Hale and Hearty

 As advertised, I did a bit of weeding this morning.  Finished the Trillium garden before the heat and humidity called a stop to it.

Although the rain didn't seem to affect the golf course yesterday, it did have an effect on Trillium Hill.

You'll have to wade to your truck for a bit, but help is on the way.

Don't know how I got that picture in black and white 😕.  But the pump should have the flooding problem solved by the time the truck returns from its annual inspection.

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Then, it was off to the heart doctor.  Passed the ECG with flying colours, blood pressure is better than the examining doctor's, all systems go.  The service warranty on my body has been extended for another year.

Golf and gardening are the new medicines folks.  Give them a try.

Having a wonderful partner doesn't hurt 😍and don't forget those good friends either.

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Stay well.

Doomsayers - Weather and World Affairs

 Today we were supposed to golf at Puslinch Lake Golf Course with lunch included.  But the forecast of torrential rains appeared to put this at risk.  It rained quite a bit yesterday, and again through the night.  Indeed it was raining while I got rolling this morning.

But the course told our organizers that they were indeed open and that carts would be allowed on the course.  So, I drove through the rain to Grimsby to pick David up, and we drove through the rain to Cambridge.  Not a positive vibe!

Nevertheless, it had stopped raining by the time we got to the course and once there, you would never know that it had rained.  The course was not wet and there were no soft spots.  Really unbelievable!

As it turned out, despite the doomsayers, this was a perfect golf day - affected negatively of course by the quality of our play - but perfect nonetheless.

Our intrepid foursome.

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John Buckley sent me the following message today.

Sad, but true.  

And then, there is Canada at NATO.  Continuing to fall far short on our commitment to defense.  Old two sides of his mouth tried to put a political spin on it, but nobody believes him.  

And then he blamed the Conservatives.  Hopefully, after the next election we'll find out that they'll do better.

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Back to work tomorrow morning, then a routine follow-up visit to the cardiologist who installed my stents.

Stay well.

Friends

 On Monday we had a nice visit with Barry when he dropped by the golf course after we finished our round.  Our golf stats guy, and Wordle moderator, and a good friend.  We all enjoyed a beer together with a friend that we don't see often enough.  

For context, have a look at the bit of wisdom that Carol Kemp shared today.  I'll leave out the preamble and share the conclusion.

Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we like, respect, and enjoy spending time with. 

Mardi and I are mindful of that advice (why else would we play golf?).  

Stop, smell the roses, and take time to enjoy some ice cream 😋.  

And stay well.

Plants and Fun

 This little garden looks more complete now that the Hydrangea "tree" has started to bloom.  It was one of my Charlie Brown projects a few years ago.

Today, I weeded the two bigger gardens down front and finished up with the Cactus.  Here it is, removed so that I can get rid of the invasive grass (I hope that I got it all).

Back in place again, and as you can see, there are some leftovers.

Don't tell David (he thinks that I'm nuts, and desperately hopes that it's not genetic) that there are some future garden specimens in progress.

Leave the world a better place while driving your son crazy, or something like that.  The thorns in my fingers are a small price to pay for the satisfaction that I derive from these games that I play.

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Things go downhill tomorrow.  It's a golf day 😓.

Stay well.

Bribery

 Birthday greetings to grandson Yancy, who turns the big 50 today.  Yikes!

And greetings also to Jonah Minas who is 35 years younger.

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Malcolm forwarded me this picture from Trillium Hill Greenhouse and Driving Range.  Looks like fun!

And he claims to have found all the golf balls (except the ones that his younger brother bombed out of sight).

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My excitement today was to get a filling in a broken tooth.  Mardi will let me smile again!

The dentist's excitement was to get paid a rather large amount.  Thankfully, Dofasco will pick up the majority of the tab.

The only thing that bothered me is that on each visit, while I'm waiting to be seen, I get to watch the three ladies at reception chatting a good part of the time while they run up my tab.  I'm just a grumpy old man I guess.

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Because of the dentist visit, I asked John Buckley to take my place at golf today.  Now, the guys are raving about that move.  Not because they like John any better than they do me (I hope), but because Rada sends treats every time John golfs with us.

I told them that it's just a bribe.  She's hoping we invite him more often so she can get him out of the house and enjoy some peace and quiet 😉😏.

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Tonight we attended the Lighthouse Theatre in Port Colborne to see "Murder at Ackerton Manor".  It was a British type farce.  Not my favourite type of humour, but they did a good job.

That's all.  Stay well.

Happy 4th of July

 Apparently, I'm not the only one who adopts seedlings and watches them grow.  Jamie Gaudet, one of the young ladies who works in the garden centre, rescued a Juniper seedling four years ago from beside a skid of soil.  She and her father have tended it since then and decided that it was now time for the plant to come "home".

So, it has been given a spot near the picnic table where the staff can enjoy it during their breaks.  Thanks Jamie.

Now I have to find a home for my Oak trees!

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Headed to an EMG clinic today to check out my Carpel Tunnel problem.  Turns out that I have a "severe" version and will need to have the right wrist reamed out.

Doesn't bother me much during the day, but the minute that I lie down the numbness and pain take over.  That has been making it hard to sleep at night (or at any other time).  

I'd like to blame it for my golf woes too, but I think that situation might have an age related cause.

Fortunately, so far, the left wrist hasn't been affected the same.  A numb thumb at times is all.  Oh well, give it time!

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Hard to believe that things could get worse than they are in the 4th of July country, but I wouldn't be surprised.  If the "king" returns to power we're all in trouble.

I bet that if Putin invaded Canada's north to gain control of the North West Passage, Trump would just congratulate his buddy.  So it would be up to the underfunded Canadian armed forces to fend for themselves.  Thanks Trudeau!

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Pretend things are fine.  Stay calm.  Stay well.

Newfoundland Memorial Day, Canada Day

 After posting this morning, I tuned into CBC to watch the repatriation ceremony of Newfoundland and Labrador's unknown soldier.

Hundreds of folks stood quiet for hours, most not protected from the rain, a fitting tribute considering the ceremony.

A highlight for me was to hear the words of the Royal Canadian Legion's Padre, Ian Wishart, a man who looked old enough to have served in the First World War.  Yet, his voice was strong and his message clear.

A jarring moment came when Justin Trudeau said that "the First World War proved that Canada could punch above its weight".  Unfortunately, he has succeeded in making sure that we are no longer capable of doing that.  We don't weigh as much today in the world's eyes and have very little punch left.  

Nevertheless, it's still a great day to be a Canadian.

Canada is now the only Commonwealth nation that has two unknown soldier tombs - one in the former Dominion of Newfoundland and one in the Dominion of Canada. 

And Newfoundlanders who lost relatives in the Battle of the Somme can now reach a form of closure - they can assume that the unknown soldier is their ancestor who has "come back from away" to be honoured by all.

Well done!

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Did some gardening today, but that's old news.

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Stay well.