Eddie has left the building

You have to admit, Eddie was right up there with Snoopy and Lassie. Before he became a TV star, Moose (his real name) was chasing horses and killing the neighbour's cat, and his owners had given up on him. Then, a trainer rescued him from the dog pound, and the rest is history. His incredible charisma and free spirit eventually won out, landing him a part on Frasier. He received more fan mail than any of his human counterparts during the height of the show's popularity.

Marty Crane, who played Kelsey Grammer's sitcom father, announced that his pet's full name was Eddie Spaghetti. "Because he has worms," he said. It was sad news to read that this little terrier (aka "terror") had died today. Eddie has left the building.

Training the flippin' baboon

Our pastor son is great for recommending helpful books or articles he's read. Today he sent us one in which the author shares her secrets on how to remedy "spousal deafness" and other "incompatible behaviours." Or, as she puts it, "nudge him a little closer to perfection." She says it's kind of like teaching a baboon how to flip on a skateboard.

I know, that sounds really difficult, but wait until you read the article. It's as simple as the old LRS technique. That's short for "least reinforcing syndrome." The idea is, when you see a behaviour you don't approve of, you don't do anything about it, and it goes away. Maybe. I like the part about getting your mate out of the kitchen. Also the one about helping him (or her) find the missing keys.

Whatever will she do now?

My significant other has just retired . . . again. After highschool, she took a business course and worked for the Bay as a comptometer operator. Comptometers were the state of the art high-speed calculating machines in those days. Before long she went for more training and became a Registered Nurse. When that conflicted with caring for me and four kids, she upgraded her piano and became a teacher. That chapter in her life came to a close last week amidst tears and hugs from parents and pupils who weren't sure what they would do without her.

What will she do now? Well . . . let's see. Being a great cook and having the gift of hospitality, the idea has often crossed her mind to open a bed and breakfast. Not known for doddling, she gave it a try a couple of days ago with our good friends Dave and Chris Neale, who were leaving Calgary for Gibbonsville, Idaho, to be closer to her dad for a while, and do some fishing and writing and, well . . . living.


Then, there's always gardening to consider. Up until a few months ago, I thought this was her first love. Apparently not. We've been attending a group for married couples and learning about communicating and knowing your partner; that sort of thing. Turns out her main interest is actually traveling. Hmmmm. We'll see how that goes.

When she's not on a tropical island somewhere, you'll probably find here in the garden doing some deadheading. Another one of her interests would be fishing. Like all true fisherpersons, she enjoys telling about how big her catches have been, and how they've outnumbered those made by the men. I think she would also like to become a big game hunter like our son Ken.

It seems the main topic of conversation at Darlene's "retirement" luncheon last week was all about trapping wild animals, particularly the ones that have been wintering underneath our hot tub. She was telling her friends how the intruders were eating all the bait and getting away without murder. After listening to their suggestions, she came up with an idea of her own; fastening the bait with chewing gum. BINGO! Zooming in on the security camera's evidence like they do on CSI, we see that isn't a dead flower she's holding in her hand.

It's all about the comments

You can leave comments even though you are not a blogger. Just click on "anonymous" and away you go. If you'd rather send a comment directly, without posting it, feel free to click here. However, by including your comment on the blog it gives others an opportunity to reflect on it and/or maybe even respond. Either way, I'd like to hear from you.

Give the game another name?

How
about
calling
this
game
Hugger?

(as in
rugger)









Ballroom Ball maybe?

Cut-throat or


Touch Football?

I know - Dodge Ball!

Whatever you want to call this game, these guys have some incredible moves. Like splitting the defence with this pretzel play. Amazing. If only they wouldn't fall down so much.

Things I don't understand about the World Cup

Not having played a lot of soccer, or footie as some call it, I'm at quite a disadvantage when it comes to watching the World Cup. There are a few things I just don't get.

1. Do you need to take dancing lessons before the game can be played well?

2. And, what

about drama?

Looks like you

would need

some experience

with acting.

3. And, what's with those rules? Do they allow hugging? Or should this Ivory Coast guy have been called for a head lock, or maybe choking?

4. Since players don't have the benefit of line changes or commercial breaks, when they're touched by an opponent, they can just lie down and take a breather.

5. If they're

really tired . . .

they can always

take a ride on

one of those

stretchers

they use for

injured players.

6. One more thing. Is it really true that the scoreless games are supposed to be the most exciting? Or, am I missing something?

What if?

What if Dwayne Roloson, the man who took Edmonton to the Stanley Cup final, had not been injured in game one when they had that three goal lead? That could have made game six their fourth win and the celebration would have been in front of a different home crowd. You will remember how they dominated and actually shut Carolina out in that one.

What if the guy who replaced him had not misjudged his work behind the net, giving the game away? Maybe the same story. As it turned out, number three goalie came in and played like number one goalie.

And, here's a thought. What if they had won that first game and gone on to win in four or five? Jussi Markkanen (number three goalie above) would undoubtedly have been in the running for that Conn Smythe trophy instead of Carolina Cam. And, if not Jussi, it could easily have been Pronger or Smyth (That's Smythe without the "e").

Or maybe another Alberta boy? Yup, I'm thinkin' Fernando Pisani would have been most deserving. Scoring a respectable 16 goals in the regular season, the boy who grew up in Edmonton led his team in goals scored in the playoffs with 14.

Even if they didn't win the last game, any one of them could have been named the MVP of the series. Especially the ones who played in every game.

Who is that masked man?

I had some really nice pictures of my favourite hockey players to go with this post, but they will have to wait until next time. This is the only one I can use right now. This one in particular was supposed to be all about Ryan Smith, the guy in blue who has just scored a goal. But something happened.

What happened? Cam Ward happened, that's what happened. Can you believe it? This 22-year-old kid (#30 wearing the wrong colour) from Sherwood Park, recently with the Red Deer Rebels, gets called up to the NHL to play backup goal tender for Carolina. He sits on the bench for most of the playoffs and when he goes in to relieve the main player, he not only helps his team win the Stanley Cup, he's voted the MVP in the biggest game of 2006 so far. (Yes, I know about the NBA and the major leagues of baseball, football, soccer, and such. But, hockey players are different. Even Jim Rome said so, and he ought to know).

They're still going

Two days after scoring his empty net goal in Detroit, Edmonton Oiler Jarret Stoll is seen celebrating another one, and maybe the biggest one of his career. It came in the third game of a best of seven series against the National Hockey League's top team in 2006, or so we thought. That goal may have been the turning point in the most amazing playoff run ever. Almost two months later, Stoll and company are in the finals.

It wasn't looking good Wednesday night, however. Up 3 games to 1, Carolina only needed one more victory to win the cup. The Oilers' luck appeared to have run out - especially when the game ended in a tie and they had one man in the penalty box three minutes into overtime. Enter Fernando, the kid who grew up in Edmonton, doing what no man had ever done before, scoring the first ever overtime shorthanded goal in Stanley Cup history. His team? They're still going.

It's not over yet, but just in case

If the only Canadian team left in the Stanely Cup finals fails to win three more games, my Oilers cap will need to be laid to rest for another year. And since it's way too early to take the wraps off that Stampeder (Canadian Football League) touque, my next diversion is going to be the World Cup.

Who to cheer for will be the next question. There are so many entries and who knows at this point which countries will end up as the main contenders?

Here's an idea: A haircut that shows you are interested but still gives you some time to look over the teams before picking your favourites. Might need a Sharpie to fill in that bald spot though.

They might need some of these in Edmonton

According to sports writer Cam Cole, the crowd noise at Rexall Place last Saturday during the Oilers game was "like an air force flyover. . . .Like the sound of an earthquake echoing inside Candlestick Park in 1989." Edmonton hockey fans could probably use some of these hearing protectors seen at a recent World Cup game.

If the Oilers lose, I'll likely need some too - to drown out those sour grape broadcasters in Calgary who can't bring themselves to admit there is another team in Alberta that did much better than their fizzled Flames.

What were we doing in Russia?

Both Darlene and I have roots in this great country. Her father was born in the Ukraine and my mother in Russia. However, the main reason for our trip to St. Petersburg was to visit our daughter Sandra and her husband Derek. Actually, there was another main attraction. Our newest grandchild was just born a year ago and was about to celebrate his first birthday. You can see how pleased he was to see us arrive for the party!

The little charmer is seen here with his grandma from Canada. In the background is one of his favourite lookouts. He enjoys the view down in the courtyard below, where he and his friends and their mothers congregate on a daily basis. When things get a little boring, there are always a few plants or books for him to tip over. Great fun. Before long, he lets you know it's time to go for a stroll.

There's always someone who will oblige. So, off we go.

As the day progresses, there are canals and boats everywhere, so why not hop aboard and go for a spin? Snacks are always available, and there's no better place than Mum's lap. Today it's cheerios......again.

And, for a better view, there's always Dad's shoulders. What a life. All the comforts of home.

Until it's time to crash!

Oh yes. Let me introduce you. This is Leon, the friendliest lion cub you would ever want to meet.