tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post5041152164092811561..comments2024-03-27T10:30:15.253-06:00Comments on Standing Into Danger: The Lansdowne Letters: Suckered!Fundy Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-79942226262801966722017-07-07T19:51:22.920-06:002017-07-07T19:51:22.920-06:00Thanks, Stacy! My Dad had a great sense of humor!...Thanks, Stacy! My Dad had a great sense of humor! Wishing you a great weekend! Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-5417205932127222312017-07-07T19:50:42.835-06:002017-07-07T19:50:42.835-06:00Hi, Jimbo! You know, when it's dealing with a...Hi, Jimbo! You know, when it's dealing with a chemical toilet or looking for a bush outside in waist deep snow and way below zero ~ that chemical toilet looks so good!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-27077269806433726262017-07-06T13:32:25.077-06:002017-07-06T13:32:25.077-06:00Priceless! I love your posts so much! Your dad was...Priceless! I love your posts so much! Your dad was too funny! LOL! Really enjoyed all the pictures! Thank you!! Big Hugs! Magic Love Crowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14133368208464734546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-70454819644536903352017-07-05T17:25:01.045-06:002017-07-05T17:25:01.045-06:00Bridge! I played for an entire year at Dalhousie ....Bridge! I played for an entire year at Dalhousie .. .....the year I attended. LOVED it! 7 no trump....what a great hand!!<br />Oh your father was a real jokester! Kept you all on your toes, I bet.<br />Your chemical toilet sounded difficult to say the least! Don't know if I could have dealt well with that!<br />Have a great 'rest of week', Louise. Hello to Terry.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11199777195853274898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-9009694119523223022017-07-04T11:19:27.481-06:002017-07-04T11:19:27.481-06:00Hi, Baile! How lovely to hear from you!
Thank y...Hi, Baile! How lovely to hear from you! <br />Thank you for your kind words about my parents and me. I was fortunate to grow up in a time when parents believed that children needed to be protected from adult issues that they weren't equipped to deal with mentally and emotionally. Now children are exposed to so many things that are difficult for them. <br /><br />When I was teaching, I came to know hundreds of families, some over a number of years. Some of the saddest situations were in families where children were basically raising themselves. <br /><br />When it comes to children, I believe that they get the strongest start in life when they are surrounded unconditional love. I don't care what kind of family they come from, the one common characteristic of healthy families is love. Children need to be children, not little adults. They need opportunities to try all kinds of things, so they can discover their talents and passions. They need to be allowed to fail when the consequences are smaller, so they can develop resiliency and know that they can overcome obstacles. Children need to grow up within a moral framework, so they have a solid foundation and know right from wrong. They also need to learn compassion and empathy ~ two qualities that humanity must have if we are to survive. <br /><br />I agree that photos are truly a treat! People can communicate through photos, even when they don't know each others languages. Photos clearly show our common humanity ~ or sadly, our inhumanity. I truly enjoy looking at the photos you share, Baili. Your beautiful family gives me so much hope. <br /><br />We rarely hear positive things about Pakistan here in the US. What you are doing with your blog is truly important. People who visit your blog regularly learn so much about your country and culture. <br />Most important of all, readers of your blog can see the beauty in your country and culture and can realize that we have so much more in common than is different. I think that ordinary people sharing themselves with others around the world does more for peace than diplomats and leaders. I admire you and respect you for your courage in reaching out to people in a second language. I am monolingual, a fact that I am not proud of. I am so glad that I found your blog!<br /><br />I'm enjoying a lovely Fourth of July at home, although it is hot (by my standards). I am also praying for peace and hoping that world leaders act wisely and smartly. My biggest worry right now is that the world may descend into another world war. I see people in so many places living under horrific circumstances and suffering unimaginably because of war. Praying is, for sure, one thing I can do.<br /><br />Wishing you lots of love and joy today, as well as continued healing!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-81523424845943762402017-07-03T23:51:40.570-06:002017-07-03T23:51:40.570-06:00Whenever i read your beautiful post one thing spr...Whenever i read your beautiful post one thing springs in my mind frequently that whatever the environment or circumstances were your parents never let them effected on you kids in negative way.<br />among such hard seasons and stern conditions this is amazing that your brought up was brilliantly normal and exquisite .<br /><br />even you felt for others and helped them in great manner .<br />this is inspirational!!!<br /><br />you are an extraordinary person risen from extraordinary environment and circumstances . and i respect you for that alot !<br /><br />photos are truly a treat bailihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06498012175058870980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-24910550555318334192017-07-03T07:52:18.560-06:002017-07-03T07:52:18.560-06:00Hi, Peggy! I rode backwards a lot during my childh...Hi, Peggy! I rode backwards a lot during my childhood, LOL! When we were living in Lansdowne House, we all thought of it as an adventure. We went through some difficult times during my childhood; but that was our reality, and we perceived it as normal. Our parents sheltered us from many of their challenges, and we always had warmth and good food and books! It was novel to have five of us sleeping in bunks in a tiny bedroom, but most kids we knew anywhere shared beds and rooms. I think one reason that my siblings and I are so close all these years later, is that we spent so much time together growing up. We moved a lot, so the constant in our lives was each other. It was thrilling to me to move to the North, live among the Ojibwa, and explore an area of Canada that remains one of the least visited even today. I wouldn't have traded it for anything! I hope that you, Don, and your family have a lovely 4th. Hugs and love to you + a little belly rub for sweet Sadie!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-61723564693052932882017-07-03T05:32:32.577-06:002017-07-03T05:32:32.577-06:00I smiled at the April fool joke from your dad. Whe...I smiled at the April fool joke from your dad. When I think of your circumstances a lot of people would be discouraged. But your father seemed to make it fun and interesting wherever he was. He was quite a man. The picture of you kids in the way back brought back memories of my kids in the back of our station wagon. We called it the way back too. Peggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16610347687911147219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-74234604422359128142017-07-01T19:22:11.392-06:002017-07-01T19:22:11.392-06:00Thanks, Martha! I hope that you and George had an...Thanks, Martha! I hope that you and George had an awesome Canada Day!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-2961457047152590222017-07-01T19:21:36.135-06:002017-07-01T19:21:36.135-06:00Thanks, Geo! Your comment means a lot to me! Hav...Thanks, Geo! Your comment means a lot to me! Have a great July 4th weekend!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-17325448402443874452017-07-01T10:04:10.226-06:002017-07-01T10:04:10.226-06:00HAHAHA! Your dad was fun! These memories are price...HAHAHA! Your dad was fun! These memories are priceless!Marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09262406079948479112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-58048541250837198802017-06-30T23:37:14.570-06:002017-06-30T23:37:14.570-06:00Louise, you have a knack for bringing me right int...Louise, you have a knack for bringing me right into your adventures as a child. A welcome feeling as a reader. Thank you.Geo.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16221314320558128986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-4902268719596001672017-06-30T20:27:02.617-06:002017-06-30T20:27:02.617-06:00Oh, Janie! You are so right! Omar Sharif was dro...Oh, Janie! You are so right! Omar Sharif was drop dead gorgeous! The very best of eye candy! I hope that you are looking forward to a wonderful weekend! Take care, my friend! Sending you a big hug!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-76336045555733770272017-06-30T20:24:59.386-06:002017-06-30T20:24:59.386-06:00Hi, Linda! Thank you, yet again, for your lovely ...Hi, Linda! Thank you, yet again, for your lovely comment! I've just gotten back from a dinner and drinks with the parents of two students that I taught, as well as my decades long friend Cheri and her husband who also taught Alana and Erica, the same two students (Cheri taught them). What a lovely time we had talking over all the years. Alana went on to become a Rockette in New York and Jerica went on to become an off-Broadway dancer in NYC. We had the best time! Of all the hundreds of sets of parents I knew during my teaching career, Paulette and Mike have remained closest to me. As have their daughters. Sometimes it's just awesome to have one too many glasses of wine and talk your heart out for four hours with friends who have known you forever! Sending you big hugs and lots of love! Enjoy your weekend, my special Montreal friend! Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-36467623090946962762017-06-30T16:59:13.552-06:002017-06-30T16:59:13.552-06:00I love your dad's painting, and his mitts are ...I love your dad's painting, and his mitts are cool. I know nothing about bridge, but I like the photo of Omar Sharif. He was a gorgeous man. I'm not too old to enjoy eye candy.<br /><br />Love,<br />JanieJanie Junebughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10573607241326291404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-45369655107519674652017-06-30T15:49:00.113-06:002017-06-30T15:49:00.113-06:00Your posts always fascinate me and brighten my day...Your posts always fascinate me and brighten my day, Louise! And seeing all the photos only adds to this. Thank you so much for sharing, my cherished friend.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12692170857496442623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-36647245460453076892017-06-30T13:51:57.872-06:002017-06-30T13:51:57.872-06:00Hi, dear Jean! I always appreciate your encouragi...Hi, dear Jean! I always appreciate your encouraging comments. I hope you and Hugh are enjoying your statutory holiday. Also that you're both feeling well and energetic. <br /><br />Laundry was a huge issue for my mother. She had no electricity, no running water, and no heated water. She washed our clothes in a galvanized steel tub with a scrub board. Bertie's cloth diapers were boiled in a pail on the stove. <br /><br />Fortunately Bertie was getting potty-trained. Bertie was lucky because the rest of us had to use a chemical toilet which was basically a pail with some kind of chemicals in it under a seat. One of my lovely jobs was to empty that pail almost daily at the community site. I had to carry it quite a way and didn't want to slop the bucket. <br /><br />Mom would have disposed of wash water and sink water in a garbage pit we had a ways from the house ~ hand-carried by bucket. Any hot water she needed, she had to heat on the stove. <br /><br />Occasionally Mom would take the clothes over to Maureen's to wash and partly dry in her equipment at the DOT house that had electricity. Mostly she washed it at home though, because of the weather and looking after Bertie. It was too cold to hang clothing outside, so it was draped over clotheshorses to dry, or furniture, or a temporary line strung near the oil heater. <br /><br />Later that summer in Lac Seul, Mom and I actually scrubbed the clothes off rocks in the lakes. I thought that was pretty cool, like I was in India or Africa. I'm sure Mom didn't find it too romantic, especially after the first few times! LOL She was always on alert for bears which were in the area, and which we sometimes spotted.<br /><br />Have a good one!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-12869805597365167662017-06-30T13:32:08.229-06:002017-06-30T13:32:08.229-06:00I'll bet they did! LOL Have a great weekend wi...I'll bet they did! LOL Have a great weekend with your Rare One!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-86013628505825241952017-06-30T12:54:22.493-06:002017-06-30T12:54:22.493-06:00Oh How I so enjoy the letters and the stories. The...Oh How I so enjoy the letters and the stories. The tooth Fairy, your dad was so quick with his reply. And I always wonder how you Mum managed with the laundry washing, strings of clothes hung inside in front of the fire? A wringer washing machine? or was it a copper and tub and a hand wringer? What we have today and accept as the norm. Enjoy your weekend up North, down here.. already 1st July, Canada Day, a Federal Statutory Holiday!!! So no work for me as I celebrate your day in advance.Nancy Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11854698513524662527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-395015684554224322017-06-30T11:23:22.153-06:002017-06-30T11:23:22.153-06:00Louise, that photo of "Rhea on the ice" ...Louise, that photo of "Rhea on the ice" gave me quite a start! It looks exactly like an old photo I have of my Mom and her mother after the war . . . my grandmother is wearing that same fur coat with upturned collar and my Mom has those same fur-topped winter boots. It's positively uncanny! I wonder if everything came from Eaton's, lol!Debra She Who Seekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01845703092794695023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-590860279282162942017-06-30T10:10:05.450-06:002017-06-30T10:10:05.450-06:00Happy Friday, Pat! My father took great delight i...Happy Friday, Pat! My father took great delight in tricking us throughout his life. Have a great weekend!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-53816690474652739862017-06-30T10:05:38.064-06:002017-06-30T10:05:38.064-06:00Hi, Alex! Yes, we got our hunt on Easter Monday! ...Hi, Alex! Yes, we got our hunt on Easter Monday! The late Easter Bunny was up to his devilish tricks, despite his late start. Dad pointed out to the younger kids that it was tough for a bunny laden with eggs to get around in all that new snow. Several feet had fallen that previous Thursday. Dad was very sincere and believable when he had to explain away glitches. <br /><br />He did lose his cool once when I was a small child. The tail end of Hurricane Hazel hit northeastern Canada as a gale in 1954. I remember my father going around outside with a hurricane lamp the evening the storm was due making sure that everything was battened down. Nana, his mother, was particularly worried about the damage that might happen to her apartment building. <br /><br />I had more important things on my mind because I had lost a tooth. I tucked my tooth under my pillow for the fairy to find and went to sleep. I was distressed the next morning when I woke up to find my tooth still there. That far out-weighed the ripped out-of-the-ground and toppled chestnut trees across the street and the storm litter everywhere. My father had passed a sleepless night during the storm and had forgotten about the tooth fairy's task. When I asked, at 4 1/2, why she hadn't come, Dad replied (cover your ears, Alex!), "Jesus Christ, Louise! Do you think a fairy can fly in a God-damned hurricane?" She managed to make it the next night, a little wind-whipped (according to Dad) but okay.<br /><br />Have a good one, my friend! Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-81941799020003894102017-06-30T09:27:40.163-06:002017-06-30T09:27:40.163-06:00Mine, too, Adam! I'd say LOL, except it's...Mine, too, Adam! I'd say LOL, except it's no matter for LOL! Have a good one!Fundy Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02132147630106183853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-54804389866837760892017-06-30T08:51:33.236-06:002017-06-30T08:51:33.236-06:00I imagine moose hide would smell worse after being...I imagine moose hide would smell worse after being in the mail for a while. Quite the hand they got indeed. lol one way to get the kids all up and wide awake.Pat Hatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07745293224202430152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5349947899983990762.post-5252688212195798452017-06-30T06:23:20.399-06:002017-06-30T06:23:20.399-06:00He got you good!
Moose hide smells bad? Good to kn...He got you good!<br />Moose hide smells bad? Good to know.<br />Did you get your Easter egg hunt?Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.com