Just a little kiss of the Eastern Townships
for a buddy out west from me and Jane.
When you come east again - you have friends here.
L

The most important person in your life is yourselves- first and foremost. And you must make sure the outer shell of your being is in decent enough shape to house the wisp of inner being/ego-id/essence.

If the body is in pain one can't enjoy existence. So take care of the body first. Then make sure you have enough money to pay the bills and do not spend what you don't have or are not capable of paying back in short order.

If you are unhappy create a strategy to take yourself away from the distraction that is causing this state of mind. If it is medical, then focus on all the other positives outside the distraction.

Remember to 'do' -absolutely nothing- for 5 minutes every second day, to focus on the inner wisp of being - the inner spark that drives your body shell around.

The only action in this exercise/experiment, is to simply "not do". ..not look, not plan next moves, not think about family, not think about an uncomfortable lotus position-so sit in a chair, back straight, chin up, hands on thighs,- outside or inside...just consciously "do not" DO -and just exist. Focus on the fabric of "essential present time" reality.

This is not easy, but the more often you do it the better your appreciation of life as a conscious being will become. Some other nifty things begin to occur also.

Try -in everything you do to - go slow.

Experience the 'present moment' and stretch it.

Savor your activity, job, dinner, walk in the woods, chat with your partner, your mother, father,brother or sister...listen to their voice carefully and try to associate with their inner being and not just the identifying outer traits of their persona.

Look at the face, skin, mannerisms -see the child they once were. That person contains an inner essence. Have you every really been aware of it;connected with it? This is where that candle light dinner and looking into the eyes comes into play. Try to see inside.

Go slow and do not be bullied by clients, your own "to-do"list or anything else. Just consciously take each moment as it comes and consume it like ice cream. Moments of time, like pocket change is the only real currency we have. Don't blow it. Seek the flavor of existence. We really don't need much of anything when it gets to this point and there is no such thing as boredom.

And go outside - breathe deep.

Hi Les,
Here it is closing in on the end of February so it must be time to get to that January to do list:(.

I have attached a picture of myself and family at my daughter Lindsay's wedding December 29 2006. That is the last family photo I have but I think we still look pretty much the same. From left to right, my husband of 29 years Jim Pfeiffer, a Massachusetts native I met while attending CEGEP at Champlain College ( he was attending Bishop's University).

On my other side -my daughter Lindsay Williams .
She is now residing in Fairbanks Alaska putting her BFA in visual communication, major in illustration , major in biology to use at a graphic design firm.

Her husband Joey Williams hails from Wisconsin by way of Chicago. A graduate of West Point, is with the Army Stryker brigade stationed in Fairbanks. There is quite a story in the meeting, dating and wedding, but perhaps best saved until the next reunion.

On the far right is my son James. He is a junior at Norwich University in Vermont studying Architecture on an ROTC scholarship. He is planning an career.

I ask myself all the time, "How did a peace loving soul like myself get surround by all these army types?" I will say though, that my image of "army types" has drastically changed since meeting many friends of my son and son-in-law -a compassionate, caring group with strong family values, inevitably a bit mischievous yet underpinned with humor.



I am a physical therapist since graduating McGill in 1979.

I have worked in many different areas, schools, hospital, rehab facility, my own practise, teaching at a community college, and for the last 10 years at an outpatient orthopedic facility.

The children are grown and away so we are empty- nesters now. The dog is not pleased with the transition as we don't seem to wrestle with or chase him as well as James did.

I am active in my church, and Jim with the boy scouts. Jim is self employed in the payroll processing business. I guess that brings you up to speed a bit. I am fine with you editing this letter and posting the picture and bio on the blog with a challenge to all the other class of 73 members to let me know what they are up to. :) Happy cabin fever!
Gerry

Ah - Gerry - what a handsome family!
How is it that you look just as good as you did in high-school?
You and your husband have much to be proud of.
Les

Tensile Strength
...Oh Yes and Happy Valentines

I looked at the picture below of Saskia and Ralf. And I wondered what it was that I was feeling - trying to find words that might fit my perception of these two exceptional beings. And then it emerged - "tensile strength" usually used to describe a measurement of elastic resistance within steel, to find some breaking point.

Why "these" words for Saskia and Ralf?

I suppose, like steel, we have all been through the "mill" of life to varying extents. And that we all- each of us- have our own story.

Ralf, I know is a Doctor- who must deal with the physical as well as psychic wounds of others.

As for Saskia, I'm not sure . I have heard wisps of this and that over the last three decades- but what strikes me, is the magic moment we danced at the Reunion. There was a loop in time that brought me back to high school days bringing out the teenager in me.

Just like in High School, we never did have time to chat - there was so much going on. But in that dance -that moment of connection there was unspoken understanding of the passage of time and how it was alright for two people to simply relax and enjoy one solitary moment together. It was all that mattered. Magic. And these magic moments were taking place all through the reunion.

Ralf, Jane and I did have a chance to talk and 'hang out' for a while at Anne Chrsitine's. I saw pictures of his beautiful family and home out in the interior of B.C. - Shangrila.

In both of these individuals, when I looked in their eyes I saw the past, their brothers, families in the 'heights' and the present -that which makes them who they are. -wearing their 'being'- their countenance, with grace and quiet strength, each in their own respective way- keeping so much within yet communicated in the shadow of a smile- an inflection -a glance.

We 'the others', if we are lucky, may catch it-if but just for a moment, out the corner of our eye and then it's gone.

Two fine souls - interior strength.

So We've made it past New Years.

Well done!
How are you feeling? Looking forward to Spring? Golf in the Carolinas? Are you in Acapulco right now? Are you nursing Arthritis in the cold? Got your space heater out and your blanket pulled up?
Ya gettin' any? Are your kids behaving? Moved out yet? Have you put on another 10? Do we still fit in our jeans? Do we need another Reunion to motivate the loss of unwanted pounds? Have you unloaded that mangy varmint dud husband yet? Have you been good to your wife -deserving favors are you? You better be. Life! So this is it right?

I was at the Centaur Theater the other day watching the play, "Half Life" by John Mighton. - all about Love in the last stop hospital once we get into our upper and later years. Imagine you no longer have a wife or husband and in your late years you fall in love with someone in "the home"...ok ok -don't go that far now, ooooouuu -contrtol the vision! -just fall in love (for now).

And then imagine you might like to marry the old bird since you know you only have a few more years left and so why not? Then your son or daughter who has 'power of attorney' steps in and says "no". (Eric Peterson of Corner Gas played a lead role in this one.)

Interesting play.

So a few days later, I went back to the Centaur to meet the author and some of the actors and who do you think I meet? -You guessed it! From the class of 1970 Margaret "Peggy" Hopkins. I guess I met the boy who "bought her the most pizza" -Mr. Fergus Keyes- one of the officials of the Centaur theater. Oh Come ! You do so remember her - she lived over on Mcleod Street up a little from the school.

Back in January I went to Harry Gulkin's 80th Birthday party. (He produced the movie Lies My Father Told Me -) What fun!

Back in high-school, Cathy, his daughter was a year ahead of me -since I failed grade five- but that's a long story- I'll tell it in the form of a screen play one day. Well anyway - I met Cathy's half sister - who is somewhat younger than she is along with Cathy's new spouse, Lisa -who is really cool.

We (Cathy, me and her half sister) all danced together as Cathy's daughter and back-up band played for the audience. The audience was made up of producers and actors and media people - Josh Freed and such. Oh yes, Cathy's sister's name is Sarah Polly.

My son was very excited that I met this young lady.
"Ah come on Dad! You must know who she is!"

Well I do now -Canada is proud to have her in line for an Oscar - Foreign Film Director's award. She adapted the story by Alice Munroe "Away From Her" and wrote the screen play- tailored for Gordon Pincet and Julie Christie who both starred in the film.

So not only is she intelligent, but fine looking too -tragically angelic, trapped in our earthbound orbit . And yes there is one heck of a story in all of this - but that will be told at a later date - perhaps by Sarah?

Back to planet Chateauguay now, - I was over at the shopping center today picking up some baby carrots at the Super C which used to be Steinburg's- remember? I bumped into Ken Schillgalies (Class of 68) and he congratulated us all for putting on a fine Reunion in May.

He said, "Wow- a whole other side of you came forth that night!"
I said, "Oh? How so?"
" Well", Ken continued, " I always thought you were a little bit of a Nerd."

Isn't it strange when you get a frank and sincere perception on yourself from someone else's perspective?
I think I was being complemented too!

Well dear diary friends, may you be healthy, have good dreams, and/or good sex or some chocolate.
Until next entry - may you and your children - and theirs be well.

World Dragon Boat Championship Winners In Australia Autumn 2007



Heroes and Heroines From Chateauguay -

Peter Markhauser, Joanne O'Hanley, Anita Duwel and Keith Mercer

This is an example of how determination, grit, hard work, discipline and commitment pay off.

Many of us from past graduation years at Chateauguay High / H.S. Billings, will recall with pride the family names in the above picture.

At an earlier age, as featured in one of my earlier blog entries, pictures of H.S. Billings gymnasts from the past are featured and there too is Joanne.

Joanne is currently a guidance counsellor for the Kahnawake Survival School while Anita Duwel is an adult coordinator for the New Frontiers School Board (the name of the board of which Billings is a part.)

Keith Mercer and Peter Markhauser are known for their past participation at the Chateauguay Canoe Club.

These competitors are a solid reflection of their good families, values and stand as examples of success - for parents, teachers and children .

If any of you read this - Joanne, Peter, Anita and Keith - the H.S. Billings Alumni - your peers- congratulate you. We suspect that over the duration of your journey and training, you loved the challenge, competition and the fun. But you are to be recognized since you have, -in fact- hurled yourselves by your own efforts -into a well deserved circle of greatness.

It takes belief in a dream, great effort, expense, time, sweat, pain and patient support from one's family to stick to a plan of action- such as this. Completion is one thing- impressive -but then to excel and shine; these are the traits of true winners.

You have made your families, friends, neighbors and Canadians proud. You have brought further recognition to the sport of Dragon Boat Racing.

WELL DONE!

You have gone beyond day-to-day norms, reached out to your dreams and succeeded. You have every right to be respected and recognized
-as champions.

As We Turn The Page

A new year is upon us and we 'grads' and past students of HSB, (previously known as Chateauguay High ) deal with the snow, holidays, perhaps some travel or simply enjoy some down-time at home with family and/or friends.

(I am given to understand that Richard Kilpatrick would be coming by from California.)

For me, down-time means the investment market is quiet and therefore demand for my time is minimal allowing a stretch of my attention span to areas of personal curiosity or even to clean the house and help Jane out.

Last week, Bob (Houston) and I went out to Ste. Anne de Bellvue to the Nordic Norway shop and purchased (with Bob's expertise), a whole new set of cross country ski equipment. I'm ready to zoom.

Last night Jane and I went to the Tom Hanks/Julia Roberts movie -Charlie Wilson's War. This has to be one of the most well timed movies given the state of the world. It provides the link as to how the USA provided Al Queida's birth and continued growth. Overall, the movie is well written and very entertaining. But at it's heart, the audience learns a a very real truth which is captured neatly in the story of the Zen Master.

Having seen this movie, and read recently about the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, I realized (-given the down-time I have to do this realizing-) that I had forgotten much of what I learned in University about Afganistan and Pakistan when studying Political Science and the nature of man's struggle to attain and maintain 'power' (political or otherwise).

My perception of Bhutto and Pakistan for example, as of yesterday was limited to figuring that Ms.Bhutto was this kind-of white knight swooping into Pakistan to bring the key of democracy to the locked door of this totalitarian and Islamic regime.

So after watching last night's movie, I realized that my pat little 'perception' was possibly a little too -convenient. So I did some 'Google-ing'. I mean- didn't Canada at some point in the past have something to do with providing the Candu reactor to India and Pakistan which led directly to their creation of "friendly" nuclear devices? Underlying this curiosity about Pakistan and the assasination was a question... Does Canada have anything to do with the politics in this part of the world other than our position militarily, as a potential peace-keeping' force in Afganistan?

Other questions I have are -
How long has Pakistan as a separate Islamic country been in existence -since 1947? (60 years?)

When the term 'Islamic Extremist' is used in the media -who are they referring to exactly, if this is an Islamic country?

Why was the father of Benazir Bhutto executed by one of the previous the military governments?

In the past, how is it that Pakistan could not keep a civilian government in place even when the military stayed out of the way?

How is it that Benazir Bhutto's 19 year old son Bilawal (a student), is now popped into the lead position to take her place as the head of the Pakistan People's Party? Is this some 'family right' ? But then look at the US fixation on certain family names and even in Canada we seem to have 'brand recognition value' with some of ours (Trudeau).

Ah! - Jane has just reminded me that tomorrow is New Years and we need our bubbly along with some groceries and the cat boxes need cleaning. I better get moving -domestic bliss, political thought and down-time notwithstanding.

Our old friend Joanne
Class of 72 remembers.



Thank you Gerry and Family.
You too are well remembered.
Do your eyes still sparkle?
L

Frankly Speaking...

I have never really been what I would consider a "Jock" - is that "Jacques"? - no can't be. I mean, I am athletic- in that I played soccer, baseball and hockey when I was a kid. I also did Tai Chi and when my back is not killing me - Yoga. I remember when we were first married, Jane and I took karate classes together. But I have never been the type to be able to spout statistics about team sports.

One day I will tell the story of hitchhiking through the Eastern Seaboard of the old U.S. of A. but for now, I will say that I was very pleased to have Barry Jones with me.

There were all kinds of Americans who picked us up and gave us lifts down the road. And I have to be quite honest here, - we got farther, faster because Barry knew all the stats of all the football and baseball players. He knew the language!

ERAs and RBIs and all kinds of stuff. This was (and I get the feeling it still is) the language of America. No - it was the social currency!

MY, MY ! -How they would go on about all this stuff, that meant absolutely zip to me. It was a competition of who knew the most little details about people (pro sports figures) who could throw a ball, tackle, bat, catch, kick or fake.

Now, I do not mean to diminish the significance of this cultural phenomena, but we were in the middle of the expansion of the War from Viet Nam into Cambodia for heaven's sake! Both White and Black kids had disappeared down in the South while advocating Civil Rights! I had been whacked a few times in the back by a police baton when protesting in front of the American Embassy when I should have been in class at HSB! And here was Barry and these sincere and sports captivated gentlemen talking the talk! Here was I stranger in a strange land!

I mean, -do you remember Peter Oeder? He could spout stats on all kinds of snakes and reptiles. He knew exactly where to look in the Pines, if you wanted to find a Northern Brown, or Garder or a Salamander! He had flash cards the same way Barry had Baseball and Hockey cards. He was a minority of one in a milieu of the many. I'm not sure why I think of him now - I think it's the similarity to the commitment to statics committed to memory. Perhaps it's like I am with financial and investment stats? But the more I know on these, the better strategic decisions I can make.

Well- for the past 35 years, I have been flipping from TV channel to channel with my nifty remote, always skipping over the sports. "Oh God! Monday night football! Get a life! Change the channel - what's the market doing? Where's Louis Rukeiser? Are there any good movies on ?...'Thelma and Louise' or 'Shawshank Redemption' perhaps? Skip MASH the TV show, just give me the movie!"

But I have to confess.
I had John Saunders at the house with Murph (- excuse me- Dr. Vincent Murphy) the day after the reunion, as a pit-stop before joining Ralf (-oh yes- that's 'Dr.' Ralph Behrens with the beautiful family and home out in some Shangrila BC) we were all to meet over at AC's place (the angelic Anne Christine Gurholt).

So I was told about a year ago, (by Colleen Hillock and Rick Rankin) that John earned his livelihood on ABC TV doing sports commentary! "Well that's nice", I thought, -back then -my mind completely filled with detail about the looming Reunion. Woopty doo right?

So what do I find myself doing on American Thanks Giving Monday last week? I was watching ESPN -ABC, as I checked out the flying 2-d graphics and presentation (I am helping to put capital together for a deal for the people who created those graphics for all the networks). And guess who I see larger than life and spiffy 'talking the talk'?

WOW! - He looked real good! And could he talk the talk! I got my family down into that TV room fast!- out from behind the guitar and books and computer!

And I stood there transfixed pointing to our 42 inch 'not-yet-flat' TV and exclaimed with great pride and joy, - "THERE'S JOHN! He sat in our living room! I knew him way back when!"

I was thrilled as I listened to all that sports jabber! He's good at what he does. Man! - I am impressed. Keep going John! I think I 'get it', now! I'm a believer! Make us proud!

Jacob (my son) casually asked, - "So who are the other two talking with him?"
"Who cares!" says I... "There's John!"

(To think he and Colleen hosted our reunion. Oh-Oh! - Does this make me a "fan"? Hope so.)

John Saunders and the ever-cool Hopeton D'Aguliar


Mid way above - Left: AC and Rick,
Middle: Gervaise "Gerry"Bushe and Dr.Vincent Murphy.
Right: Anne Christine Gurholt, Louise Lacey and Dr. Ralph Behrens ... "Doctor, tell me... how is it that some people just get better looking with age?" - And look at Murphy - for God's sake! You look like one of those Doctors on the Soaps! Just grow old and sag like the rest of us for crying out loud!

Here we are!

Are you ready for snow...because we are going to get it now!

That's fine - I'll go skiing with my son and daughter if they have time from their university studies.

Maybe even Jane (my wife) will go - if she has a "snow day". She's a teacher you see..
------------------------------------------

Ah my old friend - are you enjoying your life?
I hope so. I think of you every now and then.
This applies to all of you who read this who knew me back in school - back when I knew you to wave to, or say hi to, or to have a smoke out behind the church, or to play guitar with and sing. I knew you when your hair was longer and when we wore a size 24-28 jeans.

As for smoking - well I gave that up when my daughter turned two. She is 22 now.

Below are a couple of pictures. I am so sorry to have to tell you that two lovely girls many of us had known - have passed on.

The first was Joanne Hannan - who I mostly knew as my cousin Greg's (Holden) wife.
The second, just two weeks after was another Joanne - Joanne Cunningham.

Joanne Hannan-Holden was with us at the reunion in May - dancing up a storm with my wife Jane as I sang on stage with our buddies in the band. She and Greg had made another appearance in this blog back in January/Feb when I put in pictures from New Years last. I really expected to dance with her again this New Years. But cancer took her from us all.

Joanne Cunningham, -I had not seen since the hallways, classes and chats in 1972 when if I am not mistaken, she went out with Ward Ross. A week or two ago, Jane asked me if I knew a Joanne Cunningham who had a sister named Gerry. Jane has this habit of reading the obits over coffee in the morning. I said, "Yes - she was one of the brightest most attractive people I knew throughout my high-school years."

Jane passed me the paper.
"Thomas , Joanne Wendy (nee Cunningham).
Suddenly on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the age of 52.
Survived by her husband Don, children Douglas and Margery,
her mother Sheila Cunningham (Chateauguay), sisters Gerry (Jim Pfeiffer)
Heather Cunningham and her brother Jim Cunningham.

Joanne was a longtime dental hygienist (25 years), an active member of the
Orleans United Church , an Alto in the Carleton University Choir, and
an avid quilter.

Joanne touched many lives with her willingness to always lend a helping hand..."

(Some people never change.)
God she was so sweet -always smiling. So too was her sister Gerry. It has been a long time.

So yes - here we are.
It is winter.






Joanne Hannan and Jane Ashley McConnell

Joanne Cunningham (Yearbook 1972) (Gerry if you read this, please send us an updated picture.
Thanks, your old friend from the school - Les) I am very pleased Rick Rankin was able to attend the Memorial service in Ottawa area.

"Second Billings" Blues -an incomplete close-up
but a wonderful dream memory.



Thank you Rick McCallum.
Now if anyone has the Santana number to add that would be great!

For some other video songs in more complete form, see below.

L

Reunion - What it Was

So there we were some of us at the school -some not.
Some at the Hilton -some not.
Some at the Alibi-some not.

But that Saturday evening we were in a very unique place.

It was not home - but it certainly was where the heart is-for a moment or two.
We were in a place where some of the things that had lived inside of us for so long finally had a chance to come out.

We were in a place of fantasy.
The little kids inside were able to see who everyone were destined to be.
We traveled through time - to the future from a distant past.

We were also in a charmed and eternal present - renewed by the the knowledge that Mary, Lynda, Richard, John, Colleen, David , Ricky, Jack, Kathy, David, Roddy, Hopeton, Lorraine, A.C., Wayne, Lorraine, Carl, -all of us -everybody there - the ones who contain the old magic- were and are - still there- just a little older.

And when we came together, the sum was greater than the parts.

I do not know if we can ever do it again.
I do not know if I want to .
I do not know if I -"need" to - is more the point.

This was one hell of a get-together.
I have been to a number of these things and this was the greatest.

The memories we created from Friday at the Alibi, the Hilton to 4 a.m.,the kick-off Saturday morning, Tour of the school, Alibi in the afternoon, to the well dressed cocktail party, then onto the dinner event with John, Colleen, Carl, Richard, Kathee, Jacqueline, Debbie, Jimmy and many more, the live band, through to 5:00AM in various rooms, the breakfasts on Sunday and back in Chateauguay - the visits to various people's houses...and the leaving.

This was not "home",
this was not "the school",
this was not "the past".
It was well beyond the "NOW".

It was a spell
that has become
part of our becoming;
part of our mending,
perhaps part of our
completion.

We came to a place like home
and found ourselves
and much more -
with many faces
and many names.

Sure there are a few people
I would have liked
to have seen.
But the best came through.
We laughed,
We cried,
remembered,
hugged and came together.
Community- the fabric of continuance;
no matter where.
You were there or you were square.

Be well Brave souls -life is!

Party is what we did to great music and people!
Way to go Rod, Dave, Mark, David P, R. McCallum, Lloyd P., David Glass, Jimmy W. and even Hopeton!

Roddy get me the number with Hopeton!
I want everyone to see my hero from way back!
He's so cool!
L

"Don't Quit Your Day Job"

I know...but we had fun even though there was only minimal practice.
It was very kind of the "Second Billings Experience" - and somewhat entertaining - to include me into the mix.



Rickey as usual, kept me on my toes... but he and the others are just so cool!

And facing the beautiful audience was great!

Hush and The "Second Billings Experience Band".
(click on the arrow and see a little of what we experienced on Reunion Saturday night! Turn up your speakers and remember this was not taken on some big camera -)

'Reunion 72 And Friends' back in May 2007, was most fortunate to have the
"Second Billings Experience" band .

On the Friday they rehearsed a bit and then let loose on Saturday night. Imagine- they hadn't seen each other in over 20 years for the most part! ...like fine wine!

What great memories we carry forward into out future.

Roddy McManus on keyboards
Rickey Rice on Lead Guitar and Rhythm Guitar.
Mark Stafford on drums
Dave Glass on Vocals, plus Rhythm and lead Guitar
Rick McCallum on Bass
Dave Poirier on congas and percussion and vocals no less.

The Dam September 2007.
(click on the arrow to play video.)

Just as in youth, the dam in Chateauguay still holds me spellbound.

I remember at the age of fourteen, Steve Poirier and I were walking across the dam.

It was a little rougher than what you see here.

I accidentally dropped one of my moccasins and I lost it to the dam -and that year, to the same precarious landmark, we lost so much more.

Hi Les:

Thanks for the latest posting on the blog. I spent many a Friday/Saturday night on the Shangrila on the Chateauguay River. I was never on that side of the Island as at that time we were trespassers and that would have been much too bold. What a great view!

I am always grateful to see that someone follows my instructions (take that camera with you!).

Rick

Ile Saint Bernard

Do you remember the cement bridge down past Saint Francis and Salaberry?
Yes - you know, down past the black rail bridge.

Anyone who lived in the Heights knew all about the cement bridge, because it led to Ile Saint Bernard, owned by the Grey Nuns - and on to Lery and Beauharnois.

The island sits right at the opening of the mouth of the Chateauguay River and Lake Saint Louis.

One night 36 years ago, in the summer evening heat, as the sun was setting into it's cosy red glow, I was on my way back from having visited a girlfriend -who had to be in by 9:00 O'clock ... on a Friday night no less.

I met up with Ron and Robert Butt, who just happened to have a jug of their father's homemade wine. If I am not mistaken, Peter Boshart was with them and there was someone else there too. God she was beautiful in the glow of the setting sun.

They persuaded me to join them to sneak onto the "private island", leading me on a trek half way across the cement bridge to where one of it's supports went down to a long field. From there through the bush, we made our way to what I can only describe as "Shangri-la on the Chateauguay River".

It was there, that evening, I kissed a beautiful girl - and she kissed me back! ... even though I was going out with someone else. The twilight, the smell of her hair, and her embrace- in just a moment - that was all. But that was all that was ever needed - the moment-and the feel of her arms around me. I learned more from that than a 17-18 year old male could hope for; the innocence of a hug and one kiss. I have never again been unfaithful to anyone. But that was an evening to remember..a cherished secret moment I have never forgotten. (She probably has.)

Today, after so many years, I made my way back to that spot. The Grey Nuns have made their private Island public now and here you see the views from it.

Jane (my wife -on the left) and I bumped into my old friend Robin Moody there today. Following Richard Rankin's orders, I bring my camera with me just about everywhere- so we had our picture taken with Robin.

Meanwhile I will include pictures I took from the tip of the Island looking over at Montreal past Kahnawake. Did you know such a view existed -yes that is the Oratory on mount Royal -not bad for a 12X zoom.


( The girl who kissed me? ...Some secrets are best kept that way.)

An Excerpt from an e-mail

(From Sharon)
When I think of Barry (Jones) my most fondest memories go back to grade 6 in Mr. Kieper's class. For some reason that year continues to stick in my mind. The trips with Mr. Campbell (rubber neck) if I recall correctly, to Quebec City and to Ottawa. Such fond memories. For some reason I do not recall ever bumping into Barry in high school.

When I think of you I will never forget that summer in Salisbury (Beach), Mass. I can remember when we first arrived there was no one in that huge campground and my parents were looking around for another.

They decided not to move and my Dad left us there for the month of July.

I woke up one morning and who is camping behind us - but your family.
I couldn't believe my eyes.

The campground was full by now and loaded with teenagers just like us.

The days were filled with fun at the beach. Do you remember body surfing, we spent the whole afternoon just doing that. What fun. There there was the "wall" at night where we all had a fire on the other beach.

Of course there was the walks down the beach to the amusement park (Ocean Park) that we could see from the campground. I will never forget the fun we all had. I kept in touch with the girl you had a crush on for awhile, you know those summer friendships.

It's funny how I still remember her name Cheryl. I also remember Jack. I guess that was our summer for 'beach crushes'. Jack kept in touch with me for a long time. Years later, i.e. 18 or 19 years or so, we met up for a drink one summer when my family was back visiting Salisbury. Of course nothing was the same. That is what is so nice about memories. Each memory, like special individual snap shots are what we all hold dear -despite the realities of passing time.

Of course like you I remember our chats in MSD class after the summer, helping each other out with our respective called love lives. It was so nice to have someone like you to talk to. I didn't have a brother old enough.

I am so happy that we have reunited again after all these years. Nice to be in touch for shall I say our "golden" years. Greg and I have been trying to keep in touch with Barry and Joanne and I imagine we we'll get together this winter quite possibly since our respective daughters -it turns out- play hockey and are the same age (down here in the Toronto region).

Anyways on that note I'll close off. This nice warm (nearly) Fall day kind of made me melancholy and when I read your writings I just had to e-mail. Take care and tell Jane I hope the new school year transition has gone smoothly.

Sharon

(Sharon - send me a picture of yourself from that nice new (LUMIX) camera so I can post it here. How is it that you look even better as you age?)

The Blog Goes On...

Here from this morning's breakfast are our two friends Lynda Porter and Ron Enros.

Both of them will be forwarding me individual short biographies so I can put into focus who they are now. But until I receive those pieces, I will describe my perception of them. Hopefully I'll get it right for the most part.

( I am a financial/investment adviser and recently I was prompted by one of my clients to get in touch with Lynda.)


(I am a financial/investment adviser and recently I was prompted by one of my clients to get in touch with Lynda.)


LYNDA PORTER

My client said, " She makes all this money on the market and then goes traveling to Africa and Europe."

That certainly got my attention.

Lynda patiently put up with my questioning.

My client was partially right. Lynda also does publications and translating for corporations and in Tax season has a Tax preparation business.

Further, she also brightens lives of seniors in their residences, allowing them to travel or escape vicariously, as she conducts photo presentations of the world destinations she has visited (eg. South Africa) sharing her travel experience with story and visual.

From what I can tell, Lynda appears single -and thoroughly enjoys travel, photography and her life.

Before breakfast, as I sat on the inner terrace of "Orange", a restaurant on Decarie Street in NDG. I happened to catch sight of a fit figure - bicycling in approach, long thick curls floating on the sunlit morning breeze - with a smile and a wave.

I thought, "Wow! Now that young lady has the look of independence." I put on my glasses to get a better look and sure enough, it was Lynda.

She is as friendly now and of light good spirit, as I had known back in high school.

As we chatted over coffee waiting for Ron, I couldn't help wishing I had taken more time back in High School to get to know her better. She is clearly capable, intelligent and looks really good.


RON ENROS

Unlike Lynda, I have bumped into Ron Enros and his wife (MJ) at least 15 or 20 times in the past 35 years. It is my understanding that like myself, he did a bout of corporate existence in the USA as an executive, for a time.

Later he chose the road of independence - owning a store in Westmount on Sherbrooke Street, of collectible unique garments of past years, which movie productions would use in period pieces.

(If I am not mistaken, my wife (Jane) had the opportunity to wear some of these garments (circa 1920), as an "extra" in a movie some years ago -spending her day with Robert DeNiro and James Woods . (Once Upon A Time In America) Unfortunately her segment of the movie ended up on the cutting room floor.)

Nowadays, Ron and his wife have a fairly successful business - selling unique items, collectibles and Antiques on E-Bay.

Having breakfast and catching up with Lynda and Ron on such a beautiful Friday was quite pleasant ... "Oh yes! - Thanks for the stock tips Lynda...I'll put them to good use for myself and my clients. Perhaps I'll catch up with you ... who knows - in China next year?"

(PS Why does Ron remind me of the child actor Moochie from all the Disney movies ... "Mr.Stubbs Mr. Stubbs" he cried, "Don't die!")
L

Ch... Ch...Changes -

Turn and face the strange...
ch..ch..changes...

The school we knew once as Chateaugauay High which morphed into H.S.Billings, is adding on another block!

When you all came out to the high school in May you would have seen on your tour that the hallway down past the caf led to where we used to go for shop, auto mechanics, electrical shop and woodworking ..had changed, or grown. The growth was called NOVA Career Education Centre which focuses on even more shop like development but with design and auto-cad and Display techniques along with Welding Tech and Hair dressing and many other 'job getters'.

These types of things are selling! - That is to say, kids after going through the Nova Centre, end up getting jobs at fairly decent starting salaries. So, the high school is focussing on getting kids jobs and not simply preparing for Cegep and University.

What you see below, is the current "add-on" that has been in the process of construction since after the reunion. "Super NOVA" centre (my name for it). They are expanding where the money is - getting kids jobs!

Now all they need, (also what we needed 'back in the day') is to add some classes on "Entrepreneurialism" and independence - how to run your own business, how to make money, and make it work for you, rather than the other way round,- and of course, instead of how to get a job, - how to 'own a piece of the market' and employ people while maintaining independence, wealth and lifestyle! (Only in Private School you say?)

Wouldn't it be nice to learn how to have investment pay your bills with 'passive' income so you can be free to choose what you love to do and then do it?

Please do not confuse this "independence" with 'retirement'.

What am talking about is the freedom wealthy kids have from birth onward. ..'not having to work to live, but rather having the ability to simply choose what you love to do (creatively) and do it, whether paid or not, - since their passive income from 'wealth' or rather 'investment blocks', pay the bills instead of employment "earned income'. Now there would be an education. Learning how to be "employed" almost seems akin to 'nuveau slavery'.

Am I complaining? No. I just think a new curriculum with the focus on entrpreneurialism and independence should also be focussed upon.

I should tell the legend of Norman Perry - who was one of our class mates up until grade 6/7.