This has been a year of severe disruption and angst. Many projects have been delayed, many hobbies and passions lay in waste from lack of time, funds, inner strength, and, quite simply, unbearable, choking grief. Hopes and aspirations lie in decay with the rotting leaves on the ground.

As I type these words I glance up at my Dad’s squirrel calendar, now on November. I had given it to him last Christmas, one of those many traditional gifts that always bring delight. Every time I would visit, he would bring me into his study to make sure I saw the latest month’s squirrel. He was so taken by the scenes I gifted him a small picnic table with umbrella for his own squirrels to enjoy, mounted on a fence post.

During the darkest times in ICU, when we were trying to bring him all things familiar to help rouse him to consciousness, I brought in the squirrel calendar, along with many other beloved items. My brother mounted it on the wall so that if by some chance he glanced upward he would see his beloved squirrels.

I walked around the lake at lunch for the first time in what seems like centuries. A solo journey. Externally the walk looks so simple, just two legs moving, basic locomotion propelling one forward, slight incline, slight decline. But every step forward is a struggle inside my heart. Inside swirls a tempest of emotions. Trauma, loss, dear memories, cries of unfairness. I try to find a way to sift through everything. The blue sky and gravel path are anchors, bringing me back when my thoughts spiral down too far. I think about others I’ve seen walking alone. It makes me wonder what is inside their heads, and their hearts, as they walk.

There is something comforting and potentially about nature. For me there is a sense of endurance, of constant change and the cycle of life, bound in pure eternity. Nature holds the memories in its DNA of all the centuries before. The fall leaves smell the same as they always have. The soft wind feels the same on my cheeks. There is no judgement, no clinging to what was, no angst over change. It just is.

I stop at the apex of the second lake’s path to look back at home. My well-loved home, a place of such joy, warmth, happy memories, and comfort, looks so far away. I long to find to my way back.

In the spirit of Rats in the news, and in follow up to my post here: https://idwellinpossibility.ca/2024/09/23/of-rats-and-men/ (below)

I am posting the latest News Release from the Alberta Govt (yesterday). This post is dedicated to my friends who remain incredulous of this now infamous rat map:

(Source: https://www.bloc.eco/post/rat-free-areas-in-the-world)

News Release:

Encouraging Albertans to “Rat on Rats!”

November 05, 2024 Media inquiries

A new campaign is reminding Albertans to do their part to help keep Alberta rat-free.

For more than 70 years, Alberta has proudly been rat-free, meaning the province prevents the pest from establishing a permanent population while swiftly dealing with any infestations. That famous designation is thanks to the hard work and dedication of Rat Control Program staff, and all Albertans can do their part by reporting rat signs and sightings.

Through Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) funding to the Alberta Invasive Species Council, the governments of Canada and Alberta are reminding Albertans to “Rat on Rats!”

The $110,000 investment will fund billboards and outreach materials encouraging Albertans to report rats and rat signs. To celebrate the launch, the Alberta Invasive Species Council will hold an online forum at 11 a.m. on Nov. 5.

“Managing invasive species and pests, like rats, is an important part of keeping our food chain safe and productive. This campaign will help keep Alberta proudly rat-free, so our farmers can focus on what they do best – feeding Canadians and the world.” 

Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“Alberta is famously rat-free, a status we owe not just to the hard work and dedication of Rat Control staff over many decades, but also to the vigilance of Albertans. This campaign will educate and remind Albertans to do their part to keep the pest out of our province.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

While many regions around the world face growing rat populations, Alberta stands apart thanks to its proactive approach and commitment to rat control. Rats often hitchhike into Alberta on vehicles, cargo and equipment, making it crucial for everyone to recognize that these pests are not native or established here.

“Alberta’s rat control program is an incredible success story. Our Rat on Rats! campaign builds on this and calls on all Albertans to help keep Alberta rat-free—if you see a rat, report it immediately! We all have a role to play in protecting Alberta from the impacts of invasive species.”

Megan Evans, executive director, Alberta Invasive Species Council

Quick facts

• Albertans can report rats or rat sightings by emailing rats@gov.ab.ca or calling 310-FARM (3276).
• Last year, Albertans reported 450 rat sightings, 23 of which were confirmed rats. 
• The majority, 158, were muskrats.

***

Dad, of course, would be the first to say that the biggest rat of them all is the leader of our province…😆

Catherine, or breaking wheel, above. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/anguskirk/15757574916)

The air conditioning/furnace replacement Catherine wheel of torture continued today. My Dad had longed for the air conditioning in the spring, seeking cooler summer days and cleaner air from the smoke when trapped inside from forest fires. He was so excited, carefully researched, carefully arranged the company, despite feeling somewhat unwell. A 30 year old furnace (one of two) was replaced at the same time.

The day of installation was the day his doctor told him he had to go to emergency. She’d received his xray and she wrote a letter to expedite his admission. Dad wanted to be there at the house, though, to properly see the project through. When I arrived at 2 pm to cover off watching the house (the earliest he would leave for emerg), Dad still took time to introduce me properly to the workers, even though he could hardly breathe. Unfortunately emerg was not meant to be that day, but that is another painful story. He would come home for one last night.

For some reason- I know not why- our family remains trapped in this painful day, unable to move past. The company was calling us for payment as we sat in ICU beside him. We were told we needed to schedule an inspection. Payment arrangements continued to be a hassle, even into August.

We finally scheduled the city inspection after Dad’s Celebration of Life. Inspection failed. More steps with weeks in between. A slow, staggering, agonizing, march-of-death-style pace.

We had to get the company back in to fix the failures. Another day of waiting, more service people in. We receive notification City had been advised. Again with the hassle of booking with the City again. A full day of waiting, inspector’s verdict: second fail.

Service people again a week later to fix problems, involving rooftop work. This morning I phone City again to schedule a third inspection, and there is a $286 charge we owe because we’ve failed the two inspections previous…

I text the company directly to ask if this will be covered. I remind them my father has passed, my mom is still grieving horribly, please deal with me, on this cell phone. Two minutes later they call her cell, asking for Richard Davies (account is in his name), causing immeasurable pain and trauma.

We remain stuck on this horror torture ride, arms and legs bound, eyes taped open. As I talked to Company (with Mom breaking down in background) they said they would pay. After payment it will another scheduling, another day of waiting for the City inspector. We are frozen in time, on the day of Monday, July 15, forced to relive and relive this excruciating time period of Dad’s last two days at home. When will we have done our time? We beg for release.

Update: Mom just got another call, asking for Richard Davies, from the loan payment related to this business. She is crushed yet again and I had to deal with them. There was no point to the call, they were just confirming what we already knew. Why, and why on the same day as the other call asking for Richard. This is too much.

It is hard to believe, but Dad received a card for his wallet regarding his aortic valve replacement in the mail today. Unimaginable pain for our family. Thanks, broken health care system.

Dad also got his certificate from the Heart and Stroke Foundation for being a loyal supporter since 2017. It was an extra sort of twisting of the knife in the heart day today.

A chaotic Halloween scene, from left to right: Myself, in high chair; my Grandma Reade, fussing over me; my Aunt Arlene in robber mask (we still have this mask); Dad hamming it up; and my Grandpa Reade leading in, no doubt running in at the last minute after turning on the timer on the camera. In front a homemade Halloween cake, likely with hidden foil money and jokes inside.

Our family has always enjoyed Halloween get togethers. We’ve always kept each other company as a family, as it can be a bit lonely and dark once the sun sets. Dad would have great fun decorating the house in the festive spirit, although he’d always stay out of the room during pumpkin carving. He did not love that squashy smell!

We often dressed up, ordered in pizza, enjoyed some kind of gloppy icing confection, roasted pumpkin seeds, and shared many laughs.

Dad would usually have a tape of very campy haunted house sounds playing in the background (groans and screams, chains and footsteps, creaking doors – the usual!). Dad’s snoopy pumpkin, and my Grandma and Grandpa’s ceramic light up haunted house would always make an appearance, too:

In later years we watched spooky, schlocky classics – older sensitive to my tendency for sensory overload. Last year’s was Frankenstein; previous to that, we had watched a couple of classic Vincent Price movies.

Dad and I would also go for a walk, hand in hand (or mitt in glove) to get a feel for the pulse on the street and check out neighbourhood decorations and pumpkin carvings.

I think Halloween appealed to Dad’s delightfully fun and theatrical side. He’d gotten into theatre as early as Junior High and continued dabbling in theatre throughout his adult life, even acting in a couple of Fringe plays.

His absence is all too painful today- our first Halloween without him. During this first bleak wasteland year without Dad we’ve no plans to celebrate, but hopefully next year will be able to honour his playfulness and love of the holiday in new ways.

As Hallowtide begins, I am looking forward to All Souls Day/Night (rooted in paganism) in a couple days- it will be an opportunity to reflect on all the beloved friends and family who have passed into the next realm. Dad thought the premise of this time to honour and celebrate the dead was a beautiful concept, and I agree. To set the mood, I invite a listen to Loreena McKennitt’s All Souls Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07eWCY65Q0A

I’ll be posting a reflective gardening post soon, but my attention is currently on dismantling this past summer’s garden. Over the last couple of years I’ve grown runner beans, which grow about 20 feet to the top of lantern hooks on my deck. Dad would always marvel at their height! Their pretty flowers attract many butterflies, pollinators, and the occasional hummingbird.
(Pics below from August 2024; the recent frosts have decimated them now)

Tonight I will be chopping down the beanstalk and gathering dried beans. We ate the beans the first year, and they’re okay sautéed with garlic, but they’re kind of big, hairy, and tough (Skye gives a tentative sniff below). I prefer the bush beans (purple and yellow) for enjoying as a side for dinners- much more tender.

With no plans to eat the beans next year but simply grow them for flowers and our pollinators, I am able to harvest the magic beans 🫘✨and set them aside for next year’s planting. They are gorgeous and humongous! Fairytale-worthy, indeed. ❤️

Dad took this fantastic shot while visiting Vancouver years ago. He had such a unique eye for photos and the best sense of humour.

Amazing how revisiting a song later brings deeper understanding. I finally know, understand, and feel the pain of this familiar song that crept into my brain this morning.

King of Pain (Sting)

There’s a little black spot on the sun today
It’s the same old thing as yesterday
There’s a black hat caught in a high tree top
There’s a flag pole rag and the wind won’t stop

I have stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running ’round my brain
I guess I’m always hoping that you’ll end this reign
But it’s my destiny to be the king of pain

There’s a little black spot on the sun today
(That’s my soul up there)
It’s the same old thing as yesterday
(That’s my soul up there)
There’s a black hat caught in a high tree top
(That’s my soul up there)
There’s a flag pole rag and the wind won’t stop
(That’s my soul up there)

I have stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running ’round my brain
I guess I’m always hoping that you’ll end this reign
But it’s my destiny to be the king of pain

There’s a fossil that’s trapped in a high cliff wall
(That’s my soul up there)
There’s a dead salmon frozen in a waterfall
(That’s my soul up there)
There’s a blue whale beached by a springtime’s ebb
(That’s my soul up there)
There’s a butterfly trapped in a spider’s web
(That’s my soul up there)

I’ve stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running ’round my brain
I guess I’m always hoping that you’ll end this reign
But it’s my destiny to be the king of pain

There’s a king on a throne with his eyes torn out
There’s a blind man looking for a shadow of doubt
There’s a rich man sleeping on a golden bed
There’s a skeleton choking on a crust of bread

King of pain

There’s a red fox torn by a huntsman’s pack
(That’s my soul up there)
There’s a black-winged gull with a broken back
(That’s my soul up there)
There’s a little black spot on the sun today
It’s the same old thing as yesterday

I’ve stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running ’round my brain
I guess I’m always hoping that you’ll end this reign
But it’s my destiny to be the king of pain

King of pain
King of pain
King of pain
I’ll always be king of pain
I’ll always be king of pain
I’ll always be king of pain
I’ll always be king of pain
I’ll always be king of pain
I’ll always be king of pain
I’ll always be king of pain

I lie below the skylight this morning on a soft fluffy blanket in front of the warm fire, coffee in hand, beside a warm, foggy rabbit. The sky shines a gorgeous azure blue through the window, inviting me to join.

I think of Ken Klaus’ original piece, Blue Skies, played at Dad’s Celebration of Life. Dad lived in Blue Skies. For some strange reason I’m also reminded of Windows XP desktop screen (below), harkening back to the early 2000s. Happier times. I was running through those emerald green hills back then.

I remember a moment sometime around that period when I was at the Alberta Legislature gardens, a glorious sunshiney day, happy and delirious with life. I looked up at the blue sky abounding the heavens and I felt rushing sensation. The green grass lifted me to the blue and the blue sky came rushing down to meet me, combining into a swirl of perfect union. It was one of those blissful moments when the beauty of life steals your breath.

My spirit extends upward, stretching to reach the light today, but the blue is behind a pane of streaked, dusty glass. It is just out of reach.

Blue sky is framed by a skylight, along with a suggestion of sunshine out of view.

Above, Mom and dad set off on a glorious fall morning around the lake in September 2021.

Dad lived by Henry David Thoreau’s famous quote, particularly- “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately…”

Every fall brought intentional acts of soaking up the fleeting changing of seasons, whether “leafing” with the family, feeding the chickadees by hand in a park surrounded by golden leaves, or strolling in nature. During the pandemic a fall touchstone was a walk around the lake my house backs on to with Mom. He was always waiting, ready to spring for the perfect morning, with bright sunshine, low wind, and crisp temperatures.

The strolling circuit nearly complete, Mom and Dad approach my house for a rest and warm up.