enjoy each day

We went to see Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings’ band play tonight in concert. They were formerly part of “The Guess Who.” It was a fabulous concert. We had pretty good seats at the NAC Opera. The sound was great and they played all their big hits and more from The Guess Who and lots from BTO as well! Cummings also played a big solo hit he had, “Break It To Them Gently.” They played for 2 hours and there was an opening act, “Booker T.” He’s been around for a long time, since the 1960s. His band is very soulful/jazzy/bluesy.

All in all, a very memorable evening of wonderful music!

It was obvious throughout the show that Randy was really enjoying himself and his guitar licks and solos were superb. There were a total of 7 musicians; 2 percussionists, 1 bass player, 2 other guitarists, plus Randy and Burton on keyboard. They played a 10 minute rendition of “American Woman,” starting with a bluesy opening, before the telltale American Woman guitar chords started the anthem, “dah-dah-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da, dah-dah da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da…” :))

Other notable songs were, “Takin’ Care Of Business” (encore number),” “These Eyes,” “No Sugar Tonight,” “New Mother Nature,” “Clap For the Wolfman,” “Albert Flasher,” “Laughing,” “Let It Ride.” “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” and “Hand Me Down World.”

This afternoon and evening, Adam and I spent some time together, driving up to the trailer and clearing bike trails. I took some video and photos of Adam riding down his trails. Good thing we had bug juice! We got home just before 10pm and had stopped for ice cream on the way home. Even at age 17, ice cream is still a favourite! :)

I’d like to enjoy each day, but the temperature here is ridiculous this morning! It’s only 6C (43F) outside, with a slight very cool breeze. ugh…. Hard to enjoy this particular weekend outside, with rain all day yesterday and cold weather today. I heard that Winnipeg got snow, so maybe we’re fortunate!

Maybe I’ll offer Adam to take him to a movie this afternoon.

Tonight was our church’s annual talent/variety show. We had it this weekend to almost coincide with our Congregation’s 40th Anniversary celebrations. The show ended up being a resounding success! It was far better than I ever could imagine. Everything went on without a hitch, plus I remembered all my lines! I was involved in seven songs, most of them from 1969, or thereabouts. I tried to have fun and accomplished my goal. What a wonderful time it was!

It’s a beautiful, crisp, sunny morning outside. TGIF, everyone. Have a great day!

This morning, I was almost back home from walking Buster, when I slipped on some black ice that was hidden by a thin film of new fallen snow. My feet went out from under me and I tried to fall on my side, so as to minimize any injury. I fell hard. My body is starting to ache right now and my elbow is sore, but it could have been a lot worse. Buster, to his credit, stayed with me and neighbourhood friends were driving by and stopped to check out if I was ok. It’s nice to have friendly neighbours, isn’t it?

Cold temps + snowstorm of up to 10 inches today + bus strike = mass traffic confusion!

Looks like I will have to go outside and shovel the driveway again. This is a typical Canadian winter day.

“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics.”
- Mark Twain

I like this one. Statistics can be manipulated to suit the circumstances.

...In the meadow, we could build a snowman…

Although Winter doesn’t officially start for one more week, it’s definitely winter here. We awoke this morning to a temperature of -10F, fortunately, with almost no wind. I just got back home from walking Buster and I can say in all certainty, that it is mighty c-c-c-c-cold out there!

While walking down the street one day a ‘Member of Congress’ is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

‘Welcome to heaven,’ says St. Peter. ‘Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.’

‘No problem, just let me in,’ says the man.

‘Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.’

‘Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,’ says the congressman.

‘I’m sorry, but we have our rules.’

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises…

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

‘Now it’s time to visit heaven.’

So, 24 hours pass with the congressman joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

‘Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.’

The congressman reflects for a minute, then he answers: ‘Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.’

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. ‘I don’t understand,’ stammers the congressman. ‘Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.

What happened?’

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, ‘Yesterday we were campaigning.. ..

Today you voted.’