place called Wetherspoons. The story goes that the Wetherspoon chain is owned by a muli- millionaire who was told by his teacher that he would never amount to anything and - you guessed it - he named his chain after that teacher. Time to head home with the nice surprise that we only had to walk across a lane-way to get from the hotel to the airport. Next week, one last bit about the trip - a list of "quirky" things that caught my attention. Gale ****
From Nova Scotia Sus
Finally we are having some rain! It's amazing our gardens did so well what with no rain for a long time. The lawns are quite brown though. The temps have been amazing so far for fall. I took my air conditioner out of the shop and then had to bring it back in as the temps were up again. Its hard working in a sunroom without air conditioning even with the blinds down. We are preparing the greenhouse for winter and hoping to keep our fruit trees alive over winter. The woodstove is in now and will provide heat through the cold temps. Its actually quite comfortable sitting around a fire in there. My brother Warren and Dennis’s son Robbie will represent our family in Mexico in November for the funeral. I decided not to go. Its at least 3 flights to get there and then more traveling from airport to their village. Sus ****
From Gary
Hello fellow Squamidians. Another week already. Evys youngest son is in the Canadian military. Medical field in the Air Force. They had family day at Pettawawa base last weekend. We drove up early Saturday morning through incredibly beautiful hilly terrain covered with beautiful fall colors. The weather was perfect clear, hot (32*) with a very light breeze. The first exciting activity was a hummer ride. We got lucky because we got the department lead who is a friend of Bot. I didn’t expect armoured plate steel seats could be comfortable. Those machines are incredible. Very smooth even though we were airborne a few times. A perfect drift left turn through a gate not much wider than the vehicle and a leisure ride back ( just in case someone might be watching). Ate a ton of pizza then off for the helicopter ride. The doors were open so we made sure our seat belts were on correctly. Definitely want to go again next year if possible. Sunday we drove a ways into Algonquin park and then hiked a fairly easy trail to the Barron canyon. 100 meter (330’) cliffs to the river below. Several canoes were paddling along. The colors were spectacular everywhere. About 3 1/4 hour drive each way but well worth it. Take care and stay safe everyone.
Gary ****
From Carol
Last Sunday I went with Gale and Dave to a celebration of life for our friend Marj. Gale met Marj through tennis and invited her to the annual bocce ball gathering years ago so we all got to know her. She was a very interesting lady of almost 97 who still lived independently and had a very full social life. I only discovered a few years ago that she was sister to a neighbour of ours while we were growing up. The Arndts lived at the top of the hill, we at the bottom. Maryellen had 10 kids in 24 years. The 3 oldest were Near my age and then there was a gap before the next group of kids and then another gap. Those groups of kids had very different childhoods. Anyway Maryellen and several of her kids were there for the memorial gathering. By the way Karin, Sandy says hi. Karin was friends with the second group of kids in the family. Sharon, the oldest and older then me by a year, was allowed to walk to school with me but never allowed to play. The father abused both her and her brother Tim. Tim was a bully, like many abused boys. I remember he often had bruises but back then nobody would interfere with a parent disciplining their kids. I believe Sandy was allowed to play with you Karin and her childhood was different than the older group of kids. I did enjoy talking to Maryellen, who looks good and is very with it at 95. I was surprised to hear that the 3rd oldest, Dave, does mission work with his wife since retiring. The oldest 2 moved far away while still fairly young. The youngest child is more than a year younger than my daughter, Jackie. Anyway the encounter brought back memories. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone.
Carol ****
From Doug
This is way too soon and the riding season is certainly not over yet for most riders but I’ve given in to circumstances and have put the Harley away. There simply are no opportunities to go riding any more. I can’t keep Sue warm, and I can’t leave her home alone so I can’t go riding. We did have some nice rides to Horseshoe Bay this summer when it was hot out but now our daytime highs are in the upper teens. Thats superb riding temperatures but way too cold for her. Heck, she sits on the couch in the over-heated living room bundled in her jacket and sweater and hat. My opportunity to take the bike out for one last ride was made possible by the fact the once a week (but no guarantees), a home support person comes in for about an hour and a half or so to keep Sue company and give me some needed time to do other things. This time period this week lined up with an ok day where I didn’t have other more pressing things to deal with. So, a short toot around town, a short scoot up the highway, a stop at the gas station to top up the tank, and then home. And now, baring some unexpected opportunity to sneak out for another ride, the Harley tucked away.
A few weeks ago I had linked an audio version of the song ‘The Way I Am’. It was the recording of me and several more of me doing what I like to do. My musical accomplice Jane, and I, have been doing that song and enjoying it for it’s laid back feel. We decided to try recording it and its turning out quite nice (my opinion). I’m not really sure if its finished or not but here’s what we have so far.
Doug &
Jane’s audio recording. Doug ****
Have
a
Good One
****
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