Cold Lake

Cold Lake-Lately, because I have been dealing with some "issues" above and
beyond my normal discomfort, I really felt like I wanted to write about
something that had absolutely nothing to do with hospital, Long-term Care,
sickness, pain, etc. I had no idea what, though, as, aside from God, those
things pretty much define my existence right now. I am not sure what gave me
the idea to write about Cold Lake nor have I thought it out. So you will
have to bear with me while I ramble a bit.

I first came to Cold Lake to teach school at the ripe old age of 22. When I
found out that I was coming to Cold Lake, I didn't even know that there was
such a place. My sister did know that there is a military base here but that
is all she knew. So I trundled off to Cold Lake and was pleasantly
surprised. There even were trees! Coming from Medicine Hat where trees are
few and far between, that was a treat. I came in January so I didn't first
see our beautiful lake at its best. When I first came, there wasn't much here. Just
a small town amidst trees and on a lovely lake I have to admit that I much
preferred Cold Lake when it was just a small town and before so many of the
trees have been cut down. I have never been a city person so I was happy to
be in a small town. Back then, Medicine Hat certainly wasn't a large city
but it was still a city. One of the first things that I noticed is how much
shorter winter days in Cold Lake are compared to winter days in Medicine
Hat. Conversely, during the summer, I noticed how much longer the days are.
Another thing I noticed is that,when the day is hot in Cold Lake, it still
cools down at night.Not so in Medicine Hat. A hot day usually means a hot
night. However, there is one way I like Medicine Hat better. MOSQUITOES! The
ones there are much smaller and sparser than the ones in Cold Lake.

I also experienced some firsts in coming to Cold Lake. Moving to Cold Lake
meant the first time that I really lived away from home, Of course, I lived
away when I was going to university but Lethbridge is only 2 hours from
Medicine Hat so I was able to go home frequently. However, Cold Lake is a
lot farther from Medicine Hat so, obviously, I couldn't pop home nearly as
often.

The teaching position was my first real job . I had summer jobs while going
to university but working to save money for schooling is a whole lot
different than working to pay the rent, buy groceries, etc. In addition, I
had a student loan to pay off.

I met my husband in Cold Lake. Well., actually on the military base. Even
though we were married in Medicine Hat, our entire married life was spent in
Cold Lake. My two children were born in Cold Lake. They don't live here
anymore but I am sure they still think of Cold Lake as their hometown.

In Cold Lake, I learned to do some things I never even thought of doing
while I was living in Medicine Hat. I learned to cross-country ski. In Cold
Lake, the snow usually stays on the ground all winter which makes it
conducive to cross-country skiing-when it is not too cold! But, because of
the chinooks, the snow in Medicine Hat can come and go. I really have no
idea how much cross-country skiing is done there. I just know that it was
not something I ever thought of doing before I came to Cold Lake. The other
thing that I learned to do in Cold Lake was how to curl. Even though there
is a curling rink in Medicine Hat, curling just doesn't seem to be as big as
farther north. At least, I had no interest in curling before coming to Cold
Lake. I don't even remember how I got started curling but I got hooked on it
and continued curling in a ladies' league until I had the stroke.

I first really got to know God in Cold Lake. While living in Medicine Hat, I
knew ABOUT God as I went to church and there were always Bibles in our
house. But it wasn't until I moved to Cold Lake and not until after I had
the stroke that I became a born-again Christian and that I learned, and am
still learning just how wonderful God.

To be honest, I am not too sure why I wrote this blog. But it was kind of
fun to write.