Saturday, May 25

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my home town. We started the week in Kansas, and drove up into Minnesota on Sunday afternoon, dodging tornadoes along the way. There were devastating tornadoes behind us, and one passed by in front of us on the way up Iowa. Maybe our weather is not so bad up here after all! We completed the drive home on Victoria Day. It's been nice this week and I've finally started my golf season. On my best year, I had 20 rounds in before the end of May! Anyway, it was a great trip and I thank our gracious hosts: Viggo & Nancy in Rowlett, and Helen & Marti in Lawrence. The Sorento performed admirably, handling well, and drinking fuel sparingly, about identical to what the car consumed—an average of 33.5 mpg, with a high of 36.6 on one highway-only leg. I even ran it up to 110 on the drive from Lawrence down to Dallas and it didn't suffer much: 35.0 mpg. Now I'd like to get everybody used to the idea of km/L. I don't accept the reasoning behind L/100km according to which the Sorento is using 8.4L/100km. It is achieving 11.9 km/L, and I don't see why that kind of number wouldn't be easier for drivers to relate to. It seems clear that, as efficiencies continue to improve, we will get bigger numbers which make more sense to me as being better! My best leg using that descriptor was 13.0 km/L. The world hockey championship went to Sweden, but NHL playoffs continue. The Penguins have completed a win over Ottawa and advance to the Eastern final against Boston. The Western conference is still in the semi-finals, but my favourite, Detroit, is hanging on. The markets were closed here on Monday, but the way they performed the rest of the week, it's just as well! A down week leaves me looking for some gains to re-reach my quota! Wendy has been working on the flower beds and plant pots; I've been working on my small garden.

Eric has been home to Parksville again. He has interviewed for some postings there, and hopes for a favourable decision. He is heading back to The Pas today to complete his practicum. He is set to convocate on June 7th in Winnipeg. The rest of the Island crew are carrying on with usual activities. We were able to chat with Erica on FaceTime a couple of times.

Erin and Kristian have been ill with coughs and sore throats. Kristian is ready to start riding his bike; they enjoy the small community of their housing complex. School and work continues as per usual. FaceTime gives us a chance to see them once in a while.

Trav & Joanna are doing well with work. Trav's business has improved to the point where he's had to end a long-time service contract to concentrate on his new assignments. He's enjoying his new car, and ruing the birds who seem to enjoy painting it! We enjoyed Tuesday night out at the new Star Trek movie, and then the crew was over for supper on Thursday evening.

And that's about it for this week.

Saturday, May 18

News Update

It has been quite a week for us, far from the shore of Lake Superior and my hometown. We have enjoyed warm weather and a few dramatic storms in Dallas, and we close the week under 30+ degree temperatures and a thunder storm in Lawrence, KS. Viggo and I enjoyed a lot of golf this week; we took in all the pre-tournament days for the Byron Nelson, and I came away with a lot of coveted autographs. We also got out for my first round of golf for the year; it went well: 85 strokes and no lost golf balls. I hope it is something I can build on! This weekend, we're able to watch guys we've actually met compete for the tournament championship. The markets have been a bit up and down, but I've had a great week and am currently above quota for the month, so I'm able to make up for some lost time earlier! Wendy has been doing a bit of visiting, a lot of relaxing, and even got a massage—thanks, Nancy! She visited Owana, an old friend from Western and Zambia. We also caught up with Mike & Debbie for supper one evening; it was great to see that they are doing well. Hockey playoffs are moving on to the next round. The Leafs lost a heart-breaker, so I will dedicate my cheering to the Penguins on that side. I've decided to cheer for the underdog Red Wings on the other side. In Lawrence, we're enjoying the celebration of Marti's doctoral award —lots of friends, food, fun, fanfare, and a few too many ceremonies! And, everywhere we travelled, I heard the comments, sometimes spoken directly to me, "Oh, you've lost so much..., oh, you're so much thinner..." It seems to me that in an earlier, more gracious and polite era, one would not have heard such pointed comments about one's hair!
with Dr. Martha Denton Elford

Eric has returned home to Parksville. He has some job interviews arranged, so we pray that goes well. Erica is glad to have him home and has assigned him all household worrying for the week! 

We've been able to FaceTime with Erin and Kristian a couple of times. Things seem to be progressing normally for them, although I haven't heard about any golfing! C'mon mom, you can do this! 

Trav & Joanna are taking care of things on the home front. Joanna is very busy with work, and is enjoying it. Now it's Mai Long, and they're enjoying the break. We commiserate with Gemma who lost a friend recently. Trav & Joanna are doing some running, but the whole crew is also looking at getting back into cycling.

And that's about enough for this week.

Saturday, May 11

News Update

Another week has passed and we have travelled far from the shore of Lake Superior and my home town. Today we arrived in Dallas where we are comfortably ensconced in the home of my brother Viggo and his wife, Nancy. Thanks guys for taking care of us so graciously. The weather has turned nice at home and the golf courses reopened, but I did not get out to play before we left on Thursday to drive south. We drove as far as Story City, Iowa the first day, and continued to Lawrence, Kansas the second. There we began celebrations with Marti of her doctorate—I am so proud of what she has accomplished! Her specialty of helping pre-service and in-service teachers improve is near to my heart. Aunt Helen led in the care-giving there, and provided another of her special apple pies. An extra treat was to find Rachel and Eden there—we did not know where she was in the process of moving from Alaska to Atlanta and were glad to catch up with her. The markets have been up and down this week for me; I did manage some gains, but not up to my quota. NHL playoffs are progressing. I lament the elimination of the Canucks, I don't know who I'll cheer for on that side now. The Penguins have advanced to the second round. The Leafs are on the brink, but still hanging on. My new Sorrento performed admirably on the way down, averaging 35mpg and better, and handling nicely.

Eric has completed his necessary clinical hours in The Pas, and now looks to improve his qualifications, and try to land a job. Erica and Liam have been ill, but seem to be on the mend. Liam continues with football, drums and school. Haaken works his guitar and school. Liam wanted Haaken to "rock out" with him, but Haaken demurred! Sigh! They have a renter lined up for the Kenora house beginning in June—that will ease the cash flow situation. It is a puzzle why the house hasn't sold yet, so they have some decisions to make on the financing there. 

Erin and Kristian are enjoying Spring on the prairies. They have been unable to find a suitable fit to get Kristian into soccer, although he would like to give it a try. Maybe he should try baseball; he seems to like that as well. 

Trav and Joanna are holding things down back in TBay. Joanna is getting lots of hours at her new job and even recruited Trav to help out with the Mothers' Day rush. Trav has his car back, running well. He is trying to sell the truck. Gemma and Andrew carry on with their regular activities centred around schooling. 

And that's about enough for this week.

Saturday, May 4

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has continued to be a problem, but the forecast is for better times (How often are those guys right?)! The golf courses opened, then closed this week—sigh! I was hoping to get a game in before we head south next week. Good economic news out of the US pushed the markets forward, and the DOW is now up over 14% YTD—I blame Obama! Unfortunately, we're not even coming close to keeping up; the TSX did manage to push into positive territory YTD, but it's only up 0.03%. I had to get down to the hundredths of a per cent to even find green—I blame SHarper! (SHarper he is not!) At least I managed another good week over my quota; that's encouraging. Wendy has continued with cleanup of our files—the shredder is getting plenty of business! Hockey playoffs are fully engaged; Toronto is struggling with the Bruins, but has managed to win one in Boston. A few surprises are worth noting as the Canucks are down two games, and the Penguins are not up two games!

Eric has returned to The Pas where it appears he will finish his counselling hours in the next few days. He has been confirmed for convocation in early June—congratulations! Erica has been ill this week, but not before completing the budget and income taxes! That was not problem free either as she was unable to install the new tax software on her laptop! Liam is continuing with football, but has decided he likes hockey better. Haaken keeps working on his guitar. While Erica was ailing, the boys were able to enjoy several suppers' worth of pizzas! It appears a new renter has been located for the Kenora property—too bad it's not a buyer. Weather in Parksville is enjoyable at least! 

Erin and Kristian are enjoying the improvement in the weather in Regina, although, truth-be-told, it didn't take much to qualify as an improvement. It does seem that spring might finally be in full force. Now, what outdoor activities can begin? 

Trav had an interesting problem with his new car—it wouldn't stop running! We finally had to pull the fuel pump fuse to get it to stop. Now it will be up to Hyundai to fix the problem. Joanna is getting in lots of hours in her new job, so that's good. Gemma and Andrew have begun a paper route; I wish them well in that venture.

And that's about it for this week.