Good Saturday morning everyone,

Yesterday was the one month anniversary of Dad's passing. I feel worse, rather than better. I watched the Pixar movie "Up" with my grade five students yesterday (I owed them a treat due to a failure on my part to daily physical activity. TMI?). I sat at the back of the room because I found myself fighting back tears on a couple of occasions. Around 5:30 last evening there was a knock on the door. I let Norm answer it as I was feeling sorry for myself and didn't want to see anyone, but then I recognized the voice of my WONDERFUL friend, Nicole Kirouac Luke - a friend who's sense of compassion is such that she took the time out of her hectic schedule to bring me a bunch of tulips and hyacinths. It was she who reminded me that it was the month anniversary. I cried, she cried and I finally understood why I had been moping around all day. Thanks Nicole.

Here's a great photo of Dad, Sonya and Livy (Sonya's middle child) taken Christmas '09.

If you've read this far, thanks for sticking with me. Have a great day, Be well, and TTYL.

It is Tuesday evening, Canada is trailing the USA in the Women's World Curling Championship, a load of jeans will soon be ready for the dryer and the dog climbed up on the table to clean up what her brother left behind of his dinner. This will be a short post as the news around this household hardly seems noteworthy.

I do, however, have something encouraging to share with you. Sandy has landed an interesting job working in the kitchen of a northern inn. He is in Resolute Bay, just a few degrees south of Santa's Workshop. Apparently he can see the Arctic Ocean, but it is still a day's walk from the inn. His first request from Mum was a pair of long unders. Seems to me one might have thought about that before leaving, but then from where he was standing (balmy 'Peg) one wouldn't need winter gear in April. Not so. -51! That's cold, even for a Toban.

Here is the link to the Inn's web site. I'm sure he would love a letter from family members. Remember, Sandy does not use a computer.

http://www.innsnorth.com/html/inns-acc-nun-resolute.htm

Lastly, someone suggested that one of the photos of Ashley was unflattering. Here's a better one:

On the occasion of the 3+3+3+1 weekend (3 Wrights, 3 Tallins, 3 Burns, 1 Arnason)

Good night all. I'll be back.

BE WELL

Good Sunday morning to you all,

It is a good morning indeed as I had a call from Sandy last night and he is safe and sound (and I imagine very cold) in Resolute Bay, just a day's walk from the Arctic Ocean. He is the chief cook and bottle washer at an inn where explorers and scientists go to train for extreme exploring. I'm quite happy hearing about it from the relative balmy climate of the 'Peg.

Some of my cousins have asked how one goes about signing on as a follower. To the right of what you are at this very moment reading you will find the "tools" & "gadgets" of a blog. Click on the rectangular box featuring the small Google "g" and the word "Follow". You will be prompted to create a Google, Yahoo or Twitter account. This costs nothing and will not alter your life in any way. I'm afraid I have forgotten the next step, but one only has to keep in mind that Google has tried to make the process as user friendly as possible. I'm confident that the number of followers will soon soar as my cousins figure out the mysteries of a blog.

This post was supposed to be short, so I'll get to the remaining two items without further chit chat.

I have added the eulogies made by two of Dad's dear friends, Taras from the Real Estate industry, and Terry Braunstein from the curling world. They will offer insight into Dad's two passions. I hope you enjoy them both. We are going to attempt to convert the audio cassette tape of the service to a CD as some of our rellies have expressed an interest in hearing the service. We'll keep you posted on the progress of that project.

Finally, I asked Clive to send a couple more photos that will fill in a couple of blanks. Welcome to the blogosphere Terry (Clive's wife); I think Terry deserves to be featured along side her amazing sons. And, in case anyone else was wondering why Phil had his name embroidered on the left side of his white coat and Einstien's on the right, it is because he attends Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Terry and Clive Campbell with their first grandchild, Jack

A better photo of Jack

(a good one to show future love interests too;

women appreciate a man who takes oral hygiene seriously!)

Jack's parents, Ross Campbell and his wife Joanne.

Joanne is a home-care case manager nurse.

Thanks again for the wonderful photos Clive. Ben, when I see you, I think of your father twenty - no, more like 40 years ago. Except for the red hair, and you don't seem to have the same gold tooth (or was it silver?). Clive, you were famous for that.

À la prochaine les amis.

Good morning Rellies,

Mum and I were treated to a fabulous performance by the young Russian pianist Daria Rabotkina. I shouldn't have quit my piano lessons... she performed the Ravel piece for left hand flawlessly, but my favourite was Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

I thought I would point out that following yesterday's post, Clive called Ashley - they both live in Ottawa, and they had a chat. Lynne Arnason (Campbell Wright's wife) called Lindsay and invited her to dinner because she thought that Linds might be alone given Mum was attending the concert. And finally, Dean emailed me to ask how he could sign on as a follower of Penned in the 'Peg. Thanks Dean! When the Penned in the 'Peg page opens, the most recent post is always on the left. On the right side one will find things like "Pages" (allows the blogger to create that a page that will not fall further and further down the archive page. I only have one and it is dedicated to Dad's eulogy); the "Labels" tool allows me to identify a photo or post so that it is easy to find (I've labelled Clive's kids' photos now) Then we come upon Blogger followed by, well, "Followers". There is a Google box: "g" Follow Click on it and follow the prompts.

As further encouragement to send me photos, I will continue to post the ones I already have in my library.

Like these ones for instance, taken at Aunt Sonya's 75th birthday party (November, 2007) - it was a theme party in case you are wondering why your Aunt Dilly is wearing a tunic.

Ashley toasts Aunt Sonya

Dilly and Dawn in "period" costumes

Alex and Dawn in sartorial splendour

Liz Wright and Dilly Burns

See what I'm saying? It is in your best interest to send me recent photos of your gang. And to my cousins on the Burns side, I promise equal real estate to you too.

Have a wonderful and productive day.

It is Friday 6 pm, and the weekend has begun not a moment too soon. This has been a week of challenges; parenting challenges and professional challenges. However, tonight Mom and I will

enjoy two hours of sweet diversion at the Concert Hall where the Winnipeg Symphony orchestra is presenting Bernstein, Gershwin and Ravel. Dad would have loved it.

This is a weekend dedicated to cultural activities: symphony tonight, Cercle Molière's "Doubt" tomorrow afternoon and fundraising brunch for "La Maison Gabrielle Roy" on Sunday. Throw a little grade five science and social studies prep in the mix and I should come out a well-rounded individual by Monday morning.

One of my goals in launching this blog was to keep cousins in the loop with what is going on in one another's big picture lives. Not the daily stuff, rather what it is the next generation is up to. Think about it... we had a unique opportunity in that on at least two occasions cousins, aunts and uncles were reunited for a milestone celebration: Grandma and Grandpa's 50th wedding anniversary, and then a Grandpa's 90th at the farm (I trust someone will correct me if those occasions are wrong), and, it wasn't too many years ago that we had the well-attended cousins' reunion right here in the 'Peg. We may get another such reunion organized, but until then, I invite my first cousins to send me photos and "bios" of the next generation.

Clive will show you how it's done:

Ross (30), is a financial executive recruiter, he and his wife Joanne, a home-care nurse, live in Toronto with their only grandchild Jack (almost 2). Ben is featured in this photo with our wonderful Aunt Enid who is holding her great-grandson Jack, accompanied by Clive and Scott Campbell.

Clive and Terry's son Ben (27), is a biophysics/neuroscience PhD candidate; he and his wife Julia, a kindergarten teacher, live in New York City. Clive, does Ben look more like Terry's side of the family? Cousins, Judge for yourselves...

Phil, their third son, (23 in April), is an MD/PhD candidate, and lives in the Bronx. Clive has already admitted that he and Terry will be travelling frequently to NYC.

If Clive's children are any indication of the brain power this next generation possesses, there is high hope indeed. Thanks for the pix and update Clive. The photo of your mom was a nice surprise. It's not too late to send one of you & Terry; it would complete the genetic picture (no pun intended), and she might like some of the credit for the wonderful boys you have raised.

In the field of education we speak of modeling...showing the students what a successful piece looks like. The above photo-bio is perfect: short informative update and accompanying photos. N.B. The Blogger reserves the right to edit those submissions that prove to be circumlocutory (there are "advantages" to having a Thesaurus at one's fingertips!).

If that isn't incentive enough, if you don't send me photos and updates of your children, I'll be forced to feature my own offspring, and just how much do you want to know about basketball and X-box? And to my Burns cousins, this invitation includes you too.

Speaking of circumlocutory, I will sign off for today, and conclude by inviting you, nay, begging you to sign up as a follower of Penned in the 'Peg. Consider it your familial duty.

SB

Sonya Burns and her three children, Erik Sandy Olson, Olivia Lindsay Olson and Georgia Mae Burns Olson are visiting our cousin Ashley Wright in Ottawa. Ashley is married to Jeff Cass, and they have three children; Melinda, Antonia and Ted. I can only imagine the fun they are having all staying under one roof for spring "break" - if ever there was a misnomer... How about it ladies, would it be easier in class with a room full of six year olds, or seated at a journalist's desk at CBC Ottawa?

The Ottawa Citizen photographer appears to have found a moment in time when these four children were actually seated long enough to snap a photo. It does not, however, give any indication as where their parents are...suspicious!

Monday was a beautiful day to enjoy the sights in the ByWard Market, where Georgia Olson, 6, Ted Cass, 7, Antonia Cass, 8, and Melinda Cass, 10, enjoyed some ice cream.

Photograph by: Bruno Schlumberger, The Ottawa Citizen, The Ottawa Citizen

Good luck Ashley and Sonya! I'm sure you're all having a blast! And just where are the two older children?

I made an important discovery this morning: cellular telephones do not change the time automatically... but the MTS receiver does - which do you believe when you wake up in a jolt, with a 8 am dog-walking date looming? I made the wrong choice. Fortunately my dear friend, Brenda Bracken-Warwick forgave my mental lapse and, thanks to her "Where are you?" phone call, I arrived on time for my next appointment, a 9 am geometry lesson at Stella's on Osborne, with my colleague Anne Bergeron. I will now dedicate the remainder of the abbreviated Sunday to planning fun yet educational geometry lessons.

Many people continue to express their condolences, and without fail they inquire as to how Mum is doing (BTW, Dilly prefers the m-u-m spelling - it's not ME). At this point in time, she is chagrined and faces daily reminders that Dad is not with us. It's hard. Norm is the lucky benefactor of some of Dad's lovely Thai ties, golf shirts (quelle surprise!), My s-i-l, a bag of curling pins, but the Italian sweater is staying put. The triage is painful for her. The hundreds of cards and letters bring her comfort as many people take the time to share anecdotes and memories that they have of Dad.

I leave you with an Irish blessing with a wink and a nod to Grandma Campbell (March 16th) and Uncle Jack (March 17th), after all, St. Patty's Day is fast approaching.

May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.

Rags, our Soft-coated Wheaton Terrier (an Irish breed of course!)

Slán go fóill

The JESSE COOK concert was fabulous. The playlist featured work from his latest album,Rumba Foundation and the music is - and there is no other way to describe it, palpitating. Before going to the concert I stopped by Doug McKeag's open house. Context: Doug is the only son and fourth child of Dawn (Campbell) McKeag, the eldest Campbell daughter - fourth in the family line up. I could go on at length about Aunt Dawn's theatrics, but I have a physio appointment in ten minutes. Doug lives in Calgary, but bought a condo in the theatre district as an investment.

Check it out...

Mandy (Colin's girlfriend) & Roy Drewett

Scott Rees (Kelly McKeag's eldest) Mandy & Colin Rees (Kelly's youngest)

Lindsay & Dilly Burns
And the condo owner himself, Douglas McKeag Pat Drewtt (our "Aunt" and Roy's mom)

and Aunt Sonya (Campbell Wright)

Hooray! The cousin blog has one follower; Clive Campbell. Burns rellies, here is how Clive fits in to the Campbell equation: Clive is the second son of Craig & Enid Campbell - Craig was the third Campbell son and will forever be a legend in my mind because he was Mom's older brother who once painstakingly created a beautiful and intricate Valentine's Day card that said, "On every page of this book, You will find Dwili's look", and on every page there was a picture of a pig. OK, granted that is not the most flattering hommage one could pay his youngest sister, and Mom, understandably ripped the book in two, but, years later, she regretted her rash decision to destroy the work of art, and with reason, because I don't think Uncle Craig ever gave her another one. She just couldn't get passed the pigs.

With Clive's permission I will post the "What is the third generation up to?", and just as a sneak preview, the third generation appears to be brilliant. I would love to post photos of the third generation children, so feel free to attach them to an email and posted they will be.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog as I will have a frank review of the much anticipated Jesse Cook concert, and with Douglas McKeag's approval, photos of his tony condo in the 'Peg's theatre district.

Buenos noches

Yesterday I received my very first comment from a reader; it was something of a thrill! Thank you to my wonderful friend and one half of the dynamic calligraphy duo, Lorraine Douglas. Lorraine lives in Duncan, B.C. (that's close to Victoria isn't it?), where she gets to ide her bike all year long and practice her number one passion, art. And hang with her husband Neil of course.

Tonight is the Jesse Cook concert, the concert to which I had given Dad a ticket as a Christmas gift. You mean you are not familiar with Jesse Cook? Tragic. Check out his web site.

http://www.jessecook.com/#/home/

He is a Canadian Treasure. Mom will accompany me to the concert, and I'm still trying to find someone deserving of the third ticket. I do have someone in mind though...

Cousin Doug McKeag is also holding an open house to show off his Waterfront condo here in the 'Peg. With his permission, I'll post pix tomorrow.

Be well folks.

Today I am head back to school for the first time since February 22nd. Am I ready? No. Will I be? Yes, probably within the first fifteen minutes. My students will quickly take over and I expect their welcome will be sincere. I thought I would do a quick post while I wait for my tea water to boil. On Saturday, my friend Laura Dyck gave me a few important tips on how to be a successful blogger. She creates fabulous journals by repurposing books that would otherwise be on their way to landfill sites. Check out her blog and Etsy site

http://prairiepeasant.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrairiePeasant

Exactly one week ago today we said a collective goodbye to Dad at Westminster Church. Lynne then welcomed us back to her house where we had the best wake possible for a Monday night. Some revellers used up a good part of Tuesday before going to bed, but not the group pictured below: Dougal Clark (Toronto) Shannon Burns (Winnipeg) Sandy Burns (Winnipeg) Stevie McDowell (Saanich B.C.) and brother Fraser McDowell (Coquitlam, B.C.). We are all related on the Burns side. Dad would love to see this photo.

I first heard the poem The Bridge Builder by Will Allen Dromgoole when the former Reform Party of Canada attributed it to my grandfather, Douglas Lloyd Campbell. All of my Campbell cousins will remember that the party created an award that would be presented to an individual that best embodies the spirit of the poem, just as Grandpa did. My Dad followed a similar path, and the highest compliment one could pay him is to compare him to DL. They were two superb human beings:

The Bridge Builder

by Will Allen Dromgoole

An old man going a lone highway,

Came at evening cold and grey,

To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,

Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim -

That sullen stream had no fears for him;

But he turned when he reached the other side,

And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,

"You are wasting strength in building here.

Your journey will end with the ending day;

You never again must pass this way.

You have crossed the chasm deep and wide,

Why build you a bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old grey head.

"Good friend, in the path that I have come," he said,

"There followeth after me today

A youth whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm that has been naught to me

To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.

He, too, must cross on the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

Dad and Sonya in Guelph, Ontario June 2009

Goodbye to a lovely father

Photo composite by: Lorne Coulson, Winnipeg

Six days ago, our wonderful father, Bill Burns, passed away peacefully at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was in his 78th year - that's the way he quoted his age. Dad's first cancer was prostate, but it spread over the 13 years since his operation. I guess we were lucky, but I don,t feel so lucky today. I know, I know, time will heal this wound too, but we're still allowed to wallow for a little while yet.

Here's the link to his obit: http://www.passagesmb.com/obituary_details.cfm?ObitID=161536

I will miss this face:

I took the gigantic step of launching a blog because I am not a fan of Facebook, but I do believe in the advantages of cyber-social networking. So here it is. My first attempt. I vow to maintain the blog, not daily, but at least once every two weeks. We'll see if I have more success at following through than I do with other personal challenges (i.e. New Year resolutions). I imagine the only people that will be remotely interested in this blog ill be my relatives, as following my father's memorial service I made a promise to myself that I would keep the lines of communication open. As our parents age, the inevitable is really happening, and someday there won't be the parental link. Our generation has to keep things going.

First step? Thanking all of you who made the trip to the 'Peg for his service. From West to East,

Stevie & Fraser McDowell Saanich and Coquitlam respectively; Douglas Campbell and Douglas McKeag, Calgary; Dougal Clark and Pamela Campbell, Toronto; Cathy Campbell and hubby, Mike Quinn, Collingwood, ON; Ashley Wright, the Nation's capital; Elizabeth Wright, Halifax, NS, and lastly, our zany uncles, our father's brothers, John from Langley BC and David from Palmerston, Ontario. All of you, thank you. I know you feel the loss too.

John, Bill, and David Burns, August, 2010

I must warn you; our life is pretty average - some might say it is mundane. Our challenges with teenage boys are standard: eye rolling when asked to do homework, attention span of a gnat UNLESS it is some form of electronic amusement, among others. Maybe I'll share, but I bet few people are interested, unless each post ends in a fail-proof solution. So I'll just post photos like this one:

That brings my first post to a close. I "follow" a couple posts, and many of them centre on cooking. In the spirit of sharing food news, tonight's menu is, Shake and Bake Chicken and Sweet Potato fries. (All the other blogs are much more gourmet, but I really like Shake n' Bake!)