Bert Memories

Where do I start to comment on the Best / Beast that Bert was to me all of my growing up years. Bert and Brian were such a pair and tormented we girls without mercy!

When we were still little, Lois, Patti and I made a little house out of sticks at the end of the road.  Someone who had visited had given us girls a quarter.  That was a lot of money in about 1952. Bert and Brian convinced us that we needed house insurance - and somehow we believed them and they took our quarter - and subsequently tore down our house.

For fun - Bert and Brian would say they were going to get our stuff!  One of them would block our way from going up stairs and the other one would go into our room and empty all of the drawers, tie our stockings to the door handles and then made a mess of anything that was in place, We would scream our heads off and so ran to Mamma.  She simply smiled and said - "once you are married once or twice you will have forgotten all about it" 

The tormenting never ended it and I seemed to have taken the brunt of their mischief.  I loved to sleep and being the last out of bed - they would drag me out of bed and say let's go for a mud run.  Remember it is April - the ground is still frozen in places - and I am in my bare feet and pjs.   Bert on one side, Brian on the other side - holding my hands in a farmer grip - then ran me through the mud in the barn yard.  To top it off in the summer - just for fun - Bert and Brian would catch me and drop me into the watering trough - clothes and all.

Never mind - I made up my mind to get even "even if it took the rest of my natural life" as Bert used to say.  When visiting MacLean Manor one summer - he was woken up out of a sound sleep by a Piper playing loud Bagpipe Music - just like the Queen at Balmoral I told him. 

I got him best when he came for a visit close to Christmas  - a few days after his birthday. I told him to put his nice shirt and sweater as we were having a few guests in after supper and I needed help getting ready.  He jumped in to help buttering the sweet bread, sweeping the kitchen floor etc so all was ready when everyone arrived.  Cliff Wilkins just happened to have brought his video camera.  When all was in place, a very pregnant Bag Lady came to our door looking for Bert "Loroque."  Being the gentleman that he is, Bert jumped up, shook her hand and introduced himself.  She then wanted to hold him responsible for her condition that had come about in the "lettuce express"    Poor Bert - then he knew he had been had.  She proceeded to take off the logging boots, big hat, dumpy jacket, let her hair down and put on "stripper music" and asked Bert to dance.  He was sure it was a neighbour and asked Marilyn Wilkins who she was but Marilyn wasn't any help. Anyway - Bert got up and danced. As I told Bertie when it was all over - this was just for all those years of getting our stuff and a refund on my house insurance!

Bert has been the best big brother anyone could ever ask for.  Bert is loyal to his family and is always good to laugh and tease with.  When Lois and I got on the train to come west, Bert took time off work and came to the station to say good -bye.   That was so appreciated.

Happy Birthday Bertie and many many more. 

We love you to the Moon and back dear Bertie.

Much love always

Lane and Don and Family