I just celebrated my 65th birthday and my retirement last week. My boss, Rosalie Bouchard and staff at Centre Intervalle in Fort Coulonge took me out to Spruceholme Inn for supper for my retirement party. They surprised me with a wonderful gift of a new computer. Now I’ll have to really learn how to maneuver on that. I would like to thank Rosalee and all the staff for such a nice send-off. Retirement is both scary and relieving if you know what I mean. My body is telling me to slow down but my mind is telling me to get up and go.
With the money I received from different people I bought myself a wireless printer for the computer and a wireless speaker to hook up to my phone. Once I got it set up I couldn’t believe how much better the sound was I am very happy that I decided to purchase it. I’m actually starting to get into this new technology, however frustrating it is, but with the help of all my friends and their patience I’m starting to master it.

Now that I’m retired I can actually take courses and have a lot more time to understand all these new devices. I just learned how to do online banking last week and this week I got a new computer and now I have to learn how to use the new printer. My cousin just showed me how to pair my speaker to my iPhone and iPad.
So you see, you really can teach an old dog new tricks. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to understand all this but with repetition and determination I’m going to try very hard.
On Saturday, Karen Stevenson and Sharon Crawford took me to Ottawa to the comedy club. My son, Alex Kluke, was in on the deal because he booked the motel room for us so we were able to enjoy our evening out with no problems. My two cousins Ramona Dunahee and Freda Dupuis met us at the comedy club where we all enjoyed a wonderful buffet supper and a fantastic show with three headliners. After the show they decided to take me to the Prescott Hotel across the street because I had never been there. They told me that the meatball sandwiches there were to die for but we were so full from supper we could not eat again but we had a drink and I got to see the Prescott Hotel.
The next morning, Sharon, Karen and I went to Cora’s Restaurant and had breakfast in Gatineau. Then we went shopping at the stores and Staples to purchase my new toys. So, I really had a fantastic birthday and retirement and I want to thank everyone who made it so special for me.
I would like to wish the following people a very happy birthday Barry Belanger on May 2, Frank Frost and Claudette Mayhew on May 3, Brian McCoshen, Gilbert Sparling on the fourth, Sharon Crawford on May 5, Sarah Bertrand and Amanda Hearty on May 6 and Gerry Kluke on May 8.
I would also like to wish happy anniversary to Vicky and Jimmy Lepack on May 4, Chris and Kim Sauriol on May 5 and Linda and Frank Frost on May 8.
Finally it looks like spring has sprung. I know that all the irises and early flowers are poking their nose up through the ground and everybody’s out raking their lawns and cleaning up after the long winter.
The next big event is Mother’s Day on May 13 and then of course our much anticipated long weekend which is Victoria day weekend. This is usually the time where everybody opens up the cottages and there’s a huge cleanup. Get your hummingbird feeder’s ready because they usually come back in the middle of May.