Happy New Year

 Well, that wasn't so bad.  They turned the water on before we ran out of ice cubes!

--------------------------------------------------

Today we celebrate daughter Barbara's birthday.  She's one of those people whose birthday comes too close to Christmas and they typically seem to get cheated on the gift front.

Just like the accordion, she's been out of sight for the past year.  But she's not quite as old as it is😏.

Best wishes Barbara.  We'll drink a toast to you tonight.

----------------------------------------------------

Mardi and I typically don't stay awake until midnight on New Year's.  Usually we're tired from packing for Florida.  Might be able to stay up this year.  

If we do, then we'll also be celebrating Mardi's son Greg's birthday.  He was a New Year's Baby.  We should toast with a Labatt's 50 to acknowledge this milestone birthday.  

Best wishes Greg.

-----------------------------------------------------

As 2020 draws to a close, it's time to tally up our scores of Skip-Bo. 

We play at least one hand every day.  A game of 500 usually takes 4 to 7 days.

So, Mardi has won 27 games to my 25, despite my 7% lead on total score for the year (22,745 to 21,185).  She is a devious devil!

------------------------------------------------------

And, as we exit 2020 I will leave you with these thoughts:

 I’M A LUCKY MAN

·        To have been born in Canada, a free, democratic, resource rich country

·        To have not faced discrimination and hatred based on race, colour or creed

·        To have food, housing, transportation and health care as givens

·        To have been born to parents who were loving, hardworking, honest and responsible

·        To have been raised to believe in fair play, honesty, hard work, accountability, achievement

·        To have been offered employment at Dofasco after my father’s death and be given the opportunity to progress through hard work and dedication despite lacking a formal university degree

·        To have good friends to trust and rely upon

·        To be loved by my children and grandchildren

·        To have found Mardi after my marriage ended

·        To be able to be physically active at my “advanced” age

·        To have enough financial resources to enjoy my retirement, whether golfing, travelling, working or just relaxing

·        Although I awake to discomfort every morning, I relish each day.

-------------------------------------------

Happy New Year everyone.  May 2021 be an improvement.

Be Grateful

 A recent poll found that the majority of people, especially those of us at an advanced age, are feeling grateful for what we have.

We have been feeling that way for sure, but today even more so.  The water in our building has been shut off since 8 a.m. 

We were given advance notice so we could fill up the coffee machine and a couple of buckets to tide us over.  But it's still a pain.  You don't appreciate what you've got until you lose it.

Think of our northern native tribes, who live with this situation on a continual basis.  We certainly have nothing to complain about!

Speaking of complaining, there are some who resent the fact that the Moderna vaccine is heading to northern indigenous communities first.  Maybe they would be willing to trade places with those folks!

-----------------------------------------------

Visited Sam, my favourite pharmacist, at KingMount Pharmacy today.  I only show up once every three months but, even with a mask on, Sam recognizes me.  Filled my prescription, gave me a discount for the over-the-counter drugs that I bought and, as I was leaving said "Happy New Year Mr. Craig.  Say hi to Mardi."  What a guy!

------------------------------------------------

I also painted the bathroom door today but it's getting kind of weird with not much to do.  So much so that I dusted off the old accordion (it's 76 years old) for the first time in over a year.

Playing along to the Easy Listening songs.  OK, I'm desperate!

------------------------------------------

Hang in there.  Stay well.

"Granddoc"

A few of you are on a separate thread from Sven and have seen this, but I wanted to pay tribute to our "Doc" Jewett, who has become a "granddoc", with his new grandson Auston.

 My bet?  As soon as the lockdown ends, Doc will be shopping for an appropriate sized trumpet so that Auston can join the band.  That young man is going to be super spoiled!  Congrats Doc.

-----------------------------------------------

Yesterday, Mardi and I ventured out to Fortino's for our first shopping trip since the lockdown.  They had all the bases covered.

A new covered walkway to protect you while you line up outside, a young man asking the covid questions and directing you to the hand sanitizer, arrows and signs everywhere.  Most people were being respectful of face covering and distancing, but we did see a guy with his nose uncovered and a couple of oblivious young girls who couldn't measure six feet.

We got our short list looked after quickly and lined up to check out.

Shortly after this picture was taken we were able to jump the line - the self checkout area had an opening.  Not a bad experience overall.

----------------------------------------------------

Today I start painting doors, while Mardi bakes a batch of ginger cookies - a reward waiting for me if I do a good job.

----------------------------------------------------

Stay well.  

The Day After

 We didn't do any boxing, of decorations or each other, so I'll just call it the day after.

Pretty uneventful.  I cleaned out some old files. 

Mardi made a batch of butter tarts, using a new recipe.  I think I like the previous recipe better.  Sorry Al Knapp, we're still in the testing stage😋.

We've talked a couple of times about where we will go when it's clear to travel again.  First on the list, hopefully for next December, is Hawaii, concentrating on Maui, which we haven't visited yet.

New Orleans was my second choice.  Maybe a year later.  Travelling just seems like a dream right now.

----------------------------------------------

Stay well.  Enjoy the down time.

Christmas Day

 Sue and David very graciously moved the Christmas morning gift opening to the greenhouse so that Malcolm and I could attend.

The driveway was being plowed as I arrived.  

The new toy works well.

I'm not sure that any of you knew that Trillium Hill is always Santa's last stop.  It's where he stores his sleigh!

Unfortunately, Rudolph and friends were tired after a long night and Jake had to complete the delivery.

The twins opened their stockings first.

Trillium Hill's front line worker, plant doctor Sean, was on duty.

He's wearing nurse-to-be Sarah-Jean's Christmas gift from her aunts around his neck.

Malcolm also dressed up for the occasion.

Today was a good demonstration of making the best of the covid situation.  Thank you Sue and David.

Merry Christmas to all.....and to all a good night!

---------------------------------------------

Stay well.

Mr. Optimist

First, some congratulations are in order.  We're learning that Mark Richardson became a grandfather Oct. 27, Dave (Doc) Jewett achieved the same exalted status on Roger's birthday, Dec. 22, and Tromper Dave Bagshaw has just received a knee replacement which will hopefully allow him to hike with us once again (two of the people who hiked the 75 miles through the high Andes to Machu Picchu with Sean and I had knee replacements).

------------------------------------------------- 

Thank you for your comments following yesterday's posting about my 60 years of Optimism.  At the presentation, President Al noted that Optimist International's records about me weren't complete (I guess they lost the clay tablets). So, for his benefit (the rest of you can just take a boring ride along) and since the weather has me grounded today I will expand on my journey to that achievement.

The story actually began when I was 12 years old and started setting pins at Wilf Barlow's Bar-Don Lanes.  Two years later, when my father died, Wilf became a father figure for me.  By coincidence, design, or happenstance, several of the pin setters were fatherless, and Wilf mentored all of us.

In 1954 he was instrumental in the founding of the Optimist Club of Stoney Creek, and in 1960 he invited me to join the club (Al, I believe that Keith Cummings or Ralph Hill, perhaps both, also signed my application). I was inducted in April of that year, a month before David was born. 

I served as President in 1967, Canada's centennial year.  And, for a second time, in 1976, America's bicentennial year.  That year we achieved Honour Club status, just the second time the Club had managed it.  In yesterday's picture, the Honour Club banner can be seen above my Past President's pin.

Several of the other bowling pin setters eventually joined the Club, and, among them, Lyle Tweedle and Red Boyce also served a term as President.  Wilf brought a lot of members into the club and with his enthusiasm became known as "Mr. Optimist" in Ontario Optimist circles.  He also led golf excursions to Myrtle Beach, where we had interclub meetings with members of the local James Island Club.

During Wilf's son Jim's term as President,  Jim decided that it was time for us to have our own club house.  So he, Lyle and I formed a Building Committee to make that happen.  We ran house raffles and motorcycle draws to raise funds, and I remember appealing to Dofasco for financial help.  Their $10,000 donation was the largest outside contribution we received.

The Town loaned us the balance at their municipal borrowing rate (the building, being on parkland, became their property the day it was completed) and it was paid off on schedule.

I insisted that in our agreement the Town would give the Optimist Club perpetual rights to use the building and the snack booth.  It continues (before and eventually after covid) to be used for private and community events as well which our Hall Manager controls.

In 1992, the Club nominated me to be awarded one of the Commemorative Medals for the 125th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation.  

Obviously I was a lot more active back then than now!

In today's environment it is very difficult to generate enthusiasm among the members when we aren't allowed to use our building or be active in the community.  But, when the coronavirus is in the rear view mirror, I'm sure that President Al will be able to reinvigorate the Club and bring it back to it's previous active role.

I'll close with the Optimist Creed.  It's just as difficult to abide by as the Ten Commandments, but it's definitely a useful guide, particularly in these covid times.

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

-----------------------------------------

Al has observed that I have a great bunch of friends and I couldn't agree more.  I am a lucky man.  To all of you, Merry Christmas!

A MIlestone

 Headed to Burlington for a garage visit with Monica and Jim.

Enjoyed Monica's hot chocolate and Baileys, which is a perfect match for Mardi's ginger cookies.  A nice Christmas visit.

We followed that up with a porch visit with Matt and Maureen.  Matt is in the middle of carving up two turkeys and making takeout Christmas dinner packages for their extended families.   We exchanged ginger cookies for shortbread - a win-win for both families.

 Nice to see our good friends again.

-------------------------------------------

"Attended" an Optimist meeting tonight.

And I was presented with a 60 year pin.  Mardi had picked it up from John and Joy yesterday.  

It was especially made (I guess not many Optimists get to mark that milestone).  Much appreciated!

---------------------------------------------

Stay well.  Santa is watching.

Happy Birthday

 It was really blustery today.  Dug and moved sod for an hour and a half before giving up.  Drained the water line to the back garden.

------------------------------------------------

Brother Roger is celebrating his 71st birthday today.  Congratulations Bassman!

I don't know about the rest of you, but this covid thing has made me more sentimental, sometimes even maudlin (the Rye helps).

Reflecting on Roger's celebration reminded me of the tribute song "My Brother, My Father, My Friend" that he wrote for me when I turned 70.  Yes, I'm his brother - no choice in that matter.  And I was his surrogate father from when he was 13 months old until our Mom remarried about seven years later.  Friend?  Well maybe 😏.

He invited me to join his fishing trips (I know how to fish - he knows how to catch).  And talked me into getting out the accordion that had not been touched for 50 years.  And invited me to join Fishguts.  And I invited him to join the Trompers.  Lots of  enjoyable times with mutual good friends over the years.

Roger and I have only seen each other once over the past year, for about a 10 minute masked chat on the fall fishing trip.  We were in separate cottages, me with David and his boys, Roger with the other members of Fishguts.  No camp fires, no card games, no comingling. We followed the covid rules.

Miss you bro'.  Enjoy your birthday celebration and have a great Christmas with Lynn.

Damn, I hate a wet face.

-------------------------------------------------------

Stay well.  Be nice.

Martial Law

 Braved the weather and spent a couple of hours digging and moving sod.  Then Sean and I hooked up the compressor and blew out the water lines down front so the valves won't freeze and crack this winter.

----------------------------------------------------

By the way, Sean gave me a bottle of my favourite Rye for Christmas - Crown Royal Northern Harvest.  Mmmmm.  Thanks Sean!

He also gave me a golf towel.

He's obviously seen me golf!  

-------------------------------------------

Michael Flynn, the former military, treasonous, recently pardoned criminal, is now recommending that the president (I hate to capitalize it for Trump!) should invoke martial law and have the swing states run a new election that he can win.  And since there is nobody with a spine left in the white house to stop him (those who are abetting him better hope that he pardons them as he goes out the door), Trump may very well try it.  Let's hope the sane voices in the Defense Department and elsewhere put a stop to it.

--------------------------------------------

Get ready for a long, lonely winter.  Stay positive.  Stay well.

Quite a Day

 You'll remember the Bay Leaf plants I shot a picture of four days ago.  Well, I brought home some leaves for Mardi.

And, she made some tea.  Best tea I've ever tasted!

It has lots of medicinal qualities, one of which is to relax you.  It apparently works, I promptly fell asleep in front of the TV.

I'll definitely be bringing more leaves home.

-------------------------------------------

Made the mistake of complaining too many times that I need something to do.

Apparently the condo doors need painting.  I'll have to get around to that some time.  At least I have a reward to look forward to - the last three butter tarts.

----------------------------------------------------

Quite a day.  Slept in, napped in the afternoon, watched golf.  Wears you out!

Stay well.

Lockdown

 At midnight tomorrow night, Hamilton will be going into lockdown as detailed in the following:

https://globalnews.ca/news/7531898/coronavirus-hamilton-grey-lockdown-restrictions-covid-19/

Glad we didn't wait until next week to have our Innsville get-together with Kathryn and Anna.  Takeout only after tomorrow.

While there we had signed up for Christmas dinner takeout on the 24th.  Good plan as it turns out!  There's probably going to be big demand.

----------------------------------------------

I hope my Ottawa daughters were able to tune into Rep. Deb Haaland's acceptance of Joe Biden's nomination of her as Secretary of the Interior.  She's the first Indigenous woman nominated to a cabinet position in the U.S.  Her acceptance speech was exceptional.

And, following her, former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm accepted the nomination as Energy Secretary.  Her family's story of humble beginnings in rural Canada was also very moving.

My God, what a marked difference the "Building Better" team displays from the "Make America Great Again" idiots who are on their way out.

------------------------------------------------

This evening we went to the greenhouse to celebrate Malcolm's birthday.  Niagara is now in the "red zone" and limited to ten people in a restaurant.  Fortunately, there were only nine of us, sharing 54,000 square feet of greenhouse space.

Malcolm only had one beer all evening.  Esther is amused.

He opened his cards by the fancy bar.

Jake got a gift as well.

A fine evening, and the food was phenomenal.  Good work Sue and David.

Happy birthday Malcolm!

----------------------------------------------

Stay well.  Obey the rules.

A Boring Day

 Two coats of varnish on the chair back sums up my accomplishments of the day.  Had lunch and putzed around doing odd jobs between coats.  The chair will be ready to be used tomorrow.

-------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, grandson Malcolm will celebrate his 24th birthday.  All the best Malkie!

-------------------------------------------------

Stay well.

First Christmas Dinner

 Spent about ten minutes at the greenhouse, putting a second coat of stain on the back of the chair.  Tomorrow it will take about the same time to apply the first coat of varnish.

Looks like my gardening efforts may be finished for this year.  By the time the snow leaves, the ground will be frozen.

I'll have to come up with another plan to keep busy.

-----------------------------------------------

Mardi and I get together with our bubble mates, Kathryn and Anna, once a month.  Tonight we met at The Innsville for a Christmas dinner.

Anna's computer game business is thriving - about to be incorporated.  And Kathryn is just finishing her stint in landscaping for the season.  Next up is her apprenticeship in stone masonry and then back to landscaping in the spring.

At the back of the table you can see a couple of packages of ginger snaps which were part of their Christmas gift.

Dessert was delicious!

-------------------------------------------------

Stay well. 

Greenhouse Crops

 My first stop of the day was at LifeLabs for my monthly blood check to make sure that the rat poison is doing its job.  It is.

--------------------------------------------------

Then, to the greenhouse to put the first coat of stain on the dining room chair.

While there, thought I should take a couple of pictures of David's current crops.  You've seen the Easter Lilies.  His other main crop is Boston Fern baskets.  

Besides the ones on the floor, the overhead lines are also full throughout the greenhouse.

He also has a couple of smaller crops on the go.  Bay Leaves (in the foreground) and Passion Flower.

The Passion Flower is grown for a high end bridal company in Toronto.

Needless to say, they haven't been doing much business this year!

----------------------------------------

The following article, on Fox News no less, tells the tale of the deposed king and what America can expect from his replacement.  Well written.

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/trump-biden-electoral-college-richard-fowler

-----------------------------------------

Stay well.

Ginger Snaps

 Managed to spend a couple of hours outside at the greenhouse working on gardens, until a few snow flurries discouraged me.

Also spent some "Dad" time fixing a dining room chair.

Some sanding and a coat of stain and it should be ready for use again.

-------------------------------------------------
The following is intended for Al Knapp:  this is how big your balls should be Al 😂.

The baker's wine glass is included for comparison.  Good luck!

And this is the finished result (another dozen in the oven).

Once again, the baker's (slightly depleted) glass of wine is included for size comparison.

The bad news, for me, is that these are all destined for Mardi's church.  Fortunately, as a licensed taster, I was able to consume the reject in the right foreground 😋.

----------------------------------------------------

See y'all tomorrow.  Stay well.

Hallelujah!

 Today, democracy won in the United States - something that has been in question for the past four years.  The Electoral College (an anachronism if ever there was one) voted honestly - something that was also in question for the past month.

So, what can they look forward to?

1 - Joe Biden will be their next President, assuming he stays alive until January 20, 2021.

2 - Trump will never officially concede his fate as a "deposed King".  He will continue to do everything in his power to place roadblocks in Biden's path - except for the time he spends in court fighting the many lawsuits that will proceed against him.  That will continue until he dies, or is incapacitated with dementia, or is perhaps spending time in prison.

3 - The prospect of violence is very real.  Civil War, The Sequel, is likely to proceed, and be encouraged by the treasonous Retrumplicans.

4 - The 2022 election will have Republican candidates who are even more extreme, as Trump makes sure that anyone who speaks the truth will be challenged in their primaries.  It will be at least 2024 before the Republican party can even begin to clean the tarnish off their brand.

5 - Biden may quash the Keystone pipeline from Canada.  At this moment that seems like a reasonable price to pay for having a sane person in the White House.

-------------------------------------------------

Stay well.  See you tomorrow.

Butter Tart Heaven

Here's a heartwarming story for you.  Pretty awesome dad!

 https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-dad-inked-with-tattoo-in-solidarity-with-8-year-old-son-1.5228374

-------------------------------------------

Eat your heart out Al Knapp!

Have I mentioned how much I love Mardi?

-------------------------------------------

Stay well.  Hope that the U.S. Electoral College does the right thing tomorrow.  Pretty stupid system, prone to corruption.

Unsettled

 Is anyone else having difficulty getting excited about Christmas?  

We've got our little tree up and decorated.  With the other seasonal items up and a decoration on the door - with lights even - we're ready for Christmas.

But something doesn't feel quite right.  

In the current environment I don't feel like shopping and, by the time I do, the stores could very well be under lockdown restrictions.  As it is, you feel a bit like a criminal when you enter, are asked covid questions, must sanitize your hands, follow the arrows, and make sure you're standing on the six feet apart circles while you wait in line.

Won't see my Ottawa girls.  Can't hug my kids or grandkids.  Shit!

Watched some romantic Hallmark Christmas movies with my gal, but I haven't been able to get myself into the holiday mood so far.   

I still have a positive attitude, and a woman who shares my love, but something doesn't feel right.  How are you folks handling the "season"?

--------------------------------------------------

Stay well.  Stay safe.  

Greenspace

 We're going to devote today's blog to conservation issues.

My good friend Sven is in the midst of a mini crusade against the Conservative government's changes to the greenspace rules.  He is particularly incensed by a warehouse development that will be built on "sensitive" wetlands.  For context, every lot where each of us lives today could have been, at one time, declared "sensitive".

He may have a point in the particular case that has aroused his anger.  But there are two sides to every equation.  The following example demonstrates that.

The Town of Grimsby had planned to extend Livingstone Avenue (the main route through the downtown), from Casablanca where it currently ends west to Oakes Road where it would intersect with Main Street (old highway 8).  This is within the Grimsby urban area.  

It would cause traffic to bypass David's greenhouse, but he has enough of a reputation and following to overcome that downside, so he's in favour, for the good of the Town.

Some of the residents on Hunter Road in particular (the middle point of the extension) started posting "Save The Tree Lot" signs on their property.  Tree Lot?

Scrub growth on marginal clay farm land is more like it.

Here is another picture of the section under discussion, taken from Main Street across from David's property.  You can see the John Deere factory, which is on the South Service Road, in the background.

Flat, heavy clay, marginal farm land.  Not "sensitive" at all.

However, the government of the day, sensing a vote getter opportunity from the local residents, declared this section of Grimsby as "Greenspace".  The immediate effect was to thwart the Town's plans and reduce the value of the land by more than two thirds.

Self employed farmers like David do not benefit from company pension plans - unless, like David, they are fortunate to have a wife who works for a company that does.  Most farmers must save for their retirement, a difficult task for sure.  Alternatively, they have to hope for a beneficial sale of their property when they are ready to retire, to carry them through their leisure years.

It would be interesting to work out how many hundreds of thousands of dollars of land value disappeared with the government's decision, and how many votes that got them.  I'm guessing that the farmers subsidized each vote with at least one hundred thousand dollars of lost value in their lands.  Quite a tradeoff!

There is a story about a potato farmer down the road from David's property, before David bought, who asked the Niagara Escarpment Commission for permission to have a Chip Truck on his property.  The answer was NO, and he eventually went into bankruptcy, had a heart attack, and died.  His wife lost the farm.

I am all in favour of conserving our greenspace.  But, not on the backs of individuals who unwilling pay the price.  The government should compensate at current fair market value for land they want to preserve.

One model that I like is the one that the Bruce Trail Conservancy uses.  When land comes up for sale that includes a part of their trail, or would improve their optimum route, they solicit donations from members and ask the government for funding help to buy the property.  I don't mind having the government spend my taxes on such initiatives.

Bottom line here:  if what the Conservative government has done helps Grimsby get control of its destiny again, I'm in favour.  If they are just trying to help line the pockets of big contributors, I'm not.

--------------------------------------------------

Every year Dofasco gives its employees and retirees a souvenir nutcracker.  This year's model is particularly appropriate for our times.  Well done!

---------------------------------------------

Gardened for a couple of hours today.  If the rain isn't too persistent tomorrow I'll hopefully make more progress on completing the latest garden.

---------------------------------------------

Stay well.  Keep smiling.

A Better Day

 Not too happy with these Mums.  They only bloomed for 3 months!  Of course, if I had brought them in at night and avoided the frost they would have probably still looked good at Christmas!

Was going to ask for a refund, but thought better of it 😇.

------------------------------------------------

This is a picture of "Toots", David's vintage 35 h.p. Massey Ferguson tractor.  She's showing her age and can no longer deal with the snow drifts down the driveway (I feel her pain - I can't deal with things like I used to either).  That's why the new Kubota showed up.

I wonder what my replacement will look like.

---------------------------------------------------

While I was at the greenhouse I managed to bring another stretch of garden under control.  

Tomorrow looks like it will be a gardening day as well.

---------------------------------------------------

Today was a beautiful day!  

And I won at cards too!  Much better day than yesterday.

----------------------------------------------

Stay well.  The vaccine is coming.  Don't mess up in the meantime!

Tomorrow Will Be Better

 

Spent a couple of fruitless hours looking for a specific Christmas gift for Mardi.  I don't think they make that model any more.

Then I fixed a dining room chair for Sue.

Then I lost at cards.

Not an exciting day!

----------------------------------------------

Stay well.  Don't let Trump's treasonous behaviour get you down.

Dead Penguins

 You know it's a slow news day when I include items like this:

VERY INTERESTING FACTS ! !

Dead Penguins - I never knew this!

Did you ever wonder why there are no dead penguins on the ice in Antarctica ?

Where do they go?

Wonder no more ! ! !

It is a known fact that the penguin is a very ritualistic bird which lives an extremely ordered and complex life. The penguin is very committed to its family and will mate for life, as well as maintain a form of compassionate contact with its offspring throughout its life.

If a penguin is found dead on the ice surface, other members of the family and social circle have been known to dig holes in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough for the dead bird to be rolled into, and buried.

The male penguins then gather in a circle around the fresh grave and sing:

scroll down

.

.

.

.

"Freeze a jolly good fellow."

"Freeze a jolly good fellow."

You really didn't believe that I know anything about penguins, did you?

It's so easy to fool OLD people.

I am sorry, an urge came over me that made me do it!!!

Oh quit whining I fell for it, too

----------------------------------

I'll try harder tomorrow. Stay well.

Food Bank

 

Life is full of wonderful surprises.  Last night we received the following message from Matt and Maureen:

Hi Mardi and Bud;

 

Maureen and I were so disappointed this year that we did not win a turkey!

 

While commiserating over our disappointment, we came to the conclusion that we both thought that the other one had entered.

 

NEVER ASSUME.  It makes an “ASS of U & ME”.

 

So in light of this we are sending you our twenty dollar ticket price.

We are also including thirty dollars for the turkey that we would have won.

This is to be donated wherever you feel does the most good.

The Optimists are lucky to have such fine members.

 

Hugs

M&M

 Incredible luck winning that turkey!  Thanks M&M!

I have delivered Matt and Maureen's $20 "ticket price" to the Optimist Club Treasurer, to be included in the proceeds of the Turkey Roll.

The Food Bank told us they can do more with cash than gift cards, so Mardi and I bought the five Fortino's gift cards and have given equivalent cash, plus M & M's $30, for a total of $180 to the Stoney Creek Food Bank.  We have tax receipts which we will get to the donors in time for tax season.

Mardi also dropped off a few of the toques that she knit.  Two of them were snapped up while she was there.  A feel good moment!

Once again, thanks for the marvelous heart (and head) warming gifts!

--------------------------------------------------

Had a short visit to the greenhouse.  Happened to catch Sarah-Jean coming back from picking up the mail.

That's David's new 60 h.p. all wheel drive Kubota tractor.  The cab should make it comfortable while plowing the driveway this winter!

---------------------------------------------

Stay safe.

My Generous Friends

 All five winners from our cards have asked us to put the money to good use in the community.  I copied the President of the Optimist Club on the winner message so he also got your responses.  He has sent me the following message:

"Bud, you have some great and very generous friends.....and some with a sense of humour.  Anyway, you make the decision on where to donate the cards - I know the Stoney Creek Food Bank would welcome the donation as would Food4Kids.

Stay safe.....

Al"

We will be directing the money ($150.) to the Stoney Creek Food Bank and I want to thank all of you for your generous support.

Having said that, I am a bit concerned about the Ham Roll which will be coming up in the spring.  I'll likely be after you again then, and I don't want our supporters to think that they have to give the prize money back if they win.  So, if we do get your support again, I will be insisting that you take the gift cards.  If you want to donate them to another good cause yourselves that will be your choice.

-----------------------------------------

Yesterday, I commented that I have good golf friends.  That wasn't a broad enough statement.  Mardi and I have wonderful family and friends as you have all demonstrated.  We are indeed very lucky people.

We won't be able to get together with anyone over the holidays, but be sure that you will all be in our thoughts!

------------------------------------------

Spent a few minutes at the greenhouse today with Mardi.  I had looked in the field for the missing pin from the broken dump wagon a couple of times but couldn't locate it.  I went into the greenhouse for a minute while Mardi started to search.  When I came out she was returning with the pin.  Life isn't fair!

I'll work on putting the wagon back together tomorrow.  Will need a different approach.  The cheap Chinese welded pin isn't the answer.

-------------------------------------------

And, in answer to Al Knapp's question:  yes Al, anybody can see that they are reindeer......you can tell by Rudolph's red nose ......they just had their antlers removed (a Bullivant Safety requirement).

----------------------------------------------

As Render's Tree Farm recommends: Practice Safe Six.  Stay well.  

Christmas Is Coming

 Finally got my computer to behave.  Our Christmas tree with star on top and angel below.  Hopefully, Santa will be able to get to the stocking - no fireplace, but it's hung on the HVAC door.  Hope that's good enough.

We do have an in-house Santa on his sleigh.  He has a couple of wrapped gifts on the sleigh already.

The "Christmas" cactus behind it is being obstinate this year.  For the past few years it has been so anxious to bloom that it comes at Hallowe'en.  This year however, it looks like it will skip the flower stage altogether - it's putting out new leaves instead.

-------------------------------------------

I'm more relaxed now that my machine is talking to me.  Stay calm.