Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474

Here in Canada, perhaps the only good thing the current government has done is legalize "MAID" (Medical Assistance in Dying) complete with a set of rules and requirements. A cowboy friend of mine was terminal and in a lot of pain that was only getting worse. He availed himself of the service and after saying goodbye to us the day before and with his immediate family around him his suffering was ended. God Speed Roger! Your Pards still think of you and miss you. Your picture hangs in our clubhouse as a founding member of our posse.

Even the restaurant in the Fort is period correct: meals etc. The first time we toured it, we stopped to have lunch and my son, (Big Red) tried to order French Frys. The costumed waitress, in character, asked what they were, to which Ian replied potatoes.... Before he could continue she gave a horrified look and exclaimed "Potatoes?" They're poisonous!"

Now if only that was a pallet of Trail Boss. And it was here, in my town!

That would be handy on Ottawa roads, starting around April, as the frost starts to come out of the ground. We are in a constant battle with Toronto for the bragging rights as being the Pothole Capital of Canada.

A newly commissioned officer, (Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, I was observing our new influx of recruits, who had just been issued their kilts. While waiting for the Sergeant to form the parade and ready them for inspection, a one fellow was proudly posing for a picture, for his parents. Two other troopers came up on either side of him and, each grabbing the hem of the kilt hoisted it, leaving no doubt he was Regimental.

Our Anglican Church has had Blessing of the Animals Services from time to time. Amazing what some parishioners have as pets. Those around us seemed to give Sherron and I a wider berth however, when they saw Sherron snuggling Fleur in her lap. Fleur was our pet skunk, raised from a kitten, after her mother and siblings were killed or died, and was de-scented.

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Some of this old Imperial French Fort has been reconstructed and is a living historical site, well worth a visit if you are in Eastern Canada/ Nova Scotia. The site has many re-enactors and docents , in period dress to add to the ambiance and feel of the real Fort, prior to it's destruction. A visit there has always been a highlight for my family.

What many in Canada and elsewhere, do not seem to realize is that the Canadian FEDERAL Emergencies Act was never needed, except to illegally muscle those with a conservative leaning, show just how powerful and willing to step on Canadian's Charter Rights Trudeau was by arresting protestors, in front of their wives and children, and to FREEZE the bank accounts of those who brought food, fuel and money to the protestors. That of course and to demonstrate to the citizens in the Riding where the protest was taking place, that he was one with them. After all, they have voted left for almost 70 years!. When I say the Emergencies Act was not needed. The protest could have been legally ended by the use of the City of Ottawa's MUNICIPAL by-laws against the blocking of streets without a permit and the noise by-law against excessive blowing of horns. As for towing, the City's bus transportation company and their own vehicle fleet had tow truck fully capable of towing 18 wheelers, if it became necessary.

As a child, I seem to recall my Grandmother dipping her tarnished "Good/Company's Coming" silver utensils in boiling potato water and removing tarnish that way.

And why my friend Ron says he has 'Roo Bars on his Ute.

A page three rescue and another bit of Canadian information, you really don't want to know about:

My prayers for you both are continuing.

Take a good look at your circumstances and decide if you want to remain in that environment. Remember, You're a Long Time Dead.

I'm now 80 and I rely more on the chalk board in the kitchen, listing things to buy or do, as they occur to me. The appropriate items on that list get transferred to a note pad or a shopping list before I leave the house and all the distractions I encounter outside. Works for me and when I return home, they're done!!

After I retired, I tried thinking again for a while....... Once. Critics said they couldn't stand the sound of grinding a screeching gears and the smell of burning oil and rubber. What do I know now? Uuuhhhh.

Nursing my left side and shoulder after pulling some muscle fat chopping up and moving the frozen blocks the ^&^$(^$ dropped in my driveway. Didn't feel it when I did it working. I guess I am 80 and no longer 25 or 30. Sigh! Heating pad and Robax pills while I get ready for knee replacement. Lottsa reading to do the surgery and things to get ready. I cooked up and froze a lot of one pot meals for Big Red and I. Sending me home after a one night stay in the body and fender shop and that has me a little apprehensive as Bid Red works long hours at the grocery store, so I'll be alone during the day. No driving for a week or two and I'm taking delivery of a new AWD

Prayers are heading your way from this side of the Medicine Line. Stay strong my brother.