Christmas Time

Well, as promised, here is today's Christmas photo from a series that I took yesterday while getting decorations put up. As usual, the angel sits on top of the tree. You will have to wait to see what the tree looks like with all of its homemade ornaments and decorations. I think we saved everything each of you made over the years and decades.

Last night we were lucky that the weather stayed nice allowing us to travel to Rosetown for an evening of dancing with a few other couples from Elrose. Of course, it was old-time dancing and as a result, a bit slower. I don't know if this dance club will last many more years as most of the people going are in their late 70s as well as 80s. Nothing lasts forever. On a sad note, Ottawa lost to the lowly NY Islanders again, this makes three times in a row.

Later this morning, we are heading to Saskatoon with Annabelle and Derek to see a prairie play called Pull of the Land: The Sequel. We saw the original play as a desert theatre in Harris, the town where the plays were written. I will let you all know more when we are back home.

Christmas Clock

It is beginning to look a bit like Christmas in the house. I will try to have a different photo each day with this theme so that you can enjoy that "at home" Christmas feeling.

The clock still isn't working and that is okay as it is old. We don't throw away something treasured because it doesn't work. This used to be Grandma and Grandpa Kohuch's clock. I think they got it for their 25th anniversary in 1954.

So, I guess you know what is in store for today, Christmas decorations will be put up. While I will be doing this, Mom isn't around as she has gone to Swift Current with Darlene and Bernie for an interesting day out together.

Beginnings in Black & White

Take a look at the girl, the young woman here. She is just twenty-one. With a small cross on a necklace to protect her in a strange new world. Her eyes tell us everything, a bit of fear, of wonder and surprise. Just days previous, she got married to a young man of twenty-two. Where would this man take her? What would life be like with him? Would she be happy? Only time would tell.

And this young man, her new husband with his own amulet to ward off the evils of the world, a St. Christopher medal. His eyes tell a different story, one that says he is not so young in spite of his age. There is a hint of stubborness and defiance as though to say that he will travel his own path through the rest of his life, even if it is a path that most would not choose.

Well, as you can see, I am still busy with photos from the past. These two were from August, 1971. I only have three slides from that time and they are in very poor shape as colour slides. This is the result of trying to save them. Okay, I realise that I might have stretched it a bit with the photo captions, but it likely wasn't far from the truth. Looking back at the time now, I can see just how young and naive we were.

Today has been a busy one for us with Mom in the kitchen making poppycock for Christmas. It appears as there should now be enough for everyone to get a good taste. Who knows, maybe we will eat it all before anyone comes to our home for Christmas. Besides working on slides, I have taken down part of the wall in the spare room beside the downstairs bathroom in order to find out exactly where the moisture was coming from. The problem was located and a plan is now in place to have the problem resolved before we return from our vacation in Mexico thanks to our neighbour, Wayne.

A final note: Ottawa won last night in a shoot out.

Thanksgiving, October 1974

Late add on: We spent the afternoon playing bridge with the local seniors. Okay, so how does this work? Well today with twelve of us at the seniors' hall, we got to play seven rounds of four hands, each time with a different partner. It costs each person twenty-five cents to play with the winner getting two-thirds of the total pot and the lowest score wins the leftover third. Mom finished in second place and I finished fourth - no money for us. We did get a choice of tea or coffee and some cookies.

Once we got home, I went over to help Denise with her accounting program. An hour and a half later, all was repaired and she was back in business doing the business accounts. And now, I'm busy listening to the Senators play the Leafs. The game is already tied at 1-1.

- - - - -

Well, it's American Thanksgiving Day today. Since I have been busy working on scanning the slides from the 70s, I thought that it would be a good day to show some photos from a Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, October 1974. Though we were living in Camsell Portage at the time, we had time off so that I could attend my first teacher's conference being held in Saskatoon. It was natural that we would travel to Wynyard to spend time with the family, especially since Mike was getting married.

Maureen and her mother were enjoying a post-wedding gathering on the family farm. Mother and daughter, both strong women, both great cooks. One was a grandmother and one was expecting a first child. One was and still is trying to be like the other. I realise that this wasn't an October photo, it was from July, just before we left for Camsell and the wedding was Emil and Marilyn's.

Well, July is also the time to use the garden produce to make soup, borscht or creamed vegetable soups. Grandma Kohuch is always glad to have a helping hand with the task of cutting up veggies for soup.

On the right, is a picture of Grandpa Kohuch, or Tut as we called him. He is dressed for Mike's wedding standing tall and soldierly for the camera. There is no doubt that he was a proud man.

He had good reason to be proud. He raised fourteen kids somehow on his small pioneer farm in the scrub hills southwest of Wynyard.

And then there is a photo of me in my finest, a new suit made by Maureen. I don' know if the suit fits the "bush" dweller that I had become. I guess in a way, I had become a modern day version of the old 'coureur de bois'.

In this Ukranian family, I guess I looked more like a mad Rasputin than a French-Canadian voyageur. It must be the beard and the black wavy hair.

And the masterpiece - Maureen and Mike, brother and sister. What can I say? Well, they still are two of the best people I have ever known. And for all of this, I am thankful.

Photo History: Part 4

When we returned to Camsell after taking time to go to teachers' convention in Saskatoon, then attend Mike and Sharon's wedding in Wynyard, we got to experience our first snowfall of the year. It didn't stay, so we were still able to use float planes for travel to Uranium City.

However, later in the month, ice started to form on our bay of Lake Athabasca. Freeze up was definitely an event that changed travel habits. For three to six weeks, all travel was suspended, even receiving mail, until the ice was strong enough for the small planes using skis. Of course, some travelled sooner using dog teams and snow machines.

Yesterday we travelled to Humboldt in order to pick up a table and set of chairs that we will eventually haul to the States for Tasha and family. On the drive down, we got to watch the sunrise. Before the sun actually made it all the way clear of the horizon, we spotted a number of deer and two coyotes. The ride to Humboldt was interesting enough as we passed through the hilly and sparse bluffs. It was a ride through memory lane as we recalled a number of cross-country skiing events including a 20 km loppet that took us to Mount Carmel from Dixon.

While in Humboldt after we picked up the table and chairs, M. got to meet her second cousin, Debbie and her new partner. We had a good visit over lunch before heading back home. Again, deer were moving making us drive with extra caution as the sun was setting. We didn't want to end the day with an accident because of hitting a deer crossing the highway. Back at home, it was time to relax and enjoy a few hands of on-line bridge before calling it a day.

Today? Well, it has been back to scanning slides as well as searching the Internet for possible teaching jobs for next year. Tonight we will play bridge with a neighbour couple rather than on-line bridge. It should be a good evening.

Grey Cup Weekend

Believe it or not, this photo was taken in June, 1975 in Saskatoon at Uncle Bill's house on East Heights. We had just returned to the south for our summer vacation from Camsell Portage, a vacation that would be highlighted by Uncle Robert's wedding and a Kohuch family reunion. This is the scene before a huge storm that did a lot of flooding in the city.

Monday morning and I am back at the task of copying slides into digital format such as the photo above. The weekend has been fairly normal with us watching minor hockey on both Saturday and Sunday. As usual, the same people were typically there, grandparents and parents for the most part. One of the dads was pleased and surprised that a former school principal would be there to watch his daughters play. This is all part of the plan to make sure that we continue to be accepted in the community. Since the community is a rural one with roots going back at least four generations for many of the families, it is hard, if not impossible, to be ever considered as 'one of them'. However, we are finding that we can be accepted in a different way, as people who 'choose' to be here because of them.

Yesterday evening we went out to one of our neighbour's to watch the Grey Cup CFL football game and for supper. The game ended up with a surprise come back for the western team, the Stampeders. That is the trouble with championship games. Even though both teams are good, one of them is relegated to the dust bin of history and the other is celebrated. As I watched, I commented to my neighbour about so much hype and fame for those who contribute so little to world by playing games. Can you imagine your claim to fame being simply one of being a football player who tries hard to hurt opponent football players? Still, there is entertainment value. They will continue to play while normal people will sink into debt during the coming economic recession-depression. A hard working ordinary person has less value ... ?

Here is another photo from the past. We moved to Ile-a-la-Crosse in October, 1975 in order to cover for a senior high school teacher who had left in the middle of the October convention in Saskatoon. Since the principal of the school in la-Crosse was the brother of my superintendent, the arrangements were made and we moved by plane taking everything with us. We left Camsell moving closer to the south and to a larger community.

The setting sun here was incredible. In a way, it is almost like a painting rather than a photo. Strange what effects scanning has on a slide.

Christmas Baking

Yep! We are busy with some of our Christmas baking. As you can see, poppy seed buns and prune buns are on the menu. Yesterday it was the baking of Saskatoon berry pies. Okay, so I didn't have anything to do with the pies but I did do my part with the buns. There is no question that we both had to sample the finished product.

On another front, I have finished the fourth section of the India story which now is just over 3,000 words. I have taken the story all the way to mid-morning of our first full day. Each section deals with a theme, not a day. I am also selecting a number of photos to illustrate each section. How big will this get? I haven't got a clue. I do know that it will focus on the north of India and not about our time in Goa.

As usual, I am listening to a hockey game as I write this journal entry. Winchester has just scored Ottawa's second goal of the game against the Rangers. It's looking good so far with two minutes left in the second period. Maybe today the Sens will win. Whoa! Alfredsson has just scored Ottawa's third goal.

- - - - -

Well, the final score was 4-1. Finally a win and four points from the last three games. We went for a late afternoon walk into the countryside following the game. It was a very pleasant walk with the temperature around 0 C. and only a light breeze blowing. By the time we turned around, we were able to watch the sunset colour a few bands of clouds into a kaleidescope of pinks and blues. Beautiful!

Photo History: Part 3

The date is September 20, 1974, an important date as it was the day that the barge from Fort McMurray came in with our bulk stuff. We had sent our wheat, books and other heavy items such as canned goods by barge as we were only allowed so much weight when we flew into Camsell to begin our new live. The day the barge comes in is a big day in the north as it also brings in the drums of oil which are needd to keep the local electrical plant in operation.

In early October, we got our first taste of snow. Of course, it didn't last but it did warn us that soon it would be cold and that we wouldn't have access to the outside world for a while. It's called freeze up. Float planes would be grounded until the lake was frozen enough for the floats to be changed to skis.

With freeze up in process by the middle of October, emergency access was by helicopter. Of course, one could charter a helicopter for personal or business reasons if one was wealthy enough. For a few weeks we stayed still without taking the journey to Uranium City for fresh groceries. No mail, no National Film Board movies for our weekly movie night at the school when all came to enjoy popcorn with their evening's films.

Our neighbours, the Stennes had beached their commercial fishing boat for the season. The ice was thickening even though the early snow had melted leaving the ground bare.

The skies are gray here today. Like the photo above, we don't have any noticeable snow though there is ice on the lagoons outside of town. More work was done on scanning old slides. Sadly, some of them can't be saved. Why? When I processed them, I didn't have the best conditions or the best skills. Some slides are overexposed and some are etched with contaminants. It was interesting trying to develop slides in our small house using well water that came out of our taps. Of course, time has also had an impact on the quality of the slides. Thankfully, the most important photos are saved. The photo quality is another matter as it still depended on both the photographer's skill and the camera used.

I wasn't too upset at another Sens loss as the team actually played well. The only real difference was in the overtime shoot out where the Sens often failed to get off a decent shot to challenge the Habs goalie. Perhaps the team is turning a corner and will become a better team for all the changes.

Photo History: Part 2

In Camsell Portage, it wasn't all about fishing and hunting. We also got into the picking of wild berries, especially ground cranberries which made an incredible jam and pancake syrup. The berries were quite tart. Our neighbour and friend, Mary, taughts us how to make a bannock using the berries for added flavour.

As a city kid, the move north was an opportunity to discover all kinds of hidden talents. Even the hat I wore was one of my creative attempts. There is no doubt that it appeared as if I was born in the bush and belonged there.

This is Misty, our dog who made the journey to Camsell with us. He stayed only for part of the year. Though there were many dogs in the village, Misty looked scary to the local children because of his colour as well as his size. So, he went back to live in the south with another family member.

Last night we went to watch the girls' hockey team play. It was surprising to see them hold their own against an older and bigger team from Swift Current. Tonight, I am listening to the Sens play the Habs on Internet radio. It is winter and it is cold like winter. This morning it actually dropped to -20° C. Good thing there wasn't the same wind as we had yesterday. We have all of our winter wear out and being used even though there still isn't any snow.

Another day working on a number of different projects including more work with these older photos. I have been busy working on revising the story of our time spent in India. I'll let all know when it is ready for reading. This afternoon, we went to the senior centre where we played bridge. It's official, I am a senior, a paying member of the senior club.

Photo History: Part 1

In the fall of 1974, we flew to the northern most community of Saskatchewan, a place called Camsell Portage, where I was to take on the role of teacher-principal of a small two-room school. The town had a population of less than a hundred people with thirty-one of them students in the school. The community is north west of Uranium City where we had to fly out every two to three weeks in order to get our groceries and propane for our stove. Often, we flew in a Cessna such as this one.

Camsell Portage is located on a bay off of Lake Athabasca. In this photo you can see a roadway of sorts paralleling the beach. Our house was the first house to the right of this path, a white house with reddish shingles. The school is the low modern looking building on the extreme top left.

It didn't take much for us to walk a trail up through the hills to the north of the village where we found a peaceful lake filled with lake trout. We enjoyed many meals of fresh fish while also preparing for the long winter. We were true outdoors people learning how to live in the northern wilderness.

This was a land that was peaceful, a land of eagles, grouse, ducks, and fish. We travelled many trails carrying both rifles and fishing rods, ready to add to our winter stores. This was a land where we learned to be independent and strong as a couple, ready to start building our family.

As you can see, the work of capturing images of the past from our collection of slides is continuing. I just thought it would make for interesting viewing to share these with you. While I have been working on these photos and taking time out for more practice with Spanish, it has begun to snow, a gentle snow with little wind. Though we are both busy in the house, we are beginning to relax again.

Thinking of Mexico

The cheque is gone in the mail ensuring that this villa will be our home for three months.

And this will be our view for sunsets from our beach front deck.

With winter's breath breathing down on us here in Saskatchewan, thoughts of Mexico emerge from some hidden corner. Less than two months remain before we are in Yucatan on the beach of Chuburna which is west of the more popular tourist sites of Progresso.

Thoughts of Mexico aside, the day has been relatively quiet with me working on a few things such as fixing a game board we played when visiting family in the U.S.A. As usual, inattention to detail caused a small glitch that needed attending to in order to have the game play properly. Another task has been working with photos. It is a big project that will occupy many hours for quite a few years. One thing that I have noticed is the distinct lack of photos prior to 1971 from my side of the family. It almost seems as though I grew up in a world without cameras. I will have quite a bit of research to do in future years trying to track down ancient photos and old information about the family. I guess, that is what retirement is all about.

Eagle Country

Morning and it's time to build fortresses with blankets and quilts while everyone is still in pyjamas. Interesting how generation after generation finds this activity to be exciting. It proves that imagination is the greatest toy of all for young children, especially when it engages the adults around them.

Everyone is at the rink to watch Cameron play his first hockey game of the season. It was a high scoring affair with Cameron playing defense for his White Mites hockey team.

Cameron, number 13 is focused on the game and not on the spectators. Saturday night in the U.S. of A.

Back home following a four day weekend with grandkids and family in North Dakota. Our drive to N.D. was uneventful with decent weather making the ten hour drive ather decent. Once in N.D., a bald eagle was sited near the road. On the way back home, another bald eagle in yet a different location. Interesting how eagles make their presence known at so many locations and occasions. I guess I could justly claim that the eagle is my totem.

There was more to see on the drive home. A few white tail deer, several pheasants and a ruffed grouse were among the sightings. The Souris River / Mouse River valley country through North Dakota is pleasant to drive through offering the eyes a constantly changing vista. However, the drive from Estevan to Swift Current is rather bland, especially the flat, open sections. One thing of note was the presence of snow in N.D. and its absence in Saskatchewan. It was also warmer in SK with the promise of warmer weather for tomorrow and the remainer of the week.

Focus on Grandchildren

Yesterday morning I got to take Griffin to his playschool class. With the class near the high school, in the tech courses building, the kids get to have high school students as helpers.

Lawrence helps Cameron get ready for evening hockey practice on Friday night. The game is on, his first for the year, this afternoon.

As usual, being in Jamestown is about keeping as busy as possible with the three boys. That means visits to the park, computer games, board games, card games, lego building and just plain horsing around. Of course, the loudly expressed glee when I got stuck with the "old maid" ensured that the games were a total success. One of the highlights of yesterday, was a shopping trip to Wally World where Talan explored the Christmas section. I regretted not having the camera along on that little side trip. Memorable moments are not always captured by cameras. Still, the memory will last even without a photo.

North Dakota

On the road to visit our grandchildren in North Dakota, just southeast of Minot on highway 52, the full moon captured our attention. Attempts to get a decent photo while driving were unsuccessful, so it was necessary to actually stop the car. The time out was worth it.

Once we arrived and the initial excitement was over, it was time to read a few story books before bedtime. Three boys, three books. For us, it is important to maintain these types of traditions which we began with our young children and now carry on with our grandchildren.

So Much For Planning

Same view as yesterday with a different result looking out about a half hour earlier.

Looking out our living room window this morning as the clouds begin rolling in from the west. The sun is resisting with a show of colour. The race is on as rain is expected along with high winds.

Cleaning House

Sunrise with cloudy skies. As the sun peaked through the eastern horizon this morning just after eight, I was busy making coffee when I saw this through the kitchen window. I got a better look at the sunrise from the dining room window. I knew that if I waited to get properly dressed so that I could take the photo outdoors, the colours and the perpesctive would change.

Like yesterday, I am keeping busy with making more moose jerky and other small tasks. I have now gathered together all the negatives, both black and white and colour. It is amazing just how many print photos have never been put into photo albums. I know that many photos don't have negatives for me to use so that means that at some point I will have to get a print scanner. By the time I am ready for that stage, the technology will improve even more.

One of the side benefits of gathering and sorting has been a gathering together of old stuff that needs to be eliminated from our belongings. Out goes an old Palm Pilot, old phones and answering machines, a rat's nest of wires of all kinds that I had saved from electronics long dead and buried.

Remembrance Day 2008

The preparing for winter continues with the making of moose jerky. The meat is natural as it comes from the wild, not from some farmed animal. I used to hunt many years ago, but I have passed on my rifles to the next generation. My hunting is now done with a camera.

Another activity keeping me busy, is the preparation of three family Christmas gifts, home-made gifts for my adult children. I am not posting a photo or more information for obvious reasons. Why spoil the surprise?

Yesterday, I received a new scanner which is dedicated to scanning slides and 35 mm negatives. First efforts with it are quite pleasing. I am especially excited about digitally capturing the slides which have had a dormant existence for quite a few years. The slides are predominantly from the 70's and early 80's when I was keen on developing my own photos. It didn't take much of a photo lab to produce slides. I will post a few here with appropriate journalistic byplay so that the photos will be better appreciated.

Now, it is all about arranging all of the slides into some sort of order before beginning the scanning process. In the process of sorting through the slides, memories are triggered. What was the world like when we began as a couple and how we grew into a family. All of this is captured as well as the beginning of a teacing career. What is more surprising is that some things haven't changed at all, the love family and the appreciation of nature.

Remembering on Remembrance Day.

Change is in the Air

In this revised version of my blog, I am going to attempt to do something different. Rather than just be a rehash of our daily life in our small rural prairie town, I want to do more. Time will tell how successful I am.