Month: April 2018

“CRASH” THE WOOD DUCK RETURNS TO SMASH MORE DISHES

WOOD DUCK RETURNS TO SMASH MORE DISHES

“Alan, I found her!”

“I searched all yesterday and couldn’t find her…where did you catch her?”

“She was wedged in between the big black flat back cupboard and the wall…I heard a faint rustle….had to move dishes and get down on hands and knees but

there she was waiting for help.”

“Second time around this year…why does she like our chimney so much?”

“Looking for an old tree trunk for a nest…”

“We saw the male out on the pond with her the other day…why is he never caught?”

“Females are nesters…males are just pesters.”

“Well, Let’s name her CRASH because she seems to love breaking dishes.”

-She got two of the beer steins and a big blue vase and glasses.”

“How can we stop her?”

“Maybe just give up and turn the house over to her for the next few weeks”

alan skeoch

Marjorie skeoch

April 2018

On Apr 20, 2018, at 10:31 PM, SKEOCH <alan.skeoch@rogers.com> wrote:

ICE STORM APRIL 16, 2018: STUCK WITH A DUCK

alan skeoch

April 17, 2018

THERE have been better days…. April 16 was a bad day. The decision to go to the farm was an error in judgment I suppose. But then again, if

I had not gone then maybe the LITTLE DUCK WOULD BE DEAD and the house would be wrecked.

5EFA4D12-6F46-4293-A5AD-ACCC39CA1854@hitronhub.home“><z+uDkX3BScSr85nxH+58+g_thumb_159f.jpg>

“Alan, are sure the road is OK?”

“Well Woody, I think we have a problem. Snow with a crust of ice on top that is thick enough

for us to walk on. Too thick, Woody, Can we get the truck n there. Two wheel drive but still

have the snow tires.”

“Take a chance, Alan…turn in fast…cut a trail through the crust.”

“Not going to make it, Woody…we are stuck…spinning tires…snow and ice up under the truck.”

“What to do? Call Andrew, he might be somewhere nearby.”

“Good idea. Ring Ring ring…,”Andy, Woody and I are in a bit of trouble….got the truck

stuck in the lane…ice storm is bad…Can you come up ro help?”

9A3F8BDE-7426-4874-B5D7-8345881F03B0@hitronhub.home“><UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_15a1.jpg>

“Give me an hour or so…take Woody into the house and I’ll get you out. You should have known better than to try

to ride on top of the ice….regular thing with you.”

“Not all my fault…Woody said to take a run at it.”

“Fine advisor, Dad…see you in an hour.”

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“And it’s getting dark…sleet and ice coming down now. Road is as slick as a salesman’s blather, Woody. LOOK AT the old barn…belonged to

J..S. Woodsworth years ago. Really bleak looking today.”

“Stop talking. Open the door…neighbour phoned Marjorie to say the power has been off all week end. I Just hope

the propane is firing away….”

“Quite pretty, isn’t it Woody…the ice coating everything.”

E161C33F-AA87-4A83-944C-6CB278970570@hitronhub.home“><2oijBupjToKv0RmtQDRqDA_thumb_15ad.jpg>

“Look at the bird house, Alan…loaded with ice.”

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“Open the door…my feet are frozen, Alan.”

“There…we are now about to get warm….OH NO! WE HAVE HAD A BREAK IN!! BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER.”

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“WHY WOULD a robber break all this glass?”

“Not a robber, Alan, I hear something moving in the bathroom…maybe a raccoon…or coyote….”

“Quiet , Woody, I Hear it too…close the doors…I’ll get a towel.”

3DE6B967-EBC8-45FF-A185-B88A7A7FE396@hitronhub.home“><UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1476.jpg>

“It’s a DUCK, Alan…must have come down the chimney in the ice storm…thought it was a hollow log.”

“Woody, I am going too catch her if I can. Hope her wings are not broken…There she is…FLOP FLOP…Got her covered.”

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“She seems to be glad we came along Woody.”

“Real heroes!”

“Set her down on the verandah…see if she is going to be OK”

F85703B5-28E3-4F2D-805D-9B1734A9262F@hitronhub.home“><UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1591.jpg>

“What kind of duck is she?”

“Smaller than a Mallard…look at that odd crest on the back of herded….like a Merganzer maybe…small duck…maybe a Wood duck…Damn, Damn,

Damn…she looks like the same dick we had last year.”

“Likes smashing glasses and dishes…entertainment until her mate arrives.”

“There she goes…flying…not staying around to help clean up.”

“Check the window…see if Andy is here yet.”

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Bleak out there, Alan, I am going to curl up on my bed while you clean up the glass.”

“Wish Marjorie was here…”

“Why?”

“She would do the clean up better than me.”

“Andy is here, Alan.”

“Good…I bet he give me another lecture. “

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“Get in your truck, Dad, and put it in reverse…gently…my truck is on solid ice…need all the help we can get.”

“Glad to see you, Andy.”

“Never a dull moment, Dad…you seem to find pickles even in winer time. How is that torn Achilles tendon doing?.”

“Just fine…”

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“Great…we are now out, Woody…road is sheer ice though…can’t fool around.”

“Did you tell Andy about the duck, Alan?”

“Not yet…I am going send him a picture…sort of a thank you.”

D69AAD59-35E3-43CA-8562-9A96DF8BF958@hitronhub.home“><UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_147e.jpg>

“Where are you going, Andy…on foot?”

“Now I have to get my truck in here with the trailer…”

“Need help?”

“No!”

“I left a duck to give you a hand Andy”

“A what?”

“A LITTLE BROWN FEMALE DUCK…”

B3B7300C-E2F9-4B4E-8EE9-B6201C876A21@hitronhub.home“><NvnhwLHrTnGy7ARIapuvng_thumb_15aa.jpg>

“Sometimes I think my dad is nuts….Did he say Duck or something else?”

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April 29, 2018
TREADMILL WITH ANDREW AND MARJORIE AT CNE

IN MEMORY OF DAISY…”YOU GOOD DOG, YOU!”

WE TRAINED our dog Daisy to run this treadmill which in turn made the grain cleaner work…fanning mill. Daisy loved doing the work

for no reward. she would just hop on the machine and get everything moving. In this case we had her down at

the CNE where she was a big hit. Earlier Daisy did the work at a farm show near Milton which got me in a bit of trouble…see dialogue.

“OK, Daisy hop on…I’ll release the brake.”

“the poor dog!” Exclaimed one woman at the show.

“She loves doing the work.”

“How do you know that, young man!”

“Look at her…”

“How long will she have to turn the machine?”

“I let her work until she drops.”

“You do that…the nerve…terrible…then what do you do?”

“I go down to the SPCA and get another dog.”

Now that was a stupid thing to say. Little wonder that some people

think I’m a fool. The woman took off fast and

I expected a visit from animal cruelty people but no one ever came.

Daisy continued her demonstrations for a long time. Her death was

very sad. At the time I was doing CBC radio broadcasts on Radio Noon

in Toronto. The broadcast about the death of Daisy was delivered to an

empty broadcast room. Everyone was crying…me included. Remember

that song about OLD BLUE?

The song comes from the Mississippi region of the USA when hunting

was a common thing and eh need for a good hunting dog was essential.

I think of Daisy every time I hear the song.

I had a dog and his name was Blue
And I betcha five dollars he’s a good dog, too
Come on, Blue
You good dog, you

I shouldered my gun and I tooted my horn
And I went to get a possum in the new ground corn
Come on, Blue
You can come too

(chorus)

Old Blue bayed, and I went to see
Blue had a possum in a ‘simmon tree
Come on, Blue
You good dog, you

That possum come out on a swinging limb
Blue barked at the possum, possum growled at him
Come on, Blue
You good dog, you

(chorus)

Blue grinned at me and I winked at him
I shook out the possum out, Blue took him in
Come on, Blue
You good dog, you

Baked that possum nice and brown
And I layed them sweet potatoes round and round
Come on, Blue
You can have some, too

(chorus)

Well, Old Blue died and he died so hard
He shook the ground in my backyard
Go on, Blue
You good dog, you

Dug his grave with a silver spade
Lowered him down with a golden chain
Go on, Blue
You good dog, you

(chorus)

When I get to heaven first thing I’ll do
Take my horn and blow for Blue
Go on, Blue
I’m comin’ too

Come on Blue, come on Blue
There’s a possum in Heaven for me and you
Go on, Blue
You good dog, you

(chorus)

April 25, 2018
KEVIN AND ANDY ON GIANT TRACTOR IN MENNONITE MUSEUM, PRAIRIES

April 22, 2018
ICE STORM APRIL 17, 2018: BAD DAY FOR ME…GOOD DAY FOR THE DUCK

OH…I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WOODY IS OUR DOG. YES, HE CAN SPEAK BUT HE ONLY DOES SO WHEN WE ARE ALONE. HE LIKES TRAVELLING WITH US…ALTHOUGH HE HAS MISGIVINGS.

> On Apr 20, 2018, at 10:31 PM, SKEOCH <alan.skeoch@rogers.com> wrote: > > ICE STORM APRIL 16, 2018: STUCK WITH A DUCK > > alan skeoch > April 17, 2018 > > THERE have been better days…. April 16 was a bad day. The decision to go to the farm was an error in judgment I suppose. But then again, if > I had not gone then maybe the LITTLE DUCK WOULD BE DEAD and the house would be wrecked. > > > > “Alan, are sure the road is OK?” > > “Well Woody, I think we have a problem. Snow with a crust of ice on top that is thick enough > for us to walk on. Too thick, Woody, Can we get the truck n there. Two wheel drive but still > have the snow tires.” > > “Take a chance, Alan…turn in fast…cut a trail through the crust.” > > “Not going to make it, Woody…we are stuck…spinning tires…snow and ice up under the truck.” > > “What to do? Call Andrew, he might be somewhere nearby.” > > “Good idea. Ring Ring ring…,”Andy, Woody and I are in a bit of trouble….got the truck > stuck in the lane…ice storm is bad…Can you come up ro help?” > > > > “Give me an hour or so…take Woody into the house and I’ll get you out. You should have known better than to try > to ride on top of the ice….regular thing with you.” > > “Not all my fault…Woody said to take a run at it.” > > “Fine advisor, Dad…see you in an hour.” > > > > > > > > > > > “And it’s getting dark…sleet and ice coming down now. Road is as slick as a salesman’s blather, Woody. LOOK AT the old barn…belonged to > J..S. Woodsworth years ago. Really bleak looking today.” > > “Stop talking. Open the door…neighbour phoned Marjorie to say the power has been off all week end. I Just hope > the propane is firing away….” > > “Quite pretty, isn’t it Woody…the ice coating everything.” > <2oijBupjToKv0RmtQDRqDA_thumb_15ad.jpg> > > “Look at the bird house, Alan…loaded with ice.” > > > > “Open the door…my feet are frozen, Alan.” > > “There…we are now about to get warm….OH NO! WE HAVE HAD A BREAK IN!! BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER.” > > > > > > > “WHY WOULD a robber break all this glass?” > > “Not a robber, Alan, I hear something moving in the bathroom…maybe a raccoon…or coyote….” > > “Quiet , Woody, I Hear it too…close the doors…I’ll get a towel.” > > > > > “It’s a DUCK, Alan…must have come down the chimney in the ice storm…thought it was a hollow log.” > > “Woody, I am going too catch her if I can. Hope her wings are not broken…There she is…FLOP FLOP…Got her covered.” > > > > “She seems to be glad we came along Woody.” > > “Real heroes!” > > “Set her down on the verandah…see if she is going to be OK” > > > > “What kind of duck is she?” > > “Smaller than a Mallard…look at that odd crest on the back of herded….like a Merganzer maybe…small duck…maybe a Wood duck…Damn, Damn, > Damn…she looks like the same dick we had last year.” > > “Likes smashing glasses and dishes…entertainment until her mate arrives.” > > “There she goes…flying…not staying around to help clean up.” > > “Check the window…see if Andy is here yet.” > > > > > Bleak out there, Alan, I am going to curl up on my bed while you clean up the glass.” > > “Wish Marjorie was here…” > > “Why?” > > “She would do the clean up better than me.” > > “Andy is here, Alan.” > > “Good…I bet he give me another lecture. ” > > > > “Get in your truck, Dad, and put it in reverse…gently…my truck is on solid ice…need all the help we can get.” > > “Glad to see you, Andy.” > > “Never a dull moment, Dad…you seem to find pickles even in winer time. How is that torn Achilles tendon doing?.” > > “Just fine…” > > > > > > > > > “Great…we are now out, Woody…road is sheer ice though…can’t fool around.” > > “Did you tell Andy about the duck, Alan?” > > “Not yet…I am going send him a picture…sort of a thank you.” > > > > > “Where are you going, Andy…on foot?” > > “Now I have to get my truck in here with the trailer…” > > “Need help?” > > “No!” > > “I left a duck to give you a hand Andy” > > “A what?” > > “A LITTLE BROWN FEMALE DUCK…” > > > > “Sometimes I think my dad is nuts….Did he say Duck or something else?” > >

April 21, 2018
ICE STORM APRIL 17, 2018: BAD DAY FOR ME…GOOD DAY FOR THE DUCK

ICE STORM APRIL 16, 2018: STUCK WITH A DUCK

alan skeoch

April 17, 2018

THERE have been better days…. April 16 was a bad day. The decision to go to the farm was an error in judgment I suppose. But then again, if

I had not gone then maybe the LITTLE DUCK WOULD BE DEAD and the house would be wrecked.

“Alan, are sure the road is OK?”

“Well Woody, I think we have a problem. Snow with a crust of ice on top that is thick enough

for us to walk on. Too thick, Woody, Can we get the truck n there. Two wheel drive but still

have the snow tires.”

“Take a chance, Alan…turn in fast…cut a trail through the crust.”

“Not going to make it, Woody…we are stuck…spinning tires…snow and ice up under the truck.”

“What to do? Call Andrew, he might be somewhere nearby.”

“Good idea. Ring Ring ring…,”Andy, Woody and I are in a bit of trouble….got the truck

stuck in the lane…ice storm is bad…Can you come up ro help?”

“Give me an hour or so…take Woody into the house and I’ll get you out. You should have known better than to try

to ride on top of the ice….regular thing with you.”

“Not all my fault…Woody said to take a run at it.”

“Fine advisor, Dad…see you in an hour.”

“And it’s getting dark…sleet and ice coming down now. Road is as slick as a salesman’s blather, Woody. LOOK AT the old barn…belonged to

J..S. Woodsworth years ago. Really bleak looking today.”

“Stop talking. Open the door…neighbour phoned Marjorie to say the power has been off all week end. I Just hope

the propane is firing away….”

“Quite pretty, isn’t it Woody…the ice coating everything.”

“Look at the bird house, Alan…loaded with ice.”

“Open the door…my feet are frozen, Alan.”

“There…we are now about to get warm….OH NO! WE HAVE HAD A BREAK IN!! BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER.”

“WHY WOULD a robber break all this glass?”

“Not a robber, Alan, I hear something moving in the bathroom…maybe a raccoon…or coyote….”

“Quiet , Woody, I Hear it too…close the doors…I’ll get a towel.”

“It’s a DUCK, Alan…must have come down the chimney in the ice storm…thought it was a hollow log.”

“Woody, I am going too catch her if I can. Hope her wings are not broken…There she is…FLOP FLOP…Got her covered.”

“She seems to be glad we came along Woody.”

“Real heroes!”

“Set her down on the verandah…see if she is going to be OK”

“What kind of duck is she?”

“Smaller than a Mallard…look at that odd crest on the back of herded….like a Merganzer maybe…small duck…maybe a Wood duck…Damn, Damn,

Damn…she looks like the same dick we had last year.”

“Likes smashing glasses and dishes…entertainment until her mate arrives.”

“There she goes…flying…not staying around to help clean up.”

“Check the window…see if Andy is here yet.”

Bleak out there, Alan, I am going to curl up on my bed while you clean up the glass.”

“Wish Marjorie was here…”

“Why?”

“She would do the clean up better than me.”

“Andy is here, Alan.”

“Good…I bet he give me another lecture. “

“Get in your truck, Dad, and put it in reverse…gently…my truck is on solid ice…need all the help we can get.”

“Glad to see you, Andy.”

“Never a dull moment, Dad…you seem to find pickles even in winer time. How is that torn Achilles tendon doing?.”

“Just fine…”

“Great…we are now out, Woody…road is sheer ice though…can’t fool around.”

“Did you tell Andy about the duck, Alan?”

“Not yet…I am going send him a picture…sort of a thank you.”

“Where are you going, Andy…on foot?”

“Now I have to get my truck in here with the trailer…”

“Need help?”

“No!”

“I left a duck to give you a hand Andy”

“A what?”

“A LITTLE BROWN FEMALE DUCK…”

“Sometimes I think my dad is nuts….Did he say Duck or something else?”

April 20, 2018