"I'm Here for You"

Isabel's room was rocking on Wednesday with three visitors, maintenance folks drilling holes in the hallway just outside her door, and Mum's CD player cranked up. Her latest addition to her music collection is a new gift CD from one of her favourite local musicians, Len Gadica of Melville. 

Len has followed Mum's WNVNS story and sent along his new CD, "I'm Here for You" to acknowledge her support of him and his music over the years.  Jigs, polkas, waltzes, and schottisches make up this collection.  

The "Hocus Pocus Polka" and the "Morning Glory Schottische" have enough speed and rhythm to rev up any lengthy physiotherapy session or marathon run.  But Isabel's favourite is still "I've Played All Around".  Len's version of this familiar classic includes the names of the many Saskatchewan dance halls where he has played his old-time music.  YES, Abernethy, Balcarres, Lemberg, Fort Qu'Appelle, and Tullymet made the cut.

Len says on the CD cover "I've come to know and appreciate what a powerful force music can be as a comforter, an uplifter, a friend...."

So here's Isabel's chance to support Len and his work.  For his next performance and his CDs, check out his website at: 

http://www.lengadica.com/

By the way: The Boston Marathon was super.  Amanda had a great run!   And Isabel's progress continues in her 9-10 AM physiotherapy sessions.

Crocuses and Marathons

The prairie crocuses are blooming. They courageously poke through the earth, bending with the wind, persistent in their pale beauty, offering their fragile goodness to the world around them. Their very existence speaks of tenacity lived out in beauty.  The crocus brings a sense of hope in the midst of what can be a drab time of year.  Isabel's eyes lit up when two of her grand-kids roared into her room this weekend with a bowl full of these symbols of spring.

It is time to think of marathons again.

Monday, April 21 is the Boston Marathon and Isabel will be awaiting news of her grand-niece Amanda Froehlich of Marquis.  Amanda's winning time at Regina's Queen City Marathon last September has qualified her to run in Boston on Monday.

Isabel's own marathon continues with positive news.  Each week, Mum's strength and energy increases and her contractured fingers and feet move a little more.  She has gained considerable strength in her legs and torso which means she can tolerate more physiotherapy. Isabel continues to move forward in her recovery.

Amanda and Isabel come from a long line of athletes, and we are cheering them on.

Amanda: here's to you and your Monday run among 30000 other dedicated runners in Boston.  Go # 4310!

Isabel: here's to you and your physio session between 8-9 AM in your room on 2-6 each weekday morning. Go #2-649!

We are cheering you both -- and your tenacity, hope and courage!

A Toast to Community Theatre

This past weekend was Abernethy's Dinner Theatre weekend. For over 20 years, the community has staged four evenings of great food and entertainment. Isabel has always been an integral member of the "dinner" part of the weekend. She actively participated this year through dictating recommendations on her letterboard to the other committee members and phoning them throughout the weekend to hear how it was going.

Mum repeatedly said how much she missed being in Abernethy this weekend, however she is looking forward to seeing the video of the production.

For each day of the Aber production, Isabel watched the DVD of The Pull of the Land -- the Sequel. This engaging show is a first class dinner theatre production that emerged from another small community. For three years, the United Church at Harris, Saskatchewan (just west of Saskatoon) staged a locally written musical telling the stories of the gifts and challenges of rural life in Saskatchewan. After over 60 productions, the original show was put to rest and the Sequel was mounted in the Fall of 2007.

After viewing the DVD, Isabel gave the show her highest recommendation. The Sequel will be staged again at Harris this summer July 9-12. See

http://www.skyhighproductions.sk.ca/

for more info about this great show.

This blog entry could also be called Sunshine in Saskatchewan. With temperatures over 20 degrees Celsius, Isabel and family members have been catching the rays on the outside terrace just next to her room at Wascana. That was between curling matches. When it is Scotland and Canada in the championship game, for whom does one cheer?!

This weekend, Isabel also attended a Gospel Concert in Wascana's Concourse and enjoyed a surprise visit from three long-time friends from Abernethy. For over two hours, Isabel hosted her friends in the solarium as they all shared news and jokes about the blessings and ironies of life.

For small rural communities and the gifts of leadership, volunteerism, friendship, tenacity and laughter, we give THANKS!

Gardening at Isabel's

Isabel has a large east-facing picture window and a wide window sill which provides room for an abundance of plants and flowers.  She ~ and we ~ are enjoying the great variety that visitors bring through her door. Thank you!  Right now there are miniature roses (the whole plant), a prayer plant, and a kalanche that has bloomed for over two months. And of course, pussy willows who wait patiently for the first wild crocuses to join them.

Mum has been reading and rereading a poem by Mary Oliver that speaks to the sunshine that enters her room through this big window in the morning, and through her door in the afternoon.  She forwarded it in a card to a friend who was in hospital.  Isabel spelled on her letterboard IT IS ONE TO PASS ON - NOT KEEP TO YOURSELF.  And so we pass it on here to you ~ Isabel's family and friends ~ 

Why I wake early

 

Hello, sun in my face.

Hello, you who make the morning

and spread it over the fields

and into the faces of the tulips

and the nodding morning glories,

and into the windows of, even, the

miserable, and the crotchety --

 

best preacher that ever was,

dear star, that just happens

to be where you are in the universe

to keep us from ever darkness,

to ease us with warm touching,

to hold us in the great hands of light --

good morning, good morning, good morning.

 

Watch, now, how I start the day

in happiness, in kindness.

        - by Mary Oliver

Good morning to you ~ and thanks for your enduring acts of kindness as you hang-in with us ~

Isabel and the Gang

"One of My Wildest Experiences"

For years, Isabel was an enthusiastic curler and continues to be a devoted spectator of the game.  She was cheering for Canada and Scotland in the Women's World Championship.  She had bets with her staff, and yes, Canada won the Women's Worlds and she won her bet!  A particular nurse who often stops by was betting on China.  He teases Isabel a lot so Mum was pleased to win her bet in that championship game. Mum has enjoyed having several of the Wascana staff checking every 2-3 ends as few other residents are such keen fans.

During the last two weeks between matches, Isabel had been reviewing what she calls her WEST NILE SAGA.  In an effort to make sense of what has happened in her life since last August and to piece together the various events, she has been asking questions of family, and reading this blog site, and her Visitors' Book as well as news articles about West Nile. Some of the story seems unbelievable to Mum although she admitted I HAVE TO  BELIEVE IT AS IT IS IN BLACK AND WHITE.  

At another point after a half hour of reading, she shook her head, rolled her eyes and spelled on her letterboard THIS IS ONE OF MY WILDEST EXPERIENCES.

Yes, Isabel, you better believe it ~ and you definitely get the last word this week!