Goin' Back to the 'Fax

April Wine - Say Hello

Tonight I will be flying back to Halifax, Nova Scotia; a place that I have been to at least 10 times over the years that never gets old and always feels like home whenever I'm there. It is an incredible city with kind and friendly people, a long and proud history, and the greatest seafood on planet earth. The people are hardworking but always know how to have a good time; they also act as incredible hosts every time I'm there, providing world class hospitality that is so genuine you'd think that you've lived there with them your whole life. From the Citadel fort overlooking the entire city and harbor to Canada's oldest tavern established in 1749, The Split Crow, to remnants from major past events felt by the city such as The Halifax Explosion, the sinking of the Titanic, and both World Wars, history plays an important role that can be seen and felt all throughout Halifax. And finally, there's the seafood, oh delicious seafood. Massive, deep-sea Atlantic lobster, scallops that are bigger than your palm, juicy steamed mussels and fresh, rich Atlantic cod are just a few of the options available to satisfy your hunger. I could go on and on about my love for this city (and I definitely will more in the future) but not today as there are more important deeds to attend to.

My Mom was raised in the Maritime capital so we have lots of family and friends to visit each time we go back. However this time when we go back, sadly there will be one less person to visit. My Grandpa, or Poppy as my brothers, cousins and I all call him, passed away on December 30, 2014. He suffered a fatal stroke during sleep and went peacefully. He was 83. Poppy was a good man, everything you can ask for in a Grandfather really; he enjoyed playing games with us, told great stories, including many from his time as a chef in the Navy, and was always kind and loving. I have many great memories with him but 3 will always stand out:

- While playing the game Rummoli at our house a few years ago Poppy went on a run for the ages. Rummoli is a fast-paced card game involving chips being thrown into the game board and then retrieved when you hit a pay card or cards, of which there are about 6 of. Some pay cards are easy to get, such as Queen of Spades, while others are very difficult such as King and Ace of Diamonds back-to-back or 7-8-9 of the same suit in a row. These ones are usually only hit once a game and often not at all. After deciding that this would be the last hand Poppy, simply put, went H.A.A.M. In one turn he hit 3 of the 4 single pay cards and then got BOTH the King/Ace of Diamonds and the 7-8-9 suited! For anyone who has played Rummoli you can surely appreciate how rare this is, like getting a hole-in-one or seeing a unicorn! But that was Poppy, bumbling his way through a game in which it seemed like he had no idea what he was doing at some points and exclaiming "I haven't played this game in 40 years" then turning it on its head and crushing us all.

- Another similar event occurred when the two of us played mini-golf at the Starlight Casino bar. He had been struggling all round and I doubt got less than a 4 through the first 8 holes. Then on the 9th and most difficult hole he nails a hole-in-one! Another improbable and epic finish.

- Twice my Nana and Poppy joined us on a trip from Halifax to Prince Edward Island. Both trips featured many great moments and fun times but the one that stands out the most has to be the beach day and lobster dinner. We spent the day hanging out at the red sand beach that we had all to ourselves behind the cottage we were staying in. Poppy and I shared a mickey of rum, Lamb's dark Navy rum of course, and mixed it with orange juice which was his favourite. I was playing tunes all day and right near the end when we were getting ready to head out for a big lobster dinner I played "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" by The Temptations. I'll never forget the look of sheer joy on his face as he was groovin' to this somewhat unlikely jam (ie. not Tony Bennett, Hank Williams or Engelbert Humperdinck). The dinner was incredible as well; it was a great day had by all.

The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone

"Say Hello" is a classic Canadian rock song by Halifax's own April Wine. I chose it for today because a) they are from Halifax, b) I will be saying hello to that city later tonight and c) I know that Poppy would have loved this groove as well, especially after learning that the band was made up of some good Canadian kids. And "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" by The Temptations is an all-time classic; the perfect mix of funk, soul and psychedelic. If you can't groove to this track then I'm sorry but you don't have a soul.

This week's beer simply has to be Alexander Keith's. The refreshing I.P.A. was Poppy's fave and is basically the choice drink of our whole family and one of the few things we all will always agree on. The beer has deep roots in Halifax with the brewery in the heart of downtown and Mr. Keith's grave being a popular site nearby (both of which I have visited). 

He loved that beer almost as much as his family. Poppy will be greatly missed and I look forward to reminiscing about all the good times at his celebration of life this weekend. RIP Gerald Alan Goldring (1931-2014).