wildone

Ed Asner passed away today at a young age of 91 I vaguely remember him in the Mary Tyler Moore Show and Lou Grant. My parents were more into the shows, but I always remember his as a grumpy old guy I happened to be watching Corbra Kai today and saw Ed as Sid, John Lawrence's son of a bitch step father. Then, later while reading the news I saw this article: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ed-asner-star-mary-tyler-173203364.html Rest in Peace, Ed. You will be missed.

So it is nearly midnight in my time zone and I'm hungry The thing is I'm trying to lose weight and carbs are my enemy. Don't ask me what a calorie is, but I can tell you about carbs since you should be counting them with certain types of diabetes. But the thing is, what snacking food is there that has little to no carbs? Most snack food are full of the nasty little things Popcorn, chips, crackers, cookies, even a lot of drinks have a lot of carbs. No suggestions of coffee or tea black please! I don't touch them no matter what is in them. What snack foods do you have that might pique my curiosity? Like I could have 1 cup of popcorn and it would barely be any carbs, but seriously who can only eat one cup of popcorn? Make your suggestions to me, please, pretty please. Or am I just better to just skip it all together 😢 Enough about my snaking habits and why don't we digest what happened here at the GA blog this week. Well, it might have been on a diet as well On Monday, Renee decided to turn the Featured Story blog over to you! She solicited everyone to recommend their favourite story (or five ) and we kept getting them in all week. Make sure you check them out, might find your new favourite! Then our second feature of the week was another round of Wayne's Prompts: Melee, Celebrity, Quid Pro Quo, Sub rosa, Billingsgate, Sibyl, Delectable Anthologies 2021 Anthology #2 Top Theme 1 - A Winding Path - October 31st, 2021 2021 Anthology #2 Top Theme 2- An Unconventional Gift - October 31st, 2021 2021 Anthology #2 Pot Luck Themes - October 31st, 2021 Anthology 101 - In the Anthology Forum. Everything you need to know about GA Anthologies Ask an Author Ask an Author 3.0 - Submit a story you like and 3 questions you would like to ask the author about. Send them to @astone2292 or @Renee Stevens **Please submit so Aaron can have a bank of stories and questions** Blog Opportunities Guess the Author: Open to all GA authors. PM @Renee Stevensor @wildone to participate Story Review: Send it in to @Renee Stevens or @Timothy M. Now, let's look at new stories and chapters posted this week! Premium Updates: On Fire by Cia *Premium* Classic Updates: Bloom by Dabeagle Stuff People Do by Ronyx The Brilliant Boy Billionaire by Altimexis Signature Updates: Ancalagon by Cia Disasters, Delights and Other Detours by Parker Owens Gap Year by Mark Arbour Larkspur: A Sidewinder Tale by Headstall On Fire by Cia The Best Year by Krista The Great Mirror of Same-Sex Love - Poetry by AC Benus The Great Mirror of Same-Sex Love - Prose by AC Benus Promising Updates: Tales from the Refuge by Wayne Gray The Reluctant Consort by lilansui **Complete** Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (and Recommend with a share to the forum topic!)

I want to give a shout out to @Krista, our latest new member of the Million Word Club I know the amount of work from her early works to where she now is, is a great journey. Be proud of yourself Now when you get the next million done, we'll talk retirement

Good Day All Apologies for last weeks miss on getting up a couple more of your favorite prompts from our guru, Wayne. Two weeks ago we had featured @Valkyrie's prompts. Next up, we have featured them recently, but @Ivor Slipper took advantage and wrote a piece using Prompt 892. And for you prompt enjoyment, we have added in Prompt 893 as well. @astone2292 also did a response as well! Prompt 892 - Creative Tag - List of Words Use the following words in a story - a storm, a broken fence, a scared dog, a flash light, and an old typewriter. Prompt 893 - Creative Tag - Viral Video Most people who make it big on Tik Tok or YouTube work hard to become viral. Unfortunately your video went viral for all the wrong reasons with two and a half million views. What is your video about? Last but not least, we are starting to run low on the favourite prompts. If you have any more that tickled your fancy, let us know. If you are shy, don't hesitate to PM either Renee Stevens or Wildone and we will git to it

I think I'm gonna go with 4 stories, can I do that First one that I really loved was Circumnavigation by @C James. This story isn't a weekend read and is one of the longest stories here on GA. CJ's description and details make you feel like Trevor is your younger brother or someone you know and proud of. His reactions and his ingenuity to keep going after experiencing obstacle after obstacle at different places around the world shows his determination and lets be honest, balls the size of cantaloupes Many have read it multiple times, I've read it thrice and look forward to the reading it a fourth time. I mean, up to the last chapter where it is still hell is raining down on him, literally, and yet he continues on. Next, a story from a beloved Author that I had the chance to meet in person, Mrs. Viv . From Beyond Those Eyes reached out to me in ways I never expected a story to do so. Be forewarned, if you don't like teen angst, then maybe move along. The thing is, I think most of us can relate to the way Viv presents the teen angst and the reward at the end. You don't have to be gay, bi, or anything else to relate to her character(s). Well with this next one, I'm beginning to think I like the teen angst stories. I guess I had so much I like reliving the horrors and the end of the world thinking when it comes to love, acceptance and being honest with yourself and those close to you. @Krista gave us Standing in Shadows and it is one of my top reads, even though I may or may not have had a sneak peak at it beforehand This story we follow Corey as his life gets turned upside down. A father that can't see him as more than bringing him a football championship, a mom struggling to make a small country store survive, and guys making him think like he never had before. Throw in a bully and the bully's best friend, and you have an interesting dynamic that makes for a great story! The final one, Living in Surreality by @shadowgod was one of my favourite's when I first joined the site. I had the pleasure of meeting him when I met Mrs. Viv. I think him and Viv's husband came along to make sure I wasn't a crazed Canadian that would try to kidnap her and bring her back to Canada This story finds Val and Matt with a predetermined future laid out for them both. But then Jacob shows up and rocks both Matt's, but Val's world maybe the future isn't as well planned out anymore. The next door kids who have two completely separate types of parents, yet are friends, both believe that they both will be married and settled down with 2.25 kids as soon as HS is out. Then we have the intriguing Jacob move in across the street. Both Val and Matt are taken aback on how much they like him, and want him. Can Jacob manage to juggle both of them as well as his own life to ensure that they can all remain friends? Oh what the heck. This 5th story brought me to read and like @Valkyrie. Don't tell her I said that as it will go to her head . I believe that Penguin was one of her first serials her at GA and started with one of Wayne's prompts, I think. It isn't a long story, but it is a story that mixes guys, and cats! Yes, a cat. Sean, Daniel and Penguin are you main characters, guess which one is the cat . I have read tons of stories where a dog has led two people to meet and fall in love, but never a cat. Follow these two young men and their growing relationship. I'll be honest, I'm not a cat person but this story will warm your heart if you are or are not. There is a few more stories still publishing so I will wait for them to finish before I help my accolades upon both of them Okay, I definitely blew my limit I also think the review team has reviewed most of these stories so if you want to check them out, make sure you pop by the Review Team's Featured Story Blog. Lot's and lots of great stories to tickle everyone's fancy.

Thank you Renee With your help we were able to be prepared for an amazing celebration of life for my Dad ♥️

Shhhhhh Myr We had to pinky swear that the hot tub would not be discussed. BTW, it is a little inconvenient for me to get to New York to get in a good soak

I still sleep with one eye open

This story for a lack of a better word, was enlightening While very entertaining and no dull spots, it is also very educational to the way of living your life to the belief of Buddhism. Great job LBTW! I'm sorry I didn't find this story sooner!!!

I don't think I read this one either, although I thought I had read all of LBTW's works, but surprise I didn't. I wonder if his pen name is an actual reflection on his knowledge and understanding of Buddhism. Like otherwise, I found this very informative and also an introduction that for most my life I thought of as a religion. I guess when you think monks in North America, you think religion. One line in the story had me laughing and still has me laughing Maybe not appropriate but still, it is funny I highly recommend this read for everyone!

And I'm sure you, @Valkyrie provide tons of dyspepsia to @Zombie

Oh, this was one of my favourite chapters of the story ❤️ But I'm still upset that you made me cry happy tears at the end

How about now @Valkyrie?

Hey all, have you ever used the expression I'll be back in jiffy, or hold on for a jiffy? If you have, you are a bold faced liar . How dare you . So I was going through a page of absolutely useless trivia and some are interesting. It turns out that a jiffy is an actual measurement of time, based on the amount of time it takes light to travel one centimeter in a vacuum That is a trillioneth of a second!! This was defined by Gilbert Newton Lewis in the 18/19th century. Now why am I telling you this? Well if you want to write a story and the one character is a fast shooter, you could say, "He only took a jiffy." If you are a survivor of this condition, please don't take offense to the reference . Okay, maybe don't use the reference So what happened this week? Well I'll tell you what happened this week if you read on. Monday, Renee turned the blog over to our Review Team to run a review that they did not too long ago. But in honour of Wayne they ran it again Thursday was time for another reminder of the upcoming Anthology Themes and due dates. Also, Renee when back to one of the greatest of all time Anthologies to be revisited . As a side note, does anyone see these blogs for the Anthology? Friday was a return to the favourite prompts that Wayne had posted over the years. @Valkyrie shared her favourite this week: Well, I had Myr's Words of the Day all typed out and linked, but they all seem to be gone I must have pasted something over them . Well here I go again! Eternize, Allusion, Obtuse, Metronome, Diaphanous, Debouch, Coquetry Shall we see how we are doing half way though the month of August on our goals? Anthologies 2021 Anthology #2 Top Theme 1 - A Winding Path - October 31st, 2021 2021 Anthology #2 Top Theme 2- An Unconventional Gift - October 31st, 2021 2021 Anthology #2 Pot Luck Themes - October 31st, 2021 Anthology 101 - In the Anthology Forum. Everything you need to know about GA Anthologies Ask an Author Ask an Author 3.0 - Submit a story you like and 3 questions you would like to ask the author about. Send them to @astone2292 or @Renee Stevens **Please submit so Aaron can have a bank of stories and questions** Blog Opportunities Guess the Author: Open to all GA authors. PM @Renee Stevensor @wildone to participate Story Review: Send it in to @Renee Stevens or @Timothy M. ** I know we had a volunteer step up for the upcoming week review, but if there is anyone willing to help our Review Team out over the summer, it would be much appreciated!! ** Premium Updates: On Fire by Cia *Premium* Classic Updates: Bloom by Dabeagle Stuff People Do by Ronyx The Brilliant Boy Billionaire by Altimexis Signature Updates: Ancalagon by Cia Disasters, Delights and Other Detours by Parker Owens Gap Year by Mark Arbour Larkspur: A Sidewinder Tale by Headstall Northern Exposure by Mark Arbour; Book 8 of Bridgemont The Great Mirror of Same-Sex Love - Prose by AC Benus Waiting Outside The Lines by Comicality Promising Updates: Lemonade and Kisses Promising Forever by lilansui **Complete** Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (and Recommend with a share to the forum topic!)

Hey Talonrider Believe it or not, after 20 years of kicking and screaming that I was never going on the pump, in February I took my last needle in 48 years! Up here in Canada, a lot of the provinces have weighed out the cost of a insulin pump compared to the cost of decreasing health, and support and care over the years of having diabetes (since we have universal healthcare). So in my province, there is two pumps offered and all your supplies including any test strips are entirely covered by the provincial pump program. The only thing I need to buy is the CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) and my Insulin, Humalog as well. After reviewing the two available pumps, the Omnipod, and the Medtonic, I went with the Medtronic. It has from what I read, the best AutoMode program where you are now experiencing something like it with the Tandems version in conjunction with the Dexcom G6 CGM. I'll be 100% honest, the Medtronic CGM's need to be scraped and go back to the drawing table, or, make a software version update that the meter so it will work with the Dexcom G6. One friend up here actually bought a Tandem pump and is letting the AutoMode make his adjustments for him with the G6 CGM. So I've taken some advice from you over the years, and let me know hopefully offer you some AutoMode is the greatest thing. Up here, we use the international, mmol/L. So a good BG is between 4 and 8. Luckily when we started measuring BG up here about 40 years ago with test strips but no meters to read them, we were on the American and German and a few other countries measurements, which use the mg/dL. I still cringe when I hear someone saying they maintain around 120 . To us, that would only be 6.7 . You are very high and should get to the hospital ASAP at 120 So back to AutoMode, at first I was not totally onboard with a computer, as in the meter, deciding my diabetes management. After 48 years of doing not too bad myself, I wasn't about to trust some computer. Do I sound like my father ? I do remember the first week of AutoMode, it was a nightmare. Much like you described. With Medtronic the first week I think, might be two, AutoMode is learning all your patterns and such. For example, when on manual, I have six different parameters for when in the day I need to have certain amount of basal insulin and then what amount of bolus insulin to carb ratio for when I eat. Over that week it is a nightmare checking your blood manually (I cheated and used a leftover Libre flash glucose monitor). The first week actually on the AutoMode was a bit hectic with all the alarms and getting waken up and such. I totally know what you mean in that it tells you are too low, and then you eat and an hour later you are being waken up because you are too high All I can say is that it does get better as the computer learns your body's patterns. After the first couple of weeks things took a huge swing for the better. Most weeks I'm 90-95% in target every day of the week! This has reflected in my A1C's and also some other testing and health effects too! From what my friend on the actual Tandem pump has said, it's AutoMode is comparable to the Medtronic. The bonus is the Tandem works with the G6 and no finger pricks! Like I said, I do not like the Medtronic CGM and think it is outdated and poorly designed. Also needing to do a minimum of 2-3 finger pricks a day pisses me off when the technology is out there not to with the G6 or the Libre. One thing that has happened recently is we have all got the new Medtronic 770G pumps, which they can download updates or even new software to the pump via wifi. I really, really, really hope they just say, okay it will be too expensive to redesign our CGM to get it out of the 90's and lets scrap making CGM's and work out a deal with Dexcom to utilize the G6. One last thing, if the program is like the Medtronic, the pump learns your patterns and does not use 'user entered' values. So you don't decide the basal, you don't decide the bolus either. With the Medtronic, if you miss a test for a long period of time, or you have taken too much or too little basal insulin, it requires a finger prick and if not, it kicks you out of AutoMode and back to manual mode. Manual mode is where the user defined entries are defaulted too. One advantage I've heard of the Tandem is that it doesn't kick you out of AutoMode like the Medtronic does. I know you wrote this blog a few months ago, so curious if things have leveled out for you now, or are you still going crazy Hope it is the former

So last week we had a look back at @Valkyrie's, @Mikiesboy's, original prompt replies! Then we actually had a brand new one from @Mawgrim Make sure you check them out!! Now for this week, we will look to Valkyrie for a one suggestion and another in case you want to try something else. First is 310 and the second is 311. See, I can count Prompt 310 – Creative Tag – List of Words Use the following words in a story – tent, a running river, a wolf, a lighter, and a bowl of cereal. Prompt 311 – Creative Tag – Parade You woke up this morning only to hear someone pounding on your front door a moment later. Throwing on a robe you open the door to find your best friend standing there looking at you. “I thought you would be dressed by now. We are going to be late to the parade!” What parade are you supposed to be going to and what happens?

Why thank you for the shout out Renee I really enjoyed the final story with not forgetting all the help of @Valkyrie and @Parker Owens!

As you give us more information about Don, I can’t see any similarities between Robbie’s view of him and that of his mother. Im not sure if it was ever discussed on the reason Robbie was born in Canada and then mom moved them to London. Was it to get away from the bio dad, or was it to get away from her brother 😳 If it was to get away from Don, then why would she request he go live with such a horrible person I guess that brings up another question, is zzDon English by birth ?

This story made me feel happy for the future. Still a long ways to go, but they definitely brought attention around the world about their life , and to a certain extent, their struggle. https://www.outsports.com/olympics/2021/8/6/22612715/quinn-canada-trans-nonbinary-sweden-soccer-gold-olympics-tokyo-2020

I'll get to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in a second... The one thing I wanted to get off my chest was the commitment that Nathan made to not insist or ask for threesomes moving forward. I still remember the pain, the anguish, the pressure, and feelings of rejection that Robbie felt when Nathan was hell bent on having a third. Actually that was one of the main reasons I always thought Nathan was bad news for Robbie and he should never, ever give him another chance. I'm maybe more on the side of the okay it might be okay for the two to be together, but Nathan is still on the side of maybe not being the best decision for Robbie to make. But, heaven forbid I'm sounding like Don it is Robbie's life and it is so easy to sit here in my judgement chair and opine on what is best for Robbie, even though it is Robbie's decision in the end. In a way, you think of a lot of gay fiction on site, the usual is teen figures out he is gay, and parents toss him/her out and or parents are 100% behind them and join PFLAG the next day Don and Sue don't really fit this mold so a big thanks to Dodger to think outside the box. Don hasn't tossed him out, and to be honest, I don't think he suggested it ever. Nor even thinking of sending him to an all boys private school or military school that the are many in the area I believe. Maybe not the best to send your homosexual son to just an all boys school , there could be another million word story if that happened . So when Robbie's first interaction with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde near the end of the chapter, I liked how internally Robbie could describe how this was the Don that he would like to be around all the time. Even the thought of naming the boat after his mom, it seemed like Don might be a good person somewhere deep down inside of him. Unfortunately the boat and earlier jovial Don showed his true colours quiet quickly (is white a colour? I'm sure to Don it is). I wonder if the boat is even a serious consideration in Don's mind. Was it more to try to put Robbie at ease to ensure that his son isn't being tainted by a gurl of another country's ancestry (not Caucasian) and race? I think more so than not, the boat is just another ruse in Don's tool box. If he is going to buy it, I imagine it will be so that he can take Robbie and Daniel away out on the water way more than they'd like, to keep them away from the homo's and non white people in town . Also really curious what Sue's opinion of Don buying a boat will be Last thing, I would warn Robbie is to check the boat before leaving dock that there isn't a 2X6 or 2X8 lying around with the word 'plank' written on the bottom side .

Good Day everyone! Thank you to Renee for helping me out last Sunday as I had some personal issues to deal with. Much appreciated I'm short on time again, so excuse the lack of a preamble as I will get right to the wrap up. Monday, we had the CSR Feature for the month by our newest Signature Author. Give it a go, I'm in the process of doing so myself Wednesday was the return of our long time favourite feature here at GA! Aaron had an all new AAA: Thursday, Renee was back with another great look back at an Anthology past and a look at the Anthology future: Friday was a look back at some recommended Wayne's Prompts from the past: Myr was by bright and early everyday to bring us a new word of the day Sunday through Saturday: Cathexis, Inane, Declivity, Undulate, Sarcophagus, Null, Vapor (or Vapour ) Finally for this part of the wrap up, let's look how we did in the month of July: And where we are in August: Anthologies 2021 Anthology #2 Top Theme 1 - A Winding Path - October 31st, 2021 2021 Anthology #2 Top Theme 2- An Unconventional Gift - October 31st, 2021 2021 Anthology #2 Pot Luck Themes - October 31st, 2021 Anthology 101 - In the Anthology Forum. Everything you need to know about GA Anthologies Ask an Author Ask an Author 3.0 - Submit a story you like and 3 questions you would like to ask the author about. Send them to @astone2292 or @Renee Stevens **Please submit so Aaron can have a bank of stories and questions** Blog Opportunities Guess the Author: Open to all GA authors. PM @Renee Stevensor @wildone to participate Story Review: Send it in to @Renee Stevens or @Timothy M. ** I know we had a volunteer step up for the upcoming week review, but if there is anyone willing to help our Review Team out over the summer, it would be much appreciated!! ** Premium Updates: On Fire by Cia *Premium* Classic Updates: The Brilliant Boy Billionaire by Altimexis Signature Updates: Ancalagon by Cia Disasters, Delights and Other Detours by Parker Owens Gap Year by Mark Arbour Lucid Truth by Stellar The Best Year by Krista The Great Mirror of Same-Sex Love - Prose by AC Benus Promising Updates: The Cockney Canuck by Dodger Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (and Recommend with a share to the forum topic!)

Well we are in our second prompt of what prompt motivated you! This week we will take the first of @Mikiesboy's prompts and go with Prompt 447, as usual we will add 446 for you to see if you want to take either on! Prompt 446 – Creative Tag -List of Words Use the following in a story – notebook, pen, coffee, a crystal, and a broken light bulb Prompt 447 – Creative Tag – The Gift You haven’t been feeling well lately, but you still try to keep up with your normal routine. You’ve been asked to a party, and although you don’t feel well, you decide to go. The only request is that as a gift you give something homemade. What do you give as your gift? If you take one, make sure to let us know in the comments below and click on the links for the Prompt number to post a link there too!

Reading as we speak.

Saturday night at 11:05 PM, I lost my dad to a long and slow battle with dementia. He was relaxed and comfortable when he passed and luckily all 3 of his children were by his side. I thought I would take some time to tell you about my Dad. He was born in 1940 to parents that lived in military base housing. His Dad was in the military and luckily never got called overseas to fight in WW2. Luckily Dad never had to move base to base other than once. His early years were in Ottawa and then he moved to Cobourg, ON prior to his teens. He grew up there with his one older sister and four younger brothers. When he was twenty, not seeing much of a future in the small town, he joined the military himself. He was loaded onto a train where he was shipped out to Calgary, AB for basic training. He was in the infantry early on and was trained due to his accuracy, as a marksman. At one point he was also working with Olympic Athletes in biathlon. He did tours in Germany (NATO), Cyprus (UN), Germany (NATO) again (this time with mom coming over and along came me ). He also did a tour with the UN doing work between Israel and Egypt to keep the peace. The combined UN missions resulted him and all UN peacekeepers in being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988. We moved back to Calgary and spent the rest of the time there except two years in Cold Lake, AB. Being an Army guy on an Air Force base was too much for him so he retired after twenty years and we moved back to Calgary. So, that is a compact biography, but let me tell you about my Dad in my eyes. One of the earliest memories I have of my Dad is we were out for a drive to Elbow Falls in his beloved Meteor car. I remember sitting on his lap and driving the car. Well at least I remember me driving the car Dad was always there though out my childhood, especially when it came to sports. If coaches weren't available at that young age, he would always step forward to coach. Needless to say when my teens hit, I wasn't so appreciative any more. Ungrateful kids I didn't realize this at the time, but Dad always worked 2 jobs, one with the military and usually another one at a local garage as a tire buster and other odd jobs. It was all to help ensure us kids (3 of us) always were able to play sports and frankly, keep up with the Jones's. Dad was also there for me when just after the age of 4, I went to the hospital for a lengthy stay due to being diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Dad went to all the classes and listened to doctors and nurses recommendations. Mom was there too, and Dad later admitted this scared him more than anything in his life. Although it took time, Dad eventually learned and helped Mom with my daily injections. Once again, out of his comfort zone. I have fond memories of going to the Calgary Stampede with Mom and Dad and the sisters and then watching the outdoor Grandstand Show. Dad would take turns putting us up on his shoulders so we could see more on the midway. It was like a carnival ride on it's own. Dad and I had some issues in my teens, teen angst and all that . At times we would get in huge arguments about the dumbest of things looking back. I remember one such argument that happened when I was seventeen. After the heated argument at the dinner table Dad stood up suddenly, I thought he was going to hit me, he had never struck me in anger in my life, and to prevent the perceived threat I was able to wrestle his arms to his side and push him back to his seat. Why do I tell you this? It was a monumental moment of my teen years that he realized I was stronger than him, and it was awaking to me that I now had the advantage over him. After that day I never used or mentioned this change in our lives as I probably realized that Dad's age was getting older, and I was getting stronger. I gained more respect for him that day, which is strange to say. I lived at home for the beginning of University and Dad who had shall we say strong conservative values, always thought that the universities were full of left leaning staff that sole purpose was to change everyone's thinking to the extreme left . We did have some interesting shall we say debates, as I learned history that may have contradicted what he taught me Dad lost his long time job after he refused to learn anything about computers, and the place he worked were updating their tills and all the paperwork and work orders/invoices to electronic entry and storage. Dad never learned how to type and it was intimidating to him as I'm sure it was to many in his age group and too daunting of a change. He went out within a couple of days and got another job. This was another thing that rubbed off on me. If you were able to work you went out and worked. Now he doesn't remember anything to do with the pandemic, but I'm sure he would understand the dangers of working at the time and admit it wasn't an absolute rule. After a few different jobs, he was at the age of thinking of retiring. He was able to and then mom and him moved to Kelowna, BC. I always enjoyed going to BC to visit with Mom and Dad and did it five or six times every year. Also pop up to Calgary when they would visit. We usually had weekly talks once a week by phone. Way to soon, we lost our mom and his wife of 41 1/2 years due to ovarian cancer. I learned that for the year that mom was fighting, dad was in immense pain and neglecting his own health to be there for Mom. This was another major turning point in our lives. Soon after, Dad had to rewrite his will and named me as his Executor and EPOA. Dad then relied on me more and more after this point to help him out with different situations to come up over the years. My visits to Kelowna continued, and our talks were more important to both of us. Dad, still had his faults, he grew up in a age of men looking after certain things and women other. Even to the end, he felt I should be his confidant and wouldn't always open up to my sisters . Neither sister have ever seemed to begrudge him and actually make excuses for his ways, but I always wanted us all to be equal. About four years ago, he woke up in the night and felt something was wrong. Grabbing his cellphone and calling 911, he was taken to the hospital with a major heart attack. This was maybe the first time I was really scared of losing my dad, and didn't want it to happen. He had quadruple bypass surgery and us kids, with a little less resistance than before, convinced him that he would be better back in Calgary where we all were. Getting out of the hospital, I flew him back with me and he slept six months on a day bed in my living room in my 1 bedroom condo If you are thinking other disagreements cropped up, you would be right . Finally we got him an apartment in the same building that I moved out of Mom and Dad's place thirty some years ago. He managed to live on his own but little things started popping up. Turning the wrong way down one way roads, driving for hours trying to find someplace. One of the harder conversations we had was discussing him giving up his driver's license before it was yanked from him. Yes, heated debates were had, sisters called to approach him more emotionally than my logical approach and eventually he decided to surrender it back to the government. Funny thing, the biggest reason he was resistant was that he wouldn't have ID. When we went to turn it in, at the same time we got him a government ID card and he was happy again! On a humourous note, before he gave up the car, I suggested he load up on some stuff that wouldn't go bad from the grocery store. Yesterday when we were packing up, I took the last four rolls of paper towel that he bought over 2 years ago We got dad in a community support group for seniors to remain in their homes when he moved out of my place. It was great as twice a week he had a visit with a doctor, physio sessions, games, socialization and other things that made him look forward to going to each week. Late on they provided home care to ensure he was taking his meds twice daily and in general good health. It was also there that they gave us a heads up that he was showing signs of dementia that would not suggest he live alone anymore. Dad found a seniors lodge where he had his own apartment where meals and cleaning were taken care of. He continued with the support programing. Eventually his dementia was causing other issues, and they were negative, so I will probably skip over them other than to say when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, you need to start ensuring you have lasting and good memories as you never know who long before it completely removes him/her from your lives . Usually before they pass away. He had to move in a dementia care seniors residence. Dad moved in last May, and we watched him slide downhill and tried to help over the next fourteen months to help him. With Covid, their was restrictions on who could visit, how often and so forth. This was a struggle for Dad as more and more he didn't know where he was, why we weren't coming to see him and what was going on. In May of this year, since all residents and staff had been double vaccinated, they opened up the visiting a lot and we all got to spend more time with him. Time we all enjoyed, but we still thought we would have him for a long time to come. Sadly dementia doesn't like a time line or even a guesstimate. Eleven days ago he took a turn for the worse and for his own and others safety so he had to go to the hospital. After the first night the ER docs were all of the opinion he could go back home that night. Sadly that wasn't the case. We lost dad eight days later that have had doctor's, nurses and others surprised how quickly the trip to his death was. Rest assured, with the life that Dad was living, he would never had wanted to live that way. Anything we would have done to prolong his life would have been for us kids, and not for him. Although hard to write, it was the best thing and also the right thing to do to let him go. Luckily all three kids had the same attitude. It has helped me with my own personal grieving, as I know that it was the right thing to do, and he can finally rest now in peace. 😢 Also the outpouring of support from family and friends have meant so much. Now, if you didn't read all of this, no problem This is just a way that I'm finding is helping me deal with the loss and will help me also in a small way record our history together. For those that have mothers or fathers still around, give them an extra hug from me if you can Steve