2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you today? Alvin and I are doing well. We have been up for awhile now and had a reasonably good sleep. Towels are drying and a bedspread, blanket are in the washer, also in the midst of cleaning the upstairs bathrooms and am dressed for the day. The top cover that I have on my bed covering the bedspread is one that I received as a wedding gift back in the summer of 1977 which makes it 44 years old in August or thereabouts. It is a pretty palette of pink, blue, purple and lime green. The material has become very fragile and there are many places where the material has separated and is fraying. The edging needs to be sewn back together in places. I think that will be my project for today. I do not wish to give up this beautiful blanket just yet. I seldom put it out but all of the blankets that I use to lay on the end of the bed were in the laundry so out it came to enjoy once again. Maybe a professional could restore it but to what cost? I will do my best. Not sure how many more times it will survive being washed. I hope many, as it reminds me of my final year as a teenager before hitting my 20’s. I turned 20 one week after I was married. When I think back to 1977, it seems like a hundred years ago. My eldest nephew was born February of 1977. Elvis died in 1977. I left the “innocence” of my teen years behind and I was not so innocent but not bad either. Somewhere in between for sure. The 70’s, wow so much happened to me over that decade. I started out living on the farm in Saskatchewan. Great Grandmother passed away. Moved to British Columbia. Went to five different schools in three different provinces for High School. Oh and we, my family moved to Alberta after British Columbia. My Grandpa died tragically in a combining accident. I fell in and out of love a couple of times (you know being a teenager). Moved from my family at age 16 to live with my Grandma back in Saskatchewan who was by herself on the farm after Grandpa died. In Grade 11, I joined my best friend from Elementary school days. That was a great time for me. Grandma and I moved from the farm into a neighbouring town where I took Grade 12, another new school. Meeting new people/new kids/new friends was my life from Grades 9-12. I was always the new kid and sometimes it worked out and other times it did not. I remember being teased for what I wore, for being new, and for whatever else they could dream of. I tried not to ever let it get me down. Everywhere I went I managed to find a friend. Also, I liked being different – that meant that I was unique. I was never one early on to follow what everyone else was doing. Although I did go through a period where I did feel the need to follow what my friends were doing at the time. That phase did not last long. I had several jobs in the 70’s. I worked at Alberta Government Telephones “AGT” for a summer when I was 16/17, also cleaned houses for Seniors and looked after children. Also worked at Sears after High School. When I was married we flew to the West Coast of the United States in a four seater airplane with friends (they owned the plane). It was one of the best experiences of my life as I love to fly and had always wished that I had gone for my pilot’s license. Sticking my toes in the Pacific Ocean was amazing and going to DISNEYLAND was something I had never thought about doing. Eating food that I had never even heard of was great. I also had a drink in a licensed establishment in Los Angeles as a 20 year old who was legally licensed to drink in Saskatchewan. Now that was another story and so funny. Definitely a highlight.

How did this post start out with a mention about a bedspread from 44 years ago. WOW. To finish the 70’s decade, I graduated in 1975. Married in 1977. I lost another Grandpa (1979). Friends were lost in the 70’s as well. To end the decade I was expecting my first and only child (happy day). I am quite certain that I likely forgot some very important items. My parents separated/divorced when I was in grade 12. That was huge. Cousins married. The 70’s were a time of joy and sadness for me. I always tried to land on the joy side. Burying oneself in grief and sadness does not help anyone ever. This is so strange everytime I think I am done, I think of something else. We survived a fire (my family and I). So much happened to me during those years. Likely could be said for most of us. But it is time to go and finish cleaning the bathrooms, Alvin has said that he does not clean toilets. Period. End of story. WOW, I said. Really, would be so nice if you helped out around here. LOL.

The sun is shining and quite possibly there are birds singing (would like to think so). Most of the snow has melted. We did have a few hours of coldness last night as the wind got up. Even a few snowflakes.

Wishing you all a Happy Sunday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin