Posted on October 12, 2017 under Thursday Tidbits with 2 comments

Lochiel Lake

 

I’m starting to think that Thanksgiving might be my favorite holiday. Lots of family around, great food, no presents or crass commercialism to deal with and the beautiful Fall colors. My Monday column was about reasons to be thankful. I received a very good response. Someone added their own reason to be grateful: having coffee with friends. That is truly one of life’s great pleasures to just sit and chat with a good friend with your hands curled around a cup of hot java.

I want to add one more reason to be grateful at the tender age of 66. I am eternally grateful for “ the power snooze.” Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I could nod off for exactly 15 minutes in the middle of the afternoon and wake up completely refreshed. I’m thinking about calling the Vatican to report a miracle.

I did one of my India presentations yesterday for the ROMEOs. The acronym stands for “ Retired Old Men Eating Out.” They meet a couple of times a month to share food and fellowship. They also bring in guest speakers. And speaking of India, I have started the process of getting my Indian visa again in hopes of going back sometime in November. I have also been invited to volunteer in Tanzania ( East Africa ) and will need a visa for that as well.

With 321 days of sun in Southern India, I decided to pick up some transition lenses that turn dark automatically. This will eliminate the incessant putting on and removing of sunglasses. You all know what a fashion maven that I am ( NOT! ), so choosing a set of frames is a bit of a crapshoot. I tried on several pairs and I wondered if the ones I chose, would look good on the runway. I was assured that they would. Except the sales person misunderstood me as I was talking about the tarmac at the airport! Thanks, T.C. for your help.

And speaking of India, just giving you a heads up that Fr. Abhi Anand from Varanasi, India is going to be giving a talk at the library later this month or November about the “ Railway Children of Varanasi.” I spent Christmas Day with these children ,who were abandoned by their families at the train station in Varanasi. I’ll keep you posted.

“ Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana.

History was not my strong suit in university. Spades were!  My knowledge of WW11  is sketchy at best so I decided it was high time that I get with it. Sometimes I can be an “ all or nothing person” so as I stared at the spine of “ The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich “, at a bookstore in Halifax, I wondered about the wisdom of reading a 1200 page tome as a primer on the war. I think I threw my back out just trying to get the book to the car! Anyway, I decided to try and read 50 pages every day. Doesn’t sound like much but those of you who have read this, know that every page is filled with scads of fine print at the bottom of the pages which need to be fully read to give the preceding words some context.

I was astonished to read about the rise and fall of Adolph Hitler. One line jumped off the page. Hitler said that “ it was time to make Germany great again.”

Have a great weekend.

Posted on October 9, 2017 under Monday Morning Musings with 2 comments

 

Be Thankful.

… If you woke up this morning and were able to walk to the kitchen.

… For sunrises and sunsets.

… For the laughter of grandchildren.

… For the healing power of medicine and prayer.

… For clean running water and clean air.

…  For food and shelter.

… For the changing seasons.

… For the sound of beautiful music.

… For the smell of flowers.

… For eyesight to see the wonders of nature.

… For the privilege of living in a country not beset by war.

… For world class healthcare

… For family and friends.

… Add your own reason for being thankful.

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

Posted on October 5, 2017 under Faces in the Crowd with 3 comments

 

“ Life is complicated enough. Keep things as simple as possible.”

Meet Emerson Dunphy.

Emerson was born in Ingonish in 1922 and at the age of 6 months, the family moved to North Sydney. His grandfather was a boat builder and his dad was a fish plant owner and trader, plying the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, sailing to and from the West Indies trading goods from Canada. His mother was a school teacher.

When he was six months old, the family moved to North Sydney. He and his 3 siblings spent many happy hours skating on the harbor and nearby lakes in the winter time. Emerson attended Sydney Academy and decided to take a year off after completing grade twelve as he wasn’t certain of his future plans. Part of the year was spent on a merchant ship. Sailing became a passion at an early age.

He attended St.F.X University graduating Magna Cum Laude and was awarded the Governor General’s medal. He had thoughts about being a lawyer but after a brief stint in a dark law office after graduation, he decided against this profession.

He was anxious to serve his country and during WW11, he joined the Air Force. He moved around Canada getting the required training and received his wings in Claresholm, Alberta. By the time he completed his training, the war was drawing to a close. On one fateful train trip from Eastern Canada to flying school in Regina, Emerson and two air force buddies discussed career plans after the war. They all decided to pursue medicine.

In 1945, he was back at “X” for two years of pre-med where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He received his medical training at McGill and accepted an Internship in Bridgeport, Conneticut. In 1950, he met a beautiful young woman by the name of Margaret Campbell at St. Mary’s hospital in Montreal. She was studying to become a nurse. They were married in 1952. Their two eldest children were born in the United States. Emerson continued his studies in general surgery and urology.

He received word from a colleague that St. Martha’s Hospital in Antigonish was in desperate need of a second surgeon. At the urging of Dr. Tom Gorman, Emerson came back to Nova Scotia and was thrust immediately into an incredibly busy practice. He and Tom were responsible for 50 surgery beds. The work load was very demanding. Emerson admits that he would do it all over again. He was especially fond of the “ old St. Martha’s “ where there was a great deal of camaraderie amongst all the doctors, nurses and the  staff.

Over a career that spanned 34 years, Emerson saw many notable changes. “ The establishment of a burn unit in Halifax and the introduction of laparoscopic surgery were two major changes during my years of practice.”

Religion has always been a cornerstone of Emerson’s life. Like many Catholic families of that generation, saying the rosary after supper was the norm. From time to time , when the schedule allowed, he would duck into the chapel at the hospital for mass. These days he attends mass on a daily basis. He routinely gets up at 5:00 a.m., something that he has done most of his life.

Besides exercising regularly at home, he plays bridge twice a week and the cribbage board is always on the dining room table for a friendly game with family and friends. He also loves doing crossword puzzles. All of these things have kept his mind active and provided him with company and laughter.

So, what is his secret to longevity? “ I didn’t let stress get the better of me. I have always exercised and was well fed by Margie! And I have had a happy life. I think that being happy helps keep a person healthy. I have also benefited from advances in modern medicine. I have had many operations and have scars from head to toe to prove it! “

He also believes that his faith has given him a solid foundation to meet the challenges which life inevitably throws at all of us.

The death of his beloved Margie and son, Michael were hard on Emerson.

Regarding the state of the world, he feels that improved communication might be the only hope in finding harmony. “ World leaders need to meet face to face and discuss their problems and differences.

This gentleman, with a hint of his Irish ancestry twinkling in his eyes, is blessed with 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

He would probably concur that family and good friends are the best medicine.