Cleaning up is one of those things that brings mixed blessings. You may find treasures, dust, mildew, memories and knowledge. Well last week while spending a few days at Bruce Mines I began going through some of Mom's collection of stuff. The pictures below are family shots... mostly before I was around.... I hope you enjoy seeing my aunts, uncles and grandparents as much as I have.
The following shots... in no special order... include all my Aunt Jean's(eanne) and Uncle Bob's (3 sets), Uncle Ross & Aunt Marge, Uncle Ronald, Mom & Dad and of course both sets of grandparents along with Uncle Ernie and Aunt Luella.

George, Ross, Jean and Arthur

George and Ruth on the steps of the house in Toronto (one of the houses)

George, Ross & Bobby

Ross & Marge

Bob & Jeanne

Another Bob & Jean

Mom & Dad

Family shot ...

mmm... serious look Aunt Marge!

Olive, Ronald & Jean

A budding hockey player ....

Such a smile ... it is great!

Arthur, Ruth, Luella, Ernest

Reuben, Ronald & Ethel

Many of those featured in this post are no longer with us... but they are remembered and those memories mold our character cause us to think about the legacy we will leave for future generations. Men and women of character ... many of them characters in their own right... and from the smiles captured here comes the realization that Uncle Al was right when he used to say, "Just remember, young fellow... you are as I am ... and you will be as I am!"

So if you start down memory lane.... how far do you have to go before you turn around and come back....

You will note a cabin in the background in this shot... seems like it is sitting right on the walkway from the lake to the camp!! Hmmm could it be something was and now isn't?

Seems to me Sam and Ben should have a full set of drums at their disposal!! I think even Poppa might enjoy tapping away on them!! We are not sure yet... but we think (well Grandma Smith thinks) that they should be located in Gurnee... Il... Hmmm long way to go to tap out a rhythm

Some things just never change... like the view from the bluff over looking the camp... that is my Grandpa there .... looking quite young!

...and what good kid would be around a motor and not have his hands on the tiller...!Gotto start young on this stuff!!

Hope you enjoyed the past.... the future is approaching at warp speed!

So on with the Who Is It Theme.... can you identify the eyes....

I'll be back with more shots from the past ... but first I have to deal with an automated reboot event that has been playing havoc with me for several days now.... a critical patch to be installed!! Just that I am not on my home sever and it won't happen!

Flashbacks are often thought of in a negative context... in this case however, the flashbacks are those generated when old pictures are revisited and they spark memories from the past ... good or bad! The opening picture was a poster I used to have on my wall... you can look into it and fall into the depths... especially when the blacklight used to create a glow in the room!
I expect that most of the next few pictures have generated more of a "flashback" for me...but that's okay...I'll find more to generate flashback for the rest of you over the next few days!!

Perhaps I could just insert this picture for the "profile"!!

Now for those of you who are younger... this is before car seats were such a hit. Father's arms were the primary restraint ... and do you remember sitting on the fold down seat in the middle of the rear seat... it was really an arm rest ... but it worked well and gave me a little better view out the windows!

A boy and his dog were two things that just were not meant to be separated! The trail should be familiar for some... it is at the bottom of the hill before the lake.


With the chainsaw in background we had to take a little time for some affection... then we could help with the wood cutting ... well at least piling it then!

Of course there was always time for a little fun in the water...of course the highlight that you cannot see here was a little can of powder that was kept in the pouch on the side of the rescue boat...when sprinkled in the lake the reddish powder turned a bright green and was intended as a signal for help.


At one time the woodshed was new... seems like the elements have aged the structure somewhat now...but it did look good then!

And last but certainly not least ... the family portrait in front of the cabin... shortly after it had been moved up the hill.
Heidi please note the hammock trees in the background... the clothes line and Naomi... where did those guys put the deck? I knew something was missing?

The picture is one I found the other day while browsing the web... looking out at Lake Ontario today one could imagine the shape of a tug coming into the harbour. With a dull and drizzly day I just thought a picture of the tugs would be soothing... The truth is that I just love the lines of a classic tug boat and these are classics.

What's in a phone call. One never knows when that little gadget of Graham Bell's rings what the outcome might be. At times the news is starting, other times disappointing, sometimes sad, and at other time glad!
Well when our phone rang this afternoon.... and Matt was talking about his drive to Trader Joe's... one could only imagine the real reason for his call... we did and we were right... he was really rather excited to announce the fact that he and Naomi are expecting No. 3.
So, now just when I was thinking .... hey I was able to manage these two little fellows... for the day ... they are going to add another!

Guess I better retire and get my workshop in good shape...'cuz there will need to be a place to hold summer school for the Buehrle team!

So when the snow began flying here in Detroit today... and I was on my way to see Detective Palmer.... I started having flashbacks... to the summertime...

I am glad we have pictures to remind us of things past... 'cuz it now seems like such a long time ago that these photos were taken! Yes, Heidi was in Canada for a while this summer... at least we had some pictures... Naomi, Matt and the boys were in Canada for a short time...


And what would it take to keep that smile goin' .... probably a little cedar smoke with a few chunks of salmon on them!!

After a good meal ...


...well a beautiful sunset just caps the night!


With more memories than time or space I will have to say g'nite!

So ... after writing a great story and trying to post all these pictures... I lost it! For the second time... here are the pictures from a great couple weekends spent with my daughter, her husband and our grandchildren. With many pictures to choose from and oh so many thoughts and comments to share... I need to get these posted and may come back to fill in any blanks!!

Ben is just a delightful little guy to be with. Not only does he go for a nap willingly... he wakes up happy and ready to go!

and go we did... Poppa provided a little babysitting service Saturday while Matt prepared a sermon and Naomi looked after folks at work. Part of the day was spent at the Fun Fair at church... lots to do and see... even a little lamb riding the fire engine! (note... Sam says it is not a fire truck... it is a fire engine!)

Sam was not so sure about riding the horses or ponies until Mom showed up and trotted along side... then we had a couple of turns... with smiles!


A tour of the ambulance...



...followed by more animals...

and then ... the next day a trip to the playground.

Just watch out for the "new... safe slides .... no steel in sight ... but what a shock if you reach out to catch the slider!!! KaBoooom! Ouch!!


So one little soldier just likes to sit at the bottom of the slide... I know there must be something of interest in those soft chips!


A short ride on the motorcycle could be exhausting... unless you are a relaxed rider like Sam!

Ben and Poppa found a comfortable swing ... big enough for Poppa... and Ben!

So... what happens with cool fresh air.... and a gentle swinging motion...

That's right ... a power nap!

Of course Poppa enjoyed this as much as Ben! And as usual... he woke up in time to head off shopping to Trader Joe's for food!

With a little work... Sam tried a new hair colour and length...


A little frog ... quiet ... but bright eyed and full of fun...

a lamb, and a Daddy with hair.... Hmmmm... shiny is not so bad!!!

Riding the ponies was just plain fun once you got used to it!

Of course life as a little lamb is not all fun... especially a two year old lamb! So many things to learn and to share with a little brother!

But Mom and Dad are there to help... and things seem to be going well for both the little frog and our little lamb!