The server working the McDonalds’ drive through is a bit higher than the vehicles passing through, affording them a clear view of whatever is inside a truck bed. Whom ever is responsible for picking up animals struck and killed on our roads (Forestry, Conservation, Parks?) getting coffee or lunch sometimes have a large dead animal in the back, clearly within view of the server. For most this is upsetting. Two women walking in a parking lot, going between parked pickups. Clearly on view are legs and part of a body of a dead animal in the back of one pickup. Gross and upsetting. I can hear “get over it, this is the North” but shouldn’t we be showing respect for the dead, even if it is “just” an animal? A simple tarp to cover the animal would work well, a decent, thoughtful way of moving the animal. We are thinking, feeling humans responsible to care for the living and the dead, human or animal, in a respectful manner.
My oldest son was about four; we lived in a northern Ontario construction camp. Pretty primitive. Someone had shot a moose, hanging it upside down. My son walked over, looked right into the moose’s eye, turned to me, said “There’s no one in there”. Even at four he recognized that the animal’s spirit was gone, wanted to know where, and was sad. I told him heaven, a safe place.
Concerned about the weather? I spent 90 long minutes on the phone with someone who was helping me set up a new printer. Upgraded to Windows 7, it wouldn’t speak to my printer, scanner or read any documents, forcing me to upgrade all my other stuff. While I crawled around under my desk hooking up wires, dragging myself upright I discovered this fellow had a really nice laugh. Guess my huffing, puffing, cussing sounded funny to him. Waiting for programmed changes to happen I asked him where he was: India. What was the weather like? He said it had been really cold a week or so ago at 15F but that soon, in March, it would be summer. Looking outside my window at the mounds of snow and -10C I kind of wished for a day or two in India.
Hear Patrick Simpson, Executive Director of SAFERhome Society speak on how to incorporate new, innovative building standards while renovating or building a new home that can result in homes that look better, work better and are worth more. February 28 at the Smithers Chamber monthly lunch: noon to 1 p.m., reservations made by calling 250-847-5072. Public presentations at NWCC, Smithers Campus from 4:30 p.m. To 6:30 p.m. and at the Smithers regular town council meeting in Council Chambers at 7:30 p.m.. Hosted by the Measuring up the North Committee, everyone iswelcome.
Interested in learning to play duplicate bridge, lessons will be offered starting mid March. Information found by calling Jane at 847-3738, or Jeannette at 846-9126.
Closing with: Let me listen to me and not to them. Gertrude Stein.
Lorraine Doiron writes the weekly View from the Porch.
