Joe Rooney

This is for those friends and family of Molly who still keep in touch with Bedlington. Molly was born at 6 Craggs Buildings, Bank top in August 1926. She attended St Bedes school, and after leaving at 14, worked for several years in Leicester for several years. !n 1949, she immigrated to Ontario Canada. There she met, and later married Gordon Perrott. After 6 children, thirteen Grandchildren, and 4 Great-grandchildren, Gordon died some years ago. Molly always loved travel, and frequently visited Bedlington where she kept many old friends. On her retirement as a bank manager, at age 65, Molly retired to the beautiful little town of Teeswater, Ontario, where she lived in a small cottage built especially for her by her children. Some weeks ago, on the advice of her specialist she moved into a senior citizens home in Wingham, Ontario, another small town nearby. On Wednesday, she suffered a stroke, and was hospitalised. Our oldest daughter, Pat called us this morning from Ontario to tell us that Molly had died at about 10.30 last night. She went quickly and quietly, which I would say is about the way she lived her life. She was 82, and we will miss her, but she lived well, long and productively. And doubt that she had any regrets. My wife Linda and I are flying to Toronto tomorrow,. We will be there for the rest of the week. She had a lot of family, and a lot of friends, so I think we will have to hear a lot of the old stories about Mary (Molly) Rooney. I am sure that her old Bedlington and Cowpen friends wil already know that she has gone, but for those few who havent, this is my last lament for my beloved sister Molly. Agnus Dei, Qui tolis peccata Mundi, Dona Nobis Pacem. Thank you for the calls which started coming in this morning. Joe Rooney

I have to admit that most of this thread has gone right over my head, which is probably a good thing. I don't have to waste time worrying about things I have no knowledge of, so I can go back into my usually dozy day. As for the man having a flash car, a flash bike, and loads of money, I only have a dependable car, no bike, and some money. But its enough for me, so good luck to the man, and I hope he will do well for the site, We can use all the help we can get! Regards to all, can I go back to sleep, now that the kefufle is over and done with. What was your name again? Joe Rooney

Dear Belingtonlass, What's this! Another birthday? But you just had one a few months ago Well, if you must, then have a good one! Happy birthday, Joe

Happy birthday, Tony Joe

And a belated happy birthday to you Ex-Bedlingtonian. Hope you enjoyed it. Joe Rooney

Had a conversation with my youngest son, Sean who lives and works in Toronto. He is in the IT business, and now that he is 41, and has a few grey hairs to show for it, and what he gets for running his own 12 man consulting firm, I am beginningt to think that maybe he isn't quite the wldly enthusiastic kid he used to be. He certainly knows me too well. Anyway,I was telling him about my email of the other day, nd when I was finished, he took a deep breath and began to tell me what I never seem to remember. According to Sean, I am an oldtimer "Mainframem freak". I will never see any computer as anything more than a highspeed communications tool. As he says, I expect it to provide highspeed internet connections, give fast communuication service,do a good job of maintaining my Investment records, act as a simple typwriter, and provide fast and exhaustive search capabilities. My computer never has been, nor is it likely to be, a toy for games, a substitute for my entertainment centre, certainly not for downloading (ie Stealing) music. Aside from the relatively small amount of photographic storage and manipulation that my wife does, there is no need for any type of graphics card, or anything which does not assist in gaining, gathering, manipulating, and enjoying data, be it Alpha or numeric. I have to admit that he is right, I never have seen the computer as anything but a very useful tool, so toys and games, and music have no place in any of systems. I am well aware that non professional, and considerable professional resources are directed towards these pursuits, it's just that I don't have any interest in pursuing them. It dosen't make a bad old git, just one who enjoys pursuing old interests, at the greatly incresased speeds facilitated by modern technology. So, since I am not interested in it, I don't spend any time examining other sytems or aapproaches that might be of great interest to people who do! Sorry about that mini-rant. Just thought that I should tell that. Dull though it might be. At least my kids are a little more accepting of what Ihave usually seen as an awful waste of computer resources. Regards, Joe

Bear with me as I disgress! I have heard, and seen quite a few criticisms of "Cleaning software". But never do I seem to se a good clear reason, why it is such a bad thing! As I have said before, I consider myself an absolute dud when it comes to software, and information in general. So, whenever I am about to make any kind of move in the field, I get advice, lots of advice. And thre is a lot of it available to me. Both of my sons are professionally trained I people, and for the last 15 or so years of my working career, I was one of four owners of a very successful software company in Toronto. So if I need help, I usually know where to go. And when I moved into Vista this year, I listened, and followed the advice given. Stick to good proven software. Stay away from unknown, untested websites. Install McAfee or a similar screening system, install Winferno or a similar scanning and deletion system. Never leave your computer running when not in use. Schedule constant scanning from McaFee, schedule weekly scanning by Winferno, compact all drives at 30 day intervals. And I know that I have other protective systems built in by my two overly protective kids if I ever got into trouble because of an unnoticed virus, other little !*!@# . Result: In the last fifteen years, I have never had any problems, except those caused by my own stupidity. But never from an external cause. So, I am not trying to be a smsrt alec or anything. But would someone please explain to this fast aging precomputer aging non-Geek just what is wrong with using whatever software technology is available? Just thought I should ask! Regards, Joe

Happy birthday Fourgee, and thank you for all your good work! Joe

Happy birthday Cympil. Hope its a really good one! Joe

Alberta is the last (And probably only.) refuge of Lassez Faire capitalism in Canada, so she would probably be greeted with open arms by the fanatical few. However, I doubt that she would want to visit, since she has made her suspicions about "Canadian Socialism" so open. It would be more likely that she would demand that Canada be annexed to Alaska, and all vestiges of Canadian Health, and other "Welfare programmes and the like" be extinguished. God and more normal Canadians forbid! Joe

Fall has definitely arrived in Alberta. We have had snow on the mountain peaks for about five weeks, for two or three nights last week the temperature was below 0C, and yesterday, we saw our first female deer with fawn in tow. Usually we don't see Deer until there is snow on the ground, and they emerge from the foothills adjacent to the Tsu Tina aboriginal reserve. But there is no snow, and it is around 20 C, so that is a little unusual for this part of Calgary. It is also something of a conundrum for my wife, and by extension "ME". It started off quite well yesterday, I looked out of the dining room window during supper, and there was a large female Mule deer, with fawn. Problem is, they were eating my wifes beloved roses. She has slaved, and cursed and even cried over these roses for about four years now. She has told everyone she knows about her beautiful mass rose garden, it is a constant source of pleasure, pride, (and a little smugness) to her. And here were the animals she loves only slightly more than our three cats, and a new puppy, "Eating her precious roses". But in defence of the Deer, they apparently fully appreciated her largesse in planting such a delicious meal for our favourite visitors. She has talked to the city people, the wild life people, and anyone else who might know how to deal with such a problem. Since that hasn't worked, her next step, is to blame me. Apparently I should have told her that deer love fresh roses. How would I know! I am from the Bank Top. I am a pitmans son, while she is from a New York farm family. So if anyone should know these things, it is her failing, not mine. A friend of mine reminded me today, that in marriage, the truly important failings, are always the husbands fault. That is what we are here for. I am now praying for early snow, and sub-zero temperatures, so that the deer will visit in their customary numbers, and she can go back to being her usual mushy lover of all things wild, especially deer. Besides, when the deer do come, they spend a great deal of time fertilising the back yard. And I do believe, that that is why the roses grow so well here. But it is just not fair! Is it? Joe Rooney. (Feeling very badly done to!)

Well now, I can't begin to tell you how much better that makes me feel. Nor how relieved my wife is. As she has told this many times, it is one thing to express a feeling on some one else's baby, and a totally different thing once you have had a few of your own. The very best to all three of you, I hope you can quickly get back to enjoying parenthood! I told my wife a little while ago, that God seems to make a practice of making the difficulties of childbirth commensurate with the pleasures of parenthood. but sometoimes he does go a bit overboard! I hope you recover quickly, and have much happiness and satisfaction in your new situation. I am so happy for you all. Joe

When we got back from our trip, I expected to see a message from Tokyo Girl telling us about her new baby. Nothing on the subject, so how is she, is she OK and just too busy for frivolity and other sleep absorbing practices,. But above all, is she OK? Has anyone heard from her, and if so can they share their information, or at least let us know that all is well, and so is she! At my present stage of life, the welfare of friends is always concern number 1. Joe

Just got back from 2 weeks vacation in New Brunswick. Almost missed the great news. But the hoiuse work can wait. Congratulations to both of you, have a great life! Regards, Joe Rooney

In the Spring of 1953, before I left for Canada, I took a walk up the River Blyth from the Furness Bridge. I tried to walk up the hapenny woods side, but the houses were all demolished, and the footpath was blocked with bushes, brambles, nettles and assorted garbage. And that was long before the Wansbeck council system was foisted on the people of Bedlington. So, I guess that nothing has chenged, has it! Joe

A good one to you Mr Darn! I am sure enough friends, (And new friends1) will turn up. Joe.

One of the most effective measures against air pollution,is to leave wide areas of trees and brush to grow and generate oxygen. Good for the wild life too! Joe.

Happy Birthday Splodge. I am late as usal, but I hope you had a good day. Joe.

Happy Birthday, Ms Hair, and many more to come! Excuse me Tokyo Girl, but I wasn't aware that you could be over 40 weeks pregnant, are you sure that you really want a baby this year? Get on with it girl, or the child will think that you are just passing time playing at being pregnant! Oh, and by the way, Happy birthday too, unless you just want to have a birthday for yourself only! Have a great year, Regards, but the suspense is killing. Joe

At last! Something of interest that is not taking pot shots at anyone, and shows that there are a few members left who have others things in mind than the price of beer, or the sexual preference of other board members. I love smoked barbeque, but I must admit that mine is store bought, and not hand made. You are obviously a man of many talents Brian, congratulations, and enjoy many fine meals. Now, back to more interesting subjects before this site dies of terminal boredom. Regards, Joe

Good luck and lots of joy to both of you. I am sure that you will both do well. And it s just down the road from home and family. Joe.

Happy birthday Mongo! Joe

And an equally belated thank you. You young one! Joe

Happy birtrhday Monsta, One more year on the march to maturity. Joe

Happy birthday to you, and many more to come. Joe