Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Friday, September 29, 2023

The Texting Test

I’ve had a few now in my life,
Some are happy. Some cause strife,
Most are merely info passed,
With something someone wants broadcast,
A quick, efficient way to snoop,
By asking questions in your group,
I’m sure you’ve guessed by now, my friends
I’m talking ‘bout the texts we send…
My son-in-law first showed me how,
Soon chatting was the cat’s meow,
So easy just to type, then send,
No time on “How are you’s” to spend,
Just to the meat and then it’s done,
Of conversation, there is none,
Don’t get me wrong, I like to talk,
While we sit, or take a walk,
But sometimes all you need’s a phrase,
To inform or to liaise…
But I’ll stop there, you’ve had enough,
I’ll get to more important stuff,
The question asked, I’ll answer next
What has been my favourite text?
There’ve been so many, long and short,
Some make my cry, some make me snort,
Yes, I would have to say that’s hard,
Perhaps I’ll leave it to The Bard,
For ‘brief’ and ‘clever’ are a hit,
And: ‘Brevity is the soul of wit!’


Karen asks, "Write for me, please?"
We write because we like to please!
And we love her, you know that’s true,
So this is what we writers do . . .
We craft a poem based on a theme,
With pencils, sharp, and eyes agleam,
Each month we write and have such fun
We can't wait for another one,
With TEXTS this month, how did I do?
Please go and see the others, too:

 

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Banff 2023

Ugh. Not these pants!

For over 30 years, the last week of August has been our family’s holiday time in Banff.
We move into our timeshare unit with the smooth custom of many, many years.
Everything is familiar.
Then the memories close comfortably in around us.
Our kids learning to swim in that pool.
Hiking the trails until they seemed like old friends.
Picnicking.
Shopping and talking and playing games.
Eating ice cream and Beaver Tails.
Playing some more games.
Watching movies together.
Biking.
In a word: Paradise.
30+ years makes for a lot of memories!
This year, our eldest son and his family were there with Grampa and Gramma.
They had a unit of their own right next door. So, we did what any family would do—moved their table into our apartment and with ours, used our front room as the community dining hall.
Allowing his family of eight-plus-one to spread out in their sleeping arrangements.
It was glorious! All meals were eaten together, and Gramma was in heaven.
But, as with any situation where a lot of people are co-habiting, there was the occasional…bump.
Six-year-old Granddaughter was feeling the stress of a lot of people in the near vicinity and woke up one morning (as my mother used to say) on the wrong side of the bed.
Her mother was trying to help her dress for the day and the topic of choice was the reason why she couldn’t wear the same pants she had been wearing for the previous two days.
Mom: “Why don’t you wear these pants instead?”
6YO: “I don't like those pants!”
Mom: “Then why did you pack them?”
6YO (Loudly): “I didn't!! Dad packed them because he called me and I wouldn't come!!!”
Sometimes the truth just sort of…spills out.
Hilariously.

Some more pictures:
Forest Wood Elf

The Crew

Our Newlyweds

More elves...

We do love our biking!

The gardens


Monday, September 25, 2023

Dreamt Up

 A certain woman had a dream,
(It happens quite a lot, it seems,)
But this one happened just before,
Her ann’versary came in the door,
Now, in this dream her Husby gave,
A box to her. And she did rave
Enthusiastically for a time,
She thought that it was so sublime,
She peeled the wrapping all aside…
And found another box inside.
This one, too, she opened fast…
Then found another, not the last.
This went on for quite a while,
As box-by-box, she made a pile.
Then finally, in the last, she found,
A diamond ring, with gold all crowned.
She put it on, admired it,
Then praised her husband for his wit…
When she awoke, she hurried to
Tell her Husby all she knew
About her dream, with hints galore,
Then Husby headed for the store!
The next day was the special one,
And he said, “For my Honey-Bun.”
Then handed her a gift-wrapped box,
Too big for underwear or socks,
She gave him back a great big grin,
Then took the box and started in
Unwrapping rather frenziedly,
Won’dring just what it could be!
Had Husby really paid some mind,
To all that she, his wife, outlined?
When she got the wrapping off,
Another box remained to doff,
And under that one, several more,
Oh, what could possibly be in store?
Her eagerness reached fever pitch,
And her eye began to twitch,
As box-by-box, she worked down to,
The final box. Oh, what a coup!
She knew the last one she had reached,
The final wrap at long last breached...
There was no ring. Instead, it seems
The book, ‘How to Interpret Dreams’.

Photo Credit: Karen of bakinginatornado.com
Cause Mondays do get knocked a lot,
With poetry, we all besought
To try to make the week begin
With gentle thoughts,
Perhaps a grin?
So KarenCharlotteMimi, me
Have crafted poems for you to see.
And now you’ve read what we have wrought…
Did we help?
Or did we not?

Next week, just because it's mine,
We'll talk of Birthdays for a time

Thinking of joining us for Poetry Monday?
We'd love to welcome you!
Topics for the next few weeks (with a huge thank-you to Mimi, who comes up with so many of them!)
Dreams (September 25) Today!
Birthdays (October 2)
Family (October 9)
Dictionary (October 16)
Talk Shows (October 23)
Mischief (October 30)
Watermelon (November 6)
Grandma's Kitchen (November 13)
The Bus (November 20)
A Pet's Life (November 27)

Real Estates: All Murders Included in the Price!

Real Estates: All Murders Included in the Price!
My FIRST murder mystery!

Blessed by a Curse

Blessed by a Curse
My very first Medieval Romance!

God's Tree

God's Tree
For the Children

Third in the series

Third in the series
Deborah. Fugitive of Faith

The Long-Awaited Sequel to Daughter of Ishmael

The Long-Awaited Sequel to Daughter of Ishmael
A House Divided is now available at all fine bookstores and on Amazon.com and .ca!

Daughter of Ishmael

Daughter of Ishmael
Now available at Amazon.com and .ca and Chapters.ca and other fine bookstores.

Romance still wins!

Romance still wins!
First romance in a decade!

Hosts: Your Room's Ready

Hosts: Your Room's Ready
A fun romp through the world's most haunted hotel!

Hugs, Delivered.

Compass Book Ratings

Compass Book Ratings

Ghost of the Overlook

Ghost of the Overlook
Need a fright?

My Granddaughter is Carrying on the Legacy!

My Granddaughter is Carrying on the Legacy!
New Tween Novel!

Gnome for Christmas

Gnome for Christmas
The newest in my Christmas Series

SnowMan

SnowMan
A heart warming story of love and sacrifice.

Translate

My novel, Carving Angels

My novel, Carving Angels
Read it! You know you want to!

My Second Novel: Kris Kringle's Magic

My Second Novel: Kris Kringle's Magic
What could be better than a second Christmas story?!

Join me on Maven

Connect with me on Maven

Essence

Essence
A scientist and his son struggle to keep their earth-shattering discovery out of the wrong hands.

Essence: A Second Dose

Essence: A Second Dose
Captured and imprisoned, a scientist and his son use their amazing discovery to foil evil plans.

Looking for a Great Read?

E-Books by Diane Stringam Tolley
Available from Smashwords.com

The Babysitter

The Babysitter
A baby-kidnapping ring has its eye on J'Aime and her tiny niece.

Melissa

Melissa
Haunted by her past, Melissa must carve a future. Without Cain.

Devon

Devon
Following tragedy, Devon retreats to the solitude of the prairie. Until a girl is dropped in his lap.

Pearl, Why You Little...

Pearl, Why You Little...
Everyone should spend a little time with Pearl!

The Marketing Mentress

The Marketing Mentress
Building solid relationships with podcast and LinkedIn marketing

Coffee Row

Coffee Row
My Big Brother's Stories

Better Blogger Network

Semper Fidelis

Semper Fidelis
I've been given an award!!!

The Liebster Award

The Liebster Award
My good friend and Amazing Blogger, Marcia of Menopausal Mother awarded me . . .

Irresistibly Sweet Award

Irresistibly Sweet Award
Delores, my good friend from The Feathered Nest, has nominated me!

Sunshine Award!!!

Sunshine Award!!!
My good friend Red from Oz has nominated me!!!

My very own Humorous Blogger Award From Delores at The Feathered Nest!

Be Courageous!


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Ghost of the Overlook

Ghost of the Overlook
Need a fright?