Down by the station
Early in the morning
See the little puffer bellies
All in a row
See the engine driver
Turn the little handle
Puff puff toot toot
Off we go
We have lost another puffer belly, our train is getting shorter
Rest in peace and love Mary Ellen
Loved
Another winter month over and I can truly say I'm looking forward to brighter days.
Loved
Happy birthdays to Chris and Carol.
Years ago our brother Rob decided to walk over to Tony's to visit him every Sunday, then the rest of us here in Regina joined him and we named it our "Church". We continue the practice to this day. I usually drive to Len's and we walk to meet Mike and Rob on the way to Len's and we walk back to Len's together. We then visit for a few hours before going home. The final Sunday of 2024 we decided to take "Church" on the road!
It was 5:20 a.m. when Rob turned his truck onto Wilkie Road, I walked out on to the street to save the few seconds it would take to pull in and out of the driveway. Within seconds I was in the truck seated and belted in, you might say I was excited, you'd be right. We were out of the neighborhood and heading west on the Trans Canada by 5:30. The sky was so clear we could have been like the early explorers and used the stars to guide us, we had Siri "Turn left in 644 kilometers". We made a pit stop in Swift Current for a necessary break and to pick up tastier drinks than water to go with the 16 sandwiches and bucket of goodies Len had packed us for the trip. "You knuckleheads done? Turn left in 400 kilometers". We didn't pay much attention to Siri after that. It was 12:20 when we pulled into the drive at Marty's house in Calgary. It wasn't long before the 4 of us were in the lobby of the Sky Point Hospice and as we were signing in our nephew Martin greeted us and a minute later we were at the bedside of our sister Mary Ellen. She had warned us after our hugs and kisses that she could fall asleep at anytime and it would be quick. Memories shared and laughter made for a terrific visit. We had been visiting for a good 40 minutes before the nurse came in with some medication, we decided to hug our goodbyes then visit until she dropped off. A few seconds after Marty gave her the last hug her eyes drooped, I didn't even get "are you falling asleep" out before a quiet "yep". She had warned us, it was sudden, she was sleeping. The goodbyes turned out to be perfect timing, as she would text me the next day "perfectly orchestrated by someone bigger than us". That's Mary Ellen. We hugged Martin goodbye and at 1:35 we signed out of the hospice. We headed to Lou and Marie's for a short visit, Marie had made us a fresh Caesar salad to go along with some pizza Lou had ordered in. We drove Marty home and by 3:30 we were back on the road. We didn't see a single snowflake on the highway or in the air on the way to Calgary or on the way back home. We had a wee bit of fog as we neared Regina and at 10:45 I pulled into the driveway at 14 Wilkie Road. We couldn't have had a better trip.
We always enjoy church but this was by far the best church of 2024.
Loved
P.S. We finished the sandwiches around 9:30 p.m. we didn't get through the bucket of treats though.
This completes my resolution for the year 2024. It's been a good year, I always have a good year. Betty Jo came out to the province earlier in the year, we visited with her and Marcia in Saskatoon. I was able to help Don and Vic plant a portion of their garden. Marcia also came for a short visit early in October and gifted me a card that sits above my computer desk, I'm looking at it now, well, not right now, when I'm not typing. I can't look away when I'm not typing, this post would look like this...icufyg smsryf gryd d yrg hryyrh ryye7. That was supposed to say "I could maybe get a few letters right". Looks like I overestimated my ability.
There was an event in September that I remember as well. Leonard sets up a memorial golf tournament for his friend Kelly Hamilton, this was it's second year. Thirty six teams, 144 players sign up for the event, the perfect number for a golf tournament. Actually there were 37 teams, 148 players because Leonard couldn't say no to a final group. It seemed to me that each of these guys and girls have a good friendship with Len and willingly share that friendship with each of his brothers. I hadn't golfed since I played in 2015 on a course in St. Andrews with Dave, Andy and John. Andy taught me one of my favorite words "numpty",(he was referring to himself, for good reason). There were a lot of words in the conversation I didn't understand but I remember that one. Let me get back to the tournament in Regina. I had strangers, to me, who would introduce themselves and tell me how much they liked the Antonini brothers. Besides feeling honored, I thought to myself "you should meet the sisters". Mike, Rob, Lou and I made up the foursome. The real highlight of the tournament, and what made it so special for me, was I got to spend the day riding and playing along side my brother Lou, I have never enjoyed a round of golf more. It was a very special day.
Best of the season to everyone!
Loved
Wow! This one almost snuck by me. I have nothing prepared so if I ramble on and say stupid things just call me Donald, if I ramble on and make no sense call me Kamala.
We had 32 Halloween trick or treaters last night. There are 7 kids from the street we look forward to seeing. We had Mario and Luigi along with Princess Peach and the policeman from the Mario brothers Nintendo game. We had Gus from the house to the east of us dressed as a firefighter and the kids from the house to the west were the Hulk and Minnie Mouse they also brought a cousin with them who was also Minnie. The grandmother makes their costumes every year.
Deanie and I have finished putting things away and preparing the yard for winter. Soon it will be time to hibernate. One of my friends phoned yesterday and was bitching about the weather and threatening to move to B.C. He threatens every year and every year I think he might do it. It will be like in the show Good Will Hunting, I'll drive by his place one day and there he will be...gone. I love that phrase, I first heard it from my brother Lou.
Best wishes to all
Loved
Sometimes when you sit down to write, your mind comes up blank, that's the case today. Although, I could tell you about last week, in a heavy rain, I had a waterfall over the edge of my eaves rather than a steady flow out the spout. There was a bit of a lake forming beside my neighbors house so I thought I should do something about it. I could tell you about setting up the ladder and clearing leaves from my eaves and the satisfying burst of debris out the end of the downspout. Then I would have to tell you about the loss of footing and sudden fall, and of course I would have to explain how my chin hitting each rung on the way down slowed my descent. I would have to mention the unsightly bruise, I can't really hide it because I'm not sure there's anything I dislike more than facial hair. I could tell that story but there's a chance my older sister Betty Jo would ring me up to scold me for going up on a ladder. Doesn't matter if it is raining or not she does not like me on a ladder, the rain does make it worse. Yeah, I better not tell the story.
I got nothing.
Loved
So the other night I had a dream. My house was on fire so I walked out to the sidewalk to watch it burn, no, I didn't leave Deanie in the house, she was in New York city with a friend. Some guy walks up and stands beside me. "My house is on fire". I tell him. "I can help you put that out". He says. I can hear the fire truck siren but I know it's not what he means and I know who he is. He's not threatening and I'm not afraid, in fact I'm kind of at ease. "I don't think I want help from you". I say. "Why is that?". He replies. "Well you're kind of evil". I challenge. He smiles at my challenge, "Human beings choose to be evil, they use me as an excuse". "What about guys like Hitler and Stalin?". I asked. "Mao, Pot, Vlad, Khan". He continued, "Are you their judge, they didn't need my help". I decided to take a different course. "You tempted Jesus" I stated. Once again he smiled, "Jesus and I were friends. Let me ask you a question. What is a human being without temptation and trial?" Damn it, I had to wake up, I didn't like the way this guy was making me feel.
Loved
9/9
