News Update

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been quite nice although we got a bit of snow on Wednesday. Really, it was just a small amount of snow, but it was driven by heavy winds, so we got an accumulation in our driveway. We cleared it up, and blew it onto the lawn on Thursday. A sunny Friday cleaned and dried the driveway, and we're enjoying +6 today. We've been busy catching up on medical appointments this week. I had bloodwork and X-rays on Monday. I had a follow-up with my oncologist early Tuesday morning. My PSA remains elevated (13.8), so he continues to monitor the situation. From there, I visited my plastic surgeon to consider the X-ray results and the situation with my snow-blower bitten fingers. He was well satisfied with the progress and did not share my concern over my index finger. He did predict that I would lower my handicap to single digits this season with my rebuilt fingers! On Thursday, I was back to the physiotherapist. He did share my concern, and has fashioned a protective cast to support my finger tip, and allow the bone to knit properly—I am very relieved.

Looking pretty good!

Other fingers bend normally

Index—not so much!

My new plastic cast

I will be continuing with physio treatments for the next while and will revisit the doctor in June. And I've had to arrange everything to fit between Brier draws on TV! The markets have remained terrible, no good and very bad, with two days of green just to keep our attention. Fears surrounding the economic impact of COVID-19 have rattled all countries. Both USA and Canada have confirmed the seriousness of it by unprecedented emergency rate cuts of 0.5% to the prime rates. Unsurprisingly, investors responded with a big sell-off—"We didn't know it was so serious until they cut the rates!" Yikes! I've been out of the market except for my one buy-n-hold dividend payer. Fortunately, it managed to pay me my weekly quota this week. I continue to consider alternatives, and prepare to buy in when things settle. NHL teams continue the playoff drive; all my teams continue their shaky play! KU held their #1 ranking and secured a record 62nd Conference Championship with their wins this week. It's almost time for March Madness—the pinnacle of the basketball season for me. The Brier was the main feature this week. My 8 picks all made the Championship Pool, and since only 1 team was eliminated in the pool, I'm also claiming that my 4 teams advanced to the playoffs. Unfortunately, my guy, Kevin Koe, was eliminated today. My pick, Brad Jacobs, won two games today, but lost to Brad Gushue tonight. So, I will be cheering for Matt Dunstone to relieve Saskatchewan's long drought with a national championship. Brendan Bottcher of Alberta is already waiting in the final tomorrow. 

Erica writes, "Well, I’m afraid my parents will die and then roll over in their graves. I attended a Sask Party dinner this week. In my defence, it was a work function. But, as Scott Moe was going around shaking hands I told him that March 18, budget day, is my birthday, and that I’d like a present—something in the budget for Lipedema! Liam is at an RU event in Saskatoon this week, after which he will head to PA. He has another iron infusion on Monday. Haaken continues with work at Costco. He’s is also navigating the student loan repayment process."

I worked with Kristian to edit an essay he wrote defending Batman as the best super-hero. Hey, I was convinced! He's had a good week in school. They're enjoying the arrival of Spring weather in Regina. Today, Erin is preparing some delicious smelling ribs using my Rib Rub recipe. And, their pets are cute! (As opposed to the next pet news below!)

Joanna returned from southern Ontario. We're glad to have her back. Travis and Joanna continue to work both from home and the office downstairs here. The family has selected new pets—rats! Three rats have been added to the family—we're not so glad of that development!

See what I mean?!

Trav has produced an item for Grandpa K's 95th birthday!

Yes, it's a Pope Chest!

And that's about it for this week!