Happy New Year

 Today's birthday wish goes out to daughter Barbara.  This has to be one of her best birthdays ever, as she gets to enjoy her new granddaughter Rowan.

Sorry we can't be together to share the day (and meet Rowan as a bonus).  All the best from Mardi and me!

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And as we draw the curtain on this otherwise nasty year, let's rely on what Annie says.  "The sun will come out tomorrow.  Bet your bottom dollar on tomorrow."

Good riddance to 2021.  Happy New Year everyone!

Hibernation

Today is the birthday of Mardi's friend Jo-Ann Kempe.  Mardi had intended to visit her but she's not up to going out today, so that will have to wait.

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For the past several days, our elevator rule has reverted to one household at a time.  But, this time, it hasn't been as much of a hassle.  Seems like more folks are hibernating to avoid chancing exposure to the virus.

In our case, we're hibernating because the she bear is still hurting badly.  Don't know how long this is going to last, but she's bent over and pretty frustrated - as am I.  This is not fun!

It's sad when my trip to the grocery store today became an exciting outdoor adventure for me😖.  Let's get 2021 into the history books so we can move on.

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Stay well.

Permanent Astonishment

 I was walking past Mardi and her computer and glanced at the screen.  It said "Tap anywhere to start".  So I tapped her in several places.  It didn't work, but it was good for a laugh.  We take our excitement wherever we can find it these days.  Shingles be damned!

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I have just finished reading "Permanent Astonishment - a Memoir" by Tomson Highway, a Christmas gift from David and Sue.  It chronicles, with humour and pride, his childhood years, including his education in a Residential School.  As the book's jacket says "His memoir offers insights, both hilarious and profound, into the Cree experience of culture, conquest, and survival".

And, while reading it, I became aware that he has just been honoured with membership in the Order of Canada.  Well earned!

Worth reading!  Thanks David and Sue.

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And now we find that the World Junior hockey tournament has been cancelled.  With three games already forfeited due to virus outbreaks, the tournament outcome was going to be suspect anyway.  Still, a real shame.  I wanted to watch Connor Bedard some more, and to eventually celebrate the Canadian trophy win.

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Be strong.  Stay well.

Anti-vaxxers

 Had the joy today of cancelling our New Orleans week.  We're going to make the cancellations just one week at a time - you never know.

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We face the danger once again of our hospitals being swamped by Covid cases.  If that happens doctors will have to decide which patients to prioritize and which ones to abandon.  Wouldn't it be appropriate if that decision was based on who was not vaccinated?  Being passively euthanized seems to me to be a fitting end for those idiots.

Plus, other folk who need operations, or treatments, which are being denied or delayed because of the Covid load are suffering - in some cases dying.  They also deserve attention before the anti-vaxxers. 

Of course, my views don't reflect the Hippocratic Oath that doctors take.  Oh well - c'est la mort.

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Speaking of anti-vaxxers, Mardi's Shingles attack reminded us that, back in the day, some mothers (but not ours) held Chicken Pox parties so that all of their kids would be infected at once so the disease could be dispensed with.  Ignorance is bliss.

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Watched the Canadian Junior hockey team defeat an overmatched Austrian team 11-2.  A highlight was the record tying 4 goals scored by the 16 year old Connor Bedard.

Tomorrow at 7 p.m. they play Germany.

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Stay well.

Go Canada

 I'm sure that many of you tuned in last night to the World Junior hockey game between Canada and Czechia (the Czech Republic) which Canada won 6-3.  Real artistry from a bunch of teenagers!

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Today however, was pretty boring.  Mardi's still suffering some so we walked the halls for a few minutes for exercise, but that was it.

Hope for better tomorrow.  Stay well.

Health, Happiness and Prosperity

 After I posted yesterday's email, Kathryn and Anna showed up with a home cooked turkey dinner which we enjoyed together.  A nice Christmas visit!

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I heard yesterday that nurses were being asked to volunteer to administer vaccine doses, while doctors were offered $100 per hour to do the same (but probably not as well).

Which sex do you suppose made that decision?  Maybe the same one that decided to cancel the Women's Under 18 hockey tournament while allowing the men's World Junior hockey tournament to proceed?

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Boy, my Christmas spirit didn't last long, did it? Apparently today is "boxing" day!

Come on Optimist Bud - Promise yourself to talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

Stay well my friends.

Santa Came

 As advertised, I abandoned Mardi and headed to David and Sue's to join them for breakfast and to watch them open their gifts.

Jake was relaxed and ready, by the "open fire".

The kids are independent enough that they're buying presents for each other (and me).  Fun to watch.  It was also fun to watch Jake open his gift too.

A squeaky toy that he enjoyed squeezing.

I was deluged with gifts from all of them.  Wonderful, but I'm getting too old and emotional for this season.  Had to leave before the tears started to flow.

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So, I was able to share a Christmas moment with Kathryn and Anna yesterday, and with David's family today.  Unfortunately, we can't get to Ottawa right now.  It's been over two years since we've seen Barbara, Jo-Ann, Yancy and Kayt.  And we still haven't laid eyes on my great granddaughter Rowan.

All in good time I guess.  Something to look forward to.  Can't wait.

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Merry Christmas, and to all, a good night!