Easter is coming

 As forewarned, we started to plant the Lily bulbs today.

First step is to remove the bulbs from the peat moss that they are shipped in, as volunteer Mardi is doing.  She now has no butt.....she worked it off today.

Then plant them in the pots as they move down the line to the dirt machine that fills the pots.

Insert the tags.

This was just one of the jobs that Sean took on during the day.  He was everybody's helper.  That's David doing the boss job in the background.

And then, as the conveyor belts move the trays along, they are placed on the floor.  That's David doing the work in the background.

In a few months they turn into beautiful Lilies that are given away.  Oh wait, that was last year.  Hopefully, 2021 will be a bit more normal.

But, a token amount may be given away.  It's a tradition after all!

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After work, I headed to Queenston Stationery for a card and some stamps.  Couldn't walk when I got out of the car.

Took two rye and cokes to fix that problem!

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Stay well.  Think good thoughts.

Old and Cranky

 Had a major problem with my equipment today.

Typical Princess Auto quality assurance!

So, I had to bring a wheelbarrow out to offload the dirt, then I hauled the front wheel assembly back.  David came to the rescue with the tractor and took the wagon back on the trailer.

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Mardi started to get out the Christmas decorations.  She is missing some items because she threw them out when they got "old and cranky".  That sounds like a warning to me!  If I go missing who will be to blame?  Me for  being cranky?  Or Mardi for being nasty, etc?  Stay tuned.

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Tomorrow the Lily planting starts.  Easter is on the way!

Stay well.  Don't be cranky.

Drones

 Saw Jake running like crazy today...not his usual middle-aged pace.  Finally figured out that he was chasing David's new drone.  Quite a novel way to exercise your pet!

Pretty neat piece of equipment!  Runs off your phone, has a camera so you can see where it's going, and creates a video.  And it returns to its starting point on command.  David can inspect the whole property or the inside of the greenhouse without moving.  Modern technology!

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Peanut butter on a stick today.

Stay well.

Master Chef

 My kids will probably die of shock when they see this picture.

Not because I'm sticking my tongue out, but because I'm doing something in the kitchen!  Helping (a bit) to make ginger cookies.  My previous best achievement was heating soup.  

Well geez, you can't be good at everything!

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David is on town water.  He even has his own fire hydrant to protect the greenhouse.

But Grimsby hasn't run sewers out this far..........and they're not likely to in the near future.  David's side of the highway is ruled by the Niagara Escarpment Commission.  And, a couple of years ago, Ontario designated the other side as "greenspace", derailing the Town's plans for development.

So, if you have a retail store and customers use the washroom, this is what you end up with.

Besides the six turrets you see in the foreground, there are three more single turrets across the field.  Altogether it takes up about a par 3 worth of space.

By framing the equipment I can cut the grass more easily.

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I don't think that Trump is insane, but he's definitely missing important pieces of the human genome.  Honesty, humanity, modesty, and reality, among others.

January 20 can't come soon enough.  He won't go away, but he will be more irrelevant.

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Stay well.  Be kind.

Septics and Sepsis

 Finished framing half of the septic system today.  Should finish it tomorrow.

I know that those of you who are familiar with septic systems must be scratching your heads about my "framing" task.  You just aren't familiar with septic systems that are required for retail operations.  David's system is the size of a small housing lot.

Tomorrow, after I finish the project, I'll take a picture.

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So, with the news that we are dependent on vaccines produced in other countries, I guess we should have a lottery regarding when each of us will be able to get the vaccine for the coronavirus.  Second quarter maybe for the vulnerable?

Bottom line: we need to be even more vigilant as the infection and death rates escalate.  Let's not become a statistic!

I am going to be an Optimist and assume that Mardi and I will still be around to be vaccinated in time to head south for next winter (the one after this one).

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Stay well.  

A Day Off

With the weather forecast in mind, decided to take the day off.  Mardi and I intended to go out for a short walk and it was short indeed.  Walked into drizzle and turned around and headed back inside.

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Don't want to upset my friends................OK, that's a lie...........but we are still enjoying Snyder's sweet corn.

At the end of the season, Mardi stripped some cobs, cooked the corn, and froze it.  Every once in a while we enjoy a treat.

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Tomorrow the plan is to return to the greenhouse to build new frames around the septic bed machinery.

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Stay well. 

New Traditions

 We do live in a strange time.  It used to be that people who wore masks were hoodlums.  And people who met in parking lots, as Al and I did, were probably part of the mob.  We're definitely upside down right now!

But, since Mardi and Liz were able to join us, we exited our cars and physically distanced on the bleachers.  This may be our new "tradition".  Thanks for the coffee Al.

Mardi's ginger cookies were a hit!  Al will be trying to match them - he's bought all of the ingredients.

As a bonus, we met Al's daughter Heather, who lives a couple of blocks away.  She was out walking her dog Ralphie, along the path you see in the background.  Unfortunately, we forgot to take a picture.

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On the way home, I took Mardi on a long detour to Vineland.  I just love the look of this house at this time of year (corner of Ridge Road and McNeilly Road).

This used to be the postmaster's house.  The Vineland post office was in the front.  It's since been totally renovated - with class.

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My friend Wayne sent me the following link:

https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/selected-deaths-vs-covid-19-united-states

It shows, over the time line of the virus, where it stands in relation to other causes of death.  Although heart disease has been the leading cause of death in most countries, Covid 19 is now poised to take the lead in the U.S.

I compared it to Canada - quite a variance!

I also looked at the Dominican Republic (a tourist destination) versus Haiti (another "shithole" country per the Donald) which share the same island.  Dramatic difference!

You can check out any other country as well.  Very interesting.

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Stay well.  Let me know how you're dealing with the new "norm".

Maintaining Contact

 Mardi continues to make her regular phone calls to family, friends and church people, letting them know that they aren't alone in this pandemic environment.  Today, one of her calls was to sing Happy Birthday to a church member who was celebrating her 99th birthday, still in her own house.  That's just one of the reasons I really love my lady.  Well done!

For my part, ever since my early days on the order desk at Dofasco, making or taking up to 100 phone calls a day, I am really ambivalent about that machine.  When I got home at night I tried to stay away from it and nothing has changed over the years.

So, I don't really have a cell phone, but a cell camera that you can talk on in an emergency.  

My choice of contact during the pandemic is this daily chat that I inflict on you folks.  

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Spent some time at the greenhouse cutting pressure treated wood to make frames around the septic lids.  Will dig them in over the next couple of days.  Pictures to follow.

This week will likely finish my outdoor gardening days at the greenhouse for this season.  Planting of Easter Lilies starts next Monday and Mardi and I plan to help out.  By the time that is finished the ground will probably be frozen.  

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Exciting news for tomorrow.  Mardi and I are meeting Al Knapp (in a parking lot) so he can test drive her ginger cookies.  More on that later.

P.S. to Al - If you don't read this in time, Mardi and I can share my coffee.  If you do read it in time and decide to get her one of her own, she prefers it straight.  Small in both cases.

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Belated congratulations to Joe and Kamala.  It's official!

Stay well.  Have fun - we are.

Winter Woes

 Well!  We got a taste today of what we have to look forward to this winter.  Not nice enough to go anywhere, and because of the virus you can't go there anyway.

Those Mums have been flowering for almost two months now.  When they're gone it will really look bleak (that margarine tub beside them is holding Mardi's oak forest to be - talk about an Optimist!).

I passed the day by watching four episodes of Home Town on HGTV (except for the short period when I had a nap).

Mardi was far more productive.

Best ginger cookies I've ever tasted!

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Vaccine provided, I would like to spend Christmas week next year in romantic New Orleans, as we did on our first Christmas together.  Then head to Florida for a couple of months.  But we have to survive this winter first.

Obviously we have to come up with a better plan for those dreaded winter days.  You can only play cards or watch TV for so long.

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Stay well.  

A Philosopher Speaks

 I missed a day.  Did you notice?  Or care?

Lost or misplaced the cord to connect my camera to my computer, so couldn't tell my story.  Today I took the 'phone to take the same pictures.

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As the Pine trees grow, the space between them shrinks and, eventually, the mower can't get through.  So, then I lift the sod and connect the area between the trees.

Then the grass and weeds growing under the trees has to be removed so that mulch can be added.

I've run out of broken bags of red mulch, so I'm now using broken bags of brown.  I'll top these areas up with red next year.

The dirt and sod that is removed could just be dumped on David's compost pile, but I have instead used it to improve the back of a small hill that is currently too steep to cut.

This way, I get to have two moments of satisfaction from each piece of sod.  The removal, and then the reuse (at my age, you get your excitement wherever you can find it).

It will take another season of this activity to complete the project, but gardening is always a combination of vision and patience.  One step at a time.

I am not an "entrepreneur" (that's David's strength) but I am an "achiever" (so is David - he won the personal strengths lottery).  I take the long view to achieve my visions.  Be optimistic, determined, persistent, and patient if necessary.  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you reach your goal.

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We enjoyed our monthly get-together with Kathryn and Anna.

Anna's internet game business is doing very well.  And Kathryn has found her niche with her landscaping job.  Great to see them both happy with their success.

As of Monday, with the coronavirus "households only" rule coming into effect, we may not be able to repeat this kind of evening for a while.  Hard to have dinner and play cards outside, but we'll figure something out.

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A couple of weeks ago there was a protest in Steinbech, Manitoba regarding the wearing of masks.  Today there is a rampant rise in coronavirus spread there.  Surprise, surprise!  

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Stay well.  Stay safe.

Rudy "The Clown" Giuliani

 Dug up sod to improve a garden and moved it to my reclamation project by the pond.  Temperature was moderate but it was hard to stand up in the wind.  Two hours did me in.

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Did any of you get to "enjoy" watching the Rudy Giuliani press conference today?  With sweat running down his face, and his hair dye running down his cheeks, he continued to put out the outrageous claims of his boss about the election.  I don't think SNL could do a better job of parodying Rudy than the man did himself.  Unbelievable!  Surely some Republican politicians must come to their senses and disavow this charade.

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Back to the greenhouse tomorrow.

Stay well.

Light up my life

 Replaced the old dining room light fixture with its plastic droplets.

Installed the new one.  Even fully dimmed it's brighter than the old one.

We're now almost 50/50 with LED versus incandescent in the condo.

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The weather forecast for the next couple of days looks good for a return to my gardening job jar.

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Can't understand the people who still don't believe in the coronavirus.  Especially the ones who appear ready to riot at the loss of their "rights".  I'm ready to wish it upon them!  Maybe then they'll understand it.  

In the meantime, Mardi and I are getting more nervous about shopping for groceries.  Come on people - following arrows can't be that difficult!

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Stay well.  Keep positive thoughts.

Ho Hum

 Had a lot to say yesterday.  But, pretty boring today.  Bought a new dining room light and a toaster oven.

Stay well.

Bits and Bites

 They're cleaning windows on our building these days.  This was taken before the wind started.

After I posted yesterday, Mardi and I spent a bit of time watching a squirrel nest sway several feet each way in the wind.

It has to be 80 feet up, and at least three feet in each dimension.

They get into it by climbing on one of the small limbs below and leaping up.  The gale wind didn't stop them!

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Then we watched the SpaceX launch and the return of the Stage One rocket to a barge in the ocean.  Two years ago, we went to Cape Canaveral to watch a SpaceX satellite launch from across the bay.  The Stage One rocket returned to land on the ground that night.  Pretty awesome to see!

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Sister Judy and David have a new family member - Ironbridges CragMoray Griffyn, or just Griffyn for short.  He's a beauty!  Nice picture Judy!

David will have a wonderful winter training the new pup.

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Trillium Hill is ready for the arrival of the Easter Lily bulbs.  Over 50,000 pots, half filled with earth, waiting for the production line to start again.

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Be patient.  Stay safe.

A Day Off

 Stayed indoors and watched the weather.  Lost power for a few minutes, but that happened after the end of Masters golf.

Tiger Woods had a moose (10) on a par 3.  Makes me feel competitive! 

Scoring records set by the winner, Dustin Johnson, and by a young Australian who became the first Masters competitor to shoot all four rounds in the 60's.  Fun to watch.

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Tomorrow it's back to the greenhouse, although with the forecast I may be looking for some inside work!

The weather should turn around again by Thursday.  I'm hopeful!

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Stay well.

Family

Mardi and I have only been able to maintain contact with half of our kids during the pandemic. 

I get to see David most days at the greenhouse, and we invite Kathryn and granddaughter Anna for dinner once a month.  Barbara and Jo-Ann, and grandson Yancy are in Ottawa and out of reach, unfortunately.

Mardi has lunch with A.J. once a month.  Today he visited us here in the condo.  

But Greg, in Comox, is out of reach for Mardi.  She is hoping to visit him in the coming months, but the way the virus is now spreading like wildfire that may end up being wishful thinking.  She misses grandkids Ethan and Chloe. 

Hopefully, we will emerge from this bad dream by the summer when a vaccine may be made available to we old farts. 

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Dug in the gardens at the greenhouse until my back told me to head home.  Making slow progress.

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Stay well.

Christmas? Really?

 Was anybody else jolted yesterday when Christmas music was played?  The poppies had hardly been removed when it started!

Mardi heard it played at Food Basics, and our background music TV station, Stingray - Easy Listening is playing a lot of it.  Listening to Silent Night while I type this.

I love Christmas music, but couldn't they at least wait until December?  With their later Thanksgiving, I assume the U.S. is being temporarily spared.

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Nothing else to complain about tonight.  Stay well.

Postscript on Remembrance Day.

Following up on yesterday's blog, I received the following note from my friend Wayne.

 Bud,

If you look at the left side column of names on the memorial you’ll see L. Bolton my mother’s brother who was killed Aug.17th,1917 at Lens near Vimy Ridge.  Judy and I visited his grave in Lens, France in May of 2018, we were the only visitors to have seen the grave in 101 years.  It was indeed a profoundly moving experience as was our later visit to the wonderful memorial @ Vimy Ridge.

Wayne.

Something that I should have mentioned yesterday was that I had an uncle who served in Europe in WW2.  He was in the Army Engineers and his job was to go to the front as the Germans retreated and blow up their discarded munitions, and come out last as the allied forces retreated to blow up our discarded munitions.  A pretty scary task!

He apparently went AWOL for a while in Britain, but was on hand for the liberation of Holland.  Came back with PTSD which manifested itself in an alcohol problem.  Great guy and lots of fun, but he did have his demons.

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Got sidetracked at the greenhouse today.  Planned to dig around trees again, but Sean alerted me to the fact that the unsold spring bulbs were up for grabs.  I got first dibs, then the staff (I'll let you know if there are any left tomorrow).

So I dug up two gardens that weren't in my plans and set some tulip and narcissus bulbs.

Dumped the old dirt in a spot by the pond that I'm trying to remediate.  While there I stopped and watched a couple of Red Tailed Hawks hunt over the back field.  One of them parked in a tree long enough for me to get a picture.

It was a beautiful day to be outside.

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As I write this, Mardi is outside vacuuming out the old Hyundai.  Offered her my keys too, but she declined.

I'll get even at the card table.  Although I've been ahead most of the time in total score (the popular vote - I'm currently ahead by 8%), at one point Mardi was ahead by six games (the electoral college).  I have now narrowed it down to one game: 22 victories to her 23.  Crossing my fingers!

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Stay calm.  Enjoy the weather.

Remembrance Day

 

Mardi and I usually go to the Stoney Creek War Memorial at the junction of Queenston Road and King Street on Remembrance Day to witness the wreath laying and ceremony.  Today was the first time in a long while that we had to watch it on TV.  Ottawa did a fine job!

Doesn't matter whether it's live or on TV we still end up with wet faces.

Trillium Hill noted the occasion as well.

Nice work David!

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I see that Trump came out of his hidey-hole for a few minutes to pretend he cares about America's dead heroes.  

Meantime, he's abdicated his presidential responsibilities, while over 100,000 Americans each day are contracting the virus and he's doing nothing to combat it - prefers to feel sorry for himself and try to get "even".  

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Did my two hours at the greenhouse.  Progress is slow but steady.

Back there again tomorrow, and I have to remember to bring home a small container of dirt for Mardi to plant some acorns she found.  Anybody want an Oak tree?

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Stay well.  Don't work out in a gym - dig red clay instead.

Life in Covid

 Yesterday, I installed a bracket in the laundry area for our new Bissell stick.  My accomplishment today was to install a new shelf in the pantry.  

Drove Mardi to McDougall's garage to pick up the Hyundai - it now has new brakes and calipers.  Her convertible will be heading for winter storage in a few days.

Then to LifeLabs for my monthly blood test.  Lost a poppy somewhere along the way.

All exciting stuff!

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Stay well.  Be patient.

Golf 's End of Season.

 The big event today was our golf outing with Gary and Al at Southbrook Golf.  

And I think we all broke 100!  Of course, darkness preventing us from finishing the last two holes may have played a part in that.

Al won two Dog Meats, while Mardi won one.  Gary and I were simply spectators today.

I did have some difficult shots to make.

I didn't put it in the water - but I only advanced it about a foot.  So had to take a drop, which allowed me to drown the ball in the next creek crossing.

I also had six three putt greens today - Southbrook greens are a lot faster than those at MontHill.

Nevertheless, it was a good way to finish the season with special friends.  We enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich and a beer after the round.

The clubs go back into storage tomorrow.  Till next season.

The only golf we're going to enjoy in the coming days will be the Masters, which has been delayed from April till this week.

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Trump is still trying to defy gravity and delay the inevitable.  He'll make it as difficult as possible for Biden to begin his term.  And his sycophants are keeping Biden's people from getting started in their jobs.

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Stay well.  Be careful.

End of our golf season

 Howie Meeker, former Leafs All-Star, has died at 97.

I remember my dad taking me to a men's club meeting when I was 12 or 13 (1949-50).  Hap Day, then the Leaf's coach, was the guest speaker.  He brought along Howie Meeker who had been injured that season.  A great hockey player and a decent human being.

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Tomorrow, Mardi and I plan to play our last golf game of the season.   We're up against the duo of Al Knapp and Gary (Sven) Parker.  Have to bring our "A" game.

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Stay well.  

U.S. Election Decision

Today we wish a Happy Birthday to Rose Strecker.

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Don't know how the photographer decided on this shot and got his camera up this high, but it will be a historic picture! 

Congratulations to Joe and Kamala.  History is being made!  Most votes for a President.  Most votes for a loser too.  First female person of colour to be elected as Vice-President.  Hurry up January 20th!

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Did three hours at the greenhouse today.  Made some progress.  Should reach the second hydro pole tomorrow.

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Very pretty sunset tonight.  The following picture was taken with my camera.  Too much light.

Mardi's phone.  Much closer to the reality, but still not as pretty as what the eyes saw.

Reminds me of a sunset I saw while crossing from Vancouver Island to Vancouver.  It was so awesome that I remember thinking that if I died at that moment it would be OK since I had witnessed something very special.  Glad I didn't though!

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I imagine many of you watched the speeches of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden tonight.  Inspiring and comforting!  I suddenly feel a whole lot better about the direction that the U.S. will be taking.  Trump will no doubt carry on with his tantrums for a while, but hopefully, things will settle down soon.  Looking forward to visiting Florida again in 2022.

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Stay well.  Enjoy the weather.

An Obese Turtle

 First off, I have to include a comment that Anderson Cooper made after Trump's latest comments about the election:

“That is the president of the United States. That is the most powerful person in the world, and we see him like an obese turtle on his back flailing in the hot sun, realizing his time is over,” Cooper said following Trump’s Thursday evening press conference.

Rude, but well said!

It appears to me that some of the regular Republican base decided to support their House and Senate candidates, but chose to dump Trump so that their party could get a new leader and regain some sense of honour and decency.

Joe Biden is still poised to take the crown jewel and it should be decided tomorrow (then will come the Trump antics - fasten your seat belts).

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I have finished the gardening on the west side and front of David's property.  Now I'm working my way up the driveway.

I've reached the first hydro pole.  Just another 200 yards to go.  I'm working in red clay (that's red mulch covering it up in the picture) and I'm only good for a couple of hours of that kind of physical labour a day, but I'll be back at it tomorrow.

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Stay well.  Keep positive thoughts.

Questions

 As we go to print tonight, Joe Biden appears to be inching toward the Presidency of the United States.  And Donald Trump appears to be inching toward igniting a new civil war.

We can only hope that mature voices in the Republican Party will finally speak up and help to keep a lid on any violence and terrorism.  And will the hotheads listen?

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Shortages of flu vaccine!  After months of concern about dual diseases fighting it out, our country isn't able to get enough flu vaccine.  Incredible!  Who dropped the ball?  Thank goodness we got our shots already.

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Stay well.  Keep your political fingers crossed.

Health Day

 A bit of a health day today.

Started out with hooking up a Holter Monitor to my body this morning.  It had been delivered yesterday, but had to call a "Cardiac Educator" during office hours before proceeding.  Wearing it for the next three days - might tell the tale regarding my irregular heart beat.

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Then, Mardi and I headed to Dr. Profetto's for our flu shots.

A bit of a line-up.

Took an hour, but the weather was glorious and we're good to go now.

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Gardened for an hour, but the strong breeze eventually chased me home.

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Watched the news regarding Biden's slow gains.  Hopefully, tomorrow will tell the tale.

But, if the Democrats don't win control of the Senate, they won't be able to enact much legislation, regardless of Biden's reputation as a negotiator.

Maybe that's best for the next four years.  Just let things settle down in America.

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Stay well.  Get your flu shot.

 

Election Night

 Getting ready to call it a day, but the outcome of the U.S. election is not at all clear.  Incredibly, it appears that Trump has a good chance of repeating as President, but we probably won't know for sure for a day or two.

It's fairly quiet at the moment, but all hell might break loose when the final result is known.  Think I'll try to get a good night's sleep to better deal with this in the morning.

Stay well.  Hope for the best.

It will get better

 Stayed home yesterday due to the weather.  By the end of the day I was going stir crazy.  You can only play cards or stare at a computer for so long!  

Today, with a forecast high of +4 and windy, I did the same.  Makes me worry a bit about the coming winter.  And, if you're reading my blog every day, you must have a lot of time on your hands as well.

Once the ground freezes, my usefulness at the greenhouse comes to a virtual end.  So what then?  Mall walking isn't very exciting, and with the virus a major threat it isn't all that wise.  

No big projects planned for the condo either.  Have to give this more thought.

The upside, currently, is that we are in for several balmy days in the first half of November so I still have a few days to go before decision time (is it a coincidence that the good weather starts after the U.S. election?).  

And, with the improved weather in mind, when I put the summer tires into storage I got the golf clubs back out.

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We got Nexus cards last year to speed up the border crossings.  Only used them once and they didn't save us any time.

Mardi has pointed out that they need to be renewed in 2025.  Wonder how many times we'll use them before that date?

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The clock is ticking on the U.S. election.

Tomorrow: preliminary results.

Wednesday:  Civil War - The Sequel starts.

The more I hear Trump say, the dumber Bobby Orr and his ilk appear to be.  Trump is as close to being treasonous as seems possible.  How could any reasonable person be in his corner?

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Stay well. Keep positive thoughts.

November 1

 The cold and wind kept me indoors today.  Nothing exciting to report.

But we're just two days from the U.S. election, so I'm sure there will be news to report on that front.

Stay well.