Oaks and Fencing

 Despite the heat and humidity, I finally finished my Oak tree project.

It started out looking like this.........

The first step was to cut off some of the lower branches.

Then define the perimeter.

Dig out the rest of the weeds and field grasses.

And, finally, the finished product.

It took 46 bags of soil and 5 bags of mulch to replace the clay, weeds and grass that I removed!

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I assume that almost everyone is watching the Olympics, so I won't comment on that unless Canada does something spectacular - like winning our first ever medal in Fencing!

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Blue Jays are trading their players with expiring contracts.  Interesting that they are now winning some more games - maybe everybody else is trying harder, finally.

I do hope that after the season ends they can talk Danny Jansen into signing with the club.  And Kikuchi too, if they end up trading him.

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Stay well.

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Celebration Of Life

 Did some digging and lawn cutting this morning.  Then, headed home to get cleaned up for the Celebration of Life for Jean.

Barbara, Jo-Ann, David and Kathryn did a great job organizing the event.  It captured the spirit of their mom very well.

Some old guy photobombed this picture of Jo-Ann and Barbara.  Barb looks like she saw that coming.

David and Sean handled the situation much more calmly.  They do clean up well, don't they?

A picture with the grandkids, except for Sarah-Jean and Yancy (and Kyle, more about that later).  Didn't realize that I was that short!

But, we caught S. J. in this picture (the pretty lady in the right foreground).

And Yancy.

And his shy daughter Rowan, with mom Kayt.

Although I had some doubts about showing up, I am glad that I attended.  Proud of the kids for how they honoured their mom, and saw lots of our extended family and some old friends.

But a moment that will likely come to mean even more was a reconciliation with grandson Kyle.

The situation between Kyle's dad and I headed south over the years, although Jean kept supporting him (into his fourth decade).  When Jean and I separated, Kyle followed his dad and aligned himself with her.  And over the years since, we basically lost contact.  We have both regretted that situation and tonight we reconciled.  That was a really good feeling!

We plan to get together again soon.  You'll likely hear about it.

Stay well.

Treats

 Headed to Chippewa Creek for our Dofasco golf day and picked up John Buckley on the way.  John has been subbing for us when one of our foursome can't make it.

Now, those of you who know John are possibly wondering why on earth we would pick John in the first place 😒.

Well, here is the reason........

Peach Muffins!  Yum!!!  Thank you Rada!

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And, while we were golfing, Mardi headed out to York to pick up our first treat this year of Snyder's corn - eight dozen!  And their dozens consist of 14 ears each.  For friends, neighbours, and family.  And it is awesome, as usual.  Yum once again!

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No other news today.  Sorry.

Stay well.

I'm A Lucky Man

Birthday greetings go out today to our Wordle Moderator, Golf Statistician, and good friend Barry Kopysh.  We'll have a drink in your honour Barry (actually, it took two drinks 😋, you are very honourable).

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In case you thought that I was serious yesterday when I commented that "Life isn't fair", I thought that I should share something that I wrote - in a philosophical moment, to myself - a few years ago.

 I’M A LUCKY MAN

·       To have been born in Canada, a free, democratic, resource rich country

·       To have not faced discrimination and hatred based on race, colour or creed

·       To have food, housing, transportation and health care as givens

·       To have been born to parents who were loving, hardworking, honest and responsible

·       To have been raised to believe in fair play, honesty, hard work, accountability, achievement

·       To have been offered employment at Dofasco after my father’s death and be given the opportunity to progress through hard work and dedication despite lacking a formal university degree

·       To have good friends to trust and rely upon

·       To be loved by my children and grandchildren

·       To have found Mardi after my marriage ended

·       To be able to be physically active at my “advanced” age

·       To have enough financial resources to enjoy my retirement, whether golfing, travelling, working or just relaxing

·       Although I awake to discomfort every morning, I relish each day.                                                                                                                                                                 Regarding the second line, although I haven't faced discrimination, all of my daughters have - Barbara and Jo-Ann due to their Indigenous heritage, and Kathryn due to her severe hearing loss.  I'm proud of them for overcoming that hate.

------------------------------------------------                                                    A couple of days ago it was Kamala Harris' speech that inspired.  Today, it was Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to the U.S. Congress who caught my attention.  He explained the Jewish historical experience and the current Iranian intention to eliminate Israel extremely well.  

    I just don't understand the protest groups ignoring the facts that Hamas killed, raped and took hostages, and the continuing rocket attacks that these ignorant folks expect Israel to ignore somehow.                                                                                                                      They have no choice.                                                                            ---------------------------------------------       

                                             

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I

  

                                                   

 Birthday greetings yesterday to Angela, the mother of Sunday's hero, Ethan.  And today, to Jacquie, daughter of my very good friends, Jill and Gary.  All the best to both.

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If you have been watching Kamala Harris speak, after Joe Biden withdrew from the Presidential race and endorsed her, you have to be excited!  Looks like the Democrats may have a decent chance to knock Donald off his feet.

More energy in the race than there has been in a long while.  And I love her take:  "as a prosecutor and as Attorney General of California, I have dealt with predators, fraudsters and cheaters - I know Donald Trump's type".  And you can bet that she will deal with him!

Should be very interesting over the next three months.

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Didn't last long at the gardening gig today.  The heat and humidity killed the digging after half an hour, then I cut grass for a while before giving up entirely.  Maybe I can get moving earlier tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Mardi was golfing above the escarpment and found the weather to be just fine.  Nice breeze.  Best score of her year (beat my yesterday score by a bunch).

Life is just not fair.

Stay well.

Woods and Warriors

Today we celebrate the 25th birthday of Mardi's grandson, Ethan.  He's currently finishing his university education before he takes up full time duties following in his dad's path with Canada's military.

He's the bigger boy in this picture.

Canada will be in good hands - if the government ever decides to provide the military with the funds for equipment it needs to be effective.

We know that won't happen with Trudeau.  He recently pulled 2034 out of a hat as the time Canada will meet NATO's 2% of GDP minimum.  He won't be around then so he doesn't care to step up the pace.

Perrin Beatty, the Defense Minister during Mulroney's term (the last time there was a plan to step up to the military plate) says it well:

"If you contract out your defense to (the Americans) you are a protectorate - not a sovereign nation."

"Russia doesn't play well with its contiguous neighbours, and we happen to be one."

Let's hope for Ethan's sake, and for our future safety, that we get our financial act in order.  All the best young man!

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Today, I weeded some more gardens, finishing up with the teenaged Oak tree.  It's been impossible to look after it properly because of the low limbs that reached the ground.

So, my first action was to remove some of those limbs.

It's a golf day tomorrow, but on Tuesday we'll get back at this garden.

Meantime, stay well.

Brunch With Friends

 Mardi and I enjoyed having brunch today with Rada.  John also attended 😜.  

We ate at the Scout Restaurant at the corner of King and Centennial.  A strange setup for a restaurant, but the food and service are good.

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Then I headed to the greenhouse for a couple of hours of grass cutting.

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We now watch TV via Google.  Cogeco offered the condo corp. Google's internet accessed service, Epico, so we have less wires, improved picture quality and more channels.

However, tonight we're listening to the Blue Jays game on 590 The Fan.  MLB has sold Apple the rights to some Friday games and to see this game we'd have to subscribe to Apple TV.  No thanks.

Jays were behind the whole game and lost 5 - 4.  Glad we didn't waste any money on Apple TV!

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Tomorrow it's back to weeding.

Stay well.