Discrimination?

I just read this tragic story from www.thestar.com:

KIHEI, Hawaii (AP) — A shark attacked a Canadian man swimming off a Maui beach, injuring his leg and hand, authorities said.

I have just one question: How did the shark know the swimmer was Canadian? What does the shark have against Canadians? Why didn't he attack a Frenchman or an Englishman or even, a fellow American. (I say "fellow American" because the shark was from Hawaii.)

(OK, I guess that makes 3 questions, but you get my drift....)

Remembrance Day 2006

Today, Remembrance Day 2006, at 11:00 a.m., my husband and I were in the car on our way to Oakville when we heard on the radio the beginning of the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Cenotaph at City Hall, Toronto. My wonderful husband pulled his car over to the side of the road where we both sat, silently reflecting upon the great sacrifices made by men and women in the name of freedom. In particular, we were honouring our own family members:

Ljuban's grandfather, Jandre Orescanin, served as a partisan in Yugoslavia during WWII. The partisans were neither loyalists or Communists and fought against Hitler and his allies. During the war, Dedo Orescanin lost an eye to a shrapnel wound.

My mother's father, Diego, served as a very young man for Italy in WWI. I don't know much about Grampa's years in service, but I do know that his army portrait hangs proudly above the piano in my parents' home.

My father's father, Joseph Summers Sr., served the US Army during WWII. Grampa Summers also suffered shrapnel wounds and was awarded the Purple Heart. Unfortunately, all of his medals were stolen and sold. Every once in a while I check to see if they're being offered on Ebay.

I am so very proud of my husband for showing this sign of respect, for those we love and the millions that others have loved and lost during many years of war. Of course, at least 75 cars flew past us while we sat honouring our veterans this Remembrance Day 2006.

Flashback Friday

My mother and I went to a wonderful party tonight in honour of Walter and Mae Haass's 50th wedding anniversary. The couple, 30+ year neighbours of my parents, looked absolutely dashing. Four of their five children, including their spouses and next generation children were there, all looking beautiful, proud, strong, healthy. As Mae said, "They clean up nicely, don't they?"

When Walter was a boy, his parents bought the old farmhouse that is now my parents' home. Walter tells stories about raising chickens upstairs in the back bedrooms during the winter. He helped his father pour the concrete veranda on the side of the house way back in 1959 (I think). I'm not much of an historian, but when Walter and his two brothers were ready to start their families, the boys built three 1960's style bungalows on the same hill. Eventually Walter and Mae moved into the farthest home from the homestead, his brother Henry and his bride Betty moved across the street. Perhaps son Herman was the rebel -- I think he moved to Bowmanville (about 15 km away!). My brother, Joe, learned welding from Herman during the 1980's. The senior Haass's, Herman and Louisa, moved from the big farmhouse to the third bungalow.

The party was a wonderful, formal affair -- but it seemed almost like my high school reunion! In addition to reuniting with the Haass "kids" (uh, middle-aged adults?), I saw brothers Paul and Dennis Sobil (and met their wives), Leo Cormier and his wife, Debbie (Geissburger) Cormier, Percy Beech (and his wife, who, it turns out has been friends with my sister-in-law for years!) and brothers Garry and Gordie Geissburger (and wife). I thought the "My Gosh, You Haven't Changed A Bit" award would be presented to Gordie Geissburger, who still looks 14 years old except with a goatee, until Gordie pointed to Garry across the room. After a wonderful reunion, Garry got out on the dance floor and then came the flashback: it was like our Grade 8 graduation all over again.

The "How'd You Get So Good Looking, You Were Just a Goofy Little Kid" prize goes to Dennis Sobil. The "No Way, You Can't Be Marla Haass" award should be presented to.... Ms. Marla Haass, who has developed into a stunning beauty. Of course, the last time I saw her, I think she was six. And the "Drop Dead Gorgeous" prize should be presented to Karen Haass, another breathtaking beauty. That German blood has been very good to those girls! (Girls! Ha! They're both past 35!)

Because my brother Joe and I are six years apart, everyone we met from the old "neighbourhood" fell somewhere between our ages. I think Joe will agree with me, we sure had lots of fun!

Congratulations Walter and Mae Haass on 50 years of wedded bliss. And thank you for letting us share in your celebration!

My New Canvas - Roni's Bald Head

Instead of letting her hair fall out in horrible chemotherapy-induced clumps, my sister Roni boldly shaved her head. Since people would be staring anyway, Roni asked if I would paint a henna tattoo on her scalp. This way, it would give everyone something to look at -- and, I suspect, is a way of tackling this cancer thing head on, so to speak.

Without the henna Roni is absolutely beautiful. Now, she's wearing a magnificent piece of original art upon that pristine pate. These photos were taken with the henna paste drying on her scalp. Tomorrow she'll wash off the "paint" and the henna tattoo will remain. If we're lucky, it will be a rich, dark stain that will last 2-3 weeks.

Of course, I signed this masterpiece -- if you look closely, you'll see the copyright notice just behind her left ear (ha ha, just kidding!). In total, the design took almost four hours. What do you think?