Many of you know that I am on a blogging break.
There are a host of things that need attention and projects to complete.
We'll see how that goes!
I'm not ending my 'sabbatical' just yet...
but have decided that I will post a monthly update for now....
a few pictures and a few words from 'the life and times on my Front Porch'
while I am missing in action.
That being said...
here is a re-cap of January 2014 in my part of the world.
While we watched the reality of winter play out on our TV screen in other parts of North America...
we had a very mild month.
Most of January felt more like spring than winter.
Every Sunday afternoon found us on an outing of some sort...
usually a hike.
The first Sunday of month we walked along the Vedder River Trail...
along with a multitude of others who were enjoying the beautiful weather.
My Uncle George Baerg passed away...
...and on January the 8th we gathered with friends and relatives to remember.
He was one of my dad's eight brothers...
the one who I knew the best...
since I grew up just down the road from his place.
He was a master-craftsman...
whose career involved working miracles on car bodies.
He owned an auto-body shop.
During the day he worked with metal.
In his spare time...
he built things from wood.
He also loved music.
In the last decade of his life he began making musical instruments...
creating 18 violins, 6 mandolins and a ukulele.
His children and grandchildren all have an instrument as a souvenir...
as do some others.
One plays on in the Winnipeg Symphony.
Another was given to a local jeweler in exchange for diamond earrings for Aunt Kay...
a 60th wedding anniversary gift.
He was a life-long learner...
and learned to play these instruments as well.
The last years of his life were not always easy as he battled cancer.
He had 26 surgeries...the last one in November.
We went to see him just before Christmas...
not knowing it would be our last visit.
He loved the Lord and is now in a better place...
free of pain and suffering.
He was one of my dad's eight brothers...
the one who I knew the best...
since I grew up just down the road from his place.
He was a master-craftsman...
whose career involved working miracles on car bodies.
He owned an auto-body shop.
During the day he worked with metal.
In his spare time...
he built things from wood.
He also loved music.
In the last decade of his life he began making musical instruments...
creating 18 violins, 6 mandolins and a ukulele.
His children and grandchildren all have an instrument as a souvenir...
as do some others.
One plays on in the Winnipeg Symphony.
Another was given to a local jeweler in exchange for diamond earrings for Aunt Kay...
a 60th wedding anniversary gift.
He was a life-long learner...
and learned to play these instruments as well.
The last years of his life were not always easy as he battled cancer.
He had 26 surgeries...the last one in November.
We went to see him just before Christmas...
not knowing it would be our last visit.
He loved the Lord and is now in a better place...
free of pain and suffering.
While he is making heavenly music...
we cherish the memories of him here below.
Bill and Jeanne (my brother and sister-in-law) arrived from Iowa just in time for the funeral...
...and stayed with us for some six days.
Though it was warm while they were out...
it also rained almost the entire time.
They left on January 13th...
and so did the rain.
We had some good times together...
and even went on a valley tour in the rain!
Another highlight of the month...
was our stay at Harrison Resort.
Friends made arrangements for us to spend some time with them at one of our local gems...
so near by yet a world away.
Also in January...
another birthday came and went.
Good food, good friends and family make birthdays quite OK.
Even special!
Last Sunday afternoon we hiked up Mt. Thom from the base.
This was a first for us...
though we had done the short loop trail at the lookout many times.
It's a great hike...
not too long or too short
...nor too difficult.
We'll be doing it again!
I know you were expecting a few pic's of the grands...
but I thought better of it in light of the Christmas gift they gave me.
What happens at Grammy's
stays at Grammy's...
Large vinyl lettering that I put on a wall in the bonus room...
also known as the playroom.
That makes me smile!
I know you were expecting a few pic's of the grands...
but I thought better of it in light of the Christmas gift they gave me.
What happens at Grammy's
stays at Grammy's...
Large vinyl lettering that I put on a wall in the bonus room...
also known as the playroom.
That makes me smile!
I'll leave you with one last photo of the sun setting on the Vedder River...
taken from the Rotary Trail on a January afternoon.
Those who live this this area and use that trail on a regular basis...
are most appreciative of the local Rotary Club that funds it.
If you happen to feel any inclination (or obligation) to support them in this venture...
I know someone who is more than willing to take your offerings.
Though it seems to me that if you know my hubby...
you will already have had your arm twisted. :)
I would just like to say thanks to all of you who are regular visitors over here...
on my front porch.
Though I have not posted for a month...
still my friends are stopping by.
I appreciate you all!
Though it seems to me that if you know my hubby...
you will already have had your arm twisted. :)
I would just like to say thanks to all of you who are regular visitors over here...
on my front porch.
Though I have not posted for a month...
still my friends are stopping by.
I appreciate you all!
