National Adult Literacy Database

July 29, 1996

This week, we are presenting a story from Edna Milligan from Alberta. Edna is retired and has been a literacy learner with the Project Read Soon, in Olds Alberta, since 1989. She really enjoys her involvement with the program. She and her husband live in Didsbury, Alberta. They have four grown children and eight grandchildren.

A Day Trip

by Edna Milligan

One morning this week Penny and I thought that we would take a day trip to the big city. For a day of fun, shopping and lunch.

The day was sunny and bright. But there was a strong south wind.

The wind made the driving difficult.

Penny found she had a friend in the General Hospital...So we stopped and saw him. His name was Ryan.

But to find him was hard to do in such a big hospital, you need a map. We went looking for the information booth. They gave us a piece of paper that said: Building "G" take "E" elevator down to level 2 turn right and go past the cafeteria go through the wooden doors on the right hand side, take the elevators to level 9.

When we got to his ward they told us that he was off the floor in class. So we went to find him and we did. So we all went to the coffee shop. Penny had a big bag of goodies for him. She told him to make good use of the note book, paper, pencil, used books, a puzzle, a card. He had the bag to keep everything.

She told him to write about his time in the hospital and the people he met there. She likes to do that to people. Just because she is so good at writing, she thinks everyone should be too. If Ryan can write as well as he can talk, I think we will have the paper finished in no time and will be looking for more.

We went to the Sunridge Mall, and covered every store in the mall.

I guess there is about 100 places to see. Shops of all kinds, half on the main floor is the Food Court, food from all over the world. We had lunch at Arby's. Around the Food Court were stores and we could look into them as we ate. Window shopping can save a lot of time and searching too. We covered both floors from one end to the other.

We went on our own separate ways. We agreed to meet at a shop and did not. We lost each other and had a hard time finding each other again. Then we went to a few more places, looked around and bought some things.

Next we went to Costco's and ate free foods. We did some shopping here too, and Penny would not buy me a little gift of only $359.99 ! (a trampoline)

Next we went to McDonald's drive thru, had milkshakes to drink on the way home. And then it was time to leave Calgary. There was very little wind, the snow was melting, the road was wet. If it turned cold the road could become icy.

It was late and getting dark and cold. I was tired and home is still a long way off. Gas was low so we stopped at Carstairs. Next stop was Didsbury.

This is how Penny and I spent and enjoyed our time doing Lessons.

I think other people should try it too.