Sunday Jan 29th...Comin' down.

A little Sunday here and a little Sunday there…

http://www.lauradekker.nl/English/Home.html

AN AMAZING JOURNEY…ONE ‘ELLUVA DREAM!

16 Year old Laura Dekker from Holland recently competed circumnavigating the world and its 27,000 nautical miles in a little 38ft yacht…alone.  The youngest person ever to do so!  Initially, her own Dutch government took the matter to court several times to try and stop her dream…

TALK ABOUT TRAVELLING AROUND THE WORLD…

I see where my good friend Stan Jensen is touring around Israel and the accompanying photos he updates us with on FB are wonderful.  Stan is probably combining business and pleasure, a practice which has taken him too many points around the world.  Stan and family moved to Airdrietown in the late ‘60’s…the family stayed, Stan strayed…nice to keep in touch with good friends though.

“YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET”

Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO) only million dollar single, started off as nothing more than a testing song to see if they were getting the right balance before they tackled the real songs intended for the album.  In Bachman’s book, “Vinyl Tap Stories”, Randy claims when Charlie Fach (Mercury Records) came to hear the tracks for BTO’s third album he was concerned that while the album tracks were great there was no obvious single…When the engineer suggested they play that ‘stuttering song’, Randy cringed and even when he first heard it on the radio he was so embarrassed he turned it off!  The book is an interesting & enjoyable read by the way…

THE SIMPLEST TOY, ONE WHICH EVEN THE YOUNGEST CHILD CAN OPERATE, IS CALLED A GRANDPARENT

Dan & Collette Anaka, local Benjamin Moore Paint store proprietors recently arrived back from the ‘Disney Cruise’.  Daughter Shaeleen and family accompanied mom & dad.  Dan claims they were able to keep up their walking routine as 3 times around the deck was good for a mile.  Well, between that and keeping up with the grandbabies they were able to balance all the available food!  I didn’t ask if they ‘Grilled’ the captain before tours commencement…

AND A LITTLE MORE AROUND AIRDRIETOWN

Visited with Marj & Dunc Stewart Friday night.  Marj is still curling 3 times a week and I delighted in Marj reminiscing about all her old curling stories involving both the games and otherwise!  It seems they’ve had their grandbabies just right.  Son Bill’s girls are now adults with families, son Rob’s young lad is soon to be a teenager and now son Greg has given them wee ‘Zachy!’…Really sorry to hear, Sharon Shuttleworth will be leaving the Benjamin Moore store at month’s end.  Really enjoyed yakking with her and so thankful for the bottles she’s contributed for our friend’s cause!...I bumped into Donny Campbell on a painting quote recently.  Donny is a Journeyman Carpenter and was ‘Ramrodding’ the outfit on the reno job.  We used to watch him tend goal for a few years while with Frank McEvoy’s  Airdrie Thunder Hockey Team.  You can reach Donny at ‘donnyhcampbell@gmail.com’ should you need such services…my friend Jerry @ the Mac’s Coffee bar tells me his kids bought him a snow blower for Christmas.  He doesn’t seem that disappointed for not having used it yet!...my condolences to the Thomson family on the recent passing of their matriarch, Klare.  Wonderful lady and a real boom to our community!

SUPER DUPER BOWL NEXT WEEK…

I was sure hoping for the brothers Jim & John Harbough anticipated clash.  Having the Baltimore Ravens/San Francisco 49ers coached teams come together in the NFL’s Ultimate Finale and the resulting handshake at game’s end would have been interesting.  49er coach Jim seems really good at brushing off the opposing teams coach at games conclusion…oh well.  Maybe next year…

STEVEN PRESSFIELD

WHO?  Says you?  Pressfield’s first job when he moved to New York City was as a $150-a-week copy writer for Benton & Bowles.  One day while rewriting the just-add-water text for the back label of Gravy Train dog food he asked himself, ‘Shouldn’t I be doing something a little more worthwhile?’  He decided to quit and write a novel.  Eight novels, many bestsellers and 34 screenplays later…The one fiction book of his that I’ve seen made into a movie was , ‘The Legend of Bagger Vance.’  I’m currently reading two of his nonfiction gems, “The War of Art” & “Do The Work”…If ‘Overcoming your resistance and getting out of your own way’, bears any interest, I highly recommend them!

Friends and memories…

Tomorrow is January 26^th and I will be remembering my friend Neil Anderson, gone since 2008 and my mother-in-law Vera, gone since 2009. 

Neil and I attended school together in Airdrietown back so many years ago.  We weren’t really friends though, as we travelled in different circles.  Now, Airdrietown only had five hundred or so people back then so most circles interacted somewhat…but the fact of the matter was our paths never seemed to cross too much, until after we’d married and started raising families.  I can still remember being somewhat puzzled after getting a phone call from Neil asking me if I’d be interested in seeing a business opportunity.   “Why would Neil Anderson be phoning me?” 

Now, the business opportunity was an MLM venture called Amway and usually you tend to call people outside your circle of close friends just because if any noses get out of joint (those kinds of businesses tend to do that) you no doubt won’t see them again soon.  We did agree to come out to see the program and ultimately joined up with Neil & Geraldine.  The business didn’t last but the friendship blossomed!  Interesting how things work out.

Our two families shared a lot over the years…not unlike any other friendship that’s 30 years in the making but something unique brought Neil & I just a little closer several years into our budding friendship…and that was golf!

We found our own little paradise called Water Valley for our insatiable appetite.  We grew with that little golf course, from the nine hole cow pasture with a modular clubhouse to their present day 18 hole extravaganza with all the ‘Bells & Whistles’ one would expect!

We laughed and snorted our way around that course.  We became masters at holding our tongues just right with arched backs swayed waaaaaay over in an effort to coax that ball out of those darn trees and the odd ‘helicopter sighting’ was to be expected.  We tended to invent our own game within the game if you will. Mulligan’s were common place and ‘Reloads’ (Because the darn cows mooed just as we swung) ran rampant.  Our game did improve over the years…however slightly but the anticipation and excitement on those lazy Sunday mornings were heaven sent!

I could go in depth describing all my friend Neil’s attributes and strengths but alas what I remember most was our shared enjoyment of early Tee times and if we could be the first off in the morning, all the better.  The ¾ hour drive out to Water Valley served as the perfect buffer for us to solve the world’s problems and discuss new golfing tips designed to confound us even further. 

I’ll be making the trip out to Water Valley again on May 30th, as that was Neil’s birthday and it usually marked the official start of the golf season for us. I’ll enjoy soaking up all the ambiences including the  cows mooing, sunshine streaming through the trees and the shadows dancing lazily across the fairway.  I’ll no doubt be hitting the perfect drive… with my tongue held just right and my arched back swayed waaaaaay over….thankyou my friend, it was and is my pleasure!

Interesting how my mom and my future mother-in-law met before Pat and I ever laid eyes on each other.  Back in the summer of ’71, Vera was engaged to a Ted Kinniburgh, a single farmer residing east of Airdrie.  The problem was they weren’t getting married until November and what to do with Pat in the meantime.  Her school in Calgary did not have semesters like Airdrie,  so the decision was made to have Pat room & board in Airdrie until the big day.  When Vera queried as to how they would find someone Ted replied, ‘Marge La Marsh!’  Mom knew the perfect place and from there Pat and I would magically meet on the first day of school.  Thankyou Vera, t'was a very good decision you made.  Vera was a great mother-in-law and over the years we had many excellent times sprinkled with just enough hiccups to keep things interesting and on an even keel!  Vera would eventually move out to Victoria and she was extremely interested in keeping us advised as to the current trend of “February flower blooming!”  She was quick to remind us of our sub zero temperatures out Alberta way!  I loved the fact that Vera always took an interest in my cartooning and she loooooooooooooved getting a good game of cards going.  She was one competitive gal and we both took great delight in teasing each other over failed tricks in ‘Bid Whist’ or that damn queen of spades in ‘Hearts!’ 

Visits to Victoria and a great game of cards just haven’t been the same since but the memories are priceless.  Thankyou Vera, it was indeed my pleasure!

Good morning and happy Sunday…

Our daughter Jessica accompanied Pat & I to new movie release, “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” on Friday.  Tom Hanks & Sandra Bullock headline this pic but movie son, Thomas Horn actually stars…This is one of those ‘Thought’ movies for me.  Pat and I were in the 7/10 range while Jessica struggled with a 5/10.  Although the movie hints of the 9-11 theme it really centers around their autistic sons struggles in the aftermath of the event.   His incredible planning, discipline and unwavering resolve to unlock the mystery surrounding the mysterious key found in his dad’s belongings serve to high-lite the movie.  There are a number of excellent point s to ponder in this movie especially dad (Tom Hanks) wonderful handling of his autistic son!

I see Airdrietown’s ATB satellite  bank is now open south of the Co-op Store…

…and from the 60’s, Robert Crumb was a pioneer in underground cartooning.  Some of you may remember his ZAP, WEIRDO or FRITZ THE CAT epics.  His theory, “To draw from life is to learn about life” always seemed to make sense.  I recently read where he is now living in the South of France in a house he acquired for SEVERAL NOTEBOOKS of his!  Better get drawing…

Although I’ve used Benjamin Moore’s paints in our Painting Business for years, I was pleasantly surprised to see Cloverdale paints in the Kingsland Commercial district, south of No Frills.  Cloverdale is a good alternative but I better pay more attention to our local newspapers as I’ve seen no advertising for them.

I’ve been reading Randy Bachman’s, “Vinyl Tap Stories” recently and I was amazed at his recollection of Canada’s (Winnipeg) famous jazz musician Lenny Breau…”Lenny was truly a music guy.  He could barely read or write.  He couldn’t even balance his cheque book.  But he would practice his guitar 15 to 16 hours a day.  He just played guitar all day because he wanted to master it all.  Lenny started playing guitar at age 7 and left school at age 10.  All he wanted to do was play guitar and so his parents let him quit.”  Now that’s PASSION!  The book is a good read too by the way…

I was recently listening to Alison Armstrong’s perspective on the topic of ‘Men and their deservedness’…She claims that a man basically takes all the good they’ve done in their life and subtracts all the harm that they haven’t FORGIVEN themselves for and the remainder is their deservedness  allowances.  If their harm (that they haven’t forgiven themselves for) is greater than their perceived good done…then they have troubles with deserving and they won’t ask for what they need.   Hm, maybe she’s onto something there…have a great Sunday, see you next week!

Friday's Blog...A poem by J. Baxter (Found in Here's the Scoop)

WHEN I’M AN OLD LADY

When I’m an old lady, I’ll live with each kid,

And bring so much happiness…just as they did.

I want to pay back all the joy they’ve provided,

Returning each deed!  Oh, they’ll be so excited!

(When I’m an old lady and live with my kids)

I’ll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,

And I’ll bounce on the furniture…wearing my shoes.

I’ll drink from the carton and then leave it out,

I’ll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they’ll shout!

(When I’m an old lady and live with my kids)

When they’re on the phone and just out of reach,

I’ll get into things like sugar and bleach.

Oh, they’ll snap their fingers and then shake their head,

And when that is done I’ll hide under the bed.

(When I’m an old lady and live with my kids)

When they cook dinner and call me to eat,

I’ll not eat my green beans or salad or meat,

I’ll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,

And when they get angry…I’ll run…if I’m able!

(When I’m an old lady and live with my kids)

I’ll sit close to the TV, through the channels I’ll click,

I’ll cross both eyes just to see if they stick.

I’ll take off my socks and throw one away,

And play in the mud ‘til the end of the day!

(When I’m an old lady and live with my kids)

And later in bed, I’ll lay back and sigh,

I’ll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes.

My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,

And sat with a groan, ‘She’s so sweet when she’s sleeping!’

 

Wednesday, Jan. 18 Journal Test

My mother, Margery La Marsh’s Birthday.

January 13^th 2012

My mother was the ‘Airdrie Correspondent’ for the Rocky View News back in the 70’s.  I seem to have picked up a bit of her passion in writing and reporting, so in memory of my mom and seeing as this was her birthday date, I thought I’d throw in a January 1975 column of hers…

FESTIVE SEASON IN AIRDRIE

BY MARGERY LA MARSH

Messages of congratulations are being received at the home of GLENN & LINDA O’NEILL on the arrival of their daughter on December 19, a wee sister for Travis.  The proud grandparents are Mr. & Mrs. Shapka of Balzac.

Constable JOHN OLSON of Grimshaw, Alberta spent Christmas with his folks, Glen & Jean Olson.

Congratulations are extended to MR. & MRS. JIM STAPELY on their marriage on December 20 in Calgary.  They have purchased Ed Kirkwood’s house and will be moving in shortly after the New Year.  Jim was a former resident of Airdrie, had most of his schooling here.  Airdrie extends a welcome to the happy couple.

DON & RUTH YANTZ and children motored to Saskatchewan to spend Christmas with Don’s folks.  The amount of snow in Regina was unbelievable.  Snow was piled 3’ to 4’ high on streets.

AL & BEV ANDERSON and family travelled to Lethbridge and Picture Butte to spend Christmas with relatives.

ROY & EV FOSTER motored to Gleichen to attend their daughter and son-in-law’s, Pat & Gordon Wilson’s 25^th wedding anniversary on December 28^th.

Congratulations are extended to MR. & MRS. SONNY GROSS on their marriage on Sat., Dec 28th in Calgary.

A number of folks in the Airdrie district will be saddened to hear of the passing of Harry Graham of Red Deer in Edmonton on Dec. 23^rd at the age of 62.  Grahams had farmed in the Airdrie district for a few years, and had also resided in Airdrie, then they moved to Red Deer.  He leaves to mourn, his wife Willa, a son Peter of Grande Prairie and 3 daughters, Mrs. Marion Snowden of Edmonton, Mrs. Haner Morton of Ft. McMurray and Mrs. Sheila Raboud of Calgary.  Airdrie expresses deepest sympathy to the family.

HENRY & PEGGY BENSTEAD spent Christmas with their daughter and son-in-law, Carol & Don Griesbrook at Brooks.  The granddaughters Sandy & Holly accompanied their grandparents back to Airdrie after Christmas where they will spend part of their holidays.

DENISE BROOKS & BERT TIFFIN, both of Cranbrook, B.C. spent Christmas with Denise’s parents, Jerry & Phyllis Brooks.

LORNE SUTCLIFFE of Spirit River is home for the festive season with his dad Jack.

Cub and Scout organization will be sponsoring a TELEPHONE WHIST from Jan. 11 to Feb 1^st.  Anyone wishing to have a party at their home please contact Elsie Bailey 238-5963 or Juanita Parkinson 238-5965.

Get well wishes to BILL STANDIDGE & BOB BARRETT, both of Airdrie, and both on Calgary police force, who were injured in the shoot-out on Friday, Dec.20^th.

Get The Bitch Started!

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Welcome to "A-Chin-Wag-With-Trent"...
I've wanted to create a blog for some time now but there's always been the 'stoppers.'  Stoppers are illusions really and they're nestled in the sub conscious that blare out, "IT'S GOTTA BE PERFECT!" or "I DON'T KNOW HOW!" or "YA, I'LL BE GETTING ON THAT WHEN..." type thing.  This is a continuum that my Coach, Coach Charrise brought me back to reality with, "JUST GET THE BITCH STARTED!"
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