It seems almost impossible that summer is winding down already. When we think back to the start of the season, there was so much rain and flooding that we all wondered if we were even going to have a summer, and now it's time for the kids to go back to school. Yes, the Superslides are closed, the Red Barn is about done, and a few autumn colours have appeared on the tree outside our bedroom window. I even had to stop a few days ago and put the roof back up on the convertible on my way to the office at 8:30 a.m., it was actually a wee bit chilly! Soon, summer 2011 will only be a memory. Ah yes, I can almost hear the song... "Mem'ries, light the corners of my mind..."
Okay, I can't resist it, let's stir those memories one more time. As I look back on the summer, it is with a very unique viewpoint. I had never been a reporter before, and this occupation has forced me to attend some events I would not have normally gone to. The big example is the Pro Rodeo at Kennedy. You see, unlike the late John Denver, I cannot thank God I'm a country boy. I was brought up in towns and the closest I'd been to a cow in those days was eating a steak!
I remember last year when my wife and daughter were going to the rodeo. They asked if I was coming and I think I said it "was too rural" or something like that. Well, this year I had no choice, it was my job to be there. But you know what? I absolutely loved it. It was an incredibly exciting visual experience, and I was amazed at the skills on display in the arena. Best of all, I loved getting some really good photographs with the big zoom lens of my camera. I can honestly say it was a highlight of the season, and I will go again next year, if possible.
I also liked the Carlyle fly-in. Well, I am a little biased in that one. I've been an aviation nut all my life and have logged well over sixty hours of pilot training, many of those hours on my own as "pilot in command." But it was just great to see so many people out to that event. Flying is a fun experience, and the world of aviation is worth exploring. There's something really exciting about watching an aircraft rise into the air, listening to the roar of the engine.
Cannington Manor's open day was a different experience again. It was like going back in time to a quieter and gentler period. It was relaxing to ride in the horse-drawn wagon, to listen to good music, and even to watch the young people trying their hand at cricket. I found myself wondering what life had been like for those pioneers, and as an immigrant from "the old country" myself, I could relate to the shock that their first winter must have been. Yes, it was another great event to attend.
And there were so many other events too, not just those I covered for this paper, but also the additional ones for the Kipling Citizen. The numerous village fairs, sports days, flower shows and community events have not blurred into insignificance, instead they are a collage of vivid memories, of good people and good times. In all, Saskatchewan is a pretty neat place to spend summer in.
My only regret of the summer is that I was so busy doing reporting, that I spent a lot less time with my family than I usually do. Having said that, I am glad that my daughter did get to some of the events with me, it was cool to have some "Dad and Daughter" times, and I cannot forget the funky hat she bought at the Kennedy Rodeo. She also made sure I got the spelling of people's names right, thank you for your help Serena.
So what will your memories of summer be? I hope they are good ones. Of course we all could list bad ones too, but I deliberately avoided that in the preceding paragraphs. Summer is traditionally a joyous time, a time when the sun shines into our very soul and makes us glad to be alive, and that's what we should remember.
So later this year, as winter descends again upon our pleasant prairie vistas, may I recommend that we all pull out those digital pictures and videos, and remember the warmth of the long summer days, the laughter at the lake, the sounds of music on the breeze, and the excitement of the summer of 2011. When it really comes down to it, it was a pretty good one after all!
