Ride For Dad

My husband and two of his friends are participating in the motorcycle ride for New Brunswick to raise funds for prostate cancer research. 

They'll have fun today and perhaps a bit of wet weather, all for a good cause.  One of his friends raised over $1600. to contribute to the campaign.  Congratulations Bob.

Have fun riding with all the others from around the province and may the rain hold off until you are each back home.

Yesterday Was Fun

Yesterday was fun!

Gary is learning to drive different size buses, which he enjoys very much.  It’s an after retirement career for him, combining his love of driving and his sociable nature.  He is having a great time, though it pulls him away from home more than he was before.  Every now and again, he stops by with the bus on his way from here to there on a trip or a tour.

On Thursday night, he came home late and parked the bus he was driving on the street in back of our house.  On Friday morning, I got a chance to travel with him back to Fredericton because the bus was empty.  He was just returning it and picking up our car. 
 

I had fun, sat in many seats on the bus, checked them all out for comfort and view, heat and cold.  We listened to Willie Nelson CD’s turned up loud and talked and laughed.  The views of autumn leaves were incredible; we were sitting much higher than one does in a car.  As we drove over the Jemseg Bridge, and near the Grand Lake Meadows, next over the bridge to Fredericton, we marveled at how far we could see and what we could see.  Miles and miles of green-gold willows, birch with yellowed leaves, lush water meadows, small green islands and wide blue Saint John river and deep blue Grand Lake, all sparkling in the sunlight.

I had my camera with me but took only these shots of the bus at our street and my favourite bus driver.  I was so busy enjoying the looking, I forgot about taking photos.  It was one of those stunning sun-bright fall days when the world seems perfect and beautiful; I simply wanted to enjoy it.

After Gary turned in the bus, gassed it up, cleaned it out, reported to maintenance and filled out paper work, we spent the rest of the day in a leisurely drive around Fredericton and outlying areas.  This too was a treat for me to spend so much time with him and in such balmy weather.  We didn’t have any agenda, or any time to be home, so we meandered.  It’s a gorgeous part of New Brunswick and we had a glorious day in which to explore it.

Yesterday was fun!

Photos and words are © copyright Carol Steel.

Family Visits in Summer

Family Visits in Summer

Last night, I slept for 13 hours.  Yes, I was that tired.  Exhausted but content.  Since Monday we have entertained company, well not really company...I should say family.  Each day we've had 6-8 adults and 2-4 children at our house; family who've joined us for a summertime visit.

We visited with each other, caught up on family news and stories, played cards or paper crafts with the children, had many barbecues, late night conversations under the stars, laughed and sang, enjoyed the summer days and evenings.

It felt a bit like a camp ground here with a Volkswagen camper van in the driveway and a 40 foot RV at the curb.  At bedtime, everyone went off to their own cozy places to rest.

During the day, we played in the pool or caravaned to The Rocks to sight-see and picnic or sat around talking, eating, and drinking Caesars...or doing whatever anyone felt like doing.  We enjoyed each other with no agenda.

Our time together was full of laughter and love.  Though there were many meals to prepare and dishes to clean, laundry to wash and supplies to purchase, there were many hands to help.  It was worth it all to see family, to spend long summer days together and to enjoy each other.

When everyone left, the house had a few extra finger prints and spills to clean, but was so quiet...too quiet.  It was fun to have family come and spend time with us and we are missing them so much already.

Yes, I slept for 13 hours last night.  I am catching up on rest and feeling almost ready for the next batch of family visitors, arriving on Saturday.

The Night Before Graduation

My grand-daughter and her friends got together the night before graduation to have fun and take some photos.  These are a few of the many pictures taken.  They did indeed have fun with each other.  I'll post some of the grad pictures tomorrow.

Pretty pleased to be a graduate...can you tell?

Grandchildren

We are lucky!  We have 10 grandchildren with another on the way; a new wee one due next May.  We are not so lucky, because all but 2 live far away from us.  It is hard having 7 grandchildren living in other provinces and 1 more living in another country!

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of watching our eldest grandchild play basketball.  She is delightful, tall, lanky and fast on her feet.

It was amazing to watch her using her arms and ability to move quickly to block shots on the basket.  She is very good at that!

She made several baskets herself during the game, helping her team's score.

Even though she scored points for her team, they didn't win.  She says that's not what is important, though they win as much as they lose.

She says what's important is playing as part of a team, where everyone gets equal court time, no matter how skilled they are. 

They lost but had fun, felt appreciated

and encouraged by their coach. 

They were good sports and enjoyed the game

and being part of the team. 

                              Good lessons for a grand-daughter to know!