Thank you for the Music!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown. The weather has been gorgeous such that the golf courses have opened, and my annual quest for single-digit games is renewed! Kali and I enjoy our daily walks, and she is learning to mind such that I sometimes have her off-leash when we're not walking on a street. The big event of the week was our Spring Concert on Friday evening, the culmination of our practice and preparation over the last several months. Click on the link, see if you can find Wendy and me, and enjoy!

Silver Sounds Spring 2025

Music and choral singing remain a celebrated part of our lives and we enjoy getting to sing with this group. Wendy continues to sing with the local Barbershop chorus as well; they had a concert this week, and more are planned through early June. Then, we're thinking of heading west for work in PA and visiting in Regina. I have not been informed of any other plans! We bought new carriage lights for the house and garage, so installed those this week. We had some with integrated LEDs, but they turned out to be fragile, and unrepairable since they don't have bulbs. I have now figured out a way to rebuild them with sockets, so they are useful once more. The Orange Trade War continues to wreak havoc and our most recent employment numbers were insufficient to cover the need. Still, it is the USA which is suffering more from his withdrawal from the world, and the citizenry is starting to notice, withdrawing support of him, and joining protests against him. As the west coast ports lose shipments and truckers fret over the loss of jobs, we're seeing Trump start to panic. This week he announced a non-trade plan with the UK and its own pretty desperate PM. It covers little, leaves a 10% tariff in place, so Americans will have to pay that much more for whatever they buy from the UK, well, except for Rolls Royce—that's tariff free! And while China's trade with the USA dropped 16% last month, its overall trade increased 8%, so they're not suffering at all. Canada, likewise, it opening trading relations with other countries including China, but we're still suffering a bit. The NHL playoffs continue. I achieved a record 7/8 picks in round one. We'll see if round two brings me back to earth! I have Canes, Leafs, Jets, Oilers—two are doing well, the others? Not so much! Blue Jays are currently on a west coast road trip, and remain below .500—not good! 

Erica writes, "This weekend is busy. Friday night our band played at the Anavets Club (Army & Navy) we played four sets and people were dancing until the very end! It was a lot of fun. Eric started teaching a masters class on line through University of Lethbridge. It’s the second time he’s taught the class so that should mean all the material is prepared. He assures me, it is not. Today is Lobsterfest, which ends up being an all day affair. We gather in the morning to set up and get organized. Then run around doing all the last minutes things we forgot. The event starts at 5:30 and runs until 11:30. So, I will be a wee bit tired for Mother’s Day. Speaking of which, Happy Mothers Day! We have been working with our local fairies in Thunder Bay and Langford to make sure our Mothers are appropriately appreciated. Now, I wait to see if I am equally appreciated. Liam went for his last dose of his current medication. When he had a reaction to it, they took him off it for a bit, but then started again more slowly. He has decided that is the last dose until he gets his new prescription."

Erin and Kristian are enjoying fantastic Spring weather after their horrible winter. Their tree is leafing, and they can all get out to enjoy the patio.

Kristian and Elly

Leaf me alone!

They are looking forward to and planning for their trip to Alberta starting next weekend. 

Travis and Joanna are slowing down a bit here in the off-season. I enjoy chatting through hockey games with Travis, and sometimes with others as I get to texting in the wrong threads!

Wendy's new sandals!

On behalf of the children, Joanna took Wendy shopping today in connection with Mothers Day—thank you very much! She picked out new sandals along with some bottles of essential bath oils. Pedicure still to come! 

And that's enough for this week.