As of December 13, 2018
From the Owl:
Having a bath circa 1942 in house where I was born, eight (8) miles NE of Canora, near the former Phoneix country school
There has been so much excitement around the Verigins that we have a difficult time keeping everything in perspective. We have another grandchild wedding to attend in August 2019 and we are preparing to receive another two (2) great grand children to add to the three (3) healthy great grandsons. What a treat…we spoil them rotten and their parents can take them home to discipline them. All our grand children have significant others except our youngest Macy and she is not admitting to anything.
Marilyn and I still have difficult saying “NO” and still get involved which only means that we cannot retire from good purposes. We find that the second and third generations are leading the way and we hobble along and try to keep up.
The Baunya is operational at Whatshan Lake Retreat. It was my last “Dirty Hands Project” but very enjoyable as the younger generations impressed us with their commitment to volunteer.
Here we are having a “beer break”. The People Counter from the Expo ’86 Egyptian Pavilion is tracking all Users. You need to come to Whatshan Lake Retreat and see it for yourselves.
We are patiently waiting for Water Rights to approve our Bulk Water Licence so that we can complete our zoning application. Our pure water sales are intended to facilitate needed programs that are in the planning stages.
From the Pussycat:
Pussycat standing on bank behind her current house (circa 2012) at 145-4200 Grandview Drive, Castlegar, B.C.
On December 23, we will be celebrating 57 years of wedded bliss (???)
Wedding for Pussycat, Marilyn and Owl, Elmer at the Marigold in Saskatoon, December 23, 1961 with beloved sister Mary and brother-in-law John Khadekin in background
. Over these years we made 64 trips to see our beloved families and friends in Saskatchewan. As we leave the mountains, we look at each other, knowing that the skies will open up and we will pass through Alberta (blue??) and then travel down the country roads take us back ‘home’.
Dinner at the Blue Diamond, in Saskatoon, July 2018 with former Saskatoon Doukhobor Youth. Left to right: Dorthy and Mitch Ozeroff, Elmer, Betty Kabatoff, Ruth and John Sirota, Olive Epp, Marilyn, Donna Hunchak and Edna Wright.
Neither of us could choose as to which home we like best. We love them both, the people we know and have known are all responsible for making us the people we are today.
Last Supper Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) November 2018
Our hearts are overflowing with the feelings and ideas we have exchanged with each and every person we have been in contact with. Not always has there been mutual understanding of topics at hand but there has been an understanding that each opinion must be heard and respected.
These are lessons that must be passed on to future generations to attain the elusive ‘World of PEACE’ we so desperately seek.
Enjoy the remaining days of 2018 and the beginning of the New Year.
Till we meet again!
Elmer and Marilyn
Elmer Verigin 
Elmer/Owl: congradulations on 57years. Louise and I arrived at 53 on the 27th of December.These are milestones for stubble-jumpers, muskrat trappers, etc-etc-etc. I keep imaging back to the parent-grandparent experiences, only a century+ back in linear time, and here we are in a high tech age. The changes are astronomical. I never would have even thought of physics going Quantum, society giving up war for Peace, but I see such up-grades in numerous places. Our Grandchildren seem to have more then trapping muskrats and weasels on their minds. Haliluhiah!
Our best to you and Marilyn
Tony/Louise
Tony
Always great to hear from you and I hope Louise and your family are enjoying good health
Yes, I remember those trap lines that we followed to find our traps in the new snow fall, and at times there would be a frozen prize. At times another animal might have beat us to the prize which is Nature’s way.
I still remember trying to explain how the first Sputnik was able to remain aloft to my Dad and Jim Vanin. But alas, they still could not understand the sponge ball that I swung around on a 10′ binder twine tether to illustrate the strong force of gravity and termed it all “a lie”.
Yes we advanced in so many ways but we still wonder on how the approximate million cells a day that go through a cycle of “death” and “birth”, to sometimes take an erroneous break from that cycle and become cancerous. After 12 treatments on my bladder, the last inspection revealed a return of the tumour growth.
I will find out later this weak, the identity and stage of the cancer which will dictate future treatment.
I have lived a life of opportunity and met so many great people and forgotten those who were less developed. I am satisfied with my family and my humble possessions. I have a few small “grudges” but I am working hard on forgiveness.
I am ready to face future challenges however they may confront me with a steadfast resolve.
Nice to hear from you my friend.
They do not pay much for a muskrat pelt these days and the sloughs are few and far in between here in British Columbia so I have given up trapping since 1957.
Elmer