A young monk arrives at the monastery. He is assigned to helping the other
monks in copying the old canons and laws of the church by hand.

He notices, however, that all of the monks are copying from copies,
not from the original manuscript.
So, the new monk goes to the head abbot to question this,
pointing out that if someone made even a small error in the first copy,
it would never be picked up!
In fact, that error would be continued in all of the subsequent copies.



The head monk, says, 'We have been copying from the copies for centuries,
but you make a good point, my son.'

He goes down into the dark caves underneath the monastery
where the original manuscripts are held as archives in a locked vault that
hasn't been opened for hundreds of years..
Hours go by and nobody sees the old abbot..

So, the young monk gets worried and goes down to look for him.
He sees him banging his head against the wall and wailing,
'We missed theR!
We missed the R!
We missed the R!'
His forehead is all bloody and bruised and he is crying
uncontrollably.
The young monk asks the old abbot, 'What's wrong, Father?'

With A choking voice, the old abbot replies,

'The word was...

CELEBRATE!!!

Will try to catch you up on where I last left off -- May 2008.
The Fall of 2008 we said goodbye to the Mennonite family who had been with us for over a year. They lived in their 35' foot trailer which was close to the barn, or should I say slept there. The kids were home schooled and took over the basement of our house for school – five of them plus four others. WOW!!! It was nice to see them go. There were days when we felt overrun by them.

Son, Neil had a great fall in October decorating the club, where he works in Calgary, for Halloween. He ended up in Foot Hills Hospital with a shattered tibia and ankle on his right leg. Judy went down when he had his second surgery and spent several weeks with him as he tried to become mobile at home. It was not a pretty sight. A year later he is still having problems with mobility and pain, especially those cold days of winter.

We enjoyed 2008 Christmas with 60+ of Arthur's family here at the farm. It was nice to bring Dad Amendt from extended care to be with us for the day. He really enjoyed his time. I think every room of our 2000 sq ft home was filled with bodies... the laundry room hosted all the wee ones around small tables for dinner, the office held warm bodies of teens playing card games, the bedroom found the medium size kids watching videos, the guest room cradled wee ones sleeping and in the other bedrooms there were kids playing games or reading, the basement held the older ones either playing games or eating. Anyway we all found a place to camp. It was nice having others drop in to visit as well. There is always room for one more.

2009 is slowing closing ... where does the time go?

We enjoyed our visit with Philip, Arthur's 6 year old nephew. He loved the little Dell Mini from Uncle Arthur. The two of them spent most of their day together over the computer learning new and exciting things. We were impressed with Philip's computer abilities.

Judy continues to work at the Hythe Municipal Office, job sharing. She usually works one week on and one off. She and Cindy like the flexibility of this arrangement. They both enjoy having longer times so they can take off. So, we've had several trips to Calgary this year and out to the coast as well. Arthur continues to help others with computer problems – has helped many learn/use Ubuntu as their operating system. Gone are their headaches of viruses and the blue screen of death. It is a learning curve and Arthur has the patience to teach any willing to learn. We still have the cows so in spring the herd will increase again.

We both serve on the board of Community Futures of Grande Prairie and Region – that means meetings once a month and loan reviews. We feel priveledge to have the opportunity to work with Western Diversification this way.

We had two great crops of hay this year. Sold the first cut almost all off the field. We have enough for the cows and some extra small bales to sell as well. There are usually several buyers each month.

Enjoyed a visit from Judy's sister from Calgary the end of August. She was here in time to help us decorate the Hythe float for the Ag Fair's Parade on August 16. Noreen was impressed with our parade and the fair. Didn't think it would be much, but it kept us well entertained for most of that day. We enjoyed travelling around visiting different sites.

We had a young fellow live in our camper for several months during the summer. It wasn't too bad. He just didn't like it when we wanted him to do some work, like helping with baling, in exchange for room and board. So he choose to leave all his things and move on. We wish him well.

Then in October, Judy's brother and wife came to visit. They had their camper. They enjoyed the quiet of country living and the long walks around the country block. Our dog, Chika, sure enjoyed those excursions. Gerry stayed on while Gwen flew back to Coquitlam. He wanted to hunt here in the North. Arthur and he ended up going to Clayhurst to a friend's farm. No luck. Gerry ended up going back there for another try and finally got his deer. A few weeks later we had six hunters, from Calgary, with their trailers, move onto the farm to use it as their base from which to hunt. They were more successful – three moose, 4 bucks and 1 doe.

We are hoping to go south for part of this winter. Looking for some warmer weather.

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

May 2008

Well, we lived through another long winter. I'm thinking we should go south next year. However we kept busy with renovations on the sixplex in Fort St John (FSJ)... a good winter project. Of course it isn't completed . . . with a building as old as that one there is always something to do. And this winter it served as a hiding place as well. We still have the Mennonite family with us at the farm. They've slowly taken over our house and any open/available space. So, the sixplex was our retreat this winter. When I wasn't working at the Village Office we packed our suitcases and headed to FSJ. Enjoyed all the activities there. It's nice being within walking distance to everything. Another plus was all the activities of the church which we were part of; the coffee times with family and friends at Tim Hortons; entertainment over the dinner table with family, friends. FSJ brings a lot more fun to our lives.

And for Arthur, he is in his glory,with so many more people who are interested in tech things. He's had the adventure of his life sharing the world of Linux and Ubuntu with all those who are interested and even those who aren't. He is passionate about that "Open Source" world and enjoys sharing it with others.

In June we have plans to head to the coast to visit with my family.


Arthur's Uncle's oldest daughter Barbara Ann, is one of the oldest survivors of cystic fibrosis. When we were in Saskatchewan several years ago we got reacquainted with her and her husband. She recently started a blog ... you might find it interesting. cfxpressions.blogspot.com Right now she is trying to raise money on May 25th, so if you want to donate just follow the links in her blog.

Are you ready for another Yearly Letter from friends?

It is evening and I hear the sounds of gentle sleep coming from down the hall and wonder --- there is a creatures stirring in this house ... and it is me. Must be Christmas is in the air and the excitement it brings.

Tonight we were married for 6 years... the time flies. I am so thankful for such a caring, loving, gentle man in my life. We enjoyed the day together, driving to Fort St John and stopping at Tim Hortons in Dawson Creek. There we ran into our famous neighbors -- Wiebo Ludwig and his wife Mammie. Enjoyed a visit with them and liked what she told me at the end when I said to her, "You can think one way, and I another, but I still like you." She replied, "It is better to say we are listening and agree to talk more about these things". So I replied, "Well, will you come around to my way of thinking than?" and she replied, "No". Well at least we parted still talking which is what she was saying she wanted to do. Well if you want to know why we always have such interesting chats check one their stories on the internet and many more by typing in his name on a search engine.

I love the hustle and bustle of the stores at this time of the year so Arthur was kind enough to take me to several of them in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John as we continued our trip. It was fun running into friends along the way and sharing greetings, etc. We later enjoyed a nice supper out on the town...

Looking back on the past year --

One of the longest and coldest winters I have ever experience... would you believe snow on the ground for 6 months. From Oct 2006 to April 2007.
Finally the end of April and early May Spring came and so did 11 calves.

Late May saw me falling off the wagon ... literally while helping Arthur move some hay bales. One broken arm and a cast for 6 weeks was the result of My efforts to help. I had originally thought I should plant the flowers I had bought, but saw Arthur working alone and thought it would be better to help him. Well, he now had to spend most of his time helping me.

However, my sister came to visit for a week and helped plant the flowers and much more. It was fun having her around.

Summer came and we saw not only the arrival of green grass and flowers, but we invited a Mennonite Family of 7 to move their 35 ft trailer on to our property for the summer and fall and now winter as well. We have been blessed sharing our lives with them. Their presence allowed us to take off for part of the summer, once my cast was removed. We put our nieces' camper on the truck and headed South. Spent time at an Ott's family (Judy's family) gathering, taking Judy's mom and her new found friend Orville Smith to Vancouver Island, Orville's old stomping grounds. The highlight for me was visiting the stunning floral arrays at Butchart Garden. And for Arthur it was probably, early one morning while we all slept, taking the little row boat and rowing to St James Island. Where Orville once worked at the chemical plant there.

After heading back to the mainland Arthur and I traveled south to Oregon. While I visited with my high school friend at Hood River, where we stayed, Arthur basked with the intellectual computer minds in Portland at an Ubuntu Conference for three days. Mingling with the great likes of Mark Shuttleworth and others. He thought he had died and gone to heaven.

From Oregon we headed further south, stopping where we wanted and whenever we wanted. No agenda or time constraints. We saw lots and enjoyed every mile of adventure. The best being hiking down to Crater Lake and swimming in it. The Crater Lake excursion was awesome. Such grandeur, such beauty and all part of God's Creation. We tasted the fruits of California -- the hugest, sweetest, deliciouses ( I know that's not a word, but it fits) strawberries, the freshest, biggest pistachios and the tastiest fried artichokes. We even enjoyed a Lamb Festival at some small town along the way... watched them shear and curd the wool. Arthur had to ride on that killer coaster ride Tatsu at Six Flags in Valencia, CA. We walked through the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, treked through the downtown region as well and watched the marathon run across the Golden Gate. Waded in the Pacific Ocean off the California Coast, stopped at most of the view points along the way, toured Monterey Peninsula and were fascinated at the Monterey Bay Aquarium...well worth every penny. Then drove the Big Sur...the winding, hair raising, curves of the coast line but with breathtaking beauty.
All good things must come to an end and we needed to head home.

We were sadden at the lost of our dog Charlie ... he was killed while we were away. Didn't know we were so attached until he wasn't there to greet us when we opened the truck's door. He would come running, put his head on your lap and cry for a few seconds, just to let you know he missed you and was happy to see you.
Well, we harvested the carrots and potatoes with the help of our Mennonite friends. I was amazed how the children played house, they would go off to work and where was work, but weeding, harvesting, and working the garden. Their work...was really their play. Imagine that! Little Henry, their six year old, loves to ride the quad so we attached the harrows on to it and he put away the garden for another year.

I am still working, at least my job was still waiting, at the Village Office three days a week. Arthur is doing computer work and giving his time to help others as they enter the world of Open Source/Linux/and Unbuntu. For more on Arthur's tech life you can read his blog. We both serve on the Community Futures Board of Grande Prairie and Region. It has been a real learning experience and a lot of fun. We manage property for ourselves in Fort St John and for a company out of North Vancouver who owns property in Hythe. I manage and hire Arthur to do the work for me. A good arrangement. Have been spending time between Fort St John and Hythe at year end. Doing renovations at the sixplex. We almost sold it this year, but didn't so now we continue to do work there as well. Right now, we just completed the hydronic heat in the last of the six units and tiled the floor. Will finish the place to be rented in the new year.

The Mennonite family of seven are still on our property . . . with the colder weather and all five children being home school I invited them to moved their school room in to the house as a 35 ft trailer is a little cramped in winter. They enjoy sharing our home during the day. So the house isn't empty and the days I work it is nice to come home to supper. Their being at the farm allows us to get away, a nice arrangement.

Neil moved from Calgary to Anzac, just south east of Fort McMurray to work. We don't see him as much as I would like... but he is doing well and enjoying his job.

Wishing you God's Best this Christmas Season and throughout 2008

In our world, software is just as important as steel was 100 years ago. Who owns the software is the key to your riches just like smeltering plants were many years ago. With Linux costing nothing, how can people not fee rich. Linux people don't have worry about paying next years fees, just to access their data. Linux programmers don't want money. They, like me, are passionate about freedom. Free to use your data year after year. No need to ask permission from some company. To make money they form communities. Ebay is the biggest and Grant's site is probably the smallest. I am part of the Ubuntu Community. It will not make me much money from others, but saving me tons in software costs. Thanks Ubuntu I can now do what the big boys do with out the software costs.

Early November brought a pale pink sunrise one crisp winter morn as the moon headed to bed. Even Charlie was impressed. This year we have had way too much snow here in the North and too many cold days. 

Up on the roof top what did we hear, but Arthur scraping and shoveling to remove all the snow.