Happy Birthday, Isabel!

It's been a good week! An outing for Family Christmas and a drive home under the stars (the first in 4.5 years).

And then a Birthday Celebration with many family and friends and other BICC residents in the relaxed Blue(bird) Wing of the BICC. Angel cake, ice cream and raspberries and strawberries. Lots of time for Mum & Rufus lll to wheel around and visit with everyone ~ aged 8 to 95.

Gratitude again at this year's end!

Thank you All!

Happy New Year!

Christmas Best Wishes

On the occasion of the 200th Post on Isabel's Blog:

Wishing All ~ the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of the Advent Season

and a Merry Christmas to All!
Love Isabel

Photo is of the Nativity Scene in the BICC courtyard

(Click on any of the images to make them larger)

The Calling Lakes Choir

Add the Calling Lakes Choir to your bucket list!

"Isabel and Friends" attended the 11th annual Calling Lakes Choir SONG OF JOY in Fort Qu'Appelle Sunday afternoon. Thanks Nephew Richard for saving a row of seats for Aunt Isabel and her gang before you and Ann joined the singers.

Wendy Barker describes the performance in this article:

http://www.leaderpost.com/entertainment/Performances+Calling+Lakes+Choir/5821838/story.html

Mum was a regular at the Sunday afternoon performance prior to her move to Regina. It's great to be back again!

Love that Hallelujah Chorus and Stille Nacht in German.....

A talented group of 60 performers does it again!

Thank you, All!

Parties x 3

Isabel is grateful for the Christmas greetings she is receiving through phone calls, cards, letters and visits. Thank you!

Several of you have asked whether there are special activities happening at the BICC this month.

Last week, Mum enjoyed parties three days in a row.

Wednesday - the December Birthday Party with musical entertainment from Melville and recognition of all residents celebrating a birthday this month.

Thursday - the annual BICC Christmas Tea where each of the 40 plus residents may bring 6 guests. Thanks to Aber friends Annis C, Mina S, Joy M, Norma G and Peggy M who joined Isabel and Catherine for the afternoon of good food, visiting and carol singing led by a Regina twosome (The Litzenbergers) on keyboard and guitar. Isabel's table was kitty-corner from sister-in-law Gertie and friend Kay Sherrick so there was lots of to-ing and fro-ing with their guests. Today's photo shows Isabel's table. Click on it to make it larger.

Friday - a quiet tea in the Blue(bird) Wing with flowers and home-baked goodies & coffee and conversation to celebrate the December Birthday Gals (Kay Walters, Peggy McMorris and Isabel). Cheers to the BICC Kitchen Staff who produces coffee and snacks at a moment's notice anywhere in the complex!

Toe-Tapping Times

The last four+ years have brought so many changes in Isabel's life.

Activities she will never do and people she will never see again.

New activities and new people that have brought support and friendship in ways we could have never imagined.

But sometimes traditions and seeing familiar faces do happen again ~ old Christmas traditions with new twists.

During the long winters at Wascana, entertainer Len Gadica wrote Isabel along with sending his new CD, "I'm Here For You". Mum was so pleased to have his dance music accompany her while doing her exercises in her power-chair on Unit 2-6.

Much to Isabel's delight she was able to go to the Abernethy Seniors' Christmas Party & Dance last Saturday where once again she listened to Len's lively music with many of her Aber friends. Mum & Nancy chatted with Len in the sunny mild winter air before they headed back to the BICC, and he headed off to play another gig.

http://www.lengadica.com/

Mum arrived back at the BICC in time to hear Saskatchewan Express ~ "the Young Version". Fifteen young people brought their music, dance, and drama to the BICC for an afternoon of entertainment.

http://www.saskatchewanexpress.com/

Gratitude for the gift of music amid Advent Hope, Peace, Joy and Love on this Bethlehem journey.

Afternoon Tea

A lovely November Day; a friend's new suite in Abernethy ready for viewing; friends meeting for tea and conversation. China tea cups well over 80 years old. Four old friends sharing 8 or 9 decades (each!) of wisdom and laugher. A new quilt in the making admired. Isabel walking comfortably from the car and up the steps across the threshold to sit in a regular chair.

Isabel is on the go again and walked 966 steps on November 24 on her morning tour of the BICC.

Days shortening; Advent coming. Gratitude for health and community and each day.

A Bend in the Road

Thanks all of you for your support over the last month during Isabel's two recent episodes in hospital. We are hopeful that Mum's gastro-intestinal issues have been sorted out. She appears to be on the road to regain her strength again. Mum's spirit is determined and feisty and that always carries her a long way.

We are grateful for your care that has come in many ways through cards, WELL WISHES, emails, visits, and phone calls.

Thank you all!

Harvest-Home

On this Thanksgiving Weekend, Isabel often thinks of her Scottish & English friends and family and their traditions of Harvest-Home. Honouring the gathering-in; joining family and friends; sharing produce with others. Just as we do in Canada.

"Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home."

- "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Gratitude again and again for family and friends; caregivers and visitors; and letter-writers and callers.

And all who make community and extend the circle in so many ways.

Happy Thanksgiving!

When one door closes.....

During the last 3 years, many of you have commented on Isabel's visits to the Regina Floral Conservatory ~ that wonderful tropical paradise in the midst of north Regina. Early this autumn, Isabel discovered its equal in the Qu'Appelle Valley at the home of her friends, Sydna and Phillip in Fort Qu'Appelle.

Their creativity and hard work has turned a large pie-shaped lot into a place of wonder. Sydna has carefully nurtured plants from her native west coast to survive Saskatchewan's colder climate. The greenhouse grows large melons; strawberries tip over the edges of deck pots; the deckside herb garden fragrants the air; lilies of exquisite colours bloom throughout the summer.

Sydna shares her secret for making cut lilies last longer. Remove the pistil.

As we moved throughout the garden, Sydna dropped herbs and blossoms on Isabel's letter-board on Mum's lap so she could enjoy the whiffs of summer.

As Isabel leaves after her hour+ visit, Sydna invites her back to see her spring bulbs in May. As she got into the car, Sydna filled Mum's arms with gladioli ~ coral, royal purple, brilliant red, lemon, burgundy ~ for her room at the BICC.

When Mum left Regina, she knew that she may not visit the Floral Conservatory again.

A new garden of wonder has become available.

When one door closes, another opens.

Paying One's Dues

Last Wednesday, Isabel had opportunity to once again attend the monthly Aber Seniors' Meeting on Main Street, Abernethy. We kidded her that she could just walk though the door as she had kept up her annual membership since moving to Regina 4 years ago.

So she did just that. Isabel walked up the steps and through the door to take her place at the table to vote on motions, share in conversation with old friends, and celebrate former neighbour Harry's 95th birthday with live music. Thanks Larry & Marj. Your musical presence has graced Wascana for nearly four years (and continues to do so). AND it is wonderful for Mum to hear you back in Abernethy as well. And at the BICC the day before that!

This opportunity for Isabel to re-engage with some former Abernethy community activities while living at the BICC was beyond our imagination a year ago!

Hanging Out in the Field

Oh, bliss!

Chaff in the hair.....sun and dust in the eyes....the smell of ripened grain everywhere.

Isabel had opportunity to be in the field chatting with the family operators, inspecting unshelled heads, and watching the grain augured into the bin.

There's her wave from the passenger seat.

Home again!

Bottling Summer

It is nearly 3 months since Isabel moved to the BICC. The time has flown; most nursing and therapy plans are in place; Isabel's Visitors' Book contains the names of new and old friends; and Isabel has frequently "signed out".

"Signed out" means "outings" away from her new home, and these outings have averaged 3 per week this last month ~ the valley, farms & a ranch, a coffee party in Abernethy, drives to see crops and combining. The summer has been long and hot and the opportunities to be out and about have been many.

One day in late August, Isabel and several friends who live at the BICC had two tea times discussing "preserving the garden". Varieties of pickles and preserves; canning pork and chicken; boiling sealers of peaches and plums; freezing rhubarb and blanching peas. The easiest and best methods of each were discussed at length including how technique changed over the decades.

These conversations included the many ways we bottle summer colours and flavours for the long winter months ahead.

Drives in the country on a summer day with a light sweater thrown around the shoulders are like "bottling summer" for the long winter days ahead.

But first, harvest and autumn and more sunny days to come. Bring on the sign-out sheet!

Strength for Today & Hope for Tomorrow

Isabel's West Nile Survivor friends have a common inspirational motto that has sustained them during these last four years:

"Strength for today and hope for tomorrow".

Today, "four years of Sundays" after the last time Isabel went to Knox United Church in Abernethy, she was delighted to find herself back in the sanctuary amid the beautiful stained glass and familiar faces once again.

Much to the surprise of Isabel and her driver, we discovered that the first hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness, contains the words "Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow" which told us the origin of the familiar West Nile Survivors' motto.

Isabel sat in her portable wheelchair. "Your comfortable pew!" quipped an old friend mimicking a book about church-goers written decades ago.

Isabel responded: "It's great to be here. I never imagined I would be here again except in a 6 foot box!!!"

Gratitude again.

Great is thy faithfulness, God our Creator,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not,

as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see,

All I have needed thy hand hath provided

Great is thy faithfulness, ever to me.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Wondrous the portion thy blessings provide.

- T Chisholm (lyrics) and W Runyan (music) in Voices United #288

Four Years Later

August 7, 2007 (Four years ago)

The entry in Isabel's diary tells of her waking with an upset stomach and not feeling "quite right". She and her friend, Clayton, rehung the door on Foster School following an act of vandalism.

That was Isabel's last entry. Each day thereafter she became increasingly ill until five days later entered the Intensive Care Unit of the Regina General Hospital.

Four years! Where have they gone? Months and months of dogged determination to fight back to health; weeks then months of being unable to move any part of her body on her own other than her eyes; months and years of letters, phone calls and visits from friends; training well over 100 nurses how to care for her daily needs; gratitude to family and friends and therapists and other medical staff who never gave up.

And now back on "my own home territory" (Isabel's words) to enjoy a summer on the prairie....wild flowers and garden bouquets in her room....walks outside with a nurse before 8 AM each day......drives in the country.....pop-in visits from family and friends.

Deep gratitude, again and again.

The Aber Fair

The 100th anniversary of the Abernethy Fair in 2007 was the last big social event that Isabel attended before her West Nile trip to hospital in Regina four years ago.

This year, the 104th year of The Fair never being rained out, saw Isabel back at the big community event.

Mum said she would come to The Fair for two hours. With her hand stamped and entry fee paid, Mum headed in through the gates. Nearly seven hours later, back at the BICC, she rolled passed the nurses' desk to her room and said: "I hope I am not going to be kicked out for being so late!"

Isabel sat in the car watching the horse show and talking to people non-stop all afternoon.

One small boy remarked: "Isabel is just like a star. There are really long line-ups to see her!"

A Wascana employee who rides at the Aber Fair each year rode up beside Isabel so she and her horse could have a chat.

Gratitude for 104 years of volunteers who make this special day happen, and for old friends and community folks who lined up to express their special version of WELCOME HOME, ISABEL!

Cruising by the Coop

Isabel returned to Abernethy last week for a leisurely drive around town.

Her old stompin' grounds are only 9 miles from her new home at Balcarres so there is much you can see on an evening's drive.

Visiting "the gals" at the Coop......wishing Bill M a "Happy 80th Birthday".....stopping by the homes of 6 sets of old friends...and then driving the rural roads to see all the water.

It's good to be home!

A Move Down the Hall

On Tuesday, June 28, we received the call that Isabel was packing her bags in her "hotel room" (a lovely large acute care room) as her new room in longterm care was available. So Mum has her room at the BICC ~ a small single room with a window that opens. Over three years ago, when Mum learned that she would be moving from hospital to Wascana, she painstakingly asked through nods as we pointed to letters on her letter-board whether she would have a single room and if the window opened. YES!

We are thankful that this is the case at the BICC as well. Isabel is settling in. It's a new environment, a new "culture", and she and we are thankful for the welcome and hospitality that has come from old friends that live at the BICC and in the Balcarres and Abernethy communities.

Mum and Rufus lll are whizzing around the wide halls, and she is thankful to have her old faithful walker from Wascana accompany her on daily walks outside and inside.

Gratitude for long summer days and friends and family so close.

Life at the BICC

A number of you have inquired about Isabel's move.

Isabel is currently occupying a room in the acute care part of the BICC while she waits for a longterm care bed to come open.

Isabel has been thrilled to visit friends who live at the BICC; and to host friends and family from Abernethy and Balcarres in her room. She has a large window that opens, and has a longview looking east over grass and the parking lot and all along the south part of town. She can watch the coming and goings of staff and visitors.

Mum has enjoyed daily walks inside or outside with her specialized walker, and looks forward to resuming her bicycling program soon.

She and her powerchair Rufus lll are free to travel throughout the building (all on one floor) and into the beautiful courtyard lined with well-tended perennial flowerbeds. The hallways are wide and Rufus lll has been behaving himself. To our knowledge, Isabel has the only powerchair in the building. (Thank you Wascana!)

The BICC is a facility that is 11 years old and it is just 9 miles from daughters Nancy & Janet's homes. It has 53 "beds"; 9 are acute care; the rest are longterm.

Although Mum's primary community is Abernethy (also 9 miles away), she is familiar with Balcarres and the BICC having visited here many times.

This move really is "coming home".

Two Quotes Worth Mentioning

As Isabel settles into the BICC at Balcarres:

from a therapist on Friday: "Wascana is just not going to be the same without Isabel."

from Isabel on Saturday: "Could I use your cellphone to phone my friends in Abernethy to tell them I am HOME?"

Isabel Walks Out of Wascana

On Friday morning June 17, Isabel walked out of Wascana to the cheers of therapists, friends, and family. She climbed in a family car and began the journey to her new home at Balcarres Integrated Care Centre one hour east of Regina, and within 9 miles of the family farms and Abernethy (her home for nearly 60 years).

Moving home is a dream come true! And happened much sooner than we expected.

On Saturday, she was able to participate in part of the Grade 12 graduation festivities for grandson John. Sixteen names were in her visitors' book by the end of the day.

There is much more to write including Isabel's new contact information!

With gratitude for another miracle!

Spring Blossoms Again

Thursday May 26

Saskatoon (photo to the left) and chokecherry blossoms carried from the Qu'Appelle Valley for Isabel's room; and a lovely drive with Mum through the south of Regina exclaiming each time we saw a flowering tree or shrub or tulip or purple spring thyme. We drove slowly and gawked at the beauty ~ all a little 'stunned' and startled at the intense spring beauty after this long winter and spring that has come so slow. A lovely drive with sun and mixed cloud before the wind and rain set in.

And now, please, some sun for our soaked fields.....and for courtyard trees visible from Isabel's room all still in their early spring green.

The Highland Games

Isabel & family members spent Sunday of "The May Long" (aka as Victoria Day weekend) on the grounds of the University of Regina at the Regina Highland Games. There were several lovely hours of Isabel parked with her portable chair amid the stereo sounds of pipe bands practicing all around her before heading into the competitive circle with a bevy of kilted judges that looked like they had just come down from the Highlands. Isabel wore her Robertson tartan cape amid sun, wind and showers and was filmed by all three local TV stations but we don't think she made it to stardom! A relaxing afternoon for us all.

Spring Blooms

On Friday, Isabel and family members enjoyed their annual outing to the Regina Floral Conservatory. The Conservatory is a beautiful tropical garden with seasonal displays.

Rose, one of the volunteers set up a lovely tea and welcomed us once again as she has for three years. The tulips and daffs are well past, but huge hydrangeas in purples and pinks, and roses and gerber daisies in every colour welcomed us at every turn.

This is the first year that Rufus, Mum's wheelchair, has not accompanied her. Mum can now transfer quite easily from her portable chair to a car so we loaded up her folding portable wheelchair in the trunk ("boot" to our UK friends and family) and off we went. Mum had a front seat view across Regina.

We highly recommend a visit to the Conservatory and are grateful to the many volunteers who create this place of beauty.

Check it out at: http://www.reginafloralconservatory.ca/

March was Horse Month

Horse-y greetings kept rolling in all of March and April ~ and finally, it is time to say THANK YOU for the wonderful variety of horse stories and photos that came through Isabel's door the last two months.

Isabel has enjoyed:

* a story from a 90+ friend about buying his first horse when he was 16 back in the 30s in windy dust SW Saskatchewan

* a photo of Isabel's mother Rhoda and 25 Clydesdales on the Robertson Farm at Bradwell in the 1920s (this photo was sent by Mum's 106 year old friend Ernie from High River)

* Saskatoon Horse Show Programs from the 1940s that highlighted Isabel's Dad Charlie Robertson as Judge and Ringmaster

* stories of her Cousins Drew and David learning to ride at Bradwell in the 1940s.

* Links to newsarticles and video links about musical rides and training for calf roping in Pheasant Creek

* poems and horse cards and stickers and many other stories of learning to ride, fall off, and ride again.

Thanks to everyone who made the effort to send a horse-y greeting over the last two months.

Happy Spring everyone ~ as the water on the prairies continues to move, run-off, sit and seep.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everyone!

And thank you for all your Easter Greetings.

Thanks, too, for all the greetings that you sent for HORSE month!

Love Isabel

Prairie Waters

Isabel had her first spring outing on Monday. Sunshine, warmth, and no jacket needed as we headed out in the late afternoon. Isabel's increasing strength and balance meant for an easy transfer from her portable wheelchair to the car. And away we went west of Regina towards Pense. Mum said that the hour's drive made real the flooding that she has been seeing on each newscast on TV (local and national). She estimated that 40% of the farm land was flooded. We are thankful for Mum's increasing mobility and the spring warmth and wind to get the snow moving and to dry the ground.

Photo is of the elevator at Pense with grain fields in the foreground.

Curling Again

Last evening Isabel's friend Elaine breezed in with a personalized autographed photo of Team Canada.

So now the two photos of the Men's Teams ~ Team Canada and Team Scotland ~ sit side by side.

And guess who meets who in tonight's Final Game?

Yea Canada! Yea Scotland!

And Yea! People of Saskatchewan who have done such a fine job of hosting this international event.

Curling!

The Men's World Curling Championships are happening in Regina this week. As usual, Isabel is skipping behind the glass from Room M-519 at Wascana. She provides commentary on rocks as they leave the hack, are swept, and slip into the house. Visitors sit down to add their views. A security guard at Wascana often drops by to catch an end update. Mum, are you under careful watch for some reason?!?!

Dilemma! Tuesday evening Canada meets Scotland ~ both rinks undefeated. Who will Isabel cheer for?

At 5:30 pm that day, a friend sweeps through her door in a Saskatchewan Roughrider T-shirt to deliver souvenirs to one of Wascana's biggest curling fans. Elaine is working at the Information Centre at "The World's" this week. On GREEN DAY at the competition, she acquires a large postcard of the Scottish team autographed by the players, their partners, and other supporters with the inscription: To Isabel~ Get Well Soon~ Best wishes from Team Scotland and their Supporters. Let's Go Scotland, Let's Go!

Decision made. Isabel will cheer for Scotland in their first game against Canada.

The daily newspaper from the Brandt Centre features Scotland. The newspaper and an autographed photo of Amber Holland's Team Canada (Women's Event) are also part of Elaine's surprise delivery.

Isabel certainly expects Canada & Scotland to meet up again, and admits she will cheer for Jeff Stoughton's Team Canada rink from Manitoba. After all, she knows that when Amber Holland's Saskatchewan Team beat Jennifer Jones' Manitoba team for the right to represent Canada at the World Women's Championship, many of her Manitoba friends were cheering for Holland's team.

It has been a loooonnng winter in Saskatchewan and there is still snow in Regina for this last big international curling championship of the year. Mum has loved watching curling hour after hour day after day between therapy appts this winter. She says her eyes are tired! Hmmmm...wonder why?

"You Raise Me Up"

On Thursday evening, 15 members of Prairie Gold, Regina's 4 part harmony women's chorus braved a windy evening to bring their gift of song to Wascana residents and family members. 40 minutes of non-stop harmony took us through the snowy winters of Saskatchewan ("with feet frozen to the ground") to memories and anticipation of warm sunny beaches and summer outings. One of Isabel's favourites was Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up". One of Isabel's favourite recordings of this inspirational song is by Celtic Woman whom she heard sing at Regina's Connexus Art Centre last fall. Here is the Youtube link to Celtic Woman followed by the lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faKFcfytlxU

"You Raise Me Up"

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

March is Horse Month

The staff on Mum’s new unit have noticed the photographs of horses in her room including those of Rufus the First back in 1948. They have asked lots of questions about her interest in horses.

Isabel had not had opportunity to see any horses (in real life) since her move to Regina. However, on Friday morning, we just missed seeing two moose between the north side of Wascana Rehab Centre and Wascana Lake. Yes, two moose!

Some of you have written asking what Isabel is enjoying reading these days. I suggested to some of you that March could be HORSE Month. If you happen to be writing Isabel in March, would you please consider sending something about a horse? It might be a card, or a photo from a newspaper, or a story of a horse that you knew ~ anything to do with horses! Thank you!

A Winter of Red Blooms

Isabel and her friends, Beth and Carl have been gardening all winter. Gifts of amaryllis bulbs throughout November and January have meant nearly non-stop blooms for four months. When Isabel left Unit 2-6 in early January, her neighbour Beth and Beth's husband, Carl promised to keep watering and turning the bulbs that had just arrived. Each time Isabel would venture upstairs to her old stompin' grounds the stalks would have grown three inches.

Tending and enjoying them in the midst of this long winter has brought much enjoyment and a little adventure. One night a nurse accidentally sent one flying across her room. Mum thought it was in a 100 pieces but the apologetic nurse cut off the stems and the blossoms continued for another two weeks in a large vase.

We are grateful for this gift of colour and light in the winter; for friends who enabled the bulbs to be purchased; for Beth & Carl who have watched over them so carefully; and for Sandra, Mum's volunteer who tends her plants and flowers ever so carefully (under Isabel's direction) each Tuesday afternoon.

The Scot and the Scotties

Several of you have inquired how Isabel celebrated Robbie Burns' Day this year. January 25 is the Scottish Bard's Birthday and Isabel has been known to throw some wild parties!

We were slower off the mark this year and finally, February 27th was the designated day. It has been a slow winter!

Last Sunday, we found two hours between the Bronze Medal Scotties Game and that excellent Gold Medal Curling Game. Three Regina folks of Scottish ancestry showed up wearing Scottish pins, kilts and/or big smiles. There was no haggis this year but we did find shortbread, strong tea, and serviettes with the Selkirk Grace attributed to Burns:

Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.

As we gathered in the private dining room of Unit Main-5, conversation focused on previous trips to Scotland, future trips to Scotland, and where we go if we can't go to Scotland! The time flew and our visitors scurried off in time to catch the BIG game.

Isabel had watched as much curling as she could during the previous week. This translates into calling all the third and skip shots. A mighty cheer went up from Isabel's room and the lounge of Main-5, as Amber Holland and her great team of Saskatchewan curlers became the new Team Canada! See above for the colours of the SK tartan ~ our way of linking Scottish celebrations and good curling!

And for all of Isabel's cousins and friends from across the pond or down south in LA, here's a link you may enjoy:

http://www.hollandcurlingteam.com/