Passport to adventure

OK, so we finally sent of our passport application and it dawned on me that all the outings I want to do this summer will be possible after July 9th (when the passports come). Here are some of those quests shown in picture...

I'll return to Chief this year after two years away. Anyone wanna come, it should be August Long.

This is the West Butte of the Sweetgrass Hills. Great views from here!

Gold Butte - my mom climbed this one when she was young.

Myself and Tim Henline at the entrance to the 7 Room Cave on East Butte... lots more to see.

So to all the Hummeny's, Close's, Lamb's, Henline's, Bevan's, Harty's and anyone else eager... give me a call. The adventures begin this summer!

Would the real Edmonton Oilers please stand up?

Six games left in the season and the Oilers are playing hockey like it is still October and the attitude that a few losses won't do them in just this second. But here we are, March 31st, and yet another loss to a conference rival at home no less. It's like they play well for a game or two and then run into a brick wall they have built themselves because no one feels it is their job to step up and raise their performance level to that of an NHL hockey player. Few have played up to their potential and even fewer have played consistantly well. Where is Hemsky, where is Gagner, where is Penner?!?

Wow, don't get me started on Penner - overpaid, overweight, and by and large deadweight to a team that showed enough faith in his abilities to do what they did two years ago by signing him to an offer sheet and causing huge issues around the league. Give me a guy with heart and I'll pay him what Penner is making... oh wait we traded that guy away over a few bucks. Man am I ready to yell!

The only bright spot has been a guy that most feel shouldn't even still be in the league... that he is a career back up goalie... and that his success in Edmonton has been a fluke. Dwayne Roloson... keep pluggin' away my brother. I can't believe you are the MVP of the team this season by a country mile, but you are. 51 saves against Anaheim, 46 against the Wings in a 3 - 2 loss, and too many other games to mention where the story is the same. Way too many shots taken on him, maybe 1 or 2 goals against and the team in front of him can't muster more than 20 shots, nevermind more than a goal most nights.

I will never stop being a fan of this team, after the lean years of the 90's this will hopefully be a bump in the road. But you can't go from being one game away from raising the cup in 2006, to missing the playoffs for a third straight year because your team has no balls, no heart, no desire to play hard, and make the sacrifices necessary to win EVERY night.

If they lose after trying their hardest, putting the best effort possible on the ice, and playing to their capabilities then I have no problem missing the playoffs. That's not their fault, that's Tambo's and MacT's fault for not preparing and not putting the best team possible on the ice. But if they show up thinking any team is going to be a cake walk... in today's NHL that doesn't fly. Just ask the Columbus Blue Jackets who are poised to clinch their first ever post-season birth with a team that works hard together with what they have under a coach that has his team believing in his systems and themselves. They play hard every night with a less than stellar roster and are winning because they don't settle for lacklustre effort.

Come on, fellas... you are the Edmonton Oilers... it is time to live up to that name, that tradition, and play like it. It is a priviledge to put that jersey on for those fans, for that city... not a right. The door needs more stickers so get it together so Sparky can add a long line of them to the little amount of space that is left on it. Let's go Oilers!

The Employer's Plea

Today was one of those days where you were doing a lot but felt like nothing was getting done. Lots of traffic and no time to finish projects that demand my attention. For the most part the staff at the old B & M are doing well, but need to also realize there is a lot to get done all the time. There is little time for spending long moments with other staff's customers just to talk and try and fit in... little time for standing at the front counter hoping to "look busy" when Dan looks around to see how things are on the floor... no time for lolly gaggin' with getting product out and merchandised well for our customers.

One of my biggest IDGI's is when a person's shift is done, that's it... no more work for me because it's 1pm and I'm off now. Even though his or her project is only half done or the store is closed but there is still customer's needing a quick hand or a few skates to be put back, that person just swipes out and leaves everyone else to clean up after them or finish up with everyone because "it's 9pm and I'm off." I wish my world worked like this, but then people would be ticked off and complaints would be given about our service or lack thereof.

Tonight, I was the last one left... Tannis up and left without telling me she was leaving. She just figured that once the air conditioners were turned off and signs switched that she no longer had anything left to do. Meanwhile, 6 pairs of skates are still sitting in the fitting area that she was trying on customers, air conditioners are still on, and people are still shopping. Now Tannis is usually very good at what she does, I'm moreso talking about the attitude and work ethic of many people nowadays. The bare minimum if that, and then I'm tired so I'm going home because it's 9pm and I am off.

Yes, you are scheduled to this hour... but you could show you care a lot by staying an extra 5 - 10 minutes to clean up after yourself or finish a few lose ends on a task you were given. What would you do if you were a mother in labour and right before you give that final big push, the doctor looks at his watch and says... "Oops, I'm off at 10pm and it's now 10:01pm... gotta run. Good luck, let me know how this turns out. Bu-bye." NO NO NO... he stays and makes sure he finishes what he came to do.

To all the kiddies that want to make money and gain jobs...

IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL THEN YOU HAVE TO GIVE OF YOURSELF MORE, WORK HARDER FOR YOUR COMPANY, AND BE WHO YOU PRETENDED TO BE IN YOUR INTERVIEW. IT'S A STRANGE PHENOMENON... IF YOU WORK HARD, THE COMPANY DOES BETTER. IF THE COMPANY DOES BETTER, YOU GET MORE MONEY. IF YOU GET MORE MONEY, YOU'RE MORE HAPPY AND WILL PROBABLY WORK EVEN HARDER. SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS?

As for me, I don't get these kids because they don't get it. Life will not be served up to you on a silver platter... know that fact and get it engrained in your head. You want to make more than minimum wage, show your boss you deserve more than the minimum by giving your maximum effort. If you don't, why should you be rewarded? Just because? Kick yourself in the ass before I do! Your foot is guaranteed not to hurt as much and you'll probably have a job after the pain subsides... you probably won't be employed any longer and have a purple cheek if I have to do it, and that's just no fun.

Stop By the R & G

In our town, there are places you go for groceries, a haircut, or to get a tire changed. However, if you need an old car, a chain link fence, or some quality rotting lumber then you should look no further than the Milk River R & G. Stroll our spacious outdoor marketplace and view all the great bargains. We have a many different departments and lines of product for you to choose from. We are also the exclusive Renault dealer in Alberta and that means great service and better deals for you.

Our courteous and efficient staff is ready to help whenever you need... except for Monday nights from 6:45pm until 10pm, as we are away at emptynesters home evening. Other than being closed on Sunday, we will help you with whatever you need. No trades please... we have enough crap already. We'll see you on the lot!

The Man and His Mower

Big Sexy and his Big Mower

When I was a kid, I mowed my neighbor's lawn at least once a week. When I was 12, I mowed Don Livingstone's yard, a big task considering he owned Par 3 in the river valley and had high standards. The connection between both of these tasks is the lawn mower of which was used. Now you can add my house to that equation with the addition of my new lawn mower... a Lawn Boy lawn mower of course!

I used it for the first time last Tuesday and it was such a blast to fire that sucka up for the very first go 'round. Not only did it kick my lawns butt, I looked super sexy pushing it. I almost took my shirt off so my sweat could glisten in what was left of the evening sun, but I didn't want all of Milk River's bachelorettes to come running to my house. That would be scary, especially for my cats.

Anyway, already the lawn is greener and the dead crap the mower sucked up made a huge difference in the overall appearance of the yard. Yes, Lawn Boy mowers are super great. If you have the means, I highly recommend  picking one up... they are so choice.

OH
YES!

Back In Time On The Reese Farm

The Reese Family Farm Spring 2008

On Sunday, the weather was fantastic here in Milk River. Not much wind and you could see for miles. As opposed to last weekend where blizzard warnings and bad roads were the tonic for the happiness of one's soul. Having had a complete 180 in conditions, I decided that I would do something with my kids that my mom used to do with me when I was a young buckeroo... go for a walk on the farm.

The Reese Farm is located NE of the town of Milk River by about ten miles. Ask Cam how I know this and you'll get one heck of an answer. The farmhouse and cow barn, along with the other outbuildings are up on a peninsula that overlooks a long coulee on either side (it actually stretches from up near New Dayton all the way down to where it meets the Milk River just west of Writing-On-Stone). At the base of the south facing slope, just below the main house is a lake being held back by a small earth fill dam. From there, a little creek meanders it's way toward the main coulee channel where a canal has been built but no longer used (ask Uncle Kenny about that... he may become upset about the canal, so beware). Out in the fields across the dam are rock piles that my Grandpa Reese and presumably sons made as they picked the rocks out of the field. There are some big piles so I don't envy those hot days in the sun. I am also sure that Grandpa didn't quit for the day until the sun was close to going over the western horizon, he just worked that hard and expected his kids to do the same. Something my mom tried to impress upon me, too, so I guess Grandpa made an impression (not that my mom or my uncles had a choice). There are areas of thick brush and a few rocky outcroppings. Other than that, wide open prairie awaits.

Attack, Kathryn... attack!!!

I distinctly remember being with my mom, walking by some brush, and a pheasant popping out of those bushes when I was so close to him I could have grabbed him with my bare hands. Too bad my heart stopped and I had the daylights scared out of me by his sudden decision to bolt. My mom had a good laugh and we had fun in those hills. We'd see lots of deer and a few birds. Depending on the height of the water, there would be geese and ducks on the dam and the odd time, a coyote. Some good times... sometimes we wouldn't talk about much of anything or even talk much at all. Other times she'd ask about my dad and if I'd seen him lately, or where my head was at on that situation... tell me when else she'd have a chance except for a time like this. It was special and a simple thing, but important. I'm glad we would go for these walks and talk to each other like adults do (I couldn't have been more than 13 years old).

Anyway, we brought the girls out to the farm this past Sunday and enjoyed about an hour and a half in the coulees. We had a friend in Amber (Ken & Jane's dog) to guide us along and "lead the way" as Kathryn put it. Tansley loved the birds, Kathryn loved the views, and I enjoyed sharing it all with my family.

The most special part of the walk wasn't the picture we took of our family as we came up out of the coulee... instead it was stopping on the north facing slope with Kathryn to find the first few crocuses of the spring coming up. My mom and I would go pick these when I was Kathryn's age and now here I am doing the same thing with her. Can't really put to words how great that was but the feelings were deep and special. One of those times where becoming a parent is all worthwhile, no matter how long a day might be or if you are going it alone... I know what my mom to some degree was trying to do and hoping for everyday of our young lives... to have moments like that where things are taught, thoughts are expressed, and love is able to grow for one another.

Court Farmly Portrait

I love my kids. I love being their daddy. I love having a wife that is everything I wanted to have in my life and every bit the mommy I wanted my kids to have. I love my mom. I love that she never gave up and never "tuckered out" though she should have on many of those crazy days the five of us raised hell. I love that the Lord has so freely given this all to me and the joy that comes from these gifts.

That walk on Sunday was a gift... and I will cherish it more than any one thing that can be bought in a store. I smile at the thought that my kids could have the same type of moment on the farm with their kids only to have the same realization I had today. "My parents loved me and we had some great moments to share, laugh, and love... and I want more of these moments!"

Many more to come, girls.

Grandma's Game Show Network

Today was my usual day off from B & M. Cassie, get out of the way... I'm blogging right now. Normally it would be spent doing a few projects around the house or going for a wiener roast, but today it was Grandma Paxman's 47th birthday (wink, wink... nod, nod). Our dear cousin Jenni went on a quest to get Grandma a new floor and fridge in her place and with said things purchased in advance, it was up to a few of us to install the floor. Seriously, Cassie... you are not helping anyone by standing where you are. Here are just a few observations of the day:

    1.   Grandpa Paxman was one amazing homebuilder and craftsmen. To know that it would only take one nail to keep the stairs to the landing in place for over 24 years is amazing foresight. Too bad he didn't bank on his favorite Grandson-in-law dropping his old fridge on them and causing some "shifting".

    2.   Grandma Paxman must have shares in Ronco. If not Ronco, then perhaps at the very least, the Home Shopping Network. Yep, the old slogan for the Ronco Rotisseries was "Set it and forget it!" and gang, that is exactly what Grandma did... judging by the dust on the appliance. Good that there was no chicken or roast on the spindle, though it would  explain the strange smells we encountered while at floor level.  Yo, Cassie... move your buns back into the living room.

    3.   Elbert needs to attend, in the very near future, a "stair safety seminar" or "common household accidents you can prevent" workshop. This guy... well, it's just a miracle that we have him with us on the earth today. But, when your injuries usually cause your doctor to inject you with some sort of yummy drug to calm the pain and raise the spirits, I guess I'd like nothing more than stubbing my toe or nearly cutting my fingers off with an exacto knife either.

    4.   Cassie loves to constantly stay in the way (most of her brothers, too) but mostly her. Especially when:
                -Garth and Dan are trying to move the stove in or out of the kitchen
                -Uncle Elbert is attempting to use the skill saw at floor level
                -Garth, Neil, Dan, & Elbert are trying to install a new floor at Grandma's house BEFORE she gets back                     home
                -Dan is trying to play along with such gameshow masterpieces as the Family Fued, Super Password,                         Pyramid, and Press Your Luck. For Pete's sake, get out of the way, Cassie... are you kidding me?!?

    5.   Grandma Paxman keeps a lot of yeast and condiments in her ice box. No wonder she stays in such good shape. Maybe I should try that diet out... the pounds would just melt off me. "Hey Grandma, could you pass the ketchup? Mmmmmmmmmmm, I sure love ketchup!" Can't say I'd want a yeast infection, though. Anyway...

    6.    Dishwashers, like Ronco products, can be great for us when we USE THEM.

    7.   The air in the farmhouse should be much cleaner and fresher with the inch of dust no longer coating the air exchange intake behind the new fridge. It may also be noted that moving your fridge or other similar appliance from time to time may allow for easier clean ups of the room in which the prescribed appliance sits. If you are unable to move them yourself, then call on one of many family members that claim to be there at you beckoned call to give you a hand.
  
    8.   Don't be afraid to "re-delegate" a task you have been asked to perform to any other one member of your family or work party. You better believe that there will be someone to take care of that task somewhere down the line so you won't have to, even though the reason you were probably invited to do that service was most likely because you had your thumb up your bum or were just habitually getting in the way (Cassie) of the procedings of the day. Those that came to work will do all the big and small jobs for the project... you guys just sit back (or stand... in the way) and relax and let the big guys do all the work. It's better this way, wouldn't want you pulling a hammy or getting dusty on our account.

Anyway, it was a great day and very rewarding I am sure for all of us everytime we will step into the kitchen at Grandma's. The floor looks great, the fridge will hold more food than Grandma could ever have room for (No Elbert, this is not extra storage for you or your family - Jenni & Dave not included). And Grandma had one of her "best days". I was grateful to be apart of it. Happy Birthday, Grandma P!