As I write this, at the end of November, with Winter here on our doorstep, I am reminded of those who have little due to any number of reasons.

Certainly some should never have come to this glorious Province of ours, with the promise of plenty of work and a lack of living spaces. BUT come they did, and they found plenty of work BUT nowhere to live did hinder their progress. I know that this is the season of giving in any number of Religions, each celebrating something, so be aware of those folk, and do what you can.

I have read that the average Calgarian will spend between $700 and $1000 each this Christmas. That amount is more than I get in a month. I am not begging, I just ask that you put things in perspective and give a little something to those who have looked after you during the past year. The bus driver perhaps who waited for you many a time as you ran late for the bus. The mailman who did get your mail through each day “come hell or high water,” your secretary / receptionist who looked after your messages and appointments etc.

Need I say more, except Seasons Greetings to those not of The Christian Faith, and Merry Christmas to One and All, to those who are.

To International Seasons Greetings

Merry Christmas from your Editors
Peter and Peter

Are you interested in participating in a variety of social, educational and recreational activities? i.e. movies, dinners, concerts, plays, lectures, museums, walks, etc.This member would like to organize events on a regular basis and is trying to determine the level of interest within the group.If you are interested in getting together to develop some friendships and have some fun, contact Me, Your Humble Editor and I will pass the names to the member.

Peter Walker: peterwalker@shaw.ca.

“Self-respect cannot be hunted. It cannot be purchased. It is never for sale. It cannot be fabricated out of public relations. It comes to us when we are alone, in quiet moments, in quiet places, when we suddenly realize that, knowing the good, we have done it; knowing the beautiful we, have served it; knowing the truth, we have spoken it.

Alfred Whitney Griswold,
President, Yale University

To take your minds away from the gloom of Winter, here are two pictures from opposite ends of the Country, Quebec City and Tofino, that were taken by Patricia.

Jim’s version of the 21st Century Christmas Cake.

(It works and is edible)

This is "no joke"

READ THE INGREDIENTS AND STUFF FIRST AND THEN LOOK AT THE PHOTO…

TRUST ME…

DON’T LOOK AT THE PHOTO FIRST, BUT LAST…

This is for all you cooks out there looking for something a little different………

WANT TO HAVE FUN AT A PARTY? PREPARE THIS RECIPE! COMPLETELY EDIBLE, BUT YOUR FRIENDS MAY NOT THINK SO!

On a recent visit to our veterinarian to get shots for our cat I found this recipe on the waiting room bulletin board. After recovering from hysterical laughter, I obtained a copy from the office staff so my wife could make it, which she refused to do. I took it to work and gave the recipe to a lady at work who loves cats. The pictures below show the results of her work. It doesn’t look very nice, but it’s actually quite tasty, so I decided to pass it along.

CAKE INGREDIENTS:

1 box spice or German chocolate cake mix

1 box of white cake mix

1 package white sandwich cookies

1 large package vanilla instant pudding mix

A few drops green food coloring

12 small Tootsie Rolls or equivalent

SERVING "DISHES AND UTENSILS"

1 NEW cat-litter box

1 NEW cat-litter box liner

1 NEW pooper scooper

1) Prepare and bake cake mixes, according to directions, in any size pan. Prepare pudding and chill. Crumble cookies in small batches in blender or food processor. Add a few drops of green food coloring to 1 cup of cookie crumbs. Mix with a fork or shake in a jar. Set aside.

2) When cakes are at room temperature, crumble them into a large bowl. Toss with half of the remaining cookie crumbs and enough pudding to make the mixture moist but not soggy. Place liner in litter box and pour in mixture.

3) Unwrap 3 Tootsie Rolls and heat in a microwave until soft and pliable. Shape the blunt ends into slightly curved points. Repeat with three more rolls. Bury the rolls decoratively in the cake mixture. Sprinkle remaining white cookie crumbs over the mixture, then scatter green crumbs lightly over top.

4) Heat 5 more Tootsie Rolls until almost melted. Scrape them on top of the cake and sprinkle with crumbs from the "litter box". Heat the remaining Tootsie Roll until pliable and hang it over the edge of the box. Place box on a sheet of newspaper and serve with scooper. Enjoy!

ANY OF YOU WHO HAVE A HALLOWEEN PARTY TO GO TO, THINK ABOUT THIS CAKE.I KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY MADE IT AND TOOK IT TO WORK. (THEY HAD A GREAT TIME!!)

If there were ever a time to dare,
to make a difference,
to embark on something worth doing,
it is now.
Not for any grand cause, necessarily—
but for something that tugs at your heart,
something that’s your aspiration,
something that’s your dream.

You owe it to yourself to make your days here count.
Have fun.
Dig deep.
Stretch.

Dream big.

Know, though, that things worth doing seldom come easy.
There will be good days.
And there will be bad days.
There will be times when you want to turn around, pack it up, and call it quits.
Those times tell you that you are pushing yourself, that you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persist.

Because with an idea,
determination, and the right tools,
you can do great things.
Let your instincts,
your intellect,
and your heart guide you.

Trust.

Believe in the incredible power of the human mind.
Of doing something that makes a difference.
Of working hard.
Of laughing and hoping.
Of lazy afternoons.
Of lasting friends.
Of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new brings the hope of something great.
Anything is possible.
There is only one you.
And you will pass this way only once.

Do it right.
—-
Author Unknown = provided by Patricia