Through the "Fire" of Life: November 2006

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Don't Leave Me Hanging!

The pedal steel guitar is one marvelous piece of equipment. In the right hands, it sounds beautiful. However, there are numerous moving parts that can fail, and when that happens, some mechanical aptitude is required to make things right. Well, the pen sitting on my desk has more of that than I do, so when a stubborn vertical knee lever on my Carter steel guitar decided not to remain up and kept dangling, it was brother-in-law Frank to the rescue. He helped assess the situation, and removed the aforementioned lever. I could thereby, upon his suggestion, take that lever to Waterview Machine Works to be repaired. That is the second time that they have also helped me with a steel guitar related issue - so thanks to them as well! Then Frank was kind enough to put the repaired lever back on my guitar last night - taking some time away from his family (they had Aussie) to help out. Thanks so much Frank - appreciate that! Like that knee lever, I was not left "hanging".
Oh yes, and I may add that I still use the steel guitar seat that Frank built while he was doing upholstery.

Billy dog, Frank, and granddaughter "Lexy".

Happy Birthday Traveling Man!

Traveling Man is living up to his name today as he is on the road for a visit to stepdaughter/son in Dartmouth, then on to visit with Tuffysmom in Stellarton. It is also his birthday today so I will take this opportunity to wish him a happy birthday!
Last night, Tuffysmom and I had a video chat over MSN and it worked fine. Perhaps Traveling Man and Tuffysmom will have a chance to get on line for a chat with me while he is up there. Oh the wonders of modern technology!
Happy birthday to the "Traveling Man!"

Friday, November 24, 2006

"United" We Stand?

In the early 20th century, a vigorous campaign for union was launched among Canada's major Protestant denominations. It climaxed in 1925 when the country's Methodists, Congregationalists and most – not all – Presbyterians merged to form the United Church of Canada.

The United Church of Canada has recently embarked on a $10 million dollar, 3 year ad campaign aimed at 30-45 year olds in an attempt to bolster dwindling membership. This has sparked my interest since I have recently left the United Church. What I have seen so far in these ads just reinforces to me that I made the correct decision in leaving. If anyone was to ask me what the United Church stood for, I would have a hard time answering. Why? The late 1950s saw the coming of United Church clergy with strange new ideas . . . Some were clearly political leftists, devoted to 'liberation theology' . . . . Others were simply heretical, rejecting all miracles, the virgin birth and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a denomination that has blurred moral and doctrinal precepts and thereby seen a concomitant large drop in attendance. Between the mid-'50s and today, the official membership figure has fallen from a high of 2 million to 500,000, while the population of Canada rose from 16 million to 32 million.

I agree with lifesite.net commentator Hilary White, who said "It is precisely those religious groups that retain strong and clearly defined doctrinal propositions about God and the purpose and value of human life, including clearly defined moral precepts, that gain and retain the interest of young adherents and converts." These are lacking in the United Church.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Steeped!

I have a new friend! I have taken a liking to Tim Horton's steeped tea. Usually, I get coffee when I go there, but during one of my visits to Tim's with Wayne & Rod of our "Windfall" band, I saw the steeped tea ad on the billboard there. Well, I tried it, and it was love at first taste! The TV ad for this tea shows a mother getting one from her teenage son. She says "great tea!"....he says, "yeah, steeped!" So now, to her, steeped means great! Steeped = great.
Speaking of Windfall, the band played its maiden "gig" at the Yarmouth Legion on Friday, Nov. 17th - last night. It was a benefit for Wayne's mother who is having health issues and is a member of the Legion. A big thanks to Traveling Man (Dad) and Frank & Sue (sister / brother-in-law) who braved the elements to attend! Overall it was a good night. The second set was better than the first. As with any maiden gig - a band is a bit nervous. The food was good - and people seemed to enjoy the night. So I would say the night was "steeped".

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Hot Stuff!

Another structure fire - November 7th, 3:00 p.m. The occupants of this house - mother and son - jumped from the second floor window to escape. We have certainly had our share of fires lately - just hoping it isn't a permanent trend. Our main enemy in this fire was the old style "balloon" construction whereby fire can travel very quickly up through the walls into the attic area. Not much we could do to save this home. Water supply was another challenge in this rural setting with no hydrants. A porta tank was set up into which tankers would shuttle water to the scene and dispense it into this tank. A pumper and ladder truck were also at scene.
We were on scene for about six hours battling this stubborn blaze. Cause is under investigation.

Here is a picture of a firefighter having his air bottle changed. Teamwork is so important on the fire ground. That's part of why I enjoy the fire department so much - we tend to look out for each other on the scene.
And oh yes - I must thank EMS for being there as well - they were needed!

And on a completely different note - don't forget the benefit dance at the Yarmouth Legion on November 17th!
See ya!!

Monday, November 06, 2006

Fires and Such!!!

How many people did you have come to your door at Halloween? We had 189 goblins and other assorted creatures at our door. Then, around midnight, pager goes off for a fire at the old boat across from Wendy's. A few nights before that, a house fire out in Sanford. On the morning of November 1st around 7:00 a.m., another structure fire on Argyle Street to a house just under renovations from a fire last December! Oh yes, did I mention the house fire on Huntington Street the same night that Guy Hemmings was at the curling club to throw the first rock (see Traveling Man's blog)? Luckily, some kind soul took pictures - I had taken my camera but obviously had to leave.
Oh, I forgot to mention an early morning fire out in South Ohio due to wood stove problem - close call for that family!
You've heard the saying - "When it rains, it pours". Well, no fires for months - then boy, the proverbial rain starts!
Oh - now you know why I call myself "Fireguy"!
Adios!

Through the "Fire" of Life