Awakening during the global pandemic.

 Time to return to my blog.  After 2019 was filled with adventure, 2020 has been all about staying safe!!

Missing my dad so much.  He was born during the global pandemic of 1918 and survived.  A country boy, he was in the artillery during WWII and survived.  A young man, son, uncle, brother, husband, father and rancher in the East Kootenay he cleared land, built a farm and with his wife raised 4 children.  Instilling love of learning, satisfaction that comes with physical activity, respect for the land and animals,  joy in sharing, pride in self reliance and responsibility, he was a role model we adored.  He encouraged others to excel and yet remained calm and didn't put pressure to adopt his outlook on life.  He quite simply was my hero.  

He died at the beginning of this global pandemic and I was unable to see him at the end. My brother Dave and cousins Jack and Betty were regular visitors, until near the end at which time Dave was the only person allowed in.  The pandemic did Not get him. 

 No, it was just that he had used up his body and he knew it.  Stories abound.  We are blessed with many memories.  A favorite story of his was of him and his sister Alice putting up hay at Fish Lake (about 15 miles from Waldo).  Knowing that there was a dance in Waldo, they decided to walk out to go to it.  And,whenever they would get tired of walking they would take a break and run.  Then, go dancing all night.  What a man!! 

Baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays were passions of his in the last years, but earlier in life it was Fastball and Family tournaments.  Playing fastball with sons, nephews and great nephews was such fun.

Attending hockey games and following the progress of his great grandsons with skating and playing hockey made him so happy.  Of course there were many early mornings driving his sons to hockey in the 60's and 70's.  

I had many happy hours learning how to gentle a horse with him. Hehad no patience with "breaking a horse".  However, he had infinite patience for gentling and when we were done, the horse was my pet. 

Dad was pleased to have a great party and visit many family members and friends at the Kimbrook for his 100th birthday.  Wishes from the Queen and Governor General Payette were received in time.  101 was a quieter affair, celebrated with lemon pie and family visits.  

2019 has flown by with many adventures.  Travel was the big item although retirement is an adventure all its own.  Beginning pre-retirement with a 5 day trip to Las Vegas, a motorcycle road trip up the sunshine coast and further on to the northern tip of Vancouver Island.  Post retirement,  a motorcycle trip to Couer d'Alene for a sidecar rally, and roadtrip to black hills of South Dakota passing through Deadwood and Sturgis just ahead of the big biker rally, back to the Kootenays and Okanagan before resting at home.  Then a weekend trip to Gold River in preparation for the Ireland adventure.  On rented bikes we explored both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.  Home at last we then adopted two dogs.  A mellow 7 year female Border Collie, Alba and a very non-mellow 4 year old Mudi, Mr Mudi. A weekend at the flyball championships to connect with many friends and then some down time. For a taste of what this looks like in retrospective.

 More adventures to come I am sure.