Trumped

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has turned much more comfortable with mild temperatures and slushy streets. I've spent most of the week with Scotties Curling. I've been working a shift most days managing their time clocks. No teams have got really close to running out of time on my watch, but some have been under one minute. The competition has been fun to watch and my two picks have risen to the top and finally met in the 1-2 game tonight. So, #1-Homan advanced to the final set for tomorrow evening, while #2-Einarson will play #4-Black in the semi-final tomorrow afternoon, with the winner (I predict Einarson) advancing to play Homan again! The world of hockey took time off for the Four Nations Tournament, and we were delighted to prevail with an OT goal to beat the USA in the final. My teams were all back in regular season action today, but only the Leafs managed a win, while Oilers and Pens were blasted! In Basketball, my #23-Jayhawks (will they even have a ranking next week?) continue to underperform as they were blown out early in the week, before rebounding for a blowout win of their own, today. Preseason Baseball has begun—all teams are World Series prospects at this time of the year. Wendy has been busy with her choirs—I missed choir this week for Scotties work. She is progressing on her annual accounting project—I think she's working on May business records already. World affairs are not going well. His Orangeness gives every evidence of being an agent of Russia—espousing all of their positions and priorities. He has sidelined Ukraine to negotiate with Russia over Ukraine's fate—despicable! He whines about breaking up with NATO (Putin's fevered dream!), and picks fights with all the former allies, most notably Canada, but also Europe. It's a very disquieting situation for us. Breaking his own free trade agreement, he threatens tariffs against both Mexico and us. He claims to not understand how tariffs work, nor even how balance of trade works. It leaves the markets rattled, and they are all down since he took over. Meanwhile, in the USA, employment is falling and inflation is rising. What will it take to get folks' attention?! It is encouraging to see some protests and boycotts, but we will need much more before the Republicans regain their courage and put a stop to him. 

Yeah, me neither, Mr. Rather.

Erica writes, "Eric has been managing at home. He’s taken the opportunity to get ahead on his hockey games. Erica was released from hospital on Monday and has been resting at the Air BnB and going for a few walks to regain her strength. She had a follow up appointment on Friday and the doctor was pleased with the healing so far. They did an ultrasound to check for hematoma and seroma on the arms and they look pretty good. He was also encouraged by the walking and the fact that I got dizzy one day after 2 km was not a concern to him. He said it’s part of the two steps forward one step back healing process."

Beautiful, with Kristian's help!

Erin and Kristian have survived the deep freeze in Regina where temperatures have challenged -40° this week, before moderating for the weekend. They are also into melting weather now—quite a relief! Erin got through her busy time at work, so that's a relief. She worked on her Lego project, had some struggles, but was fortunate to have some professional assistance! Erin is happy to see the return of baseball and her beloved Blue Jays. 

Joanna is away this weekend, visiting her sister and family, and working on her mother's house. They are trying to go through all the stuff, and get it ready to sell. Trav is batching at home with the boys and Marigold. He and Marigold came over for supper tonight which included us watching the Penguins game and Marigold cleaning up Kali's food! 

And that's about it for this week.