Yes, that is a telephone. Big handset, wires, and you couldn’t take it with you. This photo I took was of Wendy talking to her Mom when we were first married.

And here’s our Honda Accord, a 1979 which we paid with taxes $7897. I still remember the exact cost. It had a remote trunk release, adjustable rear seats and a 1.8L engine. I loved this car!

In 1979 Margaret Thatcher became the PM of the UK, oil was selling at $24/barrel and Sony introduced the Walkman and Joe Clarke became the Canadian PM.

But the best part of 1979 was marrying Wendy. She impressed me in so many ways. She had launched out on her own after her Dad left – bought her own car, and got her own apartment. She was so courageous, though she might say she simply wanted to move ahead. She had gotten good jobs and was working for Bell Canada. They were interested in developing her as a potential manager. And most girls I had dated, it seemed to me, were only interested in a meal and a movie and themselves. Wendy had a genuine interest in me and showed it in ways that captivated my heart. And she had a great sense of humour! A good relationship has lots of room in it for laughter.