I’m getting serious now. In my Other Life I would be totally organized by now, with all my mailing done and shopping almost finished—for family and food and all. Just parties and baking to do. When I lived up north, no parties, like now—no parties. I have memories. I may deal with them later. That’s another blog.

I’m trying to finish my memorial tribute to my friend Moishe Black, who died recently. i woke this morning wondering why I can attempt to write to/ for him and. yet cannot get started with my tribute to my travel friend, who died in October. I guess I hadn’t acknowledged that I would never see her again. There was more to say. We were unfinished. I had seen Moishe when I knew it was the last time.

We had met in Winnipeg after he retired and returned to Canada. A couple of times an informal reunion of old colleagues (including his wife) brought us together for some easy light nostalgic conversation. But later, I saw and spent. a little time with the two of them and that was it.

I had a grant to go and write in East End, Saskatchewan, in Stegner House (look it up). Rail access had become more difficult after Canada’s rail system shrank, allowing priority to freight over passengers. To reach East End, I had to get off the train in Saskatoon and take the bus to Regina, and another bus or a friend to drive west to East (I know). Coming back I made the connection by staying overnight in Saskatoon and catching an early morning train on its way east to Toronto—another 2 days’ travel. So I managed to see my friend again.They were living in Saskatoon. Moishe had retired from his last job at the university there. I was planning to take them to lunch, but they insisted I come to them, and they walked me back to my hotel. That gave us more time to talk. He was in the early stages of Alzheimers but his long-term memory was intact and the three of us enjoyed reminiscing. Moishe came up with his delightful puns and humour that I remembered and loved. We all had a good time, the last time.

We said goodbye then.