I think I just lost my first post, that's not a good sign.
Here I go again.
Following the examples of the blogs of Tricia and Bjorn I have decided to create this one so people can keep up to date with the progress made for the reunion in August. Here everybody can make known their opinions, ideas, concerns and questions.
The response to my emails has produced the following list of family hoping to attend:
Rob, Bonnie, Nicholas, Jessica, Therese, Mary, Christine, Len, Kelly, Amy, (Campbell), Marty, Karen, Mike, Diane, Lindsey, Luke, Shannon, Christine, Ron, James, Christine, Presley, Chris, Kristin, JJ, Nevan, Lucas, Marcia, Dennis, Shawn, Brant, Julianna, Kahless, Briana, Braden, Ed, Deanie, Heather, Holly, Jamie, Eddie, Mia, Lui, Ellie, Lou, Marie, Tricia, Brandon, Dana, Davis, Jack, Tony, Carol, Sonia, Justin, Jacob, Jordan, Dustin, Kelly, Keenan, Jenalee, Mary-Ellen, Bob, Anne Marie, Mike, Zach, Noah, Jacob, Barbara, David, Emmanuel, Grace Anne, Hannah Lynne, Louise, David, Paul, Alan, Melissa, Bjorn, Vic, Don, Michelle, Mike, Penny, Logan, Geron, Betty Jo, Bob, Louise, Steve and of course Mom. That makes 91.
News to date:
Holy Rosary Cathedral hall has been booked for the gathering Sunday August 26 from 12 to 5. People wishing to do so can invite their own family and close friends.
I ran into Art, the super at mom's building, and asked the capacity of the hospitality suite and he answered 40. The Cathedral hall is booked for a wedding the 25th so I am working on booking the student lounge at Campion College, with Heather's help, and it's looking hopeful.
Dave and Louise's offer to look after the snacks for Saturday is obviously too much to ask of them or any other couple. With ideas from the rest of you we should easily be able to come up with some kind of plan for feeding ourselves. Anybody else who have plans they need help with they need only ask for help.
Tony has answered my call for somebody to look after a budget for our event. Chris has let me know Marty has offered to play, Therese is looking after a performance program, Marcia has a great idea for family photos, Rob is looking after a cake for Sunday, and Vic and Don are looking after a photo and pin. Chris has also asked to let mom know what friends you are inviting. That is a good idea, it will be a little less overwhelming for mom if she knows who is coming.
That is what I have so far, like I said if there is any other news you will be able to post it here or let me know and I can. I am looking forward to seeing all of you. 159 and counting!
1,400 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1201 – 1400 of 1400I think I did 1200 and going strong! I can even keep up any more - Happy blogging everyone!
I remember going to a football game with my dad and lui.....i am not sure why i was there? extra ticket? they snuck me in? i was sent along as the token to keep them out of trouble maybe???? I just remember crouching down in my seat as they "creatively" disagreed with some of the ref's calls, the coaches' plays, etc.
Grandpa drove me and Cory to Tae Kwon Do one night when my mom and dad were away some where. It was awesome - and scary all at once..... ok we thought we were going to die (we don't often like to show our soft side but fine, i admit it now....) cory??? where are you? teaching i presume... it's almost summer holidays! the boys can't wait to see you and meet Amy! (me too!!) you can help me cut my lawn.
Oh, great news on the lawn front everyone. No, I didn't cut it tonight. Could have, but didn't.
The sewer on the CITY side (good thing - I would have had to sell this laptop to get it fixed if it was my side) needs to be fixed. SO THEY HAVE TO DIG UP THE FRONT LAWN!!!! So, this is next week sometime, so why cut it before they dig it up? Ahhhhh, gotta love summer time.
I should maybe blog more often and have shorter blogs maybe. This is getting kinda long, I will be blogging boring....
nighty night.
Hey Louise
You know, Karen sometimes reads the blog before I do, and tonight she did just that.
When I saw her walk away with a bit of a tear in her eye, I thought... Yahoo! More good stuff on the blog.
Well, I sat down, started reading, and once again, wound up with a blog in my throat. It never fails.
I hope your riddle is about Karen. There are a lot of artists in the family. I will assume it is.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk about my best friend.
Karen is a very hard working, loving, kind soul. She's also an incredible mother. I don't talk about her much, only because she doesn't let me. This time she ain't got no choice.
You're right about her...She does love the artist...and he loves her.
For about the last 10 years, she has truly shared my life.
She has been to all my big concerts and shows,(even sung with me at a few), all of my art shows and she has seen every one of my movies with me. One time, on "North Of Sixty", I played a prison guard. I grabbed the star of the show and slammed him up against the wall. Karen slapped me.
It felt nice.
Sometimes I wish I could support her at her job as much as she does for me. The fact is, I went to her work once and I don't have a clue what she does. I just know she's very good at it. She works at SAIT in the payroll. Lou knows.
She was my angel when I was going through some tough times also. Enough said about that.
Um...she's over my shoulder right now and she told me to get the hell off already.
Bye,
marty
HAPPY WEDDING DAY
Thomas and Lorraine
This first blog of June 21, 2007 belongs to you, with our love and best wishes. Cheers!
TENTH ANNIVERSARY CONGRATULATIONS
Tricia
Entry #1205 is dedicated to you.
Somehow you have made a 10 year journey with leukemia; with great courage, you have kept it in its place. For you, life and living has always come first!
We celebrate your arrival at this latest milestone in your journey - June 21, 2007. Here's a toast to this special moment in your life - just for today, we give thanks for you in our midst. Cheers!
Lucy here!
Yes, indeed, Tricia, the answer to my latest riddle is Karen. As Ed would say, "Good eye!"
No doubt you have since read Martin's wonderful tribute to Karen as well. It was great to wake up to your immediate response to my riddle and to Marty's terrific feedback on it.
Karen's presence in Marty's life has been long and constant. She has eagerly attended family gatherings with him and has warmly welcomed several of us into their Calgary home. That beautiful setting and its decor honour Marty's musical and artistic talents at every turn.
Karen likes nothing better than to join other family members at one of Marty's performances. She was with me while we watched Marty play MacDuff in Shakespeare's MacBeth. He moved us both to tears.
What strikes me is that Karen is completely at home with Marty's giftedness and yet she remains in awe of the work he produces in acting, music and art. She is both his day-to-day companion and his greatest fan. It is plain to see that she loves him, no matter what.
As Karen has come to know us, she has likely seen how intensely possessive and proud we are of our Marty. As we have come to know Karen, we are deeply satisfied that Marty is in such good hands.
So, Karen, this 1206th blog entry is yours with our love.
For several reasons, my usual early morning riddle is rather late in being posted today. Here it is now:
NONSENSE SOUNDS HAVE CARRIED ON
AND CRYING BABIES WOES ARE GONE.
Lots of love, Louise
Post Scripts:
Thom ...thanks for posting the score of the exhibition football game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders (24) and the BC Lions (15). News of the victory was timely and gratifying in the light of recent blog entries.
Marty ...a blog in your throat, eh? Very clever! I have a feeling your latest expression is going to give rise to a whole lot of blogs in other parts of the anatomy.
Sonia ...city crews have got to love you! Rather than file a citizen complaint, you might be serving cake and lemonade while the city digs up your front lawn. This has to be your most creative (and valid) excuse for not cutting the grass.
Holly ...it seems that your story of the 3 candied almonds in tulle bags reached Thom and Lorraine in time to become part of their wedding celebrations. How nice is that? Family traditions are building even as we blog on.
Melissa ...how did you manage to post in the 1200th spot? BJ was not around to give you a call, was she?
Mike ...any sign of your taxi yet?
LOLOL, Lucy
Best wishes Thomas & Karen!
Marty - awesome tribute to Karen...love the 'blog in the throat'.
Tricia - you still remain to be an inspiration to so many of us, you have taught us all some very important life lessons!!
Cheers!
Best wishes Thom & Lorraine!!
We'll be thinking of you today as you get married. It's very nice that Bob & BJ are there to celebrate with you. ENJOY!
Thanks everyone for making this blog such an enjoyable place to be!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The informality of family life is a blessed condition that allows us to become our best, while looking our worst! -- Marge Kennedy
Thank you,
ME xoxoxoxoxoxo
#1209
Bonnie Says
Congrats to Thom and Lorraine, We send our Love to you. May you have a long and happy Marriage together.
Great Job Mary.......We love Karen too.
10 years down, and looking forward to many more years to come. Keep on doing what ever you are doing, because know one does it like you.
(Wow, hope you can decifer that Tricia.) Love you lots, and you are constantly in our prayers.
I am leaving shortly for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert tonight in YXE (sorry Saskatoon) and I am looking forward to reading the blog when I return.
Love Bonnie
P.S
Sonia
You know your Aunt is unemployed, its possible for me to cut your lawn. I am enjoying yard work this year.....So please say the word.
Hi Mary-Ellen,
That's another great quote with a touch of good humour. Just recently, Dave and I had a lively discussion about how "informal" we have become with one another. We can look (and sound) our worst and still feel accepted.
In the end, we decided that neither of us would want to have to start all over again in the life-long process that it takes to arrive at such a comfortable place together - the place we know as "family".
Luv, Lucy
OK Another Stat entry this one I will put Everybody's numbers in. But First I will answer a few questions
Like how do I keep track?
To that I say thank goodness for the date and time on the bottom of every ones post. I have a special note book just for the Reunion Blog and after every stat entry I write down the Entry # and the date and time so when I count again I pick up from where I left off so for this time it had taken me 40 Minutes and counting...
And for me getting the 1200 spot that was Luck I quickly jumped on to see where the blog was and mike had the last entry asking who was going to get the 1200 spot and that was at 5:18pm Blog time and I jumped on and grabbed it at 8:40pm that's a 2+ hours of blog pause, maybe you were waiting for me to log in and get the spot - I don't know but I have it!
OK here are the Numbers:
1st - Louise 197 Entries
2nd - B J 134 Entries
3rd - Marty 93 Entries
Dedication Posts:
#1204 - To Thomas and Lorraine
HAPPY WEDDING DAY
#1205 - To Tricia A 10 year survivor with her battle!
Congrats to you both I speak for everyone - We all wish you many more years of health and happiness!
OK now in order of First Blog appearance the #'s are
ME - 86
Marty - 93
Louise - 197
Vic - 42
Bjorn - 2
Ed - 88
Melissa - 84
BJ - 134
Carol and Tony - 53
Tricia - 3
Mike - 67
Christine - 8
Marcia - 32
Robert - 39
Cousin Holly - 43
Dave Butcher - 2
Grandma Antonini - 2
Lui - 59
Len - 5
Therese - 35
Sonia - 34
Mary E - 1
Alan - 5
Heather - 4
Paul - 8
Nicholas - 2
Jessica - 3
Bob Barker - 1
Michele - 9
Keenan - 1
b@bigdog (Thom) - 48
Little Eddie - 2
Dennis - 1
I know that some other people have posted under their Souses Names I have counted some of them when i have caught the names but their entries have been counted under the main name.
Keep Blogging everyone next Thursday will be the next stat update!
P.S
65 days till the Reunion and this took me 1 hour to post
P.S.S
The Numbers are from Post 1209 June.21 9:48 am Blog Time
Robert and Bonnie have fun at the Tim and Faith concert - I wish i could go, they didn't come to Calgary because the Saddle Dome couldn't hold their stage :(
But I do get to go and See Reba during Stampede Week I got a ticket for my B-day from Al I cant wait!
Hi, Mom
Dave and I are pleased to hear that you were discharged from the hospital yesterday. Ed answered the phone when I called last night and explained that the day's events and the trip from hospital to home seemed to have worn you out. At any rate, you were sleeping and, much as I wanted to talk to you, I told Ed not to waken you. We'll call again soon.
Welcome home.
Love and prayers,
Louise and Dave
Hey Louise
Thanks for that wonderful tribute to Karen, although when she gets home from work today and reads it, I may need a flotation device.
She'a always been too shy to write on the blog, but now she ain't got no choice.
Thomas and Lorraine Congratulations!!!!!!
Hey melissa
I agree that we should number our posts. Here's mine:
# 1213
Oh my gosh, Melissa
Your record-keeping system is amazing. What are we going to do with all those numbers and facts come reunion time?
Whatever happens, be sure to bring your "reunion blog notebook" along for us to see; it will be evidence of a one-of-a-kind counting system devised by you to keep track of a family that is out of control. And you even volunteered for the job! Well done, you!
Love, Louise
Thanks Marty! ... Your responses are always so enthusiastic and generous.
Karen ... we KNOW that you are out there reading the blog along with the rest of the family. You don't have to write a word or say a thing in this forum. Who you are in Marty's life, and in our larger family unit, already speaks volumes in our hearts!
Lots of love, Louise
Vic,
Could you give me a quick list of your unsolved POW's? I don't need a complete run down on who has solved what, I'd just like to know for sure which of your plays-on-words still need correct answers. Thanks
Lucy, working on a list of 5
Additional information:
In a recent telephone conversation with Mom, I discovered that I had left out the names of one important couple in the Christian Family Movement group to which she and Dad belonged. Many of us will remember the O'Connells. Like the other couples who met in our home, Jack and Bernetta were faith-filled, supportive, and fun-loving people.
Thanks, Mom! Here on the blog, facts are at least as important as fiction.
LOLOL, Lucy
Auntie Louise, is the answer to your riddle "Nina Nana"?
From my understanding, "Nina Nana" is a lullaby Grandma used to sing to her babies (that is the title as well as the complete lyrics!). My mom also used to sing it to me, and now sings it to my babies (as do I). In fact, Ellie responds to it so well that if I lay her down and she begins to fuss and poke her head up, I only need to say a single "Nina" and her head drops to the sheet! We are so familiar with that song in my family that my mom is known to the kids not as "Grandma", but as "Nina"! So I hope that's the answer to the riddle...
Yes, Holly,
When I wrote this latest riddle, David said, "Oh, they'll never get this one!" and I said, "Oh, yes, if nothing else, Deanie or someone in her family will."
Point taken...Good eye, Holly!
Mom used this chant with several of my brothers and sisters and not so very long ago I heard Deanie soothing a grandchild with that same nonsensical chant of "Nina, nana, nina, nina, nana, na, na, na, nana, nina, nina, nana.
What is it about that chant that makes a baby settle down so quickly and fall asleep? Perhaps it's fascination? Whatever!... we know from experience that it stops a baby in mid-cry and works like a charm.
The funny thing about this riddle is that it was inspired by a news announcer on the BBC whose name is ....you guessed it, Nina Nana!
I get such a kick out of her saying, "This is Nina Nana signing off from London ... or wherever she happens to be reporting from at the time of her broadcast. I think to myself, "This is Baby Antonini, signing off into slumberland to the strains of Nina Nana."
Whenever I present another riddle, I am totally confident that someone out there in family land knows the answer and will conjure up wonderful memories. You have done it again. Thanks Holly!
Here's another:
THESE FOUR WOMEN'S LIVES AND ROLES
TAUGHT US WE SHOULD SET HIGH GOALS.
Luv, Lucy
Lucy here,
I just had a terrific telephone conversation with Mom and Therese in Regina. My clock here in St. Andrews is approaching midnight and it's time for me to sign off again.
I have no doubt that I will be able to sleep, with the strains of nina nana running through my mind and the challenge of another riddle out there in blog land.
I look forward to your riddle response and other blog comments first thing tomorrow morning. What a blogging day this has been!
LOLOL, Lucy
Karen said...
Congratulations Tricia on your 10th Anniversary. I know you have inspired me to look at life as a gift and to never take one day for granted. You are an inspiration to us all and I feel very fortunate to know you.
Congratulations to Thomas and Lorraine on your special day.
Louise, thank you for all of your wonderful comments. I think that I must have been having a good day yesterday because I'm pretty sure that Marty doesn't feel that way about me every day. I feel very lucky to have someone as special as Marty in my life. He works very hard at all of his gifts and talents, and makes it all look so easy. He has made me want to be a better person and to set higher goals for myself. He has been an awesome stepdad to Keaghan and we love him very much. Marty has asked me to keep my comments "clean" on the state of his art studio. He has taught me that there are definitely more important things than having a clean house.
I am so excited to see all you guys again in August. I still remember the first time I met all of you at the last family reunion. You were all so kind to me and treated me like I belonged. That's what makes all of you guys so special. You instantly make a person feel like family.
Oh my gosh, once you get on this thing you can't stop. I'll go for now. I enjoy reading this everyday and love all of your stories.
Love, Karen
p.s.-YOU KNOW YOU'RE AN ANTONINI WHEN you can find a puzzle book in every room of your home.
Hi All and Wecome to the blog, Karen,
It's wonderful having such a soft, gentle soul as part of the family.
I loved your "You know you're an Antonini when......." It's so true!
Louise, your latest riddle has me a bit stumped because I think of 5 fabulous single women role models as we were growing up. Auntie Vic, Kay O'Donaghue, May McPhee, Mary & Del Rocan. They were all ahead of the times and truly showed us what awesome things were available for women. That was in the days when women generally married and had children. These women were all very accomplished and well-rounded women and lived their lives fully! I stood in awe of all of them and loved their enjoyment of life. I still do.
Perhaps you are thinking of the "Fabulous Four" after we had grown up. Jo, May, Mary & Del. Again, unbelievably marvelous women!
Or perhaps, I'm totally on the wrong track - that's been known to happen!!
I'm heading to Regina on Monday to spend a week with Mom, but I'll be on the blog until then and ,hopefully, next week I can find out what's happening on Ed's Edition from my Regina family.
Talk soon.
LOLOL,
ME xoxoxoxoxo
PS. Melissa, your record-keeping is unbelievable!
#1225
welcome to the blog karen, you are now officialy an ed's edition blogger
lucy-i'm not sure about your latest riddle. is it b.j, vic, mary ellen and lucy?
i'm excited 2-nite, i'm going golfing tommorow for the 1st time this year. i'm trying to squeeze in a couple of rounds during this busy real estate market.
mary ellen, we will welcome you to regina with open arms.
love mike
THANKS MIKE. I"LL ARRIVE WITH OPEN ARMS!
ME,
XOXOXOXOXO
#1227
Congrats to Thom and Lorraine! I hope the candied almonds added "icing" to the celebration.
Thanks to all of you for your wishes on 10 years. I spoke the other day at a leukemia function and my story is hard to get into a nice 8-minute slot now! I had to abbreviate the first two transplants into a couple sentences - I did talk about the amazing family I have and how all their support certainly allowed me to be speaking at such an event. The only way to describe it is a "balloon" of energy I feel around me during the more difficult days. My appreciation of it is impossible to describe.
ME - I am still up for the card game but noted you are off to see Grandma next week. Pencil me in for a day the following week please! I am happy to hear you are visiting Grandma, please take my love to her with you!
It was great to see Holly, Jamie and their crew, including my beautiful Ellie on Sunday night after my return from New York. They are such a fantastic family. Holly I can't believe I missed Nina Nana as my mom also used that on us too (now she uses midnight monkey puppet shows on the floor for Davis and Jack as nina-nana doesn't cut it!)
Louise, thank you for your beautiful card and the "10" sticker on the back. I'll be happy to see "11" next year. :)
Karen and Marty - I know the reason I snapped up the answer to Louise's clue is because I get to see you guys in action often...everything you've said is so true!
Bonnie - have fun at the concert! I love the YXE reference - my favourites so far are LGA and JFK, but only if I don't have to connect through YUL or YYZ!
Melissa - are you an accountant? Or an actuary? I think you should be! Amazing detail! I am being totally honest and not sarcastic! :)
Too late...blogging is such an addiction. I may have to shut my own blog down so I can keep up and have shorter blogs here. And then there's Facebook...Goodnight!
Okay I know I'm feeling better when I automatically start auditing things...Melissa from one details lady to another I must ask where Dana is in the stats? Don't you just love that someone is actually paying attention to your stats!? :)
Hey is there something goin on in facebook??? Thanks Tricia...you can take a girl out of the acctg office but can't take the accountant....oh yikes it's really past my bedtime.
Happy 10 year anniversary! As your family, friends and doctors are in awe of you every day, there is no doubt you'll be celebrating many many more anniversaries.
Dana
Well, Mary-Ellen,
I just have to say it, "MUD ROAD GONE YO!" It seems that you are able to get the right answer to my riddles even when the clues are wrong.
Of course, there were FIVE in that group of professional, single women whose lives were purposeful, productive and exciting. You not only named them correctly, Mary-Ellen, you described their impact on us, as young girls. By their example, May, Del, Mary, Vic and Kay led us to believe that the world was ours for the taking.
Lucky us! we had so many role models that I lost count. I'm not the least bit sorry that I did. My mistake caused you to reflect also on a group that you call the "Fabulous Four". By their example, Jo, May, Del and Mary have proven that purpose, strength of character and fun endure as long as there is a life to be lived. Our own mother might bring their number up to five, too.
Honestly, Mary-Ellen, we could not have asked for better memories from you today - all sparked by a confusing clue. "Oh happy fault!"
Let's see if I can get things right here:
THE FIRST RELATED POET WE MET, IN OUR YOUTH
OUR GIFTS FOR VERSIFYING COULD BE ROOTED HERE, IN TRUTH!
Lots of love, Louise
Post Scripts:
Mike ...BJ, Vic, M-E and I thank you for mistaking us for the women who were our inspiration when we were growing up. You must hold us in very high esteem, little brother!
Tricia ...so, you are able to tell your life's story in 8 minutes. I'd sure like to hear how that is done. There would be absolutely no room for wasted words.
Dana ...it's a good thing that someone in the family is auditing the latest stats. I went back to check and your name was definitely not on the list. ....You know you're an Antonini when you get lost in a crowd of relatives.
I'm probably going to be sorry that I asked this question, but "What is a facebook?"
LOLOL, Lucy
Good Morning, Ed
I hope I blogged on early enough to catch you as your day is starting. Have a great Friday on the job! Thanks for all that you and Deanie have done lately to love our mother back to health and to bring her safely home again.
Love, Louise
Karen ...I checked my house and I DO have a puzzle of some sort in every room. It seems our shared obsessions are there for all the world to see.
In the same vein ...You might be an Antonini if you take a puzzle to the theatre to work on during intermission.
LOL, Louise
OOPS!!! THNAKS TRICIA!!!
Dana should be 2nd to the bottom of the list before Dennis and she had 3 entries at my last count.
Sorry Dana for missing you!
Good eye Tricia.
I missed her from the rough draft to good draft transfer.
Hello All!
The puzzle book obsession is so true... I remember one time my dad came over to watch the boys and put them to bed for me. He came over and he had his puzzle book and pen. I was attempting to tell him how to work the tv and 18 remotes and he said "i've got my book". So, I come home and he has found my Soduko book and he is doing those - "can i take this home??". Sure, why not, I have about 5 of them anyways!
I remember my dad telling me about Grandpa doing his puzzles, and how he would do one of the puzzles from left to right just to make it more challenging....
I even remember one Christmas my dad ended up with 3 of the same book, he already had one and i think me and keenan both bought him one.
Quite often I go to get my book (after I cut the lawn of course). Which reminds me Bonnie - we'll have to talk!!!)
Jordon loves to take my puzzle books and do the crosswords. When he was younger he would fill in all the spaces with circles and shapes! Now he writes random words in them... must run in the Antonini blood.
Oh, I forgot I am at work. Better get to it!
Sonia
And Dana and Melissa - awesome job on the stats, that is like a full time job!
You rock.
Hi Melissa, not a problem. How you keep track of these conversations that are faster then any ping-pong match is amazing!
I look forward to meeting you too, have a great day.
Dana
Melissa - I knew you counted it somewhere!
Louise - I will email you my speech notes from Tuesday so you can see I actually can do it in 8 minutes!
Sonia - I am also a puzzle freak and even take puzzles to do while I do my monthly pentamadine inhalation at the hospital, which is a true challenge as I have to hold this tube in my mouth in one hand and try to balance the book on my lap and write with the other hand. Sure makes the 30 minutes go by faster though! I think the technicians think I'm nuts though. Maybe I'll send them a link to the blog so they'll understand! (just kidding)
Dana - hope the boys weren't up too late for you!
Doesn't everyone know about Facebook? It's a networking site where you connect with people (some from your distant past) all over the world. I got on it a couple months ago. Cousins Melissa, Barbara, Allan, Mary Emily, Lindsey, James and Jamie G are all on it...beware though because it's been nicknamed "crackbook"! Remind you of a certain blog?! You won't have time for both believe me!
What a family! How lucky am I to be a part of it?
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The family is one of Nature's masterpieces. - George Santayana
Love ya,
ME xoxoxox
#1240
Hey Lucy,
Is the answer to your riddle our published poet-extraordinaire - Great-Uncle Clarence?
I love your riddles and this one has again brought back some forgotten memories. He was quite a guy, with a sense of humor to match his ability!
I love Lucy!
ME xoxoxoxo
#1241
HEY! I remember Uncle Clarence. I liked him. I was maybe 6 or 7 when I met him. I remember how gentle he was, and I remember hearing him play his fiddle and thinking...is THAT what a fiddle suppose to sound like?
Wow! Mary Ellen. You just took me back 45 years and made me feel like it was yesterday.
IL VOTE HIS GLOB!!!!!
Marty
Thank you everyone for your best wishes to Lorraine and I. I'm shaking my head to today; I can't think of how it could have been more perfect.
We had planned a very casual barbecue for the reception, but when we got to the site our friends had set up tents, decorated and arranged a feast suitable for royalty. We are very lucky indeed.
Even the weather cooperated. We had a short downpour between the church and the reception -- for good luck, I guess -- then it cleared and was an ideal evening.
My best man Todd had been monitoring the long-range forecast and it did not look good. He even checked a satellite weather Web site as the reception was going on. The entire province was covered with cloud and rain except for one little clear patch around our area. He said it looked like the finger of God Himself had come down and poked a hole in clouds.
Personally, I suspect the hand of Grandma. She was part of our intercessions and we're so happy to hear she has been released from hospital.
Tricia was also included in our intercessions. How special that she would celebrate her tenth anniversay at the same time.
Congrats, cousin.
I'd like to share the lyrics I wrote for Lorraine and read at the reception. I had hoped to sing it to her, but an unfortunate boating accident during my bachelor weekend has temporarily curbed my ability to play guitar.
Every day we’re together, it gets harder it seems
To put words in order, that say what I mean
I can stand on this mountain, breathe in this sky
And know what it is to be brittle yet fly
But the tools I’ve been given to express it out loud
Are far from sufficient to do her love proud
I’ve dabbled in romance, I’ve trifled with lust
Been dragged through betrayal, ignored simple trust
Sat on the fence, dove nude from the cliff
Patronized, agonized over if and what if
But the innocent purity that flows from her soul
Dispels all the artifacts, disgruntled and old
I’ve spent a lifetime, honing my craft
Trying to coax the wheat from the chaff
In moments of brilliance, through flashes of pain
I’ve managed to capture, but a glimpse of Lorraine
I could spend eternity, trying to chase it
Deny it, control it, describe it or place it
The futile churning of a meandering mind
An unfitting tribute to someone so kind
Every day we’re together, it gets simpler it seems
To give up all pretense and accept what it means
I can stand in this valley, my feet on this ground
And know what it is to be truly found
By the by, for statistical purposes that last post was 50 for me and 1244 for the blog.
Nice job, Melissa. I'm looking forward to the next update on numbers of riddles, POWs, YMBAA ifs and other sundry games etc...
"There are three kinds of lies, lies, damn lies and statistics."
- Benjamin Disraeli
In this case, the stats tell a very true story... we're all nuts!
1245
Hey Luce, thanks for dedicating the first blog from yesterday to us.
Speaking of our beloved Roughies, they're playing Calgary tonight in Regina. Hope somebody from the family will be representing us at Taylor Field against the traitorous Henry Burris.
Also, I may have to get to the reunion early. Edmonton v. Sask, August 18.
Yes, Mary-Ellen,
My latest riddle refers to Mom's Uncle Clarence. We did not see him often but when he did visit he made a lasting impression on us.
We could count on a visit from our Great-uncle Clarence Linton, his son, Russel and Russel's wife, Lillian at least once a year at Christmas time. We knew he played the violin but what really amazed us was that he was a poet.
Clarence was a member of a Society of Poets in Regina. The group published its own books of poetry to which Clarence was a regular contributor. He also did public readings of his works in an animated, expressive manner. He could have been an actor.
Clarence particularly loved satire and humour. Most often, he used traditional forms like limericks, metred lines, structured verses and rhyming patterns but he also wrote in free verse on a variety of themes.
Uncle Clarence could recite one of his poems for us on demand and he always chose something funny to make us laugh. As children, we were in awe of his craft, his memory and his wit.
Those of us who try our hand at writing verse and poetry may well have inherited some of our talent from this mysterious, eccentric man.
If Uncle Clarence were here he would delight in our verses, poems, and songs.
He might even try his hand at a riddle or two:
PICK 'EM, EAT 'EM, ADD FRESH CREAM,
LICK YOUR PURPLE LIPS AND DREAM!
LOLOL, Lucy
ME - I love your quotes-of-the-day. I actually keep a file of my favourite quotes, poems and sayings and here's one of them - it reminds me of Grandpa.
LTA,
Michele
Native American Prayer
I give you this one thought to keep –I am with you still – I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone –
I am with you still – in each new dawn.
Whoa - I hadn't refreshed my page before I posted - you people keep blurring my blog! Thom, your lyrics are amazing - what a beautiful tribute to Lorraine - Congratulations to you both again.
Mom - call me! I need to hear Nina Nana - I might need to use it once Jamie has her baby!
ILTB,
Michele
Post Scripts:
Thom ...we are glad to hear that your wedding day was perfect in every way. Thank you for bringing us close to the event by letting us read what you wrote for Lorraine. Tears must have been flowing by the time you spoke those last two lines.
Tricia ...I will watch for your email with the notes from recent talk. I still find it hard to believe that you could cover such a life lived, in 8 short minutes.
Dana ...I like that image of our talk going back and forth like ping pong balls. They really travel at out-of-sight speeds. At times this blog moves along at the same dizzying pace. As Ed would say, "Good eye, Dana!"
Sonia ...another thing your Grandpa Antonini did with anacrostics was figure out all the definitions and the entire quotation before putting a single letter into the puzzle!
M-E ...the family as a masterpiece of nature is a powerful image of a work of art that takes on a life of its own and surprises even the artist. I love it
Dave and I were late coming home this evening and I have blogged on to catch up. It's just past 1:30 am here and I must get to bed, now.
See you tomorrow!
Michele ...thank you for a perfect prayer to fall asleep by.
Luv, Lucy
lucy - saskatoons - regina beach
Mike, you turkey, I was answering the last riddle and went out to see what number I was and you posted in the meantime!! And I just spent the lasy half hour catching up after a tough day in Edmonton. (Playing in ADESA Edmonton's golf tournament.)--------- Hey someone's got to do it!
amazing song you wrote for lorraine thomas, and congratulations!!
great tribute to my dad michelle, i never thought of him like that - now these things will remind me, along with the kites, the sunsets, the stars and such
this blog is supercalafragilisticexpialadoesous!!!
love uncle mike
sorry lou - ya snooze ya lose
i had a tough day too, playing in the c21conexus golf tournament. lol
Thomas...wow that was beautiful.
Hi all you wonderful blogsters,
After advising Michele to check the blog every day, I didn't.
I've counted 166 entries since I last wrote.
That's too many to acknowledge with more than a note.
To welcome blog newbies, Tricia, Karen, I'm pleased
Bonnie and Dana(how'd she know about our KEYS)!
I love Mary-Ellen's quote-of-the-day.
Lucy's riddles keep coming, amazing the way
They bring descriptions of almonds, chick-a-la-king,
Buttered popcorn so vivid, your mouth's watering.
Loving tributes to wives, a sister or brother
And influential women, including our Mother.
Tricia's praise for her heroes, penned with such care.
It's her tenth anniversary, she's a heroine, rare.
Varying accounts of tales, so who can tell
What the true version is,say, of that topless Chevelle?
Conversations with Mom related by Therese.
Mike calls for a taxi - is that every day?
There was a wedding in Smithers for Thom and Lorraine.
It was a newsworthy report when he blogged again.
There's requests to blog nothing while someone's away.
You may be an Antonini if you say NO WAY! IALTB, MLTA, Vic
Vic,
You're brilliant! How do you do that? There's so many entries happening all the time that although I want to acknowledge them all and comment all them all, it's an impossibility. So I'll just say to the whole clan: DO A MONEY GOURD!!!!
Thanks everyone for all your wit, humor, sentiments, stories, verse, memories, games, puzzles and FUN!
LOLOL,
ME xoxoxoxoox
#1257
By the way, Marty, that fiddle you heard Uncle Clarence play is a story by itself. Uncle Clarence didn't start playing the violin until he was 80. That's when he decided to learn how to play!! Amazing.
Hi Lucy
Loved reading all your riddles and responses to them. The unsolved POWs are:
Gorgeous Chick
A Very Small Step
Sensible Royalty
Huge Husk
Gladsome Guardian
Direction to A Performer.
Ed - Good talking to you tonight. I think we're on the same wave length - it happens! Sorry for mixing your Chevelle up with Dennis bucket of bolts. IALTB, MLTA, Vic
Vic, thanks for the card and gift. It was a beautiful ceremony, wish you could have been here.
Your Godson.
Ed, you're doing an incredible job and I hate to be a backseat blog moderator but there are so many posts on this thing it's starting to get blogged down (at least for those of us on northern "high speed" Internet. I'm wondering if you could archive a couple of thousand of the posts to speed things up a bit.
Sorry to be a pain in the proverbial donkey, but new scientific evidence proves the world does revolve around me (T-shirt my lovely bride got for me, so I know it's true).
:-)
What happened Louise, nothing from you today?
Let's see, Blog time is about 6:30 am, 7:30 in Calgary, 8:30 in Regina, 9:30 in Ottawa and 2:30 pm in St. Andrews! and nothing yet!!
Lucy?
vic - awesome review, i don't call for a taxi everyday, but i say it because
dave and lucy's old business in port alice
i love n.y. and taxi's probably called out a million times a day, just ask tricia and marie
when we were in hawiai years ago diane and i and our friends used to yell it out to take our little trips
when at c21 conventions, when our taxi shows up, the last one that trys to yell out taxi pays for it (sort of like the antonini's, i can see the water at the beach)
and i remember them yellin it out in a few old movies
lou - wheres lucy
taxi!!!!
Lucy here, running late again. Sorry!
Yes, Mike, we should have known that those saskatoon berries would make an appearance on the blog. They grew in abundance on bushes surrounding our cabin at Regina beach and we liked them plump and juicy.
We could disappear into bushes much taller than ourselves and eat away to our tummy's content. Or we could carry a picking bucket in hopes of collecting enough for a dessert of fresh berries, cold milk and mounds of sugar.
Purple is the colour that comes to mind here. Purple fingers, tongues and lips; purple stains on t-shirts and shorts; purple milk in a half-emptied bowl.
....ROYAL PURPLE for the pleasure those berries gave us then and for the memories they provide us to this day. Delicious in both respects!
Since food is being featured, my next riddle also fits nicely here:
CRUSTED, FILLED, TOPPED AND BROWNED,
SHARP AND SWEET, AND QUICKLY DOWNED!
LOLOL, Lucy
Mike and Lui ...a late Friday night resulted in an unplanned Saturday morning sleep-in which led to a mad rush to prepare for an afternoon garden party and 4:50 tee-off time for Dave. I only now reached "blog" on my list of things to do.
Do you want to know where Dave is while I am writing to you on the blog? Can you guess? Do I dare say it?
Yep, he is playing a round on the Old Course, signing in at the famous starter's box, teeing off in front of the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse, crossing the Swilcan Bridge to the first and last greens, visiting the 19th hole at the St. Andrews Golf Club. He is in a club day-tournament, hardly able to believe his own luck.
You are just going to have to watch for your chance to come to Scotland for the ultimate golfing experience. Dave can't pull any strings but he is able to take you through the balloting process and apply for reduced rates if your name is drawn. Think about it,eh! You know where we are.
Love, Lucy
Post Scripts:
Vic ...thank you for relisting the unsolved POW's. I was missing Gladsome Guardian. I will get back to you soon, I hope, but don't hold your breath.
Mike ...I didn't know that you had so many good reasons for calling "taxi". You are not waiting for anything at all, except perhaps a connection that the word itself makes for you. In that respect, your taxi delivers the goods every time! That's nice to know.
Thom ...even on BT Broadband, we have begun to experience delays when we click on Ed's Edition. We are relieved to know that it isn't something wrong with our computer after all. It seems that even www.blogger.com may be having trouble keeping up with the volume of comments that are accumulating on this site. Maybe Ed can find a way to speed things up for us. We wouldn't want anything to slow us down now, would we?
M-E ...thanks for the additional comment about Uncle Clarence and his violin. Imagine learning to play any instrument at 80, let alone a violin!
Vic ...your poems cover so many blog details in such a delightful way. While I love to be mentioned in your verse myself, I also watch to see how you'll get your words around other blogger's comments and antics. You never fail to get the job done beautifully.
Luv, Lucy
It's the end of another day here in St. Andrews. Dave's round on the Old Course was a combination of good holes and disasters. According to him, the weather was horrible. His advice: "Don't play golf in the pouring rain".
The garden party we went to earlier had to be moved indoors as well. We thought we had left this kind of weather behind in the rain forests of North Vancouver Island. Not so.
We should be up bright and early tomorrow. I will check in on the blog then. It has been a quiet site today for sure.
Good night, now. Love, Lucy
Wow! It's a pretty slow day on the blog. Maybe it's a good time to talk a bit about Saturday. I have been thinking about refreshments and snacks and I wonder if it is a good idea to have everybody responsible for their own. So far it seems there might be candied popcorn, Italian confetti, and there's even rumours of a rice crispie cake, there might be other snack items people would like. In the case of drinks we can all bring our own favorites. I am waiting for Campion's confirmation on liquor, ( the fellow is very busy but I have talked to him about it and expect a letter soon). It is a simple matter to get the permit from the Liquor Board or so they have told me.
I have received the following from the Wok Box:
Here is some pricing that Holly did up for me. It looks like we would need
at least 2 "Sumo" packages. It comes out pretty cheap though at $6.90 per
person.
Dustin
-----Original Message-----
From: Holly Davidson [mailto:hdavidson92@hotmail.com]
Sent: April 1, 2007 4:40 PM
To: dantonin@sasktel.net
Subject:
Catering
The Buddha
serves10-12 ppl
3 orders of spring rolls (12 in total)
1 order of ginger beef
2 sumo boxes of teriyaki chicken stir-fry
2 sumo boxes of szechwan beef
2 large orders steamed rice
12 fortune cookies
$87.00 $7.25 per person
The Ho Chi minh
serves 18-20 ppl
4 orders of chili garlic wontons
2 orders of ginger beef
2 sumo boxes of kung pao chicken stir-fry
2 sumo boxes of singapore cashew chicken stir-fry
2 orders of beef and broccoli
2 orders of pineapple sweet and sour chicken (breaded chicken)
2 large orders of steamed rice
20 fortune cookies
$141.00 $7.05 per person
The Samurai
serves 28-30 ppl
3 orders ginger beef
4 orders of spring rolls (16 in total)
2 sumo boxes of Teriyaki chicken stir-fry
2 sumo boxes of Mongolian Beef stir-fry
2 sumo boxes of jungle curry stir-fry
2 sumo boxes of singapore cashew chicken stir-fry
2 orders of lemon chicken (breaded chicken)
4 large orders of steamed rice
$210.00 $7.00 per person
The Sumo
serves 38-40
8 orders of spring rolls (32 in total)
4 orders of ginger beef
6 orders of chili garlic wontons (24 in total)
4 sumo boxes of teriyaki chicken stir-fry
3 sumo boxes of szechwan beef stir-fry
2 sumo boxes of singapore cashew chicken stir-fry
2 orders of beef and broccoli
2 orders of lemon chicken (breaded chicken)
8 large boxes of steamed rice
40 fortune cookies
$276.00 $6.90 per person
*Sumo size of stir-fry is double the amount of our regular size
*the chili garlic wontons are just deep fried wontons with the
chili garlic sauce on the side
* * * *
I hope any of you feel free to comment on this post. The purpose of the blog was communication and you have certainly done that. I'm not sure if I have all the ducks lined up yet, if any of you see one or two swimming around in the weeds flush them out.
Edward #1267
The sumo looks good to me Ed
I'm a yes for the sumo but whats everybody else going to eat
Rob
oh ya Ed I almost forgot
I'll probably only need 20 fortune cookies 40 might be afew to many for me
Not only is the transmission speed slowing down, could it be that the blog itself is slowing down?
Say it isn't so.
We drove up to Alaska today. Didn't see any grizzlies, sigh, but Bob got to count his first bald eagle and we saw a moose.
We checked out the locations where they filmed the movie Insomnia (Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank) then rented the movie and watched it.
All of that and yet only nine new posts to the blog.
Since I can't imagine this group running out of things to say, I can only assume that a bunch of people got temporarily abducted by aliens or something.
Cheers,
1270
Louise,
I almost forgot about your riddle, the answer might be lemon meringue pie. It was dad's favorite pie and along with apple, pumpkin, saskatoon, rhubarb custard, butter pecan and any others I've forgotten it is also one of my favorites.
Ed #1271
Oh yeah,
One other thing, coffee will be served on Saturday, Mary-Ellen is bringing a large coffee maker and we will be supplying the coffee.
Ed #1272
Hi Ed
I'm putting my two cents in about snacks for Saturday. I think the Sumo from the Wok Box is a great idea. Then people could bring any other snacks they'd like and we would have lots and quite a variety. Thanks for putting this info here for us. Gotta love you for looking after this "stuff" for us and for introducing us to Ed's Edition. IALTB, MLTA. Vic
Ah, a few late nighters make an appearance, although I guess it's not that late in Saskatchewan.
Another pre-season victory for our beloved roughies, beating Calgary 23-21 last night.
Woo hoo!
I can feel it coming in the air this season!
Good Morning ...Lucy here
Ed ...thanks for the information about Saturday plans for our reunion weekend. Dave and I are wondering about the hours of our booking at Campion College. When can we arrive and when do we have to be out of the facility? If we are there over a meal hour, the Sumo package from Wok Box sounds like a great idea to us. It could arrive at a particular time for the family to have a hot meal together and we could party on. (We love the idea that the meal itself would come from a family source, too.)
Snacking stuffs are also nice to have on hand and it sounds like people are already intending to bring some of those along. If you would also like to assign us to bring certain things, please do so.
Having the coffee on in a large urn is a good idea and we can each easily bring cold beverages for ourselves, or to put on a common table. Will you arrange for whatever we will need in general supplies like sugar, creamers, disposable plates, cutlery, glasses, serviettes, etc?
We think the liquor licence is not necessary at this family gathering but we're okay with the idea.
Generally, we are open to whatever arrangements you and the Regina volunteers are able to make for all of us to be together on this reunion weekend.
It's so easy for us simply to breeze into the city and be part of the scene that you have prepared for us. We can't thank you enough for coordinating things in this way. Please let us know if there is anything we can do besides making an appearance and paying our share of the reunion expenses.
We are behind you 100% on the arrangements that you are in process of making for this awesome family event.
Lots of love, Louise and Dave
Oh, yes, Ed
The answer to my latest riddle is lemon meringue pie. Dad was such a connoisseur of this dessert that he could tell whether or not you had used Sheriff's lemon filling to make his favourite pie.
To be honest with you, I created this riddle so that I would have a chance to tell my pie story. I think Vic will remember it well.
I had completed all the steps in preparing a lemon pie: from rolling the crust, to prebaking it, to cooking the filling, to beating the egg whites, to spreading the meringue on the cooled lemon surface.
When the meringue had browned to perfection, I donned my mitts to remove my masterpiece from the oven. As I carefully withdrew the finished pie, my forearm brushed against the hot oven door. I involuntarily threw the pie back into the oven. That's when Vic laughed. Fifty years later I can laugh with her but I certainly couldn't see the funny side of things that day.
I don't remember who cleaned up the mess but I wonder how Dad was ever able to enjoy lemon pie again after that explosive event.
Now, let's shift from the ridiculous to the sublime:
WITH A PAPAL DECLARATION
CAME A PRIZE FOR DEDICATION.
LOLOL, Lucy
Ah, bless you Luce. It's pushing 2 a.m. here on the left coast and, if I'm being honest, it's half past Thommy Time.
I love my new wife to a degree I didn't think possible.
I love my parents with all of my heart and we had a great time. I love my new friend Debbi-Lynn (Lorraine's oldest friend from New Brunswick), a pure spirit with a gracious heart. My now-stepson Brandon is a great kid. It has been a wonderful, incredible week and our wedding could not have been better filled with friends who I don't deserve.
But, right now, I am trying to quietly type in the dark. Debbi-Lynn is in Brandon's room so consequently he is on the couch. There is finally an opportunity for a little bit of Thommy Time, but no place for it to take place.
The blog has now become a refuge among all its other incredible attributes. Thank goodness for time zones.
Thom ...you are encouraging the Saskatchewan Roughrider fans among us with your reports of pre-season victories. Go, Riders, Go!
I enjoyed the way that you so casually wrote that you "drove up to Alaska" the other day. When Dave and I lived in Yukon we could drive west to Alaska or take a train south to the panhandle. That's a long time ago but your comment brought back some vivid memories of grizzlies, moose and eagles in a magnificent setting.
I believe that Betty Jo and Bob must have had a great time visiting you and Lorraine in northern BC.
Luce
Wow, Thom, I certainly didn't expect to meet you on the blog at this time of day/night! Your writing is filled with so much emotion and love. I suspect this past week will be remembered as one of the best times of your life.
I know what you mean about sometimes finding refuge in the blog. It's a happy connection for me across so many time zones, too.
Luce
Regarding reunion plans for Saturday. I really like the idea of assignments. I want to do my part as I'm sure everyone else does, but with something this big you certainly don't want to leave people to their own devices.
Instruct us, oh great organizer, Ed. For example, "You could say, 'Thom your job is to bring some of that sweet, sweet resource from the Pacific Northwest.'"
No, I'm not talking about B.C. Bud Toe Knee, I'm referring to Salmon, they should be running strong around that time.
Anyway, that's just an example. Whatever you need, just dole out the order and it shall be done.
We second the motion! Give us our assignments, Ed, and we will come through with flying colours.
It is most certainly an incredible place to be, especially at this time of year. That's why we wed on the summer solstice. The sun just went down... no, wait it's just coming up again. That's not actually true. I know we don't have nearly the daylight you had in the Yukon, but it's pretty light until midnight and it's pretty light again by 4 a.m. and it doesn't get truly dark. The winter solstice is another thing altogether.
Anyway, I think B.J. and Bob had a good time. And yes, I will remember this week among the best times of my life.
By the way, Ed, I think I've figured out how to archive the blog so people can still have easy accessto all of it, but faster access to the current posts.
If you'd like one of my assignments to be adminstering the site, just send me the login info to thomas.barker@interior-news.com and I'll be happy to do it.
BWA-HA-HA-HAHAHAHAHAHA..., oops, did I just type that out loud?
Hi again, Thom
I didn't connect the summer solstice to your wedding day. What a bright, positive and promising way to begin your married life. Once again, congratulations!
It's coming up to 10:30 am here in St. Andrews and I have been invited to have coffee with some of our neighbours in The Steading.
Dave is out ...you guessed it ... golfing. He'll be back around lunch time.
I hope to hear more from my blogging family after my coffee break.
LOLOL, Lucy
Oh my, not The Steading. Sounds so proper.
Oh, that is funny, Thom,
The Steading is a complex of homes that were originally farm outbuildings - the barn, stables and milk houses. The units are quaint because the builders have left as much of the exterior stone work as possible, and they are comfy because they had to be gutted and modernized to accommodate human animals. With such humble beginnings, steadings are not as proper as they may sound.
LOL, Luce
Hello,
It looks like the night is a good time for the blog, I guess any time is a good time for the blog. Thanks for the confirmation of my plans for Saturday at the reunion. Making arrangements and plans isn't any problem for me at all but it's nice to know I have some agreement on them. I'm trying to keep things fairly simple in the hopes people can just "breeze into the city and be part of the scene". We have booked the building from 12 to 10 p.m. I don't plan on any decorations because I think it's a waste of valuable visiting time. I do plan on bringing a few things of interest such as some photos, the book containing the picture of the terrazzo floor at 1544 and Grandpa Silvano's checker books. Of course the most important things are the people and it's very exciting to think of all who will be there.
Ed #1287
Louise,
The story about the pie is not that funny,(although I might have laughed right along with Vic, that is, before I started crying with you), if it happened to Deanie while I was around I'd probably burn both my arms and hands trying to salvage what I could of the pie. I'm pretty sure dad would have done the same only he'd likely come up with some kind of device to scoop it out without getting too close.
Thomas,
I know about the night light of the northwest, Dave and I were out on a Yukon lake very late one evening...or morning I guess I could say. It's actually the only time in my life I ever caught a fish. Thanks for stirring up the memory.
As for archiving the blog, I'll be in touch.
Ed #1289
Louise,
I'd answer your riddle but I'm going to leave it for somebody who actually is sure who the Pope was at the time. I'd like to see Lou answer it because he met one of the Pope's important representatives back then.
P.S. I'm not quite sure how I miscounted, maybe I should have gone back to bed instead of checking the blog.
#1290
zzzzEdzzz
Hi Ed,
You are up early today. I'm so glad to hear that we have the room at Campion College for a 10 hour block of time. That's terrific. It should be a day to remember for everyone who is able to be there. In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact any of us about our "assignments".
Thanks for the empathy regarding the loss of my lemon pie some 50 years ago. You can hardly imagine how quickly a pie-spattered, 325 degree oven quickly becomes a furnace lined with bubbling, burning ingredients. There was no salvaging anything that day, not even my teenage pride.
Your "fish story" takes me back to Yukon days again. That visit with you and Deanie is such a distant memory. Life really moves along at its own steady pace, doesn't it?
Love, Lucy
Hi Lucy
As I said to Mary-Ellen, my reputation for being kind kinda exceeds me, especially after your latest revelation of my laughing at the lemon pie incident. I do remember it but don't remember if I apologized at the time so I can say it now through my tears. It reminded me of another lemon pie incident. I was so proud(and you know what the old proverb says about what comes after pride) of the first lemon pie I made for Dad on my own. However, that feeling quickly vanished when the first piece was cut and the filling ran into the vacant space - Dad said, "just bring me a cup and I'll drink it." I'll bet this will remind many beginning cooks and even experienced ones(I still try recipes that ain't worth a repeat) about culinary disasters. Don's response to one such disaster, after I had bugged him enough was "really, it's not that bad but let me put it this way - don't ever make it again." Enough said!
IALTB, MLTA Vic
Hi Vic,
I was just getting ready to post an apology to you for telling everyone about your laughing at my scrambled lemon pie. I'm glad you beat me to the blog.
At the time, your laughter was as involuntary as my throw, and you were instantly as sorry about your reaction as I was about mine. (Even if you hadn't been, I made sure that everyone in the house felt sorry for me that day!)
Out of the telling of my kitchen tale has come a story of your own entertaining adventures in cooking. I love the diplomacy of both Dad and Don in accepting current culinary results while pointing to the possibility of future successes.
The year I did my Girl Guide cooking badge I made vanilla pudding from scratch for Mr. and Mrs. Boisjoli. One taste revealed that I had left out the sugar! Mr. Boisjoli, a diabetic, rescued me by saying that, this way, people could add their own sugar according to their personal needs. On the strength of that recommendation, Mrs. Boisjoli awarded me my badge.
Ah, you've got to love male sensitivity in situations that could end up in disaster.
However, Vic, I do hope your latest apology comes through tears of laughter and not of regret. I would not want to be having fun at your expense.
Luv, Lucy
Hi Everyone,
I just found out about this blog from my Dad while I was visiting the Queen City this weekend. I am feeling very overwhelmed at the thought of catching up, as you guys have almost hit the 1300 mark, so I have acquired my own method; Randomness. It seems like no matter where I stop on this page, I am crying, either from the sentimental memories you share or from laughing way too hard.... Speaking of laughing too hard, I went to visit Grandma last night. I cannot believe what an incredible spirit she has. With all that she has been through lately, i could not believe how upbeat and funny she is. From her story of getting a special kiss from Kelly Hamilton last week ("not fire department protocol"), to her experiences in the hospital.... she had my Dad, Aunt Therese and I in stitches. I look forward to coming back home for the family reunion, where I'm sure, we will share many more laughs and stories. Looking forward to seeing all of you in August.
Lindsey
p.s. I may have to quit my job so I can catch up with this blog!!!!!
Hi Lucy
How like you to think I would be crying about your recollection of my reaction to your action(of dropping the pie). I did mean tears of laughter as I was reminded of my own kitchen mishaps. Don says my clutch and grab routine has led him to advise me to stand perfectly still when a spillage, breakage, dropage occurs as I will do much less damage(he reminds me of the time I broke three wine glasses saving the only one that actually toppled over) than if I do my windmill sweeping. Can you relate to this Michele?
Hello Lindsey - welcome to blogfest. Loved your account of the visit to Mom. Love you, Aunt Vic. IALTB, MLTA, Vic
Calling Melissa
With this entry, provided there aren't more as I blog this message, there are only four to go to 1300. You go, girl! Ciao. IALTB, MLTA, Vic
Hello All,
Welcome to the blog, Lindsey. Your method of randomnly dipping in on the entries makes great sense to me - the thought of you trying to catch up is just too overwhelming!
I'm off to Regina tomorrow so am blogging off until I return. It will seem strange not having access to Ed's Edition, but I'm expecting to hear, from the clan in Regina, what's happening on it.
Until I get back on, I'll miss you and I love you!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent memories.
-- George Eliot
mary ellen - on top of everything else ed is doing, he's keeping print out copies for mom on the blog, so you'll be able to keep up
love mike
Hi, Lindsey....Welcome to the blog. Enjoy your random views! Thanks for bringing Grandma to our attention today. It's great to receive word of her upbeat spirit and sense of humour as she recovers from her recent hospitalization. I know for a fact that she would have been as pleased to see you, as you were to spend time with her. We look forward to seeing you at the reunion in August, too.
Vic ...I have heard about your "clutch and grab" routine but I have never seen you in action. No matter what, your most famous role has to be that of refined and gracious hostess. And that's no laugh!
M-E ...you're right, we can always be present to one another in silent memories. That's the power of the human soul. I'll hang onto that quotation until you are able to post another. Enjoy your stay in Regina.
Love, Lucy
Hello all,
Just returned from 5 days in Tulsa and I'm just unpacking and catching up on the blog.
I just had to tell you Lucy, that the "nonsense lullaby" must have come down through the generations because there is an Italian lullaby that goes:
Fi la nana, e mi bel fiol,
Fi la nana, e mi bel fiol,
Fa si la nana.
Fa si la nana.
The translation is:
Hush-a-bye, my lovely child,
Hush-a-bye, my lovely child,
Hush, hush and go to sleep.
Hush, hush and go to sleep.
I actually heard someone singing it and that's how I found out about it.
And boy what a lot of great memories and news on this blog today.
I still a have some catching up to do.
Love to all and thanks to everyone for taking such good care of Mom.
Marcia
Hey, I think I got the 1300th spot. How appropriate, since 13 is my lucky number. I might even get a tattoo!!
Marcia
HOLY SMOKE!!
I just got up.
I mean...I just caught up.
Write on!
Love, Marty
Marcia ...what a beautiful lullaby; no wonder it works like a charm ...no nonsense about that for sure!
Marty ...you just got up; I'm just heading to bed.
Good night from St. Andrews. I'll blog you tomorrow!
Luv, Lucy
opps - i logged on as lindsey, i forgot to change the passwords after she used my computor.
i also wanted to thank ed and deanie's family for everything they're doing for mom and the reunion, and me being in the city, if you need a hand with anything please call me.
marcia. congrats on the 1300 spot. i was wondering do you mean a tatto of the number 13?
love mike
Wow!
Hey Melissa, got any stats on the busiest day on the blog? I think today may challenge for top spot. It's not even 6 p.m. in the Pacific, so a lot of time zones still in action. Sorry you missed 1300.
I have posted a sampling of wedding pictures to the blog. Just click on my name to view my profile, then go to the bottom of the page and check out my Barking at the Big Blog. There's an especially good one of Bob and B.J.
I laughed my butt off when they told me the story (again) of a toddler Marty asking if "that girl who sometimes comes over with Bob" was going to visit.
Hahahahahahahaha.
Cheers.
So far, 31 today and I'm pretty certain it's not over.
Wouldn't be surprised to hear from B.J. before the day is over. Hope you had a good trip home, Mom. It was really wonderful having you here in Smithers.
Hello, I was away for the day and just got caught up. Unless I missed it no-one gave the answer to Louise's last riddle which was when Dad received the Pope's medal for his many years of service to the Church. Sorry Ed I'm not sure if it was Pope John Paul II who honored Dad but I'm sure we will find out shortly.
I will, however, tell about the representative you were speaking about. It was quite an honor for me. I was in high school at the time and the Pope's delegate to Canada was Cardinal Sergio Pignedoli. He was visiting our school and picked me to meet him probably because of my name. A couple of years later he was visiting again and asked me to visit him at the Archbishop's residence. Marie and I were engaged at the time and so I took her with me to meet him. We invited him to our wedding but he was unable to attend although he did send us a wedding present. About twice each year I would write to him and he always wrote back. His letters were quite often written by him personally and even when they were typed he always wrote a personal note at the end of them. He was eventually called back to Rome but our letters continued. When Pope Paul VI died in 1978 he became one of the possible replacements and ended up on the cover of Time magazine and the article indicated he was a favorite to be named as the new Pope. I think I still have some of the letters he sent me. I may even look through some of our old boxes and see if I can find them.
Anyway, it was an honor for me to have been close to him.
Time magazine, identified him as a leading contender in their Aug 21, 1978 issue and said this about him: "Sergio Cardinal Pignedoli, 68. The most congenial and outgoing of the top tier of papal candidates, Pignedoli (pronounced Peen-yeh-doli) was Pope Paul's closest confrere among the Cardinals, a man whom the Pontiff most often chose for the concelebration of Mass, as a companion for trips abroad or to stand at his side for speeches from St. Peter's balcony. Ordained at 22, he has served in a wide range of jobs — including a harrowing tour as the first Italian navy chaplain to accompany a submarine crew into action in World War II. He earned his pastoral spurs — and the future Pope's lasting trust — as auxiliary bishop to then Archbishop Montini in Milan. Diplomatic assignments in Latin America, Africa, Canada and Viet Nam seasoned Pignedoli for a higher post: in 1967 Paul named him secretary to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, a position in which he helped to elevate native priests and bishops. Now, as president of the Secretariat for Non-Christians, Pignedoli can still indulge a passion for travel. He has visited 105 countries, preaching warm sermons on prayer and photographing everything. During these trips, he has built up an astonishing worldwide correspondence with more than 6,000 people —many of them young—who write to him in Rome, addressing him "Dear Sergio." Though nurtured by Paul, he could be another John."
Tragically he died of a blood clot in his lung at age 70 in 1980. The Church lost a great leader and I lost an honored friend.
Cardinal Sergio Pignedoli was the Pope's representative to Canada from 1964 to 1967 at which time the Pontiff was, of course, Paul VI. At first, I was misled by Ed's contention that Lui had been in contact with Pignedoli "back then" thinking he meant that is when Grandpa received his medal. But I distinctly remember B.J. telling me about that medal and since I was only a toddler at in the mid-sixties, it couldn't have been then.
Now, my memory of the chronology of things has gone the way of most 40-somethings, but I'm pretty sure I was in my late teens or a young adult when Grandpa was honoured.
There were three Popes during that period in my life. I doubt very much it was John Paul I, born Albino Luciani, who served a mere 33 days as Sovereign of Vatican City.
An interesting aside: that gives JPI only tenth place (a tie with Benedict V) as the shortest-lived Pontiff in history. The shortest, Urban VII, served just 13 days in 1590.
In 1978, when Paul VI died, I was 15. My gut tells me it was after that. Therefore, I am going to have to guess John Paul II.
Another interesting aside: Karol Józef Wojtyla (JPII), the 264th to follow St. Peter as Christ's right hand man on earth, was the second longest-reigning. At 26 years, 5 months and 18 days, he is second only to Pius IX (1846-1878).
Hi Thom,
I wasn't trying to mislead you, I just thought it would be nice for Lou to relate his experience of Sergio Pignedoli, I remember when Lou met him and knew he had a huge impact on a brother I looked up to.
I actually know it was John Paul II, and I was there and can remember Father Joe Balzer representing the Pope and presenting the medal to dad in Sacred Heart Church. Maybe that's another picture I should bring to the reunion.
Ed # 1309
Ed, sorry if I gave the impression I was blaming you. I was not. It was my own comprehension of your statement that led me astray. When I went back and read your post I realized my folly, but obviously not enough to bring clarity to my own post. Tsk, tsk, and me supposedly a professional writer.
I was very glad to hear Lui's story, quite a tale indeed. Thanks for that.
And yes, please bring that picture to the reunion, I'd love to see it.
Ahhh.
The problem with electronic print...no inflection. I didn't read your post as you blaming me and really there was no need for apology.
My plan worked, Lou related his experience with his friend terrifically and I got a bonus when you added a post with some more interesting facts on Sergio and a few Popes.
All In fun.
Ed # 1312
Yes, your plan was masterful... Bwa ha hahahaha...
haha
I am having a blast with this blog.
How times have changed. I can remember Great Grandpa sitting in the corner of the cottage at Regina Beach with a chess board in front of him. I was told he used to play by snail mail with friends back in Italy. Those games must have taken months, if not years.
I wonder what Sylvano would think of the Internet? It would probably ruin all the fun.
Another interesting point. John Paul II is still on the fast track to sainthood. On April 3, the Vatican completed its investigation into the late Pontiff's life. Normally, it takes five years after a person's death for them even to be eligible. Nevertheless, Benedict XVI appears to be committed to the canonization.
Anybody care to hazard a new guess as to how many posts this thing will have come August.
I understand bookmakers in Vegas are now offering 2:1 it will top 3,000; 20:1 it will continue following the reunion; and 200:1 it will set a record for the longest continuous family blog in the world by 2017.
Yes, Lui,
My latest riddle refers to the Papal medal that Dad received for his life-long dedication to the Catholic Church in the Regina Archdiocese and for his outstanding leadership in Sacred Heart Parish.
I tried to research this event by talking to Mom but she was in the hospital at the time and Dad's medal with the supporting document were in the suite, of course.
It was Pope John Paul II who recognized Dad in this way on the recommendation of Archbishop Halpin. At the time that Father Balzer made the presentation to Dad in a celebration at Sacred Heart Parish, (probably in the late 1970's), the medal itself had not arrived but the paperwork had.
Many of us were not present that day and some of us may not even have seen Dad's award. That alone says something about our father, doesn't it.
One interesting thing that Mom mentioned in our telephone conversation is that Bob Barker's dad received the same Papal medal for his dedication to the church in the Province of Manitoba.
Ed, could you arrange with Mom to display Dad's medal to our Saturday reunion gathering? All these vague recollections concerning dates, purposes, popes and presenters would be clarified in the presence "real thing".
Lui ...I had forgotten your wonderful story about meeting Cardinal Pignedoli and had never heard about your continued association with him up until the time of his death. Thanks for telling us about him. Another riddle sparks wonderful memories!
Let's try this one:
AUGUST SKIES REVEAL SO MUCH
IF KEPT IN FOCUS, AT A TOUCH.
Luv, Lucy
I'm sure this must refer to grandpa setting up his telescope in the backyard and letting us all come out and see Saturn. I'd ask Heather if she weren't headed to Saskatoon this morning if August is the month to see it best. She still has Grandpa's telescope, but we might have to keep the party going a little longer than 10:00 if we want it to get dark enough to see Saturn!
Is everyone keeping track of all the things they have promised to bring? We'll have to set up a museum or something...
By the way, Thomas, I checked out the pictures - they're great! I'll have to see if I can figure out how to fill in my profile. We should all do it - I would be interested in seeing pictures and other interesting facts!
Mom said...
Her mother had 3 brothers, Clarence, Clayt, and Earl.
Clayt came home from WW1 with his war bride Ivy, 19. Ivy soon had a baby, this was Russel and she died 8 days later. Her mother took in Russel when mom was about 2. She had Betty a year or two later. Clarence often lived with them and provided for Russel. Clarence was a master mechanic and worked in the U.S. on the WW1 planes. Clayt got married again (Hazel) and took Russel back when he was 10 years old. Russel came back when he was 18. Russel was Clarence's nephew.
Love and prayers
Mom
On another note, Thomas, have you and your dad read "To See Every Bird on Earth" by Dan Koeppel? I read it last summer: the author is a writer who decided to follow his dad around the world on his quest to literally see every bird on earth and talks about the birds they see and the relationship they build in the process. It's a decent read and especially interesting if you like birds, which I do.
Hi Holly
As we're fond of saying, good eye on Lucy's latest riddle. I remember many a summer night spent with Dad, looking at moon maps, identifying craters(such as my favorite, the Sea of Tranquility) and other features. I also remember Dad giving an address to the Astronomical Society in Regina and mentioning his daughter Victoria and being thrilled about that. He did provide us with some really wonderful memories.
Does anyone know where there might be a copy of that address? I do remember seeing it a few years ago.
BJ, where are you? Hope to see you here when you've caught up on the blognotes.
Lui, I loved the account of your friendship with Cardinal Pignedoli. I never knew about it until now. Awesome!
Lucy, see what wonderful memories and the telling of them your riddles are engendering. Thanks for keeping up the way you do - I don't know how you do it but it's great for all of us. IALTB, MLTA
I AM SPEECHLESS!!!!!
Cousin Holly, the photos we got are incredible. It's one of the fringe benefits of working for a newspaper. Two of my colleagues took photos. I wanted candid shots, not the typical posed ones, although we had those taken too.
As far as the profile goes, it's easy peasy and I'd love to see photos and other tidbits from others. Having grown up and lived away from the bulk of the family the majority of my life, most of the fourth and fifth generations I probably wouldn't recognize if I bumped into them on the street.
I'd also love to hear more about the great grandparents. Although I had that wonderful afternoon with Great Grandma just before she died -- I think I wrote about it about 18 million posts ago -- I have only really vague recollections of great grandpa like the chess board.
B.J., I understand how overwhelmed you must be. Keeping up with this blog is like pumping water out of a leaking boat.
On your other note, Holly, Koeppel's book sounds like a very interesting project. Although I'm fascinated by birds, particulary from an evolutionary standpoint and their connection with dinosaurs, I don't really share my Dad's keen interest in bird-watching. I would have loved to follow him around the world and write about it, though.
Another one you might be interested in is The Cat Who Covered The World by Christopher Wren. It's a light and playful about a foreign correspondent written from the viewpoint of Henrietta, a siamese cat who travelled the world with her journalist owner.
When I was just a child, still living in Regina, we got a siamese cat. I wanted to called it Simba, but my sister Louise wanted to call it Ping. In my parents' typical diplomatic fashion, the cat became Simba Ping. When we moved to Ottawa, they had the animal put down, which had a profound effect on my life. I still remember sobbing in the back seat of Bob's Chevy II not understanding why he couldn't go with us.
When I was in my mid-twenties, I once again had Siamese cats and have been owning and breeding them ever since, including my current princess Spirit. Spirit is quite well-travelled herself having been born on a ranch near Johnson City, Texas, moved to Ottawa then out here to Smithers.
Yes, Holly,
Dad's fascination with the night sky and his history with telescopes goes back as far as our memories dare to stretch.
Out at Regina Beach, the August sky was especially bright and unusually active with shooting stars. Dad poured over intricate maps of the sky. He not only let us view his beloved moon in its various phases. He showed us the rings of Saturn, 3 and even 4 moons of Jupiter, changing Mars, the Milky Way and individual stars in constellations like Orion.
I remember Dad's excitement when he was able to track a man-made satellite as it moved steadily across the sky from horizon to horizon.
Thank goodness that Heather still has Dad's telescope. Even if we do not get to view anything through its lens, we'd sure like to see it set up for old times' sake.
Long after I left home, I embroidered a verse for Dad that reads: "Father ...gaze upward; See the countless stars that also shine upon your children." At that time, I found such consolation in knowing that wherever I happened to be living, I was connected to my scattered family under a common sky. On any given night, that continues to be Dad's gift to me.
Vic ... the muse of verse itself seems to be providing me with riddles. My family runs with the answers:
REUNIONS PASS AND FOLKS ARE GONE
BUT THIS ONE'S SONG PLAYS ON AND ON.
Lots of love, Louise
Thomas, the author was definitely not a birder, but his dad was a "lister" and was one of a handful of people who had spotted over 7000 birds, I think. I would be interested in seeing your dad's list! There is also a group of people called "yarders" who count the birds seen in their backyard - your dad probably fits well into this group too, as I hear they get a lot of different birds right in their backyard.
Mom ...thank goodness that you are here to separate important facts from some of our myth as we reshape our history. I remember your telling me how Russel was like a brother to you but I forgot about his dad, Clayt, and convinced myself that Clarence was more than an uncle to Russel. He had a special place in Russel and Lillian's lives, that's for sure.
Thom ...I love your story about Simba Ping and your long-standing connection to Siamese cats. You are so willing to let us get to know you and we appreciate your enthusiastic presence on the blog. Thanks, too, for the link to your terrific wedding pictures.
Marcia ...it seems that your reunion name tags will be important to those of us who may need help to put a long-unseen or a new face to a familiar name.
Bob ...how is the pictorial family tree shaping up? Do we know where it will be displayed for our use in making family connections at our reunion gatherings?
BJ ...welcome back to the blog. I'm glad that your stay in Smithers and area was so enjoyable. You and Bob look great in the wedding photos! What a unique experience this recent trip has provided you. Russia, here you come!
LOL, Lucy
Hey Luce, thanks for your comment on the wedding photos. I guess that officially makes Barking at the Big Blog the first spin-off of Ed's Edition. Kind of like an Archie Bunker's Place or Trapper John M.D.
LMAO!
You're welcome, Thom
You made it very easy for us to go from one site to another. You're right, Barking at the Big Blog is like an extension of Ed's Edition - very clever. When Dave asked how to navigate his way to your wedding photos, it was easy peasy.
LOL, Luce
OOps, BJ ...I mean "Berlin, here you come!" My age-related mental slips are showing.
Lucy
lucy -is one august night the answer to your latest riddle, the seven of us boys had so much fun making it, i think i'm just lucky getting to guess this one, its the middle of the afternoon and they're all working, but i better send this right now so one of them dos'nt slip the answer in before me.
Darn, it's bedtime in St. Andrews again. We took a bus to a place called Leven for lunch today. That's about an hour's drive south of here. We shopped for a few hours and then stood in line for a bus to bring us home again. Our day has been full and satisfying and we are ready to sign off until tomorrow. Blog on!
Lucy
My guess for the riddle was going to be "Family of Song". Perhaps we are both right, Uncle Mike!
Now that I've recovered my voice, all I can say is: you people are awesome. I am caught up now and have enjoyed Lucy's new riddles, Vic's verse, Mary-Ellen's quote of the day, Melissa's stats,Lui's reminiscences about Cardinal Pignedoli and everone's memories.
Lucy,
Bob now has pictures from BJ, Lucy, Mary-Ellen, Edward, Marcia and Christine. Some of the others have said they are sending theirs and some may not want their page to have pictures. He will bring the tree with him with whatever he has by then.
About Uncle Clarence, I have many memories. He loved playing the violin even though he claimed he sounded terrible. He also played the harmonica. When I was little, I was fascinated by the spats he wore--he is the only man I can remember wearing them, although I think Grandpa A may have as well. (some of the younger bloggers probably don't even know what spats are). His humor ran the gamut from gentle, satirical,rollicking and even some gallows type. I am going to include one of his poems here. He typed them all on an old typewriter. My very favorite was THE PASSING OF THOMAS THE TURTLE, but as it is too long to print here I will send the one called:
DOODLING DEFINED.
"When we scribble or draw on a table or desk,
intangible figures awry and grotesque,
while giving free rein to a whimsical 'noodle',
It is vain and untrue to deny that we doodle.
The preoccupied doodler should doodle alone--
His doodling is no one's affair but his own.
Let his doodling demeanor be deep and austere,
while getting his mental computer in gear.
As to writers and painters who doodle by heart,
and deem their delectable doodling Art--
We highly commend the entire 'caboodle'
But we honestly classify doodle as DOODLE."
Something like our conversation about poetry and doggerel.
About his own poetry he wrote this limerick:
"Concerning Saskatchewan verse:-
Let your comment be honest and terse!
You don't have to state:-
'It's exceedingly great!'
Just frankly admit you've read worse."
Uncle Clarence was truly one of the most interesting men I knew, and I knew him quite well.
As you can tell by my rambling, I am very happy to be back on the blog.
Love, BJ
Vic,
Merry Godmother for Fairy Godmother (Gladsome Guardian)
The Great Case for The Great Race (Huge Husk).
BJ
My brain is melting!
Too much information.
I can't absorb it all.
It would be so nice to comment on so many things on this blog but it's too mind bloggeling.
So I will pick one.
Great wedding photos Thomas. It was a bonus to see BJ and Bob also.
LTA
Marty
Hello all,
I've kept up with the blog through Ed's printouts for Mom, but it's good to be back in person.
Now that we're talking about reunion plans again, I'll ask any of the aspiring performers in the family to let me know what they plan on entertaining us with that weekend. Just send me what type of performance (song, dance, sword-swallowing), how long you think your performance will be, and if you need anything (microphone, piano accompaniment, straight jacket). I'll wait for your input until mid July (let's pick July 15) and then put together an informal program. We can adjust it after that if we need to, but if I can get an idea about duration and variety, we can figure out how it will best fit into the rest of our plans.
Thanks,
Thérèse
Therese, I will, of course, perform. I don't need much, just a string section, horns, woodwinds, timpani etc.... Not quite a full orchestra, I can do without triangle. I don't want to be high maintenance.
Also, I'll require a bowl of yellow Reese's Pieces, a tub of Imperial cheese, some imported Genoa Salami, a box of Stoned Wheat Thins, a freaky ol' lady named Cocaine Katy and a genuine, Indian Guru for the Green Room.
By the way, this may be a good time to bring up billeting. Anyone want to put me up for a couple of nights?
Seriously, though. I'll do a couple of songs. Maximum ten minutes. With all the talent in this family, if everyone gets 10 minutes, it should only take 15 hours to get through the whole program.
Yet another postscript: I swear, Melissa, I'm not just breaking up my posts to bump up my numbers (although with the USA Today mentality of the reading public (not that I would accuse anyone in this family of being members of that group)) short is better.
No, I am merely so scatter-brained that the minute I hit the "publish" button, I think of something else to say.
Hmmm... now, what was that postscript again... oh yeah, I talked to my brother Stephen tonight and it sounds like he might be on the verge of making the attendance 94.
Come on everybody, let's give him a little encouragement!
Hi BJ
Welcome back to the blog. I was up late working on the crosstitch picture for Jamie and Chris's anytime-now expected arrival. I thought I'd take a quick look at what had been posted, so can tell you you are right with Merry Godmother(for Fairy Godmother from Cinderella) but not the other guess you made. Gotta get some sleep. IALTB(or I wouldn't be on it at this time of the morning. MLTA
Yes, Mike, my latest riddle refers to the entire CD, One August Night but especially the title song. It is about so many of the beach impressions and experiences that we have been sharing on the blog - memories that go on and on.
I believe that Marty created this CD on the very first brothers' reunion. They have had other reunions since and are likely to have more, but the first one was unique. Many of us have our own copy of One August Night with the terrific pictures of the seven performers - past and present.
We love to listen to the voice of each brother as he sings his chosen selections. We have our favourite numbers on the CD but the final number is definitely the highlight. Individually and together, Tony, Lui, Ed, Mike, Marty, Len and Rob take us to the beach, to childhood days and to seven grown men reminiscing one August night.
Marty, we are so glad that you recorded that night with your brothers. You made it look so easy. Once again, we get to enjoy the results of your hard work and artistry ...on and on.
I wonder who is prepared to tell this story?
A FLOCK OF SHEEP SO WIDELY SPREAD -
HALF DO, HALF DON'T HAVE HORNS ON HEAD.
LOLOL, Lucy
Auntie Therese, I am absolutely NOT performing. That will be my birthday gift to Grandma. However, I would like to show the video montage I made from the One August Night brothers reunion (complete with blooper reel) - it's about 6 minutes. I'll bring a profector and screen and whatever else I need. Thomas, you can have my remainging 4 minutes for your encore.
I meant "projector".
Vic ...I'm always surprised at how easy the answers to your POW's seem when someone finally submits a correct response. Imagine, the Merry Godmother!
Anyway I have 3 more attempts here:
The Little Mince (The Little Prince)
Mister Act (Sister Act)
Millennium Ear 2000(Millennium Year 2000)
LOL, Lucy
Hi Louise,
I can try to tell the story of thye shep but i"ll have to leave my mistakes in because I'm opressed fpr time.
Thisbrings us back to One August Night. The seven briothers were having their firast reubion. I got the idea to get us each a big horned sheep as a symbol in hopes the good shephard would look afterhis flock that weeekend. I gave each brother a sheep as he arrived at mom's the night before our reunion started, each brother would place a sheep on the table without anybody notiv=cing, except Louise...she noticed rioght away there was a sheep on the table and asked what's this, of course I played innocent and pretended I didn't know where it came from. She was a bit perplexed but not nearly as much when she noticed another when the seconsd brother came in, then a third and fourth, she began to watch closely, This was getting gffun, Lou was sitting in mom's chair a couple feet from the table, when Rob came in Louise stayed within sight of the table but when she gave Rob a hug I threw a sheep to Lou, he reached over and place d it on the table and the deed was done. She was stunned and of course we all acted so cool. Louise wa ssuspicious of us of course but that particular sheeep surprised her because she didn't think she had taken her eyes off the table long enough for it to appear.
At our reunion in Calgary we again had our sheep set up on a tabloe. The doorbell rang and lo and behold another brother showed up, he announced he was our long lost brother and tho we told him to get lost he came in anyway. It of course was Mary- Ellen in disguise, we knew because none of us have a voice that low. Wghen she saw the sheep she was quite impressed and planned to get 7 ewes for the sisters next reunion.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Gee I hoope that's tyhe answer to theridddle.
No time to close
siorry.
thomas - you tempermental musicians
arrrgggghhhhh, just a reminder , you forgot to ask for your usual 10 cases of quality classic selection natural spring bottled water!!! lol
your lucky ed, i did'nt get on the blog until 10:45 a.m. i would of had two riddles in a row, like lou would say "you turkey"
on the riddle i did get, sorry holly i can't share it with you, there was no mention of family of song from lucy.
lucy, i love the one august night c.d., marty did an unbelievable job of making us all sound so good, my favorite part is the last song too, especially when we all laugh.
love mike
Mike
You are sooo right.
Musicians ARE Temper Mental.
Hi Lucy
Way to go on The Little Mince(for the Little Prince). The other guesses, though inspired are not my versions. Here's another for you to try.
A Jarring Day. IALTB, MLTA
Oh yeah, the bottled water, thanks, Mike. Only it's not Classic Selection, I only drink San Pellegrino (and it can't be the bottled in Canada version, it needs to be shipped, by boat, from Italy). Anyway, I'll have my people contact your people to put together a rider. We'll do lunch.
You're right, Uncle Mike, that riddle is all yours, since "Family of Song" wasn't related to a reunion at all (hence some of the family being dubbed in by telephone). Perhaps someone can bring a copy of that tape to the reunion to play - we don't even own a tape player anymore... they're sooooo 20th century!
The discussion about the illustrated family tree helping us recognize each other reminded me of a Seinfeld episode where Kramer takes polaroids of each of the people who live in their apartment building with their names written below. Then when Jerry runs into someone in the lobby, she says "Hi Jerry!" and he says "Hi..." [walks over to the wall and scans the photos until he recognizes the person and reads her name]...Mary!" I guess that's why those nametags would come in handy - much more discreet!
Thomas, as for your brother Stephen, I think he may be the one Antonini cousin I haven't met (perhaps he can confirm this). If he comes, I could add him to my list of "Antonini Family Members I've Met" and check off the 4th generation, at least direct descendants! Trying to meet everyone in the family might be more challenging than the man who tried to see all the birds in the world, but it would be a lot more fun!
MARY-ELLEN said...
Quote for the day:
Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet. Vietnamese proverb.
Mary-Ellen xoxoxoxoxoxo
OOPS, posted that last one as Ed. Sorry, Uncle, I didn't mean to make you look Temper Mental.
As you can see, Ed made the silly mistake of giving me administrative access to the blog.
Unfortunately, the solution to archiving comments is not as straightforward as I had hoped. It would involve hacking code and since I'm just not up to snuff on that anymore, it's going to have to be a less elegant solution.
Comments are inseparably linked to their original posts, so I am going to create a new post called Antonini Reunion 2007 Part II. You can still access any comments you missed from the original post by clicking on it in the archive to the left of the post.
Each week, I'll create a new post. This should help with the blogging down problem I and apparently others have experienced.
Sorry Melissa, it's going to create a little bit of addition work, but I'm sure someone with your inestimable talent with numbers won't have any difficulty.
#1351
Yes, Ed,
The flock of ornamental sheep in the latest riddle are the 7 rams that turned up at the first brothers' reunion and the 7 ewes that appeared at the most recent sisters' reunion.
Your account of the gradual, sneaky arrival of the rams is close enough to be factual. However, the eighth brother (aka the fourth sister) is not going to accept your version of the ewes story.
While posing as Bro Ellen, he/she accepted the task of carrying away a "7-ewe gift" for delivery to the seven sisters from their brothers.
Mary-Ellen did it up big! She held onto those ewes for months without telling a soul. Then, by conspiring with Marcia (and Don Wohlberg), she was able to arrange for the ewes to appear mysteriously in the same sequence as the sisters themselves arrived at the 2006 gathering in Saskatoon.
The plan has unfolded as you hoped it would, Edward. Now, each of the brothers has in his possession a ram and each of the sisters has a ewe, all of which are symbolic members of a family flock, scattered far afield but carefully tended by the Good Shepherd.
And that's my story and I'm sticking to it while you work on another riddle:
THEIR HEARING WENT FROM BAD TO WORST
CREATING HUMOUR NOT REHEARSED.
Luv, Lucy
my brain hurts...
did i miss the link to the wedding pictures?? am i seriously gonna have to look through all the posts again??? please someone help me.
sonia
Hey Sonia
Thomas is way too hip for the room.
What a clever idea to use your blog site as your name when you submit to Ed's Edition.
Just click on his name and you are away to great photos: b@bigdog
Too Cool eh?
love, Marty Hogan
Not hip enough, however, to anticipate people may have the comment page bookmarked and are therefore still posting to this thread, rather than the new one I created to speed things up.
Lucy,
Mom, Barbara and Betty. Their adventures as the 3 deaf sisters created some of the funniest family legends. I'll let you tell about some of them. I am lol as I think of them.
Testing to see if I remember my password.
ok I may never catch up. I'm up to June 10 but I think it's time to post. If I read an hour a day I'll do 3 days and maybe catch up? 'Probably won't happen 'cause
I won't be retired until April 2008 so, with the career(s) interfering, I'll just do the best I can.
My list of things I want to say is too long. In the future I'll post one at a time but for now I have a list.
I was the first baby born on Garnet St.
Someone said Mom & Dad wouldn't leave possessions behind on Garnet St. Well, they left lots, including a child. Robert lived with us from when we got married Aug 1 until he got married in Sept.
Dad's dryer lint was a strange pet peeve. If you consider pet peeves to be safety valves for the big things we deal with, it was a mild one considering what Dad had to deal with!
I think there should be a blog boobie award and I think I deserve it.
I think Grandpa's first job in Regina was pouring the basement of the old Eaton's building.
I remember tracking one of Dad's kites to Buena Vista.
When the suite was being remodeled, Mom & Dad stayed with us on Garnet St for a bit too. I can remember trying to get up off of Nathan's futon in the morning. Quite painful actually.
Ask Therese if Dad would have made the business Antonini & Sons & Daughters. I think I recall him not wanting her to work there with others in the contruction business?
I had forgotten about BJ & Bob's Volkswagon van but I remember it well since Thomas mentioned it.
Moon from 5th Ave Tea room died young of cancer. I met his wife at the doctor when Christopher was an infant and she had a brand new infant too. She told me he was at the Mayo clinic at that point and then he died shortly after.
ME - do you remember the coke machine at the Academy? I remember you buying me one once. You had to grab the bottle at the top and drag it over to the opening.
I remember that Louise wasn't all that calm when Ed got the fish hook in his leg, either. (I had freed it from a bush for him!) Didn't you carry him the rest of the way to the cottage with your sore back?
I'm sorry but I found the Blue Bell the budgie story hilarious.
Mike - there is someone who feels sorry for Paris Hilton. Can you guess who it is?
You might be an Antonini if you won't give up on the blog even though it seems hopeless.
From now on, I'll send one comment at a time but don't ask me when!
Testing to see if I remember my password:
Hey guys
I'm heading over to the other side.
Just click on new .........xxx
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xxx xxx xxx
xxx xxx xxx
xxx xxx xxx
xxx xxx xxx
xxx xxx xxx
xxx xxx xxx
xxxxxxxxx
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Sorry!
That didn't work like I wanted it to. My brain musta got sore from sitting on it too long.
Marty
HEY!!!! What the HE double hockey sticks is going on.
It looks like I made a few posts while I was installing hardwood today. Hmmmmmm?
I've heard of stolen identity but I never in a million years ( yah, I can hear you all saying "How many?") thought somebody would steal mine.
Nice try Thom but I think people are happy the way it is. We like that big number.
Sorry, your administrative access to the blog has been revoked.
Uncle Ed
Mary-Ellen arrived in Regina last night, wouldn't you know it, as soon as she stepped out of the elevator I got something in my eye, both of them actually. Good thing she was there to wrap both her arms around me to hold me up.
I will take her up a copy of the blog during the week so she doesn't get too far behind.
Ed
THE ROBIN
We sing of the bird of exuberant spirit,
That soars in the blue to regale us with song;
But what of the Robin that, when you are near it,
Suppresses its glee and comes hopping along?
The meadow lark, winging above, may enthuse us,
The sea gull delights in the turbulent surf
While the robin, whose quizzical manners amuse us,
Is not with out pride with two feet on the turf.
He comes like a new and congenial neighbor,
To meet on half cautious - half intimate, terms;
He cheerfully shares the result of our labor,
While taking for granted his diet of worms.
Should a prowling marauder attempt interference,
The robin reacts with preoccupied guile;
He judges, by inches, a quick disappearance-
A miss, he assumes, is as good as a mile.
But living on wings - or Shank's horses, is risky!
We cope with the microbe while dreading the bomb;
John Barleycorn brings us the devil in whiskey,
And the ogre who threatens the Robin is Tom.
As long as the cat and the critic are living,
It is best to beware of a clipping of wings;
The bird or the poet, with equal misgiving,
Will find himself out on a limb when he sings.
Clarence Linton
(Prize winning poem) 1963
Yes - I'm caught up again!
Grandma - welcome back home!
Mom - the clutch and grab routine must be hereditary - I have more chipped plates & glasses than whole ones!
Thom - great photos - love the one of Bob & BJ (great hat Bob!)
Marce - please sing me that Italian lullaby when I see you in August.
You might be an Antonini if you look forward to the weekend so you can catch up on the blog!
LTA, Michele (GIW)
P.S. Thom - tell Stephen he HAS to come to the reunion - it's been way too long!
Quote of the night:
One life stamps and influences another, which in turn stamps and influences another, on and on, until the soul of human experience breathes on in generations we'll never even meet.
- Mary Kay Blakely
'night everyone
Okay....so this is my favorite MOM and Betty (her sister) story.(all true).
One day when Betty and Mom were visiting, Betty decided to ask Mom what she thought about capitol punishmrnt. It was in the news at the time.
Now keep in mind that when betty mentioned capitol punishment, Mom thought Betty said Captain Crunch.
Betty: So, what do you think of capitol punishment?
Mom: I guess it's okay.
Betty: You guess it's "okay"?
Mom: Yeah...
Betty: Why would you think it's okay?
Mom: Well, I haven't really tried it much.
Betty: WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO TRY IT?!!
Mom: Well it would be the only way I could tell you what I think of it.
Betty; CAPITOL PUNISHMENT?!!!
Mom: Oh... I thought you said Captain Crunch.
Marty
June 26, 2007 9:28 PM
Sorry if this printed twice. I was trying something
Hey, Where is everybody? I expected a dozen new postings and there hasn't been one for a long time. It's almost Lucy's bed time again, and we haven't heard from her for a while. Hello.......?
Love, BJ
BJ ...Thom has moved us all over to a new posting. There are some 32 comments there. Check it out.
Lucy
Help! Everyone moved but me. How did you get there? (I'll kill that kid). I must have missed something. And does this mean that we have to keep checking both sites? Help!
Love, BJ
BJ ...go to the opening blog page and find Antonini Reunion 2007 II.
Don't scroll down to the bottom of the page. Just go as far as the end of Thomas's new posting.
Let me know how you manage the transition.
Lucy
Hey Beej
Just click on Antonini Reunion II at the top of this scroll
Here's my sentence.
I reported that I was having some difficulty breathing, after hearing I did some sandblasting in my earlier days my doctor suppected pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.
1377
wow Ed you must have been sandblasting near some volcanoes lately....;) Nice one
Tricia,
Just 22 more to go, 21 after this one. thanks for agreeing, it shouldn't take very long to hit 1400.
1379
I have a plan, as you can see, I have decided, with Tricia's ok, to go ahead and post on this thread to bring our total to 1400 here. The danger is that we go over, so what I have in mind is that I will post the last couple of posts here so when it gets close just leave it to me. Thomas is correct, the fewer posts the faster it loads, not that a few seconds here or there makes that big a difference, but i will consider starting a new thread after every thousandth entry.
1380
I have also decided that with Lucy's huge contribution to the blog I will seek her council on any changes needed to the blog. Of course I will hear other ideas or offers to help out as well. I am open to all ideas, and just to let you know, I am very hard to offend.
Any suggestions are welcome.
1381
Awww...you guys, I was just getting used to the new blog and now you have us back on the old one. I guess the only thing to do is get to 1400 as fast as possible. Here are my contributions.
BJ
1381
Edward,
You stole 1381 from me.
You also got your longest word from me. Wasn't it in a recent Bugle? I'm not numbering this one. I will also leave the last 5 for you.
BJ
Maybe I should have numbered that one. This is 1384
Ed,
Don't forget to claim 1400 for Melissa.
BJ
We're getting closer to the big 1400! I thought I'd make this interesting rather than just counting down. Here's something I could always count on as a young child, on certain Antonini visits.
Demonale dna ienc kesioco
Sonia, Holly - are you around to try and solve?
See this numbering thing is soooo hard! That was 1386 and this is 1387!
Betty Jo,
There's been so much on the blog I can't remember if I told you I picked up mom's parcel with no problem at all. They had just sent out the final notice so maybe they realized they should have let it go earlier.
1388
Thanks for the help on this race to 1400. I don't want to just count them down.
1389
I do have a map of Maniago, Italy. Is that an item I should bring to the reunion. Via Giuseppe Antonini is in the center of town.
1890
i'll blog a couple - 1391
why is the number 6 scared of the number 7 - because 7 8 9
1393
Ed,
I thought you had lost that map. Yes definitely bring it with you, please.
Yes, I did know about the final notice on the parcel and how you picked it up. I don't remember if you told me or if Vic did. I understand you were rewarded for picking it up. Hope it was tasty.
And I think you meant 1390, not 1890. Yikes.
Love BJ
1391
Oops, 1395
I am not saying anything about lawyers here, this came from a lawyer:
We in the legal profession have access to hidden knowledge that can make or break you, and after we've charged you an outrageous fee for our services, you may, or may not, benefit from our magic.
1395
Ok, slow down people we have to be careful here, we sure as hel..ck don't want to reach for 1500.
1397
Yeah, that 1890 was a bit of a stretch, how on earth did I hit the 8 when trying for the three. I'm the first to admit my typing is suspect but that's half a keyboard away.
1398
This is 1399 and I'm glad it is. I've been wracking my brain trying to come up with at least something to say for each post, and I can't come up with anything.
This is it, we did it, 1400, I claim it for Melissa and it officially closes this wild and crazy thread of the blog. Now we can get down to more serious stuff on the other thread. Too late you say...Oh well.
See you on the other side.
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