2019 – MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM PETERBOROUGH
*a link to our “2019 In Pictures” will appear here in the near future, so please bookmark our site & check back soon. {Rick}
Clearer skies are forming, slowly,
where once a dewy fog, now lifting,
reveals the mind’s hibernating notions!
An awakening!
I begin, yet still I wonder…
For a fact, well known,
change and challenge be inseparable!
Thus, in this moment I ponder:
should I…?
Woebegone my heart’s joy
be rhyme amiss or absent altogether!
Behold! Does free verse beckon me on?
Perhaps it does!
I pause, perplexed:
Intently, I self-debate!
Wisdom tops worry! Dilemma be gone!
Perhaps it will wait!
————
I could stray from standard form;
I have felt it for a while.
However, I like rhyming stuff.
I’ve claimed it as ‘my style!’
Barb’s eldest sister Mary, had
Provided the suggestion: yet,
I must keep this light,
Avoiding cranial congestion!
————
‘Two Thousand & Nineteen’,
It could be our best year yet!
A few sad moments, truly,
And a few we won’t forget!
My aim is to convey events;
My hope is “clarity”…
My longing? To speak clearly!
My fear? …Redundancy!
————
As wintertime approaches, with
Thoughts of snow and storm,
I will share some happy words
So get curled up! Stay warm!
Perhaps a spot of cocoa, or a
Nice, warm cup of tea!
I’ve heard wine will also work;
Just nod if you agree!
————
Now I start with basic things,
Some stuff you likely know…
We, all of us, are older than
We were one year ago.
I may be slowing down a bit,
Small aches come creeping in!
Of late, I’ll see my R.M.T.,
Every now and then.
————
I only called the Doctor once:
A Barbeque mishap!
The right, side burner slipped,
And my fingertip went snap!
Said fingertip points down now
Nearly thirty-five degrees…
But oddly, as guitarist,
I now finger pick with ease!
————
With odd jobs, I’ll keep myself
engaged, around the house.
I have a list, and yes, of course
There’s input from my spouse!
Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy
When Barb offers me advice…
With many things unfinished,
She still loves me, which is nice!
————
I often think of part time work,
Which would be fine and dandy.
I’d use Barb as reference, since
She thinks I’m pretty ‘handy’.
Lately, car repairs, gave us
Brief, financial panic…
In hindsight, 50 years ago,
I could have picked “mechanic!”
————
Wednesdays, for both Barb and I
Are pretty much the same.
The ‘Peterborough Singers’…
Are the ‘best around’, they claim.
Music’s in our blood: it seems
I say that every year…
So after several decades,
I predict I’ve made that clear!
————
Barb’s taught many students:
Maybe hundreds, I’ve lost track!
Her job does give her joy,
But she plans to taper back!
This year they sent a gift…
30 years with MYC.
Will next year be the last?
Guess we’ll just wait and see!
————
In March, Barb traveled east
To the Bay of Fundy shores!
Ten days with Pat and Helen;
I stayed home and painted doors!
Kitchen drawers and cabinets,
Knobs and hinges all removed!
Sanded, primed & painted; now
All thirty-three, improved!
————
This year our pool was great,
Every morning Barb would swim.
Except for twice a week, when
We’d head off to the gym.
Barb would meet her Syncro team
And I would go work out!
Now and then I feel ‘improved’,
And that’s what it’s about!
————
In autumn came a sad event,
My brother, Alan, passed!
An unsuspected illness…
His decline seemed very fast.
Seventh of eight children
And just shy of ‘fifty-nine’…
The Creator called you home:
Rest in peace, brother of mine!
————
Perhaps I should’ve taken notes!
The year’s events seem blurred.
My memory’s okay I think!
Such things have all occurred!
A tad mixed up, perhaps,
Speaking chronologically,
Ah ha! More information…
It’s all coming back to me!
————
A main event this summer, was
A wedding, that took place.
The hopes were ‘keep it simple’
That was not to be the case!
They’d need a new location
With a few short months to go!
Plan B! They’ll get married
Down by Lake Ontario!
————
The islands of Toronto, seem
To some, the city’s treasure!
Both Alex and our Angie, were
Determined beyond measure!
A pavilion was reserved!
We all arrived by ferry.
A choir of Geese, honked on cue,
Just as these two did marry!
————
A simple ceremony, there,
Beneath the willow trees!
A sunny day, thank goodness;
Since there were no guarantees!
They called their celebration
“Operation Wedding Day’;
There was hint of covert plans
So it kind of felt that way!
————
Clara, Erin, Angie too,
Brought ‘freezies!’ How divine!
No booze allowed, so secretly
They froze their homemade wine!
Aboard the ferry, once again!
To ‘wedding day’ part two!
Off to Cameron House…
The entire wedding crew!
————
With mealtime and speeches done,
The day was growing long!
Being also Barbie’s birthday,
We all sang the birthday song!
We didn’t last much longer
Since our energy was spent!
We still don’t really know
Just how late the party went!
————
Soon after, we went camping;
Peaceful calm. The lake. The loon!
The newlyweds would meet us,
For a three-day “mini-moon!”
Angie loves the outdoors!
Nature’s bounty can’t be bought!
The essentials (chips and hot dogs),
By the way is what they brought!
————
Clara has a busy life
But lives it with a grin.
She’ll also sing with Angela,
Every now and then;
An opportunity arose!
A ‘classroom teacher’ spot.
Same school & same students;
Less demand, so hey, why not?
————
They had to find another, who
Could fill our daughters’ shoes!
Clara would assist in training
Whom-so-e’re they’d choose!
No longer teaching music;
Well, officially, at least!
Her dedication to her work,
In my view, has increased!
————
Stress of life can slow us down,
But hope is never gone!
Erin’s there, and side-by-side,
With love they soldier on!
It seems they’re always there;
Any day or any hour…
At ‘operation wedding day’,
They were a ‘super power!’
————
All the things they seem to do
With un-announced revere…
Behind the scenes: unsung!
I shall recognise them here!
They have a tight community,
And as the saying goes;
Friendships are like blessings;
We could all use lots of those!
————
On to daughter Katherine;
Parental leave was done!
Accepted to the Catholic Board,
Supply work had begun!
It wasn’t too long after that,
A full-time spot was listed…
Long-story-short… she got it!
To her credit, she persisted!
————
It’s been a blast, this year,
Living close to Kat and Ryan!
Both William and sweet Zoë
Melt our hearts, … no denyin’.
Ryan’s job, is tough, we think,
Some days are long, to boot!
Toronto days, namely:
Such a dastardly commute!
————
This Bennett family, has found
New friends and made connections!
They call our city ‘home’ now;
Or at least, that’s my perception!
We didn’t do a trip this year,
But didn’t really mind…besides,
Love was everywhere!
Hugs were never hard to find!
————
A testament to life, with James
And Jocelyne, we see…
They work through every challenge!
They work as ‘family’.
They had the opportunity
To purchase on the lake!
And so, the move was made!
Yes. A move they had to make!
————
Bass lake, near Orillia!
Grandkids love it, no debating!
Last time we went, so cold, that
All the kids and I went skating!
Between the tasks of working,
Plus the renos and the move,
They’re living out their dreams;
It’s impressive! We approve!
————
As James tells, excitedly,
His school’s bands excel!
A trip to Carnage Hall …
And they played extremely well.
The bus trip there; eventful…
Brakes on fire, as I recall.
Ironically… across the road…
The local fire hall.
————
Both Barb and I feel blessed
With our “nana/papa” role,
It calls to mind ‘our’ parents;
And our family on the whole!
My dad turned 91 this year:
As both he and my mother…
Celebrate year ‘seventy’
Of marriage to each other!
————
I need to summarize, and
Of course, there’s more to tell…
But time is marching on, so
We hope this finds you well.
Sending hugs, and kisses…
May our world fight division!
May we work for lasting peace!
That’s my ’20-20” vision! [RICK]
***NOTES***
New email update – hilts.ptbo@gmail.com
We recently welcomed wee pup ‘LUNA’, into the home.
For more news & photos, explore the rest of…
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