Jesus Wept - was I ever this young?

Right now I'm a teacher.  Crossed with a Social Worker.  Crossed with a Redneck.  Oh what a combo. Let me elaborate.

My current occupation is a Vocational Coach - delivering or facilitating classes on Job Readiness.  As in how to be ready for a job.  Or to look for a job.  Or decide on what job you might want to do in your life.

So for the past 5 weeks of a 10 week program, I have shown up to class, prepared to engage my students and keep them quasi entertained whilst delivering assessments, tools to make a tight resume, how to look for jobs, how to decide what jobs they might be best suited for etc etc.

Today was the toughest so far. But let me start from the beginning.

The first day of class I looked out at 9 emotionless faces.  Smiling? Maybe 2.  Frowning - definitely 4,  the rest - were they awake? Alive? Who could tell.  But they were there.  Not ready to work - not a one of them.  Previous work experience? Nu huh  Skills? Welllll on the sleeping in and playing games/being on Facebook level - they were Expert.  On the other hand...oh my work is cut out for me!

The requirements of the course is that a) the participant wants to get a job at the end and b) the participant will attend classes, and participate. Thus the title Participant.

First day on the course, parameters were outlined - clearly. 1)  Miss 3 classes = we determine that means you've withdrawn. If you are unable to attend - let us know.  Sick Children do not count as an excuse.  2) Respect your instructors and classmates - not a tough rule to follow.  We are the teachers.  You are the students.  Simple right?


The 9 are now down to 3.  1 said it was like they were in school, they hated school - so they quit right off the bat.  OK I can dig it.  One yelled that THEY were the teacher, that we had to listen to her - yikes...she was a big mean looking woman, so I personally was a bit intimidated.  But I pulled up my big girl panties and said "In this room I am the teacher - you are not.  Now either sit down and participate respectfully, or decide maybe you are in the wrong place."  Phew!! She gone


Others had their own issues - partying is more fun than class time, sleeping is more desirable than learning, etc etc.  And so - then we were down to 3.  Sadly one more didn't show today. No idea what happened - in jail? in hospital? at friends? home asleep? hunting? This makes it tough for me - it's hard keeping a class of 2 engaged in the process.  But their choice - do or do not - there is no try.

If this is the future of our country - we are in big trouble.  I know when I was a young person, I held at least one job.  I may not have known exactly what I wanted to be when I "grew up" but I did work - it's the whole thing about liking the freedom to have $$ and living independently. These people - not there yet.  So whil2e I tend to the occasional outburst, hissy fit, and crying jag by and large my remaining students are pressing forward - tho to me it looks like as easy as wading through wet cement. Jesus wept - let's hope next week I still have a student or two!

Post Script:

The call came that night. One of the two remaining students was dead. Of a drug overdose in a crack shack. This bright light,  with determination to turn his life around and be a good father to his little girl was gone.  Those who knew him were sad, not shocked.  I was so sorry he died in such an avoidable ugly manner.  Fentynol doesnt care.  The drugs will continue to flow in his community,  others will die.  So much potential,  such a sad end.

A long hot ride, a shiner and a big bruised ego!! Yay Motorcycles!

         Cutbank Montana - breakfast at the 

recommended greasy spoon. Delish

"How was our Montana trip?

"So glad you asked!"   The one and only motorcycle long distance venture in 2018?  OK it was a busy year - moving, rain storms, impassible driveways, etc etc.  So this one was a good one!It was broken into 3 legs each way...the first two damn near totalled us since weve done essentially no riding to get into shape, so we were sore, loved the ride,,, I got a full face helmet, wore my rainsuit and stayed dry and comfy during a brief soaking at Whitecourt.  

Stayed in a very clean out of the way motel in Drayton Valley... $89 a night with continental breakfast,  then overnite at our buddy's place just out of Stavely Alberta, where we all had a wonderful evening along with their three dogs, two cats and a couple of horses.  In the morning we rode south,  then crossed into the USA to a great little greasy spoon for breakfast..on the recommendation of a sweet US border guard.  

Then to White Sulphur Springs Montana and our very comfy room...chicken fried steak and beers for dinner. it was great to see the guys!    I was also pleased that 12 Mikes Hard Lemonade only cost $14US!   What a bargain!  It's $28 in Alberta for a dozen.

And perhaps you have noticed we travel like Napoleon? Always looking for the next chicken fried steak, amazing pancakes or super burgers? And we always find them!

One of the planned activities was we went to the gun range, with a local guy, who is like road maintenance, deputy Sheriff, weed control, ag inspector...etc etc and essentially his wife and kids fill in other positions.   Great guy!  These Montana folks, including their kids, all had a Lot of small arms and rifles...it was fun!  Everyone knew their stuff, all smiles and courtesy...Loved it!   Wonderful hospitable people - the real deal.

Anyways the Montana guy offered to me to shoot this .3030 pistol with a huge silencer and a scope...said Don't put your eye on the scope, it kicks back.  Big gun!  I nod, ok, aiming for a gong target up the hill as instructed.  

Love these guys! Great bunch.

Now I was feeling pretty cocky, since I'd been hitting everything with a .22 rifle just before this.  I was being called Annie Oakley.  Yeah, that didn't last long..hahaha .  So I confidently put my eye on the damn scope and Kablam...kicked back alright!  Hit my safety glasses, almost knocked me on my ass.  He said You okay?  You bleeding?  No, no blood.  Just mortally wounded ego.  And a puffy eye.. everyone looked...oooh You Got Scoped!  What a dumbass I was.  Yes and in three days I developed a lovely shiner. Yeah  which Mac boasted it was from him! Bah!

The trip home was great - we had our riding legs back, 

As we are just heading out  after breakfast in Turner Valley, I'm pulling out of a gravel parking lot,  sharp right turn, fitting into the parking lane and next thing I knew Bang I fell over.  I swear I heard "old lady down! Old lady down" as traffic stopped, the town truck put on his big orange rotating lights, two other bikers and some customers ran out to help the senior off the ground.  Mac was surrounded by a mass of concerned passers by and couldn't even get off his bike to help, two men had their hands under my arms trying to lift me...I said thanks give me your hand and I will stand up...they picked up my bike...I was MORTIFIED!  I may have said I'm getting too old for this shit...thanked everyone and rode to the gas station around the corner.  John got our wee first aid kit out, I washed my slightly wounded elbow, put on guaze and tape, gassed up and we headed north!  So once THAT scabbed over, and the huge bruise bloomed (mid forearm to mid upper arm, very pretty) I looked l like I'd been in a bar brawl.

Other than that, it was great..lolol cant wait to do it again!  Only this time with less falling down.  3,000 memorable kms, lots of laughs, a few Oh No's, fell in love with my new full face helmet and rain suit (remained dry as a popcorn fart!  Lol) a bruise or two and some really tasty meals. Yup this was my idea of a good time.  

And next year? Oh we are planning it already, booking rooms, it's going to be epic!!

OMG Summer is half gone!!! So beautiful!

Greetings Blog fans  - I have been a bad bad blogger.  Jumping from season to season with no real path, keeping you in suspense, as one of my few faithful fans said "Need new blog - get on it woman!"

Summer is here in the north and it is glorious.  Blue skies, green green grass, birds, animals, and now the golden fields of blooming canola.  Did you know those tiny smelly little flowers are now the bane of my existence?  I adore them - they are breathtakingly beautiful - but OMG they make my eyes burn, my sinuses plug up and SNEEZES...so my new bestie is Aunty Histamine.... LOL  She's right up there with Ty Lenol, E Senntial Oils and Aspi Rin.  Yup, getting old is, as my mom says, sucky.

And I'm old.  Yup, I admit it - in my mind I'm still young, but physically?  Well first it was an age spot, then a small covey of wrinkles who had such fun on my face they invited all their friends and family...now age spots abound, joints creak and moan and there are days I just wanna stay in bed with a cuppa and a book.  Oh and a cat - make that two cats. But I  digress....

If you are over 60 you know there's the guilty pleasure of ordering on the seniors menu, getting discounts, and the excuse of asking someone to help carry heavy stuff.  But there is also the reality of making a mistake, tripping or heaven forbid falling - and suddenly you are incorrectly labelled "Infirm"  Good God! I don't mind someone giving me a hand but when its preceeded with Oh let me help you with that dear, careful mind the step, are you able?????? I see Red!  It's AGE-ISM  and it's nasty.  I have experienced it first hand - and hate it!  I'm able to take care of myself, if I need help I have no problem asking for it.  But take my elbow, steer me along and call me dear....Man I am Angry right now!  Ageism comes from not only the young, tender snowflakes but from other seniors!! "we're all getting older, where are you going to live when you retire? you know we can't all be independent forever?" and the ever NOT popular "well have you considered selling you bike?"  

And the answer - NO and when I do it's going to be my decision, no  one elses!  I know, I'm getting all prickly over what could genuinely be concern.  I mean I recently and for the first time in 45 years of riding fell over.  It was a 4 km an hour wipe out - incredibly embarrassing, my ego suffering badly!  I ended up with some spectacular bruises but no damage done to me or the bike.  But when I clanked to the ground a herd of young guys rushed over, helping as they could, helping me stand up, picking up my bike (which was not damaged)  I guess there's a first time for everything eh?  A hard right turn coming down out of a gravel parking lot onto a tight paved road was just not what I was able to do that day.  Sheesh, am I getting to old for this $hit?  It did make me think that night cleaning up my boo boos ….and the survey says NO I am not.  LOL I sure don't bounce like I used to, but even so I wasn't in pain.  But never the less it was damn humbling.

Today I have a massive impressive purple bruise on my right elbow, heck on the majority of my arm;  this morning my husband said "Impressive bruise on your hip babe" and yes, there it was!  I'm fortunate - it could have been worse.

But the way I see it - it wasn't.  I know what I'm capable of doing and I know that I need to get out and walk, ride, and move more!  It's been a tough start to the year, huge snows, flooding, flu, rain, cats, family, work, roads....did I mention I got stuck in the mud twice?  The positives however outnumber the negatives - we have wicked wonderful landlords - they are so nice, so caring, just so genuine - it's a blessing!  We have a great place to live and work - and we like our jobs and coworkers! Our cats, tho hairy beyond words, are pretty cool.  And we love each other - being a couple with hubby is just the best.   So life is great - sitting on our deck, listening to the birds, enjoying the scenery - what more can we ask?  Life is wonderful!

Please come soon spring, please come soon!

Yup. that snowdrift is starting to shrink.  Above the height of the barbeque, it's been out there growing and ebbing, and now the dirty truth of spring is upon us.

Mud coats our vehicles.  Our shoes, the drive, the dirty leftovers of winter - which is grand!! A slow melt means less chance of flooding as the moisture goes into the earth.  Floods we don't need!

With spring comes the usual suspects - March brings St. Patrick's day, a green celebration of all that is or might be Irish - and we did the deed in good style, with new friends and coworkers coming to enjoy the food and drink laid out for the occasion.  Soon Easter will be here, with family and food and reflection on what it means.  Oh and chocolate eggs for the neighbors lads!

So my time is spent recently as a housewife, homemaker, sometimes feeling like the cleaning service and a maid.  My contract is ended, and my employment is sporadic at best.  I have interviewed for some really interesting and challenging jobs in town, but no one has "pulled the trigger" so I await a decision.  A second interview on one today - time will tell, by end of week I should know!

Ambitious me? nooo not a  bit.  I struggle to pile up dishes, load the washer and fold laundry.  It seems the older I get the more I want total me, total down time.  To blog, to watch weird shows on line, to listen to music and cuddle the cats.  The downside? cat hair everwhere, towels unfolded, and counter space filled with stuff that needs attending to! The snow is melting - life goes on!

Out with the old - in with the Weasel?

Say hello to my little friend - Herman the Ermine.  Or Winston the Weasel.  A Short tailed weasel to be exact - who knows how to get into our home!

The sneaky albeit cute  little  bugger made it in how? We thought thru an open door while we loaded groceries into the house - but perhaps not?  Time goes by - it seems there is a deeper mystery in our home!

Ok we live in the countryside - so there are mice and squirrels oh and did I mention we had two moose behind the house a couple o days ago?  But I digress dear reader.  Seems that ermine - the short tailed weasel's winter name with his snowy coat, and black little tip o the tail - are mice's sworn enemy predator!  Now having said that, there is nary a poop, sighting or nest of a mouse in our house.  

Picture if you will, two grey haired and perhaps less than athletic humans, happily asleep on a work night, awakened by a shrill unidentified chirping.  Smoke detector? Nooo, a bird? a Mouse or Bat? No - so after waking the man o the house, the two of us armed with our trusty broom see a white streak running along the base of the wall - it's the Ermine!! 

The sleek little Herman was very vocal in his late night encounter with our two cats - they didn't try to eat him, just were curious and so pursued him and tried to sniff him (perhaps  before tasting?)  Ala "Griswalds Christmas" the varmint was herded to the door and Pop - out he went.  Problem solved! Cats settled into  bed, all was well. 

Now we have become more aware of our furry little neighbor who lives, we think, in the open garage attached to our Shouse.  The odd rustling, the occasional footy prints give him/her away, like the mice who foolishly wander in from the cold. 

Larger neighbors, like the two aforementioned moose, delight us - lots of Mule deer live around here, one was peeping Bambi, the other evening.  How  cool is that! 

Bambi bounced out of our snowy yard, belly deep making its way to the line of trees that run behind our place.  You can see where they land in the snow - big dips. Sort of how a dog navigates deep snow, jumping along and landing in a  snowy belly flop!

Along with the four legged critters, we have a whole "unkindness" of ravens who will in a flash gather and get into the best of bagged garbage, whose vocalizations entertain me and make me think they really are talking about me.

So back to the story - last night as Hubby and I sat down to dinner I heard a loud unmistakable chirping - what the heck?  I got up, hoping the noise came from a new very loud cat toy I had purchased.  There it was, undisturbed. Cats were on guard - staring at "Something"  And  what is looking out at from under our television stand?  Cute little face with shiny beady black eyes?    

 It's Herman!! Under the TV stand.  Chirping at me - the hunt was on!

Again the trusty broom is employed, we worked as a team and briefly routed it out - a 6" white streak who did not want to be caught or shooed outside!  And then - POOF he was gone.  

And so the plot thickens.  There is either a way for Herman to get in and out of our house which we are yet to find OR he's gone to ground waiting for us to go away.  

All rooms have been searched.  No holes have been discovered.  The only possible egress would have to be the water heating system - but that is a slim chance because it's all self contained in the house. Hmmm.  So dinner finished, we settled in for the night.  No sign of our intruder.  If he came out during our slumber, the cats would chase him and he'd make a lot of noise, we'd have to just get up and try again to oust him.

Last night we slept like the dead, not even cats made noise until the 5:30 a.m. meowing went off.  This morning - no sign of our cute little friend.  Sadly tho, we cannot share out house with this overgrown mouse....and so a trapper will come try to get him from the garage where we know he hangs out. Alas poor Herman.  He's likely full and fit after most likely feasting on cat food.  Tho we never have seen him nor signs of him - apparently he knows how to get around.  I personally hope he gets away - moves to a new hidey hole and never comes into our domicile again.  For his own good!

As our neighbor said when he shoveled our truck out of a huge drift in the driveway last week - "Welcome to the Peace Country".  It's a glorious place to live, in a  wonderful warm home with amazing good neighbors who happen to be our landlords.  Neighborlords? Friends is what I'll call them from here on in! 

As I type the snow has stopped, we are  drifted in and waiting to be plowed out so we can get into our work in town. I love it. Who would have thunk it?