A February Celebration of Great Hearts

What a winter this has been so far – or perhaps I just notice the snow and cold more than I used to? I certainly step more carefully now, and the slightest hint of ice on the driveway has me out like a whirling dervish, scattering salt like birdseed. In any case, the winter has already been too long for me and it is only the beginning of February. Temperatures of -18 in the morning remind me of Saskatoon, so I stare at my outdoor thermometer, willing the red line to rise above zero. Sometimes it works! I would be even more grumbly if it were not for all the letters and emails we get here at the CHOICE. The jokes are great, even those we can’t use!  Keep sending in recipes as well, please. Share your favorites but do try to keep them designed for small servings, 2-4 at most. (except for deserts!) We could really use some good ones for 2 servings. Those are the most requested. Great poetry is coming in as well, so keep writing! Again, we got some really good ones that were just too long to print. We may try to get them up on our website, where we have more space.                                                   A few writers have asked us to run another limerick contest, and we may just do that. Judging from the samples that you have mailed in, there is no shortage of good ideas for topics. Some of our readers really do have a wicked sense of humor! The entries from the last contest can be found on our website: www.seniorschoice.com under the heading of  ‘serendipity’.  When I reviewed them the other day I found I had forgotten how good they were! Several of you have written in to ask if we could offer a ‘seniors meeting seniors’ column that would just use box numbers for identification.  This would allow folks to contact others for company and outings, but still feel secure. We could do this if enough people were interested. We would need at least 6-8 contacts to start so if you are one who would like us to try this idea please write in with your particulars and a box number. If we get enough interest we’ll give it a go.    February, of course, is heart month and we have some heart-warming stories to share with you in this issue. As always, our writers have tracked down interesting neighbours whom we all enjoy getting to know. Through the months and years of featuring these personal stories of people from all backgrounds and all walks of life, one common theme stands out. All these folks, regardless of personal circumstances and challenges, are reaching out to their communities and sharing their skills and their stories. They all have great hearts! Valentines Day is coming and that is always a good excuse to reach out to a friend or neighbour who may be feeling a bit neglected or isolated by the weather. It is a good time to make a phone call to an old friend or to share a cup of tea with a new friend and make two hearts healthier.   February 1st also sees the start of the 48th annual Vernon Winter Carnival and the theme this year is ‘Carnival in the Sky’ which sounds like great fun. Throughout the valley events like this would not be possible without the great hearts of those who volunteer. Summer festivals, Winter fests, Octoberfests, Centennial celebrations, fall fairs, etc. all stand or fall on the shoulders of these people, and our area seems to be blessed with so many of them!   Those of us at the CHOICE have had to say goodbye to one great heart this winter.  A ‘writer for all seasons’, Rudy Loeser, passed away during the holiday season, and will be much missed. In the time that we knew him his enthusiasms were for his beloved sailboat, his music, his poetry and his friends. We challenged each other with limericks, just for fun, and one I wrote for him caught a hint of his enthusiasm for life and letters: “There was a brave sailor of note Who was paid for the prose that he wrote. But when he had time He wrote pages of rhyme To quote when afloat on his boat.” There will be no more sailings and no more poetry but we wish him a peaceful journey to a safe harbor. To all the readers of the CHOICE, may you have a heart-warming month of February.  Join in the joyful celebrations welcoming in the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rat, get those walking poles out of the cupboard, and share some chocolate with a good friend.

 

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