"Here's to you, Miss Robertson"

Some of the greatest gifts that Isabel has enjoyed over the last year
are the cards, letters, phone calls and visits from former students.
You started writing, phoning, and coming last August... and your
greetings and wishes still come each week. THANK YOU.

Isabel's teaching career as "Miss Robertson" occurred between 1948
and 1953 in a variety of one-room (Grades 1-10) to four-room
schools. Mum has heard from colleagues from her Normal School and
University days, and from teachers and/or students in each of her
schools (Unity School near Clavet, Minnehaha north of North
Battleford, Melfort, and Abernethy).

One student invited Mum to his 75th birthday party. Two sisters
(former students) travelled nearly 7 hours for a Saturday afternoon
visit. (Mum had visited one of them over 20 years ago; another she
has not seen since 1949.)

Amid this horrendous year in Mum's life, we are ever grateful for the
connections made and sustained. Thank you again.

Mum has a new photo album in her Wascana room titled: "Miss
Robertson's Teaching Days". Some of you have sent photos from over
50 years ago. We have added these to the photo album along with ones
from Mum's photo albums.... and we will add more.

Here's to you, Miss Robertson, and the wonderful student and teacher
friends that you have made over the years!

Fair Day

It's Fair Day today - the 101st anniversary of the Abernethy Fair!

It's the first time in well over 55 years that Isabel has not
submitted entries -- but her heart is there with all of you as you
clean and mow, coordinate the pet show and children's races, bake and
sew, build the horse ring, and serve pork and pie.

Thanks to all of you Aber folk who have acknowledged how much you
miss Mum's physical presence this week while at the same time knowing
she is with you in heart!

There will be family visiting Isabel today -- and another therapy
session -- and who knows who will walk through her door or on to the
garden terrace with a story or good cheer.

And yes, Aber folk, Isabel is waiting for your phone calls and
letters to tell her everything that happened at the Fair. Who did you
see? Who won best pastry and best fudge? How many horse entries were
there? How many came for the pork supper? And did you have a sunny
day once again?

We are grateful for small communities and the volunteers who year and
after contribute hours of time to make a show that continues to
create memories... generation after generation...

Thanks and cheers to all of you - and here's to the 101st... and the
102nd!

Wide Window Sills

Along with the abundant beauty of Wascana Lake and Park, hundreds of
colourful fragrant blossoms from gardens, pastures, roadsides, crops,
and original prairie have made their way to Isabel's room in the last
month.

Lilacs, roses, iris, lilies, columbine, peonies, sweet rocket,
buffalo beans, hoary puccoon, apple and cherry blossoms, mountain
ash, maltese cross, foxglove, begonias, pansies, canola, flax,
daisies, delphinium, violets.....

One evening a nurse dressed in a tri-purple uniform gathered up all
Mum's tri-coloured lilacs and carried them around the 2-6 unit to
share with all the other residents.

Mum is long-term gardener grateful for a picture window with a wide
window sill and flowers to share with others.

Summer in the City....

.... and time for outings... through Wascana Park paths lined with
abundant green trees and shrubs....to Wascana Lake on the Canada Day
weekend to watch kayaking races and the antics of ducklings.... to
Isabel's terrace garden to sit among geraniums, marigolds, poppies,
lavatera, viola, pansies, sedum, scarlet runner beans, and wave
petunias.

We are grateful for all these opportunities to enjoy the sun....