Told ya so!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been great, albeit a tad hot for us, and we've been running the air conditioning. We also got a couple of showers, so the lawns and fairways are thriving. I've managed a bit of golf practice, but it seems that golf is doing better than before; I'm finding it quite crowded and I don't hang around in crowds! Canada is making steady progress in the suppression of CV-19, and the caseload these days is manageable. Some countries are not doing so well—looking at you Brazil, Russia, USA... 

Yesterday: USA - 47,341 new cases

The border closure has been extended to July 21st, and some tourists who entered under false pretences have been fined and invited to return home! The markets have reacted to this disastrous result with another sell-off, and I have sold out of the market completely. Still, I am sitting at quota for the month of June, and will look to get back in when I can detect a sustainable direction. I've been working in the shop more this week, and enjoy seeing some progress on my woodworking projects. Wendy has been keeping up with the yard, and reorganizing storage in the laundry room, and in the kitchen. She tried to buy some new sandals, but was not happy with the options. She did add to her wardrobe with a special fascinator!

Fascinating!

We have picked up some plumbing supplies which implies my application to some work in the laundry room, soon! I scored a nice set of Bluetooth Headphones for Fathers Day—thank you!

Wendy doesn't have to hear my programs!

Baseball, hockey, football and basketball continue to make noises about play, but nothing is happening on those fronts yet. Golf is in another tournament this week, but some players and caddies are falling victim to the virus, and having to drop out. Still others are refusing to play. This evening, we were blessed with a visit from Dave & Heather as they overnighted in our driveway on their way home to Saskatchewan. 

Erica writes: "I wrapped up my last official week of work until September. I opted into a flex plan where I take off the summer months. I have a couple of minor items to wrap up, so I’m not completely done. But it feels good to know I have a few months to focus on other things. Eric got his long awaited Fathers Day gift: wireless headband earphones. He is now well set for truly deep listening.

Deep Listening indeed! 

Liam and Eric painted the back room. This weekend we want to clean up the brick a bit and seal it. Haaken was back to work this week at Costco. He reports it was good. Saskatchewan Lipedema held a webinar on Thursday night. At the end, during the discussion, one of the participants shared some news: Dr. Rockford’s team at Stanford University has located a bio marker for Lipedema. This should allow for a diagnostic test to be developed to confirm whether someone has Lipedema. Hopefully, it will lead to other treatments."

Kristian has completed his grade 8 with further recognitions of the end of the year. One such thing this week is he was given a sign from his current school...

and some school sportswear for his new school.

Travis and Joanna continue to cope with partially unemployed life. Joanna got in two days of work this week, which is pretty much as per usual. Gemma studies from downstairs here. Life is not so easy at any time, but we're all trying to make the best of it and do our part to flatten the curve.

And that's about enough for this week. 

The Virus is not Tired!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been beautiful, too hot a couple of days, and we've enjoyed a couple of showers to freshen the lawns. My battle with dandelions continues, but the showers and the heat mean I've had to mow the lawns more often! I've begun a practice of a morning bike ride before the markets open, while it's still cool. We've used the AC on the overly hot days. We've also enjoyed a couple of evenings around the firepit as darkness closes in around 10pm. Both of us enjoyed getting a haircut this week. Wendy got hers professionally done, and then she professionally cut mine! Then, I trimmed my beard and shaved! 

The new us!

After establishing our "family grouping" last week, we took advantage to have our first group meal since March. That was Thursday as we gathered around Chinese food to celebrate Joanna's birthday. It was wonderful to be together! Elsewhere virus news is not encouraging as many areas show they're getting tired of the restrictions necessary to slow the spread of infections. We need to recall that the restrictions were established when virus cases were under 100 in the country, but still the virus spread. We're now sitting at nearly 30,000 active cases in Canada, and we think we can relax the restrictions?! We may be tired of all the restrictions, but the virus is not tired! I've been warning about this for months. Many others are as well, in particular the leading scientists and doctors, but governments are opening up! In the USA, where the worst of the infections are occurring, and over 120,000 have died, many states are relaxing and seeing increased patient counts. Even some of the states which are listed as "about the same" don't look too positive to me. The virus is hitting the sports that are trying to open. A golfer became infected this week as the PGA is trying its second event without spectators. Several hockey and baseball players have become infected, and those sports have had to close training facilities, so the prospect of sports is dimming. The markets continued their wild ride, such that we often saw triple digits of red and triple digits of green on the same day! However, I was able to make quota again, so June has been productive. 

The Baileys have begun destruction of the old deck. Doesn't look healthy under there! 

Lotsa wear left in it!

Maybe they'll have the work all done before we can even contemplate travelling their way! Liam has moved out of the back bedroom, as they are getting ready to paint.

Eric painting

Liam painting

Erica has been very busy, and putting in long days as many deadlines are coming up, however, just one more week and she's on leave for the summer. She's on for music at church this week, and she's promised selections about God the father along with a few of my favourites... anyone near by may notice some leaking! Eric continues to work at the office, but counselling is done via phone or internet. The plan is for him to start seeing people in person come July. Liam also continues with art projects. Haaken goes back to work at Costco on Thursday. He will make presentations about products, but will not be giving out samples. He has applied for some animation jobs, and is working on a script of his own. 

Kristian had his official graduation notification this week. School officials provided him with a special balloon to celebrate the occasion.

2020-not your typical grad!

He has continued with his cooking and preparation of at least one supper each week, and has announced his interest and intention of pursuing barbecue grilling this summer. 

Delicious, and check the presentation!

Travis, Joanna, Gemma and Andrew joined us on Thursday evening for a wonderful time together to celebrate Joanna's birthday. We enjoyed Chinese food and birthday cake. 

Making memories...

Happy Birthday, dear Joanna! 

And that's about it for this week. 

Relaxing—Are we ready?

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been seasonable, but with cool temperatures overnight, and we've received a bit of welcomed rain. Wendy has made some considerable progress on the lawn-edge planting areas in the back. It's looking great!

Hostas coming in

I have continued my battle with dandelions, and managed another mowing of both lawns. I am beginning to despair of my garden seeding; can seeds get out of date? The temperatures have been favourable, the moisture is there. Why am I seeing such poor germination? Our provinces are working through various phases in the battle with the coronavirus. I continued my work with the small round planter made with white oak salvaged from a pallet. It turned out pretty well, I think. 

Wendy will sand and finish it

Effective June 21st, Manitoba will allow travellers from northwestern Ontario, and Saskatchewan will allow arrivals without quarantine. We're starting to consider plans to travel west in July. Ontario is allowing us to develop a larger family grouping of up to ten people, and we're delighted to include Trav, Joanna and crew in our grouping. The markets continued their wild ways, most spectacularly on Thursday when DOW dipped over 1800 points! Thankfully, we got some recovery on Friday, and I remain on quota for the month so far. Golf returned this week, and I've been watching that with interest. Fans are not allowed to attend, but the experience via TV is really not much different than what I'm used to enjoying. Other sports continue to negotiate with their players. The NHL has announced that hockey will return with an extended playoff, but exactly when, we do not know. Today we enjoyed a special treat as Cindy set up a Zoom meeting in honour of her birthday. We were able to see and visit with our siblings. Thanks for that!

Eric and Erica are really fired up about house renovations in PA, resulting in much talk. They've been doing the heavy lifting in the discussion department, while Liam is left with the easier job of actually doing the renovations. As restrictions are easing, we are hopeful to get out there this summer and help with at least the discussion and planning side! Haaken has a new addition at his home in Victoria—a cute, little puppy. He is not a dog fan, but he reports that it is fine. 

Kristian has been suffering with allergies all week. This included the development of a cough and raised concerns that it might be more than allergies. Both Erin and Kristian were tested for CV-19 on Friday; they got their results today. As Erin expected, both came back negative, so we're much relieved. One of the repercussions was that Erin had to isolate along with Kristian until the results come back, so they've been enjoying time at home since Thursday. 

Travis, Joanna and crew are now part of our family grouping. They did some shopping for us today, and we enjoyed our first visit with our new group! Gemma continues her classwork out of our basement. Andrew is working at Walmart Pharmacy. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

Black Lives Matter!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been beautiful, even hotter than we'd like, but they're promising a cool, rainy week coming up. Given their accuracy rate, it may well be another hot, dry week! We continue to lament with those who are daily subject to race-based discrimination. There was a protest here yesterday, but given the ravages of CV-19, we did not attend. Some provinces are moving forward with relaxing from their fight against the coronavirus, and, indeed, Ontario may be as well, but we shouldn't be! Our emergency orders have been extended for an additional four weeks through the end of June. As you can see on this map, we are not doing well! And now, they've found an additional risk factor for severe cases—baldness! We continue to play it safely, and hope to avoid infection for as long as possible. They don't even have effective treatment protocols at this point. Our anticipated summer trip to Saskatchewan remains on hiatus. Ontario doesn't want us travelling; and Manitoba won't let us stop! So, July is the earliest we can consider. The yard work has made steady progress. We enjoyed a rhubarb crisp, froze three fresh batches, and there's certainly enough for another picking. 

Nice looking Rhubarb!

Keto Krisp a la William

Wendy has been cleaning the flowerbeds, driveway, around the buildings and around the back lawn of weeds. The hostas, lilies, lilacs, bleeding hearts and peonies are making good progress. Some are in bloom. Tomatoes are blooming and developing, but nothing else is making progress in the garden. I enjoy getting more time in the shop, and continue to work on a few small projects. I developed a two-ended jig for cutting staves to build a small planter—always looking for things to build from my pallet lumber! 

Jig for cutting tapered staves

I have continued to swing my golf club and got in some practice hitting balls this week. I am not noticing any difficulties from my wounded fingers, but the same old problems with my game! It was a good week in the markets; I made quota for this week as well as recovering some missing weeks from earlier in the year. The NHL has announced a playoff plan, and is allowing teams to begin organized workouts. Other leagues continue to work on their own plans between owners and players. Golf plans to hold a tournament next week, but without fans. 

Eric, Erica and Liam continue to lead their lives in Prince Albert. Their big purchase this week was summer tires! Plans are developing for more projects on their house, especially the development of bathrooms and the kitchen, now that Liam has opened up that issue. Liam is completing work on the second bedroom upstairs, getting it ready for paint and redoing the floor. Haaken was notified that Costco is bringing workers back soon, in Victoria. He's looking forward to that. 

After Sadie got her trim last week, it was Kristian's turn this week.

His eczema continues to respond to treatment—that's a relief! He has completed his unit on Probability. He has also undertaken to prepare one supper each week—we're looking forward to enjoying one of those sometime this year!

Chicken Wings a la Kristian

Lucy has been undergoing training—don't know if that cat, or any cat, is trainable! I guess we'll see; Kristian is hoping she'll get trained for a leash so he can take her for a walk along with Sadie. Erin continues to be busy with work—she has been going in to the office throughout the virus battle. 

Joanna was cleared of her isolation after her trip from southern Ontario. It was good to see them again. Andrew continues to work, and Gemma continues to study. She got a clear result from her CV-19 test this week. They did some grocery shopping for us today, thanks guys! Wendy has been taking care of most of that, lately. 

And that's about enough for this week.