It is time once again to share some random thoughts:
1. When asked, some individuals claim to love autumn the best of the four seasons. I cannot fathom why the fall of the year would fall into the selected category, but I do agree with the beauty of the different colours of leaves on the autumn trees.
However when those leaves fall to the ground and must be raked and bagged and transported to their final resting place, I see no beauty in the work it entails. The possibility of a joyful shout while jumping into a pile of golden leaves might make some smile. I instead think about the chance of broken bones and dislocated appendages. And the fact those leaves would have to be raked again, would bring a shout from the raker that wouldn’t be joyful.
Autumn, in my opinion, is a sad time, a period of mourning for the spring and summer, a time to experience grief as plants are removed from the garden after providing the household with abundant produce. And even a more mournful time is when the last petunia still standing has tried gamely to provide just one more blossom before it too bites the dust.
Late autumn is the time to get one’s vehicle ready for the snow that will eventually cover the ground. Winter tires, an oil change and a tune-up of all the moving and stationary parts cannot be put off forever but those acts seem to put the final nail in the coffin of summer.
Winter isn’t my favourite of the seasons either, but with winter comes Christmas and New Years and the knowledge that spring and summer is just around the corner. And my two favourite sports — curling and hockey — are right there, in person or at the flick of the button on the remote control. And don't forget the hot chocolate with tiny coloured marshmallows.
Sorry autumn, but you lose.
2. A conversation in the grocery store aisle with a long-time friend confirmed what I already knew — that too many of our individual or shared acquaintances are passing away in alarming numbers.
We acknowledged that with advanced age comes not only aches and pains but the spiritual loss of friends and relatives. In the past months, I have lost count of the men and women whose names have appeared in the obituary notices. Some were in their 90s, others in 70-80s, and even some much younger.
The stories of their lives told how they lived, the contributions made in their lifetimes and the personal details of accomplishments and special interests, from sports and workplace achievements, to hobbies and pets and families. If I didn’t know them before, I felt I knew them just a bit from reading their celebration of life stories.
My grocery store friend and I agreed we are blessed to still be able to shop, that we are managing our squeaky joints and other medical problems with a pioneer spirit, agreeing that others are much worse off. And then we toddled off in search of nourishment for our physical souls.
3. Where were we 44 years ago around Sept. 16? We were invited as guests to attend the official opening of Hopkins Dining Parlour on Athabasca Street West.
We were in the company of Stan and Carole Butler, Stan being the publisher at the time of The Moose Jaw Times-Herald. We were impressed with the hospitality that evening and the graciousness of our Host and Hostess, Wayne and Glady Pierce.
Over the years we have visited the restaurant for special occasions, taken out-of-town friends there to perhaps meet the resident ghost, and to enjoy the ambience of a long-time business in Moose Jaw.
On Sept. 16 of this year we might just show up to wish a Happy 44th Anniversary to Hopkins Dining Parlour. And maybe to have a visit with Glady Pierce who has sold the business but will be a special guest at the celebrations. Perhaps she will get me up for a group dance to the music of Bonnie and the Jets.
There is to be a prize for the best 1970’s outfit. Hmmmm: What I normally wear will fit right in!
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
