The Nun on a Tricycle and Other Stories

These amusing anecdotes are courtesy of my aunt Cheryl, along with some awesome photos. Not only does Cheryl dish about my mom, apparently she also gets stuck with the dishes:) Cheryl also reveals the shocking SCANDAL behind the Gondola Queen pageant. Thank you so much for these gems, Cheryl!!!

Ruth's imagination started at a very early age. We shared a bedroom with twin beds. Bedtime became playtime, doll crib matressess became ferries which crossed the river (floor between beds) to visit each of our houses(beds). Each sheet and blanket was a floor in our house. If you were cold you went to your 'sneaker' ie under all the covers tucked in at the foot of the bed. Sometimes aliens from outer space came to visit (sock puppets). Mornings we had wrestling matches. They were rigged in Ruth's favor but I didn't care most of the time. She contolled the stop 'ding' and I controlled the start 'ding'. Huh? She pinned me down every time. I can recall only getting mad once...I got heck for the retaliation from mom.

Mom protected Ruth throughout her childhood. Ruth hated doing dishes. After supper when it was her turn to do dishes, she would inevitably not feel too well. Mom would let her lay down while I took over for dishes. When they were done, she would feel better and need some fresh air. That meant taking the car to the Elmwood restaurant for coffee and cigarettes. Of course I had to go to keep her company. To this day I enjoy doing dishes!!

Oh, by the way, rumour has it, the envelopes at the gondola festival were given out in the wrong order, meaning Ruth was actually the winner not the 2nd runner up and Cheryl was supposed to be the 2nd runner up. The judges didn't correct the announcer, thought it best to leave things alone, however, one told Ruth of the mistake.

It was funny to read the article about Ruth's hobbies. Boating? We didn't have one. But you can bet your ass we went out with anyone who asked us. Recently my friend bought a boat and asked me to drive it. Just like riding a bike! Driftwood? I never saw any of this artwork, however, I do remember drawings of birds she did and to this day I can remember names of most common birds and the pictures she had of them. Actress? Well at the best school play WDSS ever had Ruth was a nun with a tricycle in the spoof of 'laugh in'. She was a crowd-pleaser.

Sisters' night out, circa 1988.


Who me? Smoke? Never.


Ruth is in position to put Cheryl in a half nelson. She's bracing for it, isn't she?