Tuesdays With Jo

Dear Mother Jaskey, 

It's a chilly evening. The heaters are blasting. The thermometer says -13C but the weather app says a windchill of -19C.

What a year this last week has been. Grandpa Esau passed away peacefully on Sunday after a week of poor health and a sharp decline. He had been told in August that he had congestive heart failure and that he had 6 months to a year left. Somehow it feels shocking. Only a week ago I was kneeling by his chair feeding him blended up lentil soup. He didn't have the strength.

Last week felt gloomy and overcast every day. In reality Grandpa's life hung in the balance. And so did Ben Ginther's. So working together with Paul's and Jeff's on the school board was... heavy. Ben is feeling better, praise God. Grandpa is safely home, praise God. 

Imagine our surprise to find out only yesterday that Grandpa tested positive for that ugly word. The phonecalls that ensue. The weight. The no funeral. The quarantinement for some. The aloneness for grieving people. The joy that Grandpa's battles are over. 

But let's talk about other things. Jay's came to visit us Sunday evening. Linda brought us soup and biscuits today. Nicole and Isla came to stay with Arlens. I guess I'm always circling back.

I did books today in the shop. And wrote out Christmas cards. And Colby and Zach went to Jeff's to help build Grandpa's casket. There. I did it again. 

I guess its where we're at.

Love

Jo

P.S. Grandpa used to sing with a group, a quartet in Linden and they called themselves the Groaners. 

P.P.S. The day Grandpa went to Outlook on the ambulance he waved to Pat and I and said, "I love you". It felt like goodbye. 

P.P.P.S. Wyatt brought me a little toy chest on Sunday evening. He had wrapped a dead fly in a kleenex and put it carefully inside.

Tuesdays With Jo

Dear Mother Jaskey, 

It is a glorious warm winter day. +2C and for a moment when I was busing this afternoon the sun shone in glimmering splendor over the world. The clouds have bonded once again and the grey envelopes the long late afternoon. 

Grandpa Esau has been quite sick, with a terrible cough, no appetite and a general feeling of misery. This afternoon he perked up when the ambulance came to get him and some of the grandchildren waved to him outside his window. He told Pat & i that he loved us this morning when we left. Only God knows what his future holds. 

Colby and Zach have been working for Jeff the last week, north of Saskatoon a ways, doing long days outside. Pat has been on the truck hauling grain into Alberta and coal back to Saskatchewan. Wyatt is so happy to go to school every day. There certainly are things we don't take for granted!

Love from,

Jo

P.S. 'Tis the Season; peppernuts, mandarins, poinsettias, and Christmas candles. 

P.P.S. It's the Most Wonderful Time... of the year....🎵🎶🎵 shopping Christmas gifts for everyone at Trevor and Robin's request. 😅🥳🥰

P.P.P.S. Tell me more about Christmas... from the eyes of little children and school children. It is truly delightful.

Tuesdays With Jo

Dear Mother Jaskey, 

Today I started a tunic factory. Its not something that's ever been on my list of things to try but I did enjoy it. I've already closed the doors. I think we made 24 tunics. 

That was for school. They are putting on a Bethlehem Walk and believe me, there has never been anything like it before in Swanson. I'm looking forward to it. 

Other than that we've been providing a bit of compassionate care here and there. Last night our neighbor boy stopped by for supper with many questions on his mind and heart.

The weather holds out at possibly the most beautiful November ever, with hoarfrost and snow and glinting sunshine.  The one thing our youth can do is play hockey. So that is what they do. 

I met my fellow Quacky Quilters at church today for a time of fellowship, although we should really call ourselves the Band of Bonding Masked Bandits. 

I miss you, 

Love Jo 

P.S. Wyatt was carefully reading the licorice package. "This has 30 gigs of sugar Mom!" He said, horrified. 

P.P.S. Wyatt opened his report card carefully. "Mom, I've never got this in all my life!" His eyes glowing.

P.P.P.S. Colby got a call to a bad accident last evening and he finally got home about 5 in the morning. I'm immensely proud of him.

Tuesdays With Jo

Dear Mother Jaskey, 

Hello from snowladen and hoarfrosty, foggy Saskatchewan. The other day Wyatt and I cleared the back deck and now he can go running the length of the deck and slide out onto the snowpile.

We are down to only 5 people per household, but our school is still going for which we are very grateful. I got a sewing day around at church last week and now our church sewing got canceled. Its disappointing but I guess we're getting used to changes, aren't we?

I delve into domestic things randomly and one thing I tried lately was making bar soap. My men were keenly interested in the scientific aspect of it all. I cut my soap into bars and its curing in my laundry room. 

Pat has been hauling grain to Edmonton and coal home again. Colby and Zach have been doing 12 hour days on a cementing project for Lance the last couple of weeks. Good times. Every spare moment they have the youth boys have been flooding the rink. I love love the stage we're at with our boys. The food consumption is truly phenomenal. 

Love 

Jo

P.S. Have you made soup lately? The Potatoe Soup recipe from the Klassen cookbook by Vivian is one of our favorites. I made a giant pot of it last week. 

P.P.S. And talking about food, my husband took me out for dinner on Sunday and I ate steak with delectable roasted tomatoes and onions on it. Mmm 

P.P.P.S. Food. Ahhh. Excuse me, its time to go make lunch.

Tuesdays With Jo

Dear Mother Jaskey, 

Hello from snowladen and hoarfrosty Saskatchewan. Wyatt and I went out after school today and cleared the back deck and now he can go running the length of the deck and slide out onto the snowpile.

We are now down to only 5 people per household, but our school is still going for which we are very grateful. As far as I know our congregation is mostly well.

Today I went to Melanie's for coffee with the schoolboard ladies. And we planned and discussed and it was suddenly 12:45! And I went grocery shopping on Monday and I hadn't gone for over 2 weeks so it was a haul! 

I delve into domestic things randomly and one thing I did yesterday was make my first batch of bar soap. My men were keenly interested in the scientific aspect of it all. I just cut my bars and set them in my sewing room to cure. 

Pat has been hauling grain to Edmonton and coal home, last week and this week. Colby and Zach have been doing 12 hour days on a cementing project last week and this week. Good times. I love love the stage we're at with our boys. The food consumption is truly phenomenal. 

I miss you, 

Jo

P.S. Pat took me out to Montana's for lunch the other day and I had the best fish!

P.P.S. Melanie served steaming tall bran muffins with real butter and coffee with cream. Yum.

P.P.P.S. You know how food blesses and satisfies along with the fellowship? We had Lindsay and her parents over for supper on Saturday and just plain grilled sausage and baked potatoes and old fashioned cherry cheesecake. And fellowship.

Tuesdays With Jo

Dear Mother Jaskey, 

I wish I could show you our glorious world this morning. After a blizzard yesterday the sky is clear and grey with small streaks of cream and pink in the east as we wait for the sunrise. Everything is calm now. The vehicles and bikes are layered with a thick icing of snow. 

Inside our house the heaters hum and everywhere are signs of family life; blankets and cushions strewn about the living room, empty coffee mugs and books and toys.

How blessed we are to have a home, a sanctuary to go to. Just us. Gathered together. Where we can say how we feel without fear or favor of man. Where we laugh at our own jokes. Where we talk about hard things. And teach good things.

The boys have been working in Outlook this last week on some cementing jobs but yesterday already work was canceled because of the storm, as well as school. Well, this morning at 7 Colby flew out the door to a fire call and Pat left shortly thereafter to the same fire. He's not on the fire department but Jason called and asked him to come.

And so a new week starts. Here's wishing you courage and strength for whatever you face. 

Love 

Jo

P.S. Its one year since Aunty Rosalee died. And what a century its been. Aren't you thankful that she's safe at home?

P.P.S. I'm also thankful that you are feeling so well despite the fact that you have Covid. And that you can be safe and cozy in your own home with all your children only a WhatsApp away.

P.P.P.S. Talking about home, can you smell the coffee? Its waiting for me.

Tuesdays With Jo

Dear Mother Jaskey, 

Tuesday has morphed into Wednesday. Its a warm-ish fall morning (+1C) and our yard is green and grey and brown with no sign of snow anywhere.

It was truly delightful to be with you on the weekend, short and sweet though it was. The long roads to and from crooked creek were made short by listening to stories and singing. The huge empty road from Edmonton to Crooked Creek, edged by gorgeous forests of spruce and pine and larch and layered with white was a balm for the soul. 

Little Vienna Beth is as beautiful as I imagined. And time spent together with Lar's and Ryan's was relaxing and good. And then attending church in Crooked Creek with the whole congregation and no masks - well, what more can we ask for. Thank you for the lovely weekend. 

Today is a sewing day for me. Pat and Zach just left on the truck. Wyatt just left on the bus. Colby goes to work for Jason soon. These are the best days, the normal, basic ones.

Love

Jo

P.S. Last time we went to the Villa to visit Grandpa he seemed to really enjoy the boys catwalking his wheelchair down the hall. Zach catwalked the whole length with Wyatt riding on his shoulders and Colby catwalked and balanced the wheelchair all the way backwards, stealthily and slowly, landing on the floor. 

P.P.S. Zach also is into catwalking his dirtbike down the road. Or the yard. I think he's done about a quarter mile at one shot. I prefer to not watch.

P.P.P.S. Talking about catwalking, Colby has taken to catwalking the skidsteer. He sort of dances with it, with the forks way up in the air as high as they'll go. Its a catwalk-y world.

Tuesdays With Jo

Mother Dearest,

We woke up to the most delicious blanket of snow this morning! Its the first of the season and we delight in the clean white coverlet, although it is melting swiftly. 

This has been such a good week. I almost feel like whispering, but we have been home. So many days. The teachers came for supper on Friday. I had food made, thankfully, when they called (which is nothing to sneeze at). We helped with church cleaning on Wednesday and the youth helped with church cleaning on Friday. And Val invited us over for supper on Saturday because I bought an old recliner from her on the Swanson Sisters Buy and Sell Chat! I feel like that should be highlighted. As in, the buy and sell chat. 

Oh and Sunday was our stay-home-from-church day. We went to Saskatoon for coffee in the afternoon and picked up pizza for supper at folks with Jeff's because folks just got home from Ontario. 

When there's not as much on the schedule I tend to bomb out a bit. Its so good to relax and read a good book. Or play endless games of Rook with Wyatt. Or sew a mini-quilt or two. Or watch our little Polly kitty play. We all adore her antics.

Love 

Jo

P.S. I just found a cup of "home-made paint" in my sewing room, courtesy of Wyatt. 

P.P.S. This week I found a cardboard box with another cardboard box taped on top with red tucktape. And a little boy hovering over arranging dogfood in a blue plastic shop container. For the cats.

P.P.P.S. I also found a small wooden box with fishing magazines (from Colby) and crow feathers and a brain quest game and colored modeling clay and a scissors and a notebook and a C-.clamp in it. In Wyatt's room. Just saying.

Tuesdays With Jo

Dear Mother Jaskey, 

Happy Thanksgiving! Its a wintry morning; ice on vehicle windshields and a biting wind, but the grass is green and the blue-blue sky promises fall once again.

It has been a week of socializing for me. Last Wednesday I went with Am to Bow Island and back (yes, all in one day). We held baby Isla and talked and rocked. It was lovely altogether. 

Our teacher, Lacey, had her family out for the weekend so we hosted a fun group Saturday for supper; Rennies, Jeff's, Chris n Mik and Lacey and her family. We had an absolutely gorgeous day, topping out at +26c. So we ate outside and sat around the fires in the evening. It was so so good to see Shani again. And it was so not good that Pat smashed his thumb badly just before all the company arrived. He thumbnail bed stayed intact but all around popped like a grape. It was and still is rather painful. Other than that and a moment when we thought our dogs were attacking Bennett it was a relaxed evening as well. 

Then Sunday we went to church. And on our way home Pat said let's swing past the Villa and pick up grandpa who was enthusiastic indeed. And then on our way past Sergio (the Ukrainian who works for Darc Loewen and has lived in Canada for 4 months) Pat wondered if we should swing in there too. And I was very grateful for the ham in my crockpot and sweet potatoes in the oven and leftover dessert. They stayed all day. And the boys invited Gil and Ed for the evening. 

Yesterday at 5:30 this vehicle drove up and here it was Aunt Ellen and Gil Chaisson and Grandpa and yes they would stay for supper and I was so grateful for two casseroles of leftovers that everyone deemed edible. And then Nathan came for the evening.

Today I worked in the shop with Pat. Just him and I. The boys were both working and Wyatt at school. We had a lot of fun stamping rods and packaging and counting. And singing. The shop echoes delightfully. 

Love 

Jo

PS Have you read the book Northern Nurse by Elliott Merrick? Its worth it. 

PPS I bought Arabella by Georgette Heyer on Audible. Now its on my list to acquire in paperback. You must read it sometime. 

PPPS Wyatt unearthed a Shel Silverstein book that I knew not about. He reads it and laughs and laughs and makes us all listen to the funny poems he's found.

Tuesdays With Jo

Dear Mother Jaskey, 

We had a colorful sunrise silhouetted behind the spruce trees this morning, golds and pinks against the black. Its hard to believe that it's October. The geese are starting to fly south. The other morning a flock of grouse landed on our lawn while passing through and the juncos are back. 

Sunday was our turn to stay home and it was so perfectly lovely outside. We took our speaker out and set up lawn chairs and listened on the deck. The boys brought Polly (short for Neopolitan) (the baby kitty) to the deck and we encouraged a time of bonding with the dogs. It was busy. We told the boys this was just a small idea of how much of the message you hear when you have a baby on your lap in church.

Life has been full; a Quacky Quilters day at Melanie's, a board ladies meeting to plan hot lunch, a meeting to mactac and stamp school books, a special-ed meeting, a birthday party for Alison, Sunday dinner at the Villa and a very lovely coffee with my dear sista. Then youth deals and singing and youth meeting for the boys. And the last supper with Jason's to celebrate harvest being done. Yippee!

Zach and I went to town one day. He can drive now, you know. Sometimes being a momma of teenage drivers feels very brave indeed. But he did well. And he found jeans that suit his fancy, which is something else to be thankful for. 

Love 

Jo

P.S. Wyatt now knows how to spell dagger and chimpanzee and Wednesday, thanks to Wordly Wise.

P.P.S. Wyatt received an Encyclopedia set (used, from Aunt Margaret) from his grandpa and grandma, at long last. 

P.P.P.S. Wyatt built a miniature house with a box he found. He  taped everything together with duct tape and made multitudes of windows. He sharpied a kitchen inside with me by the counter and even taped up a flashlight to read by. He barely fits in it but its a favorite spot.