Fall—Still Summer!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather remains very comfortable there, but we have left, and are enjoying a comfortable existence in Lawrence KS where the colours are hinting of Fall even while the temperatures are indicating that it's still summer. Thank you, Marti for putting us up, and, in fact, for arranging this expedition. We're enjoying this part even as we look forward to the rest of it. We finished up a few things in Thunder Bay during the first few days and then flew south on Wednesday. That was quite an excursion and way too much exercise for my troubled legs (I still suspect Sciatica even though my doctor demurs). The trip started well as we flew down to Toronto, but sadly, things were not convenient or problem-free there! We had to go through security (again), and then through customs and immigration. It seems the Americans are taking their revenge for ArriveCAN, and have instituted MPC (mobile passport control). If you don't have a smart phone, you may as well stay home! And yet our travel agents made no mention of this necessity, and Travis did not have to use it recently when he went to New York, so, as far as we know, they instituted it just to trouble us. Anyhow, after getting through security, we got to a massive hall, filled with people, and, after finding the row for Canadians, there was a hint of something new in the air.

Clearly it's MPC!

A signboard with a QR code announced the MC, and the attendants assured us that it actually said MPC, and that we must download it! So, we followed the QR code to the app store and downloaded it... now what was our AppleID password? I don't know how these people assume that we all have smart phones, and that we're all so computer literate that we can manage this kind of process while standing in line, and shuffling our luggage forward! Once into the app we had to fill in a bunch of personal information and take a photo of our passport ID page and of ourselves. Sadly, the light was so dim in that area, that we couldn't get a photo. One attendant tried to light up my passport with her phone, but it still wasn't enough, so she took my phone and entered the passport information incorrectly, so I could be informed that the data was incorrect and I could redo it! Once we were through this process, we were awarded a QR code that got to see the customs officer, who considered our situation and finally allowed us to proceed to the gate, which had already been sending texts demanding that we attend there! Then, it was about 2km to the gate as we only had a puddle jumper jet to Kansas City and it required us to walk out side, give up our carryon luggage and climb the stairs to the plane. The gate was closed before we got there, but there was a line-up of similarly inconvenienced passengers, so they held the plane until we all got aboard! Other than that it was smooth sailing! Marti was there to pick us up, and we breathed a collective sigh with that ordeal behind us! Here, we're enjoying catching up with Marti, including a couple of sing songs—thanks! This evening, we've relocated to Aunt Helen's. The markets have had another good week; things were a bit tentative while we waited for the BoC rate announcement, but after they surprised with ONLY a 0.5% increase, the markets closed strongly, and I had another good week. Riders closed out their season tonight in Calgary with another loss—sad! The World Series has begun with the Phillies taking the first game and Astros matching that this evening. I've picked the Astros to win it. My Sooners were back in action in college football and won their game today. Pens have had a terrible tour of western Canada, dropping games in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. Oilers are on a brief win streak; I hope they can keep it going! Leafs continue to struggle in the early going of the season. Homan and Edin won the Grand Slam event on Sunday. Next curling is in the Pan-Continental curling championships which begin on Monday in Calgary. Canada is represented by the Gushue and Einarson teams. 

Erica writes, "Eric and I met up with Greg, Kiersten, Haaken and Liam in Calgary this Friday. And just for fun, decided to head to London! This week has been focused on getting ready for our trip. We are looking forward to a week in London. Anyway, we are here in the UK all settled in at our air BnB, we’ve been fighting our natural inclination to go to sleep. Some have been more successful than others!"

Erin writes, "We woke up to a pile of snow on Sunday. Tracy (co-worker) had surgery on both feet on Monday, so, we’re short staffed again for a while. I got my winter tires installed on Tuesday. We had our 3-way conference (parent-teacher-student interview) on Wednesday, and Kristian had youth group on Thursday. Kristian got sent home sick on Friday, so today was a day of naps :) Just a regular week. LOL!"

Travis and Joanna are holding down the fort in Thunder Bay, and are busy, busy, busy with Puckshots Photography. We don't know our new tenant well, yet, so it's a great relief to be able to rely on Trav & Joanna to take care of any issues that may come up. 

And that's about it for this week. 

Fall/Summer

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The week began with windy, cold weather, and is ending with temperatures pushing 20° again—salubrious indeed! As a result, we've been able to maintain our outdoor walking, and even enjoying it in shirt sleeves! Such changes are common this time of year even as we head inexorably toward winter. I have continued with therapy on my back, although my discomfort now seems to be almost completely with in my right hip and leg. The doctor has ruled out sciatica, although I'm convinced it's more nervous system than muscular. In any case, I work through a series of stretches with heat and cold treatments, and most days I'm able to keep upright and walking! The Greedy game boards are nearing completion; it's a simple structure with a perimeter of sticks to enclose the cloth-backed playing area. The game operates under several names, and with a large range of rules. My computer-based version is called Farkle; you may also look it up under that title. I'm still planning to stain and varathane the wood pieces, then it rolls up in the cloth which is only attached to the bottom sticks. Maybe I won't bother to attach it—that seems to work, too. 

Greedy Game

Our concerns over the new variants of the coronavirus have reawakened. So long as people keep it going, it will continue to mutate, and there's always the risk that the mutants will be worse than the original. The latest variant seems to bypass the protections of all prior infections, but produces little illness among the vaccinated. While we've experienced more deaths already this year than in any prior year, most folks and governments seem oblivious or at least nonchalant. We're considering plans to travel in the near future, but this certainly gives us pause. We completed our teeth cleaning appointments this week with the trainees at Confederation College. The process takes much longer working with them, but we feel good about providing them the work site, and very good about only paying $20. Wendy has continued her struggle with the banks to get the chorus accounts working properly. It seems she's been at this a long time! It's quite surprising how difficult they seem to find it to put new names on business accounts and make them accessible online. The markets continued to be topsy turvy and volatile. This was another positive week, but only because we had three big green days against two big red days—not the formula for comfortable investing! At least I made quota. In the world of sports, the Riders played their penultimate game of the season against Calgary today. They'll complete their season, next week, with the other half of the home and home in Calgary. And then other teams will begin the playoffs, sigh! MLB has moved into the League Championship series. I managed to pick two of the Divisional series winners—big step up for me! I've picked Astros and Padres to advance to the World Series. Texas moved back into the rankings after demolishing my Sooners last week. This week the 'Horns were substandard and lost to Oklahoma State, while the Sooners took the week off to lick their wounds. The opening weeks of the NHL season have produced a few surprises, and some of them not good ones for my teams (Oilers, Pens, Leafs), well, actually, Pens and Leafs are doing okay. Grand Slam curling is on again this week in Grande Prairie. Koe advanced to the playoffs; I've enjoyed watching both the men's and the women's sides of the draw. Einarson has qualified on the women's side. The finals are scheduled for tomorrow.  

Erica writes, "This week, we heard that one of our friends passed away, much too young. Shelley Lock (nee Waddell) was a good friend at Western. When I moved to Saskatoon, she often hosted us at her apartment and gave us the lay of the land in her hometown in her gutsy Nova. She met and married Chris Lock the same year Eric and I married. Over the years, they have graciously hosted us at their home in Warman. Shelley has battled a variety of medical conditions in recent years and passed away in her sleep this week. Eric and I will be attending the service this weekend in Saskatoon." While we attended on line. 

Erin continues to fight her fall flu, while Kristian seemed to have had only one down day, and then was back to his usual good health. At least she felt well enough to get back to work, as when she is away, the work just waits for her to return! She's feeling much improved this weekend, but the weatherman warns of snow in Regina. Curling should be starting soon for Kristian; they had a curling meeting on Thursday. 

Travis and Joanna are fully into Puck Shots photo sessions now. The Bucket Decal work continues as well, as teams develop their plans for a full season of hockey. We hope that comes true, but, as noted above, we're pretty skeptical about how the various governments are failing to deal with Covid. Andrew "enjoyed" more medical work this week. Gemma and Jonas are progressing in their planning to come home over Christmas break. 

And that's about enough for this week. 

Summer/Fall

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The first few days were summery with temps in the 20s, but then we turned to autumn, and daytime highs failed to make it into double digits. We've managed to get out for walks regularly, and I feel this is helpful therapy for my ailing back and legs. The muscles seem to loosen up after a kilometre or so, and there is little pain once that happens. I've also been doing my prescribed stretches, and had another appointment with the chiropractor. She's thinking that one or two more visits may complete this particular intervention. I've been swinging my golf club, and while it's a little tender, it actually seems pretty good. Of course, I can't swing as hard as I'm used to, but, some think, that may be a beneficial as well! I'm currently working on a small set of game boards for Greedy—that's going well. May have some pics next week! I had an ultrasound on my leg to see if there's any progress with the blood clots. I'm expecting to hear the results on that next week. On Friday, we started a series of teeth cleaning at the college. It takes them quite a while as they have to check and get approval from their instructors at each stage, but hey, $20! Wendy keeps busy with choral business and singing practice. It's a little strange for the listener (me), as she's hearing the music in her ear buds, but singing the bass line aloud! The markets have continued their wild swings. The wildest this week was Wednesday when option traders got panicked over the possibility of the markets hitting bottom and went into a surge of buying to cover their short positions! Interesting times—I recall in the early days of my market playing, it would be a remarkable day when we had a hundred point swing in the DOW. These days we sometimes see a range of 1000 points in a single day! Sports action is plentiful these days. The week opened with the completion of the first Grand Slam event of the curling season. The winning teams were Gushue over Edin on the men's side, and Tirinzoni over Einarson in the women's competition. MLB continues with the divisional series where I've picked Yanks, Stros, Dodgers and Braves. I had perfect results in the Wild Card series, managing to pick exactly zero of the winners, but only two of my picks have been knocked out so far in this round, and one has already advanced! In college football, both my Sooners and the #22-Longhorns prevailed today. Hockey season has opened and the teams I follow (Oilers, Pens, Leafs) have all managed to get their first win out of the way. 

Erica writes, "We had a short work week, which was nice. We celebrated Thanksgiving on Sunday with Erin and Kristian, and took a moment to remember our poor family down south that have to wait until next month for their celebration. #NotEveryoneGetsOctoberThanksgiving. On Monday, we had a good, long visit with Grampa. He seems to be doing very well. I noted that he has survived the Queen and he reminded me that he was already a year older then Lizzie, so there! Liam joined us on Thursday to see John Mulaney on his comedy tour. John was funny, as expected, and also has the meaningful story of his journey from drugs. We laughed, we cried… In a couple weeks we head across the pond for a family trip. It’s been years in the planning—we are looking forward to the time together."

Erin and Kristian have had a quiet week in Regina, but Erin has been ill. It's probably that seasonal flu that's going around this year. She has been testing, but is negative for covid, however, it's cost her time off work. We hope Kristian manages to avoid it. 

Cutting Board project

Kristian completed a project in woodwork at school. It looks good to me! 

Travis and Joanna are very busy with Bucket Decals and have now begun booking team photoshoots for the PuckShots side of their business—busy times, but good times! Travis was off to Toronto for a few days to take in the AEW pro wrestling event. 

And that's enough for this week. 

Thankful!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. We are enjoying Thanksgiving with full hearts—we are well blessed! We have obtained another vaccine booster; this one covers a couple of additional Omicron variants. We both experienced a bit of shoulder discomfort, but really we were symptom free.

Wendy managed to track down a replacement microwave after ours quit. The new one has a few additional features, and we're liking it a lot. We have sold the old Cougar, so the Santa Fe has now moved into the garage for the first time ever. I'm thinking it will enjoy that this winter, but we're also wondering if folks will think that we're never at home! With the newly capacious garage, I've been working to reorganize my wood shop area for more efficient storage and access to wood and tools. Some have asked about the half-half-half drawer construction I mentioned last week. Here's the Youtube source of that technique. I have continued under the care of my chiropractor, but I am not seeing much improvement. With all the manipulations, stretching and exercise I am now sore across my complete lower back and legs! Wendy has kept busy with chorus business—it seems the banks cannot figure out how to set up their various accounts and cards. She had a follow-up appointment on Wednesday, and that was positive. She also has additional therapies and medications to work through. Getting old is tough! The markets behaved crazily again this week, so in other words "same ol' same ol'"! We started with big time green, and closed with three days of big time red. Over all, we gained a little. The big issue this week was continuing strength in the economy and especially in job gains. That made investors fear the central banks would continue with aggressive rate increases. Sigh! "Good news is bad news" these days. The world of sports continues to distract, but not to match with my expectations or wishes. Baseball season ended, and the playoffs have begun. I picked Rays, Jays, Cards and Mets to win their first round series, and all lost game 1! Yogi said, "It ain't over til it's over!" I'm hanging onto that, but it is over for the Jays, Rays and Cards! The Riders blew another winnable game in Hamilton and their playoff hopes died with it. They have two games remaining, but truly, they only have a mathematical chance. Curling has been front and centre this week with the Grand Slam National event taking place in North Bay. My guy, Kevin Koe, has advanced to the playoffs. On the women's side, my team, Kerri Einarson, has also advanced. In college football, my sad sack Sooners took on the Longhorns today—it was a slaughter! It is a rare event to watch this game as a match between unseeded teams! 

Erica writes, "We started the week with leading worship with a team. Monday was a home day. Tuesday, we attended an event at the Prince Albert campus for the University of Saskatchewan. We got to have a tour of the facilities. Wednesday, we made our grandfathers proud attending an NDP dinner fundraiser. Erica got some nice red gloves. Thursday, we enjoyed our regular evening out with friends. So Friday, to relax, we hit the road to Regina. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving with Liam in Regina with Erin and Kristian." 

As mentioned Erin and Kristian are hosting the Ulrich Thanksgiving Dinner—Saskatchewan section! We wish we could all be together, but know they'll be having a good time. 

Chef—meet the turkey!

Travis and Joanna are very busy with Bucket Decals orders these days. They still managed to take time for an evening visit during the week, and they joined us for Thanksgiving Dinner this evening. An epic game of Greedy added to the enjoyment. We really enjoy the times when the family can get together. 

And that's about it for this week. 

October!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been comfortable and the newly replanted lawns are making good progress. The pain has receded some in my lower back, so on Thursday, I took my courage in my hands and went to my chiropractor—yep, that reawakened the pain! She diagnosed and worked through the muscle groups involved and assigned me further exercises to do at home. As a result, while it's tender, movement is improving, and I've been able to get some work done in the shop. The drawer unit is finished, although I will be adding more subdividers in the drawers for more efficient storage. You can see the half-half-half joinery I used for the corners of the drawer box. 

Completed Drawer Unit

Detail of the Joinery

Wendy has continued with her last week of convalescence. She is scheduled to go back to her doctor next week for a follow-up when we may find out how successful the surgery was. She hopes it has gone well, and that she will be allowed the freedom of more activity afterwards. The markets have continued downward as is usually the case in September anyway, but has been even worse this year! I'm getting mixed results in sports as well. The Riders were trounced by the Bombers this week, and the Sooners were slaughtered for the second week in a row. At least the Blue Jays are thriving and have officially qualified for the playoffs. Their final few series will determine whether they also achieve the advantage of having home games in the first round. Carruthers won the curling event last week. There are several events in this week's curling, but none are at such a high level. 

Erica writes, "Eric and I enjoyed last weekend down in Livingston, Montana. I had a lot of naps! We also enjoyed their “art walk”. All the galleries and shops downtown were open. One had a live band playing. It was really enjoyable, and I found a pair of designer flats for $11 at a second hand store! We drove back on Sunday, and met up with Liam along the way for supper in Moose Jaw. He is doing well and plans to stay in Caronport another year. Haaken and Greg are doing well. We are looking forward to seeing them all in a few weeks as we gather for a family trip."

Shawn helped with moving the Egg Chair inside the house. Then, Kristian dismantled it, moved the pieces down to the family room and reassembled it there! Great work, buddy! I can see that I'll soon be out of work there! 

Egg Chair Inside!

Joanna has been visiting Gemma & Jonas in Vancouver. It is also her first experience with Vancouver and the lower mainland of BC, and she admits to finding it quite lovely, albeit expensive. She has now returned to Thunder Bay. Travis has been very busy with Ulrich Design production, and delights in the speed and output from his new printer. 

And that's about enough for this week.