Grandma Gets Some Company

Grandma reading the paper and Diego, who has to be part of every activity, enjoying some sunshine.

Latvia: Can You Feel The Love !

Team Latvia seems to have become the favorites of the crowds at Credit Union Center in the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships. I worked today's game between Switzerland and Latvia won 7 - 5 by the Swiss. Switzerland jumped into an early 2 - 0 lead but when Latvia scored to make it 2 - 1 the crowd erupted. That seem to ignite the Latvians who took a 4 - 3 lead into the dressing room after two periods. But it was not to be as the Swiss poured it on in the third period to win 7 - 5.
Perhaps the fans feel sorry for Latvia after they were drubbed 16 - 0 by the powerful Canadian team.
Also took in last nights Slovakia vs Canada game won by Canada 8 - 2. Slovakia fell behind 3 - 0 despite holding a slight advantage in shots on goal.
Things get much tougher for Canada tomorrow as they meet the United States in what should be a great game.
Also had the opportunity to take in the naming of Canada's Olympic team by Steve Yzerman and Mike Babcock today. I think many in the room were a little surprised when none of the Calgary Flames three top defensemen were named to the team.
Left off were Phaneuf, Bowmeester and Regehr. Have to admit I was a little surprised to see Bowmeester not named to the team. Seems to me he is ideally suited to the international game.
Have the day off tomorrow to celebrate New Years and then things will really get busy with the medal round running Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Will be working the bronze medal game on Tuesday and then hope to be in my favorite chair in front of my own television set for the gold medal match.

World Junior Hockey

Worked the opening game of the World Junior Hockey championships yesterday. What a thriller. Canada squeezed by Latvia 16 - 0. Canadian fans waved white towels after every goal. It seems to me that the white towels should have been given to the Latvia team and they could have waved them after every Canadian goal.
I am working in the media division and yesterday was assigned primarily to TSN, the NHL network and the Fan Radio Network. Got to see bits and pieces of the game but we were kept pretty busy.
In our media office we have big screens that feed us both the Saskatoon game and the game that is going on in Regina so its interesting.
194 stairs up to the press box and I think I climbed them 194 times yesterday so I am tired. Have the day off today.
Had Christmas dinner last night with Mom, Rhonda, Darrel, Chris, Carey plus Chris and Karen with their little ones so it was nice. Good to have Tim and Jennifer and all of us together again as well.

World Junior Hockey Championships

Well in just a few days the World Junior Hockey Championships open in Saskatoon. Canada's first game will be on December 26 up against Latvia. I decided to volunteer for the games and was chosen to work on the media committee. This kind of takes me back some thirty years to my old days as a play by play announcer with Prince George, Regina and Brandon.
Officially I am listed as a media liason person and the funny thing is no one really knows what that means and what all the work will entail. I will be working with TSN, ESPN and the Fan Radio Network at the games but there is many more than that coming as far as media is concerned. In fact I think I heard that there was something like 450 accredited media people coming to these games. It is a huge event that takes work from a lot of people to pull it off.
Included in that of course is all the foreign media including Russia, Sweden, Finland and others. It should be an interesting time and I am looking forward to it.
I am fortunate as I only have two shifts while Jennifer is here, home from Ottawa, and then the rest of my shifts including four days in a row come after New Years Day when she will return to University. Her visit will be much too short this year but it is good to have her back home and have all of us together again. So glad that Tim is working in Saskatoon and not in Edmonton anymore. It is nice to be able to see him on a regular basis.
So its Christmas first, then the hockey championships and what should be an interesting time.

Cold Weather

I just get so angry when my vehicles won't start in the morning !

That Elusive Grey Cup

Someone once said "Sports is a game played by idiots who are entertaining fools". Not sure about the accuracy of that statement but here a full 24 hours after the Saskatchewan RoughRiders gave away the Grey Cup, I am left with this hollow feeling in my stomach and a feeling of total disbelief. The RoughRiders once again became the darlings of the nation and facing the almost invincible Montreal Alouettes almost pulled it off. Well in fact they did pull it off and would have won the game had it not been for a too many men on the field penalty after a missed field goal that moved Montreal ten yards closer and this time the kick that gave them the Grey Cup 28 - 27 over the Riders.
Much has been said about the penalty. Talk shows were full of how could this happen?, fire the coach, who's the player to blame and then downright disappointment about the one that got away. Most fans were pretty forgiving, some not so much and one lady put it in to proper perspective when she pointed out that a real tragedy had occurred when a young man was killed in an industrial accident in the south east of the province. Of course she is right but the heartache remains.
Much has been said about the penalty and that was the difference but still there is other blame to go around.
1) A Luca Congi missed field goal
2) The decision to kick a field goal when the Riders were on the two yard line.
3) A costly Darian Durant interception and probably the biggest of all
4) With under two minutes left the Riders failed to gain a first down and had to kick the ball away giving Montreal a chance to move into field goal range. A couple of first downs, some ball control and the kick would never happened.
So for the Riders and the province its next year country again. Three Grey Cups in something like 100 years and a fourth one that just slipped through their fingers. Actually the Riders may have become the first team in history to celebrate four Grey Cups and win only three. After the Duval field goal sailed wide there was tremendous celebration by the Riders only to have the flags thrown, too many men, and Duval a chance to do it again and seal the deal.
Despite the heartbreak of the loss this has been a special season for the Green and White and a special season for their loyal fans. What is there about this team that so endears them to fans throughout the world? The Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers are two NFL teams that have been called America's team and loved throughout the country. But they were successful. The same can't be said about the Saskatchewan RoughRiders. Three championships in one hundred years.
Years of missing the playoffs. A first place finish this year in the West ending an unbelievable thirty three year drought.
Well perhaps this year's 2009 edition of the Riders holds the answer. Picked to finish last in the West, the Riders finish first.
Along the way they took five points out of six away from the defending champion Calgary Stampeders and then whipped the
Stampeders in the Western Final. Along the way they engineered some miraculous come from behind wins, overcame a
series of injuries and maybe the most important of all did it with more than the required number of Canadians.
Add to that a young rookie quarterback in Darian Durant who thrived and survived in a football market where quarterbacks
are regularly run out of town. Everybody likes to cheer for the little guy and the Riders stood tall as the small market team,
Perhaps that's why Canadians from coast to coast love this team and follow them religiously. Someone said no matter what city hosts the Grey Cup they are always excited to have the Saskatchewan RoughRiders come as the West representative. It becomes a fun party atmosphere with hordes of green and white painted fans, lots of watermelon heads and guaranteed success for the host city. Unfortunately for the loyal fans of the Green and White it is next year country again. Seven months from now the fever will hit us all again. The questions will be back and lets hope the Green and White answers them all like they did this year. Stand tall and proud Saskatchewan RoughRiders. You may not have brought home the Cup but you are true champions indeed. And remember you are supported by the greatest fans in the world.

Everyone Is A Rider Fan

After living a full life, Doug Berry, the (once) Winnipeg Blue Bomber coach died.

When he got to heaven, God was showing him around.

They came to a modest little house with a faded Blue Bomber flag in
The window.

"This house is yours for eternity," said God. "This is very special,
Not everyone gets a house up here."

Doug felt special, indeed, and walked up to his house.

On his way up the porch, he noticed another house just around the
Corner.
It was a gorgeous white and green three-story mansion with a 50-foot tall
Flagpole with an enormous Saskatchewan Roughrider flag, and in every
Window, he could see Saskatchewan fans.

Doug looked at God and said, "God, I'm not trying to be ungrateful,
But I have a question. I was a good coach, ran a clean program, took
The Bombers to the Grey Cup, and came close to winning a national championship."

God said, "So what do you want to know, Doug?"

Doug asked: "Well, why does Ken Miller, the Saskatchewan coach, get a

Better house than me?"

God chuckled and said, "Doug,Doug,... that's not Ken's house, that's mine."

Green Is The Color

Its Called Christmas - Hope this catches on

Remembrance Day And Honoring My Dad

It is Remembrance Day. The day we set aside, albeit far too briefly, to honor those who sacrificed so much not only in the two Great Wars but also in all the wars that have unfortunately dotted mankind's existence.
My Dad was part of "the greatest generation that ever lived". A generation that sacrificed so much to go through not one, but two great wars in far too short of time. Many of these young men and women were only 18, 19 and 20 years old when they lay down their lives to give us the freedoms we enjoy so much today.
I watched with interest and satisfaction on the National News last night that Remembrance Day is making a comeback of sorts.
More people seem interested in the observance of Remembrance Day than in past years. I imagine the war in Iraq and Afghanistan has something to do with it with so many of our young Canadian men laying down their lives over there.
It was also nice to note that Saskatoon has the largest Remembrance Day service in the country with Credit Union Center usually filled to honor and salute our fallen soldiers.
My Dad was one of the lucky ones, I suppose. He came back which I guess makes him really one of the lucky ones but he also suffered greatly in later years with stomach problems which he traced back to the German buzz bombs that were used in that day. These were bombs, I'm not a very technical person, but apparently equipped with some sort of motor. They were filled with enough fuel to reach their intended target. When the fuel ran out, the intention being at the point of the target, the theory was that they would fall from the sky and destroy the lives and facilities below. Dad remembers lying there listening to these things sputter, cough and die and then wondering where they would land or if they would land on the place where he was. Frightening and not something that most of us can relate to.
Dad was also lucky in another way. He was a gifted musician, a pianist. Early in his military career (do you call it a career when you are called to war), he was spotted playing the piano by a ranking officer. Dad loved the piano. If there was one around to be played he found it and he played it. The story goes that he was playing in a night club or hall of some description when he was spotted playing the piano by this officer. Very quickly there after he was removed from his unit and deployed to the Royal Canadian Military Band where he spent the rest of the war traveling, playing for troops and lifting their morale from the ugly realities of war. So who knows the gift of music that he was so richly blessed with may have saved his life. Which is fitting. Music was his life. Upon returning from the war he became a piano teacher teaching and touching many lives with his gift and carrying out a full time job as well.
I am sure if he had the opportunities that are available today he would have been a full time music instructor probably at
a high school or something but back then that option just wasn't open to him. So today as we honor our veterans, I also honor my Dad and am thankful to God that he came back and for the impact that he had on my life and hopefully today I am a better man because of him. My Dad - Alfred Curtis Hiatt.


In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Hockey's Hypocrisy

So now we have two victims in the Ontario Junior Hockey League's decision to suspend Michael Liambas for the remainder of the season and playoffs thus ending the twenty year olds junior hockey career. The other victim of course is 16 year old Ben Fanelli who lies in a Hamilton hospital with among other things a fractured skull.
After watching video of "the hit" over and over again I am left with several impressions. After spending some thirteen seasons as a play by play announcer with junior hockey teams I have seen plenty of hard hits resulting in injuries. On March 1st, 1987 I watched as Brad Hornung of the Regina Pats was hit from behind leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. I don't recall any life time suspensions from that hit. Perhaps there should have been but thats another story.
What's troubling to me in this latest incident is "what role does junior and professional hockey play in this? It's easy to suspend one player, to make him look like the bad guy and then just move on until the next incident occurs. That has been the history of hockey. One player died recently from a hockey fight. There was a great outcry for a fleeting moment. Then forgotten until the next incident.
Both junior and professional hockey need to take a hard look at themselves. Hitting is encouraged, well more than that hitting is expected. Hard noses coaches demand that the players play it tough. Fans themselves rise from their seats with excitement at a thunderous body check and then quieten down just a bit when a player happens to be injured. And in this incident Ben Fanelli was injured far more than anyone could have predicted. But should Liambas be the only one to take the bullet. In a hockey world where if the coach says hit you hit, and if you don't you are gone from the team and most likely your junior career is over.
Then there is the issue of the helmets. Junior players have these helmets on their head so loosely that they fall off on almost any contact. Why? Because the looser the helmets are, the more quickly the players can throw them off so they can engage in a hockey fight. There isn't a coach behind the bench in junior hockey that doesn't know that and there isn't a coach in junior
hockey that will do anything about stopping it. Making sure their players have the helmet properly fitted and strapped on
tightly. Could you imagine a football player having his helmet so loose it popped off on almost any contact just in case he
might get into a fight.
Looking at the replay of the Liambas hit on Fanelli again, you are left wondering how serious the injuries would have been
if the helmet had stayed on. Perhaps the league should be issuing a two minute minor penalty to any player who's helmet falls off during play. Not likely that will happen.
No the OHL will be satisfied to let Michael Liambas take the fall for this one. They'll point to his past history. Already television stations have dug up video of his hit on John Tavares as if to say, see he hits like that all the time. It was just a matter of time before someone got hurt.
I don't believe much in the old case of people being "a product of their environment" but in this case Michael Liambas was and is. A hockey environment that encourages hitting, fighting and all round violence even ahead of the sheer skill of the game.
Little wonder someone got hurt. Little doubt that it won't happen again.

How To Catch The Swine Flu In Five Easy Steps

Great article by Meghan Telper


1. Eat Candy and/or Booze It UpNow I am not talking about one or two candy bars or drinks the night of Halloween, maybe a treat the next day and then being done with it. If you want on the flu team, you should think about having a piece of candy/cake/alchy bevvy with or after every meal, tucked in to your lunch bag, a little sweet greeting when you arrive home, and maybe a night cap of a Kit Kat. You worked hard on Halloween to collect all that candy, so you better eat it and kick that immune system to the ground.
2. Stay Out Really Late and Lose SleepYou can’t make up sleep. Not really. You can sleep in, you can rest, but insufficient sleep has already begun to weaken immune function. When we have the flu, we feel our best in the morning, after we have “rested.
3. Take On More Than You Can HandleThis is my personal speciality. It seems that chronic stress impairs the immune system’s capacity to respond to glucocorticoid hormones that normally are responsible for terminating an inflammatory response following infection and/or injury. Psychological stress (which, lets face it, is largely self-induced) raises catecholamine (‘fight or flight’ hormones), which suppresses the immune system, thus raising the risk of viral infection.
4. Forgo All Hygiene Practices
Right so basically for this easy step to catching the flu, the idea is to touch as much stuff as you can- hand railings, door handles (especially the bathroom kind), handles on public transit vehicles- you get the idea. You also want to do your best to breathe deeply when in confined spaces with lots of people,and invade others’ personal space.
5. Line Up for Hours on End In The Rain with Other People Who Believe Themselves To Be High Risk of The Flu in Order to Receive a Vaccine for a Pandemic That Is Neither Pan Nor Demic But Has Simply Been Awesomely Hyped By The Media Using The Usual Flavour of The Month: Scare Tactics.

A New Perspective On Swine Flu

Simple Steps To Avoid H1N1

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorialetc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*


5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amlaand other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Thought For The Day

My wife is "the wind beneath my wings" and I am the wind beneath the blankets

Opportunities God Uses

I have to admit I have never been great at witnessing. If the spread of the gospel were to depend on me, we wouldn't be much past the disciple stage. Not sure why that is. I guess its always easier to talk RoughRider than it is to talk to people about the things of God.
But an opportunity arose last Tuesday that even I couldn't miss or at least was not given the opportunity to miss. For years around my office we have had a tradition where every second Tuesday we all go to lunch together. It's production week.
The sales people are all in, the production people are all together and we always have had that little luncheon. No matter who the staff may be or have been and its kind of nice.
Last Tuesday, over lunch, the subject of an after life came up. Presumably the catalyst was the two recent funerals that Louise and I have had in our lives. I was doing my best shrinking violet routine, concentrating on my second piece of pumpkin pie, and trying to stay out of it when one of the girls said to me, "Larry, you've just been through two funerals,do you think there's an afterlife or is this is all there is?"
Well there was an opening large enough to drive a semi trailer through. One that not even I could miss.
So I simply told them - I have never been to a non Christian funeral so I don't really know what transpires there. But for me
15 years ago as I buried my Father and recently as I watched the caskets of my Mother and Father in law being lowered into the ground, I just could not imagine how it would be if we did not have the hope, not only for them but for us as well, of something more. Of an eternity now to be spent with the one who created us and died for us.
One of the men than asked "So you think you will see them again? To which I replied and not in a glib manner. I believe they are already there (in heaven) and I guess whether I see them or not depends on me and what my relationship with God is.
That kind of ended the discussion but later in the day one of the men came to my office and said to me So you really think there is a heaven and we had another opportunity to talk for a moment or two about the subject again.
So out of the recent loss of two individuals that we esteem greatly came my opportunity to share even in a small and seemingly insignificant way. Whether God will take that little seed and develop into something with people who don't have a relationship is now up to him. And you know what, for me being a witness really wasn't as hard as I may have thought it would be. I am always reminded as well that sometimes our actions speak louder than our words.

So shall my word which goes forth from my mouth, it shall not return to me empty without accomplishing what I desire,
and without succeeding in the manner for which I sent it. (Isaiah 53:11)

There Is A River

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. Psalm 46:4

I have always loved rivers and this morning, after my quiet time and on my way to work, drove down Spadina Crescent and along the river. It was so peaceful just watching it flow although I must admit much more pleasant in say July rather than October.
I guess I have always lived in places with rivers. Growing up in the town of Peace River there was the mighty Peace River that flowed through the town and a smaller river called the Hart which joined it. I have many memories of those rivers and one of them is not so pleasant when my brother and I launched tubes on a hot summer day without checking out the river first.
We hit whitewater, collided with a tree across the river, lost our tubes and spend 24 hours in the bush before we walked out to
safety. My Dad and search and rescue were none to pleased and my brother spent several days in the hospital as a result.
My fat spared me from the same fate.
Then in Prince George there were three rivers flowing into the city. In Brandon there was the Assiniboine and now in Saskatoon we have the beautiful south Saskatchewan river.
Rivers for the most part always seem to be a place of peace and contentment. My commentary this morning says that a river is a beautiful figure of God's protection and presents a contrast to the ocean which can be pretty turbulent. I like that description of a river as a figure of God's protection. Everything around you can be in wild disarray but a river just continues to flow along until it is disrupted usually by forces beyond its control. The neat part is that God can never be disrupted because he is always in control.

There is a river that flows from deep within.
There is a fountain that frees the soul from sin.
Come to these waters, there is a vast supply.
There is a river that never shall run dry.
There came a sound from Heaven, like a mighty rushing wind.
It filled their hearts with singing and gave them peace within.
The Master gave this promise, the Spirit will descend
And from your inner being a river with no end.

There came a thirsty woman, who was drawing from a well.
Her life was ruined and wasted, her soul was bound for Hell.
But then she met the Master, who told of her great sin
And if you’ll drink this water, you’ll never thirst again.

There is a river that flows from God above.
There is a fountain, that’s filled with His great love.
Come to the water, there is a vast supply.
There is a river, that never shall run dry.
That never shall run dry.

The Hope of Heaven

One of our local radio stations, an all talk call in station, had an interesting and sometimes sad topic this morning.
The topic was "Is The Church Still Relevant Today" The background was twenty some churches that have closed in the Ottawa area due to sagging attendance and general dis-interest in things spiritual. Some of the calls this morning were particularly disheartening. Unfortunately many callers spoke of having been burned or hurt in some way by "The Church". And of course there were the usual "they only want my money calls". One caller pointed out that he didn't go to church, didn't believe in it, but that didn't mean he wasn't a Christian. In theory of course he is correct. But you are left wondering how strong is his commitment if he doesn't have a desire to go to church.
Coming on the heels of two, what I would term triumphant and victorious funeral services, I was left wondering what a non Christian funeral would be like? Without the hope of being united with God and the hope of being reunited with family and friends, how hollow a funeral service like that must be.
At both the funeral of my Mother (two weeks ago) and the funeral of my father in law (only days ago) the hope of life beyond the grave was something to cling to. The music, the testimonials and all were so uplifting. Although I am far from perfect, I was left wondering how can there be any doubt? And if you don't believe what are you left with?
So is the church still relevant today? I believe it is and always will be. In the very early days the church was referred to as
"The Mother". Why? Because in many cases it is our Mothers who taught us about Jesus and instilled early values in us.
Is that relevant for the Church to do so today? I would suggest even more so. And if you want to go even further back, shall we say to the very beginning the Church was referred to as "The Bride of Christ" Are brides still relevant today? I would suggest they are. Many brides have remained faithful even when their husbands were not faithful to them. In the same way God remains faithful even to those who doubt him.
Through the ages, God has used the church to keep alive and pass down the story of what Christ has done for us. It is the church's witness that has kept the world aware that Christ is alive today, offering help and strength to those who trust in him. The story of Christ would have been lost during the Dark Ages if the church had not sustained it in monasteries where the Scriptures were laboriously hand-copied while barbarians were tearing down the rest of Western civilization. Church councils have protected Christianity from heresies by examining new theologies. Today, it is against two thousand years of church tradition that our modern-day interpretations of Scripture are tested. In short, it is the church that has preserved the Gospel and delivered it into our hands.
Again I look back at the two recent funerals. One of the things that impressed me the most was the number of young people
(Grandchildren and their children) that attended and how these young people on both sides of my family have turned out.
These young people were handed down a legacy from their now deceased Grandparents not only of things eternal but also
of things not eternal) I learned the value of working hard from my Father and I know that has been passed on to my children.
But more important than that is the Christian heritage that has been passed on to all these grandchildren who now will pass
on to theirs and on it goes.
The question the talk show host asked "Is the Church Still Relevant Today? I would answer is heaven still relevant today?
Yes it is and it always shall be and I thank God for a Christian heritage passed down from my wife's parents and grandparents and from my parents and grandparents. That is still relevant today and so is the church and the hope of heaven.

Who Is Watching You From Heaven?

It has been a week now since my Mother's internment in Trochu, Alberta. Due to distance only a handful of people were there but what a beautiful sunshiny day it was. Vern and Dorothy Carmack were again there and Pastor Vern conducted the graveside service. What faithful friends to my parents this couple were. Even unto death. I was so thankful for Vern's strength and his guidance through this time.
Vern is a man that doesn't beat around the bush. You ask him. He gives it to you straight and again Pastor Vern delivered a strong message of salvation before committing my Mother's body to the ground.
Mom was buried alongside Dad as was her wish. Their headstone, which will now have Mom's name inscribed on it is so fitting. Dad an accomplished pianist and musician, Mom a pianist as well and carved onto the headstone is a grand piano. I was so delighted to see that. Dad's life was about music. It was his life and Mom shared that joy along with him.
I know I have been blessed to have had Christian parents. Dad was a man who modelled faith and worked hard. I don't know how many times I heard "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" That was how he lived his life and expected us to do the same. Mom was quieter but as I look back on it, we have Mom to thank for our
Christian heritage and ultimately our salvation. Dad came from a long line of unbelievers. Hard working, good men, strong men but just not believers. Mom, on the other hand came from a strong heritage of believers and through her Dad came to believe as well.
Today I did a little quiz on the internet. The quiz asked the question "Who do you think is watching you from heaven"? I took the quiz and answered all the questions and then waited for the answer. The answer came back your Father (Dad)
(this incidentally was a secular quiz) and went on to say "He misses you dearly and is keeping his eye on you, his special treasure. Whether that is true or not is unimportant. My parents were treasures to me and today I am grateful and thankful to them, my Mom and my Dad, for the life they gave me, the life we shared together and the love of music which we all shared together.

The Beauty Of Wildlife

While driving to my Mother's internment on Saturday morning, I came across this moose just past Rosetown. He was standing by the side of the road really doing nothing and very close to the ditch. I parked my truck and got out and started talking to him. He just watched me closely, didn't seem afraid but very curious.
When he started moving towards me, I kept my truck between him and I, just in case he got nasty. He came within about one hundred feet and we just stood looking at each other, kind of eye to eye. I was talking to him and he just seemed very curious. Not sure how much closer he would have come or if I wanted him to come any closer but it didn't matter anyway. A semi driver came by, and for some reason I guess only known to himself, he laid on his air horn and the moose spooked and ran away. But for a few brief moments it was good just to enjoy one of God's creation up close and personal. I know its the closest I have ever been to a live moose and
it was just kind of a real nice moment. God is good.

A Tribute To My Mother

Writing has always been a form of therapy for me so as I write this I do so as to pay tribute to my Mother who passed away September 16, 2009 and to bring glory and honor to the name of God and the number of mini miracles that ocurred as this funeral was being planned. It is there for anyone who wishes to read and again not to bring accolades or attention my way but to glorify and thank our Saviour, who kindness I know I do not deserve. For people who do not know our family dynamics, some of this may be hard to understand but today I am thankful for my Mother and for the fitting funeral service which recognized her life and her faithfulness to God and we believe as a family she is with him today.

Wednesday September 16, 2009
The call came from my sister Joan of Edmonton, Alberta that our Mother had passed away. Numerous times since that call I have been asked "Was your Mothers death unexpected?" I find that a difficult question to answer. She was 88. We expected she would die. Did we expect her death on Wednesday, September 16th. No we did not.
She went into hospital about a week prior experiencing difficulties. Doctors report that by
Tuesday, September 15th, she was rebounding. There was talk about allowing her to go home. At 2:30pm she slipped away into death but into the newness of life in her Saviour. I am told this is often the case. Signs of recovering are there and then suddenly death. I have some thoughts on that but will keep them to myself.
The call hit us hard. What to do now? So many questions.
1) What about the funeral?
2) Where will it be held?
3) Where will we find a Minister?
4) It has to be a Christian funeral, not just with a funeral director
5) Where will she be laid to rest? My Dad's lies in the Trochu, Alberta cemetery,
a good distance from Hinton. How do we get the body there?
6) And of course all the usual financial concerns and all the legal things that
must be done.
We retired for the night leaving many of those questions unanswered.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday - September 17, 18 & 19/2009
After long hours on the telephone with my sister Joan in Edmonton and my brother Keith in
Hinton, Alberta it was agreed that I would handle the funeral arrangements.
Keith, who had been our Mothers primary caregiver would act as a liason between
the Edson funeral home and all of us would stay connected on the funeral
arrangements. Here is where many of the miracles and the hand of God would become
evident.
I might add to anyone who has ever planned a funeral, it is not easy and at this
point, I thank my wife Louise for her support and wisdom in dealing with many
things including the legalities. In her employment she has gained valuable wisdom
in dealing with wills, estates, CPP death benefits, names and numbers of agencies
that have to be contacted and her assistance was invaluable.

The first minor miracle - find a pastor to conduct the service. We were all in
agreement. Mom was a Christain and she should have a Christian service.
Our Father passed away in 1994. He was an accomplished and well known musician
in church circles and elsewhere throughout Alberta. His funeral was a testimonial
to God, to music and to his way of life. Mom was his help mate, more in the
background, but also a strong Christian and a pianist. Why should her funeral
service be any less?
The difficulty. Where do you find a Minister? Due to failing health she had not
established a church connection in Hinton and even Edson was a distant memory.
How do you find someone to take the service and bring meaning to her life?

Among the many things that had to be done was contact friends and extended family
and let them know about the impending funeral. I remembered one of Mom and Dad's
closest friends. Vern and Dorothy Carmack. As couples they had been life long
friends. Vern had run into some tough times early in his life and Mom and Dad
took him and his family and provided shelter for some three months establishing
an unbreakable bond. The trouble was we had no idea where Vern and Dorothy were
and even if they were still living. Some-one, Joan I think, thought she had heard
they were in Spruce Grove. I tried. No luck. After several more futile
attempts I called Edmonton directory assistance. To make a long story short there
was no Vern and Dorothy Carmacks listed. I picked a Carmack, phoned and left
a message on an answering machine. In a few short hours THE Vern Carmack returned
my call. We had last seen Vern and Dorothy at Dad's funeral in 1994. Since that
time Vern had become an ordained Minister. He hates the title "Reverend" so it
was Pastor Vern. Well Pastor Vern offered to conduct the service. Dorothy
offered to play the organ. What a perfect fit. You could not find anyone closer
to Mom than this beautiful couple. And the first miracle and answer to our
prayers.

The second miracle came in finding a soloist. The answer was Marilyn Simons from
the Edson Baptist Church and her friend and accompaniest Annie Burnet. Marilyn
sang one of Mom's favourites "It Is Well With My Soul" and then later she
finished with "Be Still My Soul". Absolutely beautiful and honoring to Mom
.
The third miracle came in my writing of the eulogy and also along with the
required vital statistics.
First the eulogy. I wanted a eulogy that honored Mom. But there was so many
blanks that we couldn't fill in. We knew she was born in Carstairs, Alberta.
We knew she had met Dad somewhere in the MacLeod Valley. But how did it all
come about? Well Marion Forbes had the answers. This beautiful elderly lady
had been a friend of Mom's and the family. Through a series of phone calls I was
put in touch with the one everyone calls "Auntie Marion". Well Auntie Marion was
a living encyclopedia. She filled me in on everything. Dates, purchasing of the
family homestead. How they travelled. How old Mom was as they travelled to the
homestead, right down to the number of cows that they took with them as they
journeyed in 1933 to their new homestead in the MacLeod Valley.

Apparently I come from a long line of writers as Marion brought to the funeral a journal that my
Grandmother Matilda West (Mom's mom) had written. Haven't got to reading it
yet but there is even a picture of Grandma Maltilda at her 93rd birthday along
with her sons Fred and Glen, my Mom's brothers and Mom herself. And included is the full homestead story.
It for me will be "required reading". Add another small miracle.

My Dad also was a writer. He wrote a little book, Reminiscence, Two Alberta
Towns. Much information was gathered from there and included in the eulogy which
was read eloquently by our son Timothy Hiatt.
I also must thank my cousin Jimmy West and his wife Sharon who live in the
Edson area. They were on the phone getting word and information out to people
and we as a family are truly grateful to them for that.
The rest of the arrangements are a blur. Edson Funeral Home took care of many of
them including the internment and transportation of Mom's earthly remains to
Trochu, Alberta to be laid to rest beside Dad.

The funeral service was beautiful and fitting. I have already mentioned the
Preacher and the singers. Vern included a strong salvation message. I knew he
would and he left no doubts in anyones mind with his question "Is it Well With
Your Soul?
Can you say a highlight of the funeral. Do funeral services have highlights?
Well for me included in the congregation was on of Dad's youngest sister Roberta.
To us it was Aunt Berta. What a joy to see her there and to know that Dad still
has a living sibling. She is 95 and she looks great. Thanks again to Jimmy for
getting the word out.
In conclusion there are so many people to thank. I have mentioned some but again
thank you to my wife Louise for her expertise. Vital Statistics even needed to
know where my Mom's parents were born and we tracked that down and thank you for
your knowledge of the for lack of a better term, the business side of death and
funerals. Thank you to my sister Joan and her husband John Lehman. Your support
and backing as it all came together was wonderful. Thank you to my brother Keith
and his daughters Rana and Leone. They were Mom's primary caregivers for many
months and thank you for that.
To Pastor Vern and Dorothy, Marilyn and Annie, Jimmy and Sharon West, Marion
Forbes. And to my kids Timothy and Jennifer. Thank you for caring and for your
love. I am indebted to you all.

Larry

One Of The Highlights Of Our Trip

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Welland Canal & St. Lawrence Seaway

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Niagara Falls

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

2009 Holidays Niagara and More

Saturday August 22nd
We leave on holidays today. Jennifer has been home from Ottawa since the 10th and now Louise and I are flying back with her to Hamilton. We are then going to tour around taking in Niagara Falls and other attractions before returning her to Ottawa and another year of law school. We decide to go the USA route through Syracuse, New York as I want to stay away from Toronto and the dreaded highway 401. In the wisdom of WestJet, we first have to fly to Calgary, sit around the airport for six hours and then fly back east to Hamilton. Its kind of a bittersweet day for me. I like holidays to be sure, but I have to kennel my little dog Diego for twelve days, something I hate doing.
We arrive in Hamilton at midnight, having left Saskatoon at noon, so its been a long day. Will get the rental car tomorrow and then head for Niagara Falls







Sunday August 23
Niagara Falls. What can you say to top this? Spectacular, powerful, one of the true wonders of the world. Very crowded but just an awesome place. We walk around for awhile and then take the "Maid of the Mist" which is exactly that. This tough little boat sails right up to the falls where you hear the power and get a first hand look at nature in its rawest form. I shot a couple of pictures from the Maid of the Mist but it was really hard to keep the camera dry. Just an overwhelming spectacle and to think some people actually think there was some sort of a big bang and all this just happened. They can have their view but I prefer to think that there was and is a God who created all of this.
We also stop along the St. Lawrence Seaway and watch all the activity at the locks.
The Welland Canal etc. Our timing seems to be pretty good as we watch at least three large ships make their way though the series of locks. I'll be posting some of those pictures on Smilebox later along with all the others. My camera was pretty busy shooting around 325 pictures.






Monday August 24 and Tuesday August 25th
We arrive in Buffalo mid afternoon on Monday, almost by accident. I had booked a hotel in a place called Tonawanda, not realizing it was a suburb of Buffalo.
Only fifteen minutes away is downtown Buffalo. The shopping is good, so say Louise and Jennifer, so we decide to stay two nights instead of one. While they shop in the daytime, I explore Buffalo. (Handy GPS again). Found the Buffalo Bills facility but they are not practising till late in the day. Some players are around but not the infamous Terrell Owens. Didn't really expect him to be on time for practise. Also went to the University of Buffalo Bulls facility which is probably better than most CFL teams have. In the late afternoon we tour Buffalo abit including the harbor and shops.



Wednesday August 26th
We leave Buffalo today. Jennifer wants to take us through the Thousand Islands on the way back to Ottawa. She had been there before and it is worth the trip.
Very beautiful and unique scenery. We stay at a motel in a little tourist town called Gananoque.





Thursday August 27th
A nice sunshiny day to wake up to today in Gananoque so we decide to take a boat cruise of the Thousand Islands before heading to Ottawa so Jennifer can get ready for her trip. The scenery is fantastic. Thousands of islands in the St. Lawrence seaway with cabins on them. Some very large islands and ofcourse wealthy and some islands very small with not much more than a cabin. This is well worth seeing and I think as impressive as Niagara Falls. The most spectacular is the Boldt Castle, built by the owner of the Waldorf Astoria for his wife. Unfortunately she died before it was finished and the heart broken owner never set foot in it. There is one island in Canadian waters connected to another little island in USA waters by a little bridge, billed the shortest international bridge in the world. After a great day we head back to Ottawa.





Friday August 28th
Jenn leaves us today. She is joining a large group of friends and going to the Outer Banks in North Carolina for about ten days. She has really fit into the Ottawa scene well with lots of friends and seems to be enjoying it. Her apartment is only a five minute walk to the University of Ottawa and about fifteen minutes to downtown.
Louise and I decide to drive to Montreal. A beautiful city but oh the traffic and people conjestion. Backed up freeways and crowds. We start in Old Montreal, take in the shops, the street performers and walk to as many attractions as we can including the Basilica. Later we drive to St. Josephs, up on a mountain (large hill really) where you can look down at the city. They have an interesting display called the Walk of the Cross which we tour. Then a drive to Mount Royal and its time to join the freeway traffic back to Ottawa. Heavy traffic until about half an hour out of Montreal and then its more normal.

Saturday August 29th
Pouring rain today. Looks like a shopping day. I drop Louise off at the Bayshore Mall and then decide to just drive around Ottawa. My trusty GPS leads the way and we go all over. Gets a little better later in the day so we walk down the the famous Byward Market. Browse around, have supper etc. The market is always an interesting place.



Sunday August 30th
A better looking day today. Sun is trying to break through so we decide to drive out to the Gatineau Hills, in Quebec but really just across the bridge from Ottawa.
Jennifer and her friend had taken me out here in June so I want to try and find the same attractions for Louise. We tour McKenzie King's estate. The groundskeeping is immaculate. Beautiful yellow home, guest house, boat house and more. Being a political junkie, I enjoy the caricatures on the wall. Driving on we find the place where the infamous Meech Lake accord was signed. The cabin overlooking Meech Lake.
The scenery is beautiful with lakes and parks. On the way back we stop in a quaint little town, Chelsea, Quebec and enjoy ice cream and deserts. Our lack of french is no problem. Everyone speaks English and very friendly.






Monday August 31st and Tuesday September 1st
We are kind of tired of the car plus I have to do the layout of the paper so we decide to just stay in Ottawa for a couple of days. We were going to drive to Kingston and look around but there is so much to do in Ottawa and area. We decide to rent bikes and ride the canal both days. Miles and miles of bike routes with beautiful scenery. We find Hogs Back Falls, Mooney Bay and watch the boats going through the canal locks. Not as spectacular as the St. Lawrence seaway locks but interesting. Both days we find a Tim Horton's (they aren't hard to find) and the coffee fix is taken care of as well.
Wednesday September 2nd
Alas all good things must come to an end and its time to head home. Flying back with Air Canada this time so at least we don't have to do the fly to Calgary, sit in the airport, and then fly back to Saskatoon. I know its all about money but never can figure out WestJet's disregard for Saskatchewan on that one.
Its been a great holiday. Niagara Falls, Buffalo, The Thousand Islands, Montreal.
I don't think we could have packed much more into twelve days. This was only the second time in thirty years with the paper that I have actually taken off two weeks in a row. Did the design and layout of the paper from Jenn's apartment with the aid of technology, cell phones, email and fax. I wonder sometimes how we ever got along before without those things.