THGCC

Finally got to cut the grass.  It's been several days and it was a bit out of hand.  But the greens crew made it in time for Ladies' Day.

There were just two brave souls who showed up.  Well, take that "brave souls" thing with a grain of salt.  On the short par three over the rink they must have hit driver - way long (chickens!🐤).

Here they're likely hitting their fourth shot.  Oh well, no penalty at least!

As with all golf games, it's really about the time after.  Please ignore Mardi's lack of grace - drinking her wine out of the bottle!

Sarah-Jean dropped by after the round to chat.  She's entering Nursing in Pembroke in the fall, and the two older, been there - done that, nurses were most interested.  Exciting times for my granddaughter!

And then, the knitting challenge for Monica - a lesson on curved needles from Mardi.

A beautiful day out in the fresh air.  And a good time was had by all!

Tomorrow I hope to cut the grass in the Asparagus field.  More about that later.
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Tough to watch the U.S. situation right now.  The blacks have very legitimate grievances that go back to the founding of the U.S.  A lot of rich white folks made their money on the backs of slaves (and many wish it was still that way).

Unfortunately, the protests have been taken over by people with other agendas.  When I see white people joining in the rioting, one side of me wonders if they are maybe Republicans who are intentionally trying to discredit the cause.

The bottom line is that the Civil War never really ended.  It's just been an uncomfortable 155 year truce.   And there doesn't seem to be any way out of this quagmire for the U.S.  Sad to watch!
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Stay well. Try to stay positive.

Pine Valley

Golfed at Pine Valley, a par 67 course near Simcoe.  It's a long (80 minute) drive, but we play it once a year because it is, despite it's short 4612 yard length, a pretty challenging course.  Lots of hills and slopes, water hazards, trees, and blind shots.  And, similar to MontHill, the rough is a bit of a jungle right now - grass is long and cuttings lie on top like hay.  The group (Gary, Jill, Mardi and I) lost and found a few balls in the rough today.

The par three in the picture below is a good example.  About 200 yards, narrow, downhill, with hazards on either side of the green.

Nevertheless, when you are golfing with good friends the day is fabulous.

And, beating your wife has its own joys and hazards, but I'm not bragging 😎.  It's just that Mardi seems to have trouble hitting out of high grass!

I poured the drinks when we got home, so I think I'm OK with this post.  
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Stopped in to see and enjoy Mardi's brother Greg's and Diane's gardens on the way home.  Forgot to take pictures.
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Tomorrow is Ladies' Day at THGCC.  The greens crew will work to get the rough cut.

I understand there may be a circular needle knitting class held after golf as well.  Hopefully, we will be able to report on that too.
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Take care.  Be nice.

SNAFU

Too wet to cut grass.  Ladies' golf at THGCC postponed until Sunday.  Walked a mile.  Lost at cards.  Got depressed by the news.  

As they say in the army - SNAFU.
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I'll feel better tomorrow - golfing with Sven and Helga (Gary and Jill).  Stay well.

A Little Bit Happened

Got some good advice from Gary/Sven and Barry about the relative merits of rye brands after yesterday's post.  I should tell them that I haven't been a slave to Canadian Club during the pandemic.  In fact, since our duty free bottles expired I have been finishing off old part bottles of Crown Royal, Gooderham and Worts, and now, Canadian Club Classic 12 year old, whilst I leave the newly purchased, and harsher, Canadian Club Original for Mardi (her preference).

These times do call for sacrifice!  Having a dull palate makes it easy, but I do think those other brands are often too sweet and smooth.
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Al Knapp  provided me with a copy of his mother's memoirs, "Saskatunes And Gopher Tales", and it has been a fascinating read.  Her writing was elegant and insightful.  Memories from her childhood in Kelvington, Saskatchewan - a different time for sure.  An autobiography for Al to treasure.

Lots of happy times, but her stories also included the Great Depression, hailstorms that destroyed crops, grass hopper plagues - a hard life that makes today's trials seem pretty mundane.  "A time of shattered hopes and dreams for many, but it was also a time of sharing and quiet dignity."

Her stories brought back many memories for me as well.  Listening to Fibber McGee and Molly,  The Shadow, Bert Pearl and The Happy Gang on the radio.  I also listened to The Green Hornet and Amos and Andy.

The outhouse, and in winter the chamber pot.  School days.  Making snow angels.  Memories come flooding back.

Thanks Al.  A wonderful gift from your mother.
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Take care.  Stay well.

Nothing really happened

No real news today.  Cut some grass, worked on a couple of gardens.  Too much sun.  Went to the Canadian Club recovery site - feel better now.
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Stay well.  

A Love Story

We'll get to the title in a minute.  First, the golf.

Had a tee time with some of the Dofasco golfers today, so headed out at 9 a.m.  This sign has been by the elevator for a couple of months.  

Up until now, not much of a problem.  But, today, I picked the wrong time to leave.  A lot of dog owners apparently pick 9 a.m. to take their dogs out.

First elevator had a lady and her dog.  So I couldn't get on.  Second elevator had a different lady and her dog so I couldn't get on.  Third elevator had the first lady and her dog - returning from their "duty", so I couldn't get on.

Ten minutes had passed so I headed for the stairs.  As it turned out there was only one of the three elevators running - could have been there all day!
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Got to MontHill and met the guys.  Gary and Calvin went out first.  Calvin apparently hit his first tee shot far to the left.

Al, Ron and I set out next.  On the first hole I drowned two balls in the water.  On the second hole, my second shot hit a tree and came back past me - so then I drowned it too.  During the round I also lost two balls just off the fairway - the rough was about 4 inches long and dead grass cuttings were laying on top.

Eventually, I got my swing back and had a decent back nine for the first time out.

Golf is very different this year, but nice to get out with friends.

And, nobody succumbed to the heat and humidity, so Calvin didn't have to perform CPR and De-Fib on any victims.  Sorry Calvin.

And, now for the love story.  During the round Al, who knows both of us, asked me how Mardi and I met.  The first time I saw Mardi had to be over 40 years ago.  Mardi's husband, Geoff, was the Dofasco choir master.  At Christmas the ladies were invited to join the choir.  Mardi was one, my secretary Marilyn Vermeulen was another.  Marilyn had a Christmas party for the choir and invited Jean and I.

Mardi and I remember catching each other's eye across the room.  No words were spoken, but years later we each remembered not only the occasion, but what each of us was wearing that night.

Flash forward about 25 years.  Our friend Ed Strecker's daughter had arranged a dance in support of autistic kids and Ed called to see if I would support it.  I told him I'd like to but Jean and I had been separated for 8 months and I would need a date - preferably someone who could dance and if they played golf even better.
After a short pause, Ed said "You know Mardi Bullivant.  She and her boy friend have broken up.  Why don't you call her?"

I did call Mardi and asked her to the dance.  She immediately said "Yes!" (Ed had given her advance warning).  I replied "That was easy."  In typical Mardi fashion, she replied "Well, I could say no if you want."

A day later I discovered that it was a dinner/dance so I called her back with this information.  Her reply "Good - even better, maybe if I'm good you'll buy me a drink."

Two days later, totally smitten, I invited Mardi to golf, which we did on Hallowe'en.  After golf I helped her to give out the treats and headed home, hopelessly in love.

It took Mardi a few more dates before she succumbed to my charms!  But, I'm glad she did - there is no one else that I would rather be quarantined/isolated with than my love.  

Thank you Ed!!!  You are the ultimate matchmaker.  

So, now you know the rest of the story.
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Tomorrow it's back to the greenhouse.  Stay well.

Not Even Fake News

Cut some grass and did some gardening at the greenhouse, but I spent so much time afterwards on a thread with the Tuesday golf guys that I don't have much for the blog.

Hope for better tomorrow.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good:
Mardi made a visit to see her friend Joyce today.

And while she was there, she got to enjoy Elvis.

The lady with her back to the camera is 95 today, and her daughter arranged the Elvis impersonator as a birthday present.  Awesome!
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The Bad:
While Mardi was there a lady came over and put her hand on Mardi's shoulder.  Mardi asked her to back off, and the response was "It's OK.  I don't have the virus".  I told Mardi she should have responded "Well I do, so back off!"  How stupid can people get?  Sooner or later she's going to touch someone who does have the virus and then pass it on - watch out for her Joyce.
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The Ugly:
My golf buddies backed out today because they crippled themselves golfing Friday, and because it was going to rain and thunderstorm and all that stuff.  So, I thought, if it's going to be that bad I might as well stay home too.  As I write this at 3 p.m. the day continues to be lovely.  When will I learn not to listen to those guys?
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Like Al Knapp, Mardi and I were planning to spend time in the Maritimes this summer.  A three week trip with Barbara and Jo-Ann, which would have included all four provinces, was deferred because of the uncertainties of the virus.  As it turns out, with their good record compared to Ontario and Quebec, those provinces will likely keep their borders shut for a while yet anyway.  Maybe next year.
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Stay well.  Stay away from idiots who ignore social distancing!

Vacations

It appears that travel health insurers will not cover COVID -19 until there is a vaccine, so just imagine how many million dollars the bill would be if you're put on a ventilator in the U.S. for a few weeks!  And if you're flying they wouldn't let you get back on the plane to head home if you're symptomatic.

So, it looks like travel outside Canada is off the table for us until we are able to get vaccinated.  Goodbye winter vacation.  Hello board/bored games!

Our summer weekend golf trip to Byrncliff in New York State which has been postponed until 2021 may not be wise even then.  Lots of question marks about the future at this time!  Might still need to self isolate for 14 days upon return.

But life as we now know it is still better than the alternative.  Keep smiling!
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Stay well.

Ladies' Day

As I set up the course, these geese were enjoying the pond scum.

The one o'clock tee time - Gruhl, Bullivant, Maguire, Maclean.

Social distancing is the only rule.

A short chip for Mardi on the first hole.

Birdie for Kathy on number two - OK, who forgot to bring the birdie juice?

While the ladies were playing number two, I went to where the third tee will be and took a picture of the mounds of peanuts and raisins in the gorp area.

You can also see the white bench now Barry.

Number nine - over the rink.

"Bucket Boy" was on hand to provide balls. tees, pictures and course advice.

And then, the important part of the day!

Pioneers at Trillium Hill Golf and Country Club.  Well done!

Even Jake participated - he stole at least three balls off the tee from the ladies despite their best efforts.  Course hazard - free replacement, no penalty.
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The Tuesday guys are invited on Sunday - even Al Knapp!  How about a one o'clock tee time for whoever can make it?
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Stay well.  Have fun.  Enjoy.

Ladies' Day at THGCC

Tomorrow is ladies' day at the golf course.  Mardi has recruited some friends to join her and christen the course with wine.

Unfortunately, Maureen won't be one of them.  Matt won't let her go out and enjoy herself (well, that's a better story than the fact that she was in a place where infection was possible and she is self isolating for 14 days).

Practice shots will be to the hockey net by the rink.

Hole number one will be up the east (left) side of the property, a par 4 for the ladies, par 3 for the men.

The target is between the septic system and the pond, a couple of mean hazards!

Hole number 2 goes east to west across the septic beds (because of the business, David had to put in a system that would support hundreds of users - a bit of overkill!)

Hole number 3 will start at this hill and cross the ditch and gorp, to somewhere this side of the white bench.

Hole number 4 will go up the west (right) side of the
back field to the escarpment, a par 5 of unknown length.  Holes 5 through 8 will wend their way back to the ditch in some vicious fashion.

The holes in the back field will not be playable for a few days, so the ladies will be playing holes 1, 2 and 9.

Hole 9 goes up and over the rink, back toward the greenhouse.

Because the rink's concrete foundation doesn't allow the water to drain away, it's almost like a water hazard right now - should be fun 😡.  I'll have my camera handy!
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If all goes well, we'll schedule a men's day for perhaps Sunday.  
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A lady in Mardi's choir made some masks and I ended up with one.  I call it my Fishguts mask - musical instruments after all.  A handsome man can wear anything - me, not so much.  But it does go well with the picture on the wall!

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Tune in tomorrow for the results of the ladies' opening day.

Routine Day

• lost at cards
• cut some grass
• saw Lynn and Roger (OK, that's not routine)
• organized the skids of trees and bushes at the garden centre to make them neater and more accessible
• reduced a garden size so that I might be able to keep up with it
• went for a walk
• had a couple of drinks

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I'll try harder tomorrow.  Stay well.

Garden Day

Decided to go for an instant garden under the Trillium Hill sign so I asked David for some hanging baskets to use.

Fortunately, he let me pick my favourite hanging basket, the Scaevola.  It comes in three colours and the baskets I chose have all three.  It does better in a basket because the branches hang down.  Loves sun and blooms all season.

But we'll see how it does on the ground as my garden fills in!
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The truckloads continue to arrive.

But the supply is limited.  Greenhouses have been hit with a perfect storm and David is bringing in lots of product to make sure that the garden centre is well supplied.

There are two major factors impacting garden plants this year.

• the first happened in recent years when a lot of the bigger greenhouses were repurposed to grow Cannabis, reducing the capacity for flowers and vegetables.
• then, when David's Easter catastrophe occurred, he had a major decision to make, not knowing what the near future would bring.  Since he had already paid for the plant plugs, soil and containers he made the gutsy decision to plow ahead and incur the labour costs as well.  A gamble that has fortunately paid off, because some other growers panicked and threw out their plant plugs.  They now have empty greenhouses!

Because people can't do much else, gardening is booming and the supply is limited.  Result - high demand, and pricing will remain strong.

But, your favourite garden centre and its contrarian owner will be there for you!

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Stay safe.  Stay well. 

Happy Anniversary

Staying inside today, so I'm going to just deal with one subject - the wedding 30 years ago tomorrow of David and Sue.

It took place in the garden at 16 Douglas Place.

The bride and groom.

Love this one!

That's my boy!

David had been determined that he wouldn't get married until he turned 30.  He lasted just 17 days past that milestone.  

Unfortunately, once he got into the greenhouse business, they can hardly take time to celebrate because he's usually in the truck making deliveries at all hours.

Congratulations kids!  May you enjoy another 30.
Love you both!

Connect with a friend

Started to cut the grass out back today before being chased in by rain.  Had to avoid a couple of locations because of the wet.

Looks like golf will be restricted to the section between the greenhouse and the ditch for a while.  Three par 3 holes.
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Had a visit from Barbara's childhood friend Janet today.

Daughter Kathryn was born on Janet's birthday, thus her name, Kathryn Janet Craig. 

Another interesting fact, Janet at one time was married to a David Craig, but not our David Craig.

Janet lived in B.C. for several years, but has now returned to her childhood home on Mountain Avenue, just around the corner from 4 Maple where our family lived.
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My friend Roy passed along the following video.  In today's climate it hits close to home.

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People were overflow parking in the greenhouse driveway again.  Even with the chill and the rain.  Awesome!
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Stay well.

What a day!

We had our little get-together at the greenhouse today.  Jim and Monica, Gary and Jill, Mardi and me, 

and Jake.

Gary and I each hit a half dozen balls to officially open the field.

But it was too wet to golf, and we were having too much fun getting caught up, so we just sat and chatted.
And enjoyed hot dogs.  Thanks for running the BBQ Jim.

It was a tasty spread.  Thanks Mardi.

After the party broke up I went back to cutting grass, but had to give that up and become a traffic cop.  The crowd at the garden centre was incredible and at one time the parking lot was full and cars were parked down the driveway all the way to the road.  So I directed traffic for an hour or so, letting people know where they might park.

Saw David briefly.  He had an 18 hour day in the truck yesterday, and started out at 4 a.m. this morning to make deliveries to Port Perry and points in between.  It's that time of year!
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I'm shutting down early today.  Too much sun.
I'll close with a picture of a red Trillium that daughter Jo-Ann sent me - like the ones that Trillium Hill is named for.

Stay positive.

Golf?

Stopped in briefly at the greenhouse this afternoon.  Too wet to cut grass.

For tomorrow, the back field will be too wet to play.  Even the section near the greenhouse will be damp in spots.

So, what I'm thinking is that, for tomorrow, we should limit it to the three couples who have golf stuff to pick up from me.  If golf is possible we could play two foursomes.  But, more likely just hit a few balls and have a couple of hot dogs and say hello once again.

We'll see where we go next when things dry out.  Stay tuned.
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Stay safe.  Stay well. Stay put. 

Golf Update

The first cutting of the golf course is complete.  Not without issues of course.

Yesterday I mentioned that there are ruts and some wet spots.

So, I got stuck.

But an eight foot 2 X 8 and an 83 year old shoulder got it out.

The field should be cut again, but won't likely happen before we golf on Saturday.  So here's my plan:

• Start at noon (the boss has been in the truck pretty steady lately so I haven't confirmed these plans with him)
• Mardi and I will provide hot dogs
• A bucket of balls will be available
• Those who are brave will golf
• Those who can't walk the course can try the driving range (short irons only please - I have to round up the balls)
• Those who don't golf can drink (BYOB)
• We will social distance
• We will work on a theory that my friend Wayne sent me: "Getting old is easy.   Having fun at it is the trick."  That's what we will work on.

More info later.

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Matt and Gary, I have Maureen's and Jill's clubs back in the car.  And Jim and Monica's shoes.  If you show up on Saturday you can have them - otherwise I will drop them off sometime.

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Called the auto insurance company yesterday (Intact) and asked about rebates due to coronavirus.

My insurance has been rated based on driving 30,000 kilometres per year (my average).  Dropping that to an estimated 10,000 per year will save me $91.

Mardi's convertible usually does about one oil change worth of mileage per year.  She will only save $17.

But you have to ask - they're not going to give out money like Trudeau.

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Don't hit the ceiling with your practice swings.  Stay well. 

Golf Season

To pick up on Kathryn's response yesterday:  her recounting was accurate except for Burt Reynolds.  Mom and I were exiting the Opryland Hotel, which is its own theme park, and heading for the Grand Old Opry for a show.  Four dudes were walking towards us when all of a sudden her knees turned to spaghetti.   "Alabama" she gasped.  They politely accepted her accolade and went inside.  This may very well have been the highlight of her later life.  Certainly made my day!
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Braved the cold air and got more of the golf course cut today.  Looks like Saturday may be the official opening of Trillium Hill Golf and Country Club.

As with any posh private club there will be rules of course: 

• Health: social distancing will be mandatory.
• Dress code:  clothing will be mandatory.

Golfers ignoring those rules will be ejected from the course.

Other rules are optional:

• watch out for tractor ruts and rocks
• free lifts, preferred lies (I didn't know that lies are preferred - fibs are obviously optional)
• every shot may be teed up
• scores will not be kept
• bragging is allowed - with discretion
• shopping is allowed
• BYOB
• such other rules as the owner dreams up

Watch for further announcements.

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Isolation is depressing. Fresh air is good.   Manhattans are better.  Stay well.

Mother's Day Plus One

I should have included Sven in my thanks for our little prank yesterday.  It could very well have been his comment about #2 having to try harder that flushed the quarry out.

That was fun (it doesn't take much to amuse us these days) but Roger is so predictable.  Love you brother!
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My comment, after the soother picture, that I hadn't changed wasn't that I haven't physically changed (although that seems to be the case too) but that I haven't grown up yet.  But of course you all know that now.
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Peter McKay has sucked up to the gun rights people.  Now I don't have any Conservative candidate to vote for!
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I must confess that I have wimped out for the past two days as far as grass cutting is concerned.  But tomorrow is forecast to be a balmy plus 8 C so I'll get back at it.

By Thursday we should be out of the woods as far as gardening goes.  And, who knows, we may be golfing this weekend!
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I'm going to leave you all with a very scary sight.  My friend Al Knapp shared this with some of us earlier today.  It appears that this photo was taken 17 years ago.  So you can only imagine how frightening he is today!

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Close your eyes.  Relax.  Things will get better.

Mother's Day!

We'll start with my favourite photo of our mom, taken in Hawaii.

March 27, 1913 - January 24, 2005.
This Bud's for her!
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Mardi has heard from both of her boys.  Nice!

And we saw this message being written today.

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers out there.
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The following picture really has nothing to do with Mother's Day.  It's sole purpose is to upset my brother.

And so it goes!
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Mardi picked up a new Pennypress Sudoku book for me yesterday.  Should keep me going for a couple of months.  Life is good!
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Looks like Thursday will be our first safe planting day for most crops.  Some light rain forecast off and on for the next week which may delay the "golf course" getting ready.
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The following picture, which I stumbled across yesterday, was taken at the end of the last century.  Malcolm and Anna have grown up, but I haven't really changed.

We'll talk again tomorrow.