Alley Invader

 

Earl Am Canadian, Am You?

Danielle Smith and her United Conservative Party government, clearly in the thrall of their Maple MAGA behind-the-scenes leaders, have long been planning to ask Albertans, via referendum, if the province should leave Confederation. Leaving aside the question if doing so would even be constitutional, this unnecessary and divisive proposition should be fiercely rejected. 

Fortunately, former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister and MLA Thomas Lukaszuk has more sense than Smith and the UCP and has beat the provincial government to the punch with his own referendum question: 

Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada? 

Yes I do, and if you do too, please support the referendum here. You can donate to defray expenses, volunteer, canvas for signatures, or simply pledge to sign the petition--it needs roughly 300,000 signatures to proceed to official referendum stage, while Smith's "Let's separate!" petition will require only 177,000--because of course they changed the rules. 

Why does my title sound like Bizarro wrote it? Because we're clearly living in Bizarro World these days. Let's try to round off the corners of our square earth, bit by bit. It can start here. 

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. 

Dread Avatar

 

Figurehead

 

King of the Park

I tried to paint this guy by closely following the example on the box:

 

Not really that close, but I think I did better than I would have without the reference. 

The Dark One

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. 
 

Interred

Just after 11 this morning, Sean, Sylvia and I interred Mom and Dad's mortal remains in a very nice spot in Leduc's beautiful cemetery. We said a few words, ending with our goodbyes and silent promises to return. 

Even after all the stress of heartache of the last few months, this final parting hit harder than any of us anticipated. 

They're together now. That must suffice. 

 

In the Alley at Noon

 

Google Street View Goes Up Manitoba 391

At long last, you can drive virtually to all the way to Lynn Lake on Manitoba 391 using Google Street View. This route takes you through Leaf Rapids, where I spent a memorable childhood; it's also where Sean was born. 

You can even explore certain parts of Leaf Rapids itself, though why Google didn't map the whole town while they were up there is beyond me--they didn't even capture the Town Centre, the community's primary infrastructure. 

But I did notice this: 

We moved to Leaf Rapids so that Dad (with Mom's help) could set up and manage the new Acklands store, seen here on the right. To the left of the old Acklands building is the former Midi Mart, the town convenience store, home of the Wigwag candy bar and Pink Elephant popcorn, among many other treats. All abandoned now. 

First Chimp on Mars

 

Professor Hans Zarkov

Here's eccentric genius Doctor Hans Zarkov in his Mongo garb. Not my best paint job. 
 

Golden Hour Flower

 

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. 
 

The Banal Miracle

 

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. 

Rock Bunny

 

Karl and Lenny's EZ Haul

Some time ago, I assembled this MDF milk delivery van. Needing something to distract myself yesterday, I painted it and covered it with rust and grime. Then, I added some cargo, a cooling unit, and two miniatures sculpted in seated positions. I call them Karl and Lenny. I imagine them as industrious, good natured ne'er-do-wells who drive around the community offering to transport goods or haul away junk on the cheap. Karl drives, and Lenny is the muscle. 
 

Brick Metaphor

 

Stochastic Colour

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. 
 

Mean-Spirited Pizza

 Ramzi's is a burger and pizza place in Westlock. Watch out for this mean-spirited pizza! 

The Propreantepenultimate Straw

Came home to this today after an afternoon that was already difficult. Lost my temper, doubtless because I spent so much time suppressing my feelings; this gave me an excuse.

Sylvia was the voice of reason and found a solution within minutes. Thank goodness for her. 

Why is there a Molson box in my garage, given I don't drink alcohol? Some miscreant put their recycling in my garbage bin the last time I put it out for collection. I know that sort of thing shouldn't annoy me, but that, too, made me irrationally angry. 

Sometimes I don't like who I am. 
 

Mutant Overlords

I painted a set of Star Schlock`s mutant overlords. These guys are clearly inspired by the mutants in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, so I tried to paint them as they appeared in the film. I had a little trouble with the veiny faces revealed when the mutants take their human masks off, but at least I tried. 
 

The Missing Key to Tomorrow and Yesterday

 

Golden Hour Hydrant Crossing

 

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. 

 

Frustrated Scavenger

I was in an ill temper today (my present normal), and so this annoying bird received not a scrap. Now I feel guilty. 
 

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. 

Stealth Sky Fighter

I figure Diana probably has a secret police force, and I'm sure they fly around in something dark and sinister. I didn't put landing gear on this one; instead, I'll mount it on a clear flying stand. 
 

Another Visitor Sky Fighter

I'm getting better at painting the Visitor symbols. 
 

CARTEL1

"We shouldn't park here," Sean said. 
 

Bold Bunny Bush Blog

Super Mutant Suicider Fumbles the Ball

Well, really I fumbled the ball as this guy's painter. The base looks okay, but the mutant itself is rather undistinguished, messy, and too dark. 
 

Gold Plated Synth