MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM PETERBOROUGH

Every year, I contemplate words:
Words to convey, “How it goes”…
In promising clarity, truth and sincerity,
I’ll need to stay on my toes!

I’m aiming, as always, to keep this thing short,
With details, clear and abundant!
My aim to be brief, is causing me grief,
My words may, at times, seem redundant!

I’m warning you now, with my arduous task
My mind starts to fade as I think…
It’s always the same: I pretend it’s a game!
Upon winning, I go grab a drink!

With lots of good news, I’ll get to the point,
We both love our kids, Barb and I.
So, in reviewing the things they’ve been doing
Perhaps, you will understand why!

James and Jocelyne have a new house,
A ten-minute drive to their schools!
And as a plus, somewhat closer to us!
That ought to be one of the rules!

The new property is a lovely spot,
There are several acres of trees.
Barb, who adores their radiant floors,
Will ask me, “Why can’t we have these?”

Emilé turned five in June of this year
And brother Olivier’s three!
Like weeds as they say, both growing each day,
They’re going to be tall, we foresee!

Emilé is in SK at Jocelyne’s school,
He is learning to read, with pride!
And Olivier, …pretty much every day,
Goes to daycare; he takes it in stride!

Working, moving and raising two boys,
Could bring on a challenge or two.
But occasional strife is just part of life!
We push on; it’s all we can do!

It seems I failed to mention the town,
It’s Orillia, just so you know!
James lends a hand in the local town band.
With his clarinet off he will go!

I shall move on to some other news now,
And remember, I’m keeping this light,
But, I trust, with enough of the detailed stuff
To stimulate thoughts of delight!

Speaking of things which kindle rejoicing
There is this new, little boy!
Grandson number three and yes, naturally,
Nothing could give us more joy.

‘Twas back in July, this child arrived
For Katherine, and Ryan,
Proving they could, engage parenthood!
They cherish the diapers and cryin’.

Well, perhaps ‘cherish’ is not the right word.
But they’re happy, suffice it to say!
Each hour, each minute, with William Bennett
Will chase all the doldrums away!

Kat was still teaching, up until summer,
Now, for twelve months, she’s on leave.
We see in her face she likes her new pace.
A natural mom, we believe!

Ryan, has also had several changes,
One was a change of employment!
Just what he does do? I haven’t a clue,
I just mention it for your enjoyment!

They now reside in the city of Guelph,
Thus Ryan’s new job would be near!
With many new friends, their new start begins,
They’re happy there! That much is clear!

So, what do you get when you cross a Kiwi
and Canuck? A curious question!
Perhaps a ‘Can-Wi’ our William will be,
But that’s just his Papa’s suggestion!

There may be more jesting before I am done
But, clearly, I must stay on track!
To Angela next, who updates us by text,
Or by phone, and then Barb replies back!

Music is still her primary thrust
So she teaches lessons in ‘voice’.
At first, just a few, but her student list grew,
With ‘singing’ their popular choice.

At Mountain Equipment, Angie decided,
To let that job go, ‘least for now!
This eased her pace: she’d free up some space,
To fit in more students, somehow!

One recent change; I’ll mention it briefly…
Yes sometimes relationships fail!
But who of us hasn’t faced things unpleasant?
And Angie is strong. She’ll prevail!

So, moving on, with the positive stuff,
Lately, she’s often on stage.
Seems Western swing is the latest thing;
Search ‘Double Cuts’ for their web page!

Studio sessions have also been done,
Rarely there’s time for a rest!
We’re happy & proud of the overflow crowd,
When they played for our local Folk Fest!

Of note, she still has her own band to run,
That “Rucksack Willies” crew!
Attendance was big for their CNE gig,
You may wish to ‘google’ them too!

Moving along to the highlights on Clara,
No! I not speaking of ‘hair’,
Still on Dupont; drop in when you want;
No person is unwelcome there!

She, together with Erin, her partner,
In life, make a great combination:
Events are arranged and vows they’ll exchange,
Next June, at a planned celebration!

Barb has concern over Clara’s workload,
Me thinks I would find it too hard!
Excursions and lessons; lengthy work sessions,
As well, supervising on yard!

Clara excels in all she pursues:
Always has and we hope always will!
I almost forgot! She loves dogs a lot,
And Phineas sure fits the bill!

Clara and Erin, both have compulsions.
Need an example? Here’s one!
Fondly we speak of their potlucks each week
For friends and for plain having fun!

Finally, here is my chance to expand
On how we spent “twenty-fourteen”
Of plain, simple stuff, there’s always enough,
So I’ll leave out stuff that’s routine.

Back in the spring we both traveled east

To visit with Helen, Barb’s sister;

Barb’s in pain, still, from a small skiing spill.

It took several tries to untwist her!

–

Part of the joy of being grandparents,

Comes when we all get together!

Ten days on a lake! Make no mistake,

Twas fun, despite the wet weather!

Kashabog Lake where we’ve rented before,

Even my parents dropped by!

My dad’s been wishin’ I’d go with him fishin’

And I caught the biggest, no lie!!

Barb teaches music in excellent ways!

To most, that news isn’t new!

It’s in her bones, those notes and tones,

Those who know Barb know that’s true!

–

Barb and I both continue with ‘Singers’

And four or five concerts each year.

Hayden’s ‘Creation’ should be a sensation,

When we perform it next year!

Some of you may have heard the results,

of Barb’s recent M.R.I.

Spinal Stenosus, the diagnosis,

She now visits some ‘Physio’ guy.

–

Maybe you’ve wondered, “something is missing”.

The other three girls, what’s with them?

Our chickens, one day, all ceased to lay.

With no eggs, now, their future looked dim!

Perhaps it was time, so we called on a friend!

We gave her the axe and a smock!

However, instead, of chopping off heads

She adopted them into her flock!

–

I must surmise it is time to conclude,

I’ve given you both “rhyme and reason”

May blessings appear throughout your new year!

Love and prayers, this holiday season!