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Jo & Joe in 2009
Christmas, 2009
Dear folks,
No snow until December 9th when we had the first winter storm – a record in recent 20 years. The flying white stuff was pretty and reminds us it is time to bring our long-time dear friends up to date with what we have been doing at our end. We trust you and your family are well and in good health.
2009 was a good and peaceful year for us. .... She now attends line-dance class twice a week for exercise. So, Joe is left at home alone more than before but is coping well.
Boss Jo claims credit in keeping Joe in good shape (touch wood) by imposing tight food and diet control. So, poor Joe is less fed with steak, crab, lobster and squid which he enjoys. Deep down, she wants to ensure Joe is still capable of doing fall cleaning, roof gutter clearing, snow plowing and labour intensive housework like cleaning her 5-layer heavy wok, large pots, etc. which Joe is not good at. With the approval of his eye physician & surgeon, Joe plays soccer again for his St. Joseph’s Alumni team. You won’t believe it, he scored 6 goals in the last game (against a weak team!), after having a big T-bone steak the night before! Jo is still not convinced that he needs that to maintain his physical strength.
We did very little traveling, only a few short trips to U.S.A. and within Ontario. Joe had a full plate of his Alumni events. Highlight of the year was the Moon Festival Dinner held on October 3rd at a golf and country club. The venue was decorated with traditional lanterns etc. A festival related slide show was non-stop running. Festive fruits, foods and moon cakes etc. were displayed and served. Prior to the event, Joe undertook research work on 4,000 years ago legend stories in various versions of "Sheung Ngor – the queen or beauty, flew to the moon after swallowing the everlasting life herb she stole" and "Archer master Hou Ngai shot down 9 suns leaving 1 to save the world" etc. At the interval of "Moon Appreciation", Joe told these stories and finished by adding his own "more scientific and logical" versions. He almost had the guests rolling on the floor over the stories and humours. Everyone had a joyous time and left with a lantern or souvenir as a memento. We had wonderful times with good friends at parties, balls and joint schools alumni functions. A very expensive year for us!
We hope the H1N1 flu paranoia will soon be over. Prior to the economic crises, Joe sold all his shares, some at loss. He is now watching "the fire on the other side of the river", and how the crooks "cook". He is determined not to jump in until the "fire" is contained. Not that we like it, but long wait is apparent.
No progress report received. Prospective daughter-in-law and son-in-law have not surfaced. They traveled as couples but not getting married. This we wouldn’t do at our time. People say we are old fashioned. We say it’s the responsibility youngsters nowadays refrain from committing and say this is the trend!
That’s all about us for now. We wish you and family a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and the Greatest 2010, the year of the Tiger.
With love,
Jo & Joe
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Joseph Shek has a hidden talent in poetry, here are some of his recent works:
In the midst of the severe snow storm,
we think of you and feel the warmth.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas,
and Health, Prosperity and Happiness in 2009, the year of the Ox.
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My Dreams
In my dreams I'm going back to St. Joseph's,
To the joys and the happiness I found.
On those grand old days with my dear old friends,
And hear the running stream sound.
Oh the Bombas are taller back in St. Joseph's,
And I breathe again the schooling air.
While in memory, I see Baptist,
Who never will be far from there.
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