January 2025 began with a very exciting proposition…we were getting a puppy! I would say in many regards Nugget (though we had no name yet) was the biggest story of our year. But let me start with the book I was reading on January 1, 2025. It was Star Spangled Jesus, a look at the rise of the white evangelical churches’ love affair with the Republican Party. A tragic story when seen in the light of the whole Bible… I took this shot of one of the pages out of that book. Oh, and it marked the pardon of all those who stormed the Capitol building in Washington. And that set the tone for what has happened since.

January also revealed a new relative – Randy – a cousin we did not know of. A bit of his story is in my blog from those early days, but how nice to know that there’s an older cousin! January was also our annual visit to Kananaskis! It was also Jason’s birthday, and we now say “he’s more than 40”.

February 2025 saw Wendy and me celebrating 46 years of marriage! How could that be – time really does fly by when you’re having fun.

This month also began to give us the first pictures of Nugget who was born on January 21. It was also time to pick the seeds to grow for the coming spring season. I love watching the plants spring up from the soil, so tiny at first, and then shooting leaves and eventually flowers. I love that!

It was also birthdays for Carlyle and Philip, who is not yet 40! And we began shopping to get the things we would need for Nugget – we may have gone overboard a bit.

March 2025 saw some of the first signs of spring – and oh what a relief that was. It also marked five years since the beginning of Covid and the pandemic. We had a visit to Ottawa, and Rachel was declared officially taller than Grandma (Wendy). It also marked Mom’s 91st birthday. It also marked the completion of our bathroom project. More pictures of Nugget.

April 2025 hosted the Easter weekend this year. I love this week – the holy week followed by Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I never tire of reading the Scripture of those days, of the various lenses that the authors provide. It is a highlight for me. And on Good Friday afternoon we drove to Pam’s house – our breeder – to pick up the puppy! Oh, my what an exciting day that was. Just over 3 pounds and SO adorable! I finished up my books I had been reading, the lights were hung in the kitchen, and the garden really began to come to life – and I love seeing those bleeding hearts.

May 2025 saw me travelling to Ottawa, which gave me a chance to visit Jason and the kids every so briefly, but what a treat. I was the speaker at Men’s Camp…yeah, I was surprised too. And the garden was really in full bloom – and I came to love the blue fern.

In June 2025, we were able to visit our friends Rick and Alison in BC. This was Nugget’s first road trip and he did great. He really loved being with Rick and Alison’s dogs. They ran and barked and chased the ball together.

The end of June saw Jason, Celine, Bella, Rachel, Ted and Beth come to visit. That’s a lot of people in our small home, but it was great and we really enjoyed having everyone here.

July 2025 of course, allowed us to travel a bit with the kids – we went to Jasper! We had a great time there. We also took the trailer out for a few days.

August 2025 gave Cath a chance to meet cousin Randy and his wife. I find this SO fascinating that he was growing up right under our noses, but we had no knowledge of him. He hasn’t met his mother yet, and I find that disappointing. I think the family are sorely lacking empathy on this matter. Sorry Randy!This is not the Eastland’s finest moment.

We took some time to visit small rural settings within an hour or so of Edmonton. Lots of interesting things to see. The characteristics of rural Alberta are fascinating – lots of old cars, wide open spaces marked by small but dense tree lots. Long driveways and beautiful buildings are common. The hills are long and wide, and you get the sense that you really are in the foothills.

September 2025 turned out to be a busy month with much travel in it – 3 trips for me to Toronto. And a thrill was taking Wendy with me to see Mom and spend some time with Cath and Terry. We had loads of fun and not only ate lots of meals together (see pictures below) but also took in a movie at The Roxy!!

While staying in Toronto for meetings, we discovered that our new PM was in the same hotel. Lots of security and TV cameras, but unfortunately, I didn’t have time to meet with him or be interviewed by any journalists.

We also celebrated the life of Freda Chopping – my dear aunt. A talented, classy lady who now rests next in Richard in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. It was great to see some of our relatives – especially Joyce and Ray. We also stopped by to visit Dad’s marker and thank the Lord for such a good man in our lives.

October 2025, and Nugget continues to grow – he finally hit 7 lbs! That was a good marker. His Mom is 11 lbs and his Dad 10 lbs, so he is the smallest of the litter. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in energy and love!

October is a month of change. The winds get cooler, the sun sets earlier and we begin to sense that sweaters and jackets are needed all the time now. At the corps Fitz and Paige were enrolled as Junior Soldiers and Halloween arrived to mark the end of the month. Cath and Terry got their trip to Greece and Wendy and I turned to some more indoor interests. I was really glad to get our LOVE photo done and pair it with the Lego set of the same.

November 2025 brought another birthday to Leanne, who is 10 years younger than I. Her birthday always reminds me that mine is next as we both turn the clock forward another year. I also had the pleasure of uniting again with my Barnabas Brothers – a group of men with whom I have now journeyed for seven years. Doug, who is the initiator of our gathering, has been a friend since 1996.

This year we met at Kingsfold outside Cochrane, AB.

December 2025 has arrived more quickly than I expected. It seems that is a theme of ageing – days, weeks, months seem smaller increments of time. Of course, it is time to get ready for two things – my birthday!!! and Christmas.

And wow, have we had a great amount of snow and cold this year! And unfortunately, just as the season was in full swing, Wendy had a fall (indoor) which left her with a broken right wrist. Recovery is happening but I’m now her “right-hand man”.

To end the year’s reflection, this wonderful song, Dear Time. Hey, Time, look at what you’ve made me….Dear time, I would like to say you’ve given me more than what you’ve taken. A little box of memories.

Memories are to be treasured. Treasure them.

Happy New Year – see you in 2026.