Davis Battah

You'll always wish for "one more minute"... You're right we have to make the most of our time with our loved ones... I did and continue too, especially with my children. But no amount of time is ever enough, especially when it comes to losing your young child. You rock your child to sleep, you go to work at 5 in the morning and you never see him alive again... it was that tragic, that simple. I don't regret from the standpoint that I didn't spend every available minute possible with him, I just wish that there were more minutes to spend. Wishing for just 5 more minutes is just how much I miss him... or even so I could have said goodbye. I'm trying to reach the point where I am able to just cherish the moments we did have instead of wishing there where more. Not sure if that time will ever come, but I hope so... I hope I haven't hijacked this thread. It was just a topic so close to home and this is the first time I have really been able to talk publicly about Connor passing away... Thanks for listening and to all of those who took the time to read a small part of Connor's big story.

This very story has been a very hard one for my wife and I to follow over the last week. We know all to well what these families are going through. Some of you may remember that I had posted what seams like an eternity ago that my 15 month old son Connor that was born with a severe heart defect was going to require open heart surgery at 15 months old at Sick Kids Hospital to save his life. Well he barely survived that surgery but made it through. He brightened our lives so much. He got sick often having to battle through complications like re occurring pneumonia and infections. When he wasn't "sick" he was the happiest baby boy I have ever met. I have 3 other sons. On June 26th of last year (2008) while I was out doing a charter, I got a frantic phone call from my wife. She was impossible to understand but from the panic in her voice alone, I immediately knew what she was trying to tell me, and I rushed off of the water. It was the longest drive of my life. Our son Connor was at home and suddenly went into cardiac arrest while playing in front of her. They pronounced him just as I ran into the ICU at the hospital. The last time I saw my baby boy alive was the night before when I rocked him to sleep. It's still really hard to talk about, this past week has drummed up a lot of memories of that hospital and of a very familiar situation. Connor was only 2 and a half years old. I'd give anything to be able to have even 5 more minutes with him...... anything.... Like Lew said... cherish your children.......... Davis.

I was out there today as well with a group of three. You may have seen me, white Lund, red top? Cold front definitely made for a tougher day. I love windy conditions like today, especially from the north east. We ended up with two fish. A 40" and a 45.5". Both fish where sitting in deeper water and were already starting to put on a bit of weight... PROBOAT: If you decide to target Muskie, stick with natural colored body baits, perch and black are always good producing colors for me on Balsam. Be patient with the lake. Balsam has some very large fish in it, but it can make you work hard for them. Be adequetly equiped to handle and properly release BIG Muskie. I believe Balsam Villas has a Muskie net that they loan out to their guests, not sure about the rest of the release tools you should have. And like has already been pointed out, it can blow up really quick and hard there, keep an eye on the weather if you are in a smaller boat. Heavy blowing north and west winds are common at this time of the year, dress warm. All kinds of great water right near where you will be staying, you don't have to venture far. Have fun & be safe.

Fishing remians great on Scugog. Was out yesterday afternoon and had 6 Muskie in 3.5 hours. Biggest was 47" and the smallest was 40" The problem with the Carp on Scugog for now is effecting the carp only. That is not likely to change. Unfortunate nonetheless. Get out there and fish!

Great reel and yes you can get it in a left hand model.

Lew, You did a wonderful job honoring your brother and you certainly made me wish that I had a chance to meet him. You've had more than your fair share of grief in the last little while, keep those positive memories in the forefront, thats how your brother and son would want it. Lot's of people are thing of you and your family..... Take care, Davis

For $2000.00 for a half hour I'll dig some cardboard out and do a breakdancing routine for you.

You still ended up with some nice shots there. What are you shooting with in those shots Dan? Body and Lens? I was all ready to give it a shot last night myself, but al we had was cloud cover and snow fluries

We just switched recently to Bell ExpressVu, Man am I ever happy. My HD channel's seam crisper (if thats possible) as do the non HD channels. There are far more HD channels offered, my new favorite Channel is the Oasis, which is kinda of like the Discovery Channel on steroids and 100% HD Switch to BEV, you won't be disappointed!

Great idea Roger! "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."~Dale Carnegie

I'm at a loss for many words right now... Cudos to all those involved in providing the opportunity for some really happy moments and memories during these tough times for Chris, his dad and their family. Speedtroll, if you happen to get to read this don't forget to continue to Believe. In the meantime, we'll all keep Believing too. For anyone that hasn't been down to Toronto Sick Kids Hospital, their motto is "Believe" and it is very prominently displayed in the main lobby/ food court area to try to give some hope and inspiration to the parents of, and the children that are patients at the hospital during some of the most difficult and impossible of times.

way to go Dan, nice shot! I've finally picked up my camera and have started tackling the learning curve. Havin lots of fun in the process.

Spotted today at ESSO..... Reported incident out in Oakville: If you see these guys.................. hand over your gas and RUN! Sorry big fan of this movie!

bookoobeast Thanks for mentioning the Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary here. I had no idea that it existed and sounds exactly like an organization that I would love to get involved on a volunteer basis with my kids. ....opppps just noticed most of her intake is cats.... allergies ....... maybe a donation will have to do.

The Esso in Brookin has been out of gas since just shortly after the problem surfaced. They are a newer station, maybe they are on some type of a seniority system when stuff like this happens. Still lots of other places around the area with gas though. Kinda sounds like the Road Warrior movie, but it makes you think how much the world would change if suddenly tommorrow there was absolutely no fuel ANYWHERE anymore.