“You can put it in the win column!” I long to hear that phrase again, for anyone who lived in Calgary and listened to Flames games on the radio those words were a sweet melody. Peter Mahar was the voice of the Flames for thirty-three years, and he uttered those famous words every time the Flames won. The Flames beat the Winnipeg Jets this week in the qualifying round of the most bizarre playoff Stanley Cup Championships ever. A championship Read more…
Smoke began to fill the skies over the Mediterranean Sea. Flashes and explosions of light lit the day as an involuntary fireworks display began. Cameras turned to record the show, not knowing when or how it would end. In the fateful seconds, time stopped. With a sudden roar came the blast. A shockwave traveled in an instant and will last a lifetime. Buildings burned, windows smashed. Cars, people, and ships were tossed into the air like toys thrown asunder by Read more…
Sunrises and sunsets joined together. I had an evening cruise and early fishing tour. Golden red lined the sky on both sides of the valley for me. Memories created for other people and myself. It is the best of days; I wish there wasn’t a viral shadow hanging over us. Luxury Lake Tours had one of its busiest weeks ever this past week. I was on duty and on the boat. We did more fishing tours than ever and I Read more…
I’m melting. The summer heat is like a sauna and I have had the privilege of being in the middle of a lake to experience the soaring temperatures. I will not complain. We live in the true north strong and free, we only get a few weeks of the hot temperatures and long days. I wish I could sleep better though. Living in a home that was built in 1937 comes with its challenges. One of those challenges is keeping Read more…
I stared into the sky tonight and stopped. A golden red whirlpool spun over the mountains above Westbank. A red dragon flew toward the spinning mists as the setting disc lit the final embers of the sunset. I stopped to breathe in the moment. Holding hands with Krista we took time to soak it all in. We walked home from Whiski Jacks pub and were awed and humbled by the evening sky. Dark reds painted the glowing sky. Framed by Read more…
The days are melting together in the summer heat. Morning comes early and the evening lingers on into the night. I have struggled to sit and write, seeking time and inspiration in the busyness of the summer days. Boat tours, seeing friends, life has very much returned to the way it was before. Before Covid, before lockdowns and fear. Summer has sprouted in our amazing valley and we are making connections. We are living as if there were no insidious Read more…
Four months ago I started writing my daily journal. 122 days of reflections and ruminations. Our world has morphed itself into a new semblance of itself. My world has morphed into a new reality. I don’t think I would have predicted either seventeen some weeks ago. Now I sit in reflection of the time that has passed. March 16, Big White closed in sudden reaction to the viral infection that stopped the world. Covid19 overtook everything, the media, the hospitals, Read more…
The Edmonton Eskimos gave up their name today. A name I despise, but not for racial reasons. I am a diehard Calgary Stampeders fan. I have hated the Eskimos in a brotherly way all of my life. I am not happy with the change. I understand why they have done it but I question the rationale that is being used. The Washington Redskins gave up their name only a week ago so Edmonton felt compelled to follow suit. Yet the Read more…
Daylight crept intrusively past my eyelids. I was tired, too tired. I fought the sensation and rolled over. The warm body of my wife lay welcomingly beside me. I snuggled in tight, my fight against wakefulness victorious. I held her tight and went back into my dreams. When I climbed back out of my slumber I glanced at my clock. It was 7:50, time to move. A nagging doubt crept into my being. I had something I was supposed to Read more…
I quit my job today. Well, just one job, a job that I have been putting off and dreading. I gave in and pulled the pin. I will not be cleaning any more windows again. My back is sore, and my desire is gone. I feel bad walking away from the fifteen story building and leaving it for the guys from Ever-Clear but I just can’t do it. I admit it, I am out of shape and sore. Hanging off Read more…