Wedding Anniversary - 24 years of happiness

Today, my wife and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. It was a quiet affair; we didn't go out for dinner and we didn't exchange cards. There were no flowers or promises of love and fidelity until the day we die. We both agreed that we have built our life together to last through all the fires that might come our way. We've been through many of those fires and, while we occasionally got singed, and sometimes had to retreat into each other's hearts for healing and nurturing, we are strong in our understanding of each other.

Today found a list of thoughtfully assembled words that underlie a well balanced relationship between people and we believe that we can count ourselves among those who take these words to heart. If you care to read through this beautiful page, you'll come to the last item on the list that is probably the most poignant one of all. It is now the biggest reason that I come home to my wife every day and never think of other women in an inappropriate way. My love, my commitment to our relationship is built on the many points listed in the page, but the last one is the cement that holds it all together.

1. I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I
am when I am with you.

2. No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is,
won't make you cry.

3. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them
to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

4. A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and
touches your heart.

5. The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside
them knowing you can't have them.

6. Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know
who is falling in love with your smile.

7. To the world you may be one person, but to one person you
may be the world.

8. Don't waste your time on a man/woman, who isn't willing to
waste their time on you.

9. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before
meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the person, we will know
how to be grateful.

10. Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened.

11. There's always going to be people that hurt you so what
you have to do is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you
trust next time around.

12. Make yourself a better person and know who you are before
you try and know someone else and expect them to know you.

13. Don't try so hard, the best things come when you least
expect them to.

14. AND...the most compelling reason that our marriage survives intact after all these years.....my wife has told me that, at 64 years of age, younger women are no longer interested in me!!!

REMEMBER: WHATEVER HAPPENS, HAPPENS FOR A REASON.
True friends: How many people actually have 8 true friends?
Hardly anyone I know ! But some of us have the right friends
and good friends!!! Author Unknown

RULE CLASS AT RED PASS JUNCTION

RED PASS RULE CLASS

It was just after 8:00 am when the westbound freight eased to a stop in front of the depot at Red Pass Junction, BC. The head end brakeman backed through the narrow cab door behind the engineer and let himself down the ladder to the ground. I picked up my back pack from the cab floor and thanked the engineer for the ride, as I too backed through the door. I had been called earlier that morning to deadhead to Red Pass Jct. and wait for a special rail inspection car that had left Prince George and was expected to arrive in Red Pass Jct. before noon. I was told that I would be needed as an extra crew member to guide the car and its occupants over the last 45 miles from the junction to Jasper.

The head end brakeman met me at the door to the Operator’s Office as he was leaving with a set of dispatcher’s train orders that would help get their train down the mountain from the Yellowhead Pass we had just crossed and into the valley bottom some 30 miles further on. Number 2, the east-bound Trans-continental was running late due to a rock slide in the Fraser River Canyon several hundred miles away, so all west-bound freights, running as extras had to get updates on the passenger’s progress in order to keep out of the way and still not be delayed too badly themselves. The slide had been a major disruption to service in the mountains and it would take a few days to get operations running smoothly again. Patience was to be the order of the day.

I sat down on the bench on the station platform and watched each car as it rolled past when the train left. As the caboose passed the station, the operator held out a wooden “y” shaped apparatus with a set of orders with a clearance attached on a string and the tail-end brakeman, standing on the lower step at the rear of the wood caboose put his arm through the “y” caught the orders on his arm and waved to the operator and me.

I stayed on the platform for a few moments and listened to the sound of the engines wander back and forth through the deep valleys.

Inside, I found the operator, Gerry Taylor sitting at his desk with his earphones in place, speaking to the Dispatcher. He “OS’d´ the train out of Red Pass Jct. at 0809. When he set the head set back on its cradle at the side of his desk he turned to me with a broad grin and asked me why I was left behind. After I explained that I was called to meet the special observation car from Prince George, he laughed saying that it hadn’t left McBride yet. It was already beginning to look like it would be a long quiet day spent in Red Pass Junction…population 1…now 2. Red Pass had once been a much larger community than it was on this day. Old timers in Jasper told me that there had been a hotel, a school, a store and a post office and numerous families lived there too. I suppose that was around the time of the First World War when both the Canadian Northern and The Grand Trunk Pacific ran side by side westward across the prairies and into the mountains as far as Red Pass. At Red Pass, the tracks diverged with the Canadian Northern taking a southerly route toward Vancouver and the Grand Trunk taking a northerly route to Prince Rupert.

But today… there were just Gerry and I…and the ravens and squirrels.

I wandered around the station waiting room for a few minutes and then went outside. Looking both east and west, I realized that for this type “A” personality, it was going to be a VERY long day. The next freight expected at Red Pass wouldn’t arrive for at least 8 hours…and that was just a guess.

I wandered down to the shore where the beautiful Moose Lake emptied its contents into the stream that was named “Fraser River” and I sat down on a rock to watch the water birds as they worked the shoreline for little creatures to eat. Picking up a flat stone, I raised my arm to attempt to skip the stone across the Fraser River. This was probably the only spot on the river, which is several hundred miles in length where one might attempt to set this ‘record’ as the river was about a hundred feet wide at the point where it left Moose Lake. Gerry’s voice stopped me! I turned to see him approaching with a fishing rod in his hand.

“You might not want to scare the fish”, he said. “Maybe you can catch something for our lunch”.

“Thanks a lot”, I said to him. “I’ll give ‘er a try”. We talked for a few minutes and he went back to his desk inside the station.

Well, I tried…and I tried. I saw a few fish break the surface of the water only to disappear again without taking notice of the lure I was throwing at them. There were a pair of Ospreys working the lake and they seemed to be having better luck that I was. After an hour or more of walking up and down the shore, tossing the lure (I had only one lure) into every likely looking bit of dark water that I could reach, I reeled in the line and sat down on a rock to consider my next move.

A man’s voice broke the stillness and I quickly turned to see two men, dressed quite well in dark slacks, top coats and leather gloves walking toward me. One of them asked me what I was doing there so I explained that I was a CNR brakeman who was waiting for a special inspection train from Prince George and that I was to accompany it to Jasper once it arrived at Red Pass. The men seemed curious about the operation of the railway and asked me lots of questions about trains, and train orders; trackside signals and whistle signals, air brake tests and employee tests.

Carefully removing their nice leather gloves and placing them on a rock beside me, they sat down and asked me if the railway was required to test employees on their knowledge of rules and regulations. “Oh yes,” I said… “We have to take periodic Rule Exams in order to keep our jobs.” “We also have to have a Medical Examination and submit our watches to watch inspectors as well.”

Explaining the importance of knowing our medical condition and keeping fit for duty, I went on to describe how important it was to ensure that our watches were maintained in prime condition so that we could operate under train orders and time table schedules without endangering passengers, crews and equipment.

One of the men took the lead with his questions and asked me how we kept track of all the dates of all the different examinations. I told him that we were issued a ‘card’ for every one of the different tests. I proudly showed him my medical card, my watch card and my rule card. The rule card showed that I was qualified in “B” book rules and was due to re-qualify in about three months at which time my current rule card would expire.

He looked each card over carefully, turning each of them over in his hands reading the handwritten comments on each side. As he finished reading each one, he handed it to the other man who read them as well. When he had gathered them up again, he said “well, son, you’ve given us a pretty complete tour of the railroad and its operations.” “I see that your rule card is about to expire, so I’ll tell you what I’m going to do…” “I’m going to give you a pass on the rule exam we’ve given you today.” I chuckled…thinking, “I don’t know who this guy thinks he is, but he can’t take the place of a real Rule Instructor and give me a pass on…” “Here’s your new rule card” he said….”it’s good for three years!”

He signed the small brown card and handed it to me…signed by Mr. John Procyk, the Chief Rule Instructor for the entire Mountain Region!!

The two men laughed quietly as they turned and walked toward the station.

The Urban Survivor...What was meant by "and the meek shall inherit the earth"?

With regards to my last post about buying local...

Lynnette said...
Thats quite frightening Bruce! As you know I'm an avid gardner and during our season, live off of my garden, it's that other 8 months that I find it hard to source locally. We have come to expect fresh vegetables in January and think nothing of eating summer style throughout the year. I think we have to change some of our eating habits as well as our shopping habits. So.....guess it's stew for me all winter!

You're right Lynnette...shopping for our table can be quite daunting. I picked up a few things for dinner on the way home from work recently and found myself reading all the labels and trying to make a sensible decision on each item. The romaine hearts came in either organic or reasonably priced; the salad dressings were either the by-product of a grade 10 chemistry experiment or not-so-reasonably priced and the...well, I could go on and I sometimes do.

My garden was almost a total failure this year due to my inability to stay focused ... and other chores, but I did manage to get a big sack of onions and garlic out of it, not to mention some fruit, melons and squash. Soooo...it's back to Safeway for us this winter.

Oh, what did I bring home for dinner, you ask? A couple of lovely tender AAA steaks from beasties that were raised in (likely) Alberta or some other foreign country, fed pellets that smell like fish, are packed with hormones and then finished off with a couple of meals of grain that has been sprayed to ward off mould, mildew, rust, worms, bugs, birds and poachers. I can feel my breasts growing and that's not a good thing.

Oh, and I also picked up a copy of Mother Earth News to read after dinner. I think I've done my part, don't you?

Shop and Eat Local

Some time ago, I wrote a small article about "buying Canadian" in this blog. Over the many weeks since then, many of my visitors have come to read what I had to say on the matter. I felt compelled to address the subject because I've never been able to understand why a country the size of Canada, and which possesses the incredible resources that we have, must resort to importing from foreign sources most of what we consume. As I have stated in the past, we have abandoned our ability to manufacture so many of the goods we use. We've traded away our initiative to invent, develop, market and support ourselves in a global economy.

I was about 12 years old when I was shocked by my governments' decision to destroy the greatest technological advancement in Canadian history... the Avro Arrow...a futuristic military interceptor that was built by Canadians (for the most part) in Canada...for Canada's own defense.
The destruction of these aircraft and the tooling, plans, parts and infrastructure is but one of Canada's great shames.

I sincerely believe that the Canadian psyche was horribly disfigured by the actions of the Federal government of the day (the Conservative government of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker). In the decades that have followed, Canada has tumbled over itself trying to break down trade barriers that stand in the way of Canadian access to foreign goods rather than investing in ventures that would ensure our own survival in an uncertain global economy.

Today, we find ourselves in the midst of a rather frightening recession that threatens to wreak havoc on our financial security. Those of us who have invested in open markets with the view of ensuring our financial futures are feeling rather shaky about what the future really holds. This says that not only do we depend on foreign sources for our food and most other necessary goods, we also can't survive our futures without having the foreign dominated markets to invest in for the income that we hope will keep us in imported goods for the term of our natural lives.

Do we have what it will take to turn this train around? Do we have the will to invest in ourselves or in our own country? Have a look at the video below... it was produced by Hellman's Foods Ltd. and is a classic demonstration of the consumer practices we now consider to be "normal".

Words of Wisdom from my Mother

As I was leaving my parents' home...probably for the last time, my mother offered me the following advice:

"On the day you were born, I gave you just two things...your life...and your name." "Take care of them equally and I will be happy that you have lived a good life".

Over the years, I've done many things. Some were good...and some were not so good. But the words that my mother said to me on that night set the bar that would guide me through my life. And whenever I strayed, I would be brought back to my center with a gentle, but silent reminder that I should take care of my life and my name.

Why do our dogs age so much faster than we do?

CONNOR 1998

Connor is fast asleep on his bed near my feet as I write this. He's sleeping a lot more lately than he used to. He doesn't move as quickly or as sure-footed anymore. But when it comes to playing soccer with me in the field below the house...he's still got it...but he tires quickly. When he walks away from the ball, I know he'll soon be headed up to the house to lie by the door until I come and pick him up to carry him inside. We go to the tub to clean him up and while I'm having my shower he goes to his bed and sinks into a deep, deep sleep.

CONNOR IN 2009

When we live with other people, we don't age relative to each other as quickly, or at least we don't notice it until we suddenly come to realize that the face in the mirror looks just like your parent. And just to confirm that it isn't an unfortunate mistake...you look down and see your mother's or your father's legs and feet sticking out of your pants!

Well, as disconcerting as that is, we have time to get used to it, or get over it...or not. But when your dog begins to age, it happens at an accelerated rate and within a month or two, they don't wag their tails as much, or their ears don't perk up and their eyes lose their brightness.

Then Susan came home with a dog...did I say "a" dog?... No...two dogs named Solli and Connor.


Solli died before her time after a long illness and, while losing her was difficult, we knew that her death released her from the grip of her disease. Connor has had health problems since he was a puppy, but he's fought his way through it for years.


Connor's eyes have lost the bright clarity that they once had, and his hearing has all but left him. But he doesn't complain.

Illness and disease can be fought, treated and recovered from...but age will not be held off.

My friend is getting older faster than I am and I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to need therapy to get through this.

A friend, after listening to my story sent me the following bit of prose....

A Dog's Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in the entire world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me. Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside... for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements... and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth... though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land... for you are my god... and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands. --Beth Norman Harris

I reach out and stroke his silky ears as he sleeps at my feet.

One more in a long line of learning opportunities...

After meeting with our contractor this week we learned that he isn't prepared to go ahead with our deck renovations. Too busy. We began this process with him back in February and...granted there were some delays that I created. Trying to find suitable top coatings for our deck took the longest, but we made our choices and were prepared to move on. Besides...taking our time in choosing the top coatings shouldn't delay the tear-down and construction of the framing, should it?

We asked him several times to give us a 'ballpark' figure for the construction, but he wouldn't be pinned down that way. But this week he freely gave me a figure of $25,000.00 to $40,000.00 for the deck reno based on our "want" list. "I don''t think so", says I.

So I went back to my drawing board...a sheet of cardboard held on my lap with a pad of graph paper on top. New plan. Bugger the expensive top coatings! Tear off the existing upper and lower decks and begin anew. The area that the lower decks covered will now become garden areas and the upper deck will be shrunk by about 2/3rds leaving hard surface deck outside the kitchen and dining room. The remainder of the area now occupied by deck will become roof which will cover the lower deck, thus making a 'porch' round much of the house. This could be done to look nice, but come in under budget.

My friend Dave, who came to our rescue with his big loader last winter and dug us out after ten days being snowbound came by today to say hello. He said he'll bring his dump truck and leave it over a full weekend so that we can load up all the wood we tear out of the deck. I know he won't charge us a lot as I send him lots of customers who want driveways re-built and excavation work done. This will help us get the debris cleared away and leave a clean work area for development. Another friend...also named Dave has already offered to help with the deck project, so if this trend keeps developing, it could end up being an old-fashioned "barn-raising" affair with food and everything!!!

I thought that the cancellation of our contractor would leave us feeling more devastated than this, but we seem to be (old enough) better able to handle disappointments than we used to be.

We just go get an ice cream cone and take a time out...then we start over again.