Happy New Year

 Today's birthday wish goes out to daughter Barbara.  This has to be one of her best birthdays ever, as she gets to enjoy her new granddaughter Rowan.

Sorry we can't be together to share the day (and meet Rowan as a bonus).  All the best from Mardi and me!

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

And as we draw the curtain on this otherwise nasty year, let's rely on what Annie says.  "The sun will come out tomorrow.  Bet your bottom dollar on tomorrow."

Good riddance to 2021.  Happy New Year everyone!

Hibernation

Today is the birthday of Mardi's friend Jo-Ann Kempe.  Mardi had intended to visit her but she's not up to going out today, so that will have to wait.

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

For the past several days, our elevator rule has reverted to one household at a time.  But, this time, it hasn't been as much of a hassle.  Seems like more folks are hibernating to avoid chancing exposure to the virus.

In our case, we're hibernating because the she bear is still hurting badly.  Don't know how long this is going to last, but she's bent over and pretty frustrated - as am I.  This is not fun!

It's sad when my trip to the grocery store today became an exciting outdoor adventure for me😖.  Let's get 2021 into the history books so we can move on.

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

Stay well.

Permanent Astonishment

 I was walking past Mardi and her computer and glanced at the screen.  It said "Tap anywhere to start".  So I tapped her in several places.  It didn't work, but it was good for a laugh.  We take our excitement wherever we can find it these days.  Shingles be damned!

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

I have just finished reading "Permanent Astonishment - a Memoir" by Tomson Highway, a Christmas gift from David and Sue.  It chronicles, with humour and pride, his childhood years, including his education in a Residential School.  As the book's jacket says "His memoir offers insights, both hilarious and profound, into the Cree experience of culture, conquest, and survival".

And, while reading it, I became aware that he has just been honoured with membership in the Order of Canada.  Well earned!

Worth reading!  Thanks David and Sue.

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

And now we find that the World Junior hockey tournament has been cancelled.  With three games already forfeited due to virus outbreaks, the tournament outcome was going to be suspect anyway.  Still, a real shame.  I wanted to watch Connor Bedard some more, and to eventually celebrate the Canadian trophy win.

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

Be strong.  Stay well.

Anti-vaxxers

 Had the joy today of cancelling our New Orleans week.  We're going to make the cancellations just one week at a time - you never know.

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

We face the danger once again of our hospitals being swamped by Covid cases.  If that happens doctors will have to decide which patients to prioritize and which ones to abandon.  Wouldn't it be appropriate if that decision was based on who was not vaccinated?  Being passively euthanized seems to me to be a fitting end for those idiots.

Plus, other folk who need operations, or treatments, which are being denied or delayed because of the Covid load are suffering - in some cases dying.  They also deserve attention before the anti-vaxxers. 

Of course, my views don't reflect the Hippocratic Oath that doctors take.  Oh well - c'est la mort.

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

Speaking of anti-vaxxers, Mardi's Shingles attack reminded us that, back in the day, some mothers (but not ours) held Chicken Pox parties so that all of their kids would be infected at once so the disease could be dispensed with.  Ignorance is bliss.

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

Watched the Canadian Junior hockey team defeat an overmatched Austrian team 11-2.  A highlight was the record tying 4 goals scored by the 16 year old Connor Bedard.

Tomorrow at 7 p.m. they play Germany.

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

Stay well.

Go Canada

 I'm sure that many of you tuned in last night to the World Junior hockey game between Canada and Czechia (the Czech Republic) which Canada won 6-3.  Real artistry from a bunch of teenagers!

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

Today however, was pretty boring.  Mardi's still suffering some so we walked the halls for a few minutes for exercise, but that was it.

Hope for better tomorrow.  Stay well.

Health, Happiness and Prosperity

 After I posted yesterday's email, Kathryn and Anna showed up with a home cooked turkey dinner which we enjoyed together.  A nice Christmas visit!

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

I heard yesterday that nurses were being asked to volunteer to administer vaccine doses, while doctors were offered $100 per hour to do the same (but probably not as well).

Which sex do you suppose made that decision?  Maybe the same one that decided to cancel the Women's Under 18 hockey tournament while allowing the men's World Junior hockey tournament to proceed?

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

Boy, my Christmas spirit didn't last long, did it? Apparently today is "boxing" day!

Come on Optimist Bud - Promise yourself to talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

Stay well my friends.

Santa Came

 As advertised, I abandoned Mardi and headed to David and Sue's to join them for breakfast and to watch them open their gifts.

Jake was relaxed and ready, by the "open fire".

The kids are independent enough that they're buying presents for each other (and me).  Fun to watch.  It was also fun to watch Jake open his gift too.

A squeaky toy that he enjoyed squeezing.

I was deluged with gifts from all of them.  Wonderful, but I'm getting too old and emotional for this season.  Had to leave before the tears started to flow.

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

So, I was able to share a Christmas moment with Kathryn and Anna yesterday, and with David's family today.  Unfortunately, we can't get to Ottawa right now.  It's been over two years since we've seen Barbara, Jo-Ann, Yancy and Kayt.  And we still haven't laid eyes on my great granddaughter Rowan.

All in good time I guess.  Something to look forward to.  Can't wait.

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

Merry Christmas, and to all, a good night!

Merry Christmas

Dropped off Mardi's Christmas gifts for A.J. and family this morning.  Left them on the porch with others - A.J. and Reggie were on their way back from a Covid test (she has the virus).  Between that and Mardi's shingles, she won't be able to have her usual Christmas morning visit with them this year.  Crap!!  She'll be home alone recuperating while I visit David and family.

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

We invited Kathryn and Anna for dinner tonight, prepared by Banana Leaf Asian Cuisine - but the ginger bread men were courtesy of sister Judy. 

Anna is hopeful of being able to buy her first house in the New Year.  Quite an accomplishment!  Her business is doing well.

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

As we head into the Christmas moment, I need to thank all of you for putting up with my literary meanderings.  I know that there are folks who probably just delete each day (or maybe declare my email as "spam"), but for the rest, please know that you are helping me to stay sane (some of my friends will no doubt debate the word "stay" but I love them just the same) during these stressful times.

It helps me to feel connected and still alive.  If it wasn't for Mardi, the greenhouse and this blog, I'm sure that I would have gone completely bonkers.  When you're 84 and have had your life on pause for almost two years you start to wonder what the future may hold.  But hey, the Optimist in me says "this Omicron thing may bring herd immunity and you may be able to salvage some of your Florida trip".  Who knows?

Mardi and I wish all of you a very merry Christmas.  And, may the New Year bring better times!

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

Stay well.

Christmas Eve Eve.

 Spent an hour at the greenhouse.  Finished trimming the Passion Flower pots.  Walked back to the ponds, but nothing was moving.  Just the beginning of a thin ice layer on top.

I did notice that the Easter Lilies are starting to poke up through the soil.

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

Got home in time to enjoy a brief visit from my baby sister.

Had to be satisfied with an air hug.

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

Mardi is "slightly improved" today.  But it's going to be after Christmas before her shingles are history.

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

Think positively.  Stay well.

Passion

 Today is my kid brother's birthday.  All the best Roger!

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

Totally bored to tears, I headed to the greenhouse this morning to say hi to the folks.  Luckily, David had a couple of jobs that I could do.

First, I covered some 2 X 4's with indoor carpeting, to use as a draft deterrent on the greenhouse doors adjacent to the Lilies.

Then, I started trimming back the Passion Flower pots.  Normally, they are in demand for wedding arrangements, but this is not a normal time.  So, we go from this...

...to this.

Being a romantic sort, I saved a few blooms for my love.

They are a unique and beautiful flower!  And she is a unique and beautiful lady!  Love you babe!  Get well soon.

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

Keep your sense of humour.  Stay well.

Bored and Lonely

 I missed a birthday yesterday as Mardi's niece Rachelle celebrated her special day.  Today, Rachelle's sister Rebeccah celebrates her special day.  Best wishes to both.

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

Mardi headed back to bed this morning - the nerve endings don't jump as much when she's lying down.  So, being bored and lonely, I headed to the greenhouse.  Not intending to do any work but just to see friendly faces.  As it turned out Kent and Sean let me help separate the Canna Lilys.

Did that job in jig time.  The tub below was full when I finished.

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

Yesterday I mentioned that John and I had solved some of the world's problems.  To correct that, we solved a couple of Canadian problems.

But there is something going on that we cannot solve.  It's a long story, but certainly worth reading:

https://www.newsweek.com/2021/12/31/millions-angry-armed-americans-stand-ready-seize-power-if-trump-loses-2024-1660953.html

I believe that the author of that story is right on.  Over the next three years we will likely witness the demise of the U.S. as we have known it.  The only question in my mind is why nobody is calling what Trump and his minions are doing what it is - treason.

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

Starting to hear of folks we know who have caught the virus or have been exposed to it.  With the exponential growth of the Omicron variant this will become much more common.  

The people noted below are not helping the problem.

Thanks for sending this along David.

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

Be careful.  Stay well.

Nursing

 Sorry to report that our dear friend (and one of the four bees) Monica was hit by a car in a parking lot on the weekend.  I sent her a message asking how she was, and got the following reply:

Thanks for asking Bud,

I feel as if I was hit by a car! Today was a little rougher than yesterday but am hoping this is the worst and every day going forward will be better.  I am very lucky on two counts. (1) nothing was broken (2) everyone, from the LCBO employee that stayed calmly with me and ran the scene, to the firemen, the EMS guys, the nurses and Doctor at Joe Brant and even the police officer were all very very gentle and kind.  I was very very blessed that way.

 Nurse Jim has been his usual attentive self…pay back is going to be a bitch!!!! He won’t let me have a bell though!!!!
Look after the Queen Bee!

Hugs,

Monica

Not a nice thing to happen - especially at Christmas.  We're all joining Nurse Jim in wishing you a speedy recovery Monica.  

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

But, unlike Jim, I was glad to give Mardi a bell - crystal no less!

Of course, when she rings it nothing happens😍.  But, every couple of minutes when she lets out a yelp from the nerve pain of shingles I do have to pay attention.

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

We enjoyed a very nice breakfast with Rada and John this morning.

While Rada and Mardi got up to date, John and I solved some of the world's problems.  For which I received the following gift.

Under the ribbon it says another recipient name as well, but I'm ignoring that.  Thanks Rada!

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

Stay well.  

Nurse Bud.

Chicken Pox Redux

 Today we celebrate grandson Malcolm's birthday which moves him into the quarter century club (boy that sounds old!).  All the best Malcolm.

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

Possibly because of the vacation turmoil, Mardi has a case of shingles.  As she was walking around slowly, and holding her side, she said "I feel old."

I responded "And you're acting old.  I wonder if I could trade an 80 for two 40's?"

Her answer, "Go ahead and see how you make out.  Just remember, that dogs can chase cars but that doesn't mean that they can drive."

Now I'm hurting.

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

Look at the sunny side of everything.  I'm working on that.  Stay well.

More Vacation Unwinding

 Turns out that the "holiday" the folks at Holiday Inn Vacation Club had yesterday was a staff party, at The House of Blues (love that place - we enjoyed hanging out on their patio and listening to some great music).

Our first booking to deal with is January 1 - 8 in New Orleans in a one bedroom condo apartment unit a block from the French Quarter.  If we cancel, the points have to be used by June 20, which is probably going to be problematic.  So, it's going on Facebook Marketplace for $1,000 U.S.  A good deal if you know anyone who might be interested.  The retail rate is $1,200 U.S.  

Next up will be 7 weeks (January 8 through February 26) at a two bedroom condo at Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee.  We're asking $6,000 U.S. for the whole package (with a discount for friends).  We'll see what happens.

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

So far, we've heard from a couple of friends that are reconsidering, or concerned about, their U.S. vacation plans.  Unnerving times!

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

Do I need to tell you to stay well?

The Morning After

 Thanks to all of you who expressed sympathy for our decision to forego Florida (and thanks also for not saying "I told you so").  To be honest, Mardi and I were getting a bit antsy anyway about how fast the Omicron variant was spreading and what that could foretell about the time we planned to spend in the U.S.  The insurance information just helped us to avoid having to decide if we wanted to go anyway.

So far, I have cancelled our hotel reservations (maybe we can watch the New Year's Eve Pine Cone Drop in Laurel, Mississippi on the web).  And I have adjusted our Theatre Aquarius reservations for January and March.

I tried to get hold of Holiday Inn Club Vacations to see what our options are there, but they're apparently closed for the "holiday".  I checked the web, and today's holiday options are:

National Maple Syrup Day, National Ugly Sweater Day, National Device Appreciation Day, and Wright Brothers' Day.  When I manage to het hold of them I'll have to ask which one they were celebrating!

And, with some embarrassment, I have returned the rental money, that I got just a couple of days ago, for the underground parking space.

Also got the snow tire wheels out of storage and had them installed.

Next step is to buy some more Sudoku books and a new deck of Skip-Bo cards.

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

Stay well.

To Wear A Cheerful Countenance.........

 ..........at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

Not doing so well on that count today.  

Contacted the insurance guy.  The good news - they have a "COVID 19" policy that covers the virus.  The bad news - the price has gone up from $3,000 each for our planned 97 days to $8,400 each.  With tax that works out to almost $200 total per day for the two of us.  OUCH!

Sayonara Florida!  We've got some cancelling to do!

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

We took our minds off the bad news above by having dinner with Steve, Bonnie, Greg and Diane at the Argyle Street Grill in Caledonia. 

A really nice evening.  Apparently we'll have more chances to get together than we thought over the next three months.  That will help to ease the pain!

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

Stay well.

Promise Yourself...

 ...to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.  Kind of hard to do that when our trip is still up in the air though.

We've tentatively rented out our underground parking space for the three months that we hope to be away, with the proviso that if the border is closed the deal is off.  I'm waiting to hear from the travel insurance guy to make sure that we would still be covered now that "non-essential travel" is frowned upon.

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

Dropped in to the greenhouse to say hi to the folks.  Took a couple of minutes to repair a mirror frame while I was there.

That was the easy job.  Kent and Sean were working outside in the rain replacing a plastic wall section.  Wished them a merry Christmas and got out while the getting was good.

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

Stay warm.  Stay well.

Look On The Sunny Side Of Everything

..........and make your Optimism come true.

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

Happy 7th birthday to Mardi's nephew Julien Couture.  Just soon enough to avoid having his birthday swallowed by Christmas. 

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

The following item is for my golfing buddies.

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

Gave my personal hair stylist a break today and went to the Stoney Creek Barber for my haircut.  But Mardi's packing her tools for the Florida trip.

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

Tonight we had guests for dinner.  Matt and Maureen and Bob Reid shared an evening with us.  Our last chance to touch base before we head south.  The salmon was great Mardi!

Photo Credit: Matthew Donaldson

Matt and Maureen stayed on to play cards.  In a complete reversal of our usual performance, the boys won!

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

Look on the bright side.  And stay well.

The Beatles

 Our highlight today was "Beatles, Burgers and Beer" at the Innsville. 

Big Al arranged the evening and he and Liz enjoyed their fourth visit.

Gary/Sven/Andy/etc. and Jill also enjoyed the evening.

The "Beatles" did a fine job.

It didn't matter what Beatles song was requested, they took it on.

"Dancing Pam" had a good time too.

A great evening.  Good music, good food, good friends.

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

Enjoy life.  Stay well.

Grey Cup Day

 I connected the compressor to the water lines and blew them out today.

Would have been a lot more fun if I could have talked somebody into standing in front of the valve before I opened it!

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

Union Gas has torn up a section of lawn to connect their line to the house being built across the street.

I assume they'll replace the sod come spring.

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

And then it was time to get out my Grey Cup accessories, a Tiger-Cats hat and a rye and water.

An exciting game, but the Cats came up short in overtime.  Oh well.

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

Stay well.

Down Day

 Stayed home today to avoid being blown away.  Nasty weather, but not as bad as what the folks in Kentucky and surrounds had to put up with.

My big activity for the day was building a bologna and cheese sandwich - not toasted or burnt of course.  A secondary feature to my day was helping to make the peanut brittle.  And helping to test drive a couple of pieces of the finished product.  Busy day!

Tomorrow it's back to the greenhouse, to blow out the water lines down front.  Then the Grey Cup.

Stay well.

Turkey Roll

 A couple of follow-up items from yesterday.  First, a picture of Mardi and the ladies at the YWCA after delivering the 50 backpacks.

The performers in the show we saw last night were all Hamilton folk, including Hailey Gillis, who cut her singing teeth in the Stoney Creek United Church choir with Mardi.

The show was terrific.  Some traditional Christmas songs, some more modern songs, and each person told their family's personal stories about Christmas.  Even called out a couple of Oskee-Wee-Wees!  Well done!

Double vaccine doses were required for entry, masks were required to be in place for the whole show, no intermission (to avoid crowd contact), but there was no spacing between seats unless the seat wasn't sold.

It's been 21 months since there has been a live performance at the Theatre.  Over two years since Mardi and I attended.  In that time our favourite parking lot has become a high rise building.  But we discovered another lot behind the Amity Goodwill building.  Cash in the machine the only option - two loonies does it.

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

And finally, tonight was our Optimist Turkey Roll.  Pleased to advise the winners on the cards Mardi and I sold.  The "turkeys" are $30 PC gift cards.  Congratulations to Maureen (2 turkeys), Jo-Ann (1), Steve (2) and Rada (1).  Thanks for your support!

In between draws we had some turkey races.

I won $4.  Mardi lost $7.  

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

Stay well.

Good Samaritans

 Mardi joined Monica and the Junior League ladies as they took the filled backpacks to the YWCA this morning.  She followed that up with a visit to Wesley Urban Ministries to drop off the donations for them.  I do love that lady!

Then she had lunch with Monica while I vegetated at home.  OK, so maybe the love got tarnished a bit 😢 but she's still cute.

Tonight we're heading to Theatre Aquarius.

Stay well.

Christmas Stuff

Today Mardi and I sorted and delivered half a van load of toques, toiletries, etc. to the Hamilton Native Women's Centre.  Tomorrow a similar load, aimed more at men, will go to the Wesley Urban Ministries.  Feel good moments, but I came away a bit melancholy thinking about why these efforts are necessary.

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

Fortunately, the Optimist Club had its Christmas meeting tonight and that brightened things up.

After dinner we had some fun games.  Like opening a present with oven mitts on.

A good time was had by all!

We'll be back at the club on Friday for the Turkey Roll.

---------------------------------------------
Tomorrow night it's the Theatre Aquarius presentation "Home For The Holidays".

Stay well.

We're Done

 Finished cleaning the Lily bulbs at 2 p.m.  But it will probably take the troops into tomorrow morning before the planting is completed.

 Matt's explanation for why he and Maureen helped:  We get extra points at "the home" for volunteering.  If that's the case, they get a ton of points!  Well done and thanks!

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

Merry Christmas from the family of U.S. congressman Thomas Massie.

On the first night of our trip to Florida at the end of the month we'll be staying in his state of Kentucky.  Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy!  Certainly makes the coronavirus seem like less of a threat!

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

'Tis the season.  Stay well.

Success Again

 You know, there's no explaining why some of us like pain so much.  Which is a way of saying the volunteers worked on the Easter Lily planting again today.

The three volunteers and the old guy put us over the top again.  We were sent home at 1:30 today because we were so far ahead.  The rest of the folks have to put in a full day.

In the above picture, Mardi is talking to David, but the real workers are Jake and Sean, who both took a break for the picture.

Tomorrow should see the completion of the planting, or at least the completion of the bulb cleaning for the volunteer troupe.  Feels good!

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

Stay well.

They're Coming Home!

The Ti-Cats won the Eastern Conference final against Toronto thanks to a great second half from quarterback Dane Evans.  Fun to watch.

Grey Cup - here we come!

====================================

 Here's a Christmas tip:

Wrap empty boxes and put them under the tree.  Every time your child acts up throw one in the fireplace.

I can just hear Al Knapp ask: "What if I run out of kids?"

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

Tomorrow it's back to Easter.  Stay well.

The Christmas Spirit

 This morning, Maureen and Mardi, together with Monica and a few other Junior League members, got together to finish filling the backpacks for the human trafficking victims.

A lot of effort was put into this noble project.  Well done ladies.

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

It appears that all four of the old people who helped yesterday with the Easter Lily planting have survived.  I think we all feel better physically than we had expected - especially the old guy who tripped over the corner of a lily crate and ended up sprawled on a wooden skid.  They figured I'd be an invalid today.  Instead, just a lazy old fart!

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

Stay well.

Happy Easter

 A couple of days ago I commented on "playing in the mud".  This picture shows you the scene.

David had a young lad dig this area out because the drain line appeared to be plugged.  Had a guy come in, cut a section of the drain line out and then blew the line out.  Intention was to clear a blockage so the water would flow away.

As you can see from the water flowing from the drain line, it didn't appear to be completely successful.  

What I did while playing in the mud was to repair the line.  We'll see how this plays out.  I really don't think that this place is going to dry out until next July!

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

Today we got at the Easter Lily planting.  Last month they ran 55,000 pots through the line and partly filled them.  In the picture below those pots are coming in from the left.

That's Matt placing the bulbs in the pots.  As they travel to the right the pots will be filled to the brim with dirt.

But first we have to unearth the bulbs from the boxes they came in (from Oregon) so they can be placed in the pots.  That's Mardi with her back to us.  Donna and Ken posing for the camera.

And this is our two other volunteers, Maureen and Matt.

Many thanks for your help!  

Actually, the four of us were so efficient and got so far ahead of the line that they sent us home at 1:30.  Fortunately the bar opened soon after we got there!

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

Just got a call from the bathroom that the tub is now available.  Hope to get rid of the dirt and the aches and pains.  Talk again tomorrow.

Stay well.

Aging Gracefully

 Our first order of business is a shout-out to Dave "Doc" Jewett, who is celebrating a birthday today.  A toast to our good friend and Tromper companion.

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

As advertised, we headed to the Aberfoyle Mill to join our Tuesday golf mates as we and our ladies celebrated the Christmas season.

Sven outdid himself with the arrangements and the green marker gifts that he made for each golfer.  We had a wonderful day with very dear friends.

And the Mill did a fine job on the meals.

But, one thing we did notice.  In the past the discussions at an event like this would be focused on our kids, our work, sports or movies.  Today it went more like this:

- how many pills do you take each day? (the record was 17)

- how are you seeing after your cataract operation?

- how are your hearing aids working?

- isn't it nice that we can make eye appointments again?

and, finally, - how much height have you lost as you have aged?  

I don't want to look down on anybody 😉, but a couple of individuals were sensitive to that last question.

In my case the answer to the last question is about an inch and a half - the inch happened when I blew apart a back vertebrae and the half is due to old age.

I suppose the good news is that we are still around to talk about such issues.

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

A highlight for me was the unexpected presentation of the annual Quoits trophy, which I received from the past champions.

Unfortunately David, my partner, couldn't make it today since the planting of Easter Lilies has commenced.  I'll deliver the trophy to David tomorrow when Mardi and I, together with Matt and Maureen, will do our part to help with the planting.  And, just for the record, David and I plan to repeat as champions in 2022.

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

Enjoy your old age.  Stay well.