Troublesome times!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been beautiful, sunny and mild. We even had one night where the temperature remained above freezing—always a good sign when that happens! Wendy is suffering with shoulder issues due to inflammation in her rotator cuff. This certain prevents her from painting, but she has managed to complete the final puzzle of the season.

Puzzle #5

We are living in a covid hot spot currently, and are under lock-down, an unfortunate outcome of folks who refuse to take precautions. Our hospital ICU is currently packed, and folks are dying, sigh! We are advised that folks our age should be eligible for vaccination about May 1st, so there may be some lightening on the horizon, but it's a gloomy picture at present. There is also some positive considerations world-wide as vaccinations roll-out. USA has cut their infection rates from about 400K per day to around 75K. Saskatchewan continues to post the worst numbers in Canada, while most provinces have their daily infection rates under 100.

Sweet Treats!

At least we were able to enjoy a sweet treat from DQ in honour of Valentine's Day! I had an appointment with my oncologist on Thursday. He has decided I should have an MRI on my prostate, so I'm waiting to here the timing on that. The markets have had a bad week with investors reacting to fears of inflation by selling out of stocks, especially in the Nasdaq. I sold out of two holdings, and lost value this week, but remain on quota year-to-date. In hockey, two of my teams have settled into playoff positions, while Pens are needing some wins in their division.  Leafs and Oilers played tonight, so that was fun. Leafs won, so they had even more fun! The #17Jayhawks lost in OT in a tough road game midweek to #14Texas. Today, they played undefeated, #2Baylor—a big challenge! And they rose to the challenge—well done, Jayhawks! But my main activity this week has been the Scotties. Lotsa sloppy curling in the first half of the week, but it's getting better. The finalists have been declared, and it's the usual suspects: Homan, Einarson, and Jones along with Walker, a newer, but quality team.

Erica writes, "It’s been a busy week with several evening meetings but overall it’s been a good week. My transition to MNP should happen next week. All in all there isn’t much to report."

Kristian claims he had a good week in the warmer weather. He's back to school now every other day, and also the opposing afternoons. He finishes this Quint on Monday, then he has Tuesday off, and starts the next Quint (PhysEd and Art) on Wednesday. Erin seems to be enjoying some interesting menu choices for suppers. 

Joanna returned from southern Ontario on Sunday, so she's been isolating. She got her Covid test yesterday, so we're expecting results soon, but she's already confident of a negative assessment since she's experiencing no symptoms. Gemma continues to do well in her pre-med studies on line. Andrew has started work which involves a fly-in camp in support of a tree-planting crew; it's 2 weeks in, 2 weeks off, punctuated with multiple covid tests each way!

And that's enough for this week.

Winter has Ended... for now!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The polar vortex has retreated and we're enjoying getting out for walks in the melting snow. Wendy continues to suffer with a sore shoulder, so she hasn't been back to painting yet. She has completed another puzzle, and is now working on #5, which is supposed to be the final one of the season.

Puzzle #4

With the break in the weather, I'm starting to think about shop projects once again. Wendy wants me to install a new sliding door on the kitchen, using the current one for a sliding door on the laundry room downstairs. I can do some of the work out in the shop, but I still have to bring it in for gluing. Today, we had the service for Aunty Dr. Linda. That can be viewed on line. There's also a video tribute. Lovely lady! Wonderful mother! Award winning teacher! Great principal! And the job she loved most—nana! The markets have been troubled this week, and the pundits are back calling for a "correction", as if something is messed up! That does not make me comfortable, seeing as how the guys who call for the adjustment, are also capable to pushing for it to happen. Anyway, I did lose one holding, but managed to remain at quota for another week. Now, I'm slightly below my planned investment level, so I'll be looking to buy next week if all looks favourable. The pandemic continues to be a problem world-wide, but cases have been declining significantly, so we are hopeful that folks will remain vigilant until vaccinations are widely accomplished. We're experiencing some troubling surges in cases in our region—that's a concern. Curling championships have begun this week. They've set up a bubble in Calgary and plan to play the Scotties, the Brier and a couple of Grand Slam events there. The Scotties began today, so my TV watching is pretty much locked in for the next week! The teams have not been playing this season, so it's expected that results will be a bit less predictable. I'll enjoy it anyway! As expected, the Jayhawks were elevated back into the rankings at #23, and they had a couple more wins this week. Next week is set to be tough against two teams that are above them in the rankings—Rock Chalk boys! The NHL continues play, now approaching mid-season. The American divisions are hitting many postponements due to Covid concerns. They'll have to make up those games later. My teams remain in playoff contention. All three played tonight with Leafs (14-3-2) winning in Montreal; while Pens (9-6-1) and Oilers (12-8) won at home.

Erica writes, "I was up to la Ronge for work this week. It was nice to get out of the house. Eric is nursing his injured finger, which gets him out of dish washing duty. 🤔 I haven’t heard much from Liam, Haaken or Greg. Liam posted another interview in his series: Afternoon Today! It’s been a quiet week" 

 

Erin and Kristian have had a good week. Kristian is having his winter break from school, so he's been enjoying home and catching up on some Lego projects—sometimes through most of the night! The cold weather has also broken in Saskatchewan, and they're glad to see the melting snow. 

 

Joanna flew down to Toronto for another week of Dad-Care. We're expecting her back tomorrow. Then, she'll be isolating for a week, and getting another Covid test. She is very careful, and this is part of her care regimen for us—we appreciate it. Trav has been managing the household and monitoring the rats! 

Caught in the Sock Drawer!

 

And that's about enough for this week! 

Frigid weather ending!

Another frigid week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior but we're promised a break in the weather next week and a return to single digits of frost. This week it has been mostly in the -20's overnight and a recovery only to the minus teens during the day, so, we have remained mostly indoors! Wendy has ventured out for grocery shopping; we both were out for my eye appointment on Monday. On that occasion, we were informed that the eye continues to heal nicely, and that it has progressed to 20/50 vision. The left eye has been my good eye, and my dominant eye, so I continue to look forward to its return to 20/20 vision at least—it used to be 30/20! In my pre-surgery testing it was 20/200! Progress! My improving vision took notice of my badly scarred laptop screen. This was due to a well-known scourge where the anti-glare coating degrades over time. Wendy suggested trying the silver infused Norwex cleaning cloths dampened with water. The effect was quick and marvelous, and I have a clear screen once again.

Reflecting well on me!

We had a lovely conversation with my siblings on Wednesday evening as we celebrated Nancy's birthday, and Verner's birthday. On Thursday, we were informed of Linda's passing. We grieve along with Verner, and the extended family, even as we acknowledge the blessing of her release from misery. Wendy has pushed forward with her puzzle; some work remains to be done there, and I'm still not of any effective use in that project. I have worked the markets, and had another good week as the North American indexes have pushed to record after record. I am now sitting at 4 straight months of achieving quota, and am feeling very blessed. The pundits keep trying to scare us with calls for a "correction", and we will try to notice and react quickly if and when it arrives! Sports, mainly hockey and basketball continue to attract attention. As feared, the Jayhawks were dropped from the rankings for the first time in a record 12 years. Rock Chalk Jayhawk! This week they won a home and home series against Iowa State; that may get them back into the rankings. Soon, we'll be turning our attention to March Madness—the highlight of the basketball season! In the NHL, the Leafs (11-3-1) have continued to dominate at the top of the standings, although they lost to Montreal tonight. The Pens (6-5-1), and my Oilers (9-7) look to be improving their play. 

Erica received notice this week that their division of Deloitte has been purchased by MNP (formerly: Meyers, Norris, Penny), so her paycheques will have a different header on them. Basically, their office is just being transferred to the new owners, so not much else will change. Otherwise, they have been sheltering from the polar vortex just like the rest of us, although under even colder temperatures. Eric and Liam put together a video for the church's Valentine’s Day dinner. Erica had a Valentine’s Day pedicure and Eric has a Valentine’s Day foot manly treatment. Haaken continues working at Costco and looking for animation opportunities. Greg is driving truck in Kenora. Today, Eric was trying out the new knives and managed to take a thin layer off his finger... knife, snowblower, saw: it's what we do!

Knife—sharp!

Regina established a new record of frigidity posting 109 hours of windchill lower than -40°. Not something to be proud of, to be sure, but something they successfully endured. Erin's new RAV4 handled the test with alacrity (or however you interpret the autostart feature!). Kristian has continued to go to school each day in what will be come one of those "up hill both ways" stories to be told to children and grandchildren in due course. 

Sweets for the Sweet!

Travis and Joanna had an extra burst of employment delivering Valentine's floral arrangements yesterday and today. It is anticipated they will deliver more tomorrow! Last evening they joined us for a Valentine's celebration around pizza and conversation. It was delightful. 

Thanks Trav & Joanna!

And that's enough for this week!

Dr Linda Ulrich - A tribute

Dr. Linda Ulrich

1950.01.15 — 2021.02,11 

(with acknowledgement to Leigh Hunt)

Dear Linda Ulrich (may her tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight in her room,

Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold:—

Exceeding peace had made our Linda bold,

And to the presence in the room she said,

"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head,

And with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."

"And is mine one?" said Linda. "Nay, not so,"

Replied the angel. Linda spoke more low,

But cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee, then,

Write me as one that loves her fellow men."

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night

It came again with a great wakening light,

And showed the names whom love of God had blest,

    And lo! dear Linda's name led all the rest.

For sure Linda was one who loved God and her fellowmen. She was (by order of increasing relevance to her character and her identity) a beautiful woman, an accomplished academic, a dedicated teacher, a successful educational leader, a loving spouse, mother and nana!

We miss her!

Winter is Back!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been beautiful, with melting each day, until yesterday! Then, a storm blew in with fresh snow, fresh wind and even fresher temperatures! We're into the -20s today, and they're threatening us with the Polar Vortex for the next week! I did get a bit more work done on the TV table shelf and the workbench vise, but that'll be on hold until it warms up. We shovelled out the driveway twice as the prolonged snowfall kept putting it back! And now, we're getting some of it drifting back in as the winds have continued to be nasty. Wendy has kept busy indoors with her latest puzzle, and her ongoing winter/spring cleaning. My eye continues to recover from the recent surgery. It is looking better each day, but still not seeing very well! I'm scheduled for my next ophthalmic appointment on Monday. The markets recovered from the retail investors revolt, and returned to the Biden bounce, so I was able to recover from last week's losses and post some good gains. All indices rose to all-time records this week, and I'm back on quota. Lots of NHL action and my teams are doing a bit better, although Pens (5-5-1) continue to struggle with injuries. At least they got two d-men back today. Oilers (6-7) are scoring better, but not defending very well. Leafs (9-2-1) are sitting in first place overall. As feared, the Jayhawks were dropped to #23, and after a win and a loss this week may be dropped from the rankings, entirely. Rock, Chalk may be in next-year-country, already!

Erica writes, "This Friday our Internet died! Tragedy! Fortunately, we have data on our phones, so we will survive. Liam has been busy posting videos for his own YouTube channel as well as for RU Ministry. We had a good talk with Haaken about support from CLBC (Community Living - British Columbia). They are providing some support; we hope they will find an opportunity for him to work in animation.  It’s -30 today, so we will pass on our walk in the forest. We will have to figure out another way to get in our km, today."

Erin and Kristian are also stuck in the frigid weather this weekend. Erin continues to experiment with new menu specialties—look delicious! We'd like to taste them.

Safe at Home

Travis and Joanna had another week as Joanna completed her isolation, and started preparation for her next trip to Toronto—a beggar for punishment! Really, we acknowledge the good work she is doing in helping with the care of her dad. There has been some progress with that in that they're getting some home care support at least.

And that's about enough for this week.