Spring is finally giving us beautiful weather. Crops, gardens, lawns, trees and of course those nasty weeds are growing leaps and bounds. We could use more rain but with hot weather comes thunderclouds dumping a bit of moisture. Hailstones are always a real threat, not to mention the forceful winds that can do much damage. Spring is always a season of hope for farmers and gardeners.
Lauren Liebaert and baby Holden are spending two months at the farm of her grandmother, Madeleine Huard. They reside in Brandon, Man. so Lauren thought she could get reacquainted with old friends and visit her relatives while husband Kevin is busy with his work.
Drew Cherwinski from Calgary was at the home of his parents, Jan and Paul, a few weeks ago. He hosted a barbecue birthday supper for his son, Reece, who resides in Hafford. Drew is a firefighter and really enjoys the challenges that this occupation brings.
Sixty-five brings the realization that perhaps the government will be generous and start sending old age pension cheques. My husband David will be in this category soon, whether he wants to admit his age or not. My family, Curtis, Greg, Ryan, Amanda and I, pulled of a big surprise for him June 6, in the afternoon until the wee hours in the morning. Approximately 75 people attended this birthday bash. Family and friends from as far as St. Brieux, Saskatoon, Vanscoy, Spiritwood, Delmas and closer towns came for this occasion.
Dave was golfing with his office colleagues and was to have a big supper at Pennydale Junction in Battleford, but his fun in the hot sun was cut short. It was a fantastic gathering as some people had not seen their friends in 20 years. After supper, Norman Woytowich, a retired Whitkow farmer, and Terry Pauls, a former roommate and broomball player for the Whitkow Aces, entertained the crowd with their musical talent. Together they had played in a band many, many years ago and even forgot the name of their band. Terry on the guitar and Norman playing his accordion were a delight to the crowd. Even the very young children stopped their play and ran to the music. Some had never seen an accordion before.
Seven years ago, Sally and Norman moved from their farm to Saskatoon to be closer to their daughter Colleen Grzybowski (Larry) and their boys. Later in the evening, our son Greg from Red Deer and Terry jammed together on their guitars, playing a little more modern music.
Oldest son Curtis flew to Scott Lake, bordering North West Territories and Saskatchewan, to do his usual summer employment as a professional fishing guide. This is an American fly fishing camp, boasting excellent fishing, scenery, wildlife and a first class chef in the kitchen preparing numerous dishes for all guests and workers. Most people return home weighing a few extra pounds. Curtis started this summer job while in university 18 years ago and never knew it would bring him back every year. The call of the north seems to lure people with all it has to offer. The Northern Lights are so vivid and the electrical static very loud from this phenomenal sight in the sky, so he claims, a fantastic natural wonder.
The Alaskan cruise is drawing near so I had better start packing my suitcase that will include a light wear winter jacket. I've toured by vehicle in Yukon and Alaska 15 years ago and on the open water being so close to the icebergs, it can get very chilly. Some of our group are motoring to Vancouver, B.C., but I chose to fly. Everyone I have talked to who has gone on this cruise has had nothing but good comments and say they want to return. What was I saying about "the call of the north?"
