blue mountain stable

this is great

2010-02-15T00:20:00.001-08:00

14/02/2010 8:13 PM | Comments: 4

VANCOUVER, B.C. - A transcript of Shane Koyczan's poem, "We Are More," as delivered during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Games:

"Define Canada

You might say the home of the Rocket

Or The Great One

Who inspired little No. 9s and little No. 99s

But we're more than just hockey and fishing lines

Off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes

And some say what defines us

Is something as simple as 'please' and 'thank you'

And as for 'you're welcome,' well, we say that, too

But we are more than genteel or civilized

We are an idea in the process of being realized

We are young, we are cultures strung together then woven into a tapestry

And the design is what makes us more than the sum totals of our history

We are an experiment going right for a change

With influences that range from A to Zed

And yes, we say 'Zed' instead of 'Zee'

We are the brightness of Chinatown and the laughter of Little Italy

We dream so big that there are those

Who would call our ambition an industry

Because we are vineyards of good year after good year

We reforest what we clear

Because we believe in generations beyond our own

Knowing now that so many of us

Have grown past what we used to be

We can stand here today

Filled with all the hope people have

When they say things like 'someday'

Because we are more

Than a laundry list of things to do and places to see

More than hills to ski

Or countryside ponds to skate

We are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait

We are first-rate greasy spoon diners and healthy living cafes

A country that is all the ways you choose to live

A nation that can give you variety

Because we are choices

We are millions upon millions of voices

Shouting, keep exploring

We are more

We are the surprise the world has in store for you, it's true

Canada is the 'what' in 'what's new'

So don't let your luggage define your travels

Each life unravels differently

And experiences are what make up

The colours of our tapestry

We are the true North

Strong and free

And what's more

Is that we didn't just say it

We made it be"

Rate th

2010-01-07T18:15:00.001-08:00

floor

kitchen backsplash

2009-12-21T23:22:00.001-08:00

Flowers!!

2006-05-05T00:19:00.000-07:00

There were flowers everywhere!Little pots,big pots.Huge gardens,tiny gardens.A riot of colour!And the cherry blossums were spectacular!

Japan!

2006-05-04T23:53:00.000-07:00

We went,we saw,we returned!!!!!!!!!!!Got to meet our beautiful grandaughter!!!!!!!!!Japan was a great experience for us.Even with our non existant japanese we managed to get around with no major problems.Our son in law did help a time or two with getting reservations and tickets.(thank you Li!) I may never again see the amount of temples and shrines that we came across.All shapes and sizes.We spent 2 days in Kyoto exploring ,then went off to Andrea's home,spent 2 days at a Japanese onsen(spa) in the mountains.I think we were the only non asian in the whole resort and had a wonderful time! then back to Andrea's for a few days,then went to Tokyo for 3 days before we flew back home.Our hotel in Tokyo was across the street from the imperial palace,the whole setting was peaceful and quiet.We did manage to get lost in an underground food mall at the Tokyo train station for an hour one night.That was an experience!I am glad we went,but was also really glad to get back to the farm.I missed Toby (the dog) Connie (my horse) and our bed!!!!!!

Unhappy horse

2006-03-23T22:30:00.000-08:00

Here is connie at day number 2 at Clover Valley Vet clinic.The dog bite she got on her face on feb 14 14 hasn't been responding as well as it should be to treatment.So she is at the "horse" hospital for a week or so.When i saw her today she was feeling very sorry for herself.With good reason!

relaxation

2006-03-11T23:03:00.000-08:00

After a long day,this is true relaxation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fencing

2006-03-11T22:10:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you mix a stubborn man,a very big nail and a crowbar.The man doesn't always win.But he did finish fixing the fence 3 hours and 4 stitches later.

Ladders

2006-02-26T09:52:00.000-08:00

This is what happens to ladders that don't get put away...........

Snow

2006-02-26T09:43:00.000-08:00

Well here it is Feb 26 and it snowed!!!!!!!!!Everything is white and clean looking.The freeway was awful on the way home yesterday.Snow,ice,bad drivers.At one point i had to stop as the car in front of me lost it,did a 180 turn and was facing me in my lane.I think i saw the whites of her eyes!Came home and had a stiff drink after that one!

Jeneva

2006-01-27T16:30:00.000-08:00

Boots..............

2006-01-13T19:48:00.000-08:00

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Here are my new christmas boots.I had to wait for a different size to come in.So off we went to Vancouver today in the horrendous rain and voila! new boots!

2006-01-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

We went for a walk today at the Cheam Wetlands,then over to Bridal Veil Falls.Toby was a star as usual,being very careful to keep us in sight!The day was overcast,but no rain...........Now it's home for a glass of wine and more football for some people,i think i'll go ride instead.

I remember.............

2005-12-26T22:43:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by Andrea........so here goes......
I remember

Playing horse at my elementary school.a lot.

Having my picture taken by the photographer that brought a pony around just for that purpose.

My brother has always been there for me,even though he threw a pencil at me once,and i still have the lead mark on my arm to prove it.

Riding someone elses bike down our street only to find out that the brakes didn't work.still have the scars on my knees.

Sliding down the little hill at the school when it snowed(we weren't supposed to) that was the only time i got hauled to the principals office!

Singing in choirs was great.did that all through school.

Going fishing with my parents,only my mom would make us put our coats on,then crank up the heat in the car,by the time we got where ever,we were cooking!

Breaking my mom's cigaretts.

Hating the smell of smoke.

Loving my own crab trap when we camped at point roberts.and remembering to look befoe you stuck your hand in to bring out the crabs.Boy do those pincers ever hurt!

We lived right beside Burnaby Park(about 300 acres) and spent a lot of time there.swimming in the pool,doing the summer activities.Chilliwack has no parks!!!!

Getting my first horse!!!!!!!!!!

Spending 3 weeks in the hospital right after i got my first horse.took out a fence with my shoulder,dislocated it,broke my arm and got to spend a lot of time with "old ladies" I was only 16.

Going to Las Vegas and competing in the Miss Rodeo America contest.(1970)

Having three children,,,they are all individuals and special in their own way.

Nasty divorce....won't say anything else.

Watching our children mature(his and mine!!!)

Even in middle age "the first kiss"

Enjoying and learning from my weekly dressage lesson.....even though i have been riding for about 40 years there is so much to learn.i had the odd lesson once in a while before,but for the last year and a half it is once a week.

Being accepted by the "family"

My son's wedding

Having Heinrich admit that Erica can ski faster backwards than he can ski forwards.

When Erica got her drivers lisence and i didn't have to drive her to lessons at 6 am.

The bat!

Losing Alisha...........

Being snowed in here when the drifts closed the road.

There is a lot more but this is enough for now........

Christmas tree....

2005-12-26T22:30:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot the tree!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meister xmas 2005

2005-12-26T22:05:00.000-08:00

Well a good time was had by all!!!!!!As usual way too much food,but oh well.I did hear a comment from the kitchen "We could have fed 10 more!" So what's new.At last count we had 16 for dinner,and we all managed to have a place to sit,if you count Monica sitting on the floor with the kid's at the coffee table.After way too much food the cleaning up was done,then the fun started.Charades!!I didn't know that "grown" up people could be so silly!It was great!All in all it was a lot of fun.Now we have a year to get ready for the next one.We'll have more little ones around to fuss over!John and Monica even brought over their 5 month old golden retriever to play with Toby!

Eagles at Island 22 in December

2005-12-14T15:41:00.000-08:00

Island 22

2005-12-11T16:03:00.000-08:00

We went for a long walk at Island 22 today,it was just as beautiful as always!Now i will try to post pic's

Chairs!

2005-10-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

I wonder what chairs think about when they are on their own?

Tennis Court

2005-10-05T23:25:00.000-07:00

The tennis court is no more........now it is a lungeing/riding ring!!!!!

more dressage day

2005-09-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

dressage day

2005-09-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

2004-08-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

Connie halting at X.

I will make this work!

2004-07-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

Technology will not win!I will make this work!I might need Nils or Andrea's help.

horses

2004-06-23T21:26:00.000-07:00