Summer of 2009 - the Highs and the Lows

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The Highlights

The highlights, of course, are anything new and different – the sights and people we spent time with. Waterton (always a highlight); Heritage Days; the trips to Wetaskiwin and Sparwood; celebrating the 100^th year of Lethbridge’s high level bridge and last, but not least, celebrating my brother’s 70^th birthday.

We visited Waterton early with my old school buddy and his wife. We were so early in the season that the Prince of Wales Hotel wasn’t even open yet but we did get our

classic pictures of Cameron Falls and Cameron Lake.

Heritage Days just reminds me how much Lethbridge has grown and changed since I grew up here a zillion years ago. There must have been over a couple of dozen cultures represented in costumes; presentations; or food (or all three) – I love it!!

Wetaskiwin

The plan was to get up to Wetaskiwin to visit with Chuck and Sheila then go west to the Columbia Parkway and Jasper and down to Cranbrook to drop in on Ina and Alan (RV'ers from Nanaimo).

Just like we always did with Chuck and Sheila we went exploring the area. Lord, it was cold and rainy but we did get up to explore an oil rig on show at Leduc.

We’ve never been along the road between Rocky Mountain House and the Columbia Parkway so figured it would be a great trip. The weather was horrid – so cold and rainy – what a big sissy I am and besides I got a horrid cold – Long story short – we ended up coming back to Lethbridge so I could recuperate. We never did get to Jasper or to see Ina and Alan but Ina and Alan did come to see us.

Going along Highway #3 past Pincher Creek, through the Crowsnest Pass to Sparwood has turned out to be one of our favourite summer excursions. More and more windmills stretch across the ridge across from Cowley and single Windmills dot the landscape from Fort MacLeod right through the Pass.

The campground we stay at in Sparwood (Mountain Shadows) has good sized sites; good facilities (and WiFi); some wildlife; and is reasonably priced (a plus for BC). We always seem to find lots of side trips emanating out of Sparwood and this year were pleasantly surprised to be joined by neighbours from the Condo we live in.

The Sky – the Wind mill – the old grain elevator near Pincher Creek

A local electrician put lights up to celebrate the 100^th Year of Lethbridge’s High Level Bridge that turned out to be incredibly spectacular.

And last but not least was the celebration of my brother Stan’s 70^th birthday

and presumably his retirement. It was a great party – in fact the whole weekend was terrific. All his kids and their spouses were there; the grandchildren and a couple of cousins – Dianne (daughter of Mom’s older sister) and Marty (son of Mom’s younger sister). Patty did such an incredible job at the open house on Saturday and then the brunch at an interesting little place (Reading’s Rock Garden Café) on Sunday.

The Lowlights

This was the first summer that I really am a Senior. I’m not sure what that means except that some of my dental and optical expenses are now covered. There have been times when I feel much more like a mushroom – you know – in the dark and dirt thrown on you.

The first incident was when I took some of our old eyeglasses into the ophthalmologist’s office to be recycled.

A very haughty little receptionist told me, “We don’t have anything to do with eyeglasses.” And she had no idea what to do with them (I think she would have liked to tell me what I could do with them – but she generously resisted the temptation).

Okay, chalk that one up to her arrogance.

As you might know, the technician actually does all the testing and the doctor comes in to confirm what s/he did – so he can justify his fee. As I do every year before we leave, I asked for a new prescription. It was exactly the same as last years (and the year before and the year before, etc) and I was painfully aware my vision has changed so I told them that and asked them about that.

“Oh,” said the doctor, “we don’t check your vision, we just do medical and surgical procedures –and we don’t do anything regarding eyeglasses.” (Now I know where the receptionist got her attitude). Needless to say I was a little annoyed (pissed-off would actually describe it better) not that they only dealt with medical and surgical issues but that they didn’t tell me. So I picked up my records from him and went off to find another eye doctor.

The next incident was with the dentist. I knew we are eligible for dental subsidy and getting my teeth clean should be completely covered. I went and did! Yes I made an appointment and the gal did a great job – never saw the dentist, which was just the way I wanted it.

Then I get a phone call from the dentist’s office saying that “yes, the cleaning was completely covered but there was a Professional Fee from the dentist that was not covered.”

What – I didn’t even see the dentist! What is the fee for?

No rational answer – the usual – That’s what we do!

So again my dander gets up. So I phoned the Insurance people and the Dental Association and still got no answer.

Welcome to the Land of taking advantage of the pensioners or just the time of the extra fees for anything and everything!