Remembering my Dad

The photo shows German Shepherd pups born on January 13th, now ready for sale. Spring is a favorite time of year with all the signs of new life.

On this date in the year 1917, William Bjorgum was born. Some called him "Willie;" others called him "Bill." I called him Dad. He was an inspiration to me, and encouraged me in so many ways. He taught me how to play ball, and bought me my first ball glove, a Black Diamond, when I was in grade 3. He valued education and believed in the importance of further education not only for his sons but also for his daughters. He wanted his daughters to be self-sufficient. (What a modern idea for his generation!) Dad treated others, regardless of gender or race, with respect and compassion. Dad had a wonderful sense of humour, and an unbelievable memory for jokes. He mastered many games including checkers, chess, and cards. Few could match his game-playing skills. Dad enjoyed hunting and could give a good imitation of a goose honking. He also enjoyed carpentry, and constructed children's furniture for us as well as many rocking chairs for children in the neighbourhood. He had an aptitude for music. As a child, I was impressed by his harmonica-playing ability. In his later years he especially enjoyed the violin, particularly Alfie Myhre's rendition of "Danny Boy." Whenever I hear "Tennessee Waltz" or "Somewhere My Love,"I think of Dad. Dad adored my Mom, Irene, whom we sadly lost almost a year ago now. He used to frequently remark how lovely our Mom was and challenge us to find a partner as wonderful as she was. He enjoyed having her by his side. I can see him sitting in front of the TV in his Lazyboy chair, saying, "Irene, come and sit on my knee." It will be fifteen years in August since Dad passed on. I will hold him dear forever in my heart. I am so thankful for the happy childhood I was privileged to have, and for two parents who were wonderful role models.

Since the last posting:

1. Our internet connection was repaired. Our computer was overhauled.

2. We enjoyed an evening of dancing with Amber Williams and the Rocky Mountain Experience on February 15th in Caroline.

3. A week later, on February 22nd, we enjoyed dancing to the music of Dwain and Larry Sands at the Caroline Legion.

4. On February 27th, I was inspired by a home-improvement idea and climbed on to an unstable chair to check it out. Coming off the chair, I fell and hurt my right shoulder and gashed my right lower leg which required eight stitches. Lying in emergency at Sundre Hospital, I thought, "Oh no, I'm a Senior fall statistic!"

5. On February 28th, I got word that my Uncle Russ had passed away, and that his grandson Justin (Marlene's son) had left the day before for Afghanistan.

6. March 5th - 7th: I attended the Alberta Correctional Educators' Association Conference in Banff. We stayed at the Banff Park Lodge. As usual, the food was magnificent. We enjoyed the staff bonding time, time to renew old acquaintances, and some excellent speakers. The conference theme was "Stop the Violence!" My favorite session was "Vicarious Trauma" with Pat Koukoros.

7. March 8th: Uncle Russ' funeral. The day began at 10:30 at the Burgar Funeral Home in Camrose for the viewing and a Poppy Service with members of the Camrose Legion. We then proceeded to the Kingman Cemetery for the burial. The cemetery was covered with deep snow which glistened like diamonds as the warm sun shone on it. The funeral service was in Edmonton at 2:30 at the Laurier Heights Baptist Church. My Uncle Russ and Aunt Martha were founding members. Though the occasion was a sad one, we enjoyed the time with extended family. Some of us had supper at Aunty Janet's. The next day was a grand breakfast and time of visiting at Laurel's. Uncle Russ was buried on the same day as his own Dad(my Granddad, Gustav Anders Hanson) forty-three years later!

8. Easter Weekend at Grimshaw/Peace River: We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Jarl and Rebecca's on March 22nd, Rebecca's birthday. The appetizers themselves would have sufficed as a meal. However, we continued our feast with a beautifully roasted ham, the best scalloped potatoes I have ever tasted, and chocolate mousse for dessert. Like her Mom, Rebecca is a superb cook!! Rebecca's friend Luana was holding Parker when we arrived, and I didn't even recognize him!! It was good to have some quality time with my grandchildren.

9. March 24th: I returned to Caroline. Madison came with to spend her Easter holidays with me.

Tomorrow we are heading to Laurel's. Madison will spend the evening with Kayli. Laurel, Alice, Michelle and I are going to the Jubilee for a Los Lobos concert. Aina is picking up Madison on Saturday. Sunday, Alice and I are on our way for a week's holiday in Kelowna. We look forward to seeing familiar places (Mom and Dad lived in Summerland in the 80s) and faces (John, Vanessa, and Zechariah.) We look forward also to a head start on Spring!

The Countess Celebrates

In spite of the cold weather, my birthday and the week following has been splendid. On the day of my birthday (Groundhog Day) we stayed at home and enjoyed the warmth of wood fire in a small cabin. From Friday evening to Sunday evening I had phone calls from all my children, all my siblings, Aunty Bea and Aunty Janet. Kate emailed from Edinburgh, Scotland and Andy from Australia. Sunday midday we went for a swim at the Sundre Pool. We really enjoy this. The southern wall is mostly glass so we get the benefit of the midday sun on the water. One can almost imagine being in a tropical locale.

Monday evening we attended the AGM and supper for the Rocky Credit Union. This was both a personal and work-related outing. We are members of the Credit Union, but Helge also took photos of the new board for the paper. We enjoyed a lovely roast beef dinner with salads and desserts. I was fortunate to win a door prize which was a $25 gift certificate from http://www.giftcertificates.ca/. I have chosen to use it at Winners. Tuesday evening we were off to Red Deer to hear the blues musician Paul Oscher. Paul Oscher played harmonica for the Muddy Waters band in the late 60s. In fact, he shared the basement of Muddy Water's house with Otis Spann, whom he regards as the greatest ever blues pianist. Paul was a one-man show using harmonica, guitar, keyboard, and fancy footwork percussion. It was wonderful to be immersed in authentic blues with a performer who gives his all! Helge bought me Paul Oscher's CD "Down in the Delta," which Paul graciously autographed.

On Thursday after work I went to Red Deer for a haircut. My hairdresser Maria told me that my friend Marilyn had left just before I arrived. No sooner was my haircut finished than Marilyn was back at the salon inviting me to come home for supper with her. I had a wonderful evening with one of my favorite people! This coming week we are having a pot luck at work for all the February birthdays. In fact, there are five of us. That is quite a number considering the small size of our staff! Helge and I are planning to go to a Valentine's cabaret next Friday. It is a long while since we have been to a dance so we are looking forward to this. Rebecca and the boys (Spencer and Parker) are also coming home for a few days next weekend (Family Day Weekend) so I am also looking forward to that! At one of his Christmas parties Helge won a $50 gift certificate from Rocky Mountain Flowers. As soon as the weather improves I will be using this certificate to get some spring flowers for the cabin.

This week I learned that our employer has approved our staff going to the ACEA (Alberta Correctional Educators Association) Conference in Banff the first week in March. The theme this year is centered on violence and gangs. We haven't been to one of these conferences for three years so are looking forward to this. It is always a fun, team-building experience. We enjoy meeting with old friends and new, and expanding our awareness and understanding of societal issues. Hopefully we will have some spare time to enjoy our beautiful surroundings. We generally make it to Canada House, at least.

Newest musician to research: Little Miss Higgins

New Mantra: It Counts! My weight loss efforts are working. I'm adjusting my attitude from "who cares?" or "just one won't hurt" to "It Counts! Every little effort counts!" Imagine a heavy weight on one pan of a balance beam. Every positive choice is like a grain of sand on the other pan. The first few grains make little difference, but gradually the effects accumulate and the balance begins to shift. Latest inspiration: Waist-enhancing dresses and belts are in for 2008! I want to find my waist!

A few years ago my delightfully creative and humorous colleague Barbara created a modern-day version of Shakespeare's "King Richard" to say farewell to another colleague, Richard, who was retiring. My character in our little farewell play was "The Countess of Calculus." This reflects my love of mathematics and captures my fancy! This name seems to fit well with my affirmation "It Counts!"

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."

-Albert Einstein

My Journey with CKUA

I can’t say for certain when I became a CKUA fan. Some of my earliest recollections are of listening to Cheryl Crowcher’s Heritage Trails on my way to work in the early 90s. I enjoyed these informative and entertaining stories of our Alberta history. It wasn’t long after that that CKUA lost its government funding and went off the air. I was anxious for it to return as I thought I had found something special. It did return and has been on air ever since thanks to listener support garnered through spring and fall fundraising campaigns every year. The next connection was with Cam Hayden and the Friday Night Blues Party. I never grow weary of the blues!

In September 2000 I had my first new car, a Honda Civic with a good radio. I began a new job and was on the road between 7 and 8 am daily, listening once again to the soothing voice of Cam Hayden on Alberta Morning. That must be when CKUA started to become a habit. Then I was saddened when Cam left the morning program and David Ward came on air. However, before long I was captivated by Mr. Ward and I thought I had found my soul mate!! I was learning so much about personalities and special days. I always had something to share with my students. When David left the morning program I came to know and appreciate Bob Chelmak. I had no sooner grown accustomed to easing into the day with Bob when Tony King took the helm. I thought, “Oh, no! I can’t handle jazz first thing in the morning! ( I enjoy “Voices in Jazz” and am learning to appreciate a wider repertoire.) Now I have become a fan of Tony and have downloaded some of his playlists.

Since those early days I have been energized by Luka on my journey home from work (Afternoon Edition), explored the world with Lark (World Spinning) and enjoyed R&B and the oldies (Lionel’s Vinyls) with Lionel and Roy (Roy’s Record Room). I have chuckled with Andy and become a fan of Celtic music; I have laughed heartily with Allison and discovered that I do like country music (Wide Cut Country). I’ve followed the accomplished and affable musician Craig Corth (bluegrass “Fire on the Mountain”) progress from a novice DJ to an “old hand.” I have discovered that my heart lies with folk music and I try not to miss Tom Coxworth (Folk Routes) on Sunday morning. Winding down on a Sunday evening with Folk Routes, Bel Canto, and Classic Examples was a perfect fit for me, but the schedule changed. I have had to learn to become flexible and adjust to ever-changing schedules. In fact, I told myself that change is what keeps CKUA fresh and always appealing. I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t become an instant fan of Baba!!

My husband says I talk about the DJs as though they were family. I replied, “It feels like they are.” It is difficult in a small rural community to find someone with my passion for an eclectic mix of music. CKUA radio and internet has made that possible for me. I’ve attended the Calgary, Edmonton, and Canmore Folk Festivals since I started listening to CKUA. I learned to appreciate many artists I had never even heard of before CKUA. I value CKUA’s support of local artists. Without CKUA I would have never known the wealth of talent Alberta has.

This month I have become aware of the music of Andy Palacio, Perla Batalla, and Amy LaVere. I will, unfortunately, never be able to hear Andy perform live. He passed away on January 19 ,2008 at the young age of 47 years because of heart failure. He was dedicated to preserving the Garifuna language through music. The Garifuna language originated when two large ships filled with West African slaves sunk off the Caribbean island of St. Vincent in 1635. About half of those slaves surivived and intermingled with the indigenous Caribs to create the Garifuna culture. These people resisted European colonization. Many were exiled to the Caribbean coast of Central America, some were segregated and held on to their cultural traditions, and others were forced to homogenize with the local predominant culture.

Perla Batalla first came to prominence as a back-up singer with Leonard Cohen who encouraged her to go solo. Her father was a musician who owned a popular Spanish record store. If I could afford it and the weather wasn’t so severely cold I would go to hear her perform at Festival Place in Sherwood Park on February 2nd. In lieu, I am putting her album “Mestiza,” which means ‘woman of mixed race’ on my wish list. It is a blend of Latin and North American influences.

Amy LaVere was born in a small Texas/Louisiana border town. Her parents were musical with a passion for traditional country. By the time she began high school in Detroit, her family had moved thirteen times. She admired Billie Holiday, but because her voice wasn’t very big she realized that she would have to make it expressive. She has always tried, in her own words, to “live life largely” and plays a bass larger than her demure self. She describes her latest album “Anchors & Anvils” as a “classic country/gypsy/jazz thing.” I hope to hear her live at the Strathcona Community Center in Calgary on April 19th.

THANK YOU CKUA FOR NURTURING MY INSATIABLE CURIOSITY AND EXPANDING MY WORLD!! CKUA can be listened to online at www.ckua.com. Click on "Live on Air" in the upper left corner.

I didn't have to go to work this afternoon. Our school was shutdown on Monday due to weather conditions. Since I work the second half of every week, that means working all day Thursday and all day Friday this week. The inclement weather and my part-time schedule has given me a wonderful opportunity to catch up on some writing and correspondence. What a rare event to have time for myself! Helge and I are both enjoying more home cooking.

Deep Freeze

We woke up this morning to a temperature of –35 degrees Celsius as well as a nasty wind. It was a perfect day for cocooning! Helge worked on his weekly newspaper submission for the “Caroline Clarion.” I did something very rare. I composed a handwritten letter to some friends. One of my goals for 2008 is to improve my record of personal correspondence. Our cabin is toasty warm from the burning of aspen that has been drying for two years. It is a high-performance firewood, beating pine and spruce hands down. We kept our innards warm with homemade porridge for breakfast and homemade bean soup for supper. My only venture outdoors was to run between cabins. Helge, however, is dedicated to his daily exercise. Once he submitted his news he went outdoors to cut and split more firewood to have on hand for sale. Of course, he also gets daily exercise by caring for his chickens, goats, llama, and dogs. We have four German Shepherd pups born on January 14th. The snow is surrounding the walls and roof of the dog house, turning it into an igloo.

Yesterday’s weather conditions were similar. Aina called in the morning saying that she had awakened to an indoor temperature of 5 degrees. The furnace was not working so she had to call in the repairman. Fortunately the house has a wood stove in the living room and she has an electric heater so was able to warm up the house whilst waiting for repairs. I called Kai at lunchtime yesterday. He has been working in the Grand Cache area since Christmas. The temperature was below minus 40 with the wind chill. He said he had never been so cold on the job. Most of the welding trucks have a diesel engine which just doesn’t warm up when the truck is idling in severely cold weather. Fortunately the crew was given a few days break so he doesn’t have to return to work until Saturday. It is supposed to warm up somewhat by then.

This past Saturday evening Helge and I went to the Longbranch Saloon in Caroline to hear Amber Williams and the Rocky Mountain Experience (Aaron, Warren, and Billy Fay, and Darcy Cech). The bar is not really our scene ( worth a visit because of its unique country décor) but Helge had been asked to promote the group in the local news. They are a fledgling band and are performing for the Valentine’s Cabaret on February 15th. Aina went to school with Amber and Jarl with Aaron. I enjoyed their unique blend of country western, country rock, and gospel music. I especially enjoyed their take on two tunes from CCR, my favorite group during my university days: “Rollin’ Down the River,” and “Proud Mary.” I enjoyed two glasses of red wine (Ambiance) and Helge two bottles of light beer. We shared some homemade fries. For Helge it was a reporting job. For me it felt like a date. I enjoyed myself. We headed home around 11:30 before the patrons got too rowdy!!

My favorite quote this week is from a colleague: “Too blessed to be stressed.”

Greek Gala

Last night we had a wonderful family outing at Koutouki's Taverna, a new Greek restaurant in Leduc. We gathered to spend time with Uncle Norm and Auntie Bea. Uncle Norm said that Auntie Bea needed a "niece fix!" They are in Alberta to attend the 85th birthday party of Uncle Norm's oldest sister Marion's husband, Les . Present at the gathering: Glenn, Michelle, Tyler, Braden, Erika, Laurel, Glen, Tamara, Kayli, Vincen, (Alice had a staff party), Sonja, her beau Ben , and myself. We enjoyed meze for the group and a wonderful Greek merlot wine, Evinos. Plate-breaking, belly dancing, and line dancing added to the merriment! I have been to Koutouki's in Edmonton a couple of times. Kai introduced me to this restaurant. It is one of my all-time favourite places to eat!!

I have a few pieces of Emile Henri dinnerware in pivoine (earthy red colour,) and recently decided to expand my collection. Alas, I have discovered that that particular colour has been discontinued. I stopped at Sun Works in Red Deer today to pick up a few pieces and put a few more on hold, so was very happy to find they still had a few pieces.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

The Girls

Elaine and Laurel

The Girls

Theresa, Keith, and Alice

Alice and Erika

Alice, Erika, and Michelle

All of Us

Siblings (Laurel, Elaine, Alice, Keith, and Glenn)

The Birthday Girls and Their Cakes

Alice and Laurel

Yesterday we celebrated Alice and Erika's birthdays at Michelle and Glenn's. Laurel, Tamara, Kayli, Keith, Theresa, Helge and I were all there. Michelle prepared the traditional family Christmas Eve meal with Swedish meatballs, devilled corn, mashed potatoes, and salad. There was an Oreo birthday cake for the children. Laurel brought a wonderful mocha chiffon cake (prepared by her Dutch neighbour.) We enjoyed eating, visiting, and taking pictures. The birthday gals enjoyed opening their gifts. Glenn took us for rides on GT snow racers pulled by his quad. That was a new experience for me, a little terrifying, but I survived!! Glenn emailed me a few pictures which I will attempt to post. I also have a few candids taken by Helge.

I had coffee with the Caroline Red Hat Ladies today. It was good to see many of the locals once again. Millie celebrated her 80th birthday. (She was born on Friday 13th. Helge said his Mom was also born on Friday the 13th on #13 Odin Street. She always said 13 was her lucky number!) They are planning a big tea party for March 29th. Prior to that they are having a workshop to make decorations for the party. Sounds like fun but I may not be able to attend because of other plans.

Several of the family members are meeting Uncle Norm and Aunty Bea at the new Greek restaurant in Leduc this coming Friday. They will be in Alberta for Norm's brother-in-law's 85th birthday celebration.

Helge has sold nearly 20 cords ( 4'x4'x8') of dried firewood this winter. He is collecting wood regularly to split and dry for future sales. Flora, one of our female German Shepherd dogs had pups today. It has been a very mild day, 8 degrees Celsius, when I checked this afternoon. The weather is changing now this evening with some very strong winds and possible snow flurries.

Beautiful Babes

Mike, Parker, and Leanna

Aolani, Rita, Nevaeh, Melanie, Parker, and Kaitlyn

Aolani, Rita, Nevaeh, Melanie, and Parker

In a typical week Monday is the day Helge sits at the computer composing news stories, writing his opinion column, and uploading photos from his digital camera. He emails these to "The Mountaineer" in Rocky Mountain House where they are published in the "Caroline Clarion" section of the paper. Until three years ago he used to make a weekly trip to Rocky with his photos. Now he is able to do everything online. What a treat!

In today's photo collection were a few baby photos taken at Nadine's at the family Christmas gathering on December 29, 2007. There were three new arrivals in 2007: Aolani on July 3rd (Nadine and Franco), Nevaeh Carene on August 4th (Kaitlyn and Trevor), and Parker Anders on November 17th (Jarl and Rebecca). Two more are expected in 2008: Melanie and Cory in February, and Rita and Glen in March. Within a year of Mom's passing she will have five great grandchildren. What a legacy! What a joy for us! It is such fun being part of a large family!

I realized for the first time at our family gathering that I am now one of the oldies. While the younger set played board games and video games, Helge had a nap and Alice, Theresa, and myself visited and cuddled babies. Looking back it seems like those child-raising years disappeared overnight. However, I am enjoying time for the "two of us," Helge and me.

I returned to work last week on a part-time basis as a math instructor at the Bowden Institution. It was good to see my friends again, and I has happy to be welcomed back by many of my former students. I share the job with Gardiner. He works the first half of the week, and I work the second. That means I work Wednesday afternoon, and all day Thursday and Friday this week. With Friday being jean day that makes my week much more relaxed. I will take whatever extra subbing that is available, but for now will enjoy the break. After all my journeys it is nice to have some extra time to get resettled at home.