Me fishing bass in Mexico … a couple 😀 of years ago.
There are many software options for upscaling.
The better the original, the better the upscaled version.
I used one that was a FREE website in March 2025 — if you upscaled only 1 photo at a time up to a maximum of 400%.
We are happy with the model we bought in 2025 ➙ Pride Mobility’s VivaLift Tranquil Power Recliner.
Image below shows how it can stand you UP from the chair.
Dad testing it out.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
AND … here’s the OLD chair. 😀 Come pick it up!
My old Elementary school is going strong. I pass by often as my brother still lives in the Glamorgan district in Calgary.
Glamorgan Elementary is ALL fond memories for me. I’m one of those weird kids who liked school. 😀
I did get LOST first day walking home from school!
Glamorgan Elementary was built to accommodate the growing population in the neighbourhood, which was rapidly developing post-World War II. It was the very edge of the city. Next block to my family home (bought 1963) was a farm with horses.
It was MODERN — architecture reflected the educational philosophies of the time, emphasizing open spaces and accessibility. That turned out to be a mistake, I’d say. Open classrooms are too loud and distracting.
Actually, it was only the Grade 6 students who used the open area / library. I recall lower grades being in regular classrooms.
In Grade 6 me and my buddies — including Brian Mason — arrived Monday mornings with our top 10 lists scrawled on scrap paper. We compared our updated TOP 10 A.M. RADIO SONGS … and TOP 10 GIRLS. 😀
Hey — it was a more sexist era.
His Mom was a teacher at the school.
Glenn P. Michell wrote up a personal account of his experience at the school and community.
Sadly, the photo is cut off.
I can’t actually verify I wasn’t standing on a box. 😀
Since Covid, I’ve spent far more time in Parksville than in Calgary.
It’s terrific for year round beach walks, cycling, hiking, and running.
On a Globe and Mail survey of places to live in Canada, Parksville was 32nd “most livable” out of 438.
Factors: economy, housing, demographics, health care, safety, education, community, amenities, transportation and climate.
My parents, brother Rob and his wife live here. It’s a small retirement town.
The numbers aren’t quite right, but this real estate guy generally gives a good overview of town.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
too talkative at times – has good ability – could be a very good student
I have most of my old school report cards.
Grade 4. I’m the one with the … ears.
Note how every boy has worn out knees. 😀
PROOF I graduated High School. Check those English and Typing marks!
I was excellent at P.E. BUT our teacher — Humper Humphries — didn’t like me for some reason.
Surprisingly, I was one of two valedictorians with these grades.
Randy and Val have been hosting an online music event since the pandemic.
I sat in LIVE for the 18th episode.
My brother’s Suspicious Minds in full Elvis costume was the highlight. 😀
One of the guests played a version of Dancing in the Moonlight (1970) written by Sherman Kelly, originally recorded Kelly’s band Boffalongo.
It became a worldwide hit single by King Harvest in 1972.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
In 2000, a cover by English band Toploader became a worldwide hit.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Randy McCharles has a Masters in Computer Science. Spent most of his career in research and development.
One day he quit a good job to see how he liked being a full-time author.
Unsurprisingly, the pay is not nearly as good. 😀
One of his series has a former cop, current private eye — Sam Sparrow — mysteriously transported back to fictional historic United Kingdom.
His 2022 book is A Connecticut Gumshoe in the Cavern of the Weird Sisters.
Yep. Sam is taken back to time to the days of Shakespeare’s “Scottish Play” and General Macbeth’s machinations to become King of Scotland.
With scheming witches on one side and an old friend in peril on the other, Sam finds himself in the unenviable position of having to help Macbeth succeed. That is, if he ever wants to return home.
Worst of all, he hasn’t the first clue of how to manage a nightclub.
I enjoyed this one the most of the three, so far. The books are funny.
My brother’s 2021 book is available in paperback and Kindle formats.
This one is #2 in the Sam Sparrow series.
Sam is a private eye who keeps being whisked away from modern day to fictional historic locations.
The story is a humorous mashup of speculative fiction with a hardboiled detective character.
This time Sam must help rescue Robin Hood and Maid Marian from the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
And it doesn’t go all that well. The Sheriff anticipates Sam’s every move — and there’s a lot of hobbling on badly blistered feet. Until the climactic final confrontation.
I cycled out to Silver Meadows Farm to join in their annual Thanksgiving Fall Harvest Market.
FUN.
Mary hosted Thanksgiving dinner. This year a CHICKEN rather than turkey.
Rick McCharles 