tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752833400588998302024-03-13T21:30:45.893-07:00The Adventures of Big WhiteWelcome aboard. Join us on our adventures.Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-78226338286274671742020-04-02T14:41:00.000-07:002020-04-02T14:41:38.284-07:00The Evacuation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cq2R7h1dSvk/XoZIl60IpMI/AAAAAAAAKJo/QzOyHv9h-hIKTDiFcVNf53UHuRj3SP89gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20191226_114606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cq2R7h1dSvk/XoZIl60IpMI/AAAAAAAAKJo/QzOyHv9h-hIKTDiFcVNf53UHuRj3SP89gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20191226_114606.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big White to the Rescue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>The call for us to evacuate the house and pets we were
sitting came early and was inevitable.</b></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />The Prime Minister of Canada had announced that all
Canadians were to return home as soon as possible. Our homeowner was on her way
back from Mexico. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We cleaned the house, fed the birds and left.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We boarded
Big White, our twenty-three-foot recreational vehicle. Later that day, the
homeowner returned to her townhouse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLQQ9T6IXoM/XoZJzbR9H8I/AAAAAAAAKJ4/yJbWZZ5KxoACjL1F2BgIdTe70k3iBMAGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/writingbee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="220" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLQQ9T6IXoM/XoZJzbR9H8I/AAAAAAAAKJ4/yJbWZZ5KxoACjL1F2BgIdTe70k3iBMAGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/writingbee.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Journal Bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our choice to keep a journal of our
conduct and conditions during the Covid 19 pandemic is meant to help others get
through being isolated in their homes. And, to save our marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7Pvfd0Kehg/XoZM1Xs6LzI/AAAAAAAAKKE/O0E4mpMT7CsOBX2U4A8NlkKUQW-kushxACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoBwMC5GljHHZbYEPx_r0m4MmUCHzWKmI0tCvMQsCXEKL5_MIkwoFuFzceWsNcTdP_JYhwLd5GUlBAfCLD81F59xffauijNuCvyWKXYSS8nvu8RTWUNkVlIkotbGi_pH9nJ7EzY5tj0KEf9iZXJKNnD-eg4gN1kkXhrGpxSgVBuPAp5iXMtAoHU0ZiGyaI53_iz-WEPIvVDoeN5L32wUd536EY-RLDidY873qf9AO1g29-SkEJfF6jI7ek6qpXllzsihGJifG59PoivBZtCo27ZBvdtbWtz9mkmWCAnqWx23YCjUGcEwpXQw2D7LDdU4hV0hX5SYQll9F_oXCpQRxKl4D_5vFgQiJ7UMCrt-axtkkL3jLmqzqj8tLw7M_MgkSkdqzv0VeqrP4a4hFMrgT2aBYJDeJskuMZg5wJ1yo0VsREKz8ZiZn4rceWFGrSmwq_JEeRrnfxdSmqg_5u6UJZnXHDkfeDtOM_6PTWN5Gq1BS7z89jfz_HFj5T9RfDdPX8BnA0PkBdVEa6JIUdw1xTCUVpLJ7RIw1ZN2SDmR2p2fet3WLgLHKr91gXPtcr6ZHSO5Jxo9kmyiX4Vdoy99DJ91VqHX3JWKw6EzMOWemfQF/s1600/20200316_141923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7Pvfd0Kehg/XoZM1Xs6LzI/AAAAAAAAKKE/O0E4mpMT7CsOBX2U4A8NlkKUQW-kushxACEwYBhgLKs4DAMBZVoBwMC5GljHHZbYEPx_r0m4MmUCHzWKmI0tCvMQsCXEKL5_MIkwoFuFzceWsNcTdP_JYhwLd5GUlBAfCLD81F59xffauijNuCvyWKXYSS8nvu8RTWUNkVlIkotbGi_pH9nJ7EzY5tj0KEf9iZXJKNnD-eg4gN1kkXhrGpxSgVBuPAp5iXMtAoHU0ZiGyaI53_iz-WEPIvVDoeN5L32wUd536EY-RLDidY873qf9AO1g29-SkEJfF6jI7ek6qpXllzsihGJifG59PoivBZtCo27ZBvdtbWtz9mkmWCAnqWx23YCjUGcEwpXQw2D7LDdU4hV0hX5SYQll9F_oXCpQRxKl4D_5vFgQiJ7UMCrt-axtkkL3jLmqzqj8tLw7M_MgkSkdqzv0VeqrP4a4hFMrgT2aBYJDeJskuMZg5wJ1yo0VsREKz8ZiZn4rceWFGrSmwq_JEeRrnfxdSmqg_5u6UJZnXHDkfeDtOM_6PTWN5Gq1BS7z89jfz_HFj5T9RfDdPX8BnA0PkBdVEa6JIUdw1xTCUVpLJ7RIw1ZN2SDmR2p2fet3WLgLHKr91gXPtcr6ZHSO5Jxo9kmyiX4Vdoy99DJ91VqHX3JWKw6EzMOWemfQF/s320/20200316_141923.jpg" width="180" /></a> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We pulled away from the neighbourhood in Duncan and
pulled into the parking lot of a local grocery store. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZRyTjpt-co/XoZPXmP95ZI/AAAAAAAAKKk/-e14sakmMlgx7c5e_aOm_H3OFA7x_YRuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bar-Fridge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZRyTjpt-co/XoZPXmP95ZI/AAAAAAAAKKk/-e14sakmMlgx7c5e_aOm_H3OFA7x_YRuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Bar-Fridge.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Our RV fridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our habit, over the last
6 years of living in our bus between house sits, has been to create a 2-week menu and buy what we
need to satisfy our appetites and cravings. We’ve chosen to limit our meat
intake. Our bar-sized fridge has a small freezer and limited space.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">While off the road, we called a friend living on
Malcolm Island and asked how he and his family were doing. He reported that his
wife and kids were in good health but he was taking many medications to support
his recovery from recent heart surgery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5KehMKHe6AM/XoZNktLUwQI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/f_ukcdUgbokw6Eoo1zse7Hrkm5djguvAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Malcolm%2BIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5KehMKHe6AM/XoZNktLUwQI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/f_ukcdUgbokw6Eoo1zse7Hrkm5djguvAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Malcolm%2BIsland.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But, don’t worry. Come here and stay on our property,”
our friend said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“That sounds great but we don’t want to be the ones to
bring the virus to you and your family,” Frank said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m taking my condition seriously and would need you
to isolate for two weeks.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We’ll think about your offer,” Frank said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">We got in touch with the Bere Point campsite on the island and they said it was closed. That sealed our decision.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Later that week, we reported our findings. We let him know that we would not be coming to Malcolm Island.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">That evening we rested our heads on soft pillows,
wrapped up in warm blankets and lulled ourselves to sleep to the low drone of
our new diesel heater.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When we awoke the following morning, our Malcolm
Island friend had left a text to say that his son had been diagnosed with the virus. He'd been doing work on Mount Caine and had contracted the virus there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"At
a time of another crisis, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offered these words of counsel: “In a
day such<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">as
this, when the tempests of trials and tribulations have encompassed the world,
and fear and </span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">trembling
have agitated the planet, ye must rise above the horizon of firmness and
steadfastness </span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">with
illumined faces and radiant brows in such wise that, God willing, the gloom of
fear and </span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">consternation
may be entirely obliterated, and the light of assurance may dawn above the </span></span></i><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #741b47;">manifest
horizon and shine resplendently.”</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(From letter of the
Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of the World, Naw-Rúz 177, 2020)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-92059246349122209112019-06-06T12:29:00.001-07:002019-06-06T12:45:14.880-07:00Bonnie Gets a Refresh<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm2mz8xquHc/XPlm2HzTGcI/AAAAAAAAJpU/C8KQmo8fUzEQ6t7aFTkkKePA7j75UWmcQCLcBGAs/s1600/20190606_092816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm2mz8xquHc/XPlm2HzTGcI/AAAAAAAAJpU/C8KQmo8fUzEQ6t7aFTkkKePA7j75UWmcQCLcBGAs/s320/20190606_092816.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonnie the Birch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">We adopted the paper birch sitting solitaire on Dogwood
Street in Campbell River in the fall of 2012.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">She had been neglected over the
years and it showed. With the help of my husband Frank, our grandson Grayson
and some beautiful friends, we cleaned the trash from around and under her,
pulled the weeds, and provided her with fresh soil and water. We all breathed a sigh
of relief. I felt happy energy emanating from our new comrade.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Later that year, we moved on from our lifestyle as
apartment managers and began travel teaching looking for isolated Baha'is throughout western Canada and the Yukon. We also did house and pet sitting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
thought of <i>Bonnie the Birch</i> often, a name we had assigned her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then, in
June 2019, we found ourselves back on Vancouver Island. I prepared a sign to place at Bonnie's base. On this day, we drove to be with her. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">She’d grown significantly along with her offspring. We pulled over and
began to tend to her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First, we removed all the discarded trash around her.
Frank trimmed her lower branches, turned over the dry soil and pulled the weeds at
her base. She brightened up significantly. The paper birch is famous for its
white bark and small leaves. She’s such a beauty. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xg9uU1OE6c8/XPlnNxj1hFI/AAAAAAAAJpc/NuHetb_vEq04xDbZxIMhw9SQMXlnvpyhACLcBGAs/s1600/20190606_092153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xg9uU1OE6c8/XPlnNxj1hFI/AAAAAAAAJpc/NuHetb_vEq04xDbZxIMhw9SQMXlnvpyhACLcBGAs/s320/20190606_092153.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank tends to Bonnie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A few folks came past and stopped to read the sign and glanced at the music notes on Big White.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you happen to be travelling along Dogwood Street, just past building 301, keep her in mind.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb3hrF7eDHM/XPlnePSS31I/AAAAAAAAJpk/8S4scF6P3uYxsROF-_9aCZJvRXRhl5fawCLcBGAs/s1600/20190606_090450-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb3hrF7eDHM/XPlnePSS31I/AAAAAAAAJpk/8S4scF6P3uYxsROF-_9aCZJvRXRhl5fawCLcBGAs/s320/20190606_090450-001.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan places Bonnie's sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>"Behold a beautiful garden full of flowers, shrubs, and trees. Each flower has a different charm, a peculiar beauty, its own delicious perfume and beautiful colour. The trees too, how varied are they in size, in growth, in foliage—and what different fruits they bear! Yet all these flowers, shrubs and trees spring from the self-same earth, the same sun shines upon them and the same clouds give them rain." </i>(Paris Talks) Addresses Given by Abdu'l-Baha in 1911 www.bahai.org/r/733601770</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gcx7scuZLTI/XPln5QXAzpI/AAAAAAAAJps/0dM_sZ_wD34oJEgwJhMekH69kx84E_pTQCLcBGAs/s1600/20190606_092923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gcx7scuZLTI/XPln5QXAzpI/AAAAAAAAJps/0dM_sZ_wD34oJEgwJhMekH69kx84E_pTQCLcBGAs/s320/20190606_092923.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big White with Bonnie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<br />Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-6347501908556529402019-02-17T15:50:00.000-08:002019-02-17T15:50:00.879-08:00Confit de Canard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXIHsFghTwU/XGnqE5cPnZI/AAAAAAAAJMU/TQpebdMZ5jMZMapxJaMIxMtiC6x0Gm0wwCLcBGAs/s1600/20190216_115043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXIHsFghTwU/XGnqE5cPnZI/AAAAAAAAJMU/TQpebdMZ5jMZMapxJaMIxMtiC6x0Gm0wwCLcBGAs/s320/20190216_115043.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck Confit Salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">On February 16, 2019, we travelled from Kamloops, BC along Highway 97 east to Falkland.</span></b> Frank stated that for all the decades he'd travelled that route, he'd never stopped in the small community. We took advantage of the opportunity and were fixed with a great adventure.<br />
<br />
"What is duck confit?" I asked.<br />
<br />
The lovely waitress explained it means duck meat cooked and seasoned with herbs in its own rendered fat.<br />
<br />
"I'll have that," Frank said.<br />
<br />
The charm of its presentation was worth it. The <b>Ranch Cafe</b> itself was filled with a cowboy and rancher appeal. Hanging lampshades in the shape of stagecoaches could be purchased if you're into that style. Also, scattered about where signs indicating life as a rancher is good for the heart and soul.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xt9MX17-UCI/XGntfu7oBoI/AAAAAAAAJMg/jfmRc7vuNe4H1kQc-mbkPubGO66nvx8sgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190216_113603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="640" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xt9MX17-UCI/XGntfu7oBoI/AAAAAAAAJMg/jfmRc7vuNe4H1kQc-mbkPubGO66nvx8sgCLcBGAs/s320/20190216_113603.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ranch Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The atmosphere was wholesome and upbeat. The waitress was efficient and very accommodating.<br />
<br />
Outside the building were informative signs. One to advise you that your pet is not permitted on the balcony, another to supply it with water, one to warn the smokers to butt out and a fabulous take-your-breath-away painting of a horse-drawn chuckwagon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2_sm2RKM7jM/XGnuJOcywYI/AAAAAAAAJMo/Y67DrnfQBSEGmnml8-2tmxxZJtPYN7fKgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190216_112849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2_sm2RKM7jM/XGnuJOcywYI/AAAAAAAAJMo/Y67DrnfQBSEGmnml8-2tmxxZJtPYN7fKgCLcBGAs/s200/20190216_112849.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ranch Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVle7acbq-Y/XGnuSKG4DUI/AAAAAAAAJMs/0QbriBqzBcE5SaR1Sh_tV5lVK8Th8ZtwACEwYBhgL/s1600/20190216_112659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="640" height="235" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVle7acbq-Y/XGnuSKG4DUI/AAAAAAAAJMs/0QbriBqzBcE5SaR1Sh_tV5lVK8Th8ZtwACEwYBhgL/s320/20190216_112659.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ranch Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After our meal, I chose to take a photo hanging on the wall inside the washroom. A drawing of a horse's head just above the toilet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Frank found it rather entertaining.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JfI2Kw0pBOQ/XGnwJxRiaXI/AAAAAAAAJM8/PAU8sf1K_xwiWORJFnBQRNsg_lCK-RzJgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190216_114407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="516" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JfI2Kw0pBOQ/XGnwJxRiaXI/AAAAAAAAJM8/PAU8sf1K_xwiWORJFnBQRNsg_lCK-RzJgCLcBGAs/s320/20190216_114407.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ranch Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #741b47;">BLESSED IS THE SPOT</span></b></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-66176319602090567442018-06-25T12:15:00.001-07:002018-06-25T12:15:26.176-07:00Braeburn Buns<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLr4VDECwcw/WzE4P8dfJYI/AAAAAAAAIrI/QT8v0QqXcwEGt7LSYWo5Uj51TpMHpALEACLcBGAs/s1600/20180610_104156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLr4VDECwcw/WzE4P8dfJYI/AAAAAAAAIrI/QT8v0QqXcwEGt7LSYWo5Uj51TpMHpALEACLcBGAs/s320/20180610_104156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank digging into the super-sized cinnamon bun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are strange things done in the midnight sun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Including the size of a cinnamon bun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's stop at Braeburn, it'll be fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's Mile 55 and we're pretty much done.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The path from Dawson City set a grueling pace.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The owner of the place was out of the race.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He'd seen one too many Yukon Quest.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When we queried his eclectic collection,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His eyes glazed over in rejection.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have we offended you friend?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No. I'm at the end. I don't want to be here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pretend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our microwaved bun weighed nearly a ton.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We paid our mon-eeey!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think it's worth it, Hon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another strange thing in this land of the midnight sun.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hYMX4ZA55Cg/WzE65P1JFMI/AAAAAAAAIrU/zDreNFD7dsk4p5zBkVZUbH7U9L7u1boMgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180610_111326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="640" height="185" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hYMX4ZA55Cg/WzE65P1JFMI/AAAAAAAAIrU/zDreNFD7dsk4p5zBkVZUbH7U9L7u1boMgCLcBGAs/s320/20180610_111326.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braeburn Lodge - home of the world famous cinnamon bun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-78939129978681656942018-03-29T14:50:00.001-07:002018-03-29T14:50:29.190-07:00Music On Our Bus Goes 'Round<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbmXtLjFx2U/Wr1bMdaSWtI/AAAAAAAAITU/3FYQVyqxlR8DrcDBGv63MLvZCiod8hJagCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="640" height="230" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbmXtLjFx2U/Wr1bMdaSWtI/AAAAAAAAITU/3FYQVyqxlR8DrcDBGv63MLvZCiod8hJagCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6268.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank taping music on Big White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Frank’s artistic flair is being fitted on Big White.</span><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></b>He has handcrafted treble clefs, sharps, and musical notes on stanza bars to show the magic of harmony on the front face of our bus, and on both sides.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each whole note, half note and quarter note that appear on the five staff lines represent “Allah’u’Abha”, “Shine Your Light on Me Baha’u’llah”, and the Baha’i unity song. He sketched each element on large sheets of Bristol board and delicately cut them out with a precision knife.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9Cqkj5DotU/Wr1bilBR8tI/AAAAAAAAITY/SXbe1-ePM68T7qIDsxUoo7akhKUw24kugCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="640" height="289" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9Cqkj5DotU/Wr1bilBR8tI/AAAAAAAAITY/SXbe1-ePM68T7qIDsxUoo7akhKUw24kugCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6272.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to be painted permanently</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each project will be taped to a flat surface on the bus and painted on. It may seem time-consuming to some, however, it's very rewarding in a weird and wonderful way. What better than to cheer up oncoming traffic, those behind us perhaps in a ferry line up or the curious who are sharing parking lot space with us. We look forward to our encounters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C7a1q89yUIA/Wr1b-P24fqI/AAAAAAAAITk/PKOeh96vrcg4_3inaHysw7BzNBslEFagQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C7a1q89yUIA/Wr1b-P24fqI/AAAAAAAAITk/PKOeh96vrcg4_3inaHysw7BzNBslEFagQCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6275.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing the position</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We’ll be heading out from Sicamous, BC, at the beginning of May 2018 – destination the Yukon Territory. Gives us a honk if you see us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #741b47;">Shine your light on us, Baha’u’llah</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nzTKRaoRr1M/Wr1cX4Pq3SI/AAAAAAAAITs/nJTF7ii3PbIGvcq0cj4h8AyBca_csIAlgCLcBGAs/s1600/music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1500" height="136" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nzTKRaoRr1M/Wr1cX4Pq3SI/AAAAAAAAITs/nJTF7ii3PbIGvcq0cj4h8AyBca_csIAlgCLcBGAs/s200/music.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-4624869217028325282018-01-11T11:09:00.000-08:002018-01-11T11:36:12.215-08:00Sicamous, BC - What You Can't See<b>On November 2, 2017, we were greeted at the door by the homeowner and introduced to his two cats. </b>Over the years, we had driven past the Municipal District of Sicamous, British Columbia, on our way west to Salmon Arm and beyond, or on our travels east to Revelstoke and away. Today, we stopped and were given the opportunity to explore the area for the next five months. We are professional house and pet sitters.<br />
<br />
What you can't see when you travel past and fast along the Trans-Canada Highway, are the goings on and the ambassadors of the town.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tR88ytwH6Mc/WlerGzHNSzI/AAAAAAAAIEw/A8N3cBlTdGoNV5QYxyU0trFh6ySkuLWygCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="640" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tR88ytwH6Mc/WlerGzHNSzI/AAAAAAAAIEw/A8N3cBlTdGoNV5QYxyU0trFh6ySkuLWygCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6194.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dairy Cow Manure - Pungent!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our first walk-about began by turning left at the end of the driveway and strolling casually along Sherlock Road. The overwhelming smell wafting around us originated from the manure being spread onto the field in front of the house.<br />
<br />
We came upon a trail-head marker. The Parksville Estates Trailhead directs you down a wide path along the back of houses, beside a large treed area where you come upon a park.<br />
<br />
It becomes obvious that the practice of burning garbage in the backyard is common in Sicamous.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XpEdHQK2eYY/Wlet1sZstYI/AAAAAAAAIE8/rOfPtTnQwP4cYoYrBll9a_iW-WQTlK3aQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XpEdHQK2eYY/Wlet1sZstYI/AAAAAAAAIE8/rOfPtTnQwP4cYoYrBll9a_iW-WQTlK3aQCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6208.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parksville Estates Pathway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We carried on through the park, stopped in briefly at the community arena and headed toward the shopping plaza. There we met several Sicamous ambassadors, including the lovely clerks at the Bargain Shop, other patients at the Sicamous Health Centre giving themselves up for blood samples, and the charming owner of the Painted Book Shop. The folks we met on our first excursion were kind and helpful. "Welcome to Sicamous", they said.<br />
<br />
Later that day, we drove down to the Riverboat Dock and admired the storage of the resources offered to those who are interested in motoring along Mara Lake.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvz6PycOBkk/Wlex5fPo9bI/AAAAAAAAIFE/_eIS5PBdJhMNeRcdXio70gzWgURiOD5pwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="640" height="197" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvz6PycOBkk/Wlex5fPo9bI/AAAAAAAAIFE/_eIS5PBdJhMNeRcdXio70gzWgURiOD5pwCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverboat Dock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Returning to town, we stopped at the promenade and enjoyed the serenity of the boardwalk.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj8vg1CMfOc/WleyeAs_PRI/AAAAAAAAIFM/6eQ-AQL8DHEluqgXxI3SSXBj4qwp9jgUgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="640" height="279" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj8vg1CMfOc/WleyeAs_PRI/AAAAAAAAIFM/6eQ-AQL8DHEluqgXxI3SSXBj4qwp9jgUgCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6198.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank standing on the boardwalk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Blessed Is The Spot</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-14160586462903664942017-11-29T10:38:00.000-08:002017-11-29T10:38:33.992-08:00Baha'i Blogging Challenge - Inspiration from the Universal House of Justice<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1oIUAOeCBM/Wh752kWOjMI/AAAAAAAAH_s/AErEvfUsolwmPzfUxLEzO-GlVroX9Sf6gCLcBGAs/s1600/universal%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1oIUAOeCBM/Wh752kWOjMI/AAAAAAAAH_s/AErEvfUsolwmPzfUxLEzO-GlVroX9Sf6gCLcBGAs/s1600/universal%2Bhouse.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Universal House of Justice, Haifa, Israel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, we received a message from the Universal House of Justice forwarded by email from our Baha’i friends located in several clusters across Canada.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Ridvan message was inspiring.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We've been travelling across British Columbia and the Prairies for nearly three years and have witnessed how the friends are enveloped in the fundamentals of the Plan and how a large number of them are ‘acting on its requirements, and demonstrating rigour in the quality of their response.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Along the way, we’ve met with believers who are reservoirs of knowledge and resources and with open hearts provided us with their experience and insight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We take our inspiration from the Universal House of Justice 2017 Ridvan message and apply its objectives to our clear purpose, to meet as many isolated Baha'is as possible and to meet as many new friends as God's guidance allows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Viewed aright, this year presents the single greatest worldwide opportunity there has ever been for connecting hearts to Bahá’u’lláh.</i> ~ Universal House of Justice 2017 Ridvan Message<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-76853617937642373432017-11-27T10:20:00.002-08:002017-11-27T10:20:52.332-08:00Baha'i Blogging Challenge - The Gift of Listening<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-mV4B0pTbQ/WhxVlJz2QaI/AAAAAAAAH_c/yW7oyUeRJuINU_cOFAWvsgCuaRdiig_EACLcBGAs/s1600/golden-rules%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-mV4B0pTbQ/WhxVlJz2QaI/AAAAAAAAH_c/yW7oyUeRJuINU_cOFAWvsgCuaRdiig_EACLcBGAs/s320/golden-rules%2Bposter.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Golden Rule poster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Over the years we’ve learned that everyone has a story to tell</span></b>. One of most respectful gestures we can provide is to listen. Some months ago, on our walk around the Central Alberta community, we met several people at the row of mailboxes. All of the folks in this area pick up their mail there and we made a serious effort to meet as many neighbours as we could, including the Canada Post delivery lady.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We’ve had some delightful conversations including how far some travel to attend church and how some unique religions, like the <i>Two By Twos</i>, are familiar in the area. We listened to their comments and secured a great deal about their tolerance of others and appreciation of their faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On occasion, we got to express that as Baha’is we are expected to acquire more knowledge about our Faith by searching truth for ourselves and to listen to others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>“Religion is the outer expression of the divine reality. Therefore it must be living, vitalized, moving and progressive. If it be without motion and non-progressive it is without the divine life; it is dead.”</i> – Abdu’l-Baha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-77936565840875570242017-11-26T15:56:00.002-08:002017-11-26T15:56:43.628-08:00Baha'i Blog Challenge - The Day of the Covenant<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgkCq5i45VE/WhtTkhb5GKI/AAAAAAAAH_M/QnULVsVdH4MY7tJiioEdCNFE6ILiy8fQQCLcBGAs/s1600/9-pointed%2Bstar.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="300" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgkCq5i45VE/WhtTkhb5GKI/AAAAAAAAH_M/QnULVsVdH4MY7tJiioEdCNFE6ILiy8fQQCLcBGAs/s200/9-pointed%2Bstar.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9-pointed star</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">It was our distinct pleasure</span></b> to be asked by the Minister of the United Church in Sicamous, British Columbia to describe to the group gathered at the service today about the Baha’i Faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I described briefly that the Baha’i Faith is focused on unity and the purpose of sharing Baha’u’llah’s messages from God are to help guide the earth’s humans to enjoy the privileges of His gifts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You might be pleased to know that today, The Day of the Covenant, is a commemoration of Baha’u’llah’s appointment of His eldest son, Abdu’l-Baha as His successor,” I added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Later, when the congregation gathered for fellowship, my husband and I had the opportunity to share that Baha’is are committed to remaining united, rather than fragmenting into different sects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We look forward to attending their service regularly and conducting a Devotional afterwards.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Life is good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-42910386600114214202017-11-25T13:59:00.001-08:002017-11-25T13:59:08.164-08:00Baha'i Blogging Challenge - Bringing up the Topic of God<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ViFZ5KlAJ4/WhnnCrFiXvI/AAAAAAAAH-8/fmddnQATSfssD5BxLU149IwoGZvx6ZemgCLcBGAs/s1600/gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ViFZ5KlAJ4/WhnnCrFiXvI/AAAAAAAAH-8/fmddnQATSfssD5BxLU149IwoGZvx6ZemgCLcBGAs/s1600/gifts.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasure your gifts from God</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">We spent another hour with our friend who is living in the extended care wing of the local hospital.</span></b> We are familiar now with some of the other patients being cared for and we’ve shared upbeat open-ended conversations with several of them. One discussion began with one of the aids while she was putting her patient’s hair into a ponytail. The three of us talked about long hair versus short hair and it drew a gathering of more women. I found myself thinking of Baha’u’llah’s words “…complete victory should be achieved through speech and utterance.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I said, "God’s provided you with a beautiful head of hair."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She smiled in agreement and described how she had inherited it from her father. We spent the next fifteen minutes talking about gifts from God. Our conversation was interrupted by the chime of the lunch bell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We continued to make a habit of chatting with the other occupants of the gentle care facility throughout our four-month stay in the community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>If he teaches because of God’s Will that God be known – and for that reason only – he will receive knowledge and wisdom, and his words will have effect – being made powerful by the Holy Spirit – and will take root in the souls of those who are in the right condition to receive them</i>. – Abdu’l-Baha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-57230498249652635172017-11-24T10:49:00.001-08:002017-11-24T10:49:28.743-08:00Baha'i Blog Challenge - Strangers and Handshakes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzpOuIS_Ixw/WhhooRjNz-I/AAAAAAAAH-s/Ovxy0lLXrbUkMbnaxNUZr5SQ_I8Sue1swCLcBGAs/s1600/neighbours.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzpOuIS_Ixw/WhhooRjNz-I/AAAAAAAAH-s/Ovxy0lLXrbUkMbnaxNUZr5SQ_I8Sue1swCLcBGAs/s320/neighbours.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adopt-a- Neighbour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">It was our great pleasure to meet two of our neighbours.</span></b> We had uplifting conversations with both and received an invitation from one to join a local Citizens on Patrol group and asked by the other to drop by soon for a longer visit.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our daily walks allow us to meet strangers along the way, accept and invite handshakes and most heartwarming, get to meet with them again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">At the COP meeting, we introduced ourselves and settled amongst a group of like-minded friends. We all wanted to be protected, some by linked fences and electronic security systems, others by fellow citizens who drive around and watch for suspicious goings-on in the neighbourhood. What came to mind was my satisfaction that God protects us all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Later that week, we enjoyed coffee and cake with the other neighbour. He and his wife began the conversation with an introduction to their religion. We listened with open hearts and when they felt satisfied that we understood, we invited them to our home. They accepted. After they had settled in, we introduced ourselves as Baha'is and explained a few of Baha'u'llah's messages. Since then, we've been meeting with them and their friends at the close of their church service when they congregate at the back of their church for fellowship.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <br /><i>"O that I could travel, even though on foot and in the utmost poverty, to these regions, and, raising the call of 'Ya Baha'-u'l-Abha' in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the divine teachings! This, alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it! Please God, ye may achieve it." </i> (From a letter dated 23 May 2016 written by the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the World)<br />
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><b>Blessed Is The Spot</b></span></span></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-50881935783270456382017-11-23T15:55:00.000-08:002017-11-23T15:55:03.936-08:00Baha'i Blog Challenge - Open Heart Conversation<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Our excursions today included shopping for a few personal items, gathering the mail and visiting with a friend in the local assisted-living facility.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our visit with the kindly gentleman was filled with talk of his family. He described all his adult children as determined go-getters and confessed that he could not take all the credit. He told us that his stay-at-home wife was the backbone of the group. After an hour, our visit was interrupted by a nurse who was scheduled to provide her patient with his bath.<br />
<br />We returned home satisfied that our first visit of many to come with this new friend was well received.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<i style="font-size: 12pt;">Out of the whole world He hath chosen for Himself the hearts of men—hearts which the hosts of revelation and of utterance can subdue. </i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 279)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4VBxs_iE-w/WhdfVS3i1hI/AAAAAAAAH-c/-lNXsZbJ0XsHpDdone5nggC9BbUzHDyngCLcBGAs/s1600/hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4VBxs_iE-w/WhdfVS3i1hI/AAAAAAAAH-c/-lNXsZbJ0XsHpDdone5nggC9BbUzHDyngCLcBGAs/s1600/hearts.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An open heart is well received</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-73890050464138835392017-11-22T10:31:00.001-08:002017-11-22T10:31:28.931-08:00Baha'i Blog Challenge - Guidance, Encouragement and Support<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Being a Homefront Pioneer became a very rewarding solution to our need to satisfy Abdu’l-Baha’s call to action.</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Our experience during our three-month volunteer assignment in Central Alberta included numerous telephone conversations and email exchanges with various members of the Alberta Baha’i Council. Each encounter was filled with guidance, encouragement and support. Although there is no manual for homefront pioneering, consultation with local Baha’is, groups, Local Spiritual Assemblies, the Cluster Coordinator, and Institute members and the Alberta Baha’i Council helped us manage our pioneer endeavours. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ap41wotM3U0/WhXBv5nGUnI/AAAAAAAAH-M/u7i_Gr9P_CQui9Xe7yCJmMUfRuFiD1AwACLcBGAs/s1600/meeting-cartoon-1024x960.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1024" height="187" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ap41wotM3U0/WhXBv5nGUnI/AAAAAAAAH-M/u7i_Gr9P_CQui9Xe7yCJmMUfRuFiD1AwACLcBGAs/s200/meeting-cartoon-1024x960.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Consultation Look</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve summarised our first consultation this way:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make contact with the closest Baha'is in the cluster and find out from those friends what is needed in the area.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Identify the Cluster Coordinator.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Send all receipts related to our Homefront Pioneer assignment to the Alberta Baha’i Council Treasurer.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Participate in whatever is already underway in the Cluster.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Communicate with the Council through the liaison and assistant.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Submit bi-weekly reports that include observations, barriers, recommendations and consultation information to the Alberta Baha’i Council.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy yourself.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Beyond such considerations, a consultative spirit pervades the interactions of those engaged in social action, of whatever size and complexity, and the population they serve. This does not imply that formal mechanisms are necessarily in place for this purpose. It suggests, rather, that the aspirations of the people, their observations and ideas, are ever present and are consciously incorporated into plans and programmes.</i> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Universal House of Justice, Office of Social and Economic Development, Social Action, 26 November 2012, p. 14)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-54386764876777022752017-11-21T13:29:00.000-08:002017-11-21T13:29:22.151-08:00Reflections - Baha'i Blog Challenge<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Neighbourhood Walkabouts</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">During our time as Homefront Pioneers in Rimbey, Alberta,</span></b> our daily morning ritual with the five dogs and two cats began with releasing the animals from their overnight sleeping cages and sending them outside to relieve themselves. Our instruction from the homeowners was to go outdoors with them to keep them somewhat corralled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As for the felines, herding cats is a common joke among owners so we let them be and set their water and food bowls on the picnic table. The little dogs returned to the house with enthusiasm and were rewarded with breakfast.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The large German Shepard was a bit wary of us in the beginning however, we soon developed a ‘friendship’ with her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUyVOXgxFEo/WhSZjenvLgI/AAAAAAAAH98/NMLZSns8nsIZYGsUg2-emdGBfUQOdZUkACLcBGAs/s1600/goodneighbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUyVOXgxFEo/WhSZjenvLgI/AAAAAAAAH98/NMLZSns8nsIZYGsUg2-emdGBfUQOdZUkACLcBGAs/s320/goodneighbor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendly neighbours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After the pets were settled, Frank and I would head out with the big dog for our neighbourhood walkabout. If a neighbour happened to be outside we would speak with him or her. We thought this repeated pattern would allow us to be recognised as friendly neighbours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">[homefront pioneers] </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">would yield greater effect if, drawing on the advice of institutions, [</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">if</span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">] they were to direct their efforts to clusters, villages, and neighbourhoods within clusters that are the focus of systematic attention.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (adapted from a letter dated 23 May 2011 written by the Universal House of Justice to the Baha’is of the World, paragraphs 1 and 4)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-41391454068784034402017-11-18T09:33:00.001-08:002017-11-18T09:33:32.824-08:00Reflection - Baha'i Blog<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egciNRSO7ww/WhBuYi-OIlI/AAAAAAAAH9o/-H3QJqAhMRsJABpm_oWPZ1JyG1DsCERmwCLcBGAs/s1600/owl%2Breading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="875" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egciNRSO7ww/WhBuYi-OIlI/AAAAAAAAH9o/-H3QJqAhMRsJABpm_oWPZ1JyG1DsCERmwCLcBGAs/s200/owl%2Breading.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>April 6, 2017, began with examining the Fire Tablet.</b></span> Our study and meditation extended for a long while with the continued learning of Ruhi Book 6, <i>Teaching the Cause</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Later, we reviewed and discussed the 8 March 2017/8 Loftiness 173 letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Canada.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Afterward, we reviewed and discussed “Extracts from letters written by the Universal House of Justice regarding pioneering”, from a letter dated 23 May 2011 written by the Universal House of Justice to the Baha’is of the World, paragraphs 1 and 4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We strongly believe that time dedicated to the Writings is a stretch well spent. The events fill us with great joy, confidence and guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Tablets of Baha’ullah, Lawh-i-Maqsud<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-80341754223150637362017-11-16T10:33:00.000-08:002017-11-16T10:33:21.418-08:00Baha'i Blog Challenge - Service<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ExXtyle6Vtk/Wg3VfRbACcI/AAAAAAAAH9I/KJzljmGe1RcHQaGIpQMIXclhQ4v4B1cygCLcBGAs/s1600/Lacombe%2Bhospital.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ExXtyle6Vtk/Wg3VfRbACcI/AAAAAAAAH9I/KJzljmGe1RcHQaGIpQMIXclhQ4v4B1cygCLcBGAs/s320/Lacombe%2Bhospital.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lacome, AB Hospital</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">On Tuesday, April 4, we took a short drive to </span><span style="color: #990000;">Lacombe, Alberta</span>,</b> a community approximately fourteen kilometres east of our Rimbey-based homefront pioneer assignment. We had volunteered to visit shut-ins who live in the extended daycare facility at the hospital.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We spent a respectful short time with our new friend and he and Frank exchanged opinions and impressions about their having lived in Saskatchewan years ago.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Their bond was cinched when the mention of Crib, a fascinating card game, came up in the conversation. We promised that our next visit with him would include a deck of cards and a game board. He acknowledged the plan with the nod of his head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y4e9LGsOhWQ/Wg3XzRhPK9I/AAAAAAAAH9U/TJukqlw_Ps4lRnlm2ivfMayZgNdEgfEvACLcBGAs/s1600/MOBL-on-wire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="640" height="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y4e9LGsOhWQ/Wg3XzRhPK9I/AAAAAAAAH9U/TJukqlw_Ps4lRnlm2ivfMayZgNdEgfEvACLcBGAs/s320/MOBL-on-wire.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird on a Wire - Pinyon Jay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Back at home base, we were tasked with filling the various bird feeders with seeds for the majority of the Finches, sugar-enhanced water for the pleasure of the Woodpeckers, and suet, that hard animal fat sometimes used for cooking – in this case, used to feed the birds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That evening we rested contentedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An act, however infinitesimal, is, when viewed in the mirror of the knowledge of God, mightier than a mountain. Every drop proffered in His path is as the sea in that mirror. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Bahá’u’lláh, Quickeners of Mankind, p. 4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-70679078663939854012017-11-15T11:10:00.002-08:002017-11-15T11:10:57.453-08:00Baha'i Blog Challenge<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<b><span style="color: #212121; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A Response to Abdu'l-Baha's Urging<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A reflection of our Homefront Pioneers Experience<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ixFx-38734E/WgyOCBzhX5I/AAAAAAAAH8s/F7g-jTyGiPsjG_6iINZBgjXblqU7lN0OACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCF5771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ixFx-38734E/WgyOCBzhX5I/AAAAAAAAH8s/F7g-jTyGiPsjG_6iINZBgjXblqU7lN0OACEwYBhgL/s320/DSCF5771.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Township Road 422</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">On Monday, April 3, 2017</span></b><span style="color: #757575;">, we arrived at our Homefront Pioneer destination. For three months we were housed in an isolated community thirty-five kilometres south-east of Rimbey, Alberta. We accepted an invitation to pioneer the area by the Alberta Baha'i Council.</span></span><span style="color: #757575; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #757575; font-size: 12pt;">We met several of the town’s people and introduced ourselves to them as newcomers. When one person asked, <i>Why Rimbey</i>? we shared that we were caring for a local couple’s home and pets. We added we were Baha’is who were hoping to learn about and participate in their community.</span><span style="color: #757575; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #757575; font-size: 12pt;">Later, at the dining table of the homeowners, we talked about the woman’s collection of protection idols such as her porcelain angels, voodoo dolls and gargoyles. She asked us how we felt about protection and how it was that we protected ourselves from the evils surrounding us. Frank took the opportunity to share with her that we are Baha’is and we protect ourselves with our Faith and prayers.</span><span style="color: #757575; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #757575; font-size: 12pt;">She asked, <i>What is Baha’i</i>?</span><span style="color: #757575; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #757575; font-size: 12pt;">Frank drew from his years of experience in the Faith and revealed to our listeners that Baha’is believe that we are now living in a new era where the most current prophet, Baha’u’llah, has provided to each of us messages that reveal the purpose of our lives in this time – to know and explore God’s spiritual virtues such as truthfulness, kindness, unity, love and justice. Our listeners came to the conclusion that if you are truthful, kind, loving and just, you are living a good life, a happy life.</span><span style="color: #757575; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #121212; font-size: 12pt;">Armed with the power of Thy name nothing can ever hurt me, and with Thy love in my heart all the world’s afflictions can in no wise alarm me.</span></i><i><span style="color: #121212; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">(Bahá’u’lláh, Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh, p. 208)</span></span></i></span></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-82142147683197416932017-09-26T12:02:00.000-07:002017-09-26T12:02:02.958-07:00Outlook, Saskatchewan - It's Outlook on the Library System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GniiLroxOA/WcqdhiPlieI/AAAAAAAAHt4/vPZ97Tb7aao-b6OQM-FT9cKF1tPU_Y6DACLcBGAs/s1600/wheatland%2Blogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="255" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GniiLroxOA/WcqdhiPlieI/AAAAAAAAHt4/vPZ97Tb7aao-b6OQM-FT9cKF1tPU_Y6DACLcBGAs/s320/wheatland%2Blogo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sign at the front entrance to the public library in Outlook, says <i><b>Wheatland Community Library</b></i>, however, access to its Internet WIFI is restricted to the staff and students in the school in which it is housed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This public library in this town is private when it comes to accessing the World Wide Web.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Outlook is located approximately 94 kilometres south of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Highway 219.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Frank and I stood in front of the librarian and explained to her that I’m a writer and most of my material is stored on my hard drive and on a web cloud. Also, I must verify my facts and most I can research on the Internet. “Do you have free WIFI?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7Z_sID3pz4/Wcqe-nrzeHI/AAAAAAAAHuE/omHlUF2TCRYLDLudvdGHTDF868k9kCX2wCLcBGAs/s1600/Franklin_Street_bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1200" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7Z_sID3pz4/Wcqe-nrzeHI/AAAAAAAAHuE/omHlUF2TCRYLDLudvdGHTDF868k9kCX2wCLcBGAs/s320/Franklin_Street_bar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar with free WIFI, Outlook, SK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No. There is no Internet access here in this library for the public. It is for the exclusive use of the school staff and the students. You can get WIFI at the café down the street or at the bar,” the librarian said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I felt defeated. Frank and I have been on the road for three years now, visiting as many small towns and their senior centres and libraries as possible. Even if the library has restricted days and hours, they've always had a keen sense that it is in their interest to provide free Internet access to whoever comes through their doors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Wh8-GR6Dyk/WcqfxVeHgBI/AAAAAAAAHuQ/sxwzaxa7fiQrE7NSbH5nqiluNT8NfUnaACLcBGAs/s1600/outlook_town_office.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Wh8-GR6Dyk/WcqfxVeHgBI/AAAAAAAAHuQ/sxwzaxa7fiQrE7NSbH5nqiluNT8NfUnaACLcBGAs/s320/outlook_town_office.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outlook, SK, Town Office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The good news is that my explanation to the Town Office Manager, Trent, resulted in my having access to their Internet WIFI and a comfortable chair at a table in the art centre. We left a thank you card with his staff to pass along to him on our way out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">Life is good</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.</span></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-70128706158888374582017-09-13T10:51:00.002-07:002017-09-13T10:51:50.633-07:00Tugaske, Saskatchewan - It's Not a Temple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zW_LZR9EMXg/WblrvzzsUzI/AAAAAAAAHdE/HhRWlGb5si0reZSEmSGsDwRU9MfwxIfTwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tugaske%252C%2BSaskatchewan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zW_LZR9EMXg/WblrvzzsUzI/AAAAAAAAHdE/HhRWlGb5si0reZSEmSGsDwRU9MfwxIfTwCLcBGAs/s320/Tugaske%252C%2BSaskatchewan2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masonic Temple/Lodge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><b>According to Dorothy and Lynn of Tugaske</b></span>, the Masonic Temple is now owned by a local artist who had the interior modified a bit from its previous life as a bank. We are standing together on the sidewalk across from the lodge in front of the Canada Post building.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“My mother used to work at that bank in the 1920s,” Dorothy says. “It’s not a temple, it’s a lodge. The Masons aren’t here anymore. They were kind of like the Kinsmen.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgyQYwB2LUE/WblrnBsqSJI/AAAAAAAAHdA/U5RTQ6RY4u87LpwICkqgjpj0pF2jhJn8wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Tugaske%252C%2BSaskatchewan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgyQYwB2LUE/WblrnBsqSJI/AAAAAAAAHdA/U5RTQ6RY4u87LpwICkqgjpj0pF2jhJn8wCEwYBhgL/s320/Tugaske%252C%2BSaskatchewan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town Hall 1910</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The building kitty-corner to it displays a shield inscribed with <b>Town Hall 1910</b>. It is also privately owned and in disrepair. Lynn reports that the new owners had made big promises but have left it rotting for years. They point out that the hotel is also vacant and the restaurant closed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You might also like to know that our church is abandoned now too. The roof was leaking and the repairs didn’t take, the heat was turned off and now small animals have taken it over. We meet in the community hall for services. The Pastor comes from Saskatoon every two weeks,” says Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYyOP1D29VE/Wblth1gtMgI/AAAAAAAAHdQ/7Qkvu5KOVB0FUjGil0orcofeLb4j-6WgwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tugaske%252C%2BSaskatchewan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYyOP1D29VE/Wblth1gtMgI/AAAAAAAAHdQ/7Qkvu5KOVB0FUjGil0orcofeLb4j-6WgwCLcBGAs/s320/Tugaske%252C%2BSaskatchewan3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">United Church - unused</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The ladies excuse themselves saying that they’ve been standing too long and need to go home and rest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My exploration of the town takes me across the dusty gravel street to Westbridgeford Meats Ltd. A woman is standing under the canopy. I ask if it is her business, she says yes and invites me in. The pungent odor of decaying meat fills my nostrils and makes my eyes water. She explains and that she once bred Jack Russell dogs and fed them ground meat and leftovers from her daily butchering. She now specializes as a dog food producer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--g3z0fWvpkQ/WbluZCG4oTI/AAAAAAAAHdc/3TYdsw2LHNEifMhjeasi-hDx7kuzwiANQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--g3z0fWvpkQ/WbluZCG4oTI/AAAAAAAAHdc/3TYdsw2LHNEifMhjeasi-hDx7kuzwiANQCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westbridge Meats Ltd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“We used to own the only grocery store in town with the meat rendering plant in the back. Some years ago, the whole thing burned down, we rebuilt the meat business and that’s all we do now,” she says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The meat packing plant and the Co-op garage seem to be the only businesses holding the town in its location. Tugaske is 170 kilometers south of Saskatoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That same day, Frank met Dave, a guitar builder who often has international students stay in the town for seven weeks and learn how to build guitars. At the end of their stay, they return home with the guitar they have built. At the moment, one of his students is from Israel and another is from Chicago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Later that day, we met Violet, the librarian. The library is a great resource for the locals who attend it on the three days of the week and the short hours it is open. Like many of the other towns we’ve visited this summer, the library is sometimes the only gathering place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxgyfKZ8oaI/WbluufzIV7I/AAAAAAAAHdg/lhMl9zCtKFQmauBtyOXgN9S1Ymy3VAukACLcBGAs/s1600/owl%2Breading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="875" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxgyfKZ8oaI/WbluufzIV7I/AAAAAAAAHdg/lhMl9zCtKFQmauBtyOXgN9S1Ymy3VAukACLcBGAs/s200/owl%2Breading.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-27386676283796644942017-09-05T12:02:00.000-07:002017-09-05T12:02:46.802-07:00Davidson and Loreburn, Saskatchewan<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VOIksx0o2Fg/Wa7x7ftdFsI/AAAAAAAAHcc/wrYGhYFKA98peqfBvpPk9KV6b9MGJtI4ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="640" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VOIksx0o2Fg/Wa7x7ftdFsI/AAAAAAAAHcc/wrYGhYFKA98peqfBvpPk9KV6b9MGJtI4ACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big White in Davidson, SK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">On August 29, 2017, we pulled into Davidson, Saskatchewan</span></b>, located 115 km south of Saskatoon, on Highway 11.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our intention of only spending one night at the campground was dashed when we saw its clean condition and practical location. We spent a precious four days there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each campsite has a sturdy picnic table, an electrical outlet (which we don’t use because we have our solar panels), well-developed broadleaved trees and cut grass.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wzztbkj-NyU/Wa7yQRrcBVI/AAAAAAAAHcg/139JIVfgtogLP0Kbndjq3QeEXvZa3DT0ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="640" height="216" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wzztbkj-NyU/Wa7yQRrcBVI/AAAAAAAAHcg/139JIVfgtogLP0Kbndjq3QeEXvZa3DT0ACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davidson campground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The road throughout the property is gravelled and the free public washrooms are cleaned daily and have great shower capacity, a porcelain sink and toilet and an always fully stocked paper towel dispenser – all this for $18.00 dollars a day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We visited the library and met Victoria, a lovely young woman who provided us with a resource area for hooking up to the Internet with our laptop and cups of coffee during our time there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We agreed with her explanation that libraries throughout Saskatchewan are under threat by being underfunded and it becomes the responsibility of the poorly-paid librarian to come up with practical ways to keep its doors open for the benefit of the public. She volunteers a great deal of her time as a lover of books in print and as a devoted member of the town’s society. </span><span style="background: #FFFDE8; color: #555555; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back the right one.”</span> <span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Source ebookfriendly.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During our stay, we backed our Ural bike off the trailer and toured the community in style. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHqCXLRZUzk/Wa7y6cVg7RI/AAAAAAAAHco/ymoLPHA_oYMF_CqDV58o7rSTUwtdhfnKgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="640" height="307" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OHqCXLRZUzk/Wa7y6cVg7RI/AAAAAAAAHco/ymoLPHA_oYMF_CqDV58o7rSTUwtdhfnKgCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metis fiddler and Red River cart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is a great rest stop off the highway at the entrance to Davidson. The tall structure of a Metis fiddler is impressive as is the preserved road building belly dump vehicle and an earth scooper from the 1800s to 1930s. The coffee percolator and drinking cup bring a smile to our faces. We saw a few others throughout the town. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Imjg3hALf3g/Wa7zJ7iIj_I/AAAAAAAAHcs/9DFOcOzzsr006Uiq3nw3q628mptNPM4YgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="640" height="304" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Imjg3hALf3g/Wa7zJ7iIj_I/AAAAAAAAHcs/9DFOcOzzsr006Uiq3nw3q628mptNPM4YgCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee percolator and cup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">On day three</span></b>, we took a 46.5 km ride on Highway 44 west to <b><span style="color: #741b47;">Loreburn</span></b>. I asked Frank to stop at an abandoned farmhouse along the way. The structure was impressive with its peaked roof, large windows, and significant front veranda. It must have been a grand home in its day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1xyrE7NIwc/Wa7zbaZzKII/AAAAAAAAHcw/75aPli8Zw1wy9G-ly4DYAnKe8mEwOfS_wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF6061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="640" height="233" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1xyrE7NIwc/Wa7zbaZzKII/AAAAAAAAHcw/75aPli8Zw1wy9G-ly4DYAnKe8mEwOfS_wCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF6061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned farmhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our walk through Loreburn included a visit with the librarian, who confirmed with Victoria from Davidson, that libraries are hard to keep open. She admitted that folks can just call in for a book, or read stories on their electronic devices, or ignore the efforts she makes to keep the doors of the gathering place open. She admitted that it is her passion for books that keep her there – underpaid and overworked with volunteer efforts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The following day, we loaded the bike, filled our water tank to capacity and headed down the road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-60257105995941998042017-08-28T11:13:00.000-07:002017-08-28T11:13:21.014-07:00Harris, Saskatchewan - Where a Brothel Thrived<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5j-yeL5xtms/WaRQTeK2l5I/AAAAAAAAHbI/RsOgZeHR78g7w2RbBNn-3B9GkgWdJ3BvwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5j-yeL5xtms/WaRQTeK2l5I/AAAAAAAAHbI/RsOgZeHR78g7w2RbBNn-3B9GkgWdJ3BvwCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5999.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big White at the Once Was Brothel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The first and only people we meet outdoors in the small village of <b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Harris</span></b>, 81 km south-west of Saskatoon, is a middle-aged man working in his large yard and his daughter. He declares that he got the house and vacant property beside it for a fair price, likely, he boasts, because at one time it was a brothel. Its proximity to the hotel is a giveaway he says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Aside from that interesting bit of history, the town is well maintained, has a bountiful museum and displays its past on brass plaques stationed along many of the avenues and streets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jAtMKERfg2w/WaRQ3LNK5fI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/k24PCYePHpEG0srU5l8sfGdMib9UOeaoQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jAtMKERfg2w/WaRQ3LNK5fI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/k24PCYePHpEG0srU5l8sfGdMib9UOeaoQCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5997.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autographs and Comments Welcome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We begin our self-guided tour by signing our names on the fence on Railroad Street and notice immediately that the hotel beside it is operating a lounge and possibly some rooms to rent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vk7IygggBb0/WaRRi6Pb6PI/AAAAAAAAHbc/Us2E12eP0vszCuOd4GNLUrc3Cj19MaE5QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vk7IygggBb0/WaRRi6Pb6PI/AAAAAAAAHbc/Us2E12eP0vszCuOd4GNLUrc3Cj19MaE5QCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5984.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harris Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Deeper into the community, there are several homes that are well looked after and others that are not. Further down this foot route, we find the Mason Temple & Evergreen Tree hidden behind some large bushes. This property is a municipal heritage possession these days and sadly has been attacked by some who use graffiti to identify themselves.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gEEzhJ9Yf0/WaRSD51da5I/AAAAAAAAHbk/olUeLvYNkgE-ksRq_N20yFZlOyO4BJxhQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0gEEzhJ9Yf0/WaRSD51da5I/AAAAAAAAHbk/olUeLvYNkgE-ksRq_N20yFZlOyO4BJxhQCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5987.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason Temple & Evergreen Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On Main Street, there are two churches sitting kitty-corner to one another. Both are boarded up, unused.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc7RZFRCv-E/WaRTBaErHUI/AAAAAAAAHbw/N4MLUkxBJJMhTRWPoFE65IX-mOdbyxvZQCLcBGAs/s1600/Harris%252C%2BSK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc7RZFRCv-E/WaRTBaErHUI/AAAAAAAAHbw/N4MLUkxBJJMhTRWPoFE65IX-mOdbyxvZQCLcBGAs/s320/Harris%252C%2BSK.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two churches in Harris, SK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Further down sits the New Horizons Centre with the words Orange Temple imprinted on the concrete walk leading to the building. We believe this building to be the senior centre. <i>The Orange Order was born in the charged sectarian climate of northern Ireland in the late 1700s to defend the interests of Protestant settlers against the native Irish Catholics.</i> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">(source http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/orange_order.html</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IIi1qn3T9GY/WaRbSafNgtI/AAAAAAAAHcI/5lTXAZy4l2oyrSqSSa3qIxcYKTJ-yHHLQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IIi1qn3T9GY/WaRbSafNgtI/AAAAAAAAHcI/5lTXAZy4l2oyrSqSSa3qIxcYKTJ-yHHLQCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5976.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Horizons Centre, Harris, SK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We end our stroll back at the bus and board her ready for the next exploration of another fabulous town in Saskatchewan. Less than 6 km south of Harris is a rest stop on the right-hand side of the road. These much needed soft places to land for an avid traveller are far and few between in this province.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-39241260941033960062017-08-08T12:39:00.000-07:002017-08-08T12:39:04.263-07:00Zealandia – A Town in Transition<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVfq2deA1z0/WYoN5djEU8I/AAAAAAAAHaA/sQHmEY-By_EVmQsiuOjlP3gbkrfcboQggCLcBGAs/s1600/flag%2Bof%2Bsaskatchewan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="105" data-original-width="211" height="99" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVfq2deA1z0/WYoN5djEU8I/AAAAAAAAHaA/sQHmEY-By_EVmQsiuOjlP3gbkrfcboQggCLcBGAs/s200/flag%2Bof%2Bsaskatchewan.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag of Saskatchewan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We stand with one of the librarians in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, a small community 152 kilometres west of Saskatoon on Highway 14, listening to her explain that there are no real communities worth visiting east of here on Highway 7. ‘You’re only an hour from Saskatoon, so why stop at any of the towns?’ she says. We explain that our mission is to visit as many small towns on secondary roads in the prairies as possible, meet the residents and write about them and their community. She has no comment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5V14XAOfdE/WYoPN6IJUFI/AAAAAAAAHaM/FhemorTTGMklc0ODxZaPHwk-Kohx2SvKACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCF5951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="640" height="232" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p5V14XAOfdE/WYoPN6IJUFI/AAAAAAAAHaM/FhemorTTGMklc0ODxZaPHwk-Kohx2SvKACEwYBhgL/s320/DSCF5951.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garage of the past</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;">Twenty kilometres east on Highway 7, we pull into the quaint and well-kept town of <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Zealandia</span></b>. We park Big White beside a weather beaten boarded up ageing garage. It was established in the early 1900s. A few strides into our hike, we come across a cenotaph for WW1 and WW2 veterans from the local area and a beautiful playground area purchased and constructed by the Elks No. 292. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPLDBgIn330/WYoP4zCXtZI/AAAAAAAAHaY/_bUHz3FT8to3zBBCsBhwAh9jHGuRyVCYACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="640" height="206" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPLDBgIn330/WYoP4zCXtZI/AAAAAAAAHaY/_bUHz3FT8to3zBBCsBhwAh9jHGuRyVCYACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5952.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank at Cenotaph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The wide gravelled roads are flanked by trimmed grass, tall trees and a sidewalk. We get the impression that we’re in a well-maintained park. A while later, we meet a young man detailing his truck. His name is Chris. We ask about the availability of water to fill our container and he offers to help in true Saskatchewan hospitable fashion. He explains that most folks living in Zealandia work in Rosetown and have purchased homes here because they are ‘cheap’.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-940bpLfE4Yc/WYoQd7fZX_I/AAAAAAAAHac/eF7gLU0BCuIYpF8y547s1Xl5HFqiW7QMwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="640" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-940bpLfE4Yc/WYoQd7fZX_I/AAAAAAAAHac/eF7gLU0BCuIYpF8y547s1Xl5HFqiW7QMwCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5961.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun things in a well-tended yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;">We continue our walk and admire the new homes and the old. Each structure offers a sense of Zealandia in transition. A coiffured yard with an RV and two upscale cars could tell a tale of the people who occupy the grand house, while the property next to it reveals an empty abode covered with spider webs clinging to its broken windows and four-foot high wild flowers claiming every inch of its yard. Who lived there? What might have been their occupation? When did they move away, and why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lK2pUmNzD70/WYoQst8Y1nI/AAAAAAAAHag/KO9yQctdIhQ6AJb-CbaVO2HiddOasBBNACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lK2pUmNzD70/WYoQst8Y1nI/AAAAAAAAHag/KO9yQctdIhQ6AJb-CbaVO2HiddOasBBNACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5964.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty house is hidden behind its yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The crunch of gravel under my feet puts a smile on my face and slows my pace.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I catch up to Frank who is having a lively conversation with a woman laying on a hammock in her back yard. She is explaining that Zealandia has had two fires in its history. No dates are offered but she is saying that the town’s people rebuilt the community buildings after the first, only to have another devastating fire soon after. From her yard, we can see the bell atop the fire hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vZavK5Xc78/WYoRPoD3TVI/AAAAAAAAHao/JDqy7gCR660t_sptQPFsmRdWquFGY1s-wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="640" height="238" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vZavK5Xc78/WYoRPoD3TVI/AAAAAAAAHao/JDqy7gCR660t_sptQPFsmRdWquFGY1s-wCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5958.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire hall and Town Office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the early evening, we sip coffee beside our bus and are greeted several times by other locals. We feel welcome and appreciated. No one questions why we are camping in their town. Frank tells me that he could live here in a heartbeat. Location. Location. Location.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7eLquCYJF8/WYoRs0OkmTI/AAAAAAAAHas/kobCmJI0vywsc4D1x_jku50a8t951xOswCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="640" height="229" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7eLquCYJF8/WYoRs0OkmTI/AAAAAAAAHas/kobCmJI0vywsc4D1x_jku50a8t951xOswCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5968.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big White in Zealandia, Saskatchewan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-29093863023914373632017-08-02T13:04:00.000-07:002017-08-02T13:04:12.266-07:00Come in When the Light is On<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G_nsfQfdsH0/WYIpSJa38rI/AAAAAAAAHZY/AeXewvw0ILQhzjEQQkcKlOary943J16tACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="640" height="226" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G_nsfQfdsH0/WYIpSJa38rI/AAAAAAAAHZY/AeXewvw0ILQhzjEQQkcKlOary943J16tACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5922.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Village Square, Perdue, SK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Every village in Canada has a unique set of characters living in it and Perdue, Saskatchewan, has a full deck of cards.</b> </span>We met six of them the first day we arrived at this quaint community located sixty-three kilometres west of Saskatoon on Highway 14.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are greeted at the front door of the <b>New Horizon’s Senior Centre</b> by its President, <i>Jean</i>. She is sporting a dramatic oversized coat of many colours and has a beautiful smile on her face. She shares with us later that she is over ninety years old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our host guides us over to the table where there sit three other women. The table is covered with two large plates of homemade and store-bought cookies, a container filled with cream, a bowl of white sugar and a stack of napkins. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bY7mAL_wPUE/WYIqP91-MJI/AAAAAAAAHZg/Ua5kr7fA57Etr90YbtyHRWAxovfYuJjDgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="603" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bY7mAL_wPUE/WYIqP91-MJI/AAAAAAAAHZg/Ua5kr7fA57Etr90YbtyHRWAxovfYuJjDgCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5924.JPG" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grain elevator in Perdue, SK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are invited to sit and <i>Joyce </i>is the first to introduce herself. She presents a big smile and extends her hand to Frank first and then me. She explains that she’s lived in Perdue her whole life and asks if we’ve ever heard of the game of broomball. Before we can answer, she explains that Perdue was the first Canadian city to host the game of broomball back in 1908. She keeps our attention for a while. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Next, we are introduced to <i>Elsie</i>, who, unfortunately, has forgotten her hearing aids at home and is only able to say her name and smile. We learn the next day, when we meet Elsie again at the centre, that she loves store-bought cookies best because she bakes so many homemade treats for the club. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Cora </i>sits quietly, her body likely racked in discomfort, I imagine because she’s stooped forward and her face is grimaced with pain. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The others speak to her but she doesn’t often respond.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Later, <i>Gerald </i>and his wife, <i>Esther </i>enter the centre. They sit comfortably around the conversation table and are served coffee and treats by Jean, today’s hostess. They ask us two of the most familiar questions, ‘Where are you from?’ and ‘What brings you to Perdue?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ksWlGU0lCec/WYIq-s3qMrI/AAAAAAAAHZk/R4mC5k07WNE8fc00haiRMbVOWqAPLNAHACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="640" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ksWlGU0lCec/WYIq-s3qMrI/AAAAAAAAHZk/R4mC5k07WNE8fc00haiRMbVOWqAPLNAHACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big White at the Perdue campsite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We claim Vancouver Island as our starting point and are delighted to share with them that we’ve been on the road living in our RV for nearly three years. We explain our intention to visit as many hamlets, villages and towns as possible on our direct route from one housesit to the next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our new friends express their delight in our having chosen their campsite as our layover for a few days. We let them know it’s our pleasure and that they are some of the friendliest folks we’ve met. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You’re welcome anytime, Susan and Frank. But check the light above the door. When it’s on, someone is here so come on in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-7393705079445045492017-07-13T15:25:00.001-07:002017-07-13T15:25:04.895-07:00Canwood Famous for Bannock<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-870XD8Pruu4/WWfuV8SQ7YI/AAAAAAAAHRg/ISqhN5YzKr03lloM8t64vIDFENNuof1HACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-870XD8Pruu4/WWfuV8SQ7YI/AAAAAAAAHRg/ISqhN5YzKr03lloM8t64vIDFENNuof1HACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5894.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Enjoys Bannock at Canwood Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">The Village of Canwood, Saskatchewan</span></b>, located in the north section of the province, sixty-five kilometres south-east of Big River is famous for its bannock. This luxurious bread has simple ingredients and is produced in a variety of ways, including deep fried. The clever woman who makes it works at the <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Canwood Café</span></b>. She and the owner also offer friendly banter. They would love to meet you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czx0LdPddjE/WWfvGZyKhWI/AAAAAAAAHRk/IjiNZo2wh3shiu9pXpHHpqGzznzF5nXnQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="640" height="208" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czx0LdPddjE/WWfvGZyKhWI/AAAAAAAAHRk/IjiNZo2wh3shiu9pXpHHpqGzznzF5nXnQCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5900.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canwood Commemorative Sign </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The community centennial commemorative iron monument at the highway entrance into the Village displays a fine assortment of characteristics common to the province and this small gentle getaway among your northern Saskatchewan adventures. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From every street corner, you have a grand view of the working grain elevators that stood beside the long-gone railway tracks. Now, these magnificent sentinels seemingly stand on guard for the towns’ people. On Main Street, Young’s Garage is a display of past prairie architecture. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlrX8ioM_pk/WWfvl56w2nI/AAAAAAAAHRo/GaZ9wSy4T7Y2oiYdKmxNFqZvJBES6clBACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="619" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlrX8ioM_pk/WWfvl56w2nI/AAAAAAAAHRo/GaZ9wSy4T7Y2oiYdKmxNFqZvJBES6clBACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5887.JPG" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canwood Grain Elevator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OdqQCsUd5L0/WWfwK5FfvoI/AAAAAAAAHRs/2FH_p0JC0_YFArW41cK8Jnzl1krAlDJFACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="640" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OdqQCsUd5L0/WWfwK5FfvoI/AAAAAAAAHRs/2FH_p0JC0_YFArW41cK8Jnzl1krAlDJFACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5886.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young's Garage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a few buildings for sale, some in need of either repair or full demolition. Their history includes the existence of a coin laundry, a billiards game room, a confectionary and snack bar, a Bargain Shoppe and a Pawn Shop. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lively elements of the village are attributed to the horticulture volunteers as demonstrated by the manicured park in the centre of town, the Village Administrator and workers who keep the place tidy and prideful with large displays of red and white flowers to celebrate Canada’s 150<sup>th</sup> birthday. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MOICLhbvDec/WWfwvcLlCqI/AAAAAAAAHRw/iqnMUcnLOtEUIEwprHJTgsETBbGppLBYACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCF5883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MOICLhbvDec/WWfwvcLlCqI/AAAAAAAAHRw/iqnMUcnLOtEUIEwprHJTgsETBbGppLBYACEwYBhgL/s320/DSCF5883.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan stands in the village garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The knowledgeable Municipal District Administrator is proud to show the map of the vast area under their jurisdiction. It’s populous at large are the bright lights of this most worthwhile community. Every person we spoke with had an upbeat, friendly attitude towards their town and one another.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-675283340058899830.post-82987256118086737112017-07-11T14:33:00.002-07:002017-07-11T14:36:09.474-07:00Vilna Under Construction<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61b5wJdFrr0/WWU_ZIEda_I/AAAAAAAAHQ0/KqqfxBBCfM8S__oZLBZGkbwsiYbDQ-QUgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61b5wJdFrr0/WWU_ZIEda_I/AAAAAAAAHQ0/KqqfxBBCfM8S__oZLBZGkbwsiYbDQ-QUgCLcBGAs/s200/DSCF5862.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vilna's Claim To Fame</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">The Village of Vilna’s claim to fame</span></b> is its cluster of three </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">gigantic </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">metallic</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">mushrooms standing in a park one block away from the downtown core. This gentle historic town is located 39 kilometres northeast of Smoky Lake, AB, on Highway 28.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Jj5XZP8jLs/WWVALB_SiAI/AAAAAAAAHQ4/zhRhFTJUwowHDH87QDbsIPDqUAYvMACXACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="640" height="138" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Jj5XZP8jLs/WWVALB_SiAI/AAAAAAAAHQ4/zhRhFTJUwowHDH87QDbsIPDqUAYvMACXACLcBGAs/s200/DSCF5856.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope of a Boys and Girls Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some of its meaningful businesses under construction or being repaired include the hopeful startup of a boys and girls social club where the youth of this town and the surrounding district can find relief from the technology-driven, anti-social aspect of their lives, according to the woman we met on the street. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slDOktwYI5g/WWVBCfa0JUI/AAAAAAAAHQ8/ioPoHfGnT5kH_IVsyKt4JoT2WVMUhlrmACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="640" height="116" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slDOktwYI5g/WWVBCfa0JUI/AAAAAAAAHQ8/ioPoHfGnT5kH_IVsyKt4JoT2WVMUhlrmACLcBGAs/s200/DSCF5858.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vilna Seniors' Centre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Across from that large undertaking is the Vilna Seniors’ Centre. The scaffold structure on its front face was a giveaway. The new delightful blue siding gives the building a regal image. We left the area before they had the chance to add an apostrophe for plural possession.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbZNrMn49ME/WWVBcYmToXI/AAAAAAAAHRA/BLgS-CdnjQUfaCY53N40Se2S3mtyinfUACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbZNrMn49ME/WWVBcYmToXI/AAAAAAAAHRA/BLgS-CdnjQUfaCY53N40Se2S3mtyinfUACLcBGAs/s200/DSCF5859.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home is Where Your Heart Is</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some folks have the great idea of developing an at-home business while a clever lady in this town turned a business into her home. As you stroll down the centre street in Vilna, pay special attention to a red door. Home is where you make it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5S2AFSpp3Io/WWVCM51uuUI/AAAAAAAAHRE/Gp3Z5w8AoqoxxnOm2N4bRm48r660-cx_QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="640" height="126" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5S2AFSpp3Io/WWVCM51uuUI/AAAAAAAAHRE/Gp3Z5w8AoqoxxnOm2N4bRm48r660-cx_QCLcBGAs/s200/DSCF5860.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garage of Days Gone By</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As you step off onto one of the side roads you’ll be pleasantly surprised that what is old, very old, still stands. A used-to-be vehicle repair building presents itself as a staple of days gone by. Our lady on the street told us that there used to be four garages in Vilna and now there are none. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s2p2m7Bnep4/WWVCw7A37pI/AAAAAAAAHRI/7GzMEmmsK0sOc5oEkO8WsSl_JN0MwCBIgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF5864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s2p2m7Bnep4/WWVCw7A37pI/AAAAAAAAHRI/7GzMEmmsK0sOc5oEkO8WsSl_JN0MwCBIgCLcBGAs/s320/DSCF5864.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek Orthodox Church in Vilna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One of our biggest surprises was that the Greek Orthodox Church was closed and not under construction and the Anglican Church was for sale. The sands of time and encroaching trees and invasive plants have taken over in some areas, while in others the sounds of simultaneous hammers and saws ring out as hopeful indicators of keeping this small town alive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our last visit was with the Administrator at the Vilna Village Office. She shared the good news that the village is keeping its library and organisers are looking for a librarian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Frank and Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495103935205525577noreply@blogger.com0