Philosophy 01/31

 Do any of you spend a couple of minutes in the morning checking your breathing, etc. to make sure you're still OK regarding the virus?  Am I the only one who's paranoid?

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Just to change things up, I took the day off from the greenhouse. I decided to watch the final round of the Farmer's Insurance golf tournament - mainly hoping to see Patrick Reed lose.  He took a questionable lift and place yesterday - the second time he's been caught brazenly cheating in a tournament.  But they let him get away with it!

Unfortunately, he won going away, by five strokes.  If you're that good, why do you have to cheat?

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The wind chill weather that was forecast has finally arrived.  Another good reason to stay home.

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Watched the CNN special on Qanon last night.  Pretty scary.  I find it hard to understand how millions of Americans believe that stuff.  And they're the ones with the guns!  And they're being elected to congress!  And the other Republicans don't have the guts to call them on it.

But, before we get too righteous about it, there is the same "quality" of thinking in the far right in this country too.  So far we've been spared the Trump factor which ignited it in the U.S.,  although Jason Kenney seems to be going down that road in Alberta.

It's kind of nice to have dull, boring politicians in Ottawa.

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Back to the greenhouse tomorrow.

Stay well.

Rink - Day Two

 We have three birthdays to celebrate today.

Sarah-Jean and Ewen, who are 19.  And Bonnie Lougheed, who is only a couple of years older.  Best wishes to all.

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The first shift today on the rink were a couple of old guys - friends of David.  As you can see, they were refueling as the picture was taken.

See what you're missing Sven?

In the second shift were Sean and Malcolm and a couple of their friends.

Another delightful sunny and calm day.

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Based on the weather forecast we should start to lose our ice on Wednesday and start to get it back next weekend.

But forecasts are misleading.  Some of my golf buddies missed a couple of good golf days last year by believing the forecast.  And, I have to think that Gary and Sandro have just missed two great days of skating for the same reason.

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The coyotes are howling.  It's their mating season.

Jake chased a couple.  He has a short memory.  He lost half his tail in a previous encounter.

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Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Stay well.

Hockey Season

 Painted my two benches today.

Also took a walk back to the rink.  Ewen is the first to try it out.

A couple of rough spots, but otherwise just fine.

It was a beautiful day for a skate.  Sunny with just a light breeze.  I didn't even need gloves for the time I was out there getting the picture.   The wind chill forecast was fake news.

The weather forecast suggests that this weekend may be the limit of the current skating "season".  Monday things start to warm up and by Tuesday it will likely be a shallow pond.

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I'll be back to my painting duties at the greenhouse tomorrow.  I'll check out the rink again then.

Stay well.

More painting

 Today's colder weather should help the rink.  I'll check on it tomorrow and try to clear the snow.  Otherwise I'll be painting again.

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Speaking of painting, they're bringing in benches faster than I can paint them.  But today was another tee shirt day, so I'm not complaining.

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I'm going to close for the day in case I'm tempted to talk politics.

Stay well.  

Too much sun

 Before I commenced painting today I checked out the rink.  As we had guessed, the ice isn't strong enough yet to get on board.

The good news is that the wind swept a lot of it clear.  So the snow clearing won't be as onerous as feared.

But the sun, which is softening the ice, is a mixed blessing.  I'm able to paint in a T shirt in the sunlit greenhouse so that's OK - almost like being outdoors.

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David checked out the deer feeding station.  The deer have found it.

But the coyotes are also nearby, based on these tracks.  Ewen spotted one this morning in the next field.

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Mardi and I "attended" an Optimist meeting via Zoom tonight.  

Not a great turnout, but these are indeed unusual times.

The club will be holding its annual Ham Roll in March.  Same setup as the Turkey Roll.  I'll be after you all soon.

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You'll be skating soon Sven.  Stay well everybody.  

More Benches

 The small benches have been painted.  Now I'm working on the larger ones.

David reminded me to take Barry's advise and stack the tables to take some of the strain off my back.

Now, I'll have to wait for a couple of strong backs to move them so that I can paint more.

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The snow today put another crimp in the plans for the rink.  The snow will have to be removed before flooding can continue.

But, the ice underneath may not be strong enough to take the weight of someone pushing a shovel, let alone the Trillium Hill Zamboni.

I know that Sven is itching to try out his Barbara Ann Scott moves on the ice, but he'll have to wait.  Hey Sven, the pond is probably safe, and it's only 20 feet deep.  Maybe you should try that!

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Are the rest of you totally bored as I am, now that Trump isn't having his tantrums on national TV?  HGTV is not that exciting!

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Stay well.  

BAD LUCK

Today is my grandson Kyle's 30th birthday.  I haven't seen him for a while, but wish him well.

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An update on our Skip-Bo match.  After winning seven straight hands and being within a one card win of taking the match, Mardi let me win a hand.  She subsequently won the game 615 to 85, but I'm no longer depressed.......just frustrated.

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Headed for the greenhouse and ran afoul of the one person elevator rule.  It took seven elevators before I could get on.  Reminded me of the card game.

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The flooding of the rink is progressing.  Won't be long now.

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Stay well.  Don't play cards with your spouse.

A Mixed Bag

 Painted for a couple of hours again today.

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David has enhanced the deer feeding area by adding corn meal and molasses beside the salt lick.

Hopefully he'll have some visitors over the next few days.

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Mardi and I played five hands of Skip-Bo today.  I didn't win any.

The game is two thirds over and I'm skunked and depressed.

See you tomorrow.

Stay well.

Benches

 Our first order of business is to wish A.J. and Michelle Bullivant a happy anniversary.  All the best!

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Back to the greenhouse today to continue my painting.  Here are two benches that are done.

And eight more in progress.

But, surprise surprise!  David now advises that there are about 40 more to do.

And that's not all.  There are also more yet to arrive of these other benches that you can see in this picture.

Not to mention some stepped benches that haven't arrived yet.  Is it surprising that I'm yearning for the golf season to start?

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It's almost time to transplant some geraniums.  My golf buddy Sandro helped to plant these plugs and they're now rooted and ready for the next step.  Good work Sandro!

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On one of his recent walks, David found this stone.  Nice fossils!

Before heading out on a walk of my own with Jake I enjoyed a coffee break with David and Sue.  Then, back to the rink with Jake, I found that flooding is progressing, despite the fact that the hose needs a repair.

They'll be skating next week.

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Stay well.  Get your skates sharpened.

Governor General Bud

 Spent some more time painting but, otherwise, a quiet day.  While I was painting Mardi was baking butter tarts, and giving some away!  Monica pulled up to the front door to share some info and received some tarts.  Don't tell Al Knapp!

So, with nothing much else to report, I will bore you with a silly bit of what has been going on in my golf friends thread.

Al Knapp

The Federal government is looking for a new Governor General after Julie Payette "resigned" her post. She had the 

choice to either resign or be removed from office. When vetted for the position of Governor General, the government 

and Prime Minister Trudeau apparently did not check with Payette's two previous employers both of whom had 

complaints about Payette's treatment of her staff. Duh!!!

Payette resigned her post before a damning report of her conduct has been made public.

Bud, I think you should seriously consider applying for the job. You would make a great Governor General and I could 

be your assistant. Imagine the fun we could have on the taxpayers' dime. If you act quickly you could be sworn in 

before Trudeau approaches you and asks you to dissolve parliament.

Just a thought.

Barry Kopysh	21 Jan 2021, 22:24 (11 hours ago)
to Al, Allan, me, C, David, Gary, Mark, Matt, Ron, Ron, Sandro

That's a great idea Al. 

Bud would make an excellent Governor General and he could actually save the taxpayers money. With 

his handyman skills he could take on maintenance of Rideau Hall as one of his official duties. Only

 problem I can see is the drive to Monthill on Tuesday mornings during golf season.  I mean he'd have 

a chauffeur and all, but that would be one hell of a long day just so he could continue to be mesmerized 

by your putting skills.

cheers... 

Bud Craig <bud.craig1@gmail.com>	21 Jan 2021, 22:36 (11 hours ago)
to Barry, Al, Allan, C, David, Gary, Mark, Matt, Ron, Ron, Sandro

Doesn't a helicopter go with the job?

Ron King	21 Jan 2021, 22:47 (11 hours ago)
to me

I could probably arrange through my contacts at NavCan to arrange a direct flight from Ottawa to 

Monthill assuming they would arrange to have a heliport constructed in the parking lot....I could also 

possibly arrange to have Transport Canada expedite approval of  the landing  site.....question is, do 

you really want to have Snappy accompany you on the hour and a half flight from Rideau hall.....???

Bud Craig <bud.craig1@gmail.com>	09:52 (28 minutes ago)
to Allan, Barry, C, David, Gary, Mark, Matt, Ron, Sandro, Al, me, Ron

Good point Ron.  I'll have to think about that.  But, in the 

meantime, I'll check with David and see if a Trillium Hill Heliport 

is in his plans.

Al Knapp	09:56 (1 hour ago)
to me, Barry, Allan, C, David, Gary, Mark, Matt, Ron, Ron, Sandro

Barry, I would love to think that your last sentence was sincere but based on your past history I am 

inclined to think there may be a hint of sarcasm in your words. Furthermore my putting, although not that 

bad, should improve as I will have a lot of free time to practice with my new "job" and money will not be 

an issue.

Yes Bud I am sure the use of a helicopter is one of the many perks that comes with the "job". Now mind 

you it may not be a new helicopter. I understand the government still has a few Sea King helicopters in 

service, but not to worry, they are only 58 years old when compared to you are relatively young. You will 

likely be OK.

I think "we" should go for it. Serve a couple of years and retire with a healthy pension.

Make sure when being interviewed for the job that you stipulate that Al Knapp being hired is part of the 

deal. You remember, it's the same deal you worked out with Hank Kerr when you insisted that I move to 

your department when we computerized the order entry system.

Editor's note:  Hank Keur tricked me.

Having said that, Al and I were part of a great team 

at Dofasco that accomplished some good results.  So, 

yes Al, you can go to Ottawa with me.... just keep your 

hands off the helicopter controls!

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Stay well.  Keep a sense of humour.  Better days 

are ahead.

Barry Kopysh	21 Jan 2021, 22:24 (11 hours ago)
to Al, Allan, me, C, David, Gary, Mark, Matt, Ron, Ron, Sandro

That's a great idea Al. 

Bud would make an excellent Governor General and he could actually save the taxpayers money. With his handyman skills he could take on maintenance of Rideau Hall as one of his official duties. Only problem I can see is the drive to Monthill on Tuesday mornings during golf season.  I mean he'd have a chauffeur and all, but that would be one hell of a long day just so he could continue to be mesmerized by your putting skills.

cheers... 

Bud Craig <bud.craig1@gmail.com>	21 Jan 2021, 22:36 (11 hours ago)
to Barry, Al, Allan, C, David, Gary, Mark, Matt, Ron, Ron, Sandro

Doesn't a helicopter go with the job?

Ron King	21 Jan 2021, 22:47 (11 hours ago)
to me

I could probably arranged through my contacts at NavCan to arrange a direct flight from Ottawa to Monthill assuming they would arrange to have a heliport constructed in the parking lot....I could also possibly arrange to have Transport Canada expedite approval of  the landing  site.....question is, do you really want to have Snappy accompany you on the hour and a half flight from Rideau hall.....???

Sent from my iPad

On Jan 21, 2021, at 10:37 PM, Bud Craig <bud.craig1@gmail.com> wrote:

Bud Craig <bud.craig1@gmail.com>	09:52 (28 minutes ago)
to Allan, Barry, C, David, Gary, Mark, Matt, Ron, Sandro, Al, me, Ron

Good point Ron.  I'll have to think about that.  But, in the meantime, I'll check with David and see if a Trillium Hill Heliport is in his plans.