Sunday, March 15, 2009

Post 251 or Where Did She come From?

Another good title for this post is: What Type Of Alien Is Chris? John loves to tease me about being an alien. I want to set your minds to rest. I did not come from a different planet located on the far side of the galaxy. I came from a place far more exotic than that! Yes, I am an American. I have waved the flag, know the Pledge Of Allegiance , know the words of America The Beautiful and the words to The Battle Hymn Of The Republic as well as the other version titled: Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory Of The Burning Of The School. In hindsight, not a very nice song! I have not thought of that for years!

I was born in St Francis hospital in Colorado Springs in 1954. I am sure I would hardly be able to recognize this city today although I do know that The Broodmoor Arena has not been demolished because I see it on the television occasionally. Second thought, I think it probably was demolished but a new arena is there instead. This place does not look the same. I am not sure. The Broodmoor was my second home as my father was a hockey fanatic being the good Canadian boy that he was. I see they use similar training techniques with the children today. The only difference is: I was a speed skater and the guy leading the line Our line was never referred to as a conga line! It was a train was Mr. Cagnoni. He was probably 70 years old and could whistle like a train. We loved our coach.


Here is a blast from the past! I am the one on the left in the white wind breaker.



Both of my parents were Canadians from Saskatchewan. After my parents decided to live separate lives, my brother and myself moved to Canada with my mom in order for her to be close to her family. It was a difficult transition. Thirteen or Fourteen is not a great age to change schools. Canada was ahead in the way math was taught. I struggled with the "New Math" all the way through High School. I missed my friends.

I do miss Colorado Springs mainly because it is nestled in some of the most beautiful country in the world and because of the climate. I have not been back for thirty four years except in my mind. I would love to visit. I would love it if I could bring all of my kids and grand children and show them where I started my life. We would tour Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and Cripple Creak. We would go see my old school and I would show them Shnooks Run, the little creak that ran behind the school and where I spent many hours adventuring even though I was not supposed to. We would go to Manitou Springs and see if the Penny Arcade is still there. I would want it to be fall so I could see the mountains on fire with the Aspen as it changes colors.

It was difficult to get used to the frigid north. The best a person can do is get used to it. That does not mean that anybody actually likes the winter! Saskatchewan is now my home. I have come to love it plus my family is here. Saskatchewan has a beauty of its own. I love the open sky's and the miles and miles of wheat and canola fields. I love the forests in the north.I love the lakes! We have no shortage of fresh water lakes. I am content.

17 comments:

The Invisible Mo said...

I love the Pike's Peak area. My aunt lived in Denver and we used to visit there when I was young. There are some seriously beautiful rocks in that area and I love rocks.
ohhh...and did you mean your other left? The only one I can see in a white windbreaker is down in front on the right. ??

Lucy said...

Colorado Springs sounds beautiful and it would be a lovely trip.
I'm not sure I could get use to the cold up North. I hear Canada is just beautiful but I can't wait to move out to the Southwest(U.S.) so you can only imagine how I would have trouble with the cold in Canada(lol)
Thanks for sharing more about you!

Christine said...

LOL...I am the one in the white wind breaker on the right. Heeheehee! Becky will think that is hilarious so I am not going to fix it. Snort!

Becky said...

Ha ha! I came to write this comment:

Uh Mom? I'm pretty sure that's you on the RIGHT. Unless you aliens have things reversed?

footsack said...

You look a lot like Becky and Ben in that picture!! I didn't realize how much your kids look like you until now..WOW!!!

Sue said...

That's exactly what I thought...that you look just like Becky.

Glad you're and Saskatchewanian Canadian and a Braun!!!

The Invisible Mo said...

OMG...that is hilarious! We are some seriously funny people, I think. Maybe I'm an alien, too. I did used to always feel like one.

... said...

thanks for explaining where you came from.

i live just an hour north of colorado springs and my daughter is attending college in the springs, so i have come to love the city, nestled at the foot of pike's peak.

broadmoor arena must have been where world arena now is. i've seen a few concerts there but i know it's an ice arena. and yes, the penny arcade is still there.

if you ever decide to bring the kids down, make sure you let me know. we could make time to meet for coffee or tea.

Margaret said...

The funniest thing about this post is that in the caption below the picture, they called you Cynthia and you crossed it out and wrote Christine under it.

Your kids do look a lot like you. Especially your girls. I thinks it's the eyes.

Christine said...

Margaret, How in the world could you see that? That makes me laugh every time I see it.

Becky said...

If you click on the picture you can see it biggified Mom.

I'm with Aunty Margaret. That's pretty funny. It's also funny that they didn't get your last name right either. That's was a pretty incompetent reporter hey?

Momisodes said...

Sounds like you've found bliss in both places. Although, I can certainly see why you miss Colorado's climate just a bit now :) Definitely sounds like it would be lovely for you and your family to visit.

Unknown said...

My mother had a cousin that lived there. She tried to get Daddy to there on vacation several times, but he said it was too far to drive. I think he just liked Maine too much to ever go anywhere else. That was fine with me since my girlfriend lived there at the time.

Christine said...

Sandra, I would love to visit Maine. All the pictures that I have seen are beautiful. I think that I would go in the summer. The east coast can get some wicked snow storms. At this moment, I am sick of snow. LOL

Jientje said...

Left?
Right!!!
You're hilarious!

Jientje said...

I'll paint your bathroom!

Jientje said...

Oooh. You must have removed it. Never mind.