I have previously told about four of the branches of our spreading Family Tree. Now, what about that fifth, and central branch; the one which was really the third one to spring forth?

Well, I expect that you have already guessed that I did not become a farmer. That is for sure. However, I did enjoy some of the routine operations of Farm Life, as a means and an opportunity to dream and to meditate. All of the time that I was walking behind the horse drawn Harrows, dragging across the field, I wished that I was somewhere else, working out the mechanical details of some complicated machine which I had visualized. All the time I rode the plough behind our work-team, I was delving into some philosophical, social problem and at the same time, thinking, "Just one more hour until dinner." Consequently, just as soon as the occasion seemed right, which was soon after leaving secondary school, I left my grass roots and set out to challenge the world and to express myself in ways most appropriate to the real ME.

This "stepping out" started when I was recommended and accepted a drafting position with the Office Specialty Company north in Newmarket. I started this position, receiving a salary of nineteen dollars for a five-and-half day week. However, I had the privilege of rooming and boarding with my supervisor's Mother-in-law and family for one dollar a day along with all of the family privileges. These happy privileges included baby-sitting and carriage-pushing as well as tutoring his son in the fine art of shoe-lace tying. Then there were many other family activities, which helped to make things pleasant. These fruitful times came to an abrupt end after three year, when the fate of this large company fell victim to the Great Depression, 1932. I was laid off on my birthday.

One memorable occasion was when I was delegated to attend a three weeks' conference and retreat on the then very live topic of Economics, Politics and Religion. This experience made me more aware of some of the theories and myths surrounding these important subjects.

There were many other opportunities presented to me for my personal growth. The culmination of these experiences was the serendipitous meeting of the girl of my dreams, a merry little MARY. This marked the beginning of a new chapter and a new life. This new life would bring creative opportunities to my liking as well as a beautiful sweet little wife. This new life would eventually bless our family with two gifted sons, whom we named Roger and Alfred. They were each endowed with his own gift of artistic creation.

Life with our little family was not all sunshine and roses. There were often a few clouds in the sky as well as thorns on the roses, which we had to learn to live with. After twenty-three years of life as a happy family, a great tragedy occurred which in one fateful stroke took away my Wife as well as our sons' mother. But, life for us did not stop....

Roger's path lead him into the melodious field of Music-Making. He studied the techniques of handcrafting harps and similar musical instruments. Having made the instrument, he also taught his clients the fundamentals of playing the instruments. He discovered Joanna, a school teacher in a Waldorf School, found out that she was to his liking and also musically inclined. They decided to team up in the bonds of matrimony. In this arrangement they are making a life for themselves and their two growing boys, Kevin and Damon. Their little house in London, Ontario, is a homecraft industry, ever resounding with the sounds of music. They are making Music their Way of Life.

As for myself, I found the special someone to fill the empty nest, and so welcomed into my life, as my wife and companion, a sweet little Lady, DORÉE, whose roots grew somewhere in Sunny Jamaica. This was our Centennial Project.