Fall is Summer!

Hello all,

What a weird year. It did nothing but pour rain and stay cold and miserable all summer, and now that it's FALL we're getting above average temperatures, sun and dry weather. We'll take it!

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Lindsay (and her friend Anulina) from Finland today. They will be in Saskatchewan for two weeks before heading back to Finland via Montreal, where they will stop to visit Leslie and Trevor.

In spite of the weather problems, the garden took up a lot of our time this summer. Along with that, we purchased a fishing boat, motor and trailer, and have been out a couple of times:

We have managed to get in a few rounds of golf, and have done lots of work on our yard. We re-landscaped the front yard completely--it was a very good year to lay down sod and get it established! We introduced some goldfish to the backyard pond and had great success. We put four fish in the pond and will be taking at least six out!

Lew has kept up his 3-day a week schedule of playing Bridge, and is on the Club executive--sometimes a rather thankless task. Meanwhile, Phyllis has tried to keep herself fit by going to the gym regularly.

We made a very quick trip to Grand Forks, B.C. in July. We spent a couple of nights in Canmore with Janet and George, where it was very cold and we could see it snowing on the mountain tops. However, the day we left to head West, the weather changed and it was well over +30 while we were in the Interior. Cherries weren't quite ready, so we came home empty-handed.

Although our own apple tree didn't produce at all this year, we managed to raid some neighborhood trees and do our annual pie/crisp/sauce/wine fest.

Once we had all the garden produce under control, we did a bit of a reno in the kitchen. We purchased a nearly new dual-fuel range (gas cook top with electric convection oven), so that meant cutting out a portion of our cabinets and countertop (where the old cook top was) and revamping a door and drawer in order to accommodate the new range. As well, Lew built 4 lovely roll-out drawers where the old wall oven used to be. In order to make all the materials match, we decided to bite the bullet and paint over the original oak. That was a bit scary, but it has turned out quite nicely, we think.

Before After

We also worked on the landscaping at the side of the house, taking out all the crushed rock, and digging out the black earth so that we could put in sand and interlocking block. By the time we did that, our muscles certainly let us know about it! However, we now have a "third" retreat outside where we can sit and drink tea with the neighbors.

The next thing in the JOB JAR is to pack up the trailer with a cabinet and countertop and several other things and drive to Montreal to visit with Leslie and Trevor, and to help them renovate the guest bathroom. While there, I'm sure there will be some yardwork to take care of, and I hear there is to be a basement waterproofing project as well. We have no definite time of return, but hope to get back before the middle of November. We'll leave here the day after Lindsay and Anulina fly to Montreal. They will be on their way home to Finland before we invade the kids' house, since it takes us three full days' driving to reach there.

Meanwhile Grandma will come over and look after the cat and the house. We are very fortunate that both our "little old ladies" are doing very well this summer. We only hope it stays that way, as we have travel plans after Christmas.

That's an update on the Heuchert/Johnston lives. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Christmas Time 2009

Hello,

This is an experiment on my behalf. Not sure if these videos will post, but it's worth a try.

To Phoenix and Back

Thanks again to Carolyn and Gary for hosting us on our 5-day holiday in Casa Grande. The weather Gods did not hear our plea for heat and calm, but the vacation was great nevertheless. It was great to meet the Kirkwood's, and for me to meet Sue and Rob after hearing so much about all of them. The trips to the Flea Market, Savers, Saguara National Park, and even the Golf course were memorable. We managed to get all the "bargains" home safely last night. Today has been a catch up day of pulling stuff out of the suitcases, doing laundry, and reading all the papers and mail that arrived in our absence.

The cat was glad to see us home, even though "Grandma" had done a wonderful job of keeping her bowl full and letting her in and out in our rather balmy weather. It feels warmer here today at +5 with no wind, than it did on the golf course on Tuesday! Oh, well, that is an adventure to remember.

Starting tomorrow it's back to the treadmill and the gym to grind off the extra pounds that always come with a vacation. Then into the Bridge for Lew and the Choral work for me. I'm looking forward to the end of May when all my "responsibilities" are done and I can puddle in the garden at my own pace. Hopefully I'll have sense enough to say "no" to any volunteer positions and become entirely my own boss!

Had a taste of the Saguaro honey this morning, and it isn't a whole lot different from regular Canadian clover/alfalfa honey, but quite nice anyway.

All for now. Safe driving for all the RVer's as they head back to their respective lodgings next month.

Happy New Year

BEST WISHES FOR

2010

The first day of 2010 has passed, and so far it's been a very good year! We awoke this morning in the all-season Hawood Inn at Waskesiu, Sk. after a wonderful New Year's Eve party in the dining hall. After having breakfast, we meandered down the "Scenic route" in the minus 32 weather. However, as we reached Saskatoon, the wind changed and was coming from the Southeast--hopefully a harbinger of better weather tomorrow.

Christmas was special this year. We had Leslie and Trevor home for four days, and it was great to have "kids" here for the holidays. They arrived late on the 23rd and were ready to chow down on a dinner of ham, homemade cabbage rolls, homemade sauerkraut perogies, and homemade Saskatoon pie.

Our main Christmas dinner was on the 24th so we cooked up a major feast for ourselves, the kids, and the two "little old ladies". The day was laid back and quiet. The most exciting activity was doing a jigsaw puzzle late into the night.

Next morning we popped over to Grandma's house for a brunch of tortiere, then off we went to the cabin in the bush. Roads were good, but temperatures were cold. We arrived there about 4:00 p.m. and got the fires stoked. Lew attempted to get the quads and the snow mobile running, but didn't have a lot of success. So we spent the evening chewing on leftovers and playing cards. It was toasty and warm and we all enjoyed our rum and eggnog in the glow of the lights from our forest-cut Christmas tree.

Boxing Day was bright and sunny and not quite so cold, and the men got all the machines going. Leslie and I went for a long walk around the subdivision before packing on all our extra clothing and joining the guys on a trek by skidoo and quad into the woodlands. We hoped to see some wildlife, but there was nothing but a lot of tracks. (Tracks don't make good soup.)

That evening we ate up another round of leftovers before the men went out for a night-time ride. There was just enough moon so that they could travel without lights. It is almost surreal when you can get away from the ambient light of the city, sit on the quad in the silence of the wilderness and breath in the quietness. I think this was the hi-lite of Trevor's visit.

Next morning we packed up and headed out of the bush toward Winnipeg. Trevor's Mom and sisters were anxiously awaiting their guests, and all of us were feeling the need of a nice, warm shower. We dropped the kids with Trev's Mom, gave them our hugs and kisses and relinquished them to his family for their four days. A quick stop at the motel to shower, shave, etc. and have a bite to eat, then we were off to Betty's for a few hours visiting.

We were lucky to have time with Gord and Sharon, Erin and Brian, David and Michelle and their little ones Lachlan and Taylor. Mustn't forget the bulldog cross "Marley", and of course Betty's lab "Toby".

Next morning we popped up to Deer Lodge for some time with Auntie Merle. She was surprised to see us, and we had a great time with her. She is just in fine form, and was so excited about having been "home" for a few hours on Christmas Day. Her family it to be applauded for making her outing possible. She certainly enjoyed it.

While we were visiting, Kathy and Bruce arrived and had pictures of Bobby's wedding to show. The marriage took place on Boxing Day at the Air Force Base in Winnipeg, and the bride and groom made sure to go to Deer Lodge in full wedding attire to show Aunt Merle.

We look forward to the annual trek to Winnipeg in early February to celebrate Merle's 101st! We have several minutes of video from our recent visit with her and will try and share it if we can figure out how to compress it and get it onto the airwaves. All this technology is a bit mind-boggling. Thankfully we can always ask for help from Gary.

So that's a recap of our past couple of weeks. We are anxiously awaiting our trip to Phoenix in March to meet up with Carolyn and Gary and get some sun and warmth. Best wishes to everyone for the coming year. May your cup run over with good health and prosperity.

Phyllis and LEW

Reporting from Sunny Saskatchewan

Hello all,

We had a wonderful visit in Victoria. Thank you, Carolyn and Gary. Also thanks to "the kids" for joining us for the family dinner, and for the extra visits. We got out of Sask just in time to miss the snow, rain, and wind and had fine weather almost all of the time we were in Victoria. Even the days there was rain, we managed to be in pockets where it wasn't pouring.

The Salvation Army and Value Village will never be the same since Carolyn and Phyllis' visits. Some of the best bargains they had have now reached our closets! Walmart in Duncan will continue to operate for another day or two based on the purchase of video cameras by Gary and Lewis. We have managed to do some filming since we got home. Now we have to figure out how to download and clear the card--but a little reading (and likely a few mistakes) and we'll get it done.

The major excitement since we returned home was prepping to take out the huge Scotch pine that was in front of the house. It would have been a gorgeous tree out in the forest, but it was a big pain in the butt here on a city lot. Every year it shed a truckload of cones (this is NOT an exaggeration) that had to be hand-picked and disposed of. They spit all over the driveway and sidewalk and were such hard little suckers, that stepping on one could cause a severely twisted ankle. Once out on the street, they were run over by vehicles, making it look like we still had our milk delivered by horse-drawn carts.

Each fall it shed its needles. We all know from Christmas experiences that a Scotch pine is far more difficult to clean up after than a "regular" Christmas tree. Besides all this, the people from whom Phyl bought the property had made the mistake of surrounding the tree with a layer of small rock over landscape fabric. So there was no raking or sweeping or blowing the debris away.

Needless to say we learned to despise the tree. Phyllis had an on-going battle with the city over whose tree it was. For four years the city insisted it was "an asset of the city" and that it was on the easement. That means that although the tree and lawn "belong" to the city, the homeowner is tasked with looking after it. Finally this spring Phyl wrote a pointed letter stating that the city's "asset" was paying huge dividends, and perhaps they would like to come by and collect the proceeds. Failing that, perhaps they could send someone every second day from June 1st till September 30 to tidy up behind it as it rained cones and needles.

This brought the city arborist out to our property with his tape measure and clip board, not once, but several times. Finally he came to the door and advised that it had been determined that the tree WAS on our property and not on the easement. Therefore the city would take it off their inventory and we would be free to do with it as we pleased. We made sure that we got a letter and an email from the city informing us of their decision. Once done, we planned our action.

Lew took off the lower branches up to about 16 feet high. Then he tied a cable around one of the main trunks as high as he could reach on the extension ladder. The other end was tied to the Sorento. We had our friend Arden over, and he sawed out the wedge, then back-cut as Lew put tension on the cable. Over it came with a beautiful thud, and pine cones flying in all directions! This is all documented by Phyllis on video. Lew, Arden, and Phyllis wielded chain saws for about an hour, limbing the tree, packing the "slash" into the trailer for composting, and sawing the branches and trunks up into manageable lengths. Lew's friend Bill will take the wood for burning in his fireplace. We have a wood-burning fireplace, but it is so ineffecient that we have blocked it off and put an electric insert in.

Once the wood was all out of the way, Phyl called up Big and Low Stump Removal. The owner, Gerald Bigelow, came over and assessed the situation, then arrived the next day with his truck, bobcat, stump grinder, chain saw, leaf blower, and two dozen other small pieces of landscape equipment. Within 3/4 of an hour, he had all the rocks scraped up and into the back of his truck and was prepped to grind the stump. We had issues over where the water valve happened to be in the yard, so the whole episode got put on hold while the City shovel-leaners blundered around finding it. Turned out that the stump didn't get ground until the next day. It was quite the process to watch, and again it is all captured on video.

We now have a nice, flat black front yard that is calling for some fill and sod next spring. We know in advance that there will be some sore muscles in May! We are planning to plant a recently developed tree to replace the Scotch Pine -- a EuroCADyenUSD $$$$ tree. If we can get it to grow, we'll send you the address of the secret place we were able to obtain it!

All of the flower beds have been cleaned and put to rest, and the pots are tucked away until next year. We feel like we have everything ready for winter to officially set in. However, the past few days have been quite lovely. We have had a bit of mist, but usually the clouds part and we have several hours of sun. It is just a bit cool for shirt sleeves, but certainly one can work in a sweatshirt very comfortably.

Lew is back to playing bridge and we are both bowling on Wednesday nights. Phyllis is attempting to go to the gym five days a week, but finding it rather gruelling until the muscles get used to the work out. Lew does 45 minutes on the treadmill almost every day. Phyl is singing in the University Chorus and practises every Monday evening. Hunting season for deer is on so Lew is trying to find a week when there are no other appointments on the agenda so that he can head to the cabin. We have begun the annual ritual of attending Symphony, Gateway Players, Persephone Players, Live Five Players, and Amati Quartet concerts. When there is nothing else to do we wedge in visits to the Bassment (the local jazz venue) and some small University concerts. There is certainly lots to keep us busy.

Well, that's about it for this report. Hope everyone stays well. Use lots of hand sanitizer and stay away from crowds......

Phyl and Lew

Hot and Healthy

Hi everyone,

Finally we have summer. It has been HOT for three days in a row! We can almost hear our cucumbers growing. The tomatoes are turning red on the vine, and we're only a couple of days away from eating some home-grown corn on the cob. Everything cries out for water, so the hose has been put to use every evening.

Lew had another MRI a couple of weeks ago, and a follow-up visit with the oncologist on Monday. Everything is good, and we felt that the Doctor was very pleased with the outcome. Lew's thyroid problem has been corrected, and he is now looking and feeling healthy once again. It has been a long year of medical nonsense, but the end result seems to be what we were hoping for.

I have had some problems with my hands, particularly with fingers "locking up". We happened to have dinner about a month ago with my cousin who is a local plastic surgeon. I took my opportunity to complain to him about my hands, and he said he would be glad to give me some steroid injections to make them feel better. So I had that done yesterday. Although one wouldn't expect instant results, I can already tell that things are going to be better.

The next thing on the agenda is a trip to Calgary next week for me to attend the Canadian Sleep Institute to determine why I am doing such a lousy job of sleeping. By coincidence, we will be bunking at George and Janet's, and they are expecting Betty to arrive on Thursday. So we hope to have a good visit with all of them.

A picture recently received from Kathy shows Aunt Merle out in the sun with Betty. She is looking really, really, good. Can't keep an old dog down!

The past few weeks we have been picking wild berries and cooking and canning. Attached is a picture of the production line.

We were lucky to find several apple trees in a vacant lot nearby where we picked a wash basket full. Six pies and four apple crisps are tucked in the freezer. After an afternoon of chokecherry picking, we have 15 jars of choke/apple syrup and a garbage can full of chokecherry wine brewing. Also made some apple jelly and apple cider. This all happened at the same time as the prune plums and pears came into the stores, so of course we had to get a case of each of those and can them too! If there is a war, we have our bomb shelter stocked!

Lew plans to head to the cabin on the 13th since hunting season for elk is on. He'll likely spend ten days out there. Has to be back on the 28th for a Bridge Tournament that lasts till October 4. By then I hope to have the garden all cleaned up and packed away so that we can leave home without any tag ends.

Looking forward to our week in Victoria over the Thanksgiving weekend. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we won't hit the rainy season. But if we do, so what? We have good people to visit with and won't have any trouble being indoors with them if that's all we can do. And after all, Value Village is indoors, isn't it Carolyn?

That's all for this post.

Overdue Blog

Hi to All !

July has been a crappy month weather wise here in Toontown. The garden is progressing slowly, but our peppers are way behind due to lack of heat and sunshine. Lately, however, the peas and beans have been prolific, so we've had some great feeds of those veggies, along with some swiss chard and beet tops.

Lew has been for a few more tests, but no results yet. But we suspect the hyperthyroid problem has been solved. He's now doing 45 min daily on the treadmill at various speeds totalling almost 3 miles. So much for potential heart problems. Phyl suffers from SADS, so all the dark cloudy days have not been good for her - but she "endeavours to persevere".

We had Phyl's cousin Lawrence stay with us for a few days. He's from the Lower mainland in BC. They had a few days to reminisce together before he journeyed down to their old stomping grounds in southeastern Saskatchewan. Nice guy, Lew met him last yr at the Jacobs reunion in Ontario.

Lew's 65th occured this July 15th. Phyl threw me a great party at a local rib joint. Most of my closest friends were in attendance. Very much a pleasant surprise! We aso had a little party at home with a very large dairy Queen Ice cream cake. Took us about a week to eat it all!

Phyl's brother Eric is visiting from Toronto, along with a couple of classmates from BC and one from Saskatoon. As it turned out, Phyl was also a classmate of these folks as she went thru school at the same time as Eric in spite of being a yr younger. Small school, needed to fill up a class so Phyl was promoted, so to speak. They all had a nice reunion at our place.

Phyl and I spent a couple of days at the cabin, primarily to fetch one of Lew's snowmobiles back to Saskatoon, and also to get some flat rocks for Phyl's garden pool which will be going into our yard this fall. Lew bought a new machine, so he's selling off his 2 older sleds.

Phyl's car was rear-ended on an open road by a lady from BC. Ended up no one hurt, but SGI is writing off our 2003 Aerio. So today Phyl went out and bought another 2003 Aerio - same colour,but a few more bells and whistles, but also 30K km more on the odometer. Unfortunate, but crap happens. At least we think we got a fair settlement from SGI ( our provincial insurer), and were able to come out not too far in the red on the deal. The mounties charged the other party, so she won't be so fortunate.

That's us up-to-date for now.

Love to all,

Phyl, Lew, and Melissa