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January 30, 2006
HISTORY TIME!
Well. Roy was invited by the Dryden Historical Society to give a talk about the beginning of the cable TV system in Dryden. He did a super job and the people who attended, anout 30 in all, gave him a big hand after! He, together with his partner, Phil Johnson, started the system in 1954. It was one of the very first ones in Canada!. He went into details about how the system was built--running miles of cable in all weather conditions and also against a lot of opposition from government bodies at times. Later when the satellites started broadcasting signals for TV, again Dryden Cable was definitely a pioneer. Roy and 3 other Canadians and 9 American satellite dealers went to Sri Lanka in 1983 and installed 1 dish at the University of Colombo and 1 at the home of Arthur C. Clarke. He is a very famous scientist and author.He wrote 2001, A Space Odyssey. I went on that trip too as did Shelby and Guin who were 11 and 8 yrs. old at the time. We had to stop off in India and the girls were horrified at the utter poverty in that country. It was a case of total culture shock.
Arthur C. Clarke wrote a paper in 1945 describing how satellites could be launched into space and used to broadcast signals for communications. He is known as the "Father of Satellite TV". The geo-
stationary orbit around the Earth is known as the Clarke belt.
What an experience that trip was! They had an enormous banquet in Colombo, Sri Lanka and also
some typical Sri Lankan dancing by men and women. We even saw some whirling dirvishes! The men dance and spin around so quickly that their feet eventually come off the ground!! At the banquet Arthur C.Clarke was following Dad around and saying, "Now try some of that, don't eat that!"
I made a big photo album and wrote all bout our trip--this was in the days of old cameras e.g. non digital!!
When Phil retired in 1985, I took over as the office manager and one of our biggest tasks was to put all our old book ledgers on to computer. It took weeks and weeks of long hours!
What else has been going on since my last post?
Last week we had Josh, Steph, Jeremy and also Megan over for a sleepover. Brad and Margot had gone down to Lac Milles Lacs in Minnesota for a kiting competition. The weather was good--a bit on the cold side.
The kids Roy and I had pizza on Friday and rented some movies. On Saturday I cooked them some chicken drumsticks, baked spuds and salad! They all staked their claims to the various beds and pro-
crastinated until bedtime! We all had pancakes the next morning--this is a sleepover tradition! Then we had a game of dominoes! This was a new experience for Steph and Jeremy!
Jeremy found a pair of my old glasses and said that he was "Grandpa Woody"!! He looked so funny wandering around the house squinting his nose and trying to see! He said the furniture was all moving!
Other pics from the last week!
Two pics of Garra's birthday! We were all invited for cake on Saturday--yum! She loved the top we bought her.
Well, now Roy has had the last word that is the last pic of him!!
If you look at the pic of Dominic on the group that Alan has sent everyone, Callum is standing with a red towel around his waisr (He is Gawain's son). Dominic's two boys are called Lynley and Theo. His wife's name is Jude. I met them all on my last quick trip to England when Ian died.
Gawain's wife's name is Becky--she's so beautiful! Tasha looks as though she is taking after her mother!
Callum resembles Josh quite a bit--amazing! Gawain still looks the same except he has now lost all his hair! It was getting very sparse when I saw him but now I think he has shaved it all off--just like Roy (Dad) !!
I've lost touch with Moya since Sally died. Her two daughters are called Lara (15 when last seen) and Zoe (12). Lara had a tongue stud and a diamond tooth! She was in a hairdressing school. Zoe still has her very gruff voice! She went out with Guin once when she was over in England. They got in the store--Zoe was about 5 or 6 and she said in a loud voice to Guin--"Auntie Ginny--I've got no knickers on!!!" Guin said, "That's nice!"
Well, now our Federal Election is over we can see what new messes the new government can get the country into!! Who'd want to be a politician anyway!! Enuff'said!!
Went to my exercise classs last Tuesday and pulled my outside quad muscle--some heat and rest seems to have settled it down so it should be OK for tomorrow's class!
We had Alan and the girls for supper yesterday so today we have leftovers!!
This coming Sunday Shelby and I leave for Winnipeg for our venous specialist check up. He's the one that is keeping an eye on the ulcers! I'm fed up with being sore!! last summer was just gorgeous and I couldn't swim in the lake at all because of my stupid legs!! grrrrr!!
Quit complaining you old doddery fool!! Ha! Ha!
One has to keep one's sense of humour!!
Here's a recipe that Gawain requested for:
MICROWAVE BROWNIES.
You can cook them in a regular oven, they just take longer.
Grease an 8" glass square baking pan and set aside.
3/4 cup unsifted flour
1 cup of sugar
7 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
3/4 teaspoon of salt
2/3 cup butter of margerine at room temperature
2 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of dark corn syrup
...............................................
Sift together dry ingreds and add remaining ingreds. Beat until smooth
Pour batter into the prepared baking dish
Heat uncovered in microwave oven for 6 to 8 minutes. (6 mins. is usually OK)
Test for doneness with a toothpick, but don't overcook or it will harden as it cools.
Allow to cool slightly and cut into squares for serving.
Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on each serving.
Yummy and easy!
I had mentioned that we had gone to Denise Andersen's funeral. Denny was the mother of "Bubba" an old friend of Brad's. They used to work in the bush togetjer and Bubba's Dad had a herd of buffalo which Brad used to help feed when he was young. Check with Brad for info! Also, Mrs. Andersen's husband, Ernie, used to work at the Lands and Forests with Algie when we first came to Dryden.
There were some nice words on Denny's little funeral programme which stated:
"Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received only what you have given: a full heart enriched by honest serice, love, sacrifice and courage."
St. Francis of Assisi
Well. my nurse just came to change the dressings on my legs. so now time is fleeing!
I want to do a little bit of my Swedish embroidery which I'm ;earning at the Go Getters centre, so I'll close for now!
There are a lot of pine and evening grosbeaks on our bird feeder right now! They are quite big birds and eat lots of bird seed--the black niger variety. The pine grosbeaks look like little parrots and are a lovely red-breasted bird with black and white markings on their wings. Free entertainment for our cat Molly and ourselves!
Take care everyone until the next post!
love Mom xoxoxo Grandma xoxoxo Carol xoxoxox Yorkshire Lass xoxoxo cas xoxoxo G.G. etc. xo!!
Posted by Cas at January 30, 2006 11:55 AM
Comments
Don't forget to send me a copy of Dad's presentation, I'd like to see it!
Jeremy looks like Harry Potter with those round glasses!
I actually said, "That's nice Zoe, put your dress down." :P
Good luck with those icky legs of yours! Get 'em better and come visit me in Toronto!
Posted by: Guinevere at January 30, 2006 7:07 PM
Awesome history lesson mom, about dad's cable ventures.
You love the kid's sleeping over as much as I do mom. It's always a fun treat.
Agreed Guin.....Jeremy is a mini Potter. Hahaha.
Happy belated Garra from me and the girls.
We have to keep in touch with Moya.
Quote from mom, "Who'd want to be a politician anyway!! Enuff'said!!" Agreed mom.
Sad Bubba lost his gramma.
Great post mom. We love ya. 
Posted by: Big Al at February 1, 2006 10:39 PM
I've been in Assisi in St. Francis house. He chose to live a very simple life. His pillow was a round rock and he loved animals he spoke too.
Posted by: Margot at February 3, 2006 10:22 AM
Wow, Margot! that is just awesome about St. Francis of Assissi's house! Just imagine having a rock for a pillow! I alwaysthought when I was young that he set a very good example for people to take care of animals and birds. 
Posted by: Yorkshire Lass at February 18, 2006 12:49 PM