News Update

Another week has come to a close here on Lake Superior, but that's not where I spent a lot of my time.

My work called me away up to Armstrong this week. A lot of input, data correction and just a bit of data massage was needed to satisfy OnSIS. However, at the end of the week, they are ready to work through the sign off procedure. Of course that takes time as well, so at the end of the week, with one day to go, I still have four of my fourteen schools not quite there! It's only a matter of the formality, but...

My leg continues to improve, but I still experience some pain around the site of the fibular fracture (about three inches below my knee). One night while I have my cast removed, I try getting down into a curling slide—nope, that didn't work! This could be more of a problem than I would have expected. I'm scheduled for my next checkup on October 12th—a total of over seven weeks since the break. I'm doing some therapy now each day, so I hope to be mobile enough to try some golf before the end of the season.

Meanwhile, back on the home front the family has enjoyed decent weather, frequent hikes for grandma and Kristian, and the usual work for Erin.

And that's about it for this week.

News Update

Another week draws to an end here on the shore of Lake Superior where all the children are above average!

I've had another good week at work. I worked around the home office on Monday and Tuesday. Then I travelled up to Red Lake(one of my schools) for Wednesday through Friday. We were able to make a lot of progress on the OnSIS reports so that seven of the fourteen schools are completed. The deadline is September 30th, so it's getting plenty close.

Another big event this week was the American greenback falling to parity with the Canadian dollar. As the chart shows, this has been a long time coming, but with the Bushies devastating the American economy, it was inevitable. Of course, as I've mentioned before the continually weaker greenback makes life a lot more difficult for Canadian manufacturers as the US is our biggest customer and all our stuff is about 20% more expensive just this year.

I continue to be hobbled with my leg, but the pain is gradually diminishing. I had a bit of a bad day on Wednesday what with driving up to Red Lake (7 hours) and too much walking around. But that was the only time I needed to take painkillers, so I'm improving.

Wendy keeps busy caring for Kristan each day while Erin works. She had a relapse of her back, shoulder and arm issues, but a trip to the chiropractor helped a lot. Her big project this week was draining, cleaning and putting away the pool.

Kristian enjoyed his second birthday last Sunday, and the rest of us just enjoy him everyday.

The tragedy of the week was the Riders losing to the BC Lions in a battle for first place this evening. The Riders started the season strong, but have now lost three straight and fallen into second place.

And that's the kind of week it's been.

Things to Think About

An American friend wrote this... three things to think about!
1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments

Cows
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that our government can track a single cow born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she sleeps in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

The Constitution
They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.

The Ten Commandments
The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this: You cannot post "Thou Shalt Not Steal," "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery", and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment.

News Update

Another week draws to an end here on the shore of Lake Superior where the women are strong, the men are handsome and all the children are above average!

I've had a full week of work. I travelled up to Nakina (one of my schools) for Monday and Tuesday. Then I had work at home and office meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, and finally, I completed the week with a full day workshop for all my secretaries on Friday. It was good.

Of course, I continue to be hobbled with my leg. I returned to the doctor first thing Friday morning to have the cast removed and further xrays and examination of the ankle in particular. The doctor expressed some relief over the progress and prescribed an 'air cast' for the next month. The air cast is rather slick. I strap it on, and then use a little pump to inflate bladders that increase the support of my ankle. And the best part is I'm allowed to take it off at night, or to have a shower. It's also a walking cast, so I've got rid of the crutches. Progress indeed!

Wendy keeps busy caring for Kristian now that Erin is working full-time. She has continued with stripping the old wallpaper in the kitchen and dining room. (I'm afraid this has some significance that has not fully dawned on me yet!) And today, she bought me a compressor with pneumatic nailer and stapler. (Again, I suspect some hidden agenda!)

Erin is enjoying her job, and preparing for Kristian's second birthday that we'll celebrate tomorrow! Happy birthday, little buddy! Grandma has been trying to teach him to blow out his candles, but he's resisting.

This weekend we have Erica and the boys here for the celebration, so that's a special treat. And that's the kind of week it's been.

News Update

Another week draws to an end here on Lake Superior. As noted elsewhere it has not been my best week, however, we carry on.

The remarkable news from my doctors here was to confirm that my fibula is healing well, but that I also have a fracture in my ankle. I couldn't quite see what they were referring to in the xray, but it seems the problem is in one of the bones in the ankle upon which the tibia rests. The crack or chip seems to be knitting together, but they were concerned with how I was adapting to the problem. It seems that in the interest of avoiding pain, I had maneuvered my ankle into an inappropriate position, and they felt this could lead to longer term disability. So they manipulated my ankle back the way they wanted it (ouch) and put me in a cast to keep it there! Seems effective! I am scheduled to go back next Friday for a follow up. In the meantime, I am on crutches with a cast up to my knee.

Work has returned to full swing and I have managed to get a couple of my schools to complete their June reporting to the Ministry. All schools are required to complete this by the end of September, or else there are monetary penalties that impact my program. Next week I am scheduled to begin my road trips to the schools.

Wendy has begun working on the house renovations; she feels that since I am disabled she should work twice as hard, so she can aggravate her back, shoulder and arm issues!! I feel she should take it easy on the renovations so she can take care of me!

Erin has begun work at Halfway Motors. She is enjoying her work. It mainly involves the accounting/bookkeeping for the Suzuki franchise that is part of the Halfway family of dealerships. Kristian is attempting to keep his grandpa amused while his mom his at work.

Travis has been off all week to Las Vegas where he is enjoying a Photoshop conference. He reports that the workshops have been excellent so far.

We are enjoying harvesting from our container garden. There are lots of tomatoes, but the beans seem to have quit producing. The corn is not ready yet, but is promising.

And that's the kind of week it's been.

Warning from Pakistan

This morning, from a cave somewhere in Pakistan, Taliban Minister of Migration, Mohammed Omar, warned the United States and Canada that if military action against Iraq continues, Taliban authorities will cut off America's and Canada's supply of convenience store managers.

And if this action does not yield sufficient results, cab drivers will be next, followed by Bell and Sprint customer service reps.

It's getting ugly.

Another unfortunate break!

I was to the Fracture Clinic here in TBay today. I wanted to follow-up and ensure that my fibula was knitting back together properly. The good doctor (as mentioned, our doctors down here have to go to school to get a degree!) allowed as how the fibula was mending very well, but he was concerned about my broken ankle... my what!!? Yes, the ankle also fractured in the mishap, and he is concerned that things aren't quite as they should be there.

He noted that I must have a high pain threshold (And, to test out this theory, he manipulated my ankle back into the position he wanted!), and noted that the ligaments look good. The upshot is that I'm now on crutches and in a cast from knee to toes, and scheduled to go back next Friday (14th) for more xrays. Yikes!

News Update

The end of this week finds us cooling our heels on the shore of Lake Superior. We enjoyed a final Sunday with family in Regina and bade farewell to Rich & Sue as they head off for six months in Zambia, starting on Tuesday.

As planned, we drove from Regina to Kenora on Monday. This segment was punctuated by an enjoyable visit with Dave & Heather at the Tim Horton's in Brandon. We stayed overnight with Eric/A and the boys. Then, on Tuesday we completed the 5000 km tour with a 500 click drive back into TBay.

My leg is swollen and aching. I head to see the doctor on Wednesday. Perhaps these doctors who actually had to go to school to get a degree will know how to treat a fracture! Hmmm, well at least they are also surprised by the lack of a cast! They set me up for more x-rays (to be read by an expert, they assure me), and then they'll determine whether all is progressing well, or if they will need to operate and put in a pin. (Now there's an unpleasant thought!) And with the long weekend, I am delighted to hear that I can wait until next week for that announcement. Privately I have decided that no news is good news, and that the lack of a phone call indicates that all is well.

I get back to work, and am pleased to get my final two schools signed off on Thursday—a whole day to spare! I'll give them the weekend off as well, and then drop the hammer on them for the June reports! I've also been given a small project for Tangible Capital Asset management, so that's another fifteen days of work.

Wendy spends a few days getting the house and our books back in order. She's back in pretty good health, so that's a relief. She has decided to get back on the job hunt. Our garden is thriving—thanks, Trav, for keeping it watered. We have tomatoes, lettuce, radishes and beans. The corn is promising some cobs; the rhubarb is showing good growth. Even the peas are trying to produce although they have never really recovered from the frequent depredations at the teeth of the squirrels.

Erin got back just in time for a job interview. She landed the job, managing accounts at a car dealership, and is scheduled to begin next Tuesday. Kristian is thriving, and keeping us all entertained with his developmental growth and sense of humour.

And that's the kind of week it's been.

News Update

Another week has passed. We begin the week in Sundre, Alberta; spend most of it on the Okanagan and now we're in Regina, on our way home to the shore of Lake Superior.

The Krogsgaard family reunion came off well. It was helpful to have a totally catered event as it left more time for activities and visiting. On Sunday afternoon, we set off for for John & Marion's on Lake Okanagan, arriving there after dark. We enjoyed restful days with them, culminating in a lovely supper with many old friends from the area. Thanks, John & Marion. The fly in the ointment was, of course, my leg breaking adventure on Wednesday.

On Thursday, we started on our way home, spending most of the day getting back to Medicine Hat, where we enjoyed an overnight stay with Jim & Carol—thanks guys! Then on Friday, we continued on to Regina, where we spending the weekend with DadK—thanks, again.

We anticipate driving to Kenora on Monday, and completing the trip back to TBay on Tuesday. We have all been enjoying our tour a great deal. Kristian has been a hit with everyone.

And that's the kind of week it's been.

Golfiday

I haven't managed very much golf in recent weeks as various other schedules have intervened, but even that small amount is going to decrease!

I enjoyed golfing at Sundre, Alberta, even though I has a constant hook that I couldn't manage my way out of while on the course. When I got to the Okanagan I enjoyed taking advantage of the practice facility at Predator Ridge. As a result, I was able to improve my driving, and get back in a better groove. Then I arranged a game with my old dentist from Yellowknife days. Peter has retired to Kelowna, and I have often been able to arrange a game when we're holidaying in the area. This time he invited me to a new course that I had not played before, so that was an additional challenge.

On the first tee (a short 325 year hole), I hit a fine drive of over three hundred yards down the middle. I can tell you, all of us were impressed! Peter was telling the others that I had inspired him with my short game some years ago, so I responded by chipping my 15 yard approach within an inch of the hole—almost an eagle! Then when I put my drive on the second (170 yard-par three) about twenty feet from the hole and rammed in another birdie putt, we were all wondering who this guy was!! Well, I played well throughout the front nine (although the greens were very fast and tricky so I three-putted a couple of times) and I ended up plus four. Then we turned to the back, and my game and season came to an abrupt end! I was beside the tenth green, ready to chip on, but one of our playing partners was having trouble finding his ball. I wandered around the grassy hillside under the trees looking for it, and finally we found it, however, as I turned to head down the slope and back to my ball, I stepped on a pine cone, slipped and fell, catching my leg underneath me. I heard/felt a sickening crunch and imagined I had turned my ankle again (it frequently happens). I rotated my ankle—no problem. I flexed my knee—no problem (whew!) I stood up—big problem! I couldn't stand on my left leg. I sat down again, and called Peter for help. He allowed that as a dentist he couldn't not offer me much advice on my lower leg pain. He helped me onto his golf cart and hauled me back to the truck. I headed to the local hospital. I can tell you driving that standard tranny was not fun! After due investigations and x-rays I saw the prognosis—a broken fibula.

The doctors feel that since the fracture is not displaced I will not need surgery for pins nor a cast since it is not weight-bearing. They expect that it will be well in about a month.

My brother, John, built me a walking stick, and we carry on, on a golfiday—a holiday from golf!!

News Update

Another week has passed, but we have wandered far from the shore of Lake Superior, so that today finds us in the mountains near Sundre, Alberta. We left Thunder Bay on Tuesday, as soon as Erin had finished writing her exam and we could get packed up. We drove as far as Kenora that day, and spent the evening and night with Eric, Erica and the boys. Then on Wednesday, we carried on to Regina, where we visited with Wendy's family and spent the night with DadK. On Thursday, we carried on to Medicine Hat where we enjoyed the evening with Jim & Carol. Finally, on Friday afternoon we drove up through Cochrane and to the Pioneer Lodge here just south of Sundre.

It's a nice setting in the foothills. It's set up for a variety of activities like pony rides and trail rides. There is also a climbing wall, an obstacle course and hiking trails. Then there are volleyball and basketball games set up near the main lodge. It makes for a nice reunion with the Krogsgaard family, and we also celebrate Erin's birthday.

I finally manage, this afternoon, my only golf of the week. I drive into Sundre where they have a nice course. The local guys I'm placed with insist on playing the blacks, but really it's my driving that keeps me in trouble throughout. Everything is back to going left, so more work remains; I guess that's golf!

And that's the kind of week it's been.

News Update

Another week... wow, where did the week go?! It seems to have been lost in busyness.

I do remember we had a holiday on Monday, but with summer holidays, there isn't much to distinguish another day. And I've been 'at work' for at least part of each day. Oh, yeah, and I did get in a golf game—39-42 for 81, pretty good.

I've managed a lot of progress on the backyard. The trampoline is now in place, and I'm working on the base for the lawn. That involves a lot of shovelling, wheelbarrowing and raking. I'm still projecting being ready to seed when we get back from our trip west.

We plan to leave next Tuesday, driving as far as Kenora, and then onto Regina on Wednesday. Next weekend we're in the Krogsgaard reunion at Sundre, Alberta. Wendy is doing well. She has been busy with daycare and homecare, and is starting to find a manageable work load that her aggrieved shoulder will accept.

Erin is doing final assignments and exams in her summer courses. Her last exam is Tuesday morning, thus our plans to travel Tuesday afternoon. Kristian loves getting outside, and with the back yard work, he enjoys helping grandpa take it a little slower.

And that's about all for this week.

News Update

Another week has passed on the sunny shore of the not so Superior Lake. I say that to note that the big lake is nearing record low water marks. Several recent publications have noted the ominously low water and the record high surface temperature of the lake. It is now expected that some time this fall, Superior will fall to a new record low. This is interfering with shipping, as the large vessels cannot carry full loads, and it is really interfering with small boats as many are unable to access their docks or slips.

Meanwhile back at the house, Wendy thinks the pool is a couple of inches low as well! However, I have continued my slow progress on the back yard. I am digging a shallow excavation for the trampoline, and preparing the main section of the yard for lawn. I hope to plant grass this month, so I need to keep at it, however the 30 degree weather has invited me indoors!

I've had a couple of days back at work this week as well. We had an all day meeting on Wednesday, and I had some follow-up from that. So, with the work and the heat, I only managed to get out golfing on Monday.

The garden continues to grow and produce. Something keeps eating the pea plants—they are being mowed down to just a couple of inches high!

Wendy is back to pretty well full health, and has spent several days this week helping out at the daycare. Erin & Kristian are doing well. Kristian got a good medical check-up this week as he's finally made the chart for his weight! (He's still pretty slim!)

And that's the kind of week it's been.

Birthday 57

The weekend included a recognition of my completion of 57 years on this little blue planet. The whole family was here—my favourite wife, my favourite children, my favourite grandchildren, my favourite son-in-law and my favourite daughter-in-law! It was delightful! We enjoyed backyard BBQ, supper out at a restaurant, and, of course, an ice cream cake! The poor cake was festooned with 57 candles—it's a wonder it didn't melt on the spot! Thankfully Liam assisted me to get them all blown out. I also got to play golf with three friends. My driver was unconscious with a couple drives over 300 yards, and in the correct direction! It must have been a special boon from the golf gods in honour of the occasion as it hasn't happened before.

After supper, I head back to the course to play the back nine. It's like old home week... hook, scramble, bogie. After a few holes of that I have to look in the mirror and exclaim, "Okay, I recognize you, but who was that guy this morning?!" And suddenly on 15, I'm hitting it straight again, so I par in and complete a very respectable 82.

In addition to the delight of the presence of family and friends, I also got some presents. It was too much, and I feel very blessed. Thank you, family!

News Update

Another week (and almost another year) passes on the shore of Lake Superior. And while the climes may continue to be salubrious, the rising temperatures make outdoor activity less enjoyable. The thermometer continues to push higher in the twenties, and threatens to continue into the thirties; we are happy to enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of the house (leave us alone, David Suzuki!).

The pool also gets a lot of traffic, even more so after the arrival of Eric and the boys on Tuesday. Even Wendy is eventually convinced to take the plunge. Kristian seems unable to make his mind up about it—everytime I stand him at the top of the ladder, he jumps in, but he hollers (in what seems to be discomfort) while he's there! Haaken and Liam spend hours on end playing in the water.

I've only managed one golf game this week. That was with Eric on Wednesday. It was okay; I scrambled a lot on the front nine, but improved on the back—46-40, for an 86. We've put together a foursome for my birthday on Monday, so, I'm looking forward to that.

Wendy is doing much better health-wise, so that's a relief. Erin has applied for a job at the University—we hope that goes forward. Erica drove down after work on Thursday, so we have the whole family together for a few days—it's nice!

And that's the kind of week it's been.

News Update

The week is enjoyed in salubrious climes on the shore of Lake Superior.

I am fundamentally on holidays, although frequent issues with OnSIS calls me back to active duty nearly every day for at least a couple of hours. I have noted the need to improve my golf game, especially off the tee, so I concentrate on that at the start of the week. Although I always spend part of my practice time on my short game, I spend all of my swing time on driving both Sunday and Monday. I have a game with John on Tuesday, and then play another 18 holes with locals that I am placed with... my driving is much improved. I hit only one pull hook in my game with John, and only two on the other 18! I do 'play it smart' (yes, I know, that's not like me!) with a couple of three woods, but, really, my driving goes very well. My iron play is inconsistent for awhile but also comes around, and I play the final nine in two over! All told, my two games this week end up 85, 80. I take the remainder of the week off golf as yard work and wind combine to keep me off the course.

The garden is doing well, although it got a late start. Tomatoes are forming, we're eating radishes, and the lettuce is getting close. Our transplanted flowers and rhubarb all seem to be taking well. I upgraded the distribution side of the watering system this week, so that helps.

Wendy has been feeling much better and is nearly back to full operating condition once again. She still is taking treatment, but she is able to manage without much discomfort or disability.

Erin has been working on assignments with her summer courses and is in the final weeks of that. Kristian got a little cut under his chin and had to get medical attention to have it glued back together again. He hardly seemed to notice the injury and it certainly has not slowed him down!

Travis & Sylvia are doing well, keeping busy with work and home. Trav is starting plans and preparations for the new school year. Among other things he's planning a trip to Las Vegas for a Photoshop conference in September. I wonder if there are any decent golf courses in the vicinity!?

And that's the kind of week it's been.

News Update

The week begins in Dauphin, winds its way through Winnipeg and eventually returns us to the shore of Lake Superior.

We enjoy a wonderful reunion with many friends in Dauphin—thank you, especially to Mabel for your generous hospitality. On Monday, we begin the return tour by driving into Winnipeg. Thank you Tom & Mariette for your generous hospitality. Tuesday finds me on another golf course, Grand Pines, just north of Winnipeg. Most of my game is working well, but my driver is mostly unmanageable and leaves me frequently in the trees and I eventually record an 88. Clearly I must do something better on the tee!

On Wednesday we check in with Mike & Peggy, acknowledge her birthday, collect a lot of plants for our flower beds and garden and then head east. We arrive in TBay safely in the early evening. It is good to see Erin & Kristian.

They have been doing okay, although Kristian has a bit of a cold. Erin has managed to get a lot of schoolwork done despite the absence of the prime babysitters.

I manage to get back to work and help a few more schools make progress in the dreaded ministry reports. We enjoy a brief visit with Trav & Sylvia who had their own whirlwind tour in the last week.

Wendy is feeling quite a bit better and manages to make a lot of progress planting our new perennials as well as an assortment of local bedding plants.

And that's the kind of week it's been.

News Update

The week begins on the shore of Lake Superior. Then we head west on Tuesday, driving to Winnipeg where we visit with Mike & Peggy and I enjoy a round of golf with Mike. My golf is quite satisfactory as I manage an 84 on a tight course. On Thursday we head out to Dauphin in preparation for the annual Pryder Cup golf competition with our friends from Bismark, ND. This will be my third Pryder Cup as I played the original one in 2000 before we began our time in Zambia, and I managed to take in the 2005 event, although I played for the American team on that occasion!

So, while we stayed with Mabel in Dauphin, and she and Wendy enjoyed shopping and chatting, I laboured through four rounds of golf on Friday and Saturday!

And thus another week passes.

Pryder Cup 2

Day two activity moves us to the Dauphin Lake course, where we start round three under threatening skies. The format is better ball and I am teamed with my old friend, Dick. It is a great relief to be playing much better. Perhaps my fretting and problem-solving through the night are paying off! More likely the calming influence of my friend allows me to get my head together. It is well said that golf is mainly played 'between the ears'!!

At any result we win both points fairly comfortably--but the great feeling for me is that I am playing some decent golf once again. Our teammates continue to pitch a virtual shutout and we head to the final round with an insurmountable lead of 13.5 to 2.5.

The afternoon features the singles matches. Although we play in foursomes, the match is against one person from the other team. I am delighted to find that my refound game has continued into the afternoon, so I am able to score well and win my point 6 and 5. Randy, my playing partner in the group has a harder time of it, but finally wins on seventeen--2 and 1. Likewise our teammates continue to dominate winning six of the eight matches for a final score of 19.5 to 4.5.

It was a great experience despite my poor play on Friday and I hope to play in the event on another occasion if the chance should arise.

Pryder Cup 1

The opening round of the tournament is the two-man scramble. This is an event where each partner plays a shot and then we choose from the two results as the location for our next shot. This continues until we hole-out and then the team with the better score wins the hole. I am paired with Mark, a reliable golfer so we can count on a high percentage of fairways and greens hit. I, on the other hand, do not turn out to be a reliable golfer! I don't know whether I am over-psyched for the matches or what, but I do not golf well at all, so that's pretty frustrating. And Mark is unable to make up the difference so while we struggle valiantly, we finally lose our match when they make a birdie on the final hole and we lose 1up. Our teammates fare better and we end the morning matches with a 3-1 lead.

In the afternoon we play modified alternate shot. I am partnered with Bernard, a long hitter and a consistent scorer. Once again, I turn out to be neither! I certainly play better than in the morning, so that is of some encouragement. We fall behind early and by the tenth hole, we're four holes down. We rally and finally regain a tie on the seventeenth hole, but, alas, we fall apart on the eighteenth and lose the match 1up. Once again our teammates hold their own in all other matches, so we complete the day with a 6-2 lead.

In the evening we have a BBQ at Wayne's house... great steaks, great food, great fun!