Happy Memories

By Dianne on November 26, 2014

Thirty one years ago today, I married the love of my life.

wedding001Fifty two days ago today, he died.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about anniversaries and tenses. “We’ve been married for 31 years?” (Do I continue to count the years now that he’s gone? Are we still considered married?) “We were married for 31 years?” (This sounds like our marriage ended. Did it?) I’m celebrating our 31st anniversary?” (Doesn’t sound right without the We’re. Plus it’s no longer a celebration. So what is it?)

I’ve decided to go with how I opened this post. “Thirty one years ago today, I married the love of my life.” (Simple, true, and updatable each year.)

Bill proposed to me (down on one knee) at my parents’ cabin at Kimball Lake in the spring of 1983. He did not have a ring. He said he had picked one out, but wanted to make sure it was what I wanted before he bought it. When we got back to Saskatoon we went to Peoples and he showed me what he had picked out. It was a beautiful ring but much more than I was comfortable wearing. He kind of thought that would be my response. I chose a smaller engagement ring with a wedding ring that fit together with it, and I told him that I wanted another copy of the wedding ring to go on the other side for our 10th anniversary. Which I got.

IMG_2300(Who knew how hard it is to take a picture of a ring?)

We were married on Saturday, November 26th at Trinity United Church in the Montgomery neighbourhood of Saskatoon. Bill’s longtime friend Doug Obed and Bill’s brother Bob were the groomsmen. My friend Debbie Cathrea and my sister Sheila were the bridesmaids. I wanted to rent a wedding gown, but my mother wouldn’t hear of it and paid for my dress.

The reception and dance were held at the Leisureland hall. My mom tells me it was storming, but I don’t remember. 🙂 My dad’s boss and my former teacher, George McLeod, gave the toast to the bride. I gave the response (as if I was ever going to let Bill do my talking for me!).

The first dance was supposed to be “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley. The DJ had assured me he would have that particular song for the dance. He didn’t. So our first dance was “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” by Elvis.

I’ll always remember Terry Hryniuk and friends doing an impromptu version of Do Wah Diddy at the dance. “There she was just a-walkin’ down the street…”

Yes, it’s a sad day for me, but I have lots of happy memories. Our usual anniversary celebrations involved going out for supper and a movie. My sons are going to take me out for supper and a movie tonight. There will be tears throughout the day – that I am sure of – but some smiles as well.

The other thing I’ve wondered is what can people say? What would I say to someone whose husband has died, but it’s their anniversary? “Happy anniversary” doesn’t seem appropriate. “Sad anniversary” is more accurate, but hardly something you want to wish someone. So how about “Happy memories”? That works for me.

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Happy Second Anniversary To Me!

By Dianne on May 12, 2013

Yesterday was the second anniversary of my becoming a birder. Two years ago I took my first picture of a bird – a Brown Thrasher.

DSCN0003cropNot a great picture, I know, but that doesn’t matter – the first is always special.

A new camera, a photography class and 2 years of experience and ta da! Here’s the last new bird I photographed in my second year – a Western Grebe.

IMG_9320

Over the first year, I photographed (and identified) 77 birds. I made a slide show if you want to see them. In my second year I’ve added another 32 to my list. Here’s the slide show from Year 2.

It’s fun to keep track of how many new birds I’ve seen, but the numbers aren’t really important. I truly love going for a walk just to see what birds I can find. It’s exciting! You never know what you might see around the next corner. Plus I’ve found a wonderful community of birders who are happy to share their knowledge and expertise. Thank you to them, and Happy Anniversary to me!

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Looking Back at 2012

By Dianne on January 1, 2013

Usually I take time between Christmas and New Year’s to look back at the year that was, but somehow just never got around to it this time until today. I like to look backward at the old year before I look forward into the new year. Sometimes I get too caught up in my TO DO list, instead of appreciating my I DID list. So here’s my I DID list for 2012:

  • I turned 53 in February. Yay me!
  • I launched Dear Flyary, my fifth book, in March. I first wrote this book over 16 years ago!
  • I saw a foot doctor in May for the first time, and over the course of a few months, got orthotics and cleared up the foot problems that had been plaguing me for over a year. Yay Dr. Davies in Warman!
  • I went to Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan for the first time in July. I’m not a huge Shakespeare fan but it was interesting.
  • I took Kayaking lessons in June. Loved it!
  • I spent another wonderful week at a writing retreat in Bruno in July.
  • I spent four glorious days tenting at Kimball Lake in August.
  • I changed schools at the end of August. I’m now at College Park.
  • I went to Cypress Hills for the first time in September with my fabulous writing group, the Robins.
  • I saw my second musical, Jersey Boys, in October. It was great!
  • I saw Lawrence of Arabia in the theatre in November. it was also great!
  • I went on my first and second ever Christmas Bird Counts in December. The first was in the Clark’s Crossing area on Dec. the 15th and the second was in the University area in Saskatoon on Boxing Day. (That was a cold one!)
  • I photographed over 50 new-to-me birds in 2012 and over 5 new-to-me butterflies. (Numbers aren’t exact because I’m still going through the pictures.)

So overall, I’d say it was a great year! Of course, not every day was a picnic, but it’s the picnics I choose to remember. Why not? 🙂

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