What I do at -40 C

Cousin Frank's wife just emailed me a link to Sled Dog Podcast. Of course, Episode 13 features Frank talking about his dogs and running the Yukon Quest. It is an interesting listen, but I warn you, put some time aside, pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up and listen to his stories. He is a talker. Here is the link:

http://vbs20.com/sleddogpodcast/2008/01/11/episode-13-everyones-got-an-eagle-summit-hear-an-interview-frank-turner/

As well, a friend of mine sent me the following quotes of "When Insults Had Class" ... fun to read through and makes me wish I could come up with lines such as these in the spur of the moment, rather than three days later. Here they are:

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” –
Winston Churchill

“A modest little person, with much to be modest about.” –
Winston Churchill

“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.” –
Clarence Darrow

“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.” –
William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time in reading it.” –
Moses Hadas

“He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.” –
Abraham Lincoln

“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it.” –
Groucho Marx

“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” –
Mark Twain

“He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.” –
Oscar Wilde

“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play. Bring a friend… if you have one.”
George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

“Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second… if there is one.” –
Winston Churchill, in response

“I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.” –
Irvin S. Cobb

“He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.” –
Samuel Johnson

“He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.” –
Paul Keating

“He had delusions of adequacy.” –
Walter Kerr

“There’s nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won’t cure.” –
Jack E. Leonard

“Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?” –
Mark Twain

“His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.” –
Mae West

“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever…” –
Oscar Wilde

“He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lampposts… for support rather than illumination. ” –
Andrew Lang

“He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” –
Billy Wilder

What the heck...

What the heck is this? Came back to my home town to find this ice thing in Shipyards Park by the Yukon River. Drove by it quite a few times before someone told me that you can pay money and climb it. (I don't think so). So, here I am back in the thick of things. The weather is turning colder - only about -24 C today but that wind...feels like about -40 C. And it is suppose to stay like this or colder all week - something to look forward to.

The Yukon Quest is starting soon - the start this year is in Fairbanks on February 9. Of course, cousin Frank is running in it once again. Here is his Quest website if you are interested - http://www.muktuk.com/quest2008_QuestDogs20081.php
or if you wish to follow the race, the official website of the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race is:
http://www.yukonquest.com/servlet/viewnewslist

Talk again soon,

J.A.S. Milne

It is with deep regret that I write of the passing of Mr. J.A.S. (Archie) Milne on January 14, 2008. Here he is pictured with his great grand daughter Indie (thanks for the picture Heather). He was 90 years old. I was fortunate to have visited him in December during my trip to Ontario. It was prior to Christmas and he was in fine spirits at the time. I've known Mr Milne since I was about 15 years old. He retired from Ontario Hydro and was very proud of the fact that he was the oldest pensioner they have ever had! Every Christmas he sent out his (in)famous 20 Questions to a select few, with $$ prizes for the most correct answers. I always looked forward to them (and learned quite a bit while searching for the correct answers). He was the only person I know that wrote letters to the Prime Minister when a government policy did not seem correct. He was never afraid to voice his opinion. And he was very proud of his heritage (as seen below - a photo taken at Andrea's wedding, July 16, 1978). I will miss his letters which he addressed to me as Lady G - his own little joke - a take on White Horse, making bets with him when the World Cup is on, and his lively spirit. Yes, he will be missed but never forgotten.

Another High Park Update

Here is the picture I thought I included in a previous blog. We did have a rest on this bench which is not far from the Grenadier Restaurant.

High Park Update

I failed to mention the bench we were sitting on in High Park was a gift to the park from the Cameron clan, Merv's mother's side of the family. It sits amongst the flowers and is a lovely resting spot for those wandering through the park.

I must also mention that the last few pictures I included in this blog apparently do not look like the people they are suppose to represent. They told me to tell you that.

Regina

Made it safe and sound to Regina. Flew just before Air Canada started rolling their planes in the sky. I was lucky here, as the weather was about -9 during the day and my baggage made it too. (Last year during my visit it was around the -30 mark and Air Canada lost all my luggage for three days!) Spent time with Jenn and Brent and Dawson. Even attended a hockey game starring Dawson playing a forward position in the game against the girls team - it ended in a tie. We shopped, went out for meals and relaxed at home, playing the games Dawson got at Christmas. A very enjoyable trip.

Toronto

After spending three weeks with relatives, I mosied along to Toronto where Merv prepared a dinner for Wally and me. There is always time for a dance, even when making lasagna. We spent the evening at Merv's. I crashed at 2:30 but heard the partying go on until 6 AM!
The next morning we went to High Park for breakfast at the Grenadier Restaurant, then Merv took us for a tour of all of our old haunts - the Hobbit Hole, the witches house at the Old Mill and our old houses, including 10 Spencely Court.
Boy, this picture brings back memories of the good old days with my "gang". Don't know who's living there now, but I do believe they are peaking out the window at us. We drove around all afternoon and laughed and laughed and laughed then laughed some more. I had a great time with my old friends and we topped the evening off with dinner with Sue & Frank. Then it was back to my hotel by the airport to get ready for the next leg of my journey to Regina.

Apparently someone thinks I'm beautiful ... I know Chinese fortunes don't lie!

Guess what movie I saw !!! Took this photo of wee Will and David in the movie set. As much as I thought I wouldn't, I really did enjoy the movie.
Only one more day left in Ancaster, then I travel to Toronto to visit my good friends, Merv and Wally. This vacation just keeps on going and going!