IT'S FEBRUARY!

Last week's denim and red quilt top

Most of us in SK are glad when the month of January is over as it is usually a long, cold month.  We were given some respite this year with several days of mild, above normal temperatures.  It has a downside though as then we get icy roads and sidewalks from freezing rain.  The Torquay Grannies cancelled our singing at St. Joseph's last Wednesday because of those conditions. 

The temperatures were much colder by Saturday so I ventured out in the morning to take in part of Eric's game at Affinity Place in Estevan.  When I left after the second period the score was 4-0 for Milestone Flyers.  It ended up 5-3 for the Flyers and Eric scored the fifth goal, that I missed seeing.

I left the game early so that I could attend the funeral service for Irene Halvorson, formerly of Torquay. She died on Friday, just two days after her 93rd birthday.  She had been a model volunteer for most of her life.  Her role was to be a leader and she took part in most organizations in the Torquay area at Trinity Lutheran Church as well as in the community.  I took a class in crocheting from her under the Community College program and still have the booklet of crochet samples that she had us make. In my mind one of her most valuable contributions was to be the editor of the history book, "Our Prairie Heritage Cambria 1902 - 1977."  I would like to share the poem and comment that she put in the front of the book.

The Gift of Friendship

Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought or sold,

But its value is far greater than mountains made of gold.  

For gold is cold and lifeless, it can neither see nor hear,

And in the time of trouble it is powerless to cheer.

It has no ears to listen, no heart to understand.

It cannot bring you comfort or reach out a helping hand.

So when you ask God for a gift be thankful if He sends

Not diamonds or riches, but the love of real true friends.

                                                 - Helen Steiner Rice

Irene added "It was the open hearts and real true friendship that made this open wilderness into the comfortable, affluent society that we know today.  May each one of us strive to maintain the same simple love and genuine friendship that moulds and binds a community, a nation and a world which we can proudly pass on to future generations. "  Irene did just.  Tributes expressed today certainly showed Irene's open heart and home with love and friendship for everyone she met.  God certainly gifted Irene with the love of real true friends as was evident in the large number of people attending the celebration of her life today.

This picture of Nora was on Facebook but I will repost it here for those who haven't seen it.  The navy outfit she is wearing was knit  by her "Norsk Grandma", as we call Gunn Kvisvik from Kristiansund.  I had a Facetime visit with Nora this morning.  She had been sick in the night but was feeling better.  She always wants to see the cat when I talk to her.  So I found some leftovers in the fridge, put the dish out on the patio and called, "Here kitty, kitty".  Soon Nora could watch the cat out the patio window.  When she talks to the Ledenes she always want to see their dog, Rusty.  

Nora, soon 2 and a half years old

It was a sports weekend for Clare's.  Jodi and Abbey were in Assiniboia for a basketball tournament which Abbey's team won. Thanks for the pictures, Jodi.

 Clare had the flu last week but recovered in time to curl in a bonspiel in Crosby, ND.  He stopped by today on his way home and told me they had won all four games.  The entry fee was $300 and they won $400 so got most of their expenses paid and had a fun weekend.  He skipped so he didn't have to exert himself sweeping after being under the weather.

I talked to my niece Mareena in Lacombe tonight and was just in time for a fancy birthday carrot cake made by Sandra and Mandy.  Mandy presented her with a gift box containing 40 presents from family and friends.  It would have been fun to see her opening all those.  What a fun idea Mandy! (I hope she'll do the same for you next year!)

I'm sure Kirk is happy tonight since his Patriots won the Super Bowl.  It looked like the Seahawks were going to take it but this time they lost out in the last two minutes.

For Christmas the grandchildren gave me a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure so I'm going to claim it on Wednesday from the lady in Lampman.  I'll go to Kirk's after quilting on Tuesday and stay overnight.  I don't usually wear coloured nail polish but I might be bold and go for red for Valentines Day!

Time to bed so I'll sign off for tonight.  I'm getting company this weekend so it will be a busy week!