Helen's Home World: May 2019

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

RPod Adventures

Last year, late in the summer, I bought a new-to-me RPod travel trailer. I had hoped to get out one weekend before putting it into storage but that didn't happen. I did get a chance to take it out on the road just to see how it towed with my Escape and to practice backing up; thanks to my brother-in-law.

This spring after having the RV dealer dewinterize it and replace the battery I went and got it out of storage. I managed to hitch it up, tow it home and even get it backed into the driveway all by myself. It only took four times around the block and multiple tries to get it in the driveway.

Two of my sisters, a brother-in-law and I went on a check-out camping trip to one of the campgrounds in the Parks of the St Lawrence called Riverside Cedar. Since we went on the holiday Monday, we very nearly had the campground to ourselves.

Above is my RPod with my sister's tent set up behind me. The photo below is my youngest sister's and her hubby's little trailer with mine in the background. The weather was somewhat chilly and windy but it kept the bugs down that's for sure. We stayed three nights. I was able to try out almost everything in the trailer except for the AC and the furnace, neither of which were needed.

One of the reasons I chose this campground as it is near Upper Canada Village and the Crysler Farm Battlefield both of which are dog friendly, so on our second full day we went to visit both sites. The dogs can't go into any of the furnished the historical buildings but usually they will let them into any of the barns as long as the dogs don't disturb any of the animals. They were also permitted in the blacksmith's and the woodworking shop, but only because I think it wasn't at all crowded when we were there.

Crysler Farm Battlefield was the location of a decisive battle in the War of 1812, 400 British soldiers, Canadian militia and natives repelled nearly 8000 US troops.

We also did all the usual things while camping, enjoying good food along with a few drinks around the campfire.

Shrimp and asparagus

Beckett in the sun set

Campfire

We had a gorgeous moon rise over the St Lawrence on the second night. The photos from my camera just don't do it justice; you'll just have to believe me that it was spectacular.

Although it was a tad chilly, we only had a bit of rain and mostly it was overnight; so my first RPod adventure went pretty well. I drove down and back without any problems and even managed to get the trailer back in my driveway with only two trips around the block. I'm off tomorrow to our agility regional championships where I'll be dry camping so I hope the solar panel will keep the battery charged and that I don't run out of propane. If all goes well, I'll be heading off on a long journey down east in August, I've booked the first two campsites with pull thrus so that I don't have to back the trailer.

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Happy Mother's Day in Heaven

Mum with all her girls

Anne - Reflection

I made this video last year after hearing Ed Sheeran's Supermarket Flowers; I did make a few minor changes to it. This song will forever remind me of packing away my mother's clothes and belongings at the nursing home; so few material things were left once we had sorted through her things.

Video - Happy Mother's Day in Heaven

But she left us with many memories, she lived a life full of love and still lives on in our memories. I'm still scanning family photos, at least the ones with people I know in them. These are just a few I have scanned of my mother.

Bourton-on the-Water, England, 1990

Anne with brother Jimmy, Fall 1956

Anne with her mother Louise Arsenault Pineau

Family trips in the Volkswagen van is how I remember us. We had many summer camping and road trips in that van. Mum and Dad always made them special.

Family Trips

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Remodel

About three years ago I had a sun room addition put on the back of my house. Even though I put in skylights the dining room always felt very dark and closed in. Last fall, I had two extra windows added to the dining room at the side of the house.

The two windows made a big difference, the room felt bigger and brighter but now I had to either repaint the room or add wainscoting. Since I never grew to like the bottom colour, even though I chose it, and because the chair rail wasn't installed all that well, I decided to go with wainscoting.

Before

Window opening

Framing

Windows Installed

As the windows were installed in late fall last year, 2018, I decided to wait until this year to have the wainscoting done. The work started the Tuesday after Easter and took just a little over a week.

Top and bottom rails installed

Battens installed

Top cap and cove moulding

All painted

Room back together.

It came out just liked I hoped, the room looks even brighter and looks taller as the wainscoting draws your eye up.

I only put two of the drapery panels back up but now that the wainscoting is done the room needs new sheers and I'm thinking it probably needs new lighting too. Next year's project is to get the floors refinished.

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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother