Christmas Newsletter-2002
INTRODUCTION
It’s time now to recap the year
with the end of December so near.
And that means it’s time
for some wit and some rhyme
and perhaps, when I’m finished, … a beer.
Before I embark on my chore
I’ll say this, …and we’ve said it before,
“We love you and miss you..
(now go grab a tissue)…
With friends like you, who could want more”?
Daisy (as most will remember)
our dog, turned 8 in November.
She sleeps day and night
just as any pet might
but still remains healthy and limber.
We walk her and keep her well fed
but “retrieving” has gone to her head!
Some bras or a shoe,
or one sock (never ‘two’)
can be frequently found in our bed.
PART ONE: THE OFFSPRING
CLARA
Clara, who now is sixteen
has turned into a music machine.
She joined the Jazz Band
and with String Bass in hand
gets “into” that “swingin’ routine”.
She sings every chance she can get;
In the concert band plays clarinet;
And she’s great on guitar
people say “she’ll go far”
but, hold on, I’m not finished yet.
Her voice gave a friend of ours “tingles”
so he paid her to sing in some gingles.
So then, on the radio
daily, ten times or so
her voice and air waves did mingle!
Her friends tell us “Clara is cool”
in her role as a prefect at school;
And she’s doing fine
in piano Grade 9
so in summary – “Clara’s no fool”
ANGELA
Angie has had a great year
and she too, loves music, that’s clear
But Drama and Art
are also a part
of who she is, it would appear!
To the “Wolf Project” she went
and spent seven days in a tent
Her role play began
in the “Beaver Clan”
in this musical outdoor event.
Despite the bears moving in closer
she acted and sang with composure
and by the week’s end
she’d made a new friend
it was “R. Murray Schaffer”, composer.
She recently found an employer
and the folks down at “Chapters” enjoy her…
But still she’s unclear
on a choice of career
Just the thought of it sort of annoys her!
Both Angie and Nana did fly
to St. John for twelve days in July
She hung with her cousins,
had shrimp by the dozens,
but the beers on the beach she denies!!!
KATHERINE
High School days are behind her;
she’s grown up, no need to remind her;
from time to time dating
she’s patiently waiting
for her “Prince Charming” to find her!
Kat’s been accepted at Trent
through the “concurrent Ed.” department;
Less than 1 out of 10
who apply will get in
so a teaching career is now imminent.
She still works part time just a little
in “parking” (down at the hospital).
The pay helps to ease
her residence fees
and paying for phone and some vittles!
Literature, so it seems
is connected to one of Kat’s dreams…
This goal is exciting
she’d spend some time writing
some stories of childhood themes!
JAMES
Both music and education
still are his main concentration
The “York” days are through
he’s at “Ottawa U”
having fun at his new location.
House renting with 7 others…
who share it like sisters and brothers;
And honing his skills
with parties; with bills;
and with meals tasting just like his mother’s
He formed a group, being so clever,
And directing them’s quite an endeavor…
the crew mostly sings
acapella things
With perhaps a small drum or whatever!
Next spring he will be trying hard
for a job with the musical guard
he’ll train ‘till he’s buff
and if that’s not enough
he’ll be giving up foods fried in lard!
PART TWO: THE GROWN UPS
BARBARA
Barbie likes going downtown
where chums at the “Y” clown around!
A stretch and a swim
and her pals at the gym
all help with becoming unwound!
Don’t think she’s overly stressed
relaxing is what she does best;
Tho’ some days are hell
she handles them well;
in fact, you would all be impressed!
Her MYC classes are fine
it’s her job! (I’m glad it’s not mine!)
She scampers and scoots
between keyboards and flutes
and students! (in all, thirty-nine)
As skills of her students advance
it thrills her when she has the chance…
To strengthen what’s weak
in their tone and technique,
and their love for both music and dance
With symphony not much is new
and she’s played a reception or two
Plus she lends a hand
with”new horizons” band
showing seniors, on flute, what to do.
GLADYS
A few ups and downs this year,
for Gladys to persevere;
Sometime we take turns
with her needs and concerns,
but we’re still very happy she’s here.
A trip to the East made her “Glad”
despite an illness she had.
It was the right place
for a short change of pace
but her rash was becoming quite bad.
So Angie and she then flew back
and things slowly got back on track
The illness was treated
and slowly receded
thank God, as the pills make her “yack”!
She’ll get that twinkling-eye look
when she’s really enjoying her book…
a mystery by chance
or perhaps some romance,
and all of that goobledygook.
RICK
The big news is home renovations
which took a bite out of vacations!
we fixed up the attic…
our kids were ecstatic
a “hang out spot” for all occasions!
New floors for the kitchen and hall
took hours and hours to install
I jacked up the beams
and reinforced seams
with 3000 screwnails in all.
The tiles and the grouting went well.
And our visitors say it looks swell.
“It took quite a while
trimming so many tile”,
how many I broke, I won’t tell
I’m still doing guitar with choir,
playing songs that are meant to inspire.
I’m hereby reporting
some recent recording
“-for sale-” if you’d care to inquire?
EPILOGUE
One final request; here it is,
to reflect for a moment on this…
Ignoring the rhyme
just imagine this time,
that we’re sending you “hugs and a kiss”!
rwhilts 