"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/