Category: McCharles family

Sarcee Meadows Housing Coop Construction

On By Rick McIn good news, government, McCharles familyLeave a comment

For decades my family has had a place in Sarcee Meadows Coop in Calgary.

My Dad ran their maintenance department for years. Later, my brother Rob took over.

My brother Randy and his partner Val live in the Coop now.

I post as there is a massive construction renovation happening. All units are getting new front and back decks. And I saw plenty of work being done on the roofs, siding with new insulation, windows and doors.

All good ➙ BUT it’s a mess while under construction.

It’s a massive complex.

I recall playing tag in the original construction site when we were kids. It opened 1971.

It’s a Trudeau era non-profit housing cooperative. In 2025 it might just be the best value housing in Calgary. Here are the benefits for tenants. This coop worked. Socialism at its best.

Here are a few photos of the mess in C block May 2025. 😀

Sometimes you really don’t want to see how the sausage is made. 😀

My “Retiree” Routine

On By Rick McIn about Rick, books, cycling, food, health & fitness, hiking, McCharles family, TVLeave a comment

When not traveling, I stay with my Mom at her home in Parksville, B.C.

➙ PLEASE spread the rumour that I am some kind of son / saint caregiver. 😀

Though I tell people I’m semi-retired, I seem to be mostly retired in 2025.

Retirees tend to evolve a daily routine. Here’s mine as of …

March 2025

Wake EARLY

Pick up COFFEE at McDonalds

WALK the coastline at Dawn

Internet in the morning. Updating my 3 main websites. …More coffee.

Typically I don’t eat until 10:30am or later.

RUN or STAIRS in the morning.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

If I run, leisurely is 4.5km in 30min.

Lunch

1 or more hours CYCLING

Dinner. (I’m actually starting to cook a few things. Under my Mom’s direction. 😀)

Chores

Evening WALK or CYCLE. Most often just after sunset.

Parksville Beach, unedited photo

Upper body strength and endurance training at the playground. About 10 minutes.

I sometimes do an abdominal program at home, as well.

9pm TV

10pm SLEEP

Saturday and Sunday I try to shoot some basketball outside the local school.

I SHOULD start golfing once a week.

That’s my regular day. Of course, conflicting things come up.

Right now we’re drinking very little alcohol in Parksville. And I’m trying to eat less this winter compared with last year. Fewer sweets.

Health is still good. Dentures my biggest medical issue.

I continue to listen to about 3 audio books / week. At about 145% speed. Fewer podcasts.

I watch a lot of YouTube, as well.

In my “spare” time, 1st priority is VIDEO EDITING for my Hiking YouTube channel. Over 235 videos since I launched during the pandemic.

Most popular, so far, is a fantastic coastal hike in Portugal.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Upscaling Old Photos

On By Rick McIn about Rick, McCharles family, photos, travel, travel MexicoLeave a comment

Me fishing bass in Mexico … a couple 😀 of years ago.

upscaled 400%
original
upscaled 400%
Original of my parent’s wedding
upscaled 400%
Original

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%.

IMGupscaler.com

Our Power Lift Stand-up Recliner Chair

On By Rick McIn McCharles family, product endorsementsLeave a comment

We are happy with the model we bought in 2025 ➙ Pride Mobility’s VivaLift Tranquil Power Recliner.

  • durable
  • remote control with cable (so you don’t lose the remote 😀)
  • adjustable shoulder and neck support
  • adjustable lumbar position
  • goes flat with no chance of tipping over
  • USB charger port in the remote to charge your smart device from your chair

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 School ➙ Glamorgan Elementary

On By Rick McIn about Rick, education, McCharles familyLeave a comment

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.

Life in Parksville, Vancouver Island

On By Rick McIn hiking, McCharles family, travelLeave a comment

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.

My School Report Cards 😀

On By Rick McIn about Rick, education, McCharles family1 Comment

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’s Karaoke Online

On By Rick McIn McCharles family, musicLeave a comment

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.

My Brother’s Connecticut Gumshoe Series

On By Rick McIn books, McCharles familyLeave a comment

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.