June 24, 2008. Chevy Chase, Md. Anniversary.

Everything is in place for our anniversary celebration. Now if everyone does their part, all will be well. Of course, nothing ever goes exactly as you expect or planned, but no matter what, we will have a good time. Next week we go up to Nova Scotia to get the cottage ready for the season and to check on all the vendors and musicians. And then we just have to sit back and enjoy the friends and relatives. We invited those folks who had been important to us through the years, so as I look through the confirmed list of the guests, happy memories flood back. I will enjoy seeing these good folks.

Our friends Don and Doreen are coming. They married the same year as us, and had three children, all girls. While Ken was in Medical school and of course had no money, they were having and raising children. During the hockey season, Ken and I went to their home to see Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday night. At that time, only the second and third periods were televised, so over we went to watch the second period. In between periods, Ken had a shower. Now they lived in a modern apartment, while we lived over a hardware store. Our bathroom had only an old fashioned tub. Ken liked to shower, and they graciously allowed Ken to shower in their bathroom, every Saturday night during hockey season. Now I call them good friends indeed. Now of course, their three girls are married and have children of their own, and all still live in the Toronto area.

Joyce and Tom will be coming too. Joyce was a very good swimmer, and she and I swam once a week at the WCTU, the Women's Christian Temperance Union. They had a great little swimming pool, and also a residence for single women. We took and passed our Bronze and Gold Medallions, and also the Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Certificate. Now the best part was after the class. We showered in a shower room with 15 shower heads, and we turned them all, going full speed, with very hot water. And we soaked in the hot steamy room. Finally, the little old lady would come to tell us to turn off the water. as we had been in there for half an hour. Of course, she could not come into the shower, and we could not not hear her. Eventually, we came out, then both of us headed out in different directions, me to Danforth Songster proctice, and Joyce to Ealscourt Songster practice. This was winter, and we stayed so long in the shower that on the way to Danforth, my hair froze. It was a funny time. But I still remember that warmth and all that hot water coming at you from all directions. Happy memories.