How Sweet It Is

As a Canadian I have only a passing interest in American politics, however, since Carm is a news hound I am forced get to hear a fair amount... I just watched former President Bill Clinton's speech at the 2012 Democratic convention. All I can say is wow - what a speech - he just about had me jumping to my feet and clapping it was that good. It is long (I think 47 minutes, but it didn't seem that long), but if you get a chance to watch, take it.

http://youtu.be/uzDhk3BHi6Q

Also at the convention we watched James Taylor sing a few songs, including “You’ve got a Friend” . It was beautifully sung, and his guitar was so sweet.

http://youtu.be/Q7RPCFfudmU

When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand
and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there to brighten up even your darkest nights.
You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend…

 

When I was on YouTube looking for the song to include here,  I also came across "How Sweet It Is", also sung by him and fondly remembered from my days in high school. I've tagged some of his songs to download into my collection - I can tell I'm getting older as my old music collection gets bigger without the same increase in current music. Too much nostalgia perhaps. Not that I'm unhappy with where I'm at now - I'm in a good place these days.

http://youtu.be/1Mp0rBHhXMs

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you
I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotions
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you…

 

Today is the 46th anniversary of the original Star Trek series. Even Google has taken note (see their home page), but I guess that's not too surprising as I'm willing to bet there is a high ratio of geeks working there! (not that there's anything wrong with being a geek!). I'm reluctant to admit it but I have seen most of the original episodes, as well as every single Next Generation episode... does that make me a geek too?

 

The language of friendship is not words but meanings.
Henry David Thoreau

Go Ahead and Tread on Me

Today my life started getting back to normal and I managed some time on the treadmill. I had to force myself a bit, but once I got going it was hard to stop. The music blaring in my ears (not really blaring but you get the idea) moved my feet along the tread - how could I not feel motivated with Annie Lennox belting out "I Need a Man". It felt good to get moving again! Even the sweat was a welcome change from the last several days of inactivity.

I don't care if you won't talk to me, you know I'm not that kind of girl
And I don't care if you won't walk with me, it don't give me such a thrill
And I don't care about the way you look, you should know I'm not impressed
'Cause there's just one thing that I'm looking for and he don't wear a dress
I need a man, I need a man, I need a man, I need a man

http://youtu.be/3QFu8SD4sqE

After being on the tread mill I moved over onto ladder treads… not my favourite place to be (have I ever mentioned how much I hate heights?). However, there was a job to get done - one of the wipers on the slide had come off and needed to be replaced. This sounds simple but most assuredly is not. Carm gave it the first shot - no go. I tried - no go. Carm tried something else - no go. I tried something else - no go. I got a tool that I thought might help. Carm tried again - got a bit on. I tried - not strong enough. Carm got up the ladder again and got the job done. I didn't do much other than hold the ladder. Some of the skin on his arms is actually worn right through, and he's missing some skin on his hands, but the wiper is on and tested. It is not a job we hope to do again soon. Oh, this was out in the blaring hot sun (humidex 33). Slipping into the cool blue water of the pool sure felt good - the perfect reward for sticking with it and getting it done.

I was out and about in the truck today. I love driving this big black rumbling beast of a vehicle. With its 23' of length it is no great hell to park, but driving it is fun. Stepping (a bit hard) on the accelerator and feeling pressed back into the seat is a feeling that I never tire of. A sports car would be fun (red of course), but for now I'll stick with a giant sports car demolisher.

The dogs have been going crazy every time I step back into the house. It's like they expected me to disappear again and are just so glad that I am returning so soon. There is nothing like a dog for making you feel loved and important.

What love we've given, we'll have forever. What love we fail to give, will be lost for all eternity.
Leo Buscaglia

Norwegian Days Photos

The following photos are from the first few days of my trip. This time was mostly spent with the men (distant cousins) from Norway.

By the way - we are relatives. The first woman of my family on our family farm Nedre Havn was Rannei Skjenna born about 1760. We are relatives for sure - but a bit remote. - Arne Jorgen Ronningen

 

Trip to Medicine Hat

The first verse of Eric Clapton’s Alberta captures my sentiments… Alberta, Alberta, Where you been so long? Alberta, Alberta, Where you been so long? Ain’t had no loving Since you’ve been gone. http://youtu.be/zh7sqDlxBaE

Over the Drumheller area. The view was spectacular. This area really needs to be seen from both the air and the ground to get a good feeling for the geology.

Driving down to Medicine Hat. I took a whole pile of photos but none of them really captured the vastness of the land. I love the wide open spaces. The drive is a few hours but it flew by. Mom and I talked and talked, and I gawked out the windows savouring the views.

The moon coming up over Alberta.

 

Prairie, Empress and Bindloss

The bridge over the South Saskatchewan river. Just around the corner is a little campground where for $10 a night you get a site along the river.

The ferry outside Empress. The river was so pretty here so we stopped for a picnic.

The Empress cemetery. It was way, way out of town, perhaps they thought the town was going to grow larger. I might want my ashes buried here – those that aren’t scattered in the wild grasslands. I don’t know if the translation of the quotes below are really accurate… Naturen er ikke bare alt det som er synlig for øyet. det inkluderer også den indre bilder av sjel From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity. -  Edvard Munch

Mom and Rolf. He looks like he is directly descended from the Vikings.

 

Aunty Rena’s Farm

When I was young we used to visit my Great Aunty Rena’s farm every summer. Usually we only stayed for an afternoon, or maybe a night, but for two summers I stayed there myself for a few weeks. It was (is?) one of my most favourite places. I can close my eyes and smell the sweet smells of sagebrush and manure, and feel the warm wind on my skin. My cousin Dale lives there now. The house in the photo below is the original house. It was replaced with a new one in 1977, complete with running water and a bathroom. My last stay there was when they were building it.

 

Buffalo Skjenna Farm

This is the second house that my great-grandparents lived in. The first was a sod shack. Theirs was a love story that I will tell in another post, but suffice it to say they left a prosperous farm in Norway to come to Canada.

Skjenna farm inhabitants. I’m in the pink and I have Skjenna gard 3 ; Arne owns the original Skjenna gard in Norway ; the group of people in the centre are occupants of Skjenna gard 2 – Buffalo – Melvin, Uncle Olaf’s son, is standing next to Arne. I seem to be the shortest Skjenna, or maybe I was just standing in a hole.

Moon rising over Skjenna.

They have the most beautiful view out of their kitchen and living room windows. I could wake up to a view like that any morning.

 

Gas City Campground

Nice campground right in Medicine Hat. It is about 10 minutes from Graham’s house so will be a good base for next summer’s visit.

 

Echo Dale Picnic

On Thursday afternoon Graham arranged a bbq picnic for the Norwegians. He rented the group camping area in Echo Dale, a park just outside of the Hat. It was lovely.

Uncle Olaf talking with Arne. They were talking about old times in Norway. I am certain that Uncle Olaf enjoyed speaking in his childhood tongue. He has many stories to share about his youth.

The feast that Graham prepared. Huge Alberta beef t-bone steaks and all the fixings. No one left the table hungry that’s for sure.

Mom talking with Arne. Rolf in the background.

Once in a blue moon…

 

Artifacts and Interview with Uncle Olaf

My great-grandfather Skjenna was a trained carpenter/wood carver. I have many drawings done by him. These are examples of his work that Doris (Aunty Rena’s daughter) has. He was very talented.

The three Skjenna farm owners. Arne, Uncle Olaf and myself. I can hardly call my place a farm, but since we once bred Fjordings I guess we qualify.

 

The three Norwegians at Elkwater.

We had a wonderful visit – it was great to get to know these distant cousins of ours, and especially the current owner of Skjenna. He clearly loves the place and is doing much to restore and preserve the buildings and land. It is a designated historical property. I saw Skjenna once when I was a little girl… someday I’d like to see it again.

Nature is not only all that is visible to the eye.. it also includes the inner pictures of the soul -  Edvard Munch