Posts from — October 2015

Okay……… so who stole October and where did you take it?

October started with a quick visit from Kevin ,Tamara, Sage and Conrad. What a treat to have them visit 🙂

Kevin, Conrad and I trimmed, hacked, whacked and cleaned up the juniper and cedar hedges out back. Kevin was safely and fully suited up for using his chainsaw. He made quick work of the hedges while Conrad and I hauled away branches. He really knows how to use that saw and we got done in a few hours a bunch of work that would have taken Brenda and I many weekends.

Meanwhile the girls were off shopping and getting stuff needed for their home. However, once the girls got home from shopping they really helped out to get the last of the debris loaded up. In the end we took 4 full pick-up truck loads to the City compost facility.

One of the highlights of their visit was that Sage played her Saxophone for us….. she is really doing well.

The following weekend Jeff, Lindsay, Zach and Oliver came for a visit. Jeff was able to solve the computer mystery as to why some of our Web Blog photos were not being displayed on our blog. It took him about 30 seconds……. he is so good at technology stuff like that.

We had GGMA and GGPA for dinner which is always fun with the grandkids here.

The next weekend on Friday night Brenda and I went to a local bar/pub to listen and dance to a CCR Tribute Band called “Willy and the Poor Boys”. This is the same group that performed at Sunpeaks and they are fantastic. The leader who’s name happens to be Larry remembered me from meeting them at Sun peaks, he was very friendly and engaging. What a great performance they put on.

Also, in  October Brenda had a luncheon with a lot of the group that attends Zumba on a regular basis. It’s kind of a final get together before many of them head south for the winter.

The Kamloops City Strummer continue to practice and perform. Our performances this month included a gig at The Shores Retirement Residences where GGMA and GGPA live and a show at Chartwell Renaissance Residences. The Shores job we only had three players as Barry was still on vacation in Italy.

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Near the end of  October Brenda and I drove to Bellingham to attend a Jake Shimabukuro Ukulele performance at The Mount Baker Theatre. The show was amazing as was the theatre. We first saw Jake live in concert back in April 2014 in Spokane. His music and performances are unbelievable. The key learning was that we need to see him in a smaller venue if possible and be as close to the stage as possible. In Spokane the theatre was about 800 seats and we were 2 rows from the stage. However in Bellingham the theatre held 1500+ and we were in the balcony 6 rows back. So, you missed his facial expressions and finger work on the ukulele. However, in the end the music, the performance, his professionalism and his humbleness was amazing.

After the show he met everyone who wanted to say hello and get an autograph. I got my Martin Ukulele signed and dated a second time. WOW!

Finally the last week of October the Kamloops City Strummers performed for the residents at The Renaissance retirement residences in North Kamloops. We had our full group and it’s great to have everyone back.

Check the site near the end of November for future updates.

Has it really been 6 months since we last did a post 🙁

Look, we have all sorts of excuses, like too busy being retired and trying to fit everything else into the day and/or night.

So, with out further ado and with a few pictures attached here is a month by month update of the last 6 months.

MARCH

So after coming back from Hawaii all of a sudden March arrived. That must mean it was time for our annual Family Ski Vacation. We rented a 5 bedroom condo in the Bridgegate area of Sun Peaks. It works real well for our group. The condo is ski in and ski out and although it is a bit of a way from the village, it beats everyone trying to cram into something smaller.

Of course there was the annual Treasure Hunt with all the kids and parents searching for and finding hidden surprises.

Just look at these “wing nuts” to figure out whether or not we have fun times on these weekends

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The only disappointing part was the snow conditions. It was so warm at Sun Peaks that the grooming crew were having to move snow from other areas to keep some of the access trails open. The groomed areas were a little icy, but in the end everyone had a great time.

Right after the Sun Peaks weekend everyone came back to Kamloops to visit GGMA and GGPA. The kids took a walk down to the park…… isn’t this the cutest photo ever of the four Cousins?

Then in the last week of March I attended a weekend Ukulele Workshop hosted by the Ukulele Orchestra of Kamloops. The instructors were Peter and Paul Luongo from Langley. They were fantastic and I learned so much and it really has helped my growth in playing the ukulele.

APRIL

April was quiet for the most part as we settled back into a regular routine after our time traveling.

Near the end of April we finally took the time and visited Brenda’s cousin George and his wife Eva who live on Gabriola Island. They live in an idyllic location inland on the island surrounded by lots of forest. While there George took us on a tour of the island and a very interesting area that we stopped at was called “The Galleries”. These are sandstone cliffs on the ocean that have eroded over the centuries mostly from the wind and the saltwater. Pretty cool aren’t they, they look likes cemented and suspended waves.

From Gabriola we stopped for a couple nights in Vancouver. We made the Tuesday night Vancouver Ukulele Circle where there were about 80 other Ukulele enthusiasts. Also, I bought another Ukulele; an 8 string Kala Tenor Uke……. it’s a beauty.

Finally at the end of April I started a small group to form a bluegrass, country, folk band. The first night we had three at our house for a practice and general discussion of how this might work. There was a banjo player, a guitar player and of course I played ukulele. My idea was a to add a fourth person, on upright bass…… more on this in the next month(s).

MAY

May was a busy, fun and another great month.

Early in May I was able to get an upright bass player to attend a practice. What a difference it makes to have that deep bass beat added to the music; we are actually sounding not too bad and have some plans and ideas for the future…… more later.

In May we made a trip down through Washington State and along the Oregon Coast. The final destination being a visit with a former work pal and his wife – Jay and Shari Jackson. Jay and I have kept in touch since I retired and although he formerly lived in Mississippi, he has moved back to Oregon for a few years.

Since Jay and Shari are both still working we planned our arrival for a Friday night and to spend the weekend. So, our trip down was really relaxed with stops in Tulalip, Astoria, Lincoln City and Florence prior to arriving in Coos Bay.

Beautiful weather and scenery all the way……….. but windy 🙂

We had a great couple days with Jay and Shari and their friends. We got in a lot of catch up visiting, a golf game and met many of their friends and acquaintances. Now it’s their turn to come up to Canada for a visit.

JUNE

June was one month were we stayed home for a change…….. well except for a visit to Kelowna for Oliver’s 3rd Birthday.

Also, the small 4 piece group I formed has been practicing on a regular basis and we now call ourselves “the Kamloops City Strummers”. The objective of our group is to get together and grow musically, to learn from each other and to give back to the community by entertaining at Senior Residence’s. We are aiming for our first public concert in early July.

June was also the month we hosted our annual Friends Reunion… year number 38. Everyone made it to Kamloops and boy was it warm and toasty in Kamloops. Almost record temperatures, so we tried to tailor our activities to keep everyone cooler. One day we spent up at Lac Le Jeune campground and in the evening some of us headed down to Riverside Park for a cooling off dip in the river. A great time was had by all.

JULY

Well all of a sudden July arrived and the weather in Kamloops was fantastic!

Early in July we made a overnight visit to Princeton. It’s been quite a awhile since we had been there and we needed a grand-kid fix. We arrived in time for a local parade. Sage and her friend were busy catching candy being thrown and if you look close you can see Conrad tossing the candy from the fire truck with Kevin driving. Also, Brenda had planned out a bunch of outside science experiments for the kids. So, lots of fun and lots to catch-up on in Princeton.

The Kamloops City Strummers played their first gig at The Shores Residences. It’s where Brenda’s Mom & Dad live. a good crowd for an evening performance and everyone seemed to enjoy the songs we played.

We followed this gig up with a street performance in front of the Kamloops Public Library. This was totally “ad-hoc” and we weren’t sure what to expect. My plan was to get us in front of a less than familiar crowd and see how we performed. Worse case people would not stay and listen….. but that never happened. Folks stopped, listened applauded and moved on. So, overall a success, but lots of room for improvement.

We also played a gig at Ridgeview Retirement Residences. The residents in this facility are a little further along in their personal illness and were tough to perform for; however there were smiles on their faces and people clapped along as we played.

Brenda and I also headed to Kelowna for a 5 days to look after Zach and Oliver while Jeff and Lindsay went to Quebec City to see the Rolling Stones.

AUGUST

August started with a visit from Prince George of Sabrina, Mike, Amelia and Mikayla.

The Kamloops City Strummers held their weekly practices and also performed for the residents at Overlander Extended Care.

Then Jeff, Lindsay, Zach and Oliver arrived for Hot Night in the City Car Show and Ribfest Weekend. In addition to all the activities going on downtown Brenda and her Zumba friends did a “Flash Mob” on Victoria street.

Then as soon as they left Brenda and I headed off to Whistler for a week. We kayaked, biked, hiked, swam, shopped and enjoyed a week of spectacular weather in Whistler. We rode the chair lift from Whistler Village right to the very top of Whistler Mountain and then took the Gondola that spans the almost 2 km’s between Whistler Peak and Blackcomb Peak. What a ride, what a view and what a great week 🙂

We drove back to Kamloops just in time to empty our suitcases and load them with some clothes for Retro weekend up at Sun Peaks. This included tribute bands for The Blues Brothers, Credence Clearwater Revival, Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart and Motley Crue. A bunch of Brenda’s exercise girl friends came up and we had a fun time with them watching the shows and going out for dinner.

SEPTEMBER

Early in September just prior to school starting Kevin, Tamara, Sage and Conrad came for a quick visit for some last minute school shopping and Halloween Costumes. What fun to have them stay with us……… always lots going on and lots of laughs. Plus we had GGPA and GGMA over for dinner.

Also in September Kamloops City Strummers performed at Kamloops Seniors Village. 

So, that’s about it for now. Our plan is to keep this updated at least monthly.

See you all in October.