Rally and Evening

Event on Pink Shirt Day

This year’s Pink Shirt Day in Fort Saskatchewan, in support of the Boys and Girls Club’s “Bully-ing Stops Here” efforts, will take place on Wednesday, February 27th.

Akin to previous years, kids and adults will participate in a walk from the Boys and Girls Club to Station Square Sobeys, which will culminate in a rally, procla-mation signing, balloon release, and hotdogs/cake. Kids will leave the Club at 3:45pm and arrive at Sobeys 15 minutes later.

A very special surprise is also rumored to be planned for the Sobeys event.

New this year is an evening event geared towards adults. The Boys and Girls Club, City of Fort Sas-katchewan, and Building Bridg-es invite adults to hear a talk by founder of Kids at Hope and Award-Winning Speaker and Au-thor, Rick Miller. Miller has “45 years educating, advocating, car-ing, and supporting the futures of all youth.”

That event will take place from 6:30pm at the Shell Theatre. Free childcare is available. To register, or for more info, please call 780.992.0103.

Volume 3, Number 18 Price: FREEFort Saskatchewan, Alberta • Friday, February 22, 2013

By REECE SELLINreece@overeasyplease.com

An already shocking story that saw one of the world’s most famous track and fi eld athletes charged with the murder of his girlfriend became

even more surreal short-ly before press time on Thursday.

South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee “blade runner” who rose to international prominence when he com-

peted with able-bodied athletes in the 2012 sum-mer Olympics in London, was arrested last week and charged with mur-der following the shooting death of his girlfriend.

CONTINUED ON P. 2

Over Easy, PleaseAre You Listening? See page 6.

HEART & SOUL

Pastor Bill Olsen on “perspective.” P. 5

THE ISSUE

Judy Sellin asks Where’s The Bus? P. 2

SAT SUN MON L: -6 L: -11 L: -11 H: -1 H: 0 H: -1

TUE 0/-10SUNNY

WED 0/-12SUNNY

THU -1/-8P. CLOUDY

FRI 1/-6FLURRIES

121 days until Summer!

Bail hearing thrown into disarray as investigator charged with attempted murder

Olympian accused of murdering girlfriend

Children enjoying outdoor curling, one of the many activities at this year’s Family Day Winterfest. Photo: Kevin Bonk

Winterfest Draws

HundredsSeveral hundred people at-tended this year’s Winter-fest and Vintage Snowmo-bile Show, hosted by the Fort Saskatchewan Histori-cal Society and City of Fort Saskatchewan, according to event organizer Stuart Mc-Gowan.

A range of activities, in-cluding outdoor curling, ice sculpting, snow golf, and a snow maze delighted be-tween two and three hun-dred kids and adults who gathered in the grounds surrounding the 1875-1885 NWMP Fort.

McGowan said that par-ticularly well-enjoyed by all were the dog sled rides.

The event will run again next year, McGowan says.

Published in print and online every Friday

South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius (L) at a track and fi eld event; Actress/model/law graduate Reeva Steenkamp at an animal shelter (R). Photos: (L) Erik van Leeuwen; (R) Capacity Relations

Over Easy, Please February 22, 2013 Page 2

Visit us for that special and unique gift!

Over Easy, Please is published weekly on Fridays. We are located in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and are a publication of Tuckbook Inc. Our website is located at www.overeasyplease.com. Over Easy, Please welcomes opinions and comments. Please note that we reserve the right to edit comments for length, style, legality and taste. Comments sent to us or posted to our website may be reproduced in print and/or electronic format. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the original authors and other contributors. Therefore, the views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of Tuckbook Inc., and/or any/all contributors to this publication. We reserve the right to reject or remove advertising that we deem contrary to our ad philosophy, at our sole and exclusive discretion. Please view our contact information on page 8.

Phone: 780-998-0730 Fax: 780-992-1229

11228-87 Avenue, Fort Saskatchewantaxifort@telus.net

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The IssueWhere’s The Bus?

By OEP Editor JUDY SELLINjudy@overeasyplease.com

When I was a kid living in Kamloops, BC, the bus that s t o p p e d just a few feet from

our front yard was a necessity for my mother. Be assured, bus service was appreciated by others, too. If I recall correctly, the bus fare at that time was twenty-fi ve cents each way. Of course, the fare increased over the years, as did the number of buses and areas the transit system serviced.

My point…. Kamloops had a local bus service when I was a kid, which was many decades ago, that serviced a popula-tion back then of about 16,500. Fast forward to 2013, and Hin-ton, Alberta, with a population of less than 10,000, also has a local bus service. In June 2007, Hinton started an 18 month pilot project bus service, which proved to be so successful that it became permanent in June, 2009. To date, it remains oper-ational. Has Hinton’s bus ser-vice had a few hiccups? I am guessing they did, but regard-less, the service is still being provided to its residents.

Now, decades later, I am liv-

ing in Fort Saskatchewan, where we have no local bus transit system explicitly for Fort Saskatchewan, despite a fastly growing population of over 20,000. More of late, I have people asking for OEP to write articles about the Fort not having a local bus service. OEP has expressed its concern before, about the lack of a local bus service here in the Fort. In fact, establishing a local bus service for Fort Saskatchewan was a major platform of OEP’s Senior Editor, Reece Sellin, in his campaign when running for city council in 2010.

Then, of course, I hear the concerns and reasons from those who really would love a local bus service in the Fort. I couldn’t agree more with these folks. I am certainly pro-bus service, and for many reasons. We have seniors who no longer drive and can’t always conve-niently and affordably get to local destinations, such as the hospital, pharmacies, dentists, doctors and other amenities lo-cated across the highway.

We also have parents with children without personal transportation, or only one ve-hicle per family, which is used by a parent for getting to work. There are parents who would like to take their children for example, to Legacy Park for an outing, to visit the sheep or shop in the downtown area... but can’t because from where they live, a walk is too far to the city centre. How conve-nient would a local bus service

be for them, I ask?

Other reasons for a local bus service include the fact that long cold winters often inhibit walking to destinations, reduc-ing to some degree the traffi c in the downtown area while still bringing people to patron-ize city centre and less traffi c; and less pollution.

It is diffi cult for many to un-derstand that while our city is also growing rapidly across the highway, there are still some that cannot get there easily, let alone get downtown to en-joy its stores and services as often as they wish to. At any age, be you a senior or not, a local bus service in the Fort would be a great plus for many of its residents and businesses.

In Hinton, their bus service operates six days a week. To my knowledge, the service is contracted out. I personally think their rates are reason-able: monthly bus passes are $70, while a day pass is $8. Single fares are $3 each way.

For seniors in Hinton, it is $50 quarterly, which amounts to less than a $17 monthly to use bus transit in Hinton. In addi-tion, they have other service offers, such as children under 6 years old riding free.

With a municipal election com-ing up in October, I wonder, I ask, who on council will advo-cate for local bus service for Fort Saskatchewan?

Reptile Experience, Saturday Feb 23 @ 2pm

Free draws for reptile supplies!

PISTORIUS, CONTINUED...

But a bail hearing, which could see Pistorius released pend-ing trial on the charge, took a bizarre twist early Thursday morning, when it was revealed that the investigating offi cer who testifi ed at that hearing himself faces seven charges of attempted murder.

Detective Hilton Botha and a pair of other offi cers are ac-cused of shooting at a taxi loaded with passengers in an incident that occurred in 2009.

Reports indicate the detec-tive and his colleagues were intoxicated at the time. Add-ing possible further damage to the prosecution’s case, Botha apparently “crumbled” dur-ing cross-examination earlier this week by Pistorius’ defence counsel, according to sources.

As for Pistorius, details emerg-ing from the bail hearing reveal that he is accused of shooting his girlfriend -- 29-year-old ac-tress, model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp -- through the closed door of a small

bathroom. Of four shots fi red through the door, three struck her. While prosecutors alleged in court the shooting was pre-mediated murder, defence counsel contended that the in-cident is one of mistaken iden-tity, claiming that Pistorius awoke suddenly and believed that a burglar was hiding in the bathroom.

The bail hearing in a Pretoria, South Africa courtroom, was nearing the end of its third day as of press time without a deci-sion regarding bail.

February 22, 2013 Page 3Over Easy, Please

In Burundi, Africa

“A shocking fact that may change your life”

BY OLIVIER N.

S o m e -t i m e s we live in fear w h e n e v e n t s h a p p e n that are out of

our control. It may be a natu-ral disaster, or it may be a di-saster caused by the stupid-ity of a human being -- one who wants to become almost supernatural, and to have a control over everyone and ev-erything, and be the ruler of the world.

The obsession of being super-powered has brought such foolishness into the world that ‘bad’ is often taken as ‘good.’ Sadder is when the system adapts to this as be-ing “normal,” and when peo-ple strangely fi nd comfort in choosing ‘bad’ rather than ‘good,’ thinking it is totally okay. But no, it is not okay.

How can it be okay when we see armed rebels in Af-rica massacring and burning an entire village, after they raped women and girls? How can it be okay when they en-ter a refugee camp, assas-sinating everybody -- men, women and children alike -- and then leave the site on fi re because all they want is power?

How can it be okay when we see people, including chil-dren, dying in Syria every single day since March 2011, while the world is watching?

Millions of kids are dying from hunger or from lack of medication and good water in Africa. Thousands of licensed dealers sell guns, and a gun-man will enter an elemen-tary school and kill the 5-10 years-old kids or attack a youth summer camp. People getting massacred because of their ethnicity, origins or religion beliefs. How can it be okay when we have gov-ernments that kill their own citizens instead of protecting them?

I was very shocked when I read in a newspaper an ar-ticle about the marriage be-tween a man and a dog that was celebrated, and the ar-ticle said friends and family relatives attended the cere-monies and listened to vows. But people, what’s really happening to us? How come we can see this as normal?

We are watching as if we are not concerned… but have you ever imagined the ‘world’ your children and grandchil-dren will be living in in the next fi fty years when you won’t be around?

Or maybe there won’t be that generation, for we are ending our world ourselves.

But where are the morals and the values of the hu-manity in this world?

I have to admit that it is scary to think about all this…as a Christian, I be-lieve that we are respon-sible for every single thing we do here on earth; re-sponsible for every choice we make in life and the only one thing that can dis-tinguish us from evil is the way we live and preserve the ‘values’ and the ‘truth’ we have known.

So here is my last ques-tion… how can it be okay when we see all of this mess around and we keep silent, pretending it is okay?

Maybe it’s not too late yet – I hope we can still take the ‘right side’ and stand for the truth we have known no matter what, or… we can keep watching and pretend-ing it is okay until we get completely lost.

Where Are They Now?

Eddie Fisher

E d d i e F i s h e r was one of ( a c t r e s s ) Elizabeth T a y l o r ’ s f o r m e r husbands. But most

of us in a certain age group probably best remember Eddie Fisher and his fi rst wife Debbie Reynolds... the fi rst of Fisher’s fi ve wives. Fisher, born in 1928, died in 2010. Reynolds, born in 1932, is still alive and en-joying her net worth of ap-parently $85 million. Tay-lor and Reynolds were best friends until Fisher left Reynolds to marry Tay-lor, a marriage that lasted from 1959-1964. Taylor and Reynolds did eventually be-come friends again.

Over Easy, Please February 22, 2013 Page 4

SCARS Pet of the Week - Winks

My name is Winks. I came in with my sister Linx and now we’re all ready

to go to our forever homes. My foster mom says we are both very sweet and love ev-eryone (kids, dogs, cats, any-one!). If you think I might be a good fi t to join your family then come and meet me!! I’ve just moved to Pet Valu in Fort Saskatchewan and would love to get started on my new life with my forever family! For more information on how to adopt this pet, please contact SCARS at www.scarscare.org or 780.466.7227\

Inspirational Thought If a home doesn’t make sense,

nothing does. -- Henrietta Ripperger

Spiritual ThoughtI don’t believe, I know. --

Carl Jung

Did You Know?These apparently odd facts: A crocodile can’t stick its tongue out, while a shrimp’s heart is in its head, and as for horses and and rats, well apparently, they can not vomit... with us humans having the possibility of fracturing a rib if we sneeze too hard and like fi nger-prints, all our tongue prints are said to be different, too.

Dingers by Ken Schotsch

Random Act of Giving Suggestion

Help a friend organize a clothes closet, home offi ce or garage. Your help can be very rewarding.

Two Thumbs DownTo those smokers who butt out on streets and parking

areas.

Funny YokesQ: What did the hen say to get her chicks to leave home? A: Spread your wings and fl y!

Q: Why were the chickens walking carefully? A: Because they were on egg-shells.

A Spoonful of SugarIn your potato salad dressing mix will add a unique taste to the salad.

High FiveTo all the pleasant cashiers in Fort Saskatchewan.

Book Choice of the Week

A wonderful book for women that will be cherished now and for years to come is “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy” by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Song Choice of the Week

Les Feuilles Mortes by Andrea Bocelli

Community Info

Fort Saskatchewan Public Library: 10011-102 Street. Mon-Thu: 10a-9p, Fri: 10a-5p, Sat: 10a-5p, Sun: 1p-5p (closed Sun in Jul + Aug)

Commuter Bus Ser-vice: Mon-Fri, Clareview <-> to Fort Sask. Departs Sherridon Dr and 99 Ave 5:34a, 6:04a, 6:34a, 7:19a, 4:16p, 5:16p, 5:46p, 6:28p, 7:08p. See www.fortsask.ca or call 780.442.5311 for full route details or more info.

Walk In Medical Clinic: 9368 Southfort Drive, next to Shoppers Drug Mart. Call 780-997-0177 for info.

February 22, 2013 Page 5Over Easy, Please

Sunny Smiles

Celebrity Smile Edition! Can you guess who this is? Check back next week to see if you were right! Last Week: Renee Zellweger

Beautiful Babes

Nine-month-old Abigail Corbin is this week’s Beautiful Babe. This photogenic youngster gives a big smile when asked to “smile for daddy.”

By Fort Sask Life Church Pastor BILL OLSEN

One of my fa-v o u r i t e things to do as a kid was to climb a tall tree, hill,

or mountain and admire the view. Being somewhere high, sitting, thinking and absorbing the scene before me was something that al-ways was my way of escape, and a place to consider the “bigger” picture of all that was going on around me.

Not that life was incred-ibly complex when I was a preteen, but it still was a place to daydream, and usually a place where no one could fi nd me. I would actually climb this big old Douglas Fir out at the end of our driveway and hide out there for hours. I would let my mom call for me for quite a while before answer-ing sometimes, so as to not give away my position. My dad fi nally cut off the lower branches so I couldn’t climb it any more, as the tree was probably close to 100 feet tall. I simply would fi nd an-other.

Perspective is always a good thing to have. Taking the time to contemplate is what can give you perspective. Without these two things being active in a person’s life, one can become easily

overwhelmed with tasks or the issues of life and not be able to see the way to navi-gate through them. If you’re ever lost in the bush, or are trying to fi nd a way through some diffi cult terrain, the fi rst thing you always do is look for higher ground or climb a tree to get your bearings and set a course. Things always look differ-ent when there’s a bit of a view... you’ve heard the say-ing, “You can’t see the for-est, for all of the trees”.

We used to live next to a golf course. I would often go down to the “hole” that was closest to us, and climb up a huge maple tree that grew out over the green. From my vantage point, I could see the golfers tee off, and where the ball would land.... sometimes the ball would land on the green, and while they had to walk through a bit of a dip that put them out of view, I would climb down and swipe their ball and sell it to the golfers that

came after them. (I was a bit of stinker.) It was fun to sit quietly above them as they would look around for the missing ball or when I didn’t have a wild hair up my nose, just sit and observe. I felt like an eagle, above the world (somewhat), watching and waiting for opportunity.

For the most part, I loved the solitary time, to see what others couldn’t and dream about the future, to consider what I could ac-complish, or what I would do. Because I loved music and song writing (even as a child) I would make up sim-ple songs that were inspired through these moments. I’m glad I learned how to devel-op this gift of being able to move to a different vantage point and see things from a different angle... It’s helped me through some very diffi -cult times, and has been the inspiration of various ven-tures. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Heart & Soul: Gaining

Perspective

Over Easy, Please February 22, 2013 Page 6

Gettin’ More of the Good Stu�

How is your listening?

By IAN HOPEianhope@albertacom.com

T h e r e are two parts to a conver-s a t i o n - speak-ing and l i s t e n -i n g . S i n c e

most of us are better at the speaking part, I want to focus on how we actu-ally listen to others during our conversations. I’ll start with a question: if I said to you “listening is a _______”, what would be the most crit-ical and defi ning word that you could use to fi ll in the blank? Don’t keep reading until you’ve selected that word, and I’ll come back to that near the end of the col-

umn.

Now think of the many rea-sons that you should listen to conversations during one of your typical days. One reason to listen may be to get directions; or you might want to listen to discover new information about a problem you’ve been trying to solve; perhaps you’re lis-tening to learn something new and benefi cial. What if you are listening to a fam-ily member or friend who is coping with a serious prob-lem? How important is lis-tening and sharing then?

Think also of how your lis-tening skills affect your re-lationship with the other person. What does it show when you listen closely? What does it show when you clearly are not really listen-ing to them? Do you really think they may not know? Truth is, it’s pretty hard to cover up poor listening. I had an older relative years ago who I really liked and respected; on a number of occasions, I went to them for advice and mentoring, as I thought they were in-terested in my success. Yet, I started to notice that I was often asked questions that I had already covered - I fi nally got the picture that this person was just going through the motions and not really paying attention at all.

So returning to the question I asked earlier, the great-est principle of being a good listener is that listening is a ‘choice’. If you haven’t actu-ally made a conscious choice to listen, you most likely are not truly listening. The day that I fi rst learned that principle was one of the best days of my life, and let me explain just one of the many reasons for that. My daughter used to regu-larly pour her heart out to me while I was in my usual after-dinner, ‘multi-tasking’ mode. I’d be sitting in my easy chair with the news-paper spread out on my lap, one ear on the local TV news and the other ca-sually listening as she told me of the day’s events - her highs and lows and some of

the things in particular that she had found most trou-bling. I would be nodding as she spoke, but only half conscious to what she was saying and not watching her for her body language and emotional cues that she was giving out… clues that said more about what she was feeling than the words themselves.

On the very day that I had attended a leadership train-ing seminar where I had learned that a person actu-ally has to choose to listen, my daughter started up a conversation again. But this time I did something remarkably different. I put my newspaper down and with the remote, shut the TV off. I turned my chair towards her and looked into her eyes, and I swear… we had the best conversation that a parent and child could possibly have. I had never listened so well, so attentively to anyone in my life, and I could see how much this focus meant to her. I’ve had a lot of great conversations with people in my life since then. I can honestly say, this resulted directly from becoming a far better listener, simply by making conscious choices to listen to others who want to share with me or who want my attention.

The skill of listening is something you can practice with everyone - give the people who are important in your life your undivided at-tention. Turn your face and body towards them, show them that you truly do care about what they are saying and how they feel by listen-ing to them without inter-ruption, judgment or disap-proval. You can be sure that your relationship with them will be so much better for it.

Happy thoughts to you!

Ian Hope trains others on people skills that are high-ly valued in today’s work-places. To enquire about Ian speaking or training at your event, send an e mail to ianhope@albertacom.com or go to his website at www.ianhope.com

February 22, 2013 Page 7Over Easy, Please

Church ListingsFort Saskatchewan Life Church 50-10420 98 Ave. (Back of Fort Mall). Sunday Service/Kids Church @ 10:15a. Wed. Ser-vice @ 7:00p. Culture Shock Youth, Fri @ 7:00p. 780-992-9673. www.fslifechurch.ca.

Fellowship Baptist Church. Pastor Jim Paulson. Worship Ser-vice: Sun @ 10:30a. Prayer: Tues @ 7:00p. Awana Children’s Program Thurs @ 6:30p. 9932 - 101 St., Fort Sask. (Ac. from Legacy Park) 780-992-0880.

Church of the Nazarene. Pastor: Stephen Conklin. 9802 104 St., Fort Sask. 780-998-2451. www.fortnaz.ca. Join us Sunday @ 11a for Worship. Sunday School @ 9:50a.

Josephburg Community Church.21380 Township Road 550 (intersection of Twp. Rd. 550 & Sec. Highway 830) Aas you enter the hamlet of Josephburg. Ph: 780-998-9331 Fax: 780-998-9305 www.josephburgcommunitychurch.ca Pastor: Rev. Audrey Daley

Partridge Hill United Church. Corner of TWP 542 and RR 220. 780-895-7378. Debbie Brill, Minister. Worship Service: 9:30am. www.partridgehillunitedchurch.com

First United Church. 10409-100 Ave., Fort Sask. 780-998-4060. Rev. Danielle A. James. All welcome. Sunday Worship & Sunday School: 10:00a.

Holy Protection Orthodox Church. Saturdays: Great Ves-pers, 5p. Sundays: Divine Liturgy, 10a. 281 Fort Mall, 10421 99 Ave. 780-708-2877. All Services in English.

St. George’s Anglican Church. Reverend Maude Parsons-Horst. Regular worship times: Sunday @ 8:30am Holy Commu-nion (BCP) and 10:30am Holy Communion (BAS) with Sunday School. 10029 – 99th Ave, Ph: 780-998-3620.

SALONSCOMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

SOUPS, SUBS & SANDWICHSHOPS

BARBER SHOPS

Fort Saskatchewan’s Categorized Business Section

JANITORIAL & CLEANING

PET CARE

HEART & SOUL, CONT.

I’ve actually read recently, of a company that pays their employees to take a cer-tain amount of days off each month, so they would take time to get new perspec-tive, and regenerate their creative think-ing. The company understands that if you need creative thinking to solve problems or to create something new, a person needs time to be able to relax and think... even day dream... that’s where almost all “eureka” moments have happened.

I read of a man who would go fi shing at a local dock and not put a hook on his line... that way, he could sit and think while being uninterrupted by people or fi sh. I choose to go where there is a view and let my thoughts explore all my options from every angle... a lot of insight has come from those moments.

My favourite book says, “They that wait on the Lord, will renew their strength, they will run and not get weary, walk and not faint, they will mount up as with wings of Eagles...” There are obvious benefi ts and bonuses that come from taking time to get perspective. The big picture can only be seen from these vantage points, not to mention peace of mind. As our thoughts are constantly bombarded from external sources, we need to take the time to move away from these infl uences to organize and regroup... let your thoughts soar with eagles wings and see what kind of results come your way! Have a great week!

REAL ESTATE

Forced to Quit School

By WALTER MELNYK

Summer holidays came so it gave us two months holiday. I fi nished Grade Nine and was to

go on to Grade Ten when school was to begin in September.

The time came when dad needed more help on the farm so he persuaded me to leave school. He had other plans such as my taking over the fam-ily farm some day.

I did leave school and made the best of the educa-tion that I had, but I have been sorry ever since. That was in 1935.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8...

Over Easy, Please February 22, 2013 Page 8

Except where otherwise copyrighted, all content of this newspaper, includ-ing advertisements, is Copyright 2012, Tuckbook Inc. Editor: Judy Sellin (judy@overeasyplease.com); Senior Editor: Reece Sellin (reece@overeasyplease.com); Advertising In-quiries: (ads@overeasyplease.com); Mail: PO Box 20005, Fort Saskatch-ewan, AB, T8L 4C8; Phone: 780-934-0139; Fax: 780-589-1188.

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Brant Fort

Biscuits and Gravy: The

RescueBy BRIAN MASONbrian@overeasyplease.com

Well, it definitely w a s n ’ t like the story you see in the cartoons of “The Rescuers

Down Under,” but turns out Daina and I had a bit of a tale to tell of our own after last week.

Granted it was no Holly-wood Disney tall tale, but it made the both of us feel a bit better, and it made me start to thinking... a danger-ous pastime, I know. It all started out like any other Southern story tradi-tion. No, I don’t mean fi re-arms, liquor or any sort of ‘Hey watch this’ tradition. I would have used the term ‘legend’ if that was the case, folks. But instead this tale starts out with a grumblin’ stomach.

After all, we all know that any way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and I for one will not argue with

that. But, you see, Dai-na and I had just left her mom’s house for the evening and were absolutely fi t to be tied, we were so hungry. That means starving to you city folk. So, scouting out our favor-ite donair place in town, we dropped in to place our order to go, and on our way out I noticed something at the door. Right as the bristle on a hog’s back there was a big male cat pacing in front of the door, wanting inside. Soon as I opened the door he tried to push past, shivering slightly. Of course, knowing all too well this cat didn’t belong in the restaurant, we encouraged him back out but rather than run, he stood and looked up as if asking to be pet. Well, before I could turn around and say ‘Southern pickled pork bellies,’ Daina had scooped up this hap-less critter and was headed for the vehicle. Now, this cat had obviously been out-side a bit from the looks of his skinny yet large frame, but he let her take him in the vehicle and as I got into the passenger side, he climbed right on into my lap and gently laid down. Well, Daina is no stranger to cats, and it’s no secret she has a soft spot for the little crea-tures. She wanted to help

him get out of the cold and to be some place safe and warm. Well, as I looked at this cat, now purring, lay-ing peacefully in my lap, I couldn’t argue. Half an hour later, I kid you not folks, this stray cat was still laying in my lap purr-ing as I pet him. We pulled up to a emergency vet clinic downtown, and he hadn’t once made a move to act scared or angry, but rather just laid his head on top of my arm and snuggled down. Honestly, the sweetest cat I had ever met, and go fi gure, it was a stray off the streets. We took him inside where they treated him for minor things and set him a date to be fi xed. Turns out By-law and the vet couldn’t fi nd any owner of this cat, guess he truly was a stray after all. But, either way, we had rescued this creature from the cold, and guess we will be seeing more of him. But it got me to thinking. Just because he was outdoors, astray from life, hapless and forlorn in his future, it still didn’t mold who he was inside. It seems all too of-ten we judge people we see on the street, not knowing if perhaps we are judging the fi nest individual this world has ever seen, the kindest heart or the noblest soul.

Flimsy Whimsy: Kith

By JAI MURUGAN jai@overeasyplease.com

Olde Eng-lish is fi ne if yore an olde Eng-l i shman. I’m not a fan of Will the

Playwright, Geoffrey the Shoemaker, or Milton the Depressing. Still, being a pretend-tolerant politically correct democracy fan leads me to a path of tolerance for those nutjobs who are. If not real tolerance, I can fake it for the sake of the electorate and the in-laws, like certain grin-like-a-syn-chronised-swimmer politi-cians do.

Whatever turns your crank, Mister Wilson. Just don’t drag me along into them fancy not comprehendible poems. I’ll memorize some raunchy playground lim-ericks instead, if you don’t mind.

“Young Man, I won’t allow such debauchery – fi lled and uncivilized language. Suffer through this course you will!”

I and most of my kith were farmer simpletons, or plain

simpletons, far too low in class for any English class with class. Literature in-volved 4H manuals, Hockey Illustrated if so inclined, Uncle’s old Zane Grey nov-els, Archie Comics, the Western Producer, and most but not all highway signs.

If anything catalyzed the art of fooling around in class, it was this stuff. Sol-ace came in the hope of being placed in the room nearby some pretty sweet-scented girl. Since Mister Wilson’s seating plan was always alphabetical (so he could check the class list easily, I assumed) I serious-ly considered changing my name so I could park right close to one of those beau-ties.

Listening to others read the ‘hast’ and ‘thou’ fi lled gib-berish aloud was only en-tertaining for a time – until it was your turn. Unless you skipped off down to Joe’s Pool Hall and Mr. Wilson didn’t note your absence. Then you’d remain the hero, until some soon to be enemy kith of yours turned you in – as we all had a rat in us, especially those poor not-blessed-with-brains guys who needed one more personal favour to Mr. Wil-son to boost the mark from 49 to 50. I got 49. Shoulda been a rat.

MELNYK, CONT.

TERRIFIC WHEAT CROP DESTROYED BY FROST

We watched the crops grow and it was an exceptional year. The wheat was higher than 4 wire fence. The kernels were almost full but still were in the milky stage. One more week and the crop would have been ready to cut.

On August 15, 1935, a heavy frost hit overnight. We were hop-ing that the frost didn’t hurt the crops much.

We were totally disappointed, for after a few days, the kernels were full of water instead of fi ll-ing out the way they should. We cut all of the crop with bind-ers and stooked it all. Then we threshed a little bit of it, but it was all bran and so light that it didn’t pay to thresh it. It was left for feed. The horses and cattle were in beautiful shape feeding on the wheat.

In the spring time, we had to go and burn the surplus stooks and there were lots of them.