Posted on August 29, 2013 under Thursday Tidbits with one comment

  SEEN AT THE FALL FAIR – A BUNCH OF POLITICIANS

Ok. Now there I’ve gone and gotten myself in trouble for suggesting politicians resemble a cow’s butt. Sorry. You know me well now. There are no sacred cows in my world.

We had a blast at the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition. We took our granddaughter and did all the mandatory stops. She went on a few of the rides and I went on the Ferris Wheel with her, the first time I’ve done that in at least 25 years. I think the operator was the same guy that was there back in the 1950’s when I was a kid. He won’t win the congeniality award.  She played a few games of chance ( the ones that guarantee a prize to children! ) and we visited all the barns. She got to sit on the biggest horse at the Ex – a 2100 pound Clydesdale. And on our way out, we couldn’t quite get past the cotton candy stand and we settled on a candy apple. Coming up next week, I will have a story called “Fall Fare” which sums up all that is good and evil at the Fair.

When is the last time you thought about your ears? Unless you are getting an ear pierced or you wear glasses, you probably don’t pay much attention to them. A little while back I had some surgery on my ear, performed by my brother. There are some interesting twists and turns in the story and I am seriously pondering humiliating myself once and for all by posting a picture that was taken at the time. What do you think Connie? If enough people clamor to see it, I may post it. Coming Saturday, “Getting an Earful”.

One of the librarians at People’s Place library told me a funny story the other day and I rushed home and put pen to paper. I have asked her to proof read and edit it before I publish it. The story is 100% true but I have embellished it somewhat. I’ll let you know if it passes her scrutiny.

I hope everyone has a great long weekend and be careful if you are playing washer toss while drinking. I am aware of someone who was injured playing this game. Is it possible to play washer toss sober?

Posted on August 15, 2013 under Thursday Tidbits with one comment

This is my writing buddy Phil and I will give you $1000. if you can guess what he’s doing? Wrong. He’s cleaning bird shit off the “Welcome to Antigonish” sign. I hope the “Communities in Bloom” judges didn’t happen upon this on their recent tour of the town. By the way, congrats to all of those volunteers who really make our town look spectacular in the summer time.

You see, Phil, his wife Marilyn and me were scouring the town ( literally, as it turns out! ) looking for the appropriate photo op for the poster for our upcoming fundraiser. This was one of our choices but before taking the picture , Phil had to apply some elbow grease and remove the offensive substance.

I mentioned this in an earlier post but coming up in a few days, a tale of romance. It takes us all the way from the awkwardness of high school dances to the nursing home… and everything in between. The term “old flame” takes on an entirely different connotation. This happened last Christmas so it’s only appropriate that I run the story in the middle of one of the muggiest summers on record. Do you remember your first romance? You betcha. And how did that turn out? This story is called “An Old Romance”. When I was in Alberta recently, I read this story aloud to a group of people. I hadn’t looked at it since the day I wrote it. I had a hard time finishing some of the sentences I was giggling so hard. Hope you enjoy it.

I also have a story from my teaching days. Just ask someone you haven’t taught in 35 years what they remember most about you as a teacher. The story is called “Teach Your Children Well”, a direct steal from my favorite group of all time, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Some of the responses were revealing… and quite surprising.

Have a great day. Live, love, laugh.

Posted on August 8, 2013 under Thursday Tidbits with one comment

It’s back to reality after a week out West. The economy in Alberta seems to be firing on all cylinders. We contributed our share in food, gas and shopping. I bought a rock for $8.00. That was the sum total of my shopping. Betty is always shocked when I buy anything. In due course you will see this rock resurface and will understand this curious purchase.

We had to drive six hours from the Peace Country down to Edmonton ( 8 if you count the shopping stops ). I was driving and we were accompanied by Geoffrey, a splendid 13 year old gentleman who sought the peace and quiet of his house in Spruce Grove after a hectic week on the farm. It was a good thing he was with us as he saved our marriage. Do you find that at the end of a long day when you are perilously close to your destination, that you and the co-pilot can get a bit edgy when it comes to directions? No. I didn’t think so. You use a GPS and can always curse at the lifeless voice telling you that she’s “recalculating”. As we approached a major fork in the road, I politely inquired which exit to take and “we” took the wrong one. Geoffrey took over and spirited us to his house by way of a secondary route. He was surprised when I offered to pay him $20. for his efforts. I suggested that it was a bargain compared to a counselling session!

Many of you have been up to Bethany to see the 1000 aprons display. I have received many messages of your own recollections of mothers and grandmothers who perpetually  wore aprons. So, one of you wisecrackers who read my bra story suggested that I endeavor to collect 1000 bras and put them on display. A suitable title might be ” My cup runneth over”.

Coming up this weekend is the story I promised a few days ago regarding economy fare passengers on planes. It’s called “Last Tango in Toronto”. I couldn’t convince Marlon Brando to take the lead role so I took it myself.