Father's Day...

This morning I went down to the Ottawa River, and scattered my father's ashes.

I picked that spot because of happy memories. When I was young, he would take me down to the river on Saturday mornings. I'd sit on the handlebars of his bicycle, and he'd look for fossils or smoke his pipe while I played at the water's edge.

( It was a beautiful spot then, and it still is now. )

RIP Papa.

Sgt Fury and His Howling Commandos...

When I was aged about nine or ten, my favourite comic books was Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos, subtitled, The War Comic for People Who Hate War Comics. That would be me.

I found someone else who was into the comic with this blog: 30 Reasons to Love Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos. Do I remember the stories well enough to remember the details she cites? No, except maybe for the tough and clever Nick Fury getting his clothes ripped off all the time.

( A typical cover... )

And I myself had a crush on Pamela Hawley. The author of that blog doesn't seem to have appreciated her. So it goes.

In time, Nick Fury became Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. with all that gorgeous Steranko art. And Fury is still around - more or less - and in two versions, too, the Ultimate version and the regular version. I see there was a movie made with David Hasselhoff - how'd I miss that? Was it really bad?

The Barrowman ankle...

The Barrowman list got an update on John Barrowman's ankle from his sister:

John's ankle is healing well.... He has to limit his side-ways movements with his ankle so dancing the slosh with my mum and dad is out for a while. He should, however, be able to get back to full shopping speed today. I think we're heading to Costco to make up for lost time.

I can relate to that. I wonder if the Costco ice cream there is as good as the Costco ice cream here.

Mystery flowers...

While walking along Third Avenue this morning I saw these flowers:



Can anyone here tell me what they are called?

A day for the dead and dying...

This morning I scattered my father's ashes; this afternoon, I spent with my friend Harry, who has only days or hours to live. It was sad, but I'm glad I got to see him, even though he is now past hearing or perceiving us. Beulah, Hildegarde, and Andrea were there too, along with Sheila and a personal care assistant and a nurse. We talked a lot, and had pizza for supper. We all felt like family.

Harry is almost exactly my age and I've known him since we were both five.

Requiem

I just got a call from Sheila that Harry died about 10 pm.

I'm glad I saw him today.