Day Three

 This is probably going to be the fastest that the Lily planting has been.  Everything is working well.......... OK, maybe except the bodies.

It does take a toll on your back!  Mardi and I don't arrive until about 9 a.m. and leave about 3 p.m., or we'd be on the floor too.

Looks like we'll be done by about noon tomorrow and then everyone can take a Christmas break.

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

When I was young I was poor.  But after years of hard work, I'm no longer young.  Felt it today!

Be useful and stay well.

Cleanup In Aisle Two

 Happy birthday to Kayt Render (the beautiful mother of my great grandaughter).  All the best!  Enjoy the day.  Say hi to Rowan for us.

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

Back at the Lily planting today and made more good progress.  But we did have a couple of spills as the trays tried to navigate the corner........

.......which required some cleanup.

Then they put an additional guard on the corner to make sure it didn't happen again.

The problem was quickly fixed...............

 ...and I was allowed to go back to real work shortly after.

Matt, Maureen and Mardi volunteered once again.  The planting will probably end up a couple of days sooner because of their help.  I think they'll take it out in trade!

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

Back at it again tomorrow.

Stay well.

Happy Easter

As advertised, we started planting the Lilies today.  And completed about 16,000 of the 55,000 total.  Should be finished before the end of the week.

The start of the process............

.........that's Kennie, then Maureen, Mardi, Sean, Brooke, Donna (hiding behind Brooke) with Christine and Matt in the background.

And the end where David and Ewen were putting the trays on the floor.

Our staff included four volunteers.  Mardi, Irene and Maureen worked on getting the bulbs out of the packing soil and getting them ready for the planters............

and Matt tagged the pots as they went by.  David just shakes his head at we silly old farts (relax ladies, I was talking about Matt and me).

I also took a picture of Donna (who was hiding in the group shot) and Jamie.  They and Brooke did the planting.

A very tiring day, but satisfying.  And at a break we checked out the previously planted crop.....

Looking good!  Actually, just one of Monica's ferns.  She's a fern fan.

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

If I can get out of bed in the morning I'll be back at it.  To be continued...........

Stay well.

Laughs and Lilies

 Spent the morning at brunch with my girls, as planned.  And, as predicted, lots of loud laughs.

Then we headed to our place to meet Mardi and continue the conversation.  A nice morning!

They are working hard to get their mother organized for the next phase of her life before the three of them head for Florida at the end of the month.  

We'll get to see them again there.  Pool parties and more laughing.  Looking forward to it.  I'm a lucky man!

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

Mardi and I headed out for a walk along the waterfront, but two thirds of the way on our planned route we turned back.  Even with toques on, the wind was bitter.  Oh well, best intentions at least!

So we headed back and played a game of Skip-Bo.  No need for me to tell you how that ended up 😖.  A few bad words were said😡.

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

Tomorrow we start the Lily planting.  More about that later.

Enjoy the Christmas spirit.  And stay well.

Hi Santa

 I wanted to get all spiffed up and, fortunately, my personal barber happened to drop by today.

So I was all pretty for the Stoney Creek Santa Claus Parade.  

The Optimist Club had a float as usual.

And the parade even let in our buddy Ed "Mr. Matchmaker" Strecker.

And the highlight............

Merry Christmas to all!

After standing in the cold, wind and dampness for an hour or so, we decided that we didn't need to see the Grimsby parade after all.  There's just so much I'm prepared to do for the blog!

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

Tomorrow I'm having brunch with my three girls.  First time that I've seen the three of them at the same time in years.  Based on past experience there will be lots of loud laughter.

Stay well.

News and Views

 Happy birthday today to Dave (Doc) Jewett, our trumpeting Tromper.  All the best to a good friend.

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

Not much news today and that got me thinking.

I started the blog as a way to stay in touch with friends and family during Covid.  It then took on a life of its own.

It takes time and energy, but in thinking about it, it also has been good for me.  Every day it causes me to try to do things, or see things, or discuss things that might interest others, and that gets me off my butt and gives me purpose.  And it makes my own life more interesting.

And maybe it helps keep me alive.  When you get to my age you're looking for any advantage you can get!

Besides, spilling family information has Mardi shaking her head some days and that's fun to watch too.  

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

Santa Claus parade day tomorrow.  Become a kid again.  We will try to get to two - Stoney Creek at 2 p.m., and Grimsby (lighted) at 5 p.m.

Stay young.  Stay well.

What Friends Are For

 A special day for us, the annual get-together of our Dofasco/Monthill/Cambridge/now homeless, golf group at the Aberfoyle Mill (our sixth annual visit).

We were entertained during the festivities by three warblers.

Al was first with special lyrics that he put together......

He also donated a goodly sum of money to his golf buddies.

Then Ron with a song of his own...........

He also provided his golf buddies with a package of bits and bites/nuts and bolts for each of them.

And finally, our waitress, Chloe, sang a part of the menu to us.  She provided a great job of looking after us today.  A fine young lady.

A very special day for our group of good friends.

It remains to be seen where we will be golfing next season, but golf together we will.

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

David has confirmed that we will start planting the Easter Lilies on Monday.  I'll feel useful once again.

Stay well.