Save Ripley!

I picked up a new Star Schlock accessory set that included a cat and cat carrier, along with rules for a "save the cat" objective. Sean challenged me to paint the cat like his cat, Ripley. I don't think I really did Ripley justice, but at this scale it's not too bad for an Earl-painted cat. The teeny-tiny eyes have a bit of character, I think. 

Here's Ripley with her cat carrier and some space-y cargo crates from a higher angle. 

Swamp Thing

 

Mom's Smile

Here's another photo from David--a great shot of Mom, while I look like a dork, particularly with my eyes closed. This would have been sometime in the 80s. 
 

Kathy and Me

While we were preparing Mom's celebration of life, my cousin David was kind enough to send me a bunch of photographs, which I used in the event's slideshow. I didn't use this one, since Mom isn't in it, but I'm still quite happy to have this photo of my cousin Kathy and me in Devon, Alberta, from around 1988. Shockingly, this may be the last time I saw Kathy in person. 

Fib Pop Myth

Red
Sun
Krypton
Last gamble
Two kindly Kansans
Raise the star child and save a world

Don't Fib in Church

Bell,
Book,
Candle:
Accursing 
Officially,
Excommunication assured. 

Apocalypse Fib

Fear:
Dread
Toxin
Infecting
Civilization
Unravels the social fabric

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.