Mom's Smile

Here's another photo from David--a great shot of Mom, while I look like a dork, particularly with my eyes closed. This would have been sometime in the 80s. 
 

Mark Lenard: The Lost Conversation

Today Sylvia and I went to Leduc to check on Mom's house and take care of some estate matters. On the way home, perhaps because my mind was already occupied by loss and regret, I told Sylvia the story of my conversation with Mark Lenard, a well-regarded character actor best known for playing Sarek, father of Spock, in one episode of Star Trek, two of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and three of the feature films. 

Except there is no story--at least, no story I remember. 

In the late 80s and early 90s, I attended a number of science fiction conventions in Edmonton and Calgary. On one such occasion, Mark Lenard was a guest. I definitely attended one of his panels, but it was in between convention events that I had a laid-back conversation with the man. 

The conversation took place in a niche with a couple of tables and chairs on one of the middle floors of Edmonton's Chateau Lacombe--or so I believe. The conversation took place in the late afternoon; the niche was dimly lit, but the sun shot beams of radiance through the windows, casting stark shadows. 

Mr. Lenard and I weren't the only ones present; I believe there were at least one or two acquaintances from the Edmonton Star Trek Society (now known as the Edmonton Speculative Fiction Society). 
 
Mr. Lenard was charming, soft-spoken, and self-effacing, and the conversation wasn't about Star Trek or acting, but friends, family, work, and the like. 

And that's all I remember. As a student of film and television and a huge fan of Star Trek, you'd think I'd have that day fixed in my head with all the clarity of an IMAX film, but . . . 

Mark Lenard is gone now, like Mom. And now I wonder how many things I'll forget about her, and curse myself for it. 

A Present from Mom

Mom was in the habit of giving Sean and me cash for expenses incurred while helping her. We protested, but she was persistent. 

Some of that cash was left over since her passing, so while Sean and I were in Leduc to settle some affairs of her estate this morning, we stopped at Habaneros and shared a meal and this delicious deep fried ice cream. Mom enjoyed this place and we'd eaten there together a few times before, so we think she would have approved. 
 

Celebrating a Life

On this night, we gathered to celebrate the life and times of our mother, sister, colleague, neighbour, friend, Elizabeth Woods. About sixty people came--not just her family and friends, but colleagues and neighbours and some delightful surprises. 

Despite our shared melancholy, it was a healing event. Sean served as our master of ceremonies and shared stories from Uncle Gordon and Aunt Jean; I performed the eulogy. 

On behalf of the Woods family, I want to thank the many people who came and also the many more who phoned, texted, emailed, and mailed their thoughts and condolences. Every word helped. 
 

Breadalbane Church Model

While reviewing some of the photos stored on Mom's iPad, I found this image of a scale model of the Breadalbane Church . . . clearly shot inside Breadalbane Church. Church-ception! I wonder who built it, when Mom took the photo (or who sent it to her), and where the model is now. It's charming. 
 

Mom's Celebration of Life

Mom wanted something simple for a memorial, so we'll be hosting a celebration of life in the chalet at the Devon Lions Campground from 6 to 8 PM on Thursday, July 24. Mom and Dad really loved this campground and Sean and I have happy memories of times spent there with family. 

The campground is located at 1140 Saskatchewan Avenue East, Devon, Alberta, just a short drive southwest of Edmonton. We've planned an informal gathering focused on sharing memories of Mom; light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. 

Sean crafted a very nice obituary for Mom, which will soon appear in the Leduc Representative. 

The Birthday That Might Have Been

Today would have been Mom's 83rd birthday. I'm still a bit shocked that just weeks ago we were discussing how to celebrate. Mom initially thought it would be nice to go to La Ronde. I wish it could have happened. 

But maybe she's celebrating with Dad. I'd like to believe that. 

Here's Mom in 1960, the year she turned 18. Looking beautiful, Mom, as always. 
 

Elizabeth Blanche Woods, 1942 - 2025

Mom passed away very early yesterday morning. Up until the beginning of April, Mom was enjoying her retirement with full independence. But she was hospitalized with pneumonia in April and again in May; in June, she enjoyed a short return to health with in-home support before another infection hospitalized her again--for the last time. 

While we've always loved her, Sean, Sylvia and I got even closer to Mom following Dad's death in 2018. We're all grateful for that strengthened connection. 

Mom was tough. She was resilient. Strong. Principled. Generous. And compassionate. She was a fantastic partner for Dad and a great mother to Sean and me, as well as a great aunt to her many nieces and nephews. 

She loved to read. She loved to garden. She worked hard and took things in stride. She loved her family and the outdoors. She was an excellent curler. She was a teacher, though she left that career behind to raise Sean and me. 

We did our best to help Mom through the stress and worry of the last few months. Even in her hardest moments, Mom was most worried about me, Sean, Sylvia, and her sisters. 

I hope, in some way, that she's with Dad now. 

Good travels, Mom. Thank you for everything. 
 

Granddad's Partsman Award

I was straightening out some things at Mom's place while she's in the hospital, and I stumbled across this plaque. I've seen it before, of course, and I'm pretty sure Dad told me what his father's award-winning idea was . . . but I've forgotten. Sometimes it feels like some of the most important memories slip away. Was this one of them? I'll never know. 

 

A Most Valuable Coin

A couple of weeks ago--which now feels like a lifetime--Mom and I went to Co-Op after one of her medical appointments. While she waited in the car, I went in to get her some lemonade and Sprite. When I returned, she said "I have a present for you." It was this coin, the first doubloon with King Charles III on the obverse. She knows I have a small collection of coins, so she saved it the last time she received change from a store by herself. 

Mom is not doing so well now, but after her last six-week hospital stay, she returned home and had a pretty good most-of-June. We were planning what to do for Mom's 83rd birthday when she had to be hospitalized again. Sylvia and I went to visit her today, and it was a hard visit; Mom's cancer has left her confused and not herself, and she demanded we leave after we were there about 20 minutes. 

But I know that's not Mom talking; it's the disease. I still have hope there are more lucid moments, and moments of happiness, to come. In the meantime, I'm very glad for this keepsake, which symbolizes how Mom always took care of us. 

The Compassion and Excellence of Alberta's Health Care Professionals

The last few days have been pretty rough for the Woods family. But in the midst of worry and stress, we are united in our gratitude for the nurses, doctors, porters, volunteers, and lab technicians who have been unfailingly kind and relentless in their efforts to figure out why Mom is currently sick and how to heal her. She is in very good hands and we are optimistic that soon she'll be back home. It helps immeasurably that Mom is incredibly tough and brave. 

In Canada, we are blessed to have a robust publicly-funded, publicly-delivered health care system, despite unrelenting efforts by right-wing politicians to privatize that system. Our current experience reinforces my belief that Canadians everywhere should recognize that our public system needs our consistent moral, financial, and political support.

We hope to see you tomorrow, Mom, or the next day, when you're well enough. Angels and ministers of grace be with you. 

Xmas 2025

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 
 

Acid-Washed Jeans

Sometime between 1991 and 1994, while working as a parts driver for Norwest Automotive, I picked up a used car battery from one of our customers. I didn't think anything of it in the moment; I'd picked up used parts for disposal several times already, and this was just one more instance. 

But a couple of hours later, I noticed that my bluejeans were developing white patches in odd places, starting just below my pelvis. Over the course of the day, those white patches spread and the miscoloured denim thinned, By the time I returned home, my pants had developed huge rends, tears and gaps, disintegrating almost entirely into scraps not long after I removed my shoes. 

I figured that the battery must have cracked and leaked some mildly corrosive form of acid down my pants. Certainly my legs were quite itchy by the end of the day, and they'd taken on a slightly pinkish hue. A thorough scrubbing in the shower relieved those symptoms. 

I had occasion to tell Mom and Sean this story tonight; credit goes to Sean for coming up with the perfect title for this post. 

Wizard Encounter

This afternoon, Mom and I were driving down 46 Avenue in Leduc when we spotted a wizard. We were driving quite slowly because there was a line of cars waiting to turn right, so we got a good look at him. He was a bearded white fellow in his 30s wearing black and red robes and a black hooded cloak. He was using a tall gold staff with a large disc at its midpoint, and on his cloaked back were written the words "Love Light." (I didn't see those words myself; Mom observed his retreating form as we completed our right turn.) 

During the encounter the wizard smiled and waved at us as if to reassure us that our eyes had not deceived us. I'm glad Mom was there, otherwise I might have feared I was hallucinating. 

Anniversary 17

Today we planned to celebrate our 17th anniversary with Mom and Sylvia's parents, but I woke up sick today, putting the kibosh on those plans. Nonetheless, Sylvia and I were able to enjoy some nice moments today, expressing our gratitude for our time together. Happy Anniversary, Squishy McMonkey! 
 

Three Sisters

My aunts Jean and Marjorie (far left), came to Edmonton on Friday for a wedding, and on Sunday Sean, Sylvia and I came out to Leduc to see them. Mom served a very delicious lunch, and my cousins Darwin (seen here to my right), Bruce (not in this photo for some reason--where did he go?) and Darwin's son Brandon (who shot the photo) popped by, too. It was great seeing my aunts again! 
 

Shirley I Jest?

A Squirrel in the Crabapple Tree

Sean and I visted Mom for Mother's Day today. A squirrel visited us while we were relaxing under the shade of the crabapple tree that refuses to die. 

Sean found a better position at just the right time to capture a much better shot. 

Terra Losa Rainbow

On Saturday night, a rainbow appeared on the drive from Mom's place to home. I shot a photo of it with my phone before picking up a Coke for Sylvia. 
 

Magnetic Eyeglasses

Today Mom sent us a photograph of her fetching new glasses, and while on the phone with her she mentioned being glad that the frames lack those annoying nose pads that leave marks on your face. 

That gave me an idea. Surely a skilled surgeon could mount a small, subcutaneous iron plate on the bridge of your nose bone for the express purpose of holding a pair of magnetized glasses on your face. Just think of it: A magnetic bond of the right strength could hold your glasses securely to your face without annoying nose pads or arms, increasing comfort and convenience while reducing the cost of eyeglasses. Brilliant, no? Mom thinks I could be a millionaire if I market this.

Or maybe she was just humouring me . . . a lot of people do that.