Whiskey For My Men

Beer For My Horses?

Outside of a bar in Montana last week, this guy pulled up on his horse, threw his friend on the back and they rode off with two Bud Lights.

I don't think he liked us taking a picture with him, but how could we not?!

Canada

We have been up in Western Canada for three weeks now, and I have hardly taken ANY pictures. Not being a very good blogger.

We started in Vancouver, then went to Calgary, then Edmonton. I got the call about Poppy in Vancouver, and flew home for a week, so I have actually only been here for about two weeks. Which is a good thing, because as much as I love it up here, it's just too expensive. Every time I eat, I cringe at the bill when it comes. I don't think I have been able to even get a sandwich at a restaurant for under $15.

Anyway, we were able to be a little tourist-y in Vancouver and take a boat over to Granville Island. I had done it before, and really enjoy it. They have a big public market and little shops and restaurants. The boys did not want their pictures taken, as you can see:

Vancouver has a really different architectural look. All of the buildings are tall, and all glass. Like floor to ceiling windows in the apartments. We looked up the prices of real estate there, it was was crazy expensive. Same with Calgary. Edmonton is a little more blue collar than the other two.

I flew back to Calgary just in time to be there for the weekend, and Kevin and I went to one of my favorite restaurants in the world, The River Cafe. You walk into a park downtown, and it's right in the middle of the park on a river. All of their food is local, and it's wonderful.

Edmonton has been pretty uneventful. A group of us went to the largest mall in North America, the West Edmonton Mall. It has a waterpark, rides, ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, Chinatown, and over 800 stores and services. We made the mistake of going on Remembrance Day, so the place was insanely packed. It was pretty annoying, actually. Other than that, it's been the hotel and the theatre. And a place called Sherlock Holmes which serves food late.

And that's been my few weeks in Canada. Oh- the ongoing question here is.... are they called Canadian Geese up here, or do they just call them geese? Just wondering.

Poppy's Party

Most people would say that they were going to a funeral for someone after they have died. However, that was NOT the case with Poppy. He wanted a nice personalized memorial and a celebration, and that is what he got.

Over 500 people came to his memorial service. We listened to him welcome all of us, heard some of his favorite Jazz songs, watched him perform "Sam You Made The Pants Too Long", listened to my sister and Heidi (his long time companion) talk about wonderful memories and listened to him ask us if anyone told us they loved us today (one of his "things" he always said). He was pretty well prepared for that day, and had taken a lot of time to put together what he wanted. And it was cool because we had his bust up in the front of the church with his saxophone, so you almost felt like he was there.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a nice lunch, music and visiting at the church, then we were off to Gamekeeper's. Gamekeeper's is a restaurant/bar that he had been going to since the late 70's. His band would play for occasions such as Valentine's Day, Derby Day, his birthday, and Christmas Eve. Every time he played, he made a T-shirt. So, everyone wore their favorite Chuck Fuller T from over the years, and we went and celebrated his life into the night. The place was PACKED!

As sad as it is to lose someone you love so, so much, at least everyone has wonderful, fun memories of my very unique Poppy.

Chuck Fuller 1923-2010