A day in the life!

A warm day today with some rain showers late in the afternoon, Woody spent time mowing grass at the Gun Range, collecting garbage in the park, volunteered his assistance building the garage here at the park which will house some of the equipment used to maintain the park while I spent time doing my usual thing, walking dogs, cleaning, cooking, working with some pictures for the blog as well as some of Woody’s pictures and watching my favourite game shows! During the evening we had a surprise visit from Scott, son James and their beautiful well behaved dog Bosco. Our dogs of course went nuts, barking, growling and jumping all of which Bosco took in his stride and just ignored them, eventually our dogs accepted Bosco and settled down on my lap which is their favourite place to relax. Scott came to pick up our inflatable boat which Woody sold to him, I know he will enjoy many happy days fishing with James and friends! Woody will purchase a smaller one eventually, easier to handle by himself.

Scott and James.

We totally enjoyed their visit awesome friends, thanks for stopping in guys!

Addition to our family!

Weather wise a decent day, high of 23C (73F) with some showers, Woody and Scott went shopping, we are now proud owners of a White Tail Deer decoy and for now he is a yard ornament. Woody and Scott put him together as soon as they returned and stood the buck in the grass, Woody was going to pack it up the next day but I thought he was too nice to pack away so we moved him beside the trees, his head moves with a little breeze, his tail moves and he sits on a peg so his whole body will turn with some wind, from a distance he looks quite life like. The dogs went nuts barking at the new addition, Cookie even stood up on her hind legs to sniff the deer’s butt, what a hoot! Took Muffin a couple of days to accept that the deer was not going to run off if she barked at it, when she jumped up on it, the buck swung around and freaked Muffin right out it really was funny to see, one of those moments that happen quickly, no time for pictures but every time I think about it I laugh! A couple of people who come to the park to hike said they thought for a minute when they drove into the parking lot and spotted the deer they thought it was real and a few hunting friends thought it would make a great target but I warned them not to put any holes in my pet deer! Will be interesting come hunting season to see if this little guy will attract any attention in the field! I will try and remember to report the results after the September/October hunt!

Isn't he cute?

At School with Caitlin

Today was nice warm dry day the highlight of today for me was attending the “Celebration of Learning” with Caitlin and Michelle at Onoway Elementary School. I am always impressed with the effort that this school makes to recognize and reward students for their work, not just in the academic fields but also in the areas of respect, helpfulness, organization skills and many other skills that are necessary to be a good citizen of the world. Today the students became the teachers, the students being their invited guests, whether it was parents, grandparents, or other adult. The classroom was set up with each table being a different subject that the child would be involved in during the year at school, e.g., Math, Technology, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, the tables were decked out with all the tools required to complete the project the child/teacher had to explain the project, how to accomplish the goal and help the parent/student complete the project, there was a time limit involved also. When time limit was up, we switched to next work space and started the next project. The whole exercise gave the parents/grandparents, etc. a bit of a glimpse of what the students were learning at school and one of the processes used to teach. Teaching the adults was no easy task for the students and maybe gave them an insight on what teaching was about, a good exercise all the way around I think. It was fun but also a little nerve wracking, it has been a long time since I was in school and the old mind does work as quickly as the kids minds do, Caitlin had her work cut out for her, teaching this old Grandma! After class time was complete all assembled in the Gym for beverages, snacks and the awards ceremony. I totally enjoyed the afternoon, thanks Caitlin for inviting me and thanks to the teachers, students and the school for organizing “Celebration of Learning”! I think if school would have been this interesting when I was a kid I might have enjoyed school a whole lot more. I love the hands on approach to learning way more fun that sitting at a desk all the time, taking notes and listening to the teacher talk, or copy things off a blackboard. I know they still have to do that some of the time but they also have the opportunity to do the hands on “stuff”!



The classroom set up, Caitlin's teacher explaining why, how and what was going to be happening during the afternoon.

Michelle and Caitlin at the Technology table. It was so cool we got to use Ipods to look up star constellations and moon phases, etc.

Grandma Pat with her Grandson, she runs the Laundromat and a Luncheonette where we do laundry in Onoway.

This is serious business, Caitlin explaining the project we needed to complete. We were drawing a floor plan using math, never my best subject!

Just caught Caitlin as she headed back to her seat with her Certificate, there were many students receiving awards and everything moved very quickly.

After the ceremony was complete I captured this picture, a very proud girl and rightfully so! This was only one award, she recieved others earlier this month.

Bear spotted

Weather is a little cloudy but still warm, Woody cut the grass at the Range and did some tree trimming at the Park, taking off lower branches which makes it easier to mow as well looks much neater, Josie dropped over and complimented Woody on how nice the trees looked as well as the park. After lunch he went out to cut the walking trails while on the furthest south east trail he spotted a brown bear, a boar around 350 pounds, said he was about 40 yards from the trail. We know there are bears in the area (we have erected Caution signs) as he had spotted bear scat earlier this spring but this is the first time he saw one this year (there were three bears here last year), so he called me to contact Fish and Wildlife for permission to shoot the bear if he spots it again. We are still waiting for a call back, not exactly good service in my opinion.

I spent time working on our blog and my To Do list, it is getting shorter!!!
During the evening Woody went over to visit buddy Scott and came home sporting a new set of Camo Clothing, really nice stuff, Scentlock complete with muff! Scott is the co-owner of the Wild TV channel (the only hunting channel in Canada) and has all kinds of hunting goodies of course; he gave Woody a deal he could not pass up. It was funny when he walked in the door wearing the new clothing, Muffin barked at him like she did not recognize him and after he took the outfit off, she kept going over and sniffing at them (he had hung them over a chair) I guess she just could not figure out the scent. Cookie just ignored the whole thing, couldn’t care less, they are so different when it comes to new or different things. We both accomplished many tasks today!

Cleaning up after the BBQ

Another sunny day, temperatures around 18C (68F) just right for Woody who was busy cleaning up the park, gathering and hauling garbage, power washing the buildings and all the other duties required to keep the park in tip top condition. Aluminum cans plastic and glass bottles in our recycle bins are donated to the Onoway School Recycle Program and were picked up and Josie came with her son-in-law to return the tables to the Education Centre at the Gun Range as well as pick up the last food from the fridges. While here Josie and I went over the campsite schedule to make sure we both had the same information (some people call Josie to reserve instead of calling the park phone) so we must check with each other regularly.


Later Woody took a break and went with a friend shooting at the Range which he really enjoyed, first time this year he has tried out his gun, I was glad he decided to go, he needed the break. Actually there was an incident at the Gun Range earlier today, a person reported to Woody that they saw some fellows crawling over the fence into the Range, so he went down immediately and found the group sitting outside the Range in their car drinking; when they saw Woody approaching they sped off in their car, he called the police and reported the incident, the police take these type incidents very seriously, illegal entry to the Range and drinking while driving, they thanked him, shouldn’t be to difficult to track them down with the license number of their car and 3 witnesses to the incident. Woody is the Range Officer for the Gun Range as he was last year and the police had instructed him how to handle incidents at the Range and the Park, many of the police officers use the range to practice so are very interested in keeping the range open and of course there are those persons that are always trying to get the range shut down. The Park is a short distance from the Range and if anyone is shooting at the range we can hear it so Woody will go down and make sure all the rules are being followed, it is surprising how many members ignore some of the rules and this year the club decided that there would be zero tolerance for infractions, new members must take a Range Safety Course before they receive a key to the Range, both measures were put in place to make sure all members can safely use and enjoy the Range.
Woody visited with Dave at his camper for awhile after returning from the Range and we spent the rest of evening quietly.

Onoway Fish & Game BBQ Weekend Day 3

Today the highlight of the day is a huge Breakfast, consisting of sausage, pancakes, scrambled eggs and potatoes with all the trimmings! Woody volunteered to cook and was assigned the sausage and potatoes and onions.

Peter who is the vice president using his personal BBQ (same make and Model that was part of the Raffle) worked hard looking after the eggs, and pancakes! Tina (pictured with Woody above and with Peter right) cut up all the potatoes and onions.

Vic, another hard worker for the club mixed batter among other duties.

While waiting for breakfast some were busy playing Crib, a favourite game with club members.

When the Breakfast was over, many members left fairly promptly leaving the worker bees to clean up all the details of the weekend some tasks were, take down the tent, pack it up, do the dishes, clean the BBQ’s, look after left over food, fold up all the extra tables, etc. There are too many tasks to list but after such a gigantic weekend there are many details to take care of for the few who hang around to help. I must admit I was not a lot of help this weekend but I did what I could. I have an issue right now with walking, my legs feel like lead after walking for a short time, but Woody helped out as did some other faithful members. The clean up will actually continue into Monday as it entails hauling tables back to the Education Centre at the gun range, power washing the shelter, picking up left over food from the fridges, etc.

All in all the weekend was a success, the club made some well deserved cash (tons of work involved), and the members enjoyed themselves the weather was fantastic and that is what this whole weekend is about! Oh Yes, I forgot to mention in Saturday’s post that the Silent Auction went well, all winners collected their treasures and we did get the dog bed and fanny pack we bid on.

Onoway Fish & Game BBQ Weekend Day 2

A beautiful warm sunny day 24C (76F) with a little breeze could not ask for a better day for the BBQ and other activities planned for the day. Woody with some help put up the big tent last evening as there are over 100 persons expected for the dinner this evening and the shelter with all the auction tables and Raffle prizes set up there would not accommodate all the people. We are bidding on a camo dog bed and camo fanny pack, not much else that we could use or give to our kids or grandkids. The campground is buzzing with activity and of course lots of visiting; the pictures will do a better job of showing the activities than I can with words.

Left are Norm (President of OFG), Josie
his wife and major worker for the club and Kim (wife of vice president) another hard worker for the club.

Checking out the Silent Auction items.

Vic and Hazel more hard workers!

Baking potatoes for the feast!

Enjoying a game of Crib waiting for dinner!

Norm and Pat enjoying some shade.

The kids were fishing for some prizes, they loved it!

The fishing rod had a magnet attached for a hook and the kids fished for goodies that would attach to the magnet at the end of the fishing rod, they loved it!

The cooks spent hours at the BBQ baking over 100 potaoes plus streaks and burgers for the kids!

Nap time!

Relaxing by the general fire pit! No fire just too warm.

Dinner is served! BBQ steak, baked potatoes, brown beans, salads, cheese, pickles and buns and desert!

Lining up for the steak and potatoes, we even had a choice of how the steak was done!

Enjoying dinner!

The Tomato plants you see were donated for the Silent Auction.

Just having some fun!

Taking tickets and handing out plates as people streamed in for dinner.

After dinner the door prizes were drawn, think he is happy with his prize!







The kids were not left out either!

We know Pat well, she runs the laundromat in Onoway where we do our laundry and also has a small cafe attached!





More door prizes!

She is Cookie's Grandma proudly holding her door prize!

Having too much fun for the camera!

Picking out the Raffle Prizes, no one at the BBQ won any of the prizes but when contacted most came later that evening to pick up their prize!

Awards were also handed out, pictured here is the lady who was Treasurer for OFG for 17 years and retired this past year!

There were hunting/fishing trophy's awarded as well as an award for most valuable member!

There were also winners of the 50/50 draw and the Poker Walk were awarded.

There are many members who help out but I do not think any worked as hard as Norm and Josie to make this weekend happen.

Onoway Fish & Game BBQ Weekend Day 1

A beautiful day, more campers pulled in today and the members (well at least some) are working hard to get ready for the big BBQ tomorrow, they hung up some banners and decorated the shelter with some triangle coloured little banners, looks quite festive. The BBQ is the big year end gathering and they are expecting a large group to attend (100+ people) so it will be a busy weekend. They also set up tables for the Silent Auction of donated items from members and businesses in the area; the Silent Auction is fun and a good fund raiser for the Association. The Raffle tickets are drawn at the BBQ so all the prizes are arranged in the shelter which allows for viewing (drooling) over the prize you hope to win. This year 1st prize is a quad with tub trailer, 2nd prize $1000.00, 3rd prize, Expedition Camp stove ($600.00 value), 4th prize coolers ($400.00) value and 5th prize 2 Camping chairs (value $80.00) and the tickets are just $10.00 each so very good value. Woody sold some tickets as well as we purchased some tickets, wouldn’t mind winning one of the prizes, last year we won a GPS which we have made good use of in our travels. All in all it is major work to set up everything and of course Woody helped out wherever he could. It will be a busy but fun weekend.

The campers or at least some of them. The campsites create a semicircle around the center area.

One banner and the streamer!

The kitchen and shelter area.

Gotta get Organized!

Nothing spectacular to report, pretty ordinary day at Imrie Park a few people pulled in today for the big weekend (Onoway Fish and Game Barbecue here this weekend) I had an appointment in Spruce Grove after which I shopped for some flowers for the park, think it is safe to put flowers out now, no more snow or freezing temps usually at this time. A couple of folks stopped by checking out the park and had some questions; Woody graded the roads using the bucket on the tractor and mowed some grass. It will be a busy weekend but should be fun. The dogs are doing great, learning more each day regarding greeting folks that drop in, not barking when the doorbell rings, just run excitedly to us but still are learning how to greet people calmly! Some people are not happy to have our little dogs jump on them and our dogs need to learn to respect that at least until invited. The weather was good, better than predicted actually, no rain, still a little cool for this time of year at 15C (59F) for a high but suppose to be real nice for the weekend, YEAH! I decided I really need to organize my time more efficiently and made a huge To Do List for myself in hopes that I can organize tasks accomplish all the tasks and have lots of time for the things I just want to do! It really amazes me when I think what I accomplished while working full time and that is what got me to thinking that I am not organizing my day well and prompted me to create the To Do List. Wish me luck eh! Hope you have a great day tomorrow and remember never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly.

Visit with Tracy and Family

We finally got together with daughter Tracy and family today, they have been very busy with a new puppy, ordinary everyday life, Keith hunting and waiting for a nice day when we could barbecue and be outdoors. We had an awesome visit, catching up on news, sharing pictures and generally just yakking about stuff that makes up our lives and theirs. The afternoon flew by as it usually does when we visit and we made a date to visit them on Wednesday to meet their new puppy (a Chocolate Lab) and continue the visit. Tracy and I have talked on the phone for more than a few hours on the phone since our return but it sure was great to chat with Tracy, Keith and girls in person. Cannot believe how the girls have grown!

Keith and Lindsey, Lindsey is 14 and becoming a wonderful young lady!

We barbecued some burgers, hot dogs, side of brown beans and fresh veggies!

Brooklyn who is always smiling and a delight to have around!

We always bring small gifts home for the family and it really warmed our hearts to see the enthusiasm shown for each item. I had also knit some items and was not sure how they would be received but to my delight the kids loved them and each picked what they wanted. We try and find items made in Arizona and prefer items made in the area where we stay, something unique as opposed to the usual tourist stuff made wherever! We brought them some small boxes handmade of Pine Needles, when the lid is open there is a definite scent of Pine.

I made each granddaughter a Fun Fur Scarf and Lindsey noticed that it had a "hole" in it, I am showing her how to tuck one end through the hole!  The hole has a purpose and it is not a mistake!

Lindsey choose the blue and black one, Brooklyn the pink and blue, which was perfect as I had chosen those colours for them. I am wearing a red one which will go to Dani or Jen when we see them in July.

Kieth enjoying and Tracy ready to capture the moment!

We had a wonderful visit and look so forward to seeing you all on Wednesday!

Onoway Heritage Days

This weekend is Onoway Heritage Days, we attended the Pancake Breakfast (sponsored by Onoway Fish and Game), wandered around viewing the different booths set up on Main Street, checked out the new Bakery, Woody found a good deal on blades he can use for this leather work in the Mini Mart Store. The owner of the store created a huge western/agriculture scene using pull tabs from aluminum cans named “Awesome Millions” he used over 2.5 million pull tabs which many were donated by people from the Onoway area. I wish we had thought to take our camera, you cannot imagine it and I sure cannot create a picture for you with words. The whole scene which has a horse and rider, a tractor, front parts of buildings, trees, and I cannot remember what else and is housed in a 40 foot fifth wheel trailer which he has taken to California to show and he has been offered over a Million Dollars for it, but would not sell it. I have never seen anything like it and he did a great job, if you ever have an opportunity to view his work I would recommend it, very unique and impressive, the items are life size. I did not ask how long it took him to finish such a huge project, but he did say he is going to redo the horse and rider, he is not satisfied, said the horse is not proportioned correctly, looked okay to me though, but then an artist is never satisfied with his own work! Woody had seen it before in his store where it was set up originally and mentioned it to me but I never went and looked at, sure happy I had the opportunity today. We hung around to watch the parade which was typical of a small town parade but the coolest thing was the town organized Sky Divers to land on the street just before the parade started, there was about nine divers and all landed safely, it was so awesome to watch them float down and land right in front of us, we have never seen Sky Divers land so close up previously, we used to watch them float down from our yard at the acreage regularly as there is a Sky Diving Club at a small airport just a few km from here.
We returned to the park, the campers were busy playing horseshoes and other games they had set up, we had a quick lunch then Woody went to cut grass at the gun range which is just down the road, Woody volunteers his time to keep the grass mowed, plus does any small repairs required and is a Range Officer for the Range. The weather was nice today, high around 20C (68F) with a couple of light showers in the evening. The Fire Ban is still in effect even with previous snow and rain we have had no campfires are allowed in the park so the rain is welcomed. Life rolls along and we enjoyed our day!