Tuesday, September 16, 2014

To Dennis from Emil

Once upon a time, Emil told singer/songwriter Dennis Lakusta — or maybe Dennis told Emil — that he should write a song called Emil Goes to Camp Easter Seal. 

This may have been said lightheartedly but Emil takes everything literally and has never forgotten, and so every once in a while he reminds Dennis, who now lives in Nanaimo.

"I'll tell you what, Emil," Dennis replied, "Next time you go to Camp Easter Seal, send me a list of all the things you did there. Then I've got a place to start."

So this summer when Emil returned from camp, he sat down here at the computer for an hour and composed this list. I was only called upon once or twice to help with spelling a particular word; otherwise, my proofreading suggestions were firmly ignored:

Hi Dennis How are you doing ?
I had a good time at camp easter seal this year.
On saturday at camp easter seal this year I got to watch a talent show.
This year at camp easter seal I got to pet the  horse 2 times.
On the last day before I went home from camp easter seal this year I danced with lots of people.
On sunday at camp easter seal this year I  got to make cookies.
On the first day I got to camp easter seal this year I got to go out for supper at a restaurant called  the spa.
Do you ride horses?
On saturday at camp easter seal this year I got to watch cowboy movies.
Do you have a new car  yet?
On sunday at camp easter seal this year I had supper up at russ sticks.
A t camp easter seal this year when we had supper up at russ sticks we had pizza bush pies for supper,
On monday at camp easter seal this year I got to go swimming one time.
What songs do you like to sing the most?
On saturday at camp easter this year I got to watch the ruff rider game on tv.
At camp easter seal this year I watched a movie in the tv room.
If you write that new song called Emil goes to camp easter seal I would love to hear it.
On the last day before I went home from camp easter seal this year I had a final banquet and dance.
After the final banquet and dance was over then I had an after  party.
I would like to see you again sometime .At camp easter seal this year I had sports.  At camp easter seal this year I got 2 have ice cream 2 times.
In sports at camp easter seal this year I played catch.
At camp easter seal this year I got to go for a ride on a boat called a pon toon boat.
At camp easter seal this year I was in cabin 16.
At camp easter seal this year my camp counsellors said to me Emil I like you you are fun to hang out with.
Camp easter seal is a very nice place.
How often do you sing the car alarm song ?
What is year favourite food?
How often do you go out and play at concerts?
At camp easter seal we have 2 really nice stone buildings.
One time we watched a music video of you on scotts lap top.
On the first day I got to camp easter seal this year we had a camp fire before bed.
On monday moring at camp easter seal this year  we had french toast for breakfast.
                   from Emil


Poor Dennis, he's been sick in bed since last month and just wrote to explain and ask me to tell Emil to be patient. I bet you've never had such a demanding "biggest fan" before, have you, Dennis?

In other news, there is a birthday boy in the house. Well, not in the house. He's out working, and I'm heading off, myself, but leaving this on the table:

The envelope contains a booklet all about the year he was born, 1959; and a backscratcher. What more could a man ask?