Okeedokee…It’s starting again…

Finally I have found the energy to sit at my computer and try to create a comment or two as we look out on the New Year. The past month has been extraordinary for me – started some time after my birthday (which we all know is just a number)! I began to cough more than usual and occasionally would sneeze or need to blow my nose. Finally I remembered the advice of my Edmonton doctor who told me that because of a spot on my left lung that they couldn’t fully diagnose, I should get another x-ray around the end of the year. So I called my doctor; he was about to take some time off, but he told me to come in. He was not impressed I had waited that long, but he sent me to the local hospital for another x-ray so he would have the results before he and his family took a Christmas trip. I was admitted that afternoon (Friday) and by Monday he had the results and had me in to see him. The spot had actually cleared up – good news! But I had contracted a really erratic bug that was flitting here & there throughout the South Okanagan and I just had to keep resting (which meant I missed three different Christmas dinners with their dutiful turkey buffets!!). Thankfully the Christmas dinner I was invited to served Prime Rib!!

Anyway, a sidebar to all this was that other than some Netflix time and three wee moments on the ski hill, I was more or less confined to my library/study, even sleeping in the guest suite. And so the old year ended and the new one began. As a result, I was unable to summon up the energy to write any thing thoughtful (or otherwise) on my Editorialog. BUT, this can’t continue and so I will take a few minutes to get you caught up to speed on things I would already told you (whether you are interested or not will be up to you…).

Number one: if you are interested in a rather take on some of the lesser known women in the Bible, Rev. Susan Brasier of St Andrew & St Paul in Montreal has a fascinating sermon on this topic with the context of Advent. Look up the website and try to find the December 7th sermon (it may look like it’s called the November 7th, but ignore that typo) and scroll through to close to the 55 minute mark. If you can’t find it and want to, let me know & I will forward my contact.

Number two: my long time colleague & friend, Bob Chartier (who pens fascinating stories from yesteryear) wrote an interesting story before Christmas on an institution in Saskatchewan named Briercrest. You can contact Bob by checking on his name on the home page of my website & getting his email address. The reason I was intrigued though was because this school started in the town of Briercrest where there also was a Presbyterian church. And my connection to it is that I was interim lay supply for a year in the early eighties. Not only has the school moved on (and no real remembrances of its location in Briercrest remain) but the Presbyterian church has closed and is for sale.

Number three: skiing has finally started at Apex Mountain Resort. Managed three short days over the Christmas break, including Christmas Eve complete with fireworks, torch-light parade and Santa’s arrival on a snow-packer. The most fun of that evening was watching the kids and their dogs.

And that’s about it: HAPPY NEW YEAR, and I hope you have a very special 2026. Celebrate in any way you can, each day you are given…

In reflection,
g.w.