Summer Fun

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has continued to be great, no 30° days, and several nice showers. Sadly, the forest fires continue, and we are still under a burning ban. We may remain there until Fall, sigh! Anyway, the lawns are doing well, but are requiring too frequent cutting. I've completed another picking from the rhubarb patch, and along with more in the freezer, we are enjoying a batch of rhubarb/strawberry crisp. I've been out for golf practice regularly, and hope to get in a bit of golf before we head west. The spinal stenosis keeps barking at me, but I haven't been experiencing leg pains for some months now. Wendy is in the throes of dental work. She had a major cavity issue that showed up when they started preparing the neighbouring tooth for a crown. That work should be completed next week after one more appointment.

Bill, Travis, Andrew
Gemma, Wendy, Joanna, Rosie

Scandinavian Pizza? But of course!

On Sunday afternoon, we drove down to Grand Marais MN with Travis, Joanna and family. A bit of shopping, a lot of touristing, and lunch at Sven & Ole's Pizza—that was great!

Double Peonies!

We celebrated our 53rd Anniversary on Tuesday. The peonies have burst into bloom as they did 53 years ago for our wedding, and as they usually do this time of year. Wendy brought in a bouquet for us to enjoy. The markets struggled through a shortened week. With only the USA open on Monday, and only Canada open on Tuesday, it was basically a three-day week. When the FED dropped their minutes on Wednesday, they terrified investors with their insistence on more rate hikes. Then, Biden's way-too-strong economy pushed the issue further on Thursday and Friday. Uncle Joe has now presided over the greatest job creation of any president in USA history while also decreasing the deficit by a record amount, and increasing wages even while inflation continues to cool! Investors were convinced of more rate hikes, and all indices lost value this week. Football continued with the Riders playing a lack-lustre affair against Edmonton and escaping with a win. Blue Jays ran off a 4-game win streak, but came crashing back to earth today while being no-hit by Detroit. 

Erica writes, "Eric and I enjoyed a long weekend for Canada Day. We spent July 1st with our friends and planned to enjoy the fireworks as well, but a storm blew in. We got a lot of rest and caught up on sleep. We had a 3-day work week and that seemed just about right. Eric met with the University of Saskatchewan about a possible sessional lecturer position. He is hoping that pans out as he has really enjoyed his teaching opportunities. Liam saw the eye specialist who has referred him for additional testing and different eye drops. Eric has also been referred to an eye specialist, so, we wait to hear what they see.

Saved by your friendly neighbourhood...

Liam met Spider-Man in Moose Jaw! We enjoyed the new Indiana Jones movie on Friday. Not much to report from Haaken or Greg."

Kristian is now fully engaged in summer holidays following his Grandpa's adage of, "Rest in the morning, take it easy in the afternoon!" Travis arrived in Regina this week, so Kristian has taken on the hosting duties associated with that! They took in their first AEW (wrestling) event this evening. 

Travis, Joanna, Gemma, Andrew & Rosie included us in an outing to Grand Marais. That was great fun! It was good to catch up with Gemma who is home briefly from Vancouver. She will start the Midwifery program in September. Jonas is home as well; he's in doctoral studies now at UBC. Andrew begins his paramedic studies at Con College in the Fall, while Rosie continues with her nursing studies through the summer. 

And that's enough for this week.