MERRY CHISTMAS FROM PETERBOROUGH

link to this years image sampler click here

With a bit of wit and rhyme, our

story will begin!

Some things which I’ve said before, I

just may say again.

Twenty-twenty-five went fast, I

think most would agree…

Surely, Romans felt it too, year

M M X X V,

*****

You may find this factual, but

entertaining, too!

Once again, my rhyming tales, are

singable, it’s true.

Everyone, no doubt, has heard of

Jackie Paper’s “Puff”:

Now you all can sing along, it’s

really not that tough!

*****

I shall get right to it, for there

is a lot to say;

Secretly, I’m singing this, I

trust that that’s okay!

In these words, you understand, my

aim, without a doubt,

Is to highlight better times: some

stuff, I’m leaving out.

*****

Recently we celebrated,

forty-five years wed!

No romantic getaways, we

partied, here, instead!

To the Azores Islands, soon, with

friends we plan to go…

First I’ve heard of places known as

Arch-i-pe-la-gos?

*****

We admit that booking flights, is

not a favoured pastime!

Still, Barb flew to Helen’s on a plane,

just like the last time!

To New Brunswick for a week in

March: I stayed behind!

Ripping up the kitchen floor was

foremost in my mind!

*****

Jobs like this take confidence, and

stamina’s a must…

By the way, I’m still discovering

hidden Reno dust.

When a job needs doing, I’m on

board, but as a rule,

I’ll just stick to cutting grass, or

maintaining the pool.

******

In the spring came shocking news, quite

hard to comprehend;

Summer camp traditions could be

coming to an end!

Quinn Lake’s Camp is up for sale; we’d

miss the peace and quiet!

Campers rallied, raising funds, still

not enough to buy it!

******

We’ve been camping OTF for

roughly forty years;

Life-long friends, loons on the lake, the

happy hour beers!

Barb would tell you it’s ‘her’ lake, and

let me just add this…

I could fill a page or two, just

listing what we’ll miss.

******

We would find it hard at first, to

come up with plan B.

After all, true camping means some

time with family!

Online searching, helped to ease our

current camping craves…

Through some reservations at the

local Warsaw Caves!

******

Daily swims for Barb would be a

routine hard to keep;

It turned out, the river there, at

most, was mid-thigh deep!

Fire bans and Poison ivy,

couldn’t make us blue…

Caves were much enjoyed, as was the

river, by canoe!

******

Back in June, I felt a feeling…

some would call it fright;

Driving home, while turning left, the

car went to the right.

Hard left turns while braking, seem to

keep it going straight…

Safely home: no crash to mention,

here, in this update!

******

Estimated fixing was the

opposite of low,

Meaning it was time to see the

Mitsubishi go!

For a time, we shopped around with

Hybrids on our mind.

We are happy to report, a

Hybrid we did find!

******

Music seems to have a way to

keep us in the swing…

Flute, piano, plus guitar and

don’t forget; we sing!

Barb’s agreed to, once again, play

in a Christmas show,

With the ‘Wildwind Flute’ gang, playing

mainly piccolo.

******

Plus, there’s Peterborough Singers!

change comes to our choir;

Syd Birrell is stepping down, he’s

chosen to retire!

Founder and director; and the

truth be told, our friend!

Thirty five years at the helm!

best wishes we now send!

******

In mid-summer, Barb and I went

in a plane once more!

Destination Durham! Are you

wondering what for?

Singers, prearranged to be the

choir in residence,…

In the grand Cathedral; more than

large, it was immense!

******

Pomp and ceremony, as we

sang what was required!

Great acoustics complement each

song, we were inspired.

Did some touring, hit some pubs; we

truly had a blast!

Nine days which went quickly by, but

memories will last!

******

Mostly, from the early flight back

home, we were run down!

Luna’s welcome perked us up, when

we got back to town!

Six years old, I’m sure she knows,

we are like family…

And I think, she knows who’s boss. I

know she thinks it’s me!

******

Before I continue, why not

pour yourselves a drink?

I find it’s relaxing; it might

even help me think!

Here’s a thought! With global news, in

such a mess, of late…

Let us drink to world peace: now

wouldn’t that be great?

******

As our children soldier on, with

day to day events,

We behold life’s simple gifts, it

seems to all make sense!

Routines shape a balance between

work, and having fun!

I’m reminded now, a parent’s

work is never done!

******

As for me, my work at present,

seems to be this poem…

I begin with news of James; they

chose to sell their home!

Now in Midland, we are told some

plans are underway!

Renting for the present, fits the

plan, quite well, they say!

******

Emile and Olivier, both

now are in high school!

Their dad teaches there as well,  I

find that rather cool!

Saxophone, piano and we

can’t forget guitar;

Emile’s talents don’t stop there; he’s

learned to drive a car!

******

Then there is Olivier. He’s

tall, and it would seem…

Basketball’s a focus now, on

Midland’s top-notch team!

En francais he, recently, sang

on the radio!

And the band he’s in has won gold

medals! Way to go!

******

Moving on to Eloise, my

mind’s a tad perplexed…

Now and then we will receive an

email, or a text!

Recently a switch: she goes to

school where moms employed!

With the choir, and new friends, there’s

much to be enjoyed!

******

As you search on YouTube for some

peaceful melodies,

You’ll find Jocelyne’s music there, she’s

done a few of these!

In this fam’ly, music, is a

common thread, you bet…

I’m sure if they wanted to, they’d

make a fine quintet!

******

Pitching in by walking Luna,

sharing meals and such…

Katherine and family have

helped us out so much!

Having them nearby is grand, and

we don’t take that lightly!

When we’re in a pickle, help comes

quickly and politely!

******

Kat is teaching, as before. The

job’s an L.T.O.

Not he job she wanted, but she’s

going with the flow!

She’s been writing music: online

postings have begun…

It’s my plan to list some websites

when my story’s done!

******

Kat and Ryan overflow with

generosity…

Ryan has a certain flare for

hospitality!

Maybe it’s his work ethos: he’s

honest and he’s kind!

Maybe he is blushing now; such

men are hard to find.

******

As for working, Ryan’s searching

for a better fit…

Back to teaching, maybe. There’s a

chance that could be it!

We observe their children, growing

up and having fun!

I observe smart parents! Yes, it

takes one to know one!

******

William, and his sister, we see

often, I can’t lie!

They’ll drop in to have a swim, just

as in years gone by!

Zoe has shown confidence! In

our pool she’s at ease!

First one in this year: the temp. was

sixty-four degrees!

******

Of the things they dabble in, we

only know small parts.

Zoe’s tried piano: William’s

doing martial arts!

William’s creativity, while

at an early stage,…

Over time, it’s blossomed! He now

has a web ‘art’ page!

******

To Toronto next! First Angie,

Alex and Levi!

Levi’s in a JK class; the

school is quite close by!

Levi has a bond with dad, they

share a kindred spirit…

With a random hug, or song, we

see it and we hear it.

******

We were there for Halloween; we

visit, now and then.

I would don the role of Olaf;

Barb was dressed as Sven.

Levi picked the ‘Frozen’ theme, we

played our parts okay…

We’ve a sneaky feeling, Levi

often, gets her way!

******

Angie’s staying rather busy,

in the music scene.

What I’d call a crazy week, she’d

label as routine!

Never one to hold back, here’s one

thing you may not know…

She’s behind a business known as

Pine Sound Studio!

******

When they visit  Peterborough

there’s a chance for calm!

Alex chats with Papa… Angie

sips tea, with her mom!

Levi might then entertain us

with the ‘fart’ machine…

After all, she’s just a kid, if

you know what I mean!

******

Next, I mention Sable, who lives

in Toronto too!

They do things together! That’s what

cousins often do!

Sable’s also in JK, it’s

at the Waldorf school.

Clara’s job there qualifies the

free-tuition rule.

******

Erin has been working longer

days down at the spa!

Rental fees are up! Such rates should

be against the law!

No complaints from either mom! To

them, I tip my hat…

It’s hard doing what one must; We’ve

been there! We’ve done that!

*****

Still, their new apartment has more

space, and that is good…

They, in fact, removed a wall. The

landlord said they could!

On another topic, viral

germs live anywhere!

Illness can creep in, and this year

Clara’s had her share

******

I won’t dwell on aches or chills; there’s

not much I could say…

Yet, to bounce back faster, we put

TLC in play!

I’ll conclude by sending our best

wishes out to you!

Now be honest. Who was brave, and

sang the whole way through?

*Music and other links will be posted on the homepage…. https://rwhilts.ca