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7 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,D ecem ber 27,2018 theifp.ca • Truck Accessories • Upholstery • Heavy Equipment Glass •Window Tinting 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1655 Wehandleall insurance work. We handle all insurance work. To book this space call 905-873-0301 To book this space YOUR AD HERE! THE WAY WE WERE Many New Year's Eve revelers in the 1960s danced to bands like Georgetown's Manhattans, which consisted of George Rowe on drums, Ian Cass on guitar, Hughie Hunter on saxophone, Bernard Shrubsole on bass and Ralph Ursel on accordion. Tom Darcie was the soloist. EHS/photo It's a well-known fact that farmers, after they have fin- ished plowing, planting, or harvesting one of their fields, stop before leaving the field to look over their shoul- der behind them. It's an opportunity to make sure everything is in order, until the next visit to that field. But it's also a look of ap- proval, allowing them to have a moment's pride, and say "That's alright ..." I suspect farmers from the dawn of civilization have done the same. The Neander- thal scratched a patch of loose ground with a stick to plant some seeds, the early civilizations discovered iron and bronze to work the land easier, and our pioneers, right up to today's agricul- turalists, all have taken that step back to survey their fields and say, "That's al- right." Even our urban cousins do the same after mowing their lawns or weeding their flower beds. They take that moment to look behind. Using that farming analo- gy, we can do the same about the past year - the good times, and the not-so-good times. Looking back shows us where we've been - but it also gives us a reference and di- rection as to where we might be going and take stock of ev- erything before us. The Sidekick and I are no exception. We had a number of changes during the past 12 months. None were what I'd consider bad, but they did create changes in our life. Early in the year, we were contacted by a sheep breeder wanting to purchase some lambs, to build a new flock in Prince Edward Island. We didn't have enough lambs to fill his bill, so he also dealt with other breeders. He came back and asked if we'd sell some adult ewes to finish the load and establish his flock. The Sidekick and I pe- rused our inventory and found we'd be down to a very small flock. But we also knew this day was coming, when we'd final- ly retire from raising sheep. His offer was the catalyst. We agreed to sell them, and in July, we emptied the barn. It was a bit emotional, but in retrospect it was the right decision. We have lost some income but have gained some freedom in our lives. As that chapter of our farming life closes, we are left with warm fuzzy memo- ries of our sheep and lambs, and also take comfort know- ing our flock is in the good hands of a shepherd in P.E.I. Of course, Hamish the dog is still undergoing some doggy counselling for his loss of a flock to watch over! We decided this was the year to spiffy up the garage and driving shed, by pouring new concrete floors in both, and replacing the doors and adding electric door open- ers. The Sidekick claims I have a permanent smile carved into my face since re- placing the floors and doors. We welcomed some grandbabies this year. On my side of the family, wee At- lee Catherine Edwards ar- rived in the early hours of Aug. 3, bringing my grand- children up to five. The Sidekick couldn't be outdone, and Braylyn Har- ley Marion Cowan was born Nov. 14, bringing her total grandkids to six (there is no competition, yeah, right ...) And in September, The Sidekick decided to slow down a bit, and become semi-retired, no longer working Fridays. I now have two "Saturdays" to deal with in the week - the one that fol- lows Thursday, and the one that comes before Sunday. And finally, I was success- fully re-elected in October's municipal election, so I'm back for another four years. So, all in all, it was a pret- ty good year, with several good things, and minimal "bad" things. And taking stock of it all, I can honestly say "That's al- right." The Sidekick and I wish you a Happy New Year and the very best in the coming year. Ted Brown is a freelance journalist for the IFP. You can reach him at tedbit@hot- mail.com. THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS - AND A TIME TO SAY 'THAT'S ALRIGHT' A NUMBER OF CHANGES IN 2018, WRITES TED BROWN TED BROWN Column OPINION