This is my new story book

                             This new book of old stories retold and Published February 08 2016 

I will start off with one of my first stories, “The bobsled” 

Remembering Days, Long Gone By.

“The bobsled”

# 1

Story told by Winston.

My memory is as clear and crisp as that sunny cold January day back in nineteen fifty, when we were five children trying to make the best of hard times.

Most of our free days were filled with chores, and basically just trying to survive the hard winter months.

  On this particular day it was bitter cold to the point of crackle on the crusted snow, and a sparkle from the sun only matched by that sparkle in our eyes, as we planned one of our most memorable adventures.

If my memory serves me well, when things went horribly wrong Jim, and I, would agree to blame Don, when things turned out all right we all shared the glory.

  Jim came up with the idea to make a bobsled and set the plan into action, all chores would have to be put on hold.

The only thing important On that snowy day, was a bobsled that my brother Jim constructed, it took a lot of imagination and ingenuity on his part let me give you an example, he didn't have a drill to make a hole that would allow the steering wheel axle to come through the plank, what he did have was a poker for the wood stove that got hot to

the point of red and he would burn a hole, this takes a little longer but it gets the job done.

After some assembly with a few nuts and bolts the sled was ready for a long hill ride.

The bobsled was made from two old sleds a long board and a car steering wheel that we retrieved from the dump and a rope to pull it.

We now have one sled in place of two but the sled would hold four, {no taking turns} 

The road went all the way down from the corner of our house to Leamy Lake.

Either Jim the eldest or Don second in line would sit in front steering, and I Winston third born applied the breaks and our sister Eleanor and brother Vernon I think went along for the ride just happy to be a part of something this thrilling.

   The ride would take us along the cow pasture on one side and homes on the opposite side, past the first set of train tracks. As we approached them our hearts would beat almost as fast as the sled that we road on, the one thing we didn't want to hear was a train whistle, you could hear our heart beat over the sound of blades on the ice.

After what seemed to be forever the sled came to a stop, and then after a long walk back home we looked forward to having tea and molasses cake that only mom could make,

Something special that would help us to get warm.

We would consider going just one more time before sunset.

  

          

                                                This is where most of the stories originated, 
                                                from after moving into 500 Blvd. St. Joseph.

Remembering Days, Long Gone By, Story NO. 2

{Opining back fifty-seven years:}

Story told by Winston.

"500"

December 10 1947

It was shortly after the war and finding a place to live was difficult at best,

when you are a family of seven it was almost impossible.

We were temporarily sharing accommodations with an old gentleman Mr. Quinn

and his daughter Margaret, he let us use two rooms and we had kitchen privileges.

It was a small wooden house, needless to say with all of us there it was over crowded.

We found a place one-mile outside of Wrightville, at the city limits on Blvd. St. Joseph

in Hull Quebec one block from where we shared accommodations with Mr. Quinn.

The house had a bit of history it was more than one hundred years old, but it was

far from being a century manor and it had been vacant for some time and it was a little run

down, the rent was ten dollars a month and I would say this is all that it was worth!

Mr. Quinn told us that the house we were about to move into might be haunted by the spirit of

a man who was shot to death some years earlier, he also told us the house used to be a tavern

and hotel and a lot of unsavory people had stayed there it was all part of an urban legend.

Being so desperate to find a house we had enough trouble dealing with reality and didn't

have time to worry about things on the other side.

Two weeks before Christmas we moved into the house it had been snowing all day, you know the type of snow that makes a perfect snowball, a joyous play day not a good day to move.

As you entered the front door you were in a large room the full width of the house, I guess this

is where they served drinks when it was a tavern the room had a large plate glass window.

Looking to the left through an archway you could see what might have been a dining area.

Straight ahead was a hallway leading to a staircase, at the end of the hall was a galley style kitchen with counter space, a sink, and a manual water pump that didn't work and a door to a summer kitchen.

One of the things missing was a furnace, fortunately for us the man next door Mr.Brunet had

a convenient store in the front room of his home, and a scrap metal yard at the rear, he was a

fine upstanding Christian man in the community with a wife and twenty children, and not shy

to make a dollar. My father spoke to him about a stove and said he had an old cast iron

wood stove in his scrap metal yard; he told my father that he could rent the stove

for three dollars a month, almost one third the rent for the whole house, badly needing a

stove my father agreed to pay the amount, thinking to himself that maybe later on he

could buy the stove, but that's another story!

The stove was set up in the back room after a trip to the hardware store to buy stove pipes,

kerosene lamps and candles. We also ordered two cords of wood from Mr.Hewpay a wood

dealer up the road, he agreed to deliver the order right away after my father explained to him

that he had a wife and five children, and that if we didn't get some heat into the house we might all freeze to death.

Page Two

Not having any curtains on the windows to keep out peering eyes, we as children with the help

of Jack Frost began breathing on the glass and creating the most beautiful gossamer curtains,

Boys being boys we quickly grew tired of this, and we put Eleanor age three she would turn four on January 15th  in charge of making curtains, the way she could scream! Eleanor had a great set of lungs and was perfect for the job.

I think that Jim, Don, and myself could see it was going to be a long day, so we began to explore

through the house starting with upstairs hoping to find any sign of that murder that took place

many years ago, we started to look for a bullet hole in the wall or signs of blood on the wide floorboards, we thought if only we could solve the murder the spirit would be set free.

Each room door had a brass number on it from one to four, I'm sure behind each door there

was a story?

We didn't solve the crime that day, there would be many days in the future for us to explore.  

Sometime later that night we got a fire going and if you stayed close enough to the

stove we were able to keep warm. My mother used drapes on the doorways to keep the heat

in the back room, we had a late supper of fried bologna, boiled potatoes, toast made on the stove top and a cup of hot tea, life couldn't be better than this.

It was getting late we settled in for the night after an exhausting day,

We all slept together close to the stove in order to keep warm.

That brought to a close day one living at 500 Blvd. St. Joseph.

Little did we know that we would spend the next eleven years calling this place home?

 

500

The Story Man Winston

  

                                             Remembering Days, Long Gone By, Story #3

Story told by Winston.

"The Image of Horse and Sleigh"

My memory today of the image on that day, is as clear and crisp as that sunny cold

Sunday December 14 in Nineteen forty-seven Day 348

It was early Sunday morning two days after we moved in, my Mother was already up and getting the porridge ready, and a large pot of hot tea sat stately on the stove. This alone didn't awake me I could hear something in the distance, I jumped from the mattress and began scraping away at the frost curtain my sister Eleanor had worked so hard on, blowing patterns until she got dizzy and had to lie down.

After rubbing the glass in a circular motion the frost began to melt. I could see as if looking through a porthole, far off in the distance like a string of mystical Jewels in the snow crossing fields from distant farms.

The air was so clear and the walls of the house so thin, I could hear sleigh bells and knew that it would be a magical day. Vernon the youngest child and our sister Eleanor are still fast asleep.

My older brothers and I quickly got dressed and went out to get a closer look.

We had never before seen anything so beautiful; the horses wearing fur adorned harness silver bells and jewels. The sleighs were a high gloss black or dark green, and lined with blankets and furs keeping warm the farmers who were all snuggled in the sleighs going to church.

With their cheeks all rosy and faces aged by the sun we could see their smiles, as they passed our house they waved from one of the sleighs and a beautiful old

Woman said,  "See you on the way back little ones."

We watched as they turned up Saint Raymond St. climbing a steep hill and disappearing over the top.

The magical image of horse and sleigh we saw on that day soon would pass into history, only to be remembered and reappear in my dreams.

Much less romantic things such as cars, tractors, and other soon would replace those images, of our time when we were children.

 Page two: The Image of Horse and Sleigh.

Jim, Don, and myself are still standing out side trying to hear the bells as they fade off into the cold crisp morning air and for a short space of time perfect silence.

Only to be broken by our Father's loud gruff voice,

He said, "Get in here you are going to catch a cold it's breakfast time and there's a lot of things to do around here today."

Yes all of that and more without taking a breath,

Dad had a special way with words by stretching them like a growl.

Some time later that day.

The woman that waved

She said with her hands extended, "I'm Mrs. Beaudoin and who are all these little ones?"

Our Mom held her hand over each of our heads and gave our names.

It was like an early Christmas and Mrs. Beaudoin like Santa had gifts for us all.

When she saw our sleeping arrangements just a mattress on the floor she said, " This will never do my dear, I have some beds I'm not going to use,

I'll bring them by later."

We as children never saw kindness like this from strangers, and Mrs. Beaudoin God bless her was true to her word bringing us those beds to dream on.

The Story Man Winston

  

                                                  Remembering Days, Long Gone By.

                                         # 4 "The Picture"

A Sunday in September Nineteen Forty-seven a Day to Remember.

Story told by Winston

That would be the little guy on your left! Next to him are brothers Jim and Don,

In the chair are Sister Eleanor and baby brother Vernon in front.

  We were temporarily sharing accommodations with an old gentleman Mr. Quinn

and his daughter Margaret, at 548 Blvd. Saint Joseph we were renting two rooms and we had kitchen privileges, It was a small wooden house, needless to say with all of us there it was over crowded.

  It was in most part just an average Sunday with all of the regular insanity that a family would go through getting ready to take a picture of their five children,

Mom doing the bathing, dressing and hair combing.

At the same time trying to keep everyone in a good spirits in order to have us all smiling for the photograph.

  Dad in his own way was being helpful just staying out of Mom's way as she went about child care, not exactly one of his strong points.

Dad taking on the job as photographer would have to keep his spirits up.

You know as well as I do, if your hands are shaking you get a blurry picture, good enough reason I'll drink to that, and he did.

  Eleanor, at that time was known as Shirley I think for obvious reasons look at her curls, and just being a little precocious all dressed up and ready to show off her pink dress and curls, couldn't get outside fast enough.

Mom said to her, " I want you to stay clean don't go off the porch we will be right out to take the picture."

With that out goes Shirley and being a girly girl dancing and twirling, at the first sign of a familiar face Shirley was off the porch saying. “Mr. Quinn! Mr. Quinn! Watch me dance."

After a couple of twirls, yes sir she was face down in the mud pink dress and all.

We missed a Kodak moment that day.  No I'm not that cruel I don't mean Eleanor / Shirley.

The picture missed on that day is the expression on Mom's face while Eleanor dripping with mud in the doorway said, “I didn't go off the porch."

After a little more cleaning and dressing Eleanor was ready for the picture, we all were set for a memorable picture and if our Dad's hands got any more steady, I would not be telling this story.  

     

           Story #5 Remembering Days, Long Gone By.

          "The Spring of our Life in 1950"

Story told by Winston.

When we lived at 500 Blvd. Saint Joseph 

There was a Girl on the other side of the Street her name was,

Silvia Suwick, she had two younger sisters there was Betty- Lou, Beverly- Ann and a brother Gerald, they were part Cherokee with hauntingly black eyes, and a friendliness that would charm your day. At that time I was only eight years old, Don would have been fourteen months older, Jim was eleven going on twelve, Eleanor was six and Vernon five.

I think Gerald was thirteen, and a large lad and he was tall for his age, but oh what a kind and gentle fellow, when he would walk with us he must have been self conscious about his height, as he would stoop over. Silvia eleven a real beauty and a charmer, when she would snap her fingers and say lets jump rope all the boys did, and thanked God we were boys.  

Betty-Lou six-years-old a sweetheart, and Beverly-Ann at the age of four, look out boys, she would say to Don "I'm going to marry you some day!" he would say to her "Give me a call when you grow up."

I think if Don had an eye for anyone it may have been Silvia, I know I did, but that's another story.

Out of all the times we played together I can't remember ever fighting or having bad words, everyone was made to feel special even with the age and size difference. How rich our lives became, and privileged we were to have known these kindred spirits. I don't think that there was a time when or where the quality and or quantity of friends were better in our childhood.

On those long hot summer days if we weren't playing games such as red light green light, or Mother may I cross the river, we would gather in our backyard by the well sipping cool spring water, and talk about what the future might bring. I think the possibilities at that time of what we might accomplish were endless.

Jim would deal with the problems at hand trying to get through each day, he was a little less vocal and a lot more action, but not Don, he would say, “Listening to me guys, if Dad could become a druggist why couldn't I become a doctor? Or Jim anything he wants to be! The only thing that could hold us back is not trying and I don't see any quitters among us."

 Page Two

The spring of our Life in 1950

Don's ability to start a debate was only one of his strong points.

He was our guiding light of inspiration that helped us all move forward.

 

"THE BIG HIT"

One of the games we liked to play was baseball, the diamond was set up in the Canada Cement field across from our house, if you hit a long fly ball it would end up in our backyard, so let the game begin play ball.

We tossed the bat handle up to see which one would get their hand on the last piece of it to go first at bat Gerald won that toss.

Jim and I went to the outfield, because Gerald's size and his ability to hit a long ball we would stand a way back by the road.

Don was digging out his spot on the mound and getting ready for the first pitch. Eleanor not wanting to be excluded is our catcher; she was a little small and a bit lost behind the catcher's mitt but ready to play.

Gerald looking back at Eleanor said," you better stand further back so I don't hit you." And Eleanor takes a step back.

Gerald once again ready at the bat looks back and yes Eleanor moved up too close

Again Gerald gives her a warning she steps back.

By now Don in a full wind up and threw the first pitch, the swing and a sound of wood hitting head, Eleanor is down and screaming this might have been the shortest ball game ever played, the game is called off because of Pain.

On the way back home Gerald told Eleanor jokes trying to stop the crying.

And hoping to make her laugh before he had to explain to Mom what had just transpired. 

The bat survived for future games, the only thing I have to say is we all knew that Eleanor was headstrong, and the school of hard knocks may be her best teacher.

Eleanor might tell you a different version of the story, but to the best of my memory Eleanor's baseball playing came to an end on that day.

I'm happy Gerald won the toss!

And sorry our sister Eleanor got the only hit.

The Story Man Winston

 

 

. #6 Remembering Days, Long Gone By

                                                            "The Coming of spring in 1948"

Story told by Winston.

With the coming of spring in Forty-eight brought New Hope.

Dad worked at a few part time jobs in the winter of Forty-seven, the money he made is nothing if you figure out how much he could make in a Pharmacy.

  Dad had problems taking orders from the boss for some reason, what a letdown when at one time he had his own drugstore on Somerset Street. That was before my time!

   And it has nothing to do with this story, and everything to do with it.

How do you describe the first warmth of the sun on your face after a long winter as you sit on the porch with your eyes closed? I did it this way when I was six saying, " This is only the beginning of all that life has to offer, and don't let a moment of this warmth in time go by or be untouched by you or your dreams and hopes for a better tomorrow.”

  The first week when we moved in Dec.1947

We made it through the welcoming party that a lovely bunch of French kids threw for us. They showered us with gifts of coal that came crashing through our windows in the middle of the night as we all were sleeping; it was like an awful nightmare with glass everywhere and no place left to hide.

  With the early morning sun a new day had just begun, and a knocking at the door we could not ask for any more. At the beginning of that day a sorry boy named Billy May, said," I took part now I must pay; repair the damage that I've done although I am not the only one."

  And he did just as he promised and much more than that, he helped replace each broken window working with us to the end, a lesson we should all remember,

Billy May became our friend.

  With the coming of spring it brought forth new hope for a better day in Forty-eight.

We started a bait shop, it didn't take a lot of start up money to get worms out of the ground, and there was a lot of ground to turn over! This wasn't a unique idea for this area there were a string of bait shops along the Boulevard,

  Our house was first in line; the soil on the property hadn't been worked in many years. The topsoil was unbelievably rich a real treasure trove for digging worms.

This was only the beginning as time went by we would utilize other means of getting live

Bait. Which would include picking night crawlers on the golf links at night using flashlights and buckets strapped to your legs.

  We sometimes picked in the area of twenty thousand worms in one night.

We would sell them for one cent each; one night’s picking could bring in as much as two hundred dollars! Do the math.

In the busy time we sometimes ran out and would have to buy them from another suppler as not to disappoint our customers who sometimes placed their orders in advance.

We were in the bait business until 1958 this is only one story there are many more.

.                                           Story #7 Remembering Days, Long Gone By

"The Scavenger Hunt" The summer of 1954

Story told by Winston.

  This is a story about one of our free days, the type of day that was work free and very rare.

It takes place in the surrounding area below our house, in our field of dreams near Leamy Lake.

It's a story about leaving the drudgery of day to day work behind us, our pure innocence; and girls.

   One of the most fantastic summer days and it began early Saturday morning, with nothing to do except plan for a scavenger hunt; we had breakfast and started getting all the supplies ready that we would need for the hunt.

  Jim, made a lot of arrows to fill our quivers, we also had long bows just incase we ran into any wild animals, or French kids; it was hard to tell the difference from some of our previous experiences, one could not be too careful; and we would be ready.

  Don, not wanting to go hungry, was busy making sandwiches and packing cold drinks.

And I could not wait to get going before someone thought of work for us to do.

  Jim said, "The girls should be here any time now, Eva is very punctual maybe it’s Jacquelyn holding up the show." I said, "We are ready, lets go outside to see if they are on their way down Saint Raymond St."      We knew Eva Tannahill for a few years, Jacquelyn Ross, on the other hand was the new kid on the block.

Jacquelyn was a friend of Eva's, I think this might have been my first time meeting her.

Eva told us that Jacquelyn is good at catching snakes, so this could be an interesting day.

  Don said," Here they come now!"  Jim replied, "Good let’s meet them on the way down the hill so we can get out of sight from the house." Don then said, "Sounds good to me lets go." And we were off and running more than ready, for the hunt that day. In those days when you would greet a new friend, giving them an Indian burn is acceptable according to Jacquelyn. While I endured the burn on my arm I couldn't help notice her hairy forearms, and she is very strong for a girl, I thought to myself bring on the French kids and we'll beat the crap out of them. Anyway on with the story, Jim asked Eva, "Do you have the list of things to get on the scavenger hunt." Eva replied, “yes it's a pretty long list, but we have the whole day ahead of us; I'm ready if you guys are." And we all started down the cement factory road.

  As you start down the road to your right was our baseball field to the left our yard with trees all along the property. Below our yard a cow pasture and the trees followed the left side of road down to the train tracks. The right side a much more opened field, with small clusters of trees; the first part of the road had a very steep slope, leveling out about three-quarters of the way down the road.

  Jim asked, “Eva what's the first thing we have to look for." Eva replied, “I think we'll start with the five different colored rocks." Don said, "We only have a million of them to check along this road, it's all rocks." my comment," The rocks are heavy why don't we get them on the way back!"  And then I asked, "Where did Jacquelyn go?" Eva said, "I’ll give you one guess." We all said with one voice, "Let’s go Jacquelyn it's not a snake hunt!" She joined the group as we reached the access path on the left leading to Leamy Road; this ran parallel with the train tracks; along this path you would find a lot of shacks, and tramps living there; and not a good place for kids.

  Straight ahead of us across the tracks is the cement factory; this would be about a mile from our house.

We make a left turn and follow the tracks, this would take us to the train trestle; we could cross it or traverse down to a second set of tracks leading to Leamy Lake and in to Wrightville.

  Jim suggested, "lets go the trestle route, just beyond it there's a tunnel that runs under the tracks; it had been sealed up but there are some bricks missing, and there's a hole big enough for us to crawl through; we might find something inside." Jim, Don, and I knew all the nooks and crannies of the area so we would lead the way. As we got a little closer to the tunnel, we approached the opening cautiously; not knowing for sure if it was inhabited by tramps or not. Jim being the eldest, and

Page Two
#7

Possibly the bravest, looked in first and said, "It's kind of dark and hard to see anything from outside, we'll have to go in, after a little while our eyes will adjust to the dark." And then he asked, "Who wants to go first?" I could tell you it was I, and know one would dispute it; but I'd know it's not true. All right the truth is, it was one of the girls! I just don't know which one went in first.

  After a bit of time passed, you could see everything in a strange uninviting and haunting light.

We found an old bottle that could have been there for a long time, it looked like a medicine bottle with a cork; Eva put it in her bag and we all climbed out of the opening, the sunlight seemed more intense than before going in. We climbed down the embankment of the railroad tracks, towards the frog pond; trees surrounded this area and it would give our eyes a chance to adjust to the brightness.

A tree-covered peninsula separated the pond from Leamy Lake.

  It was getting close to lunchtime and we wanted to find a cool place to sit down and take a break, Don was getting hungry. We circled around the pond to a small beach at the lake, where we had our lunch; we would sit for the next hour discussing the remaining items on the list. The next item would be a Jack in the Pulpit, on some of our earlier trips; Jim, Don, and I had seen them before so we knew just where to look. Our purpose wasn't to collect them we just wanted to show the girls our sensitive side, and let them appreciate the beauty of this wild flower. The area where we would find this plant was half way around the lake; this would also give us a chance to collect some of the other things on the list.

  We didn't disappoint the girls, the flowers were in full bloom, and even with both of them being tomboys there was still a lot of wows, and how pretty they are. I think they were impressed. We left the flowers in their natural surroundings and headed up the hill through the forest toward Leamy Road. We had been here before and made a bridge over a creak with fallen trees that we chopped down, this would save us a little bit of walking; we would make a left turn down the road heading for the Gatineau River.

  We came to a spot along the river with a lot of birch trees, part of the list was birch bark; it would be used to make canoes for a school project. We also found bird feathers and a few other things on the list.

Jim said, "I think we better get on the way back it's getting close to supper time." Jacquelyn asked, "What time is it?” Jim looked at the sun and said, "It's almost six." None of us had a watch. Don and I, said in unison, "Let’s get going guys." And with that we all headed for home, we went up Leamy road it was the short way. Eva said," well guys I think this was a good day, we got all the things on the list; and I had a good time." Jacquelyn said," Me too guys, and no fighting; its lucky thing for those French kids we were ready for them." I spoke up; "No day is perfect!" And I couldn't have been more right.

  When we got home there were three Mothers, with daggers in their eyes.

And the questions came at us like a tag team match from hell; you didn't have time to answer one,

And another was asked. "Where were you all day?" "What were you doing?" "What could you have been thinking?" "Didn't you know that we would be worried?" "Jim you’re the oldest you should know better!"

The next set of questions had something to do with sex; now they totally lost me.

  My head was starting to spin, I think I had too much sun or something; but I couldn't get an answer in edgeways, I thought the questions would never stop, and we all were dead meat;

There was so much yelling, I was taught to pray in a crisis so I prayed that they would all lose their voices, it didn't happen but they finally wound down.

I think the lesson I learned that day is if you’re going to piss a mother off; do it one at a time.

I prefer to remember the good time we had earlier that day, the latter part I'd rather forget.

# 8 Remembering Days, Long gone by.

                                     Fantastic summer days of our youth

                                                     “The manure pile.”

Or

                                      “What a pile of shit!”

Story told by Winston 

This story begins with Dad, 

going up the road to make arrangements with a farmer, for us to dig worms.  

The farmer’s name is McConnell; the farm is just about one mile outside the city of Hull, on the Chelsea Road.

My Father would go out of his way to find work for us, by this I mean the kids

I think this time ‘He’ went too far.

The deal for us is that we bring back three cans of worms, and our payment would be a Coffee Crisp candy bar; for each of us.

We didn't get ‘Candy’ often, so I guess this sounds like a good deal, when you are candy deprived and young.

I don't want it to sound like I'm complaining, we were always glad to help out.

  On the first day going to the farm, Dad walked with us too make sure we got to work.  After introducing us to: Mr. McConnell, that didn't take long; and ‘Dad’ was on his way to do what he did best, visit the tavern and hoist a few cold ones.

Before his departure he said, "this pile is filled with money!"

   And there we are standing in front of it, I'm not certain who said it but someone did.

“What a big pile of shit!” We never saw anything like it before, and we didn't know how to go about digging worms in it and by the smell, I don't think we wanted to know how, ‘Candy’ or not.

 Don said, "If this is the smell of money, I want to die a pauper.” We climbed up to the top of the pile and began to turn over the ‘shit’ with hay forks that the farmer supplied, now the stink started rising from within!

And it brought tears to our eyes, and you can't wipe them away because your hands are full of ‘shit.’

  Oh did I mention the flies buzzing around your head, and the heat from the sun,

the thought of that candy is making me sick.

  Yes the worms were plentiful and we would return that's what good kids do to help out, and it can't last forever, or get much worse then this or can it?

I know that Don was the first to crack on this horrible day.

Page Two

“The manure pile.”

  After a few months at the manure pile, the three of us standing on top, Don said, "I'm madder than hell and I'm not digging any more!” And with that he threw the

Pitchfork I was on the receiving end and the fork went through my foot, we were wearing rubber boots and they don't provide much protection from pitchforks.

  I know Don didn't do this on purpose; it was just a fit of rage.

Jim and Don removed the fork and we decided enough was enough, we returned the hay forks to the barn and left.

  Not realizing the barn door was left opened, we were on our way down to the Chelsea Road and we looked back to take one last look and what we saw was the farmer's prize bull making a break for freedom.

Needless to say that would be our last trip to the manure pile.

I know this might not be good advertising for Coffee Crisp Bars, but even today when I have one, it reminds me of those hot summer days in my childhood and the manure pile.

The Story Man Winston

 

No. 9 “Was it just a dream?” 

                    Originated from Something different!  “The White Horse” At the age of ten

Story by and Poem ~ Winston

Most of the stories I tell are about my family.

This time I would like to tell a story of something that happened, to the white horse and I.

It's early morning and it's a beautiful day in the month of June, after breakfast I went down by the well in our backyard.

   I would sit in the cool shadow by the fence, where the water flows from the well into a trough, this was my favorite place to daydream, and on that day I made those dreams come true.

  Looking out beyond our yard to the cow pasture watching the cows coming up to have a drink, and graze on clover and mint.

 

 I would put on my holster and six gun and lose myself in dreams of being a cowboy, and I would escape the reality of our situation at that time.

 

When the cows all had their fill they'd head on down to the lower pasture, now I call and whistle for a special friend, and he did come to me not just any horse you know, this one is as white as white can be.

  I would climb upon this horse and I'll ride away, not looking back at things that I can't change, and forever I will be a cowboy on his white horse and all day we will ride on the fantasy range.  

"Poem of the Dream, the white horse"

It’s early morning in June and the “backyard” is in shadow cast by the sun,

The night went fast, I hoped it would last, but now I fear there is work that must be done.

Oh please let me sleep just a little bit longer in leisurely dreams of things that I ponder, a horse that’s so white, and other such things I do constantly wonder.

I’m just awakening it’s a wonderful day, with nothing to do, all right then I’ll play.

It’s just but a moment when he does appear, for a cool sip of water he’ll drink from the trough for awhile and I’ll stroke at his mane and tug on his ear I speak oh so softly so know one can hear.

If I hold on to the mane and he lifts up his head then I'll sit on his back like a big feather bed. I rode away not looking back, at all the things that I can't change,

I'll forever be a cowboy on his white horse and we will always ride on the fantasy range.  

 

Catch a Dream

Story No.10 Remembering days long gone by.

Christmas dinner 1950 the day

“OUR CHICKENS CAME HOME TO ROOST!”

Story by Winston

The day began as any other.

We were getting ready for Christmas, and the money was a little sparse,

Mom would make a meat pie for dinner this year.

Mom could make something out of nothing like freaking Magic, well anyway that was the plan now we all know, that things don't always go as planned and this day won't be an exception.

Now as I remember, it was Christmas Eve, and one of our neighbours Mr. Barbeau dropped in to wish us all the best for the Christmas season, he at one point in the conversation asked Mom, "Do you have a turkey for your dinner tomorrow?" Mom answered, "No we don't but that's alright, I made a meat pie the kids like that!" Mr. Barbeau now somewhat in disbelief? Said, "Oh no madam you must have a turkey for Christmas, I'll be right back!" And with that he was out the door like a man on a mission, we all looked at each other not quite sure of what was happening or what Mr. Barbeau was up to.

After a few moments had passed by the front door flew opened and just like the wind in came Mr. Barbeau with a chicken in each hand. As he stood there in the hall holding them by the legs, wings flapping, chickens clucking,

He said, "I hope there's enough for everyone Madam!"

Mom said in a horrified voice,

“Thank you but we can't accept those chickens, you stole them Mr. Barbeau!"

His eyes now wide and with a sparkle, said, "Oh no Madam think of me like that guy Robin Hood I got these Birds from Mr. Hickey’s coop, now you think of him as the sheriff of Nottingham. He robs from everyone with each dozen of eggs he sells, and each time he fills the basket of berries with grass. 

Now I take from that poor Bastard and give to the hard working poor.”

Mom thinking about all of us going to hell, if we eat the ill-gotten birds said,

"Mr. Barbeau I couldn't kill those chickens, so you better take them with you!"

Mr. Barbeau is standing in the hall right beside the axe on the chopping block where we make kindling.

This all happened so fast right before our eyes, heads were rolling wings flapping and there was blood everywhere. Mr. Barbeau placed the axe back on the chopping block and turned to Mom and said, "I wish you all a Merry Christmas and enjoy the chickens."

And with that he was gone.

 

The Night before Christmas

                   Page two "The Christmas Dinner!"

We all stood there watching the "Birds," bouncing from wall to wall like some kind of weird dance, and Mom said, "It's time for bed, morning comes early and you all know Santa won't come if you’re still up."

As usual Mom did her best with what she had to work with.

The chickens were filled with stuffing and oven baked in the old wood stove.

After a while the scent of something baking in the oven filled the house!

And it said to me that this is the smell of Christmas!

Now it may not be turkey but who could tell the difference.

 On Christmas Day,

We all sat down with great anticipation of what we thought would be a memorable meal; you know the kind that you keep talking about. Well maybe it was!

I don't know to this day if Mom was trying to teach us a lesson about not stealing, because the chicken sure was tough and very difficult to swallow.

These were stewing birds; they should not have come home to roast. 

                                                  Story No.11 Remembering days, long gone by.

"The Days of Magic Shadows"

Saved on 8 mm. Film, Our Stories in 1957

In memory of and dedicated to our Brother Don with love.

Story told by Winston.

  This story began with our love for the movies when we were children, in 1949 with a desperate need to escape the world of reality and replace it with "make-believe.

My brothers James, Donald, and I, would save up enough money for bus fare, a movie, and a few special treats you know, like popcorn and a cold drink, and we would spend the afternoon at a theater called the Frog in Ottawa's lower town.

And we did dream and watch those magic shadows to help us find our way.

  Sometime in the early 50's Don and Jim would go somewhere on the market and rent a movie projector with sound and a couple of feature films, in those days you couldn't just go out and rent a video this would be a full weekend of enjoyment.

   Once in a while a good friend of Don's, Tom Riley would also join in on the movie weekend, he also was a movie buff and would later take part by playing a role in some of the stories we put on film.   

 

I first of all would like to say to you before I start the story, is that, “You should always make the best out of a bad situation never letting it drag you down, or to the point of loosing all your dreams and hopes for a better tomorrow.” 

  And now in most part in 1957 that's exactly what my brothers and I did, we would take the world by storm and make some of the most forgettable movies ever! Such as, "On the run," Or,"1 1/2 Mus-Keeters," Not to leave out, “Escape to Freedom,” and last but not least, "Africa 1938."

They all were made on eight-millimeter movie film without sound; we used a Kodak wind up camera without any bells or whistles.

  Don made a big discovery it's called credit and for a dollar down and a dollar a week,

He bought a camera and projector from Jack Snow's on Sparks St.

Now we could put on film, memories of our own magic shadows.

  Jim had an interest in still photography, so I guess it was only natural for him to become our cinematographer. Some of the stories we put together were made up as we went along, with only a few notes on paper and a lot of directing by everyone, it was a ham actor’s paradise.

 Page two

Magic Shadows

One of the movies we put together was called "On the Run" this one was pretty well scripted before the shoot. A friend of ours Robert Beaudoin played the role of the fugitive on the run, and he brought a frightening realism to role of the insane person that he played, Robert later went on to work for Crawly Films of Ottawa. I don't know if the role he played in our film led him to that career move.

  When we needed an outside actor other than family Tom Riley always seemed to be available. When he wasn't doing his impersonation of Frank Sinatra he would be doing his James Cagney routine and this was without a camera around he was the perfect ham.

  One of the movies he played in was "1 1/2 Mus-keeters," it was total slapstick a lot of it was done in single frame; this would make the action a little faster similar to the old Charlie Chaplin movies.

   Tom had a great interest in ‘politics’ and it was sometime later, that he approached us and did ask us to destroy the films that he took part in. He thought if he ever entered the political arena these films could surface and destroy his chances.

We told him there was no way, and those images are still available today just in case.

  Don had a special screen presence even without sound, he could put across a comedic idea and have you in stitches, I think he missed his calling. Other film images include Cecil Murray and his 1932 Chevy coup, and a trip to his sister’s cottage, Brian O’mally in his 59 Pontiac, also the two Don's, Donald Liberty and brother Don, at Leamy Lake.   

   I treasure each and every one of these images, and those times in our childhood.

Thank you Don for helping us through those hard times, and buying the camera to save all of these memories.

Jim would go on to document other events in our life as we grew up, and he would try his hand at animation and Claymation.

  

We transferred the films to VHS tape,

with a lot of help from Cecil Murray in the early nineties, 

 I put a music track on the tape, it felt strange but nice to work on those movies once more, and I became that child again.

On May 18th. 1998

Don lost his battle with cancer at age fifty-seven, but he lives on in our memories,

A special thanks to Peter, who was with him at the end. 

 Anyone: From the days of our youth that would like to share your memories, please do.

Winston

 

 

 

                                                  No.12 Remembering days, long gone by.

                                                          "A Birthday to Remember"

Story told by Winston.

When my brother Vernon was seven, one of his role models is an old veteran from the First World War,

His name is William Lenox, he had his own story, we all called him "Old Bill" and for the sake of my story I'll refer to him as such. Old Bill would call Vernon; "shorty" and I'll refer to him in this way.

Old Bill was a boarder at our house, He and our parents met about seven years earlier when they shared a place with Curly Leduc at 17 Wellington St. in Hull, anyway I won't go back that far.

The story: takes place in Nineteen, and fifty-two, On the fourth of May well this just happens to be Shorty's Birthday and he just turned seven, he was small for his age more like a five year old.

Shorty said, "Old Bill can I try rolling a cigarette?" Old Bill replied in his gruff but happy way, "Sure you can Shorty come over here and let me show you how."

Well before you know it Shorty is rolling those fags in one hand just like an old cowpoke!

Now every so often Old Bill would reach in his hip pocket and take a swig of Rye or something, and begin to tell Shorty the story of how He started smoking and drinking.

Old Bill started off with, "When I was no bigger than you Shorty I had my first "smoke" and a flask of rye." Then he would go on to say," I didn't start with no cigarette I had me a cigar and I climbed up a tree and hung on for a while till I fell out. Now shorty it never did me no harm." And then after that good bit of advice Old Bill would bite off a chew of tobacco.

Shorty asks Old Bill, "Did you ever kill people in the war?  "Old Bill, in a scolding voice, "Shorty, don't ask me about the war, wars is not pretty and you shouldn't trouble yourself about It." And then he'd say, "Go outside and play Shorty." And give him a pat on the head.

Old Bill never got married or had kids of his own maybe that was a blessing, although he did like kids he just didn't set a good example.

Vernon / Shorty: did go outside but not to "play" while rolling cigarettes for "Old Bill" he put a couple of them in his pocket to smoke them later, and he did.

Well at least he didn't have the rye, or did he? 

Brother Don with Cat and Brother Vernon

 Page Two

"A Birthday to Remember"

With his face the colour of green and the way he was sick it was hard to tell.

"Happy birthday shorty." Through it all, our brother Vernon made it a day to remember.

And he went on to other adventures.

One of those times that I recall would be an afternoon bus trip to Ottawa that

Vernon and dad went on.

Vernon all excited came running in the house and said, “I saw the Empire State Building from the bus." Well maybe he did, I wasn't there.

When I think back to those days, I sometimes wonder what could ‘Mom’ have been thinking.

She knew that Eleanor, for some reason could hardly stand to be in the same room with Vernon,

So why did Mom sit them beside each other at the table?

Well now Vernon not wanting to miss a chance to have Eleanor blow a gasket, what he would do is open his mouth just a little on the side and ‘exhale’ in her direction, And all hell broke loose. And the screaming would have to be ‘heard’ or you could not believe it was possible for someone so small to make all that noise.

Eleanor screamed, "Maaaw Vernon is breathing stop him, make him stop." And on and on, it would go just like a nut house. That might be why some animals eat their young.

Eleanor would learn to tolerate him after a lot of ‘meal times’ with much of the same.

But that didn’t happen until they grew up.

Vernon met a beautiful First Nation Lady her name is Loretta, they got married and had two children, their daughter Cheri, and son Dean.

They lived on the Sheshegwaning Res. on Manitoulin Island, our Brother Vernon found true Love with Loretta and something as important I think, "It was love from and for his fellow man."

When we lost Vernon in 1995 at the young age of fifty.

At the First Nation service everyone came to pay their respects from the Island, they all knew Vernon and had a story to tell.

Don said it best, “Vernon lived his life and reached the goals we all strive for every day and very seldom achieve, Respect and Acceptance."

  

Winston

Story on May 28 2005

  

#13 Remembering Days, Long Gone By

                     "The Two Piece suit" our Life in 1952

When we lived at 500 Blvd Saint Joseph

Story told by Winston.

I don't know why this day stands out so vivid in my memory; it might have something to do with the colour blue, who knows! Well anyway the story takes place on a Saturday in July in the middle of the afternoon by now most of our bait sales were over for the day and it was time to relax.

The Suwicks had just returned from a trip to the states, and they came over to show us some of the things they bought, and they also wanted to share some of the toys.

Silvia was all excited over ‘rubber bubbles’ we had never seen anything like that before, you could make bubbles and keep them, not like the soap ones that would ‘burst’ just when you are enjoying them.

Jerald got some of those gliders made of balsa wood.

And some candy that you couldn't buy in Canada.

They were all excited about their trip to the states and telling all about it,

Silvia told us about the great deals they got on clothes.

And with that she said, "I'll be right back guys to show you what I got."

The day was a warm one and we always kept a bucket of cold spring water on the counter in the hall, I went inside to get a drink, and also get out of the sun for a while.

Now I don't know what I was expecting to see when Silvia came back, but it was like nothing I had ever seen before, it was a "two piece blue bathing suit with white flowers on it," and I couldn't take my eyes off the flowers.

I was ten years old and didn't know much about the birds and bees but I knew what I liked.

  Silvia is dancing around and modeling the bathing suit, and my eyes got a little blurry and I had to sit down. It must be the sun because it's getting pretty hot now, and I might have to get more water to cool down.

I think, Jim and Don were enjoying the dance and the "two piece blue bathing suit with white flowers on it" as well, everyone kind of lost interest in the gliders that Jerald kept tossing in the air it was much too hot for flying airplanes.

Now you know how the story goes when everything is going too good,

It's bound to turn to shit before it ends.

That's where ‘Mom’ comes out to save her sons from that evil seductress of a girl.

Well no I didn't call her that! How could I when didn't know what a seductress was?

Why do Mothers think they know what's best for their Sons.

After some of the things that Mom said, I don't blame Silvia, for not putting on that

Two piece blue bathing suit with white flowers on it again.

# 14 "The Old West"

Quebec In the Mid Nineteen Fifties

It seems to me that Jim wanted to document our childhood by setting up a different way to pose, while trying out his 'photographic skills.'

Anyone can take a picture but these images are special to me, it's as if

Jim knew forty seven years ago, because they help to tell the stories.

When we were children.

The fastest gun this side of the 'Creek' Win Shoots it out with Shorty.

 In those days some things could be solved, with a fast gun or a well placed fist.

'It was all in fun' you know, Vernon and I are just play-acting.

There may have been 'mountains' for us to climb, but none so high that they could hold us back.       

I changed the images digitally to reflect on how I saw the 'Mountains in my memory'

It was all part of growing up, by using my imagination to make it through those hard times in our childhood.

"The Daydreamer"

At the age of 'ten'

I would spend so many hours drawing pictures of places, where I had never been.

And with each picture that I drew, it captured life of something new.

And turned those gray skies into blue.

Childhood’s land where children's dreams came true.

With places just like long ago, I tell you all so you will know.

That the sweetest life to me you see is in your wildest dreams,

It seems where I have dared to go.

Winston 

Story # 15

                      “The Perplexing Picnic in Poltimore"

Story told by Winston

It was a beautiful day in nineteen seventy-five when Linda and I were waiting for our friends Lin and Jerry.

  We were all going on a picnic with friends of theirs Fern and Ronald Rochon, with their two children Jennifer and Cheryl. It was where Ron and Fern were going to build a cottage at Lake Lachine in Poltimore, Que. Lin and Jerry arrived early and we were on our way. These times spent with our friends were always something to remember.

  Now if you can picture the spot it was on a mountain side, Jerry kept driving his black 1962 Pontiac up this road snaking through the trees looking for a level place to stop for our picnic. Jerry stopped the car on the hillside and put on the emergency break so the car couldn't roll back down the hill.

  The first that I remember after we got out of the car is, Jerry and Ron taking the boat down the hillside over some small trees using them like a slide down to the lake, this was faster than carrying the boat down the road going to the beach.

After a little look around, Lin started setting a table on the hood of the Pontiac

and getting out the food.

This got pretty tricky the car is on an angle, and anything that would roll off to the ground did just that.

  Lin was chasing her salami with a knife on the car hood, and cut her finger.

The day was off to a good start.

I, don't remember Lin swearing but if she did I don't think anyone would blame her,

I know that I said a few words under my breath.

The Two Lins were busy with food preparation, and Ron was running around in his underwear for swim trunks, while Fern was yelling at him, " Nobody want's to see that" This was the first time we met them and the last time we saw them.

As usual we all enjoyed the food, and as always there was too much, but we were younger and thinner then.

  After a little while for some reason or other I had the bright idea of going out in the boat, and if that is not bad enough I said to Linda, "Let's take the kids out for a ride on the lake" and I don't know why she said, "Okay."

The both of us knowing neither of us could swim very well and no life jackets, but she did! And so down to the lake we went kids and all.

 

                                                Page two

The perplexing picnic in Poltimore.

Now I know I called it a beach, but it was more like an opening through the trees and down a hill to the water, where the boat was tied to a tree and not the best way to get into a boat.

  I climbed down into the boat first to steady it while Linda and the kids got in cautiously. Just as they all got seated, the branch of the tree broke that I was holding to steady the boat and everything went ‘black silent and wet’ I was somewhere under the boat and I was upside-down with my head stuck in the mud.

I'm not sure how long I was under water but, when I came to the surface Linda looked relieved.

  I don't know why we didn't take that as a sign and get out of the boat, ‘oh no’ I stupidly climbed back in the boat look at the kids and said, " And that's how not to get in a boat!" The children just sat there without an expression on their faces,

I must have been a sight soaking wet and standing up in the boat looking like George Washington crossing the Delaware and giving safety lessons.

  After a short row on the lake Linda said, "Let’s go back to shore." She wasn't going to get an argument out of me, it was only after the kids were on shore that the ‘laughter’ began as they ran up the hill they yelled,

"THE MAN FELL IN THE WATER!” Those were some smart kids to know when it was safe to laugh.

  Our friends Lin and Jerry quickly came down to the lake to see if I was alright, I told them other than a bit of mud in my ears and I scraped my ribs I was okay.

I guess you could say the dunking in the lake put a damper on my day.

Not too much time had past and I think not just me but also Lin and Jerry were ready to go home.

  We stopped off at Lin and Jerry's place in Gatineau for a hot cup of coffee, while I was sitting there drinking my coffee I was still quite damp from the swim I didn't plan on!

Our friend Lin made me a very generous offer she said, “Would you like to get into my pants?" I thanked her very much for the offer and laughingly I said, "Thanks for the generous offer but I think I got into enough trouble for one day." And then I said, "I've been wet this long I can wait till I get home to change."

When we get together with Lin and Jerry we often talk about the picnic on the side of the mountain, we've gone on other picnics since that day, such as the one at Leamy Lake but that's another story, we never returned to the mountain spot again.

The Story Man

Winston

Story No.16 Remembering Days, Long Gone By.

{Opining back Fifty Three years:}

   

"An ordinary summer day,” “Special Angel" 1950"

Story told by Winston

It was just an ordinary summer day in nineteen fifty.

I don't know if we as children had a special Angel watching over us, or if we were just plain lucky,

Eleanor and I were standing in the front door way at 500 Blvd. St. Joseph looking across at Mr. Renault,

Who had a corner store on Blvd. St. Joseph at St. Raymond right across from us.

He was waving at us 'frantically' and we were waving back to him, other than waving he was pointing in the direction of the curve in the road and he was jumping up and down.

Finally I got the message and looked in the direction that he was pointing, and I saw a car spinning around and coming backwards at us everything appeared to be in slow-motion, I grabbed Eleanor by the arm and we ran inside the house, before we could get to the other side of the room the car struck right where we were standing about two seconds earlier.

I heard the sound of glass breaking and that awful sound of metal folding all I could smell is gas and oil, the back of Eleanor's dress was covered with black oil as we entered the hallway going to the back of the house.

It took a little time for Eleanor to calm down, and for everyone to realize just what had happened and how close we both came to dying, on that ordinary summer day in nineteen fifty.

The story made the "Ottawa Journal" and the headlines for the story read, "Learning to Drive"

This was only the first time that a car struck our house, there would be two other occasions,

one time it was in the middle of the night, the driver fell out of his car and it ran over him removing his ear.

 

The last time it happened a woman borrowed her sister's car and she drove it through the billboard on the right hand side of our house and brought down the balcony. At least she didn't bring down the house!

  

I can still hear her words as she looked at the car, just as if it was yesterday.

She said," My sister is going to kill me."

And I can still picture that sad little car, with a support beam from the billboard sticking through the front windshield and out the back one.

I think we all had a 'special Angel' watching over us.

The Story Man Winston

No 17 Remembering Days, Long Gone By

{Opining back to}

"The Summer of 1955"

"Down the path of aimless travel"

Story told by Winston

The story this time takes me on a journey down by Leamy Lake and for some reason or other why kids do the things they do, I can not explain exactly why but this time I would go alone.

My brothers and I had been there many times before and I thought to myself, this will be a great adventure, and I don't have to share it with anyone, so let the day begin.

In the warm afternoon on a summer day in Nineteen fifty-five with everything ready I was on my way,

All grown up at the age of thirteen, and look out world here I come.

I would start down the cement road to the train tracks, and follow them to the Leamy Road that would go around the lake.

With my trusty air gun at the ready as I entered the forest that surrounded the Lake, now this will be easy just follow the path that I'm so familiar with and how can I go wrong. After some time had gone by I covered a lot of distance and things began to look different, there were no visible paths and the sun was starting to set. This was the first time out in the forest by myself, I was lost and now I'm starting to panic.

All kinds of crazy thoughts started to go through my head, and I began to run getting nowhere except farther away from home. When I came out of the trees into the opened field not to far from the

Gatineau River it then became clear to me, that I had been following the Leamy Road that was only about

Two hundred feet away up the hill.

I would travel by the evening sun back to where the journey first begun, 

I'm home at last and the day is done.

To answer your question, did I tell anyone that I got lost?

The short answer is, "NO!"    

Page two Poem

"Down the path of aimless travel"

On this day when I did wander oh so far away from home,

Through the trees of children's nightmares is a place where I did roam.

Down the path of aimless travel is a trail I’ve been before,

Where fear it self will turn to panic leading you, too nevermore.

Each step that I would take that day just drew me farther in,

The forest trails I thought I knew alluded little Win.

They brought me to a place of fear where children small dare not to tread,

And shook me to my very soul and filled my mind with thoughts of dread.

The story man

#18 Remembering Days, Long Gone By.

{Opining back Fifty Three years:} The summer of 1954

"The Train Trestle"

Story told by Winston.

When I tell this story it brings back all kinds of memories when we were children,

And how we managed to survive hard times.

We didn't spend a lot of time thinking about how poor we were,

For the most part were just trying to make the best out of a bad situation.

The whole world was our oyster!

For now we as children are all just grains of sand,

Finding our way through this troubled land.

The day will come for all to see,

A string of pearls its family.

Winston November 10 2005

This story takes place in my mind every time I hear a train whistle or see a trestle bridge.

In those days it was usual for Jim, Don, and I to go on an adventure, well let's see now Vernon turned nine in May and he wanted to come with us so why shouldn't he? After all Vernon just wanted to be one of the guys and not be left back at home with his younger sister Elaine.

Straight ahead of us across the tracks is the cement factory; this would be about a mile from our house.

We make a left turn and follow the tracks, this would take us to the train trestle we could cross it or traverse down to a second set of tracks leading to Leamy Lake and in to Wrightville.

Well I think boys have to do what boys do best take the more dangerous route. The train trestle it is!

Now we didn't take foolish chances, before crossing the trestle we would always put our ear to the track,

if a train were coming, we would hear it.

As I remember it after getting an all clear sound no train coming that we could hear; Jim was the first to start crossing the trestle. Don and I were right behind him. We had crossed it many times before this day not always on foot, the three of us would ride our bicycles on the metal structure of the trestle it was less bumpy than riding on the ties! Back to the story, The three of us were almost to the other side when Don looked back.

And Vernon is on his hands and knees slowly moving across the railroad ties, we all yelled, "Stand up Vernon it takes too long like that." Vernon said," If I stand up I'll fall through the ties." Jim said," lets go and get him we haven't got all day." By now Vernon froze on the spot with fear, and he was starting to loose it. Just as Jim and Don reached down to pick Vern up by his arms to help him cross the trestle.

Yes as you might have guessed by now we heard a train whistle, and not only that we could see the train.

Did I mention that Vernon was small for his age, as Jim and Don carry Vern by his arms his feet are moving but there not touching the ties, and the only thing that was louder than the train whistle is Vern screaming all the way to the other side.

We made it to the other side just in time and when we realized the danger was over,

We all had a good laugh, well I don't know if Vernon did.

What I do know, Is this was his first and last time to cross the trestle.

The Story Man Winston

 

#20 Remembering Days, Long Gone By.

{Opining back fifty-two years:}

"Train of thought"

Our Life in 1952

When we lived at 500 Blvd. Saint Joseph

Story told by Winston.

May 31 2005

In the middle of a frosty night back in nineteen fifty-two.

We would bundle up in bed and we would blow our breath into our hands cupped over our face
to keep ourselves warm, it makes the sound of a steam train.  

And we would try not to go to sleep until we heard the train whistle coming from

Montreal, and heading for Ottawa. And Jim said," I can hear the whistle in the distance and it’s calling our names, lets pretend that we are on the train having a late supper in the dining coach." Don and I with teeth chattering said," Bring on the train and lets get on with it!"

And we would conger up thoughts of the most imaginative foods possible, and fill ourselves with dreams of 

a better tomorrow; it sure helped us to forget just how cold it could get in our upstairs bedroom.

On the nights when it got bitter cold, we would pile Dad's old discarded overcoats on top of the blankets so our body heat could be kept in and stop us from freezing.

If you think that I might be somewhat exaggerating, think again! Or ask my brother Jim, I know that he remembers the frozen fish bowl that sat on the windowsill not more than five feet from our bed.

There have been so many times when I tell this story, that I have been asked,

" How could anyone live like that?"

My answer is a simple one, how could we not live and survive those hard times.

It only made us stronger.

And for that reason alone we have all these wonderful memories that enriched our lives!

When the banquet of life is served up accept the portion that you receive and enjoy it! 

If you have all that life has to offer every day, how could any one of them stand out to be so

Vivid or as being special and memorable?

The Story Man Winston

 

#21 Remembering Days, Long Gone By. {Opining back fifty-two years:}

"Wilderness survival" Our Life in 1952 When we lived at 500 Blvd. Saint Joseph

Story told by Winston.

"Wilderness survival"

 Our day started off in the usual and normal way that a free day would expect too start, by making sure there is no work left undone before we set off on our next great adventure.

Jim, Don, and I were planning a day of wilderness survival out in the woods, you know as in roughing it or living off the land! Let me expound, when you know what nature has in the way of food and you want everything done in a proper way, all you bring with you is fresh water, am I right?

Well anyway that is what we did! And if I remember correctly Jim said," Nature is like a storehouse of goodies with all the elements you would need for survival, you just have to know where to shop." 

In theory this sounds good, but one can not fill an empty stomach with theory.

We got an early start to the day our first plan was to make fishing hooks out of thorns, and to use vines for string, now all we need now is a fish or two dumb enough to bite and the dinner problem is solved.

From what I remember fishing was a disaster, oh don't get me wrong we did see a small fish in the creek.

And if we wanted to catch it I know we could have, I think we all felt sorry for the fish and let him live!

Or it is possible that we already wasted enough calories, and gave up chasing the little frigger half way from Leamy Lake to the Gatineau River.

I thought to myself, "Well we still have the rest of nature's storehouse before us, the only thing is by the time we get there and the way our luck is going, the store will be closed."

We actually did find some Chokecherries, and after eating a few of them our water supply was quickly consumed, we may now have reached our objective and are at the pinnacle of our adventure.

We are roughing it, as was the plan.

I can still visualize to this day, the look on Don's face after he ate a handful of Chokecherries, and without Don saying a single word, we knew our nature trip was over.

On the way back home I do recall asking this question, "Why are we out here roughing it don't we do that well enough at home?" Well maybe it was a smart-ass question, but I remember lots of laughing for the first time that day.   

I think you accept life as being normal, when all that in life to you is incomparable to anything you could possible imagine, dream of, or know as being different.

The point that I am simply trying too make is this! Normal is a state of mind that lets you know when you are happy and living life in the way that is normal for you!

The story Man Winston

#33 In my lifetime I’ve told a few stories.

“Hot days and crazy nights in Montreal1968”

Some of them are funny,

And a few are sad.

Some are good and one or two bad.

But if you ask me to tell another

I’d be happy to tell you one more.

The Story Man Winston tells about the
“Hot days and crazy nights in Montreal 1968”

This Story takes place in Montreal, the year is nineteen sixty-eight, Linda and I wanted to see some of the nightlife outside of old boring Ottawa.

We were married just a little more than a year, and still a bit naive and not too well traveled.

This would be the first time since my childhood to stay at a Windsor hotel; the first one was in Hull Quebec. This time is ours we are here for a three-day visit and a good time.

When we arrived at the bus terminal in Montreal I said, “I’m not sure where the hotel is let’s take a cab.” Linda replied, “After a long ride on the bus, that sounds like a good idea I don’t want to walk all over Montreal!”

We got in the taxi and I said, “Take us to the Windsor hotel James.”

I said it jokingly as if he were our private chauffeur.

The cab went about a quarter block crossed the intersection, and made a u turn.

And the driver said, “this is your hotel sir!” like the last of the big time spenders I gave him two dollars and said, “ keep the change my good man.” It was at most a two-minute walk from the bus terminal.

After we registered, the concierge told us, “the hotel is only half full, last year you couldn’t get a broom closet because of ‘Expo 67’ this year you’ll have this wing all to yourself.”

I asked him about room service? And he said, “Anything you need just give a call sir.”

We had our supper brought up to the room, and later that evening we went to see a show it was the movie Two Thousand and One Space Odyssey, in Cinerama.

The next day we went to see man and his world, it was kind of a left over ‘Expo 67’.

After walking around a good part of the afternoon, the German beer gardens hit the spot. The two steins that I had didn't take long to drink on that hot day in June!

It was a lot of fun, especially the helicopter ride. Linda didn’t want to go at first but she said, “If you go and it crashes I don’t want to be a widow left by myself in Montreal!”

When the ride ended Linda said, “It was over too fast, I can’t believe ten minutes went by so quickly.” Other than going in the wrong direction on the mini rail leaving the mainland, because of that error we got back to the hotel a little later than we had planned, and settled in for the night. Tomorrow is another day and the best time is yet to come. 

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Hot days and crazy nights in Montreal 1968

Finally that day is here this is what Linda and I came to Montreal for in the first place, the nightlife. From what we were told by everyone the action around Montreal should be easy to find.

We were walking along Saint Catherine Street looking for a bright light spot with music.

I noticed a sign that read The Red Lantern topless dancers nightly entertainment no cover no minimum.

You could see exotic dancing shadows on the second floor up stairs windows.  

I asked Lin; “ It sounds Chinese do you want to check it out?” Linda replied with a little caution,  “I guess we could go in and see what it’s all about.”

We gingerly walked up the stairs and when we reached the top there was a large dimly lit room, a dozen or more tables and a stage with scantly dressed dancing girls.

We walked over to a table and sat down, a Man came over and stood silently by the table.

I said, “The Lady will have a Coca Cola and I’ll have a scotch on the rocks.”

As we waited for our drinks one of the Girls that was dancing would climb down off the stage and leave with a gentleman that was standing close to the stage, they would leave the main room.

The Man placed the drinks on our table and said, “that will be seven fifty.”

I paid him and he turned and walked away, leaving me with a strange feeling that we didn’t fit in here, I just didn’t know why? Lin smiled and said, “thanks” And sipped on her Coke. Not much time had gone by when I noticed once again one of the Girls leaving with a chap and going out of the main room! I could see a well-dressed man eyeballing us and it was making me feel uneasy.

I think that I at that time started to get the picture? And I said to Lin, “Drink up and let’s get out of here we don’t belong in this place.” I threw back my Scotch and hit my glass on the table and said, “I’ll buy you another drink somewhere else let’s go.”

 We ran down the stairs and on to Saint Catherine Street and I started to laugh and I said, “I’m sorry we had to leave so quickly that place is a red light!”

Lin said, “I saw the red light at the top of the stairs but I didn’t think anything about it because it’s called the red lantern!” We both laughed, as we walked not sure where to go next. I said, "It's no wonder that guy kept looking at us!

He must have thought how nervy is that to bring his own lady of the night!"   

I think we had enough nightlife for a while and headed back to the hotel until we could come up with a better plan for entertainment, we didn’t come here to sit in a hotel room in Montreal. If we can take it, so can Montreal! Linda and I went out we went for a memorable evening, that turned out to be a nice chicken dinner just like they serve in our boring old hometown in boring old Ottawa!                                 

#34 “NO PEACH PRESERVES FOR US”

August 12 2005

Story told by Winston

Our neighbor Kaye phoned today and said, “They have started, Peach is being torn down!”

Linda and I met Kaye at the Dixie dairy we stood in silence for a moment as if in disbelief when you lose a friend and there is no going back.    

We stood in the warm August rain, and watched as the large digger scooped up each section of our memories at 105 Main Street a place that was more than just Chinese Restaurant; to me it meant a meeting place for our community.
And it also was somewhere we all could gather for a good time.

I remember so clearly sitting in the restaurant when a woman came in and said to Yan, “My husband Joe lost his battle with cancer, I miss him so much but I know he’s at peace now.” And like a brother Yan opened up his arms and gave that woman a comforting hug and told her how sorry he was and said, “ Mary I will miss seeing the both of you sitting in my restaurant like a young couple in love.” The woman said, “I’d like a table set for two Joe will be dining with me tonight.” Yan held her chair and said, “Joe can sit by the window just like old times.

I didn’t try to listen in on the conversation; the place was small and friendly just like being at home. I know that Joe stood beside us on Main Street today and asked,

“Where will my Mary go now?”

One of the memories that I have is spending time at Peach Garden with my brother Don,

It was on Canada day in the early nineties.

Don dropped by and asked, “Are you and Linda going to watch the fireworks at the hill?”

I answered, “We usually go along the canal, you can sit on the hill side and get a good view!”

On the way back I asked Don,

“Would you like to join us for egg rolls and fried rice at Peach?”

Don said, “That sounds like a good idea!”

In those days at Peach Garden, the owner’s name was Poy,

I remember him saying this must be your brother!

And asking Don, “Are you a movie star?”

Don said with a smile, “No I’m just a bad actor!”

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NO PEACH PRESERVES FOR US

Poy said, “Look at you your good looking and tall you should be an actor in Hollywood!”

Don asked, “Are you sure that you come from China and not Ireland? You have a silver tongue!”

We all had a good laugh, and Poy would say, “Enjoy your meal!” And move to the next table.

Poy would spend just the right amount of time at each table to show that he valued your patronage!

It was more than a Restaurant to me! It was a place to visit with loved ones away from home, for an evening out and a good place to have a meal.

I never felt rushed when Linda and I would sit for more than an hour sipping Chinese tea and talking about when we win the lottery we would come back here to celebrate because it feels like home to us.

Linda’s Mom on many of our Wedding Anniversary’s would call to say that she wants to take us out for dinner. Then with a giggle she would say, “Would you like to go to Peach Garden?” Already knowing the answer.

On one occasion this was before Jean Chrétien became Prime Minister he sat at the table across from us and Linda's Mom said,

"I wonder if he would like to go out on a date with me!" Now I know that he could hear Linda's Mom, because Jean Chrétien stopped eating his soup looked up in our direction and smiled." Those are memories that both Linda and I will cherish.

I know the page has turned and we can’t go back to those times, but it sure would be nice to have something to replace it, a place in our community where neighbors can meet and create new and lasting memories.

Even though the building has been torn down they can’t remove my memories,
that corner will always be Peach Garden to me!          

The Story Man Winston

Some of my best memories as I reflect on my childhood, were on those days when we would play for hours, trying to forget the responsibility that we had thrust upon us at an early age.

The images below are like my dreams,  

that still come back to visit and keep alive that child in me.

      

       

Lets all go and fly a kite!

On this magical day that I caught the wind and held it with a string,

and felt the tug of something wild and wonderful the joy that it did bring.

Reflections deep within the caverns of my mind,

in dreams of childhood, where I do so easily find.

A time of make-believe good friends and time for magic,

don't pass it by to fast my child for that would be so tragic.

If I were to catch the wind and hold it in my hand,

and place it to my lips with care, would I then Understand?

Why do some children have to grow up oh so very fast,

with not a chance to make their one and only childhood last.

There is a Land called Ebbanflow,

a place where grown up children go, it's not to far from Eveningtide, another land

that's deep within reflections in the caverns of my mind. 

The time for work is here to soon don't hurry up that day,

let your children play their games and pass that mystical time of life in a happy child like way.

The Story Man

Winston