Renovations are almost complete

Almost completed, a little late, but I built in an extra week just in case they could not deliver. There are a few things left to be completed and the entire kitchen will be done. Oops, I can see a broom and a few other things still in there, but as for now it is usable or should I say functional. I'm starting to cook in there tonight. I'm surprising the kids with French Onion Soup for tomorrows dinner, they've asked for it and I'm doing some of the work tonight.

Ask me in a few days/weeks whether or not I will provide references for the folks that built my kitchen. The 24 hour rule may become a 14 day rule. I want to enjoy Christmas and New Years with my family and friends before I make a determination of my support of the cabinet people.

We do love it and have already had the pleasure of an impromptu gathering on Friday during the storm.

The big reveal for the week of Dec.15, 2008

Good morning it's Friday and it is snowing like crazy out there. Here is the big reveal for this week. I knew this would be a tough one this week, no one even tried a guess. Here are the answers:

The name of the song/poem: I heard the Bells on Christmas day.
The writer of the poem: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The writer of the music: John B. Calkin.
The world event: The U.S. Civil War.

Here is the next stanza from the song, it clearly is contrary to the previous one. Just as Christmas is contrary to the darkness and bleak appearance of difficulty.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead nor does he sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

for Peace on earth good will to men

As Christmas nears, may the Peace of Christmas and the light of goodwill replace the dark of whatever ails you these days. Many of us have suffered loss this year and in years previous. The type of loss does not matter, it is all loss. May we all move from the sorrow of loss to the joy of remembrance. May this Christmas bring you the many little joys that is the remedy for loss.

I will have something for next weeks blog, I just have not chosen it yet, in fact in may not be related to Christmas. Then again, I may be inspired by something else.

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year"

Merry Christmas one and all

Tuesday Musings (#15)

Good Tuesday morning all. I did not ask permission from my wife and/or kids before completing this post. I'm sure they will forgive me. Recently, someone said to me "are there any normal families" and I responded by saying, well mine is not.

Normal and families is as much an oxymoron as Iron Butterfly (In-A-Gadda-Da- Vida) or Jumbo Shrimp(mmmm I love shrimp). There is no such thing as a normal family. Take my family for example, my beloved and I came from diametrically opposed backgrounds in so many ways and we've been blessed with 27 years of marriage and are still going strong. My kids are so different it's amazing that they came from the same den. I was there and I can prove that they did. They have such different personalities, the one that should act like a baby acts like a first born and the first born often acts like the last born (I didn't call him a baby).

I have been exposed to so many families over the years that my scientific (not really) research proves one thing, no one is normal and oh by the way, who decides what normal is anyway? I am not about to tread through the minefield of traditional and not so traditional families, that is not the purpose of this post. If you know me, then you know where I stand on that discussion on family.

Then there is the family that pastes the happy face on for social occasions and we all know that most of us have done that on some or more than some occasion. I can think of walking into church and seeing the phony smiles and realizing that they(or was it us) have just had a huge fight in the van (thankfully we don't have one of those anymore). They have to paste the happy smile on just to show that they are a normal family.

Or maybe it's just me. Maybe the whole world really is "normal" and we're not. If that's the case, I'll stay with abnormal. At least we're real and not phony. Normal is just a setting on your dryer anyway.

Happy Tuesday everyone and Merry Christmas.

Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of Dec.15/08

Monday is here. The new week is upon us. Can you hear the bells pealing and calling us to service in our busy lives? As Bob Cratchett moves carefully from his home to his cold work place you and I move with ease to our places of employment. Times have changed, for some it is "hard times" and not so easy for others. Will it be duck or pigs cheek you have for Christmas dinner? Looking back I have lead a life of full as others have lead a life of want. I feel the weight of the guilt as I move through my paces.

I have chosen a song this week that was written as a poem in 1864. The music was written in 1872. Those of you who are familiar with history may know the importance of those dates. It was a time of strife then much as it is now. There were wars and rumours of wars. Brother fought against brother and none were secure.

And in despair I bowed my head

There is no peace on earth I said

for hate is strong and mocks the song

of peace on earth good will to men

I realize that the writers of the songs for the first three weeks of my foray into obscure Christmas lyrics are dead. It is not meant as a portent of anything. I spent several hours last evening at a service of remembrance with friends as we remembered those who have died this year and those who we miss who have passed in years gone by. It was refreshing to not have to paint the happy face on, just so no one else would be uncomfortable. We all shared a mutual feeling, loss and the pain that goes with it.

So why the sad lyrics? The state of the world is not good. But, and I mean it this time, there is hope. This season that we call Christmas means hope. The hope for no fear (be not afraid), the hope for joy (I bring you glad tidings of great joy) and the hope of a new tomorrow (unto you is born this day, a saviour).

The whole meaning of Christmas is hope, so while we sit in darkness and feel the pain of loss, the flicker of a candle begins to bring a little light to our darkened world. That candle lights another candle and so on and soon the room is flooded with light. Just wait til you see what the big reveal brings on Friday.

Here is what I would like to know:

The name of the song/poem:

The writer of the poem:

The writer of the music:

What world event was going on when the poem was written:

Have a great week, remember to see the Hope of Christmas, not the bleak life that appears to be real.

Renovations are continuing

Well, I have not commented on the renovations in a while. Most of the work is completed with the exception to our kitchen. We had a commitment that the cabinets would be completed by Dec.11, 2008. Unfortunately that date has passed and a new date has been given. The provider (who shall remain nameless) made some excuses and then gave me a new date, next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I guess that is three dates. The photo directly to the left is what the kitchen looks like currently, the floor is in, the electric is done, the crown moulding is done, it's a giant canvas awaiting the hickory cabinets to be painted on. That was my poor attempt to sound artistic.

I'm trying to be really patient and grace filled in this process. The problem is that the longer we live without a kitchen, the more we spend on either prepared food or restaurant food and I am so sick of restaurant food. I will begin to bill them for the costs if they go beyond next week.

I have, however, made it clear to them that the kitchen will be completed before the week of Christmas. There is no way that I want people in my house finishing things while I am trying to prepare for Christmas. 

I'm just a little frustrated, can ya tell. the photo to the left shows how our bedroom looks now. We had the walls painted, added new trim and crown moulding and our new bedroom suite finally arrived. The matching blinds are ready to be installed when all the other work has been completed.

The living room is completed, with the exception of a final coat of paint. I am really pleased with all that we have been able to do in these past few months and the final product in the kitchen will be awesome.

I asked the Lord to give me patience and He is using circumstances to teach me patience. He is much wiser than I am. 

The big reveal for the week of Dec. 8/08

Wow it's Friday, only thirteen days to Christmas and only six days of work left for this year, at least for me. I'm looking forward to the break. I started blogging soon after my surgery and those of you who read this know how much I need a break this year.

I have only had a few responses this week. Once you see the answers, you will probably know what I'm talking about. You're gonna love the video for this one. I found out that the album (33 rpm vinyl) is the favourite Christmas albums of one of the regular readers, how 'bout them apples.

The movie is probably my all time Christmas favourite. I like to watch it and just enjoy the beauty of the simplicity of the story, and do they tell the story? I discovered in my research, that there are numerous mistakes in the film that they wanted to fix, but the writer and Charles Schulz would not allow them. The simple nature makes the story so real and to be honest, life is full of mistakes. There is no one who is perfect. I recently had a discussion about walking on water(not the frozen kind) and the only other person to walk a bit on water lost his perspective and went into the water. Don't lose your perspective this Christmas.

Here are your answers:

The name of the song: Christmas time is here.
The writer of the music: Vince Guaraldi.
The writer of the lyrics: Lee Mendelson.
The first group to record it (trick question): The Vince Guaraldi Trio
The famous Christmas movie: A Charlie Brown Christmas



The first person to get most of the details right was Scott G. He was followed by Steve B. after the awfully gracious hints. I love this movie so much I'm gonna add another few clips this morning. Here's the peanuts gang telling us what Christmas is really all about.



The weekend is almost upon us, may you find that the real meaning of Christmas fills your homes and hearts and that the peace that all of us are searching for is found.



May the warmth of family, friends and peace give you that special glow, not just for the next thirteen days but for the years to come.

"Christmas time is here, spirit in the air, oh that we could always see such spirit through the year"

Merry Christmas one and all

Tuesday Musing (#14)

Good Tuesday morning everyone. Well the weather outside is lovely and the snow is pretty and the rain is on its' way. Oh well we have no control over the weather unless we choose to move to Phoenix. Not a bad idea, I'll bet the hockey tickets are cheaper, too.

"sticks and stones will break your bones and words will never hurt you" is such a mistruth. I have learned that words will hurt, the tongue is the most powerful muscle in the body. No one is exempt from being a recipient of the verbal attacks that can so easily be unleashed. More importantly, none of us (the writer included) are prevented from using the tongue to inflict punishment on others by way of the power of words.

So what to do in this quandary? An old colleague used the phrase "choose my words with an eye dropper" and this is a good start, but it isn't perfect. It only takes one word to destroy a person, their character and their life. So measurement is not the answer. The answer is to control the tongue and this is achieved by surrendering my attitudes and discriminatory behaviours and placing the wants, needs and concerns of others before my own.

"ancient words, ever true, changing me and changing you, I will come with an open heart, Oh let the ancient words impart"

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Obscure musical Lyric for the week of Dec.8, 2008

Good Monday morning music fans. It's cold out there and was all weekend. Oh well, it's here to stay so we might as well get used to it and dress appropriately. I trust you had a wonderful weekend. I had a good one with a team Christmas dinner out in the sticks of Maryhill and then a family dinner in St. Catharines. Great food, fun and craic(fun) as the Irish say.

Christmas is creeping closer every day. For the most part you can see it in the eyes and attitudes of the people milling around. It's so nice to see people enjoying themselves as they shop for others.

This weeks song is a classic. It's actually a jazz song that was written in 1964 or 1965. The music has been used in movies and it was re-recorded by a Canadian singer for their Christmas album last year.

Snowflakes in the air

Carols everywhere

olden times and ancient rhymes

of love and dreams to share

I would like to know:

The name of the song:

The writer of the music:

The writer of the lyrics:

The name of the group that recorded it first:

The famous Christmas movie it is in:

Have a great week, I'll try to add some hints on Wednesday. only 17 sleeps 'til Santa comes. Make sure you are extra good for the rest of this month.

The big reveal for the week of Dec.1/08

Well, it's Thursday afternoon as I write this. I am completely busy on Friday morning, so I need to do this now before my next life appointment. I'm actually looking forward to this one as I get to spend time with my six year old friend painting miniature goalie masks. He's a really cool dude, a bit of a cowboy and loves the Calgary Flames, but I love him so no matter what he likes, I love spending time with him.

This weeks song was sad for a few reasons as I stated in the blog on Monday. The song is very much in the same vein as Taxi and Sequel by Harry Chapin, except it was not written by Harry. Like Chapin, the writer suffered and early and untimely death, his was due to cancer, unlike Harry's. The story is apparently autobiographical and tells of lost love and meeting again and then parting again. Here are your answers:

The singer: Dan Fogelberg

The song: Same Old Lang Syne

The album: The Innocent Age

The Soprano Sax Player: Michael Brecker

Sadly, Dan Fogelberg passed away approximately one year ago, on Dec.16, 2007. He was a writer of songs and music that I really appreciated. I have always been drawn to storytellers, I guess I understand things better that way. He died of prostate cancer and his bereaved wife works very hard at trying to get the message out for people to get tested so that they do not have to suffer as this family did. We really are living legacies, let's do everything to keep that legacy living.

The first person to answer all the questions this week was The Chief (aka Don R.) Congrats and all the best to you, Mrs Chief and the family as Christmas comes near. Enjoy all those special moments with the family.

To all of you, have a great weekend. Enjoy the chill of early winter and the warmth of family, friends, maybe a fire and a pleasant libation. It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

"Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and brings tears from the eyes of woman"    

Tuesday Musings (#13)

Good Tuesday morning to you.

I have decided to read "Christmas" related material for the month of December. I've started with "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. It has been so long since I have read it. I sat down by the fire last night with a nice cup of tea and began to read the foreword in the particular version I recently purchased. I am also planning on taking a tour through the gospels, particularly the book of Luke as well as through the old testament passages that prophesied the birth of Jesus.

The Christmas season is regularly referred to as Advent. It's called Advent for a reason, Advent comes from the Latin Adventus which means arrival or approach. So as I anticipate the arrival or approach of the Christmas season I need to prepare myself for the season.

For most, it's baking, shopping, looking at lights or whatever suits their fancy and it usually keeps us way too busy. In the midst of this crazy mixed up world that we call 2008, I have decided to take time to read both the secular and religious texts about this time.

Interestingly (that's for you Perry D.), A Christmas Carol speaks of one man's(Scrooge) journey from darkness to light or from loss to redemption during the story. Just as the story of Christmas tells the story our loss and redemption and the choices we get to make. I will take the time to read and enjoy the texts and hopefully grow and be redeemed.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

"Merry Christmas one and all"