Thanks to all the "Moms" out there.

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE: 'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION: 'You better pray that will come out ofthe carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL: 'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC: 'Because I said so, that's why.'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC: 'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT: 'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY: 'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS: 'Shut your mouthand eat your supper.'

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONIST: 'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA: 'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER: 'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY: 'If I told you once, I've toldyou a million times. Don't exaggerate!'

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE: 'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: 'Stop acting like your father!'

5. My mother taught me about ENVY: 'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don' t have wonderful parents like you do.'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION: 'Just wait until we get home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING: 'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE: 'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.'

19. My mother taught me ESP: 'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOR: 'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT: 'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22. My mother taught me GENETICS: 'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS: 'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM: 'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

25. And most importantly, my mother taught me about JUSTICE: 'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.

More photos from Jasper National Park

Maligne Canyon pictured to the right, pronounced "Mah-leen" from the French "mal" to infer sick or evil as in malicious.

The Maligne River system was considered by the French Canadian fur traders and their native guides as a bit mysterious.
The river, up near Maligne Lake, flows in a mighty torrent. When it enters Medicine Lake (named in reference to bad medicine) it does so with great volumes. It does not, however, appear to flow out. Indeed, through the summer months Medicine Lake disappears until, in mid autumn all that is left is a thin channel that itself disappears into the shoreline.
The Maligne Valley is riddled by the most extensive "karst" system in the world. A karst system is a geological formation of caves above and below ground level. In the case of the Maligne Valley, no one knows just where water from Maligne Lake goes.


We stayed at this wonderful lodge which had the mountains behind us, and Pyramid Lake in front. It was gorgeous, refreshing and beautiful!

Books we are currently writing.....

1. The Year of Living Dangerously: US Citizen Missionaries study the apathetic lifestyles of the wild Canadian populations of Edmonton supported by the Church for the Enlightenment of Canadian tribes and dedicated to intelligent, meaningful Water Cooler conversation.

2. A guide to editing Gobblytegook and other mundane minutae and run on systems and major snafus: Working for a VC computer storage firm.

3. Gardening in the Snow: One woman's efforts to bring color to a white barren landscape.

4. Cooking by DeeDee: Kitchen Magic and Photographic evidence: The Looks of wonder on Canadian faces when they realize that food can taste good. Black and white photographs by Toodles.

5. Lost in the Wilderness: The Saga of Furniture lost in the Moving Van Maze System by Detective DeeDee.

6. Who Cares? Editorials on Religion/Politics/Sex/Careers by Canadians themselves.

7. A compilation of Water Cooler conversations.

8. North Dakota/South Dakota/Just Dakota. Who cares? Well of course there is a difference. ..... A 4,000,012 page treatise with full color photography.

9. A panoramic state photograph of North Dakota from standing atop a 5 lb. coffee can in Bismarck.

A special thanks to Marjorie for book title suggestions.

Big girl panties? Only in Canada!

Believe it or not, this is a true news story:

Canadian women asked to send panties to Myanmar embassy to protest regime
Tue May 27, 1:10 PM

By The Canadian Press

MONTREAL - Canadian women are being asked to send their panties to the Myanmar embassy in Ottawa to protest the actions of the country's military regime.

The call for the underwear is part of the Panties for Peace! campaign, launched by rights activists in Montreal.

Activists say the campaign is meant to send a message to Myanmar's authoritarian leaders, who reportedly fear contact with women's underwear will sap their power.

The regime has violently suppressed democratic uprisings in the past and has come under fire recently for limiting aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis.

The Canadian edition of the Panties for Peace! campaign is being co-ordinated by Rights and Democracy and the Quebec Women's Federation.

They hope to use the campaign to also raise funds for the estimated 2.4 million cyclone survivors.

How is this going to help, I have to ask?

Canada's Example

The U.S. could learn a few things from its northern neighbor. Here are some examples:

Recycling - Canada wins this one, hands down. Recycling isn't thought of as a unique effort done only by those who are tree-huggers and think "green." It's a fact of life, enabled by easy weekly pick-up with your trash. No separation of glass, plastic, paper, etc. is required. You simply buy blue trash bags and toss any recyclable item in the same bag. It couldn't be easier.

There's also an awareness of recycling at most public places and work places. Bins are available and office paper is recycled. It's made easy.
You're also forced to be aware of recycling because you pay a deposit on every beverage container AND a recycling fee (about 3 cents) at the store. If you're motivated, you can save the bottles, etc. and take them to a Bottle Depot to receive the refund. But, with gas at $4.88 per gallon, I suspect that most people toss the bottles in the recycling trash bag, forfeiting the deposits.

Gasoline conservation - There is a greater proportion of smaller cars and trucks on the roads here. Small American models (e.g., Ford Focus), Mazda, Honda, Toyota, etc. We've spotted some Ford and Chevy models not seen on U.S. roads. And, of course, the Mercedes Smart car. Paying $4.88 per gallon is an eye-opener. In fact, your eyes roll back in your head when you fill a 21-gallon tank!

It has also made me understand--and share--the Canadian view of the complaining Americans when it comes to gas prices. It's noted how SUVs, etc. are still selling in the U.S.--we're not very neighborly when it comes to our "fair share," are we? Some of my coworkers have said that the U.S. will go to the defense of any country that has something it wants--namely oil.

Such comments can raise my hackles, but at the same time, I realize there may be a sliver of truth in that view. On the other hand, I believe the U.S. has done more good in the world than harm.

Peacefulness - This one is a tough one to grasp. Although I want to believe world peace is possible, I'm doubtful. Generally, Canadians think the U.S. keeps things stirred up (see above). They believe our election process is too complicated and confusing (is there anyone out there that disagrees?). The ongoing Democrat nomination race has become laughable at my workplace. "Why don't they just bring this to an end? What can this possibly accomplish?"

Obesity - Canada's prevalence: 23%; U.S. prevalence: 33%. The difference is noticeable. Edmontonians are more physically active. They actually walk to places when going out for lunch or walk in parks for leisure. And many run to stay fit--up and down the hilly terrain along the Saskatchewan River. Steep hills. Bicycles are a form of transportation, not just for leisure. Again, on steep hills. Skiing and ice skating are winter activities for old and young. Toddlers on little cross country skis, without poles. Babies are pushed and pulled all over the city (including those steep hills) in the baby bicycle trailers. Moms and Dads are sprinting with baby bouncing along comfortably. Spring time brings out the canoes and kayaks. Dee Dee works with two young women who go to an exercise "boot camp" three times a week. Honestly, these people wear us out just by watching them.

This wore me out...I think I need a snack!
The photo shows the Edmonton skyline at dusk.

Marcia & Jan

You know who you are.

Girls, girls, girls!

I have dedicated a song to each of you. (Have to make sure everyone is included.) Hope you can figure it out from the hint(s) located on this page.

To Aubrey & Beck

I dedicate the Jack Johnson songs to you both. I hope you are resting your little heads this evening and having sweet dreams, protected by all the angels. I miss you!

It might be summer in Alberta

Beautiful weekend in Alberta. The daylight is getting longer and longer. It isn't completely dark until after 10:30 p.m. which can be really misleading. You think it is only about 8:30 in the evening and before you know it, it is going on 11 o'clock. The sun is up really early (before 5:30 a.m.) so unless you have invested in some good blackout curtains, you wake up rather early.

We deserve these nice warmish days and cool evenings. We paid the ultimate price. The first week I arrived the temperature was a brisk 40 below. Yes, I said 40 below. 40 frickin degrees below ZERO. I remember once of my first comments to colleagues when I was queried about my thoughts on that subject. Something along the lines that "human beings should not be subjected to that kind of brutality." Wasn't Canada represented at the Geneva convention?

I know these temps and sunny days won't last far long enough. Winter will be here before we know it when the daylight lasts only about 2 1/2 hours per day, or so it seems. In celebration of my enlightened spirit which I attribute directly to the sun and warmer temps, we went and purchased all kinds of annuals, tomato plants, sunflowers. Believe me when I say the "pickins" are pretty different from south Texas to northern Alberta on plant selections.

I spent the majority of Sunday getting them in the ground and stuffing my hands into the dark and rich soil. Oh, gardening, how I have missed thee and taken thee for granted.

Made for Shriners

It's scarey to think how someone can snap a photo of you, without ever knowing it has happened. There are vehicles (and I use that word so sparingly in this case) in Canada, called ""Smart Cars." They are actually 3 feet shorter than a mini Cooper! Yes, I realize they get a bajillion miles to the gallon, but I just can't give up my roomy, I can haul anything I need to, big fat AWD American car. Not gonna happen. Where are these folks going to sit? Seriously.

Jasper National Park

As part of our "get to know Canada" tour, we visited Jasper National Park last weekend. The largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper is quite impressive and absolutely gorgeous. The park includes the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and, of course, mountains.


Wildlife in the park include elk, caribou, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain boar, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear and black bear. If you are really lucky and don't encounter the grizzlies, there is also an abundance of gray wolves, mountain lions and wolverines.


I promised to send Aubrey a picture of the black bear (we had 2 sightings) but my favorite was the geography, rock formations and landscape. The photo above is the Maligne Canyon, looking down into it. The snow and ice are still melting and the water was absolutely the most aquamarine blue I have ever seen. Stunning.

Welcome to our "View from the Far North"

We remain U.S. citizens (and will never give up that golden citizenship!), but are residents of Canada granted work permits for jobs deemed "essential" via NAFTA.

So, here we are...on our great northern adventure. And we're already homesick for the U.S., its spirited people, and our families.

Alberta is known as the "cowboy province." Most of Canada's 32 million people live in the eastern provinces (Ontario, Quebec). As you head west through the prairies and rolling hills of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta to British Columbia, you enter O' Canada's "wild" west.

However, "wild" in Canada is tame compared to wild in the U.S.

Capsule characterization of Canadians: complacent, non-political, tend toward anti-America views in terms of U.S. foreign policies, sprinkled with a somewhat derisive view of U.S. capitalism and competitiveness. Our Canadian neighbor summed it up nicely: "We're the silent complainers."

So, we're ready to share our "Yankee Doodle" observations of a country that seems to have a love/hate relationship with its southern neighbor.