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It’s been a wonderful summer with family

We sure seem to get our share of electrical storms. Then rain in some places and very dry in other
8330burnslakeHugh_Neave
Hugh Neave.

We sure seem to get our share of electrical storms. Then rain in some places and very dry in others.

How well I remember the storms we used to get on the prairie. Lots of buildings would be burnt down, stock killed. Fork lightning was the killer.

Good music

The Grassy Plains Bluegrass Festival is behind us. It always leaves such pleasant memories. New songs, new friends and new ideas for next year.

I must mention how well organized it was. The work and the planning that goes into those programs not only days but months. The music and the singing was just great. I like my pet word super deluvial, that word covered it all, believe me. Such talent comes out for all to enjoy. If by chance you didn’t come you really missed a great show. I was very proud of my niece Renay and her singers The June Bugs. Our family had a great time visiting and talking about the many years we have been together. It was a great weekend you can be sure.

The grapevine has it maybe a rumour going around they may have an outside stage for next year. This no doubt will put the icing on the festival cake big time. Again I must say and I take off my hat, you all did a wonderful job and to all the entertainers you are special, it was great and I must say professional.

Wonderful family

As I look back over my life I feel so very fortunate to have had such a wonderful family. We were all musical not only singing but playing instruments as well. I must give my mother credit for that. Brother Peter was also a good singer and also played the accordion. He was very well known for his playing. He still likes to play it.

I had two opportunities to get into singing and guitar but I passed them bye. It would no doubt have changed my life. So to say water under the bridge. I have 90 years behind me and I still love music. So when my niece Renay and The June Bugs come to visit it brings back such wonderful memories for me. Music is universal the world over and I feel so proud to have been a part of it.

On Saturday evening last we had a family get together and a supper on Richard’s big front veranda. Margaret did such a great supper. Most of our family were there from the oldest to the youngest. There were so many little ones and did they have fun. I felt so proud of my grandchildren and my great grandchildren. One of my son’s came up to me and said “Look what you and mother started.” A whole new generation coming up and I love everyone of those dear little ones. They are the start of a new life. The big veranda was full and all having so much fun. Thank you Margaret and Richard for such a special wonderful evening.

Back for summer

The Scott family are spending a few days in their summer cottage at the landing. The family have been spending holidays there for almost a lifetime. We always enjoy their visiting. They make their home in the lower valley. What made the evening special they were able to visit all the family at Richard and Margaret’s home. It’s been many years since we have all been together, what a pleasure it was.

Most all our family are back in their homes but this get together was such a special time for us all to enjoy.

Lots of traffic

The heavy traffic over the holiday weekend was amazing, where does it come from? It sure gave the new main street a challenge, I don’t think I have seen it so heavy.

The high price of fuel sure didn’t slow things down. And the big beautiful big boats just spell binding. They must cost almost as much as a home used to cost. This is a far cry form our 25 foot river boat with a 25 horse outboard at the end to push it along. I sure have pushed one of these old babies many miles and through some scary situations. Run all day on five gallons of gas. Good thing too as we didn’t have too much cash. We had lots of good times too.

I really enjoy talking about those old days they may have been tough but they are still good memories. An after thought, our first outboard was a five horse power Evenrude with a starter knob on the fly wheel and we thought they can’t get any better, joke joke.

Berry season

Lots of wild berries this year. A man stopped here the other day with two pails of huckleberries, they looked so good. There will be lots of saskatoons too.

The wild fruit has a much better taste than the tame ones. Back on the prairie in our far pasture we had a few bushes of black currants they were wild. Mother always made jam from them and what a special jam it was, I can still taste the jam. The last time we were back home we looked for them but they are gone.

True story

Here is a funny story I will pass on and it’s true. Growing up back home was learn to milk cows and we always had cows to milk. Then when we moved to Francois Lake we still had milk cows, in fact we brought a cow and heifer. This is years ago now but we were milking two cows at the time.

My wife Jo had a good business selling milk and cream. Of course I did the milking. We had a very heavy milker, she always held her milk and you worked for every drop. I told a friend about her and he told me to get a radio in the barn, get a musical station, so I did.

Low and behold I set the radio close to her stall, got a good station with country and western music. I sat down to milk and she was a changed cow.

I kid you not, she just gave me her milk with no problems. So morning and night I turned on the radio. It was good for me and the cow. I think the old radio may still be in the barn.

My eye operation is behind me now just waiting for it to heal up.

Sure glad too. This one eyed stuff is for the birds.

Always remember God loves you and of course so do I.