Lest We Forget

I picked this photo off the Facebook site. It struck me as a very touching sentiment, natures own War Memorial. Unlikely to be true, the bike looks like it belonged to a child not a young man ready to enlist. Nevertheless, it screams the sadness, of so many young boys who went off to war never to return. They left behind a part of who they were in toys,photos,football boots and keepsakes. A lonely and empty bedroom full of memories or a bike in a tree. Whether genuine and just wishing to be, they represent the same sadness and hurt.
If I came across this tree I would stop and salute and remember. “Lest We Forget”
Cheers and keep reading.

Submarines get Thumbs up from Chief of Defence

Gen Walt Natynczyk, Chief of Defence sailed in the submarine Victoria for a brief five hour tour. He gave the thumbs up that our submarines are good and will very soon be fully operational. It is worth noting, the military is not a democracy and regardless of rank, one dare not condemn something the government has approved. The General’s career would be over in an instant if he dared to criticize the submarine fleet or government policy. What else could he say, but for the defence of our nation we need these stealth vessels.
I think he was quite courageous to actually go to sea and dive in the Victoria. Nevertheless, it was as low risk as was possible, diving only to 17 meters, that’s about (67 ft) periscope depth. The trip took five hours, I’d estimate that would be approx two hours to diving position, one hour to dived and surface and two hours back to harbour.
He could have had a similar experience diving in the West Edmonton Mall submarine, it takes families with young children as deep as that.
Open main vents-dive dive dive, ugh help help!!!
Cheers and keep reading.

Our Sad Loss

Last night at approx 10pm our old cat Bella died. She had been unwell for a while, wasn’t eating much just drinking water. She had lost a lot of weight and her once beautiful coat looked dull and was matted. A few weeks ago we started buying cans of tuna for her. She liked the tuna and even gained a little weight back. Unfortunately it was short lived and the last few days have been difficult. Last week we talked with the vet about putting her to sleep, but hesitated to take that final step. Bella didn’t appear to be in pain or was suffering so we made her as comfortable as we could. Last night she was in her favourite Styrofoam box in the back hall, Linda moved her in front of the stove where she would be warmer. That was where she was when she died. Bella was born in May 1995 she was almost 17 years old. We got her about six years ago through an old shipmate. His friends in Halifax had owned Bella for years, but having a new baby in the house decided they’d put Bella down. My buddy Darryl saved her and took her to his apartment. However pets weren’t allowed in the apartment building and so called me. That’s how we ended up with Bella, she gained a new lease on life living for another six years. We will cremate her today, can’t bury her as the ground is frozen. Rest in Peace Bella, we shall miss you.
Cheers and keep reading.

Edward VIII Abdication 10th Dec 1936

I don’t suppose this photo hangs on the wall in Buckingham Palace!!! Edward caused serious concerns in 1936 when he stated he would marry Mrs Simpson. Already once divorced and awaiting a second divorce to be finalized before she could marry the King of England. Prime Minister Baldwin would have none of it, an American divorcee as the Queen consort, that would never happen!. In all this turmoil rumours swirled around the land suggesting she was a NAZI agent and or sympathizer. It was suspected she was having an affair with Joachim von Ribbentrop, Germany Nazi Ambassador to the United Kingdom at the time. In the photo we can clearly see why the British Government was concerned and why Edward was sent off to the Bahamas during the war years. Certainly a tumultuous event in the history of the British Monarchy. Wonder if Charles & Camilla have any thoughts on the subject???
Cheers and keep reading.

Looking back to 17th Feb 2011

I thought I would re-post the photo of me snow shoeing on the day before my heart attack. A good reminder to those of us as stupid as me!!!who firmly believed the pain and shortness of breath was just a matter of fitness?A main blood vessel to my heart was over 90% blocked, the slightest increased blockage and I could have dropped dead on the spot. Heart surgery and four bypasses later and I’m on the road to recovery. I think I have learned a good lesson here, if something is amiss in the future I’ll check with my doctor and leave the snow shoes on the wall. Lots of blog issues to deal with, Herr Harper is at it again plus much more, but it will be a while before I’m able to do daily blogs, the mind is a bit muddled due to the many med’s I’m taking. What was that I heard you say? seems normal to me!!!
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The above was my blog posted one year ago on the 17th February 2011, I was just a couple of days out of hospital and still feeling quite weak and sore. Certainly in no condition to snowshoe. A year later I’m out every day walking or snowshoeing for 45 to 50 minutes and covering approx 4 klms per walk. I feel great and enjoy going back through the snow covered fields with Linda and our two dogs. I’m a very lucky person and not a day goes by that I don’t give thanks to my doctor and God.
Cheers and keep reading.

Arsenal so Sad!!!!

Arsenal are playing so poorly I might have to revert back to an old Belfast team, Linfield, better known as the the blues. This was my father’s team throughout his life. Look closely at the posted photo, you are looking at history. My father cut this black and white photo from local newspaper in 1929. The newspaper was a weekly and called the ‘The Peoples friend’. He had a workmate colour the shirts blue and then he framed and hung it on the wall. I remember it always on display wherever we lived. I have had it for years, and it has slowly deteriorated, but I would never tried to alter it in any way. Instead I have a computer enhanced copy, and continue to hang both pictures in my home.

Cheers and keep reading.

Woe is Me!!!

I might have difficulty using the key board to write this post, my tears keep falling on the letters. What an awful week for Arsenal. We lost our first game 4-0 to Milan in mid week, its unlikely we can score more than 4 goals against them in the second match. Looks like we are out of the UEFA Championship. Today we lost 2-0 to Sunderland in the FA Cup, we are out of it too. No silverware for Arsenal again this year, the future is beginning to look uncertain for Arsene Wenger as team manager. The team have not won silverware for a few years now. The best we can hope for now, is to finish in the top four of the league, and that is not going to be easy either. Not a good year for Arsenal, they need some big improvements and they need them soon. Gotta go! need a tissue or three –sob!!
Cheers and keep reading.