Sleepy

Actually, only Eddie was asleep. Isaiah and I were resting our eyes.

Christmas Kitties

This moose (technically a reindeer, but he looks more like a moose) was my office gift swap prize. He plays three different songs and his eyes jiggle. Eddie likes to rub his face on it but is confused when the music plays.

Tony's parents gave us this little tree for Christmas. It has elicited little interested from the cats.

Ficcus Yucca Christmas Tree

The Christmas Ficcus Yucca delivered again. He's undergone some pruning since the last time he's been asked to play this role, but his stool gave him all the leverage required.
Note the trousers in the front. Normally, there are cats sleeping on them. This was a good year for the plastic men population in our house. Right under the ficcus yucca is Starscream the Transformer, compliments of Matt, Tony's cousin. His box is mostly printed in an Asian language. Also, on the right hand corner is Superman, from Bjorn. He came wrapped in wood look-a-like shelf paper.

Found: Chan's Old Stingray Pics

Found in my inbox (which is about to crash). Chan sent these to us on Sept. 30/03 from Grand Cayman.
From left to right is Monty, Kela, William, Dr. Sands (his boat), John crouching in front, Meredith crouching in front, Cieran in back of her, Moira, me, Jason , and Kara.

We spent the day on the boat going fron Barrier Reef, Stingray Bay, and then Rum Point.

Squinting, Bearded Tony

What do you think? It's not the most flattering shot, but you get the idea.

Bjorn in all his Glory

Here's one of brother Bjorn with his White Castle box; its the dirty thirty. He's been holding his tummy and drinking Coke since we got home. Thankfully we ate out and aren't tempted by this White Castle goodness.

Below is his delightful retainer which he stores during the waking hours on our coffee table. Very appetizing, no?

Josh and Eddie

Josh stopped by again on Thursday. Eddie was after him for pets, and Josh was able to comply for a while until he got bitten (in a friendly way, of course).

Josh Plays with Isaiah

Josh came over tonight to have dinner at the Lemongrass to celebrate his 23rd birthday. Afterwards he came back to open Mother's gifts and collect his birthday cupcake.

Josh Open Mother's Gifts

Josh's Birthday Gifts from Mom

Christmas Trees from Hartland, NB

I broke out my Christmas CDs this week, including... Jim Henson and the Muppets! I started seeing truckloads of Christmas trees last week heading down the highway. Just to the right of the view is a big truck and a bunch of trussed trees ready for shipment. It was kind of sad. In Boiestown, I saw wreaths in production. Some of these are probably headed for New England and Ontario.

There are two weeks left for Christmas prep among international borders. You'd better post, or group email something soon, or gawd knows what surprises you'll end up with in what locations!

Here's my list:
pictures
wwww.chapters.indigo.com
Check the wishlist for wlisik@gmail.com
argyle socks
hat
mittens
skinny spatula
something interesting
a good story
food
a dog

Saying Goodbye

Bjorn and Isaiah had some alone time on Thursday night.

Weymouth, NS

These are scenes of the same place, from opposite angles. Weymouth is about 15 min. from Digby, NS. It's small, and pretty, but the fish in the Sissipeeg river are contaminated from a naturally occuring bacteria resulting from the low water levels (as I understood it).

Souris Church

This is the Anglican church in Souris, PEI, on the upper East coast. A sign on the primary graveyard tree says it is still in use in the summer. No doubt it's a good tourist attraction. I've noticed that the churchs in PEI in general are colourful: yellow, blue, striped, etc. Even if the church building is mostly white, the window frames and steeples might be decoratively painted in black, blue, red or green. Church steeples are especially popular to stripe (vertically and horzinatlly). I've never really understood the attraction of tourists who go around looking at churchs before, but I couldn't help craning my head at most of them this week.

Mournful Cow

I took this near Mount Stewart, PEI. The seagulls hang out in the empty fields, it looks like they're nesting in the furrows. They also hang out in the green grass fields, with or without cows. This guy looked a little overwhelmed byt them, but really, all the cows looked sad on Thursday- it was rainy.

Ominous Tower

So ominous that the only explanation can be that i was once improsoned here during a now forgotton part of my life. Even now scrambling away forom it's shadow brings back feelings of liberation and hope.

Or it's just an old tower and i like the word ominous.

Minus the Bear at the Middle East Downstairs

pretty swell. pretty unexpected.
it's great being a contrubutor by the way!

A beautiful day deserves a good song

Tony and Isaiah dance to Curtis Mayfield, on Thanksgiving Monday.

the six million dollar man

Tragic accident left me maimed. I am forever grateful to professor peabody for building me a mechanical ankle.

Isaiah Sleeps Some More

Isaiah may not be sorry to Josh go, but he will regret Josh's comfortable clothing, tossed onto a comfortable air mattress. He takes up position every day, making good use of the afternoon sunlight.

Josh Chooses Hudak's Grade A Dark Amber

We did a maple syrup taste test last night with 3 Vermont and 2 New Brunswick maple syrups. This is Josh's champion, a selection Tony and I both panned (I went for a NB selection).

Josh's Butt; Josh as Bjorn

Shy Sam

Sam stayed at Gramie's on the night before school started. It was also our last night there, when everyone suddenly became camera happy. Although he tried to escape poor Sam was surrounded and didn't have many options in the end but to have his photo taken by a herd of rude relatives.

Classic Gramie

Every time Gramie noticed her picture was being taken, she was inspired to stick her tongue out. She's eating a gingerbread cookie Zeb and Shayo brought her from the Fairfax bakery. I hung out with a fat dog on the porch.

Josh and Gramie

Kuna, at Gramie's Request

Zeb and Shayo try Tenting

Zeb and Shayo slept in Tony's tent in Gramie's backyard. They were inspired by our Cape Breton pictures. We were likewise inspired to recreate the sense of immediate wildlife we witnessed in Cape Breton. To that end, a snuffling wild dog visited on their first night.

The Scrabble Game

When Lisiks congregate, they play games. Shayo has adapted very well to this approach, and probably asked for games more than Gramie or Josh did, on our recent visit. Unfortunately, Zeb won this game.

Everyone Loves Sam

Zeb and Mikaela at Camp

Smiley Shayo

Shayo kept rocking, and I kept blurring the photo. Tony was the only steady hand around and took this shot Monday night as we all became photo happy.

Don of the Puzzle Mafia

Peter gave this puzzle to Gramie for Christmas 2005. And everyone has been wokring on it since. It was really Shayo who gained the most progrees on it this weekend. But Zeb was responsible for finding pieces under the heater, and Gramie was the crucial cheering section.

Matt and Zeb on a Couch

The living room was a lazy scene of reading, puzzling and watching the National when Matt arrived to pick up Josh.

Kuna Husks Corn

This organic corn was picked, purchased, husked, cooked and eaten on Sunday, and it was tasty!