Early July Happenings

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Here in Montmartre, SK the sky was cloudy and drizzly but it didn't dampen the spirits of those coming to attend the 100 year celebrations.

I stayed home. Since we've only been living here 10 yrs, we don't have ourselves invested into the history of the Rural Municipality (RM) as much as the long-standing citizens. So the boys went, but I stayed to get some plotting done.

Today after church, however, I stopped in to take a few pics of the new replica of the Eiffel Tower. There's rumours going around that it will be taken down because of the threat of kids climbing on it. I wonder if the RM's insurance rates will skyrocket because of the structure. We'll have to see.

Anyway, there's been a change at home as I'll be dropping off both boys at camp on Monday which leaves me kidless for the week. Yay!

I'm also participating with eHarlequin's JunoWriMo Challenge. My goal is to write 3,000 words a day starting Tues once the kids are at camp. I'll let you know how I do.

So, how do you like writing in the summer? No problem? Or would you rather be enjoying the summer?

Happy Birthday, America

To all my American friends, I'd like to wish the best birthday ever!

Imagine, 233 yrs ago today, you fought for Independence against England - and won!

From my point of view on this side of our long-standing border, the American people have grown strong in body, mind and spirit. And I'm very glad to call so many of you my friends and relatives. *waving to Judy

Happy Birthday, America. May God keep your nation strong.

It's Canada Day!

I'm sure there are parades happening all over the country today and I hope for dry skies for all the firework shows.

But here in Montmartre, SK the parade happens on Saturday when the Rural Municipality we live in celebrates its centennial year. Called 'Paris of the Prairies', a 28 foot replica of the Eiffel Tower has been installed downtown. Plus, an 8 foot replica beside the highway draws attention to the local electronics store. Here's a photo of the 3 foot version available for homeowners. And yes, they're all made of metal.

In case you're wondering why Paris and the Eiffel Tower - Montmartre, Saskatchewan is paired with Montmartre, a community in Paris. I did a web search and found this tidbit on Montmartre, France:

The area where Renoir, French Cancan and Van Gogh (among others) all came of age...
Still a little village in the big city, Montmartre borders the Red Light district (Pigalle) to the south, and the less than tourist-friendly Saint-Ouen neighborhood to the north. Therefore caution is needed when making hotel arrangements.

Well now, isn't that an interesting tidbit for a romance writer, eh.

No matter how you celebrate today (in Canada) or on the 4th of July (in the US), thank God for giving our forefathers the wisdom to create these great democratic countries where we can celebrate, or not, as we wish.

So, whatcha gonna do to celebrate? Huh?

After reading Captain Hook's comment, I realize I meant to say, 'What are you doing to celebrate either national day?'

The Last Day of School

The boys are heading off to their last day of school this morning.

This is how the little guy came home from school last week. Used to be just the girls wore paint on their face. Heh.

On Thursday, I picked up Jessie after her final exam and drove her out to the Circle Square Ranch where she's counselling for most of the summer.

And so today is my last day of quiet until July 26th when they all head off on different adventures. That's a month away!

If I want quiet there's always the RV out there under the apple trees. It's just that we've been having problems with our riding lawn mower and the grass is high between the house and the RV. Not over the knee high, but anything higher than the ankles could be hiding ticks. And if you've read my earlier posts, you know ticks freak me out.

But this year, I can go into our converted garage . . . er . . . Rec Centre and get away from all the electronic noise in the house. I tried it out last night when Nelson and the boys were watching a movie and I had homework to do. The Rec Centre was dark but Nelson had set up the old computer desk near the west window and with the sun setting, I had plenty of light streaming in through the trees. With just one window open to catch a breeze, the room was cool instead of stifling. And it was quiet if I didn't count the birds chattering away. I was out there for the length of the movie and was able to complete my homework assignment from the Roses Plotting Bootcamp I'm taking this month.

So today, when the boys get off the bus for the last time until Sept, after a reasonable social interlude - say 30 mins tops - I'm going out to the Rec Centre to continue working and the boys can make all the noise they want in the house.

Hmmm . . . this'll be a good time for Nick to learn how to cook, eh. Heh.

And how about you . . . is there a major change in your house at this time of year? How do you or will you cope?

Family Reunion 2009

My long anticipated Family Reunion weekend is over. Everyone left. The house is quiet. Time to reflect…

Friday afternoon, soon after the kids came home from school, a strange car came down the driveway with Ontario license plates. My dad, whom I hadn’t seen in about 15 yrs, and his new wife had arrived. Strong, emotional hugs. Good hugs. Hubby led the way to our partially renovated garage, now christened the Rec Centre, which he’d cleaned and furnished. Fabric covered the windows, a radio sat on a small dinette table. Even a rug beside the bed. I was quite impressed. Grandpa and Grandma (G&G) deemed it suitable and moved right in. Since they are avid golfers, we enjoyed a round of Golf later on that evening as we introduced them to the Wii game system.

Saturday dawned hot and muggy. Two more vehicles arrived in time for lunch: my sister and her hubby in the one with Manitoba plates, and their daughter from 2 hrs west of us, in the other. Everyone was now here. The kids went to work putting up the dome tent and filling it with sleeping bags and their electronic games. Meanwhile, the adults were bowling in the living room.

After supper, we all moved into the Rec Centre for a game of Pictionary. Two teams with 5 people each, 1 white board, lots of colored markers. Perfect. Thirty minutes into the game, a thunderstorm moved in but we were cozy so we played on. Not long after, the power went out and plunged us into darkness. Within minutes, with an oil lamp shining on the game board, and a flashlight aimed at the white board, we pressed on. Someone noticed the tent had collapsed so it was carried into the sunroom away from the elements. Lightening flashed through the windows, thunder reverberated through the building, the little guy trembled in fright and still we played on. And it was fun! More noise than substance, the storm ended before our game did. As we laughed our way back to the house, 2 of the kids decided to sleep in the tent after all, so it was dragged back out and set up with their stuff still inside.

Another storm with lots of rain passed over the farm during the night. Sunday morning, the little guy awoke at 0530 and ran to see if the tent was still there. I found out later, when he saw the collapsed tent, he ran back in for his camera and took photos of it before rescuing the occupants who were soaking wet but still asleep.

When we all got back from church, we took family photos in the yard – in a light drizzle. Since everyone wanted to play the Wii, we did. Bowling, tennis, baseball and even boxing. I couldn’t decide if I had more fun playing or watching others play, but it sure was fun. During this time, my niece made home-made whole wheat pitas for supper but as another storm system rolled in, she said her goodbyes and left before eating with us. Good thing because it poured soon after and that gravel road to the highway was mucky enough. After supper, the Wii games continued.

Early this morning, hubby drove older son to school where his class was heading out on a 3 day camping trip. Shortly after, the school bus came along and picked up the little guy. (Jessie stayed home to study for afternoon exams.) Within a couple hours, G&G were headed east to Ontario/Michigan followed by my sister and her hubby going back to Northern Manitoba. Hubby, on his last day off, and I waved at the departing cars. A cool breeze blew through the quiet, empty house. The 2009 Family Reunion was over.

I'm so thankful I had this chance to see my dad again after all these years, and it was truly a blessing to meet his gracious wife. It will take them 4 days to get back home and I'm praying they arrive safely. I miss them already…

And how was your weekend?