While in Edmonton, visit...Fort Edmonton.
I love Canada for many reasons, but chief among them is the fact that we have a holiday called "Civic Holiday." There's no religious or historic occasion, no dead white male to celebrate, no rhyme nor reason for a national day off. It's just a long weekend, a time to goof off.
So Sylvia and I made the most of it. On Saturday, we visited Mom and Dad and my brother Sean at Fort Edmonton. Mom and Dad were staying overnight in the Hotel Selkirk for their 40th anniversary (albeit a week late, I didn't book in time), so we thought we'd meet them for lunch. And then we had adventures.
A sweaty salesman peddles furs to a skeptical customer.
Father Earl, Preacher of the Damned, with his glowing eyes straight from the fiery pits of Hell itself!
Naturally I had to ham it up at every opportunity.
Sean hijacks a caboose.
As did my brother.
Sylvia smiles, Sean skulks.
Sylvia, always a good sport, puts up with the family eccentricities no matter what the occasion.
I just like this picture.
It's no SLR, but my little Pentax is capable of some pretty nice shots.
"But I, sir, am no gentleman. As you shall soon discover."
Fortunately, I had no hat. Anyone remember "Harriet's Magic Hats?" Hey, how come Ladies didn't have to remove THEIR hats?
Look out for J. Lauder!
What is the shocking secret of the Mad Butcher's superb sausages?
What Sean Woods would look like if he came from the planet Carggg. 50 geek points to the first person to get the reference.
All in all, it's just another Sean on the wall.
Earl contemplates past, present and future.
I.E., "Why didn't I wear sunscrean? Will this self-portrait turn out? When do we get ice cream?"
Sylvia points the way.
You'd think that after all the excitement of Fort Edmonton, we'd relax. But no! For on Monday, we attended Heritage Days, Edmonton's wonderful multicultural festival, where Albertans come together in the spirit of international solidarity and our common cause: to scarf down ethnic food and marvel at the throngs of other people.
Scott Friel brought his charming new daughter to Heritage Days. Note, however, that he wears the symbol of the dread Empire upon his breast.
My friend Scott Friel is a new dad. Gawk in wonder at his spawn!
This happy fellow handed out balloons all day, making people smile. By the way, I hear Western Union is the best way to send money fast.
Ah, the late 20th and early 21st centuries, when every man, woman and child became a billboard, working cheap to sell goods and services we don't really need.
Jump for the Balloon God!
But on the other hand...hey, free balloons.
