Rehab Complete!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been variable with a big rain all day on Wednesday dumping about 30 mm on us. That should help our local streams, rivers and lakes which are running low after the meagre winter snowfall. Otherwise the days have been mostly sunny, but Thursday and Friday were cool. I got out for golf on Tuesday, and that went okay. I had 2 pars and 7 bogies. I had two drives over 200, with my best at 223. And better news, I felt no worse for wear the next day. I have spent most of my spare time this week working on Travis's lawnmower. It has been refusing to begin the new season after he ended last year on a stump. Anyway, I figured the first problem would be timing, and an inspection of the flywheel confirmed that. Once I got that reset, it would fire and run for a few seconds, but then die. I ended up cleaning the carb three times before becoming convinced the fuel supply was the second issue! So, fresh non-ethanol fuel, and one more carb cleaning et voilà, we have it back in operation. I had my final physio session on Friday, and I've been discharged on my own recognizance. Our choral practices are over for the summer, but Wendy continues with her Sweet Adelines practices and business. The markets have been mixed all week, but continue to push to new record highs on the strength of the USA economy—thanks Uncle Joe! The Blue Jays continue to struggle and there are rumblings of players being traded! C'mon Jays! Let's play ball! In the NHL playoffs, my Oilers managed to eke out a game seven win and move on to the next round. They're playing Dallas this round and are holding their own despite Dallas being favoured to win it. In the East, the Rangers are in quite a battle with the favoured Florida team. I don't like the Panther style of hockey, so I'm cheering for the Rangers and hoping for the upset there as well. 

Erica writes, "It’s the Prince Albert Rotary’s annual Lobsterfest fundraiser this weekend. So I’m busy with setting up, last minute duties, and attending the event. Liam and his girlfriend Mercedes is coming up for the event. It will be a fun evening! Eric has finished his teaching duties with the University of Lethbridge and is now taking a short course on play therapy. It’s almost like he enjoys learning! Greg is doing better, which is good because his wedding is next weekend! We will be picking up Haaken and Liam and driving out to Kenora for the celebration."

Erin and Kristian are mostly in regular activities this week. They did have one special night out for a film by the Deaf Crows Collective. They got to visit with a lot of his teachers from over the years. Then, on Thursday night, Kristian had bowling with the Glen Elm youth group—the windup activity for the school year. 

Travis and Joanna remain busy with their work. The renos are mostly complete and some of the new furnishings are in place. They are still waiting on the arrival of a new sofa set. We celebrated the May Long weekend at their place with a barbecue supper and a few games of Fast Track on Monday evening. This also allowed us to break in their new dining set. 

And that's about it for this week. 

May Long!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has remained nice with several rain showers and a couple of thunderstorms to spice things up. I've managed some golf practice and am hoping to get my other prescribed round in this weekend. My physio appointment is next Thursday, so I have some time left to get it played. In the meantime, I've puttered away at some projects in the shop and yard. I'm planning to rebuild the side fence this summer and probably cut it down a bit since we no longer have a pool. The rhubarb is ready for the first picking of the season. Wendy has been busy in the flower beds, and they're looking good as the peonies, hostas, day lilies, bleeding hearts, irises, and some shrubbery are developing. She is gradually improving with her cough/cold. This week, she is taking allergy relief pills as well which seems to be giving some benefit. The markets ran nicely this week as the USA inflation data came in better than expected. All USA indices and the TSX are in record high territory, thus I am already at my monthly quota. Can I hang on?! The Blue Jays continue to struggle as the season is almost one fourth complete. The pitching is generally good, but the batting has been very sporadic. Each game seems to hang on whether they can find a new way to lose! The second round of the NHL playoffs is nearly completed. As I predicted, the Rangers and Panthers advanced to the Eastern finals. In the West, my picks are not doing so well. The Stars knocked off Colorado to advance, and my Oilers are struggling mightily against the Canucks! They'll be playing game 7, in Vancouver, on Monday. Anyway, I'm picking Rangers versus either Oilers or Canucks in the Cup final series. 

Erica writes, "It was another busy week. Eric is teaching an online class for the University of Lethbridge. That keeps him busy Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I am on the Lobsterfest organizing committee for Rotary and we are a week away, so that keeps me busy, on top of busy season at work. So, in case you didn’t catch it, it’s busy. And it’s good. Eric’s good friend and brother from another mother, Mike Koops stopped by on Friday. We had a late night of visiting. He’s heading up to hike to Grey Owl’s cabin this weekend. Our former pastor and good friend Mike Engbers passed through on Thursday with his family. Eric got to catch up with him for breakfast on Friday morning. Greg was flown to Thunder Bay on Tuesday for some tests on his heart. They discovered reduced flow and put in a stent. Then, they flew him back to Kenora. It boggles my mind that was all done in one day. He’s home now and feeling better. It’s only two weeks until his wedding! Liam and Haaken appear to be doing fine. Liam is planning for another year at Briercrest and working with RU. He is also considering a future mission trip. We are praying for guidance and direction for him." 

Erin and Kristian are enjoying the week in Regina while preparing Kristian to take part in an experimental treatment study for his skin issues. Of course, he won't know if he's in the active drug part, or the placebo, but we're hoping the drug proves successful and he can benefit in the long run at least. Erin is thriving in her new assignment at VW/Audi; her Jays? Not so much!! Erin seems to have picked up a flu this week, so she's planning a quiet long weekend. The Egg has been relocated to the patio, so she can veg back there! 

Travis and Joanna are busy with work and renovations. Their lawnmower has suffered a mishap, so it's over here now. He hit a stump, so as expected, the timing was messed up. I got the flywheel back in place, so it will run, but now it seems to be lacking lubrication, so it runs a few seconds and then stalls. It's a 4-stroke, so I'm wondering whether something is messed up on the oil delivery system. Right now, I've added oil to the gasoline, and it runs as a 2-stroke, but still seems to get too hot. 

And that's enough for this week. 

Golf!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has remained beautiful and we have been out regularly on our bikes, and to the golf course. I walked my first 9-hole game today—my back got tired, but functioned as expected and without pain. That's quite an improvement from last year when the best I managed was three holes! Wendy is back from her competition in Rochester MN. Here's a link that may let you see their performance there. 

Sounds of Superior - 2024

She has been suffering a Spring cold this week, and has also suffered the Buckley's Mixture antidote! It was another big week in music for us as Silver Sound had our concert last night. It went well, and our guest soloist was spectacular. I have managed a bit more work in the shop, and have another project nearing the finish line. The markets flipped back to the green side this month, and that has carried us to some nice gains. The NHL playoffs continue. Stars advanced as I predicted, so just Winnipeg let me down in Round 1. Now, I have Oilers, AVs, Rangers and Panthers in Round 2, so we'll see how that plays out. 

Erica writes: "I’ve spent half the week trying to get better and the other half muddling through a Spring cold. Fun times—not! Eric has been learning some chords and songs on the mandolin. Pretty soon we will need to schedule a hootenanny at 55 Laird if Uncle Dave will host us. We also got word that Greg is in the hospital. Some tests indicate heart trouble and others indicate no such thing. So, we wait for more tests to be held in Thunder Bay. We pray that he is okay. No word from Liam or Haaken this week. Eric is hoping his Canucks get through this next round of the playoffs, however if the sportscasters (and my dad) are to be believed, the Oilers are the heavy favourites!" 

Erin and Kristian are enjoying the change of seasons in Regina. While Kristian responded well in recovery from the staph infection of a couple of weeks ago, his longer term skin issues remain, so they are considering taking part in an experimental regime targeted on that issue. Erin had her first solo monthend at VW/Audi; it was a big learning experience, but she's feeling great about how it went. 

Travis and Joanna are back to their usual work protocols, but are also remaining quite busy. They are in the process of replacing some furniture, and while some of the pieces have vacated, they are taking advantage of the clearance to do some repainting. 

And that's enough for this week. 

May the Fourth Be With You!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. It has been a busy week and with the showery weather I only got over to the range twice. I had physiotherapy on Monday; he was well-pleased with my progress and prescribed a few trips to the driving range, and two rounds of golf before my next appointment—gotta love that! Wendy has been taking care of Minnie while Travis & Joanna are away. She is also very busy with Sweet Adelines chorus practices and preparation as they headed south on Thursday for a competition and performance in Rochester MN. I expect her back on Sunday evening. They won the trophy in their division again this year! 

with the Trophy! 

We are also both in final rehearsals for our Silver Sound concert scheduled for next Friday evening. I have managed a bit of project work in the shop this week. The lawns are ready for their first cut; the rhubarb and other perennials are developing nicely. The markets closed off a losing month of April, but have begun May with nice green days. USA jobs data was weaker than expected so investors have raised their expectations of a rate cut, and increased the equity buying. The first round of NHL playoffs is nearing completion, with just one series remaining to be decided. I have only lost one of my first round picks so far. I hope the Stars can win their game 7 tomorrow. It's time to consider the four second-round series. I'm seeing my Oilers advancing again to face the AVs in the Western final. I'm looking for Panthers and Rangers to move on to the Eastern final. The Blue Jays are not flying well, now one month into the baseball season. Starting pitching is going well, but the bullpen and the hitting are failing us. 

Happy Birthday, Eric!

Erica writes, "Eric’s appointment on Monday provided us with a plan for his eye. He will get a treatment with vitamin D to harden the lens; then, they will do lasik to shave down the cone to reshape the eye. After all that he will need to get a new prescription for his glasses. I don’t know why they can’t just fix that at the same time. We followed up the appointment with a visit to the music store and Eric picked up another instrument for his birthday gift—a mandolin. I’m fighting a cold."

Erin and Kristian returned from Florida on the weekend, and got back into their Regina routines. Kristian reports that his infection is now behind him and that he's doing well. He has an appointment with the dermatologist next week to consider a new drug trial for his chronic skin problems. 

Travis and Joanna spent the week in Tampa Bay. They enjoyed this week with Lorraine and Pamela, and have now returned to Toronto. We expect them back tomorrow evening. They sold their dining room set this week; Max and I assisted by dismantling it and helping the new owner load it up. 

And that's about it for this week.