Kapuskasing, Ontario

I slowed up as I was arriving in Kap from a westerly direction. It was somewhat surreal as I hadn't really been here since 1989. I pulled into the cemetary and people already there got into 2 parked vehicles and left rather abruptly. What's with that. Relax, this is a cemetary, not the OK Corral! Anyhow, this cemetary is where my parents are both interred. Couldn't find 'em. Had to call my brother long distance on a cell in the cemetary to find my mother and father. That has to be a first in my family.

Next was the obligatory cruise over to my house ("... that didn't take long") and the Circle, Kap's business center. Didn't do the complete 360 around the circle. Wanted to save something for the next day you know, so I took the 270 deg option and merged out on to my hosts home, Helene et Brian. Grandmom, Doug, brothers, sisters, nephews, in-laws were all there... by the pool... in Kap... under sunny skies... in 28 deg C weather... in Kap. None of the scenarios I dreamed up for my return home included this one. None. I would've been happy with just "no snow".

Went for a long walk Tuesday to check out sights including the museum, the park, the civic center, the high school, our old church (which was unlocked so I went in), my house again and the downtown area. Never saw one person I knew. I think they've all aged and I still have that mental picture of them 20+ years ago. Maybe that's it. Hey, but they should've recognized me! I still look the same...

We were treated to some hors d'oeuvres followed by stuffed atlantic salmon for supper... in Kap ... under sunny skies... in 29 deg C weather... by the pool. I may never leave. Helene and Brian are very generous hosts and I couldn't have landed in a better place.

Thursday was relaxed as my hosts were both working - time to hit the keys and get some blogging done. Doug and I visited as well and got supper somewhat organized for our fabulous hostess. My stay in Kap wound down with an evening of visiting my nephew Tosh and his lovely wife Danielle along with their daughter, Elizabeth, truly a little doll. Back at Brian's, we finished the evening playing some billiards and some guitar. Tickets for the show go on sale in 2014.

I'm leaving today for Timmins after having a thoroughly wonderful time here. I couldn't have ordered it any better and if Helene & Brian read this: THANK YOU! I'm on my way to Timmins to see Helene & Mark - yes, there's more than one Helene in N.Ont. On the way, I intend to stop in Moonbeam to see the largest assembly of my mom's family. That's the good news; unfortunately, they're pretty much all in (you guessed it) the cemetary. No worries, I've charged up the cell, just in case. And, just for bragging rights, we have a street named after our family in Moonbeam, the St-Aubin street as well as a bay at nearby Remi Lake, Ouellette Bay. I"ll let you figure that out. I suppose I should mention Moonbeam has a population of 217.