Happy Labour Day!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. While we started and end the week here, we also made a trip to Winnipeg. We left on Sunday with the biker convoy. Kristian rode with Eric/A for the first hour, then transferred to the car for the remainder of the journey. We enjoyed catching up with Dean, Kelly and crew on Sunday evening, then moved in with Tom & Mariette for the duration. They had just returned from a western Canada tour, but proved easily up to the task of hosting—thanks! We planned to golf on Tuesday, but rain and wind intervened, and the golf outing was cancelled. We drove home on Wednesday. The trip went well. Wendy and I got out for some golf today, so that partially makes up for the miss earlier. The weather was blustery most of the week, but seems to have settled a bit now. Without my best helper, I had to build my own bonfire this week—it worked out fine. We've also been enjoying the hot tub each evening. We haven't really gotten back into renovations, but Wendy has kept at the shopping; today, she picked up some material for the side entry flooring. I have assigned it to acclimation for the next while! She has settled on the plan for the stairs, so I can begin the woodwork to prepare the oak noses for that. I sold out of the market last Friday, and with travel early this week, did not get bought back in until Thursday. I remain with only a partial buy during these chaotic times, and am now facing September which is historically the worst month in the markets, sigh! The Riders are hosting the Bombers in the traditional Labour Day matchup tomorrow—Go Riders, Go! The Blue Jays continue to play out the string. Now that it's September, we'll expect to see even more of the young talent being called up. We hope it's talented, at least! 

Erica writes: "We left home 3 times this week, first from Thunder Bay, then Kenora and then from a brief stopover in Regina—all places we’ve called home. It was good to see friends and family, some of whom are old, and others whom we’ve just known for a long time. Liam was with the RU team at a camp at Lake Winnipeg. In fact, we passed just under him on the map during our travels. Haaken is working with BC government for a job in BC and getting some supports as a person with a disability. We are hoping and praying for some progress. However, as it is summer, many people are on holidays and will call back in September. This weekend, I’m working on a request for prayers and financial support for my next Lipedema trip. I’ll have more to share by next weekend. I’m also pondering how we can effect real lasting change to help others who don’t have the resources (or friends with the resources) to help pay for surgery. We have heard that BC has paid for one person. There are also a few private insurance companies in the US who, upon several appeals, have paid. And there is currently a class action lawsuit in the US against one major insurer. We have a meeting with our Saskatchewan government this fall. I’m just not sure how far we can get with our small group of hippy women. Prayers are appreciated!"

Erin welcomed Kristian home on Monday, and now he's getting geared up for the opening of his grade 8 year. He has some new clothes, in surprising sizes, and has most of his supplies ready to go. We're glad to see his excitement at getting back to school. Soon, it'll be another bowling league starting up, and he'll be back into the familiar routines. Grandma built a birthday cake for him, and sent it out to Regina with the Baileys. 

Coming soon to a birthday...

Travis and Joanna keep busy with their various jobs and contracts. It's good to hear the printing press grinding out the product downstairs. It's not nearly so nice to hear it beeping when it has a problem! Gemma has returned from England and is preparing for year two at Lakehead University. Andrew is getting amped up for his entry into the aviation program at Confederation College. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. We've enjoyed a week of family and friends, with lovely weather as well.

Tee Pee Fire

Lit up beautifully!

Log Cabin Fire

Kristian is with us, and he has prepared a variety of fires in the fire pit for us to sit around, sing around, and create Keto-'smores! ("How do you make Keto-'smores," you ask? It takes a lot of imagination!) Eric/A brought out their instruments; we enjoyed singing to the accompaniment of ukulele and guitar. Eric and I got out for a round of golf on Friday—that was great fun, and Eric reports his shoulder is complaining less. Win-win!

New cover on Picnic Table

Kristian and I re-covered the picnic table. We also resurrected the hot tub cover, and got that operational.

Fun in the Hot Tub

Kristian enjoyed playing in the hot tub. His friend, Kelvin, dropped by one day and they both played in the water for a long time including hosing down Grandma when they got the chance! Eric/a have been here since Tuesday; that called for lots of visiting with long time friends here.

Visiting, Eating...

...Talking, Eating...

...Eating, Chatting...

---Singing, Eating!

We enjoyed a particularly nice evening on Friday with a large group visit, much eating, and singing, and more eating. It hasn't been a particularly good week for our keto diets, and we're both up 4 pounds from our indisciplined summer trip, so... next week! The kitchen/dining area renovations have been tested and come through in shining colour! The markets continue to struggle under the threat of Trump. This week, he extended his battles against his own FED chief, China and Europe. I finally took the unprecedented step of selling out—first time I've been completely out of the market in about ten years. That saved about $1300 on Friday alone, and I managed to have a green week. I don't have a plan for Monday, yet! The Jays have had a tough week of play on the west coast; they have played well most games, but have not achieved many wins! The Riders played Ottawa tonight and extended their win streak to five. Next week is a tough Labour Day battle against the first place Bombers—Go Riders, Go! 

Eric/A have been here most of the week. They drove the car, with trailered bikes, to Kenora late last week and rode the bikes here on Tuesday. It's been a great and busy week. Haaken continues with his post graduate life, working on projects and looking for a longer term posting. Liam is completing his summer work, and getting back to work in Moose Jaw. 

Erin has spent the week celebrating her birthday. She texts and chats with Kristian while he's here. He'll begin the trip back home on Sunday, riding the bike! 

Dark Rider!

Trav, Joanna and Andrew remain busy with their work. They joined us for several family activities this week as well, and also took Eric/A out one evening. They enjoyed time around the fire pit as well. Gemma continues her vacay in England with many cultural, educational and social activities. 

That's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed, and we are home on the shore of Lake Superior, in my hometown. We began the week in Gravelbourg where I enjoyed leading a musically themed worship program for the congregation. Then, on Monday, we waited, successfully for Kristian's passport to arrive. So, we headed east on Tuesday, driving to Winnipeg and renewing our acquaintance with Dean, Kelly and family. Of course, there was a lot of discussion about Mexico missions, and our recent work there. We completed the trip to TBay on Wednesday. It is good to be home. And Kristian is with us, so that's extra special. On Friday evening, he demonstrated his prowess at firing up the back yard fire pit, and we enjoyed S'mores. Today, we took in a special celebration at Fort William as they put on a dramatization of an American attack on the fort back in 1814.

Fighting at the Fort

Otherwise, we've begun cleaning up the yard and garden. Kristian helped me prune out the dead parts of the cedars.

Out with the old...

I got the lawns mowed, and Wendy pulled lots of weeds. I've seen the rhubarb, but have not managed to access them yet. We also got out for a ride in the old Cougar!

Cruising in Style!

The markets have been terrible with wild swings reflecting the chaotic activity of Trump. The DOW was down 800 points one day, sigh! I continue to play safely, but even that is subject to losses these days. I am also keeping most of my money out of the market until it becomes more predictable. The young Jays continue to inspire, especially with home run hitting, but they remain far behind their competitors with no particular chance of catching up. The Riders have this week off. The Bombers solidified their first place position with another easy win, and even more so as Calgary lost to Montreal tonight.

Eric and Erica are working on the plans for another surgery in Germany. It would be in mid-December. Wendy is considering going along on this trip. They were hosting Eric's mom and nephew Aiden. They drove up to visit Liam at camp, and also visited Waskesiu. On Sunday, they took Sheena and Aiden down to Davidson, and their next hosts. Erica is dreaming about what the kitchen/dining area will look like! 

Hey, if you're gonna dream!

Meanwhile, they turned their attention to their trip east. That required a dump run to empty the trailer for the bikes. Now, they're in Kenora. We look forward to their arrival here mid-week.

Erin is home alone in Regina. This at least allowed for a date-night with Shawn on Thursday as they went out in an early celebration for her birthday. Kristian sent flowers... good call! 

Happy Birthday, Mom!

We found Travis, Joanna and Andrew here in TBay. I couldn't even keep track of them last week! Gemma is in England for a family visit and vacation. They had some sad news with the passing of their cockatiel for reasons that are unclear. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairies. The weather has moderated some, and we're enjoying the break from the heat. We began the week enjoying prolonged festivities of my birthday. Eric/A treated me to a round of golf; I enjoyed that with Eric, Erin and Kristian. In view of her upcoming birthday, we treated Erin to a power cart for the round, and Kristian really enjoyed that! I played quite a bit better, and surprised myself with a +7. Erin played her first full round of golf. Eric got in his first golf of the season as he's being bothered by a troublesome shoulder. We have continued installation of the lift with the addition of call buttons at top and bottom so the lift can be brought to the desired level. Then, we began drywall repairs in the living room and hallway. Cracks have appeared in both the walls and the ceiling, so we carved out the troublesome areas and applied acrylic spackle which, we hope, will withstand small movement pressures and give a nicely finished appearance. Our time here is near an end, so there may remain some sanding, priming and painting to be completed after we leave. I've been working on a musical presentation for Gravelbourg for tomorrow. The markets continue to suffer in Trump's trade wars. We hope he loses interest in that soon! At any rate, I had another red week, sigh! The Blue Jays continue to impress with their effort, and their home-run hitting. Some of these new kids certainly show potential. The Riders had an historical win in Montreal, as they won the only regular season game ever cancelled early due to weather. This afternoon, we enjoyed a visit with cousin Grace. It was nice to catch up with news from that side of the family. She has a nice place here in Regina, now.

It's been a quiet week for the Baileys. Liam is up at Quest Camp working as a cabin leader, and Haaken continues his job search. They got the back room and the middle room cleaned up and organized in time for a visit from Eric's mom, and his nephew, Aiden. So, they have three habitable bedrooms!

Kristian has been with us much of the week as Erin returned to work on Tuesday, but then, she fell ill, and had a day at home, albeit an uncomfortable day! She is still a bit under-the-weather this weekend. Kristian also got some playtime in with a classmate who has had a serious fall from a diving board, and is suffering the after-effects of a concussion. He's having to take it easy without screen-time—how can he exist?! Kristian got his cast off on Friday, so he begins the rehab and strengthening of his left arm. The doctor was satisfied with progress on his arm. Tonight we at least got out for a bit of golf practice.

Joanna has joined Gemma in southern Ontario. Travis and Andrew are batching it back in TBay.

Someone's cooking very well!

We look forward to getting back with them next week.

And that's about it for this week. 

News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Wascana in the middle of the prairies. It has been very hot most of the week, but I was glad to get out in a relatively mild weather on Monday for another round of golf with Dale. I seem to be stuck on playing approximately bogie golf now. On Tuesday, we celebrated my official birthday by driving down to Shaunavon to check out a lift for dad here at 55 Laird. It passed muster, so we went to work to move it home. That did not go easily. We couldn't get the bolts undone from the concrete base. We eventually broke three of them, undid two others and used a side-grinder to cut the final one off! Then, we had to lift the whole contraption into the back of Bern's truck and haul it home. It was quite a day!

Lift in Place

On wheels

On crutches

It installed nicely, and works great to allow dad to get down to ground level and back up to the main level of the house. He confirmed the function (under supervision!) with both his wheel chair and on crutches. Bern & Alicia left on Thursday for their next camping trip. We expect them back next weekend. This weekend, we're enjoying having Eric/A and Liam down from PA to help celebrate my 69th birthday. I made up another ice cream cake for the occasion. We also bought a tenderloin and enjoyed filet d'mignon! High on the um, cow, wouldn't you say?! The markets suffered under their worst week of the year as Trump opened a new front on the trade war, sigh! I suffered losses as well, although I managed to have a good completion to the month of July. The Riders continued their winning ways taking down Hamilton on Thursday night—yay Riders. The Jays are playing better despite that they've sent away their best pitchers. It's pretty discouraging to see the management give up on winning, but encouraging to see the players still out there trying each day.

Eric reports, "We got a coat of primer on the back bedroom and moved boxes out of the middle room into the storage room in preparation for visitors this summer. Mom and Aiden are coming to visit as they Journey around Saskatchewan. Haaken continues to look for work, primarily in animation but also for employment in the meantime to establish himself in BC. He has given himself a deadline of the end of August to have work. Liam has been working at camp. Telling stories to the kids in his cabin to entertain and put them to sleep. He is joining Erica and me in travelling to Regina for the weekend."

Erin had a full week of work while Kristian was enjoying himself at Teen Camp at Kenosee. We took him down there on Sunday, and picked him up on Friday. We enjoyed a visit with Aunt Ruby on our way home Sunday. We stopped in for coffee with Ray & Ellen on the Friday trip.

The Camper!

We missed having Trav, Joanna and crew with us during the family celebration, so it was good of them to call via FaceTime and catch us up on the official date. They are all keeping busy, and now Gemma is off to southern Ontario. Joanna will be joining here there for family time.

And that's about it for this week.