Palpable Excitement

I live in a city that had once been the home to an NHL hockey team, only to see that team get up and move away 15 years ago.  The damage that move did to some people's feelings has only lately been revealed with the return of the NHL to Winnipeg.  The support of the fans was not the reason that the team left our city, rather it was a combination of owners reluctant to pour any more money into the team, and the economics of the day.

As we were tantalized with the possibility of the NHL's return, you could feel the excitement ramping up in the city.  There were constant newspaper articles, radio talks shows dedicated to rumors, and denials by the ownership group, which continued unabated until people were gearing up to celebrate at almost any moment.  Finally, last week, the hockey fans in Winnipeg finally got the news they had been waiting to hear.  An NHL franchise was relocating to Winnipeg.

I happened to be in the car when the news conference announcing the return of NHL hockey was taking place, and I found myself surprised at the emotions I was feeling.  Relief (that it was finally true), excitement (that the best hockey was back in town), and yet I started to tear up as well.  When I pondered that, I realized that I had been holding on to a deep sense of disappointment - perhaps even grief.  I had taken my kids to the big send off for the Jets, and the emotional outpouring there was hard not to get caught up in.  Many others in our city have shown an almost over-the-top reaction to NHL hockey's return, and I can't help but wonder if they are just letting go of some of that grief they have been holding on to for 15 years.

Please forgive me as I compare this to the story of the prodigal son.  When he left his home for poor reasons, and wandered, trying to make his way in foreign lands, his family was back home patiently waiting for him.  When he finally returned, his father didn't care where he had been, or what had happened to him, he only rejoiced that his son was finally back, and the celebration of his return was indeed great.  Our team left and went to a foreign land, but since they have been gone, we only wanted to see them return.  The rejoicing that has occurred since they came back has been great.  Now if you will excuse me, I am going to kill the fatted calf!

Bodies - Ethical Dilemma or Teaching Tool?

I have wanted to go and see Bodies - The Exhibit for a while.  However there seems to be quite a bit of controversy surrounding the provenance of the actual bodies used in the exhibit.  The bodies come from China, and although the government of China says these are people who died of natural causes, and who were not claimed by relatives, there is some question as to whether this is really true.  China has not always been known for its support of human rights, and there is a fear that these bodies could actually be political prisoners whose families don't even know have died.

Here is where the dilemma comes in.  Although I had nothing to do with where these bodies came from, by attending this exhibition, am I giving support to a government who may or may not have killed these people in the first place?  Even if my attending will not bring these people back to life, should I, on principle, not go to send a clear message to the Chinese government - a message that says I want them to take a strong moral stand on human rights for their citizens?

I wrestled with this question for a couple of weeks, and in the end my husband and I did attend the exhibit.  It is truly amazing, and gives a whole new perspective to what I know about the human body.  To see three dimensional exhibits rather than photos or drawings in a text book just really brought home to me how intricate our body truly is and it is really unbelievable that people can say we evolved from primordial sludge when you see how everything works together.  God had a plan that cannot be denied!  it is really too bad that so many schools and school divisions would shy away from taking students to an exhibit of this kind, because it could be a tremendously valuable teaching tool.

Where does the time go?

So here it is, almost halfway through October, and I hardly remember September because it just flew by?  Have you ever had times like that in your life, when everything seems to go warp speed, and it becomes a blur in your mind?

We did get our wood floors and tile installed in the upstairs, and it is beautiful to have nice new flooring instead of old, worn carpeting.

School started for this year, and it has been really hectic, with lots of new students and a myriad of details to look after.

the dragon boat races were held, and we had a great weekend of fun - we didn't do too well, but we raised over $8,000 for Cancer Care, so yeah team!

We are celebrating Thanksgiving today, and it is very different not to do that with Mom and Dad this year, so we are headed out to a restaurant with the family that we have here in the city (Happy Thanksgiving, Deb and Jason).

To you and yours, I hope that you can find all kinds of things to be thankful for.  I know I have.

Zip to the Bottom

Today we had the most fun I have had in a while.  We went to the local zip line adventure company.  It was the perfect day, although we thought it might not be when we started out.  Rain and overcast skies with cool temperatures made us think it might not be so great, but we decided to forge on anyway and make the weather part of the adventure.  My husband prayed that it would be overcast, but dry.  When we got to the zip lines, sure enough the skies cleared slightly and the rain disappeared!  Not that I should have doubted God (he definitely is not from Environment Canada).  We even saw a bit of sun peeking out once in a while, and it warmed up enough to take off our jackets.

I was a bit apprehensive on the first line, but when I started down the line it was a sense of exhilaration that I was feeling!  However the steep climb to the second line nearly did me in.  Burning chest and leg muscles let me know how really out of shape I am.  Fortunately the climbs to the other four lines were a lot shorter, and less steep.  The views of the Pembina Valley were amazing, and it was great to be able to see God's hand in a panoramic scene.  It was over too soon, and now we can look forward to trying the really big ones in BC when we get a chance.  Great fun!!  Two thumbs up!!  Good times for all!!

What a meal!

One of the things my husband and I like to do during the summer months is try different restaurants in our area.  We always try to find small places that we have not gone to before and check them out.  Sometimes they are a bit disappointing, but sometimes we find hidden gems with delicious homemade food.  Today we went to Selkirk for lunch and tried The Maple Tree restaurant.  WOW!!!! I don't know what else to say.  Although the prices are expensive, the food is worth every penny and more.  The chef fuses such a combination of ingredients that you (or at least I) would never dream of putting together that it shouldn't work - but it does.  We started off with cream of mushroom and cinnamon soup.  Delicious!  The taste of the cinnamon was recognizable, but not overpowering in any way.  We then had an entree of chicken breast stuffed with strawberries and favia cheese with a sauce of coconut milk and peppercorn.  Our dessert was Mauii wowee cheesecake.  I am not usually one to rave about a restaurant, but I still can't believe how much I enjoyed this meal.  Apparently they change the menu up about every six weeks to take advantage of what is fresh locally.  Lots to look forward to.  I have added a link to a restaurant review by the Free Press as well.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/entertainment/restaurants/tree-mendous-value-in-selkirk-91013779.html

Battle of the Hurdlers

I just got back from the Canadian National Track and Field Championships in Toronto.  This meet was fairly sedate for a national championship - not all of the best athletes were in attendance, but those who were put on a show for us.

The best race was saved for the last of the meet - the womens 100m hurdles, featuring Angela White, Priscilla Lopes-Schlupe, and Perdita Felicien.  It was a great race with these 3 ladies separated by only thousandths of a second.

I was also excited to be able to watch one of our hometown girls place second in the 1500m.  Nicole Edwards trained with my son, and it was a pleasure to sit with her parents and watch her preliminary race.  She did well enough to be named to the Canadian Commonwealth Games Team going to India in October.  Way to go Nicole!

Dog Days of summer

Summertime and the livin' is easy - I have been trying to just get in some relaxation.  I have had to work a few days, but I am looking forward to the next little while where I don't have to go in to work until August 23rd.  I am heading to the center of the universe next week (Toronto - for those of you who don't come from there) to work at the Canadian National Track and Field Championships.  After that my summer plans are just to get some things done around the house that seem to gather all the rest of the year, waiting for us to have some spare time and energy to devote to them.

I am looking forward to lazing around with my sweet dog and my even sweeter husband.  If you enjoy doing nothing, come on over and get in on the (non)action.  We're always happy for company!