Things We Love About Arta: #54 - #60

 Hi All,

I had fun playing games with my sisters, Zoe and Charise this evening. Now I am going to type while they tell me the things they love about Arta. 

#54

Charise and the folks at Chisholm have received beautiful Irises from Arta's garden. She is very generous in sharing plants once they have grown too large or thick in her own garden. Tonia remembers visiting Arta while she worked at the University of Calgary Library where Arta had grown so many plants in so many pots. She would laugh that she was a green thumb at work but did not have any potted plants at home. Her outside garden grew to be very lovely and the smell of sweat peas was always a welcoming scent. 

Arta's shared Irises. 

Wonderful for the front garden.

#55

Zoe says she loves shopping with Arta. They would often buy snacks like chips, chocolate and pop. So delicious! Sometimes they would even go out to eat at places like KFC and McDonalds. Zoe loves collecting and using coupons, which she and Arta used for their fun dinners.

These are not the treats Arta and Zoe bought in Calgary,
but we all had our favourite chocolates when we
were travelling to London and Brussels. 
Leonidas chocolate and Lion bars are the best!

#56

Zoe loves playing board games with Arta. They play Azul, Crib, Canasta, Splendor and Racko. Zoe says that she wins most of the time. Charise and I believe her. I am sure Arta was always a great sport. Zoe did just confess that Arta did win on occasion. They both had fun together!

Zoe and Arta having fun!

Game night with Arta and Zoe!

#57

Zoe and Arta used to go to aquacise together at the local pool. They would put on their floatation belts so they did not sink. Zoe loved running and biking in the water because it felt like she was walking on thin air. Twice, Zoe could not go to aquacise so Tonia went instead. It was really fun to workout and talk with Arta at the same time!

#58

When Tonia was 19 years old and came down from Edmonton, where she was in University, to visit the Johnson's, a number of us went to the cow house along 16th Ave. It is called the cow house because the owner had painted the house white with large black blobs on it. At the time it was a clothing and jewelry store. Arta found two matching rings and Tonia said she loved them. Arta then said, "I will buy one ring for you and one for me but you have to promise to wear it as often as you can". Thirty years later it is still one of the rings Tonia likes wearing the most. It has the hair she has always wanted, long and flowing, and it reminds her to be a good and fierce feminist.

Our matching rings.

The long flowing hair all around her face.

#59

Driving with Arta to Shuswap Lake

If you want to know all about the geography, terrain, history and natural world as you drive from Calgary to Annis Bay along Highway 1 take Arta (or Glen). I remember the first time I (Tonia) and Arta drove in a car together, Arta pulled out a binder full of research she had collected over the years, and shared it with me as we passed particular places and objects. I remember you cross the Kicking Horse River/Columbia River (with all it's names) 14 times. You can tell which part of the mountains you are in by the names of the restaurants and hotels (Monashee, Purcell, and Selkirk mountain ranges within the Rocky Mountains). I know there was a buffalo jump at Jumping Pound Creek just outside Calgary (which is sadly being changed with suburban development). I also look at how the snow rests and clings to tree branches, fence posts, bushes, and the tops of bathrooms stops in the winter as Arta pointed out. It is a magnificent drive and her voice and research is in my head every time I take the trip to our beloved land.

For more information about the three mountain ranges, click here.

#60

Zoe said she and Arta would go on fantastic walks. They would go to Nose Hill Park and see deer, birds, flowers, trees, and a teepee. There is also a pond where they would stop and enjoy the views. Such lovely times walking and enjoying nature.

Fun with Arta and Zoe in a Photo Booth.

We love you so much Arta and are so grateful that you are our amazing Aunt! 

We keep trying to be as cool, smart and wonderful as you!