2005 CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM PETERBOROUGH 2005
Another year past: we continue our story;
merely the highlights to tell of what’s new;
don’t expect fiction nor allegory . . .
tho’ words may rhyme; all words are true!
And stanzas will have an extra line, too!
I like to challenge myself, you see,
from year to year, no two the same.
What I’ve done with words is mere poetry,
What’s done to the metre, a bit of a game,
wasting not one single word; that’s my aim.
So, that in mind, I’ll get right to it;
my brain is preparing to edit each line;
Youngest to oldest, yes, that’s how I’ll do it!
A beer when I’m done is a habit of mine,
but this year, instead of a beer I’ll try wine!
Clara, the youngest, as you may remember,
Stayed here at home and worked for a year;
Now back to studies; she left in September
It seems she’s pursuing a music career,
but that’s no surprise to anyone here!
She lives in residence at “Laurier”
for those not aware, that’s in Waterloo.
From all we’ve heard lately, she’s doin’ OK,
Just like her mother, she’s gifted that’s true;
but let me point out, she’s my daughter too!
“Bachelor of Music” is what it will say,
there on her parchment, upon graduation;
That day, however, a few years away:
Two things in her favour; her determination
and contagious laughter for every occasion.
I need to back track to just before spring,
“The Lyric Stage” had a show to put on;
Clara and Angie were both asked to sing!
Dressed up in costume with lace & chiffon,
As stars aspire to shine. . . they shone!
Speaking of Angela, that’s who comes next.
I’ll try to describe in this brief summary,
an honest account of a year quite complex,
with simple details to aid clarity;
Can it be done? I guess we shall see!
You may recall, it was Sheriden College
she was attending September to May:
hoping to sharpen her artistic knowledge,
she was successful; the marks were okay;
plus made some new friends along the way!
This course however, got her nowhere,
for follow-up courses had no empty spaces!
A twist in her plans; it all seemed unfair;
Thus forcing her, to check out more places.
Yes! More auditions required in such cases!
She was accepted to start in the fall,
for courses in music & acting & such;
at Concordia, which is in Montreal.
True to her promise, she did keep in touch
and seems to like “Big City” life very much!
Whenever big changes occur in our lives,
we often face some important decisions;
despite the hard choices, Angie survives!
Now she is faced with enormous tuitions,
and misses Ontario’s funding provisions!
True to this “young to old” pattern I’ve set,
Katherine’s next; she’s home now from France!
It was a year she will never forget. . .
This line could tell of some foreign romance,
but Kat’s proof reading: I can’t take the chance.
Having her present is something we treasure,
Our days are challenging, yet we feel blest!
KT is helpful & does things with pleasure;
Cooking and such; but the part Barb likes best:
It’s a reprieve from a “big, empty nest”!
Our attic, at present, is where she is staying. . .
while in Year 4, and we think it’s great!
Last year we missed her it goes without saying!
We miss her still, if she stays at Trent late,
Speaking of school, I should elaborate:
According to plan, in June she’ll commence:
(2) language majors will form her BA.
I once thought BA’s, meant “Big Achievements”!
Perhaps I was right all along, who’s to say?. .
We partied in english and then en français!
Still there will be, in Kingston, at Queen’s,
One year of earning her teacher’s degree!
That’s down the road, so I guess it means. . .
Waiting for next year’s newsletter to see. . .
Or maybe two more, but surely not three!
Speaking of three; all 3 girls, when able. . .
Sing songs together, it gives them a lift.
Even if only at home, ‘round the table;
the harmonies tight; the tempos are swift;
Such music, if you catch my drift, is a gift!
On to the next person, that would mean James;
Living in Ottawa not far from school.
Courses this year, as he exclaims,
require a brain; it’s almost a rule
but in that regard, James says “Hey! I’m cool”.
James had success: a B Mus. now in hand;
a critical step for a person his age:
now, at Teacher’s College as planned;
to learn how to teach, in this final stage
and hopefully learn how to earn a good wage!
His group, Sous-Soul did a gig here in town;
nine or ten slept here, some in a tent.
“Have fun” I said, “but please keep it down”. . .
consider our neighbours, was all that I meant!
Their concert was great; an uplifting event.
The girls got involved in the concert that day;
the opening act, enjoyed by the crowd!
Bee bops & doo whops in their unique way,
Then James joined in, for crying out loud!
4 kids so gifted; 2 parents so proud!
Late in July came a brief holiday,
our favourite campground for relaxation!
The kids were all there for an over-night stay.
We loved the quiet, the isolation,
and even the usual precipitation!
According to age, we parents come next
but I won’t reveal, who’s older than whom!
We’re both over 40, and feel the effects,
but in life, we are just starting to bloom!
Enough said on that, let our story resume!
Once again, I will back track to the spring;
Kat was still in Europe, you see!
So Barbie & I planned on having a fling;
a trip to plan, since soon it would be . . .
Our twenty-fifth anniversary!
I’ve never been over seas I confess;
So, as we planned, we asked lots of questions!
Web sites & flyers; my desk was a mess,
(still is by the way; I could use some suggestions)
The choices made . . . not always the best ones!
Barb made out lists, one after the other;
people, places and things to be seen;
she charted out the routines for her mother;
Home-care was arranged, to help cook & clean
for days we’d be gone . . . in total, 13.
I won’t discuss every part of the trip,
merely some things that left an impression.
First and foremost, consider this tip:
Don’t try 3 countries in rapid succession;
measure your stamina & use with discretion!
At Heathrow in London, we met “Barbara Jean”,
A particular cousin I’m glad now to know;
When these girls last met Barb was just 17.
At Uncle Malcolm’s, 10 cousins or so,
came for a “Barbie -Q” meal . . . (alfresco)!
After 4 days off to Paris we flew,
then on by train and soon we’d be there!
When Katherine met us the joy in me grew . . .
Barb felt it too; we made quite a pair.
Call it “emotional drain”, that sounds fair!
Nantes was delightful, clean & well-kept,
We met Kat’s host parents, who welcomed us in;
provided great meals; the room where we slept;
Guy & Yvette said “let’s go for a spin” . . .
. . . we did; then the next day we did it again!
The touring we did, by car, I’ll confide,
prepared Barb & I for the train ride ahead.
Our journey to Holland, a 12 hour ride,
caused us to think “next time, FLY instead!”
But seeing her sister was “worth it”, Barb said!
With Kate & Josine we had only 2 days.
Could we find time to somehow relax?
We were spoiled rotten in so many ways!
Everywhere – tulips & boats & bike racks;
It “blew me away”! Those are simply the facts!
My school’s relocated; it was time to go;
more rooms to clean; fewer stairs to climb!
And Barb’s list of students continues to grow;
plus orchestral things; leaves little spare time.
I could list more, but I can’t make it rhyme!
In summer, because the garage needed fixing,
we hired someone to stop it from sinking!
Beams needed lifting; cement needed mixing,
The project was big & required some thinking!
“Rainy day” funds would, no doubt be shrinking!
This year, Barb’s mom is doing quite well;
her health is good; not one broken bone
since you may recall how, last year, she fell?
Gladys has spunk if the truth be known,
and loves to still do what she can on her own!
Gladys continues with fitting right in;
Smiles at the students who zip past her chair.
The occasional outings we take now & then;
Tuesday is craft class; she’s got friends there;
at bingo wins candy which, with us, she’ll share.
The page is full, but much more could be said:
Should I start page 3, or make the font small?
Perhaps all the rest, should stay in my head,
since I promised highlights & not a long haul!
With that “Merry Christmas & blessings to all!”
rwhilts 