Makes you wonder why we can’t learn some of these earlier in life. A good read, and worth re-reading from time to time (note to self).

Up a Tree
Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

This is Eric. This is Eric up a tree, a 45′ tree, at the top of a 32′ ladder. It’s high, scary high especially when you’re reaching up to trim of those last few branches.

As were doing this, for some strange reason, the Monty Python Lumber jack song pops into my head. Anyway, we keep working and before long the tree is down, and we didn’t hit any wires of the neighbors fence and it’s all good. We even got some applause from a neighbor two houses down. I think he thought there was going to be an impending disaster when we cut off the top 12-15′.

I just couldn’t let this message evaporate off the BB. Thanks for sending it. I treasure it.

05/29/2008 6pm

It’s the day after the wedding and we’re taking it easy around the house. Gail and Gord are staying with us and we’re reflecting on yesterdays activities and catching up on family news over a couple of cups of coffee. After breakfast we head out to the lake. Gail and Gord are returning a rental car and heading out with the Bonniville so they can return on Wednesday.

We’re packing for vacation, so that takes the rest of the afternoon and we’re on the road at about 5:30pm. After unloading and a late evening snack at the cottage everyone is zapped and it’s early to bed. Looking forward to a relaxing couple of weeks.

The Rings by Big Dadoo
(More photos)

Friday July 11th, 2008 Scott and Mandi are married. The day was quite wonderful, the bride was radiant, lovely and always smiling and the groom was beaming with love for his bride. The weather cooperated and while it rained in the morning, it was dry for the photos and the sun came out just as Mandi came down the isle on top of the Winnipeg Art Gallery for the outdoor ceremony.

The reception and dinner downstairs was excellent and the live band rocked the house with something for everyone and really made for a great party atmosphere. I hope everyone had as much fun as I had, it was a great time and of course extra special for a parent.

After getting home we were too jazzed up to go to sleep so we stayed up and talked about the day. We are so proud of Scott and Mandi and love them so very much and it’s so wonderful to have another daughter in the family.

This day marks another stage in our life as well as theirs. Once again time seems to have flown by and the wedding that was a long way off has come and gone so quickly. Now it’s very official, it’s just Shirley and I at home now. Things are quieter, there is not early morning alarm going off or any late night arrivals, it’s just us. And we’re enjoying this phase of our journey on life’s highway as well.

Snowbirds over Kenora
Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo
Photo by: Scott (s2photo)

I had a great weekend at the lake with Eric & Scott, just us guys. We had some good food, lots of R&R, some kayaking, some fireworks, more R&R (sleeping) and a quick look at the Snowbirds on the way home.

Some profound thoughts over on my friend Adam’s blog. Worth the read.

Adam’s World: Nothing matters

I thought of times in my life when there has been nothing to do and how important it was to have someone do nothing with me. To have someone to just sit and wait - so I didn’t have to do nothing alone. Sometimes I wonder if what I do even matters, but for at least a moment today I was convinced that it does.

My Grandparents were Icelandic but his was something I was never told. In fact I just heard about the Yule Lads on CBC Radio a couple of days ago. Perhaps it’s a good thing, these guys sound pretty scary, and a little wierd with names like Pot Scraper, Sausage Swiper and Peeping Tom! My Goodness!

Christmas Lads at the National Museum of Iceland

The Icelandic jólasveinar (Yuletide Lads) have absolutely nothing to do with the international red-clothed Santa Claus, who is a version of St. Nicholas. The Yuletide Lads are descended from trolls, and orginally they were bogeymen who were used to scare children. During this century they have mellowed, and they sometimes wear their best, red, suits. But they still tend to pilfer and play tricks.

Today is my Birthday and I’m very grateful to be celebrating it with my family and friends. It’s early in the day and I’m taking the day off from work and enjoying each moment. I’ve received thoughtful cards, and a phone call from good friends, and in this wired world I’ve received and e-card as well with a very thoughtful and touching note.

The main part of the day will be spent traveling to the Alerus Center to see the TSO. Shirley, Eric & Dez and Scott will be with us. Unfortunately, Mandi is out of town on business and we’ll miss her today. I’m looking forward to the time together and our conversations in the car on the drive there and back. We’ve heard that the TSO will be awesome and that will be great as well.

We were our with friends last night and part of the discussion was around the importance of relationships and how much of life is wrapped up in those relationships. In fact, relationships are what life is all about.

Enjoy each relationship in your life, and make it the best it can be. I know I’m going to try.

Card for Garry Stewart

I hope you have a great day celebrating the life and times of Garry Stewart. He is a pretty cool dude and I’m lucky to know the guy. Wishing you many more birthdays and a life that is full - filled with all abundance.

Today was a little cloudy at the lake but still nice and warm. Most of the day was spent on the dock with Eric, Dez, Scott & Mandi and everybody hit the water toys big time. After some swimming and floating around Scott & Mandi took the kayaks out for a paddle, then Eric set up the wind surfer and wend out for a while. After he returned, Dez took a spin. Then we got the motor boat into the action and Eric went wake boarding. This is quite a feat of endurance behind a 25hp outboard on a 16′ Lund. Then we switched up to the Knee board which works a little better given the horsepower restrictions. Everybody took a turn, even me! As you can see from the pictures, I still have a trick or two up my sleeve. Hey! Wait a minute! I don’t have any sleeves!