The Weekend

Yesterday Mallard Industries held a 40th anniversary barbecue at the sheltered workshop where Emil is employed; Mallard also runs one of the group homes where he lives. He didn't come out to the farm this weekend because of the event, but Scott and I went in at 11:30 for the barbecue and to take a tour of the facility.

Farmboy was naturally anxious to get back home — it was a beautiful windy, warm day and he hoped to get out to the field — so we didn't stay long. We had a visit with Emil, all dressed up in black pants and a purple shirt, and listened to some of the old-time music that volunteers were playing up on a little platform. We took a tour of the building, which is a going concern; they have various profitable businesses operating from it, from food catering to building wooden pallets and mechanized chicken-pluckers and heaven-knows-what-else.

Scott had a bite to eat and I had a couple cups of coffee, and we chatted with a few people before sitting down outside with Emil for a little while again and then driving home. The official "opening" of the renovated building was to start at 3 o'clock and Alison planned to attend that for the newspaper, but I took a few pictures anyway. Most aren't newspaper-worthy, alas, as I don't seem to have the knack, but if we're lucky maybe one or two will be.

A room that was added is one I believe they call the Quiet Room, where clients/workers can have a lie-down or a time-out if they're upset or not feeling well.

Quiet Room

I could've crawled onto that mat for a snooze, myself! Have been without vigour since arriving home Tuesday night after the festivities in Calgary. So lazy have I been that, aside from the hours at the office Wednesday to Friday, I've done as little as possible: several stops at the grocery store to pick up necessities; a few loads of laundry, a few dishes, a couple simple suppers; and not a lot else. I didn't even drop in on my boy after work, as I usually try to do at least once a week. I just wanted to get home and relax. Yesterday, it being too hot to use the oven or go for a walk, I even let myself sit down with a book for an hour or two in the afternoon.

Today it's cooled off and a good brisk walk is in order. Maybe that will bring me around to feeling normal again.