Heat and Golf

 I had a choice of two undesirable options today:

1 - Stay in the condo and listen to the incredible noise of the saws cutting balcony railings (you couldn't hear TV or talk to each other it was so loud).

2 - Go to the greenhouse and work in the heat and humidity.

I thought that represented a "Hobson's Choice", but upon checking Wikipedia, discovered that what I had instead was a "dilemma".

I chose to try to avoid both by heading to the greenhouse but not intending to work.  Cut a bit of grass, picked up a lot of plastic, and did a couple of other almost useful things before heading back home.

Thankfully, by then the noise was finished for the day.

Just scraping the patches this time around.  And painting.

Probably only a couple more months before we get our balcony back.  😢

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Meanwhile, Mardi golfed.  She had a decent game despite the heat and humidity.

Speaking of heat and golf (as in "hot golfer") Matt had a pretty special day.  On hole #9 at Willow Valley, an albatross - that's a hole in one on a par four!  And folks, that's not a blind squirrel result (maybe a blind gorilla).  That's a lifetime achievement moment.  Well done Matt!

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How many mass murders (four or more people) in the U.S. so far this year?

It's 220 and we're not half way through the year yet!   That's at least 880 people (but they sometimes number about a dozen so it's probably over 2,000 people lost).

If they included 3, 2, or 1 person shootings, total murders must be in the thousands!

But guns don't kill people.  Stupidity kills people.  The N.R.A. and their Republican friends are really stupid and it's their stupidity that allows this carnage to continue.

In Canada, old age kills people.  Not quite as gruesome, and more satisfying.

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Blue Jays won their sixth game in a row, a 6 - 5 victory over the White Sox.  A real nail biter, right up until the final pitch.

Stay well.

Ho Hum

 Golfed with the guys today.  Had a good front nine but my body quit me on the back nine.  Finished with 98.  Golfed my age after 2 shots on the 16th.

Better luck next week!

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No Jays game today.  

Stay well.

A Numbers Game

Michelle, Reggie and A.J. joined us for dinner today.  A nice visit and a great way to finish the week! 

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How many mass murders (four or more people) in the U.S. so far this year?

220!   That's at least 880 people (but they sometimes number about a dozen so it's probably over 2,000 people lost).

If they included 3, 2, or 1 person shootings, total murders must be in the thousands!

But guns don't kill people.  Stupidity kills people.  N.R.A. and their Republican friends are stupid it appears.

In Canada, old age kills people.  Just as gruesome, but more fun.

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In numbers almost as high, the Blue Jays beat the Angels 11-10 today.  Swept the series.  This year!

Stay well.

Go Jays

 Went to yard sales with the ladies this morning.  Lots of goodies for each of us.  My best was a Jobmate tree trimmer, still in the packaging, that retails for $50. that I got for $15.  That will help me stay off the ladder when I'm pruning the Pine trees up the driveway next month.

Then I got dropped off at the greenhouse.  Cut grass for about four hours before Mardi came back to pick me up.

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Blue Jays won 4 - 3 last night.

And tonight they won 6 - 5.  That's four straight wins.  This is the year!

Stay well.

Happy Birthday Jake

 Mardi and I played Southbrook today.  The rain forecast must have scared a lot of golfers because we had the course almost to ourselves.  But, no rain, no sun, just a pleasant 18C.

Matched my age after 16 holes and finished with a 95.  And won the match, but don't tell Mardi that I bragged about it.

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But the highlight of the day was attending Jake's 10th birthday party!

Mardi and I gave him some dog bones.  He promptly took one outside and buried it.

But he did open the squeaky toys he was given.

And he ate some steak.

He sang, but the videos that Mardi and I took were too big to download.  Darn!

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Blue Jays game tonight was only available on Apple TV, so we'll just watch the highlights tomorrow.

Stay well.

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Travel Planning

 Barry and Lillian attended Sugar Road at the Lighthouse Theatre.  His review:

"Bud & Mardi...  

Thanks for the inspiration to get out to see a play.  Had a wonderful lunch with Lil's sister and brother-in-law and their daughter at the Beach House, followed by a lot of laughs at the Lighthouse Theater. The play "Sugar Road" was a heartwarming hoot and the sleeping bag scene especially, gave us belly aching laughs.  Only thing is the whole place was packed with a bunch of grey haired old farts. Anyway, it was well worth the drive and the price of admission."

Barry, you should know that matinees are always filled with you old farts who need to get to bed early.  It's only us youngsters who can handle the late nights!

But, glad you enjoyed the show.  Matt and Maureen are heading that way as well.  Folks, it goes until June 5 in Port Dover, then heads to Port Colborne from June 8 - 19.

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After spending time on my hands and knees gardening yesterday, I decided to take today off.

We entertained the twins for dinner and then helped them plan their North American tour.  They're leaving in about three weeks.

It was fun working out the planned route with them.  The triangle corners will be Vancouver, San Diego and Grimsby.  Should be lots of fun and adventure.  It's a genetic thing!

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 Blue Jays 6 - Angels 3.  A late game due to the time zone difference. 

Stay well.

Optimist NIght

 The flock has grown!  Today I counted 22 Canada Geese by the pond.  I may have trouble avoiding their nests!

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Optimist meeting tonight.  One of our members showed off her work of art.

A lot of hours of work!

Our guest speaker this evening was from TEAD, the group that uses horses to help physically and mentally handicapped folks.  Very inspiring!

We made a donation.  They are also looking for volunteers (ever mucked out a stall?).

They're planning a barn dance for later in the year.  If my leg works by then we'll be going.

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Keep on living the dream!

And stay well.

Hip Hip Hooray

Best wishes to Ed Strecker, who had his hip operation today and is doing fine.  He had a long wait to get to this point because of Covid and a sick doctor - his operation was cancelled and rescheduled twice.  Glad your days of pain will be coming to an end my friend.

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One of my jobs today was to put a message on the sign.  You are among the first to know:

Cut grass out by the rink and discovered another Killdeer nest.  Right in the road that the tractor uses all the time.

So I placed a bag of soil next to it so that the nest will be noticed and won't get run over.

Mama wasn't happy while I was there.  She put on her death act for me, flapping away like crazy.

The next wildlife sighting was this tranquil scene.

About a dozen geese have settled in this pond.  Fine for now, but when they build their nests and lay their eggs, the male geese will turn into maniacs when you approach.  Ewen was attacked when he was younger, returning up the driveway from school, getting pecked on the head by a gander protecting a nest beside the greenhouse.  

He'll be safe now though because he'll be in the tractor with the cab.  But the mower and I were attacked a couple of years ago and that will be something I'll try to avoid when I'm cutting grass back there next month - no cab for protection, just a cane.

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Blue Jays 8 - St. Louis 1.  That's more like it!

Stay well.
 

Happy Victoria Day

 Had a short safety talk with two of the young staffers at the garden centre this morning over a trip hazard.  Old people, including one legged parking attendants, might take a header.  They got right to it and straightened the hoses.

But the person who really needed a safety talk was the idiot who threw this out his window when he drove up the driveway.

That's the third beer can, in approximately the same location, that I've picked up in the past week.  Different label each time so it may be three idiots we're dealing with.

Mardi and I spent over 5 hours there today.  Mardi was inside cleaning baskets while I guided cars, moved broken bags of soil, raked grass cuttings and cut grass.  A beautiful day to be outside.

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St. Louis Cardinals 7 - Blue Jays 3.  Tied going into the 10th inning, but Cardinals hit a grand slam to win the game.

Stay well.

A Bird's Life

 Managed an hour's work at the greenhouse before the rain set in.  There are no parking issues when it rains.  So, I then had a chance to chat with the twins about their upcoming North American tour.  More on that when we have their trip mapped out.

But, while working, I did find a new Killdeer nest under the Smokebush along the front hill.

Mom gave me what for when I approached!

That makes five nests we've found this year, which is a typical number.  They usually lay their eggs on the gravel somewhere, which leaves them at risk from traffic or equipment.  But this one is safe - I won't be weeding this garden until the chicks have hatched.

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Cincinnati 3 - Blue Jays 2.  Bummer!

Keep breathing.  Stay well.

Go Jays Go

 Did the usual Saturday morning yard sale shop with the ladies.  I didn't score, but Mardi got 7 Ikea folding boxes for a total of $5.  They normally sell for about $15 each so she saved $100.  A good day! 

Then McDonald's for brunch and on to the greenhouse.  Helped folks find parking until the rain started.  Then headed home.

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Last night while we were at the theatre, Blue Jays beat the Cincinnati Reds 2 - 1.  This afternoon they won 3 - 1.  Tomorrow they'll sweep the series.  This year!

Stay well.

Sugar Road

 I've got a busy three days of parking attendant/greeter/gardener coming up so I gave my leg the day off.

Besides, we had a busy evening planned.  Joined Steve, Bonnie, Greg and Diane at the Fisherman's Catch in Port Dover for dinner.  Perch for everyone except Dorsal (me) who had Pickerel.  Food and service were excellent.

Following dinner Steve, Bonnie, Mardi and I headed up the street to the Lighthouse Theatre to see a presentation of "Sugar Road".  It had to be the funniest show I've ever seen.  Verbal and physical comedy throughout.

The show carries on to June 4 and there were empty seats tonight so tickets should be available.  Barbara and Jo-Ann, if the show comes to Ottawa you have to get to see it, especially if Sarah Quick is playing the part of Caroline Dawn.  She is priceless!  Whoever goes, be sure to wear your Depends - you'll pee your pants laughing.

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Keep laughing.  And stay well.

Wildlife

 On the way to the greenhouse we saw a wild turkey crossing the road.

That was the easy part.  It couldn't seem to figure out how to get over the fence.

It was still there when we came back two hours later.

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While cutting the back field, I saw lots of field mice scurrying to get out of the way of the mower.  Thought to myself that it was time for the coyotes to show up for a feast.  Just a few minutes later, I saw a pair of them and managed to get a picture of this one.

It's a good thing that Jake was at the greenhouse.  He's brave, but at age ten he's no match for a pair of coyotes.  He's already lost half of his tail in a previous encounter.

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Speaking of wild life, today is Sue's and David's wedding anniversary.  Thirty-two years!  Sue, I'm sure that the medal is in the mail!

Unfortunately, the pictures of their wedding, taken in our garden, were part of my divorce losses.  I still have the scene in my head - but maybe someone could post a copy of that picture😍.

May the two of you have many more years of wedded bliss!

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Blue Jays have an off day, so no loss today.

Stay well.

A Quiet Day

 Cut grass for a couple of hours this morning.  Said hi to Sven and Helga who were in picking up some Boston Ferns.  

I would like to thank all of my friends for their Fern purchases.  I know you will enjoy them 'till the snow flies.

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Van was just down to a quarter tank today so it only cost me $112 to fill up.

Fight Ukraine, fight!

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Seattle 5 - Blue Jays 1.  This year?😡

Stay well.

The Republic of Canada

 My athletic endeavour today was to attempt to golf at Willow Valley (aka Willow Grove per Sven).  The hills eventually proved too much for me.  I played the first eleven holes, then the two par threes on the second nine........ and the last hole, simply because my score at that point was less than my age.  Finished with 83 for 14 holes.

Dog Meats are the reason that I played the par threes.  On the one in this picture, all four of us hit the green, which is a rarity.

But Matt was closest, and he parred the hole, so he won the Dog Meat.  The second rarity was that he also won two others.  So Sven won four last week and Matt three this week.  Ron and I are simply donators at this point.

I won't be playing Willow Valley again until I regain the use of both legs.  Too many hills.

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So.............Prince Charles and Camilla are visiting Canada.  From what I have read, the environmentalists are interested.  Does anyone else care?  

Seems to me that Harry is one of the few "Royals" who has human blood running in his veins.

So, when Queen Elizabeth dies, I think we should become a republic and change Mary Simon's title from Governor General to Turtle Island Canada Chief, with the same honourary duties as she has now, and ditch the Brits.  That might bring us a step closer to reconciliation as well.  Worth thinking about.

Polite commentary is welcome.

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Blue Jays 3 - Mariners 0.  This year!

Stay well.

Sports Forecasting

 Yesterday the question, today the answer.

Sorry, we don't have exclamation marks in stock.

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While I was briefly at the greenhouse (it was raining this morning after all) I searched out some San Marzano tomato plants for niece Robin.  Then did a "Door Dash" delivery to Judy in Stoney Creek (the gas surcharge for Port Perry would have been scary!).

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Blue Jays 6 - Mariners 2.  This year?  This year!

Stay well.

Parking Is An Art

 David asked me to change the sign.  So here it is.

I last saw the Leafs win the Stanley Cup when I was 30 years old!  Anyone born after 1967 may never get to see them do it!  Sad isn't it?

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Got to the greenhouse at 9:45 and chaos had already set in.  Abandoned cars all over the lot!

The front row..........

And the middle section........

We'd be lucky to get three lines of parking this way.  So, I parked my van at the end of the front line and encouraged the next arrivals to copy me.

That just took a few minutes to sort out.  Then it was time for the middle section.  This took a little longer.  Once again, I used my van as an example.

The trick this time was to keep them from parking three deep in the middle and trapping another shopper's car!

It took an hour to sort this one out totally, but we finally made it.  That's my van again, parked at the end of the third row this time.

A bit of a challenge, especially when one customer advised Sarah-Jean that he was fine with parking his car partially blocking the driveway (and he didn't buy anything).  But we got through it.

And there were highlights!  Al Knapp tipped me a quarter.  And a lady named Tara dropped off a dozen home cooked cookies for the staff.

And Steve and Bonnie showed up and, before loading their car with plants, took Mardi and me to the Vietnamese restaurant "Langs" on the Grimsby waterfront.  Excellent food!  And the "Tiger" beer was pretty good too.

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Blue Jays must have been depressed by the Leafs loss.  They threw in the towel losing 3 - 0 to the Rays today.

Sending this early so that you'll be reminded to watch the Lunar Eclipse at about 9:30 p.m.

Keep breathing.  Stay well.

Trillium Hill Greeter

 Headed out for the weekly yard sale adventure with two of the ladies I love.  Came up with a couple of significant finds: a new Betty Crocker coffee maker for $5 and a small rocking horse for my great granddaughter Rowan.

Behind them is David's sign message for the day.

The leafs at the greenhouse paid attention to the message, but the Leafs in Tampa Bay didn't.  Despite a valiant effort they're now 19 years without a playoff series win.

But the other Canadian team playing a Tampa Bay team managed to shake off a bad week and came up with a 5 - 1 victory over the Rays.

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I spent about three hours directing traffic and greeting folks at the greenhouse.  They're all polite and friendly when I'm there and it's a very satisfying time and we chat, wave and thank each other, but if I leave them on their own for a bit they become impatient and start beeping.  Human beings are interesting animals when they're sitting in their cars!

But, it was a worthwhile and enjoyable endeavour.  More cars are fitted into the parking area more quickly and efficiently.  Nobody went away mad due to a parking situation.

Customers love being at the greenhouse and appreciate the assistance and most returned my wave as they left.  Lots of good back and forth - they seem to enjoy watching the old guy wave them around with his cane.  And David sells a lot more product as a result.

I'll be back at it tomorrow.

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Stay well.  Shorts weather now.

Friday the 13th

 While cutting the grass yesterday, I came up to about five broken bags of soil that had been put there, which often happens.  Stopped to move them and on the final bag my leg gave out and I ended (slowly, in graceful stages) on my backside.

So, the knee is a bit more sore today and I'm taking the day off.

Sean, could you please ask Jaimie to instruct the staff that any broken bags should be placed on the mulched gardens?   That way I can cut the grass more efficiently and I can deal with the broken bags at a more convenient time.  Thanks!

I use the broken bags of soil to fill in low spots on the lawns, such as the one the mower got stuck in yesterday.

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The Wordle of the day was "tipsy".  Almost everyone got it quite easily, which should tell you something!

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For the second year in a row, a motorcycle fatality in Port Dover on Friday the 13th.

Blue Jays dropped their fifth game in a row.  Tampa Bay 5 - Jays 2.

Stay well.

Boston Ferns

 Cut grass for three hours today.  Although the ground looked mostly dry, I got the mower stuck.

Ewen had to pull me out with the tractor.

But the good news is that the weather forecast looks great for the Boston Fern fans.  In fact, Barry stopped by and picked his up today.

. He made some comments on the Wordle thread: 

"Made the drive from Cambridge to Trillium Hill Greenhouses in Grimsby to get our Ferns. Found 4 beauties. 

All the ferns are beautiful and healthy but these seemed even more so. Not sure what it means, but these beauties had handwritten tags on them with "M. Mag." 

Also stopped at Nardini's in Stoney Creek to pick up some of the best mild and hot Italian sausage found anywhere in Southern Ontario"

Thanks Barry.  It was nice for David, Mardi and me to have some time to chat with you and get up-to-date today.

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Watched the Leafs game tonight, the first time in years that I've bothered to watch an NHL hockey game.  I got frustrated when it turned into Roller Derby hockey and quit watching when Bobby Orr retired.  Just watched parts of some of Gretzky's games after that.

With 1:56 left in tonight's overtime, the Tampa Bay Lightning scored to make it 4 - 3 and tie the series at 3 games apiece.  Toronto hasn't won a playoff series in 18 years.  They've got one more game to try to do it this year.

Then, they have to deal with their 55 year Stanley Cup drought.  Haven't won since Canada's centennial year!  Good luck with that.

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Stay well.

Day Off

 A bit achy this morning so I decided to take the day off.  Blue Jays playing in the afternoon influenced that decision.

But they lost again to the Yankees 3 - 5.  They're heading to Tampa tonight and have tomorrow off.  Maybe they'll get inspired if there's a Make Believe win 😏😏😏.  Look for Jays in the audience.

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Mardi and I did a bit of painting so today wasn't completely lost.

And we bought spray cans for special projects.  Hers is "Fire Red" and it will be used to paint a hat to match her car.

Just about as silly, I bought "Wild Raspberry" to paint my yard sale cane to match my van.

At our age we have to get our kicks where we can find them!  To be continued.

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Stay well.

World Record

 Came up a bit more sore this morning after yesterday's golf game.  But still mobile, so I headed to the greenhouse.  Replaced a leaking valve and then spent about three hours on the fork lift moving skids of dirt in order to expand the parking area.

A bit more sore after that, but we're pressing on.

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Our golf group that got displaced when MontHill went private, has been playing at Cambridge on Mondays.  Some of the guys who can play two days in a row have tried Willow Valley on Tuesdays.

Today, Gary Parker (some of you will know him as Sven, Andy, Ned or Fudd) managed to win Dog Meats on four of the five par threes.  A world record according to Matt, who apparently won the fifth Dog Meat of the day.

Congrats to the champ!

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Blue Jays lost a difficult game to the Yankees 6 - 5.

Stay well.

Rehab Assignment

 Golfed today.  The first time since we got home from Florida.  Didn't know what to expect with my leg issue.  Figured that if I just played the first hole, and then the par 3's, I would be satisfied.

Managed to complete the round!  And as I finish my second drink I'm hurting but optimistic.   Finished with a 98, which is better than I scored in Florida in February!  Mardi is out right now, but I can hear her saying "I told you if you swung easy it would be OK!"

We play for "Dog Meats" on the par threes.  You have to drive the green, be closest to the pin, and par the hole.  On the 15th hole I drove the green, fairly close to the hole, and I had been putting well all day.  So, I stepped up, but stubbed my first attempt and three putted.  Crap!

I'll know better tomorrow what price my body will pay for today.  But, it felt good to get out again with my buddies.  I'm hoping that next week will also go well.

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To complete my sport activity, I got Wordle in 2 and Canuckle in 3.

No Blue Jays game today.  Tomorrow they're back in the Bronx.

Stay well.

Mothers' Day

Happy Mothers' Day to all the ladies on the list.  Hope that you have had a great day.

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Headed to the greenhouse.  Cut some grass and finished cleaning up a garden, but spent most of my time being a parking "choreographer".  Helping people park in a wide open space requires imagination, patience, some chatting and a smile.  And I think my cane generated some sympathy and cooperation.

As a guide to folks regarding which direction to face and how far into the imagined parking spot they should move, I parked my van in the lot and moved it three times.  Lots of times it was ignored - they parked where they wanted.  But overall time was saved and it made their experience more enjoyable.  And nobody turned away, which would have happened if the parking was left haphazard.  They all saved time.

Gave everybody a smile and a wave when they left.

My biggest problem was a charming lady who asked me to take her picture and blocked the driveway while it happened😀

Fell in love all over again😍.  

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Blue Jays lost to Cleveland again, 3 - 4.

It took me five tries to solve Wordle, but just three for Canukle.

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Stay well.

The Dream

Headed out with Judy and Mardi for a yard sale excursion.  I hit the jackpot!  Picked up some fire extinguishers for the greenhouse.

I checked online and the big 20 pounder retails for $165.  The 5 pounders are $41 each.  I got the three of them for a total of $15.  And they're all fully charged.

And I got a cane for $5.  Gonna change my name to Chester (the young folks won't make the connection to Gunsmoke) since I'm limping like him these days.

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Headed to the greenhouse after our shopping.  Mardi got busy watering and deadheading.

Lots of colour in the greenhouse.  Great place to spend time.

But I didn't do any work.  Just tried out the cane.  Headed back on the property, but called it quits when I came to the ditch.  Still pretty wet back there.

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Leafs won last night after I posted.  Well done.

Blue Jays split a doubleheader with Cleveland today.  Won 8 - 3 and lost 2 - 8.

What a day!  Wordle in three tries.  Yard Sale bargains.  Spent time with my sister.  Learned to walk with a cane.  Watched two Blue Jays games.  Lost at Skip-Bo so Mardi still loves me.  Living the dream!

Stay well.
 

Confused

 I am really frustrated/angry/saddened by the way that our flag is being used today.  Now, it seems to have come to symbolize the "freedom convoy" and when I see a car drive by with the flag flying I have to wonder - are they being patriotic (in the way that most of us interpret that word) or are they simply being anti-vax assholes?  The answer is easier if it's a big flag on a pickup truck!

Flags on poles are still OK.  But, it's a terrible thing when you have to hold back on putting a flag on your car in case you are profiled as an idiot terrorist.

July 1st should be interesting.  I'm guessing that the protesters will try to dominate the conversation that day with their flags flying "proudly".

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And I'm equally confused by a CBC article:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/monuments-sir-john-a-macdonald-indigenous-history-1.6441371

It identifies the Augustus Jones monument in Stoney Creek (King Street parkette near New Mountain Road) as "problematic" to the Indigenous people.

Jones was a Surveyor who surveyed most of Southern Ontario which would probably antagonize the native people.  But, when I read his biography it outlined that he was a friend of Joseph Brant (who owned slaves, but that's another story).  He married the daughters of two Indigenous chiefs (at the same time unfortunately - polygamy was an option in those days), and was fluent in the Ojibway and Mohawk languages.  His life was integrated with the Indigenous people and his barn was burned because he was investigating the murder of three natives.

Maybe my historian daughter Jo-Ann can shed some light on this for me.

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Made just a cameo appearance at the greenhouse today - my leg kept giving out.  Moved some carts around (they gave me something to hang onto) and then headed home.

Hey fellas.  Mother's Day is Sunday and Trillium Hill only has a few thousand hanging baskets left.

This is just a sampling, but don't leave it too late!

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Blue Jays were rained out.  I wish that had happened to our Wordle challenge a couple of times this week.  I'm not doing well.

Stay calm.  Keep breathing.

Losers

 CIBC Mastercard update:  I checked the activity details on my bank account and it turns out that CIBC did NOT return my payment as they said they did.  I'm guessing that all that they really did was reverse the phantom payment that showed erroneously.  If so, hopefully😟, everything is back on track.

To be continued.

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Mardi and I spent a couple of hours at the greenhouse today.  She was making up some really nice planters.  

I cut grass.  Some areas were pretty soggy and a few spots had to be avoided.  Based on the forecast I should be able to catch them up by the weekend.

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Cleveland Guardians (formerly the Indians)| beat the Jays 6 - 5.

I kept them company.  I couldn't figure out the Wordle answer today.  We'll both do better tomorrow.

Stay well.

Dull Day

 Rain in the forecast so I stayed home.  Not much rain - wasted the day.  Spent an hour on the phone listening to Visa music waiting to order a replacement card.  It helped to fill in the time.

Blue Jays beat the Yankees 2 - 1.  Another high pressure game.

As I write this the Make Believes are losing to Tampa 5 - 2.  

Stay well.

Mastercard Fiasco

 After some nagging from you know who, I finally visited the doctor today.  His diagnosis:  a torn thigh muscle.  Several weeks and it should be workable again.  I still think it's more likely nerve damage, but either way it will take time.

At least it will give me an excuse for poor golf scores for a while.

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Has any other Costco customer had problems with the Capital One/CIBC Mastercard handover?  I've just about had it with them!

Shortly after CIBC took over the Costco account I received a phone  call from a rep.  Gave him all the information needed for automatic payment of the account.  First payment was to come out April 12.

On April 14 I tried to use the credit card and it was declined.  Checked on their automated phone system and it said the payment had gone through and I had my healthy credit limit restored - "healthy credit limit" might be an oxymoron, but I digress.

Tried the card again - same result.  Then I got my TD bank statement and, sure enough, the payment had NOT gone through.

Talked to another Mastercard rep and she couldn't make head nor tail of what had happened.  The payment showed, but the amount wasn't applied.  Once again, I gave the information for automatic payment.  She said that the next payment would be taken out on, or about, the 13th of May.

Then I went to my TD branch and gave them the sad story and they put the first payment through.  The credit card started working again.

Today, I got a letter from CIBC Credit Card Services (another oxymoron) that said since they didn't have authorization for Auto Pay they had reversed the payment and given me my money back!

The letter also said that "we have enclosed a copy of your original Authorization form, a self addressed envelope and a new Auto Pay Service Authorization form".  But they didn't - the letter was all that I got!

So, I went to a CIBC branch and talked to one of their people.  He called the Mastercard line and was put on hold.  He promised to call me when he got a response.

I did receive a message back from him later, that a representative in Fredericton would be in contact.  That was earlier this afternoon and "Raj" called at about 6 p.m.  Based on the conversation and emails she sent it would appear that we may be on track.  Next payment will come out May 13.  She asked that I keep paying manually in the meantime and I responded that I would not be doing that.  I've tried to pay them and it didn't work - it's up to them now.

As Ron King would say - "sheesh".  There are other words that I could use but this is a family blog.

To be continued.

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Went to the bathroom barber shop this afternoon for a trim.  Cutest barber in the shop - and even though she does nag at times I do love her (I have to say that in case the scissors slip).

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Blue Jays got blown away by the Yankees, losing 1 - 9,  First time this year that they have lost two in a row, and the first series they will lose, having dropped two of the scheduled three games versus the Yankees.

Better times are coming.  Stay well.

Sports Day

 The team, including Jake, sang Happy Birthday to David.  I thought that I got a video this time, but total failure.  Damn!

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While I was there I did a repair on a greenhouse door, cut some grass and worked on a garden.  I was playing hookey from golf.

The golf league started today and because of the rain we had and the forecast for today, plus cart path only rule, I sat this one out.  But seven guys made the effort and they enjoyed the return to outdoor sports and the fellowship of good friends.  Hopefully, next week I will join them.

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Blue Jays lost to the Yankees 3-2.

But the Make Believes won their first playoff game 5 - 0.  Is this the year?  Take a deep breath.

Stay well.

Party Day

 Rain today so no outside work.  But we had a couple of other diversions to make the day enjoyable.

We met Rada and John for brunch at The 50's Diner.

Got caught up on their new granddaughter's pictures and talked golf, etc.

John is a bit of a philosopher and regularly shares his wisdom.  Today's jewel was "Men are like linoleum.  If you lay them right the first time you can walk on them forever."

He's also a wait staff harasser.  We are amazed that he hasn't done jail time as the rest of us would if we copied his antics.  Instead, they all seem to love him.

A very pretty young lady with a great sense of humour.  She helped to make brunch very enjoyable.

We're looking forward to our next visit at the Diner.

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The other event of the day was a pre-birthday get-together for David, who will turn 62 tomorrow (but he tells everyone that he is 65 so they will tell him how good he looks for his age😏).

We all sang Happy Birthday, including Jake, who has a real knack for holding a tune.

I should have made a video!

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Blue Jays 3 - Astros 2.  Another one run victory!  Gausman gave a Cy Young pitching performance and Romero made another save.  Fantastic!

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Keep breathing.  And smiling.