Family Ties

 Birthday greetings to my friend Ron Leach today.  And, in case that I don't post tomorrow, birthday greetings to my younger friend Calvin Wong who is a junior at just 77.

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I had coffee today with "the kids", Bassman and Squirt, at a Tim Hortons in Ancaster.

I was a couple of months shy of my 15th birthday when our Dad died.  Roger was 2 and Judy was still in the womb.

I had three part-time jobs after that and started full time employment when I was 17, so our relationship was not really a normal brothers and sister one.  It was something different, and in the end, special.  Roger later wrote a song titled "My father, my brother, my friend" which brought me to tears when Fishguts and Dave Jewett played it for me.

So today was a bit of a nostalgia trip, and a very enjoyable one at that.  Brought back lots of memories (once we were able to remember the names of those we were remembering).  A very nice day!

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Sadder news comes from the baseball world, as the Blue Jays continue their mediocre quest to make the playoffs.  Not going to happen!  Their pitchers are worn out, their hitters are mostly absent, and they're starting to make some careless errors.  Hard to watch.

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Our Prime Minister should have been a ball player because he's hitting them out of the park!  Quite a performance compared to that of the King of the Americas.

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Mother Nature and Father Time

 

Yesterday, while cutting the grass behind the greenhouse I came up to this hawk.  I got to within about 40 feet with the mower going and it didn't flinch.  So I shut it down and watched the bird finish its meal.  Mother Nature is really special!

Then it was time to head home for the Shoreliner BBQ.  Lots of folks attending.

First, the food lineup.

Seems to be a lot of really old people.  I don't understand.

They had a three man band, and Mardi and I even got up and danced (no pictures, don't want you to laugh).

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Today was a lot of fun as well, thanks to Father Time!  Because today we headed to Burlington to help Jim Maguire celebrate his entrance into the Old Boys Club as he turns 80.

This picture was showing when I looked at the screen.

And I was impressed with myself when I got to within 40 feet of the hawk!  If you've seen Jim's bird photos you've seen the very best!

A good friend!  All the best Jim!

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Some History Topics

This month, back in 2000, brother Roger and I delivered a truckload of plants to Brooklyn for David.  While we were there we took a tour of New York City which included a visit to the top floor of one of the World Trade Centre towers.  A year later that tower ceased to exist.  A sobering memory.

This morning I watched CNN's presentation regarding 9/11.  It was well done.  Very moving.  

Canada sent help to the U.S. during that nightmare time.  And as a result of that terrible event, Canada also sent over 40,000 troops to Afghanistan, including Mardi's son Greg.  Over 400 of those folks never returned.

It's hard to put up with the current Republican trade tantrum with that history in mind!

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During the three days of the Winona Peach Festival I dropped off the four volunteers from the Shoreliner - Mardi, Pat, Carol and Ada, and then headed to the greenhouse for my gardening gig.  Their shifts were six hours, mine two or three, determined by when my body told me to quit.

So, during the waiting time I dug out a book that I had previously read, "Saskatunes and Gopher Tales" that Al Knapp's mother Eva had written, about her experiences in a family of pioneers creating a life from scratch in Saskatchewan.

It's an enjoyable read which includes the highlights and challenges, the ancient recipes, all that those incredible families went through.  Inspiring stuff!  If any of you would be interested I'm prepared to lend it out.

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Played my first game of golf in about a month yesterday.  Not great, but better than I had been doing a month ago.  We played a scramble, so I don't have a score to whine over.  We'll see how things progress on Monday at Cambridge Golf.

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Mardi headed to St. Mary's yesterday morning for a golf tournament with her friends, including Kathy Gruhl who is visiting from P.E.I.  So, I've been a bachelor for over 24 hours 😐.  She's back and I'm still alive - will wonders never cease!

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The Blue Jays took another step toward 2026 oblivion, losing their fourth game in the last five.  It's still possible for them to make the playoffs, but not if they play the way they've been playing.

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Gardens and Grudges

 Spent a couple of hours at the greenhouse today before the humidity drove me home.  Moved a bit of sod, weeded five gardens, and watered the things that I have planted or moved.  Met my targets for the day. despite the weather conditions.

While I was doing that, Greg and his partner took Mardi to the Tiger-Cats/Argos Labour Day matchup where she met a new friend.

Why didn't I go you ask?  Well, let me tell you.  Back in 1972, Chuck Ealey won the Grey Cup for Hamilton.  A great quarterback, but Hamilton traded him in 1974.  So, I didn't renew my season's tickets and I haven't followed the CFL since.

And when Bobby Orr retired, I stopped watching the NHL.   

Do I hold a grudge?  I don't think so - I still watch the Blue Jays even though they traded Hall of Famer Roy Halladay.

And speaking of the Jays, they start their game at 10 p.m. EST tonight so I'll be watching that tomorrow on Blue Jays in 30.

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Elbows up.  Stay well.

War and Peace

 I cut the grass yesterday and worked in the gardens today.  The Swallows have left for the year, but the Killdeer are still here...

...and they don't care how close I get these days.  The kids are grown and almost ready for the flight south.

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David has had the plastic replaced on the greenhouse, a task that is required every few years.  

He has offered the old plastic to the public and today I saw two couples taking advantage of that offer.  Maybe they're going to build a backyard rink.  Lots of old plastic sheeting left if you're interested.

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I totally agree with the folks who want the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Peter Hoegstra, to be declared persona non grata (not welcome in Canada).  He's an arrogant Trump surrogate, part of the Republican plot to take over Canada.

But I also agree with the folks of Newfoundland and Labrador who have invited him to the 9/11 commemoration.  If he has the courage to attend it will be all over the U.S. T.V. networks.  And reminding the Americans of what the Newfoundland folk managed to do in those fraught days may change some minds about what is going on today in our relationship.  And if he doesn't have the courage to attend, that will tell them something as well.

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Greg came to town to speak to the Limeridge Legion about his 36 years of service, inclluding his army time in Cambodia and his air force time in Afghanistan.  He's staying with us over the holiday weekend.  Nice to have him visit.

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Blue Jays lost today leaving them one game short of the playoffs.  But they still have time to get there.  Fingers crossed!

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Cactus and Clowns

The threat and eventual reality of rain kept me away from the greenhouse for the past few days.  So, with a few hours of sun before more rain and thunderstorm threats, I needed to cut the grass today.  Three hours under a high U.V. ray sun, but we're good to go for another three or four days.

When we talk about climate change we think of a warming world and milder winters.  But, August used to be hot and dry.  With climate change it's no longer as hot in August but really wet.  When was the last year that you saw your grass brown in August?

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New lesson learned: when you're on your hands and knees weeding in the garden, remember where the cactus is.  Apparently, I didn't remove all of the barbed hairs.

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Canada would come back to the table due to its dependence on the U.S. for security.  But who is threatening us?  Russia is busy with the Ukraine.  The U.S. is the only country trying to take us over.  Seems to me that we have to depend on the European Union for security against our hostile "friend".  Hopefully, Europe would remember our sacrifices on their behalf in the two world wars.

Which makes it all the more important that Canada purchase Gripen jets from Sweden (which would be made in Canada) rather than F-35 jets from the U.S. which could later be remotely disabled by the U.S. if they wanted to.  Why buy jet fighters that would be useless against our invaders?

What a clown!

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My love and I decided to eat out.  Chuck's Roadhouse and a delicious, reasonably priced filet mignon dinner, with a glass of wine of course, made my day.  Mardi chose Honey Siracha Sizzler Chicken which was also delicious.

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Jays lost, maybe the beginning of the end.

Elbows up.  Stay well.

 

Life and Memories

 I dropped the ladies off at the Peach Festival again today. Ada, Pat and Mardi were joined by Carol this time.  Their conversation revolved mostly about Lake Ontario (America).  CNN figures that most of the U.S. folks (all except the Republican political class who are afraid of Trump) agree with Canadians about the name change.

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At the greenhouse I cut grass for about three hours.  Rain in the forecast for the next few days gave me little choice, but it was needed anyway.  

Then I drove to Wendy's for my Junior Bacon Cheeseburg and coffee which I took to the Forty Creek park.  It is a pretty place!

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Did some sod moving until Mardi called for their pickup and got home in time for the Blue Jays game.

They had a marvelous ceremony honouring former catcher, manager and announcer Buck Martinez before the game.

He still has a good head of hair, which his fans certainly admire.

The ceremony brought back a wonderful memory.  We had booked a room in the Skydome Hotel for our mom for her birthday and her cousin joined her, so they could watch the game and enjoy each other's company for a day.

I was on the elevator with mom when the door opened and in walked Buck.  Mom gasped "Buck Martinez" and he smiled and acknowledged her greeting.  A special moment for her and for us.

And tonight the Jays won again.  Nice!

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Victory and Peace

 My first duty this morning was to drive Mardi, Pat and Ada to the Winona Peach Festival.  They are volunteering in the Optimist booth.

Then it was off to the greenhouse for some digging, a bit of grass cutting and moving a bit of sod.  The highlight was the weeding and trimming of the Trillium Hill logo garden.

The two male Yew bushes that make up the H are full, but the female T with the berries is still a bit thin.  But at least you can tell what is intended.

When I stopped for lunch I headed to Wendy's for my usual - Junior Bacon Cheeseburg, Fries and a Senior Coffee, which I took to the Grimsby Peace Garden.

Sat there with a beautiful view of Lake ONTARIO while I ate my lunch.

You know, it seems to me that Canada's portion of Lake Ontario is larger than the U.S. portion, so if anyone has a right to name it then Canada does.

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The Peace Garden is where the U.S. troops fled to when they were chased out of Stoney Creek on June 6, 1813.

Two days later, on June 8, the 3,600 U.S. troops who had fled the 700 British and Canadia troops in Stoney Creek, having been joined by another 400, were fired on by two schooners on Lake Ontario and by a few native warriors who fired on them from the escarpment.  Once again they panicked, left their tents, muskets, flour and wounded compatriots behind and headed for Fort George.  Brave stuff!

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Blue Jays won.

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Petulance and Insecurity

Spent a couple of hours digging in the gardens today, but that's not worth talking about.  

How about this?   So, the petulant octogenarian has renamed Lake Ontario (he thinks).  We'll ignore it - who cares?

And Howard Lutnick (the guy who sabotaged the tariff negotiations) is now saying that if they are not allowed to put Trump's name on the Kennedy Centre they may have to tear it down.   Really?

How insecure do you have to be to need your name on everything?

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But you have to have some sympathy for Donald Trump(f).  He is descended from grandfather Friedrich Trumpf, a German draft dodger who ran brothels in Seattle, Washington and in Dawson and Whitehorse, Yukon during the golf rush.  He also made many illegal property deals, as did his son in New York.  So draft dodger grandson Donald's sleazy criminality might be generic - not his fault.

Trump(f) admires autocratic leaders like Putin and Kim Jong Un, and seems to be attempting to emulate guys like Hitler and Stalin with his attempts to take over North and South America (and Greenland).

Make no mistake. we are not just in a trade war.  This is their attempt to destroy our economy and take us over.  His MAGA billionaire buddies are unwavering is this quest.

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OK, let's lighten up a bit.  This cartoon was forwarded to me - thanks Carol.

And there has been another name change!  The Blue Jays are now the Boo Jays.  Sad outcome.

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Vote!

 Not much news today.  I spent a couple of hours gardening before my body complained about the heat.

But Mardi and I did a good thing today.  Voted in the advance poll for the Ontario election.  Cast our ballots for Jeff Beattie because he's done a good job as councillor plus he's running for the right party.

I consider us lucky right now because we have Progressive Conservatives running Ontario, and as long as Carney stays in power we effectively have a Progressive Conservative party federally.  The disastrous left wing Trudeaus are history thankfully.

In any event, make sure that you vote.  Pick a person that you think is right for the times we are facing - we need strong representation in the current environment.

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Jays won today.  It's not over yet.

Elbows up.  Stay well.

LakeAmerica

 Lake America.  Sounds like something a ten year would suggest.  Although I suppose a petulant octogenarian might fit the mould too (I should know, from experience).

If he does make the change we'll ignore it, but we could get even.  Ontario has a Trump Lake which we could rename Lake Kiss My Ass (I told you I was experienced).

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The Blue Jays lost again tonight.  Makes their chances of hitting the playoffs pretty slim.  Too bad - it would have been fun knowing that Trump had to watch a Canadian team win the World Series!

Elbows up.  Stay well.

Canada United - Elbows Up

 Special birthday wishes to Al as he achieves 80 years.  Birthday wishes to Grant Maclean as well, but he's much younger.

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I got back in the saddle today, cutting grass.  And the swallows have not yet returned to Capistrano so I got to play the Pied Piper as they swooped around me while the mower stirred up insects for them.  What an enjoyable time!

Tomorrow I start my weeding duties.  It's amazing how big the weeds can get in just two weeks!

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Former U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence was interviewed from the Ukraine yesterday morning by CNN.  He praised the Ukrainians for their resolve and determination to succeed in their war with Russia.

Seems to me that resolve and determination can be attributed to Canadians as well as we fight our economic war with the U.S.  They are trying to break us so they can eventually take us over.  

In the meantime, their 40 trillion dollar debt is climbing dramatically and will eventually bring them down.  They need global financial support to buy their debt and with the way that Trump is treating the world that may not be possible long term.

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There is lots that could be said about the trade war going on at the moment, but my first observation is that Trump may have done Canada a favour by challenging our language protections.  That has definitely brought Quebec onside - their support was a bit in question.  A nice unity moment - the first of many I expect.

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Stay well.

Home Sweet Home

 Thursday was a challenge.  We (I) had set an aggressive eight hour target of Kingston and roadwork delays in Quebec turned that into ten hours, much of which was in heavy traffic.

Yesterday was a much easier drive and we were home by noon.  But unwinding took a couple of drinks 😊.  Unloaded the van, put stuff away, read the mail, and watched the Blue Jays go down to defeat.

The big news yesterday was that Jim and Monica have survived 55 years of marriage.  Pretty awesome!  Congrats and best wishes as you cruise to the 65 year milestone.

Today I headed to the greenhouse to say hi to Sean.  David had the grass cut and it was lightly raining so I didn't stay.  Of course as I headed home the sun came out.  Go figure!

And it stayed out!  So I missed a chance to get back in the saddle.  But it did give me the opportunity to watch the Blue Jays beat the Yankees so my day was not lost.

A big shoutout to Mark Carney.  We could be in for a rough ride, but he's the right guy for the job, i.e. dismissing old slimy Trump while moving Canada in a new direction.

Stay well.

The Vacation Is Over

 As forecast, it rained all day yesterday, contributing to a less than positive visit to Lunenburg.  The town is very different from our last visit.  Not as pretty, and where once it was a lovely town welcoming visitors, it now has a more theme park commercial aspect.  Every parking spot has a meter, and try to find a spot!  More tourists than the Halifax waterfront, jammed in elbow to elbow despite the rain.  Very disappointing!

But we had a nice halal lunch (best Eggs Benedict ever!) and then headed out of town.  Stayed in Bridgewater overnight and watched the Blue Jays win while having dinner at the River Pub.

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Today we drove to Grand Falls, New Brunswick for a view of the St. John River as it traced steps that have been ongoing for thousands of years. 

The falls are impressive............

......but the rocks are incredible!

Well worth the visit!

Dinner at Le Grand Saut was good.

Then back to our motel to watch the Blue Jays game.  They put up a good fight, but lost due to a defensively inadequate fielder.

The fun is over.  Tomorrow night we'll be back in Ontario.  Friday home.

Stay well.

The Stars Aligned

 We left Sydney yesterday and headed for Halifax.  What we didn't know when we started the trip was that Greg was in Halifax for a few days training for Drum Major.  Canada is finally going to have a pipe and Drum core in the military.  Greg and his buddies are creating the training program for future aspirants.

So, after we checked in to our hotel we headed to the Brown Hound Bar next door and enjoyed our Cape Breton beers while we waited for Greg.

He picked us up and took us to the Halifax waterfront.   It's a going concern, with lots of bars, restaurants and shops.

We joined his buddies at a Kitchen Party with 3 musicians and 2 Scottish dancers.

We also stopped at this memorial site for the tribute to the men and women sailors who were serving on the 70 Canadian warships that went down in the second world war and who took their last steps in Canada at this wharf.  A sobering moment!

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This morning we got moving early because Greg had gotten us envited to his welcoming ceremony from Nova Scotia's Lieutenant-Governor at Government House.  

That's the Lieutenant-Governor in the middle and Greg in Blue to the right.

A very proud mama!

And I got into the act as well, on the grand staircase of Government House.

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After we left Greg we headed to Peggy's Cove. where this guy was performing on the alphorn.

And we spent some time in the village checking out the shops.  It's a very pretty place.

Next up, we headed to the SwissAir Memorial for the plane that went down just offshore in 1998.   Always a moving experience to be there.

And then, on to Mahone By, a most beautiful view as the four church spires (United, Anglican, Lutheran and Baptist) come into view.

A glass of wine on a bar balcony and then it was back to Peggy's Cove and our home for the night.  Took time for a relaxing drink as we enjoyed the moment.

What an incredible vacation this has been!  Not only enjoying the places we planned to see, but the special moments with Greg that came totally unexpected.

Our visit to Lunenburg tomorrow may be diminished by rain, but I'm sure that we'll make the most of it.

Life is good.  Very good!

Stay well.

Trees, Rocks And Water

 Yesterday we planned to golf nine holes with friends of Kathy and Lorrie, but thunderstorms and a long afternoon period of rain changed our plans.  So we played cards instead.

I won at Skip-Bo, but Lorrie and I got our butts kicked at Jokers and Marbles (a good political move - happy wives, etc.).

Then we headed to Tracadie for dinner at Fin Folks Food.

This was our view.

This morning we said goodbye to our dear friends.  Our visit was more than we could have expected.  We saw things, and enjoyed meals that we would not have been able to do without the direction of Kathy and Lorrie.

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Tonight, after lots of trees, rocks and water, we're in Sydney, Nova Scotia in Cape Breton.  And enjoyed dinner at the hotel restaurant.  This is our harbour view from both the restaurant and from our room.

Since we arrived in P.E.I. my main meals have been either Lobster or Haddock.  And all have been delicious.  Tonight's Haddock and Herbed Potatoes included the best tasting cooked carrots I've ever eaten!  I'm totally spoiled!

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And the Blue Jays won again!  Yahoo!

Tomorrow we head to Halifax.

Stay well.

Down East

 So, after leaving Hopewell Cape we headed to P.E.I. across the Confederation Bridge.  Stopped for brunch at a Bakery/Diner and I ordered a Lobster Omelette - now I'm a downeaster.

We arrived at Lorrie's and Kathy's home mid afternoon.  They're located on a point with the St. Lawrence to the north and tidal bays on either side.  This is looking west to one of the bays.  That's my new friend Ginger in the foreground.

Lobster dinner that night.  Now I feel like an islander.

Yesterday Lorrie took us on a tour of the area as we headed to Green Gables for a round of golf.

It's a beautiful course, with a vicious attitude.  Sand bunkers everywhere, tilted rolling greens, and evil pinplacements.

Our host and hostess.

We finished off the day with a game of Euchre.  Kathy and I lost - sorry partner!

Today we head out for a Ceilidh on a fishing boat.  Lobster dinner and lots of music.  Can't wait.

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Love those Jays.

Stay well.

Hopewell Rocks

 I was able to check another item off my wish list on Sunday and Monday.  We checked in to the Hopewell Cape Motel (old but nice) at 3 p.m. and then headed to the Hopewll Rocks in time to see the low tide.

Contrary to what your eyes see, this walkway is perfectly level.

This picture is taken from the water line at low tide.

The tides in the Bay of Fundy are the largest in the world.  On the Nova Scotia side they can reach 46 feet.  Here at Hopewell it's only 40 feet!

From where Mardi is dipping her toes.......

.....to the base of the flowerpot rocks is 28 feet.  This is what we saw just before we headed for P.E.I. so the water has another 12 feet to go and those tourists are going to be shephered to safety in a couple of minutes.

What a lovely couple!

We're at Kathy and Lorrie's now.  That will be a story for another day.

Go Jays go!

Stay well.

We're On Our Way

 I've been AWOL for a few days and have a bit of catching up to do.  First off, happy birthday greetings to Rowan, who turns an ancient 5 today.  Awesome!

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On Wednesday, Mother Nature finally let me cut the grass.  Still wet in spots but no damage done.

I cut grass for three hours and spent another two completing three small projects.  Now I can leave with a clear conscience.

Thursday morning was golf time.  My driver is starting to cooperate - I hit 10 of 13 fairways and just missed one of the others by a couple of inches.  Now, if I could only remember how to hit my irons.

Thursday afternoon we had a visit from Mardi's gentle giant grandson Ethan.

He's just a few months away from completing his university courses and has just about completed 11 weeks of basic training.  Well on his way to being one of Canada's protectors.

And then, on Friday Mardi and I headed to Port Colborne for our second theatre experience of the week (the first one was in Port Dover with Bonnie and Steve).  "Secret Service" was a marvelous play, brilliantly written by the playwright, and hilariously performed by the four actors, whose facial expressions were incredible.  Most enjoyable play I've seen in years!

So, that brings us to Saturday.  We left Stoney Creek at about 9:15, and took a side trip along the 1,000 Island Parkway.  These are two of the 1,000 islands.

Arrived in Ottawa just after 3 p.m. and headed to the girls' apartment for card games and dinner.  Kathryn was visiting as well so I got to see all three.  But it was disappointing - I came last in the card game.  Fathers are supposed to be treated better than that!  Especially really old ones.

Yesterday morning, Yancy dropped by our hotel with the  birthday girl for a nice visit.  Rowan brought her new friend Abigail with her.  But Rowan's very shy around me and it was difficult to get a picture.

Then we headed to Edmonston, N.B.  A very scenic trip through farmland and hilly, wooded areas.  

Had an interesting experience in the afternoon.  We wended our way through the mountains and when the road turned left we encountered torrential rains.  When it turned back to the right we saw part of a rainbow.  And this repeated itself several times as we progressed.

Arrived in Edmonston and looked for #54 East 31st  and the next part was a second best to our Nap And Nibble story with Ed and Rose.

There was a #52 and a #56, but no #54.  Had we been scammed?  Mardi checked with the neighbour who informed her that the owner had created 4 - 1 bedroom suites and 54 and 54B were at the back of the house.

Then, we couldn't make the door code work.  Finally, had to contact the owner who drove over to help us.  Even he had trouble but eventually figured it out.  Enter the code, turn the knob LEFT at the first beep (subsequent beeps don't work) and push hard.

We thanked him and asked where a good place to eat would be.  He suggested Da Lulia and then told us that he owned it and we should tell the waitress that Dan wants her to give us a 10% discount.

So that's where we went.

We told the waitress about the discount but apparently she didn't believe us.  Full charge.  When we complained she went away and the next thing we know Dan has arrived.  He reversed the bill and gave us a 20% discount on its replacement to make up for the problem. 

And finally, we got back to our rooms and neither TV worked.  An experience we will remember!

Today we're heading for Hopewell Cape, N.B.

Stay well.