Saturday December 24, 2016 Pase Del Nino

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Saturday December 24, 2016

Cristina's son, Christian, made it here by bus at about 4:30am on Friday.  Then the two of them needed to be in Guayaquil around 7pm to pick up her niece, Ana, from the plane.  Rather than them fighting for buses and taxis, I decided at the last minute to get them a driver for door-to-door service.  It was fortunate that Peter was able to hook us up with Eddy.  Cristina was furious at me for spending the extra money but she was pretty happy to be back home by 11:30pm, with her family, in style.

I managed to contact my son and all my brothers and sisters by NetTalk to wish them all the best.  I am amazed at all the medical problems that have cropped up for many of them as well.  It was also very tough to realize that, for the first time, I would be unable to call our dear Mother for Christmas.  Many tears over the many calls.

Today is one of my favourite days of the year because it is the day of the huge Pase Del Nino parade, which runs usually from 10am to 6pm, with a parade of non-stop children interspersed with dancers, bands, animals, floats, etc.  It was extremely tough for me to have to sit this one out.  There is just no way I could have lasted on my feet for any length of time trying to handle the big camera.

Cristina, Christian and Ana went in my stead with the Lumix and the photos below are untouched jpeg's direct from the camera, just resized.  Thank you to them for doing this for me.  I will work on the RAW photos at a later time.
Christian also took a short video of some dancers for us:
https://youtu.be/6uMP3F0k6Rg

By the time they left home it was almost 3pm so that did not leave them much time at the parade because they had another errand to run for me by 5pm.  I had contracted with Melissa to make me 2 tourtieres, French-Canadian meat pies that are a big tradition with our family.  And Melissa did not disappoint.  The pies were large and meaty and absolutely delicious.  Over my wife's objections, but keeping with tradition, I slathered mine copiously with butter and salt and pepper.  Delicious!!!

So, again, MERRY CHRISTMAS, and all the best wishes for health and prosperity for 2017 and beyond, from all of us to all of you.  Huge hugs.

I hope you enjoy the photos.  That was the day's excitement.   Cheers, Al 

© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission. 

If you want to borrow a picture for sharing with family and friends, PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

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161224 PDN #63  Ana at La Merced

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Merry Christmas everyone

Wednesday December 21, 2016 Xmas Card

Please see more of my artworks for sale at my NEW website:  http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

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Welcome…..  Please note that you may try to SUBSCRIBE to this Blog on the right although, because of a glitch in Google,  it doesn’t seem to be working at all.  Therefore I sincerely do appreciate the hundreds of regular followers.

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Comments are graciously accepted at souvenirphotostudio@gmail.com.

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Wednesday December 21, 2016

This is the card that I came up with this afternoon to share via email, this Blog and Facebook.  We are so very thankful for all of our great family and friends and hope that everone has some awesome holidays planned.

Today was my first day of physio and I wasn't too hopeful in the beginning because I was starting off as weak as the day before.  But we managed to walk, with the terrific Cristna supporting my elbow, the approx. 1/2 mile to the hospital physio dept at the back.  For 40 minutes I did a lot of exercises between the parrallel bars, realizing just how unsteady I can be without support.

I made several quick rest stops on the way back and collapsed in my recliner for almost 3 hours.  But when I got up I felt, better... steadier, refreshed, and the best I have felt in 3 weeks.  My step was steadier and the physio guy (forget his name, darn it) wants me to use the walker outside more, so I went for a quick 4 block walk actually just carrying the walker most of the time.  I felt useful for the first time since the accident.  

I also ordered 2 tourtieres from Melissa for us to enjoy, emotionally, on Christmas Day.  Tourtieres have been such an annual tradition for many years, often joined by Mom & Dad.  My most tearful recollection is when Mom, Dad, my sisters and brothers and families decided to go to the tiny church at Midnapore for midnight mass,... and it began to snow....  I couldn't have dreamed for a better scene that night, later topped off with the usual tourtieres, mandarins, ribbon candy, licorice candy, and the love of family.  I hope everyone has a similar memory.

Of course this year I get very emotional every time I realize that this is the first year that I will be unable to communicate directly with any parents.  I have been so fortunate to have had at least one of them for so long and maybe that makes it harder.

 
So, everybody,.. have fun this Christmas with family and/or friends, mend fences and love one another.  It only takes a few seconds for circumstances to permanently alter one's life, and the greatest remedy for such happenings is to have lived life to the fullest and to be willing to stare adverstity in the face and make lemonade.
Cheers, Al & Cristina

Tuesday December 20, 2016 Friends

Please see more of my artworks for sale at my NEW website:  http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

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Welcome…..  Please note that you may try to SUBSCRIBE to this Blog on the right although, because of a glitch in Google,  it doesn’t seem to be working at all.  Therefore I sincerely do appreciate the hundreds of regular followers.

****

Comments are graciously accepted at souvenirphotostudio@gmail.com.

****

Tuesday December 20, 2016

My page today is dedicated to friends everywhere who keep their friends in their thoughts and prayers to help them deal with life's challenges.  I am truly blessed to have many, many such friends.  Even just an email or a comment on FaceBook lets us know that you are there in spirit with us.

Today my Canadian buddy Ed stopped by for 2 hours and we laughed and cried in our reminiscences as we confirmed just how alike we are in our thinking on most things.  I wanted to take a photo but discovered that my Lumix was dead.

Then nearer 4pm we were visited by the party group of Dot, Jeff, Linda, Sparky, Jane & Steve.  Complete with party hats, wine, sangria and snacks, we enjoyed more funny stories along with Christmas music and views of my x-rays.  They even brought along a long list of folks who regretted not being able to visit this day.  

I dug out the big camera and managed to get someone to use the self-timer for a group shot or two.

Tomorrow we begin our rounds of rehabilitation at 11am and hopefully we will have a schedule to be able to share.

While today wasn't a stellar day medically-speaking, myself being overly dizzy most of the day, those minor ills are quickly forgotten when enjoying the delightful company of friends.  I love you all.

I hope you enjoy the photos.  That was the day's excitement.   Cheers, Al 

© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission. 

If you want to borrow a picture for sharing with family and friends, PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

 

Using the self-timer for a group shot

Repositioned for the second try

Linda looks good in all colours

My darling wife takes everything in stride

Dot is always my Buddy

Jane and Steve joined us too