Two Dog Week!

Another week has passed on the shore of Lake Superior in my hometown, The weather has remained great, punctuated by a couple of vigorous thunder storms, and we’ve enjoyed getting out for work in the yard and shop and walks with the dogs.

Granny & the Dogs

DOGS, you say?! Yep, Marigold has been visiting while Trav and Joanna were down to BC to visit Gemma and Jonas. They got back on Wednesday, so we’re back to our regular home-life with the two old dogs and Kali. Wendy has recovered from the spider bite, and continues with her usual business. I have been cleaning the shop a bit. I found a sale on 2nd-hand tools, and picked up two more routers. I have begun work on three more FastTrack games, and another Pegs & Jokers game—so, that’s lots of drilling holes! I’m also doing some repairs on the garage, while ignoring the weeds in the back yard!

New Hotel

A three-story hotel is going up just across the traffic circle from us, and we have been supervising that! It looks like it will feature 24 suites complete with kitchenettes and cater to folks needing longer term stays. The markets continue to be volatile as no one can predict where the feckless USA leadership will go next. August was another good month for me, but our economy is feeling the sting of tariffs against our trade into the USA markets which we have counted on over the years. We are now heading into September which is historically the most difficult month in the markets. College football has begun in the USA, but #1 Texas lost their opener, while #18 Sooners won easily. Still, you can tell from their ranking numbers that not much is expected from OU this year. Riders will take on the Bombers tomorrow in their traditional Labour Day game—Go Riders, Go! Blue Jays continue to lead their division as we head into the serious season of baseball. Lately, their bull pen has been faltering—need to get that fixed!

Erica writes, “We enjoyed a week of exploring the east. Old Quebec was historical. We did a lot of walking around the Plains of Abraham and practised a bit of French. From there, we spent a few days in PEI and Anne of Green Gables sites. Unfortunately, my cold that never seems to go away came back and I spent a day in bed on Thursday. Friday, we drove back across Confederation Bridge, through New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and landed in Sydney. The landscape here reminds us of Northern Ontario. Tomorrow we will go whale watching—it will be interesting to compare the experience from coast to coast!”

Kristian has begun his school program at Sask Polytech towards qualifying as a Machinist. We wish him well in the program, but recognize it’s a job in itself. Erin got a notification this week that the privacy walls between back yards are being replaced, so she’ll have to clear away her irrigation and electrical developments in the back yard to accommodate that, but first she plans to enjoy a sunny weekend on the patio—good plan! 

Travis & Joanna had a great time in Vancouver and area. They drove up the coast to Whistler to enjoy the sights and activities there as well, and most importantly, they enjoyed time with Gemma and Jonas. Andrew and Rosie continue with classwork and work here. Rosie is preparing for another exam toward her hoped for qualification as a Registered Massage Therapist. Marigold is now back home with the boys and fighting for her share of food! 

And that’s enough for this week.