Never say never

The irony of the events of the past two months amazes me. To put it in a Biblical phrase, it has been “more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

After being informed that my position was eliminated, I wrestled for some time between frustration over that event and determination to head into the unknown and charter a new course of employment.

On one hand I had enjoyed my work and did not want it to end. On the other hand, the door had opened to so many new possibilities I did not know where to begin. A couple shifts in temporary labor helped to work out the anxiety, and joining the Twitter community led me to tips for effective resume writing and job hunting. Eventually, things were settling down. Through networking and chatting with a college registrar and employment counselor, a plan of action was evolving.

Then an email arrived from my former boss with a job posting attached. I had no reason not to consider it. After all, my layoff was the result of orders from far beyond the local office. I applied and was successful in obtaining the position, four days per week in a new experience in a different department.

The interview was, for lack of a better term, interesting. What questions do you ask when you are familiar with the company and have more seniority than the two interviewers? I used the opportunity to assure myself that going back could be long-term. The hours were less desirable but benefits would be reinstated immediately. It seemed a suitable compromise.

I have now completed two weeks in my new job. So far it has gone well, although I have many more things to learn. I was surprised and encouraged to have so many people welcome me back. The “icing on the cake” was to be asked to spend the fifth weekday back at my former duties. I must have been missed!

When one reacts professionally, holding angry emotions at bay, it gives one time to clarify the thinking and keep doors open to new opportunities. It becomes exciting to see what possibilities can unfold.

Never say “never”!

Christmas Tree Trek

Today I share a chapter from my "Tales of Cheveticus", stories of our 1983 Chevette that served us faithfully for over 200,000 km.

The family decided it would make a nice outing to cut a Christmas Tree from the forest. Mother went downtown and bought the required permit. Father installed a roof rack on Cheveticus to avoid scratching her paint. Each time it went on, Cheveticus knew another challenge was coming. Saturday dawned clear and bright, and the family dressed warmly and headed out.

The tree they were looking for had to be special, not just any evergreen tree. It had to be tall enough to be the centre of attention, but short enough to fit in the living room. It had to be narrow enough to fit in the available space, but wide enough to hold ornaments and tinsel.

They approached the forest area and examined each tree they passed. Mother saw an area that looked promising. They stopped the car and hiked in from the road through the deep snow. There was a lot more snow here than at home! Daughter had to follow along the path made by Father and Mother. Each tree was examined closely. Daughter liked them all. Mother said the tree was too tall if it was taller than she was. Father quietly assessed each tree and gave the final answer.

Finally a decision was reached. This tree would be their Christmas tree for this year. Father chopped it with the axe while Mother held the trunk. Daughter watched and laughed as the shaking branches threatened to dump cold snow down everyone’s necks!

Father and Mother carried the tree back to Chevetticus. They lifted it onto her roof and tied it securely in place on the roof rack, with the trunk protruding above the windshield and the tree top hanging over the hatch. “There, the hard work is over,” thought the family.

But the work was just beginning for Chevetticus. She hoped this was the only tree she would be expected to carry. It would be a lot of work to take the family home with this load on her roof.

The family paused to enjoy the hot chocolate and sandwiches Father had brought along. He knew everyone would be hungry after the tree was chosen. Then it was time to head home. Father drove while Mother kept watch on the tree to be sure it stayed in place. Daughter fell fast asleep.

Everyone arrived home safe and sound. With their Christmas tree twinkling with lights and decorations, the family were happy and Chevetticus could have a well-deserved rest.

The painting of Red Deer's "green onion"

I propose that Red Deer’s “green onion” should become the world’s largest golf tee.

This was not entirely an original idea, but one I have thought about for a while now. Red Deer could use an identity, something no other place has, and there is one that has already been standing over the city since 1958.

According to a story in the Red Deer Advocate of June 11, 2007, the “green onion” held the record for the world’s largest water tower when it was constructed. From what I have found on the Internet, this is still true. Although there are other towers that are taller (Union, New Jersey, 212 feet), there seem to be none with a larger water capacity. The largest water tower in the United States , located at Edmond, Oklahoma, is 218 feet tall and holds 500,000 US gallons. Red Deer’s “green onion” is 132 feet tall and holds 500,000 Imperial gallons of water.

On the other hand, the current world record for World’s Largest Golf Tee is held by a Computer Aided Design (CAD) team in Michigan. It is a mere 26 feet and 7 3/4 inches in height and 35 inches across, weighing in at almost a ton.

A golf tee with ball atop is a very appropriate symbol for Red Deer. A quick Google search lists no less than 15 golf courses within 29 miles of the centre of Red Deer. Granted, they are only used for a few months of the year, but a golf symbol could serve as an encouragement throughout the long winter days that another season is indeed coming.

The method is simple and the cost is negligible. The city has already committed to recoating the water tower and is looking for tenders (see http://bit.ly/kQnR5T, http://on.fb.me/tWPTmv).

The current green colour had been the colour used by the paint crew on the last 10 water towers they had worked on. That is historical, but not immensely significant.

The base (“tee”) can remain Niagara green and preserve the history of the colour. The rounded top can be painted white and textured to resemble a golf ball. That’s all there is to it!

At over 100 feet high (give or take the golf ball) and 62 feet wide, with 265 tons of steel in its construction, Red Deer could hold the world record and capture a spot on the “Largest Attractions” tour. It would probably gather more tourists that Vegreville’s pysanka, Andrew’s mallard duck, Mundare’s sausage, Vilna’s mushrooms, Glendon’s perogy, and Smokey Lake’s pumpkins combined!

Now isn’t that the most cost-effective attraction Red Deer could ever dream of?

The only real expense will be the thoroughfare, parking lot, visitor centre and signage to accommodate the masses!

An RVer's Christmas wish list

The Christmas wish list is a perennial request. If it’s not the parents wanting to see one, it’s the children.

For those who live in a stationary home, there are lots of things to be replaced or added. The complaint we hear is that our limited space restricts ideas. I don’t see it that way. Our home is an RV, but there are lots of unique things for RVers to enjoy.

If there are avid campers on your list, these ideas may be applicable for them, too. A visit to an RV dealer’s parts department or to http://www.blogger.com/www.campingworld.com will expand the possibilities.

The top six items on my 2011 RV Christmas wish are as follows:

1. The new Rand McNally Tripmaker RVND7710 GPS – it has several features unique to RVs, such as bridge heights and customization based on your unit, and all the reviews I have seen rave about it’s usefulness.

2. Patio mat – brown and white to match the RV, of course. The newer ones have wonderful designs, not “dated” like the checkerboards. They let rain and sunlight through the fibres so as not to kill the grass.

3. Tablecloth weights – sounds trivial until you try to keep a plastic tablecloth on a picnic table in a breeze. We have clips, but some tables are too thick for clips, so weights would be better.

4. Zero gravity recliner – oh, so comfortable for those lazy sunny days that occasionally surprise us in Alberta!

5. Solar patio lights – patio lights are practical and pretty on the awning, in nearby trees, or on/in the ground. Because our power source is often limited, solar are preferred.

6. Folding bicycle – these modern marvels come with six speeds and fold  to a compact size for travel. It would be so convenient for doing errands in the campground or exploring nearby areas.

Santa, are you reading this?