Month: August 2020

Today Jane and I got the new iPhone 11’s at the nearby Rogers Store.

They are slightly bigger than our old iPhone 8’s and the Rogers plan is better for about the same monthly fee.

And we received a free Huawei tablet for signing up! Very good timing because Jane’s ipad was at the end of service.

This Rogers plan gives us 40 GB of data as opposed to only 7 GB with Bell. And the signal coverage with Rogers is more reliable.

We’re happy.

Today, Tonya and Chris took Max to the Toronto Zoo for the second time; he loves the animals!

Chris and Tonya say that he was more engaged this time. Looks like he’s having fun!

And Roxana turned five months today! Unbelievable how she has grown and always with such a heart-melting smile!

Where does the time go, as we watch these two from a distance, sadly.

This morning, the geese were heard to be honking as they flew overhead.

That, coupled with the lower temperature, is a sure sign that Fall is just around the corner.

Jane and I decided to treat ourselves to Fish and Chips from Danny’s, our GoTo fish heaven!

They don’t have eat-in service right now, with Covid, just take out, but it is well organized and all safety protocols are being followed.

You go in to order and prepay, 2 m apart from other masked customers, and then wait in the car until they text you to pick it up.

No, I am not falling apart. Today’s visit was for simple cleaning but the hygienist did notice one filling that needs attention.

So I have an appointment in mid September to get that looked after.

On the book front, I have been offered two more locations inTemiscaming from which to sell Souvenirs de Temiscaming.

Things are looking good.

My appointment with Dr Leung was a positive one.

She advised I could stop taking the daily eye drops and is happy with my progress.

I have another appointment in a month and she told me to hold off on getting new prescription glasses for now.

Today I have a follow up eye appointment with Dr. Leung, ophthalmologist, here in Barrie.

I’m hoping she will answer some questions as to what I can now expect in terms of when I may need new prescription glasses etc.

Both Sara and Tonya are now busy, posting daily photos of Max and Roxana on an app called Tiny Beans.

It’s so cool to be able to see both of them develop from day to day. Look at his wavy beautiful hair and her gorgeous cheeks!!

And a photo book can be made that will capture those moments.

Today I saw a post on Facebook about the passing of Des Kelly, a former resident and alderman of Temiscaming.

He played hockey for the Temiscaming Royals along with my deceased brother, Larry.

What is remarkable is that three weeks ago, Mr. Kelly sent in a submission of memories for inclusion in Souvenirs de Temiscaming.

Those memories will now live on in the book.

The Morning Glory’s that Jane started from seeds have thrived very well at the side of the garage.

And the back yard is doing nicely too. Ah, summer and the chance to be outside, rather than cooped up in the house during this coronavirus.

This morning we thought it would be a nice outing to take a spin out on Georgian Bay in Shenanigans.

We packed up a picnic lunch and stopped by McDonald’s for an Egg McMuffin.

However, Mother Nature decided to throw a spammer in the works by sending some rain and making it windy. We know that Georgian Bay can be quite dangerous very quickly; I have had several experiences while boating and Jane can tell a few yarns, too, about her cottaging days. We respect the Bay.

We decided to postpone the dinghy ride and instead went to Big Chute to watch the boats.

Disappointing but at least we got out of the house for awhile.

With the withdrawal of my book project from affiliation with the Temiscaming Centennial Committee, I am working on designing a suitable logo.

I have also been reviewing distribution plan and suitable charities.

It’s all coming together quite nicely.

Jane did some gardening this morning and cleaned up some of the flowerbed by moving things around.

Big improvement.

She got finished just as a Tornado watch flashed up on the Weather Channel.

No tornado materialized though.

The flowers that we planted beside the garage this Spring are doing very well. The morning glory that Jane planted as seeds are thriving.

Also the hydrangea plant has some buds on it and will likely have some blossoms in a short time.

What a wonderful visit getting to know our granddaughter, Roxana Mae! Today it’s our turn with Max and his doting parents!

He was very happy to see us, his mouth forming a big “O” and pointing at us! We were thrilled to see that he is beginning to try to say words and he understands several.

He is also very energetic and it kept Tonya and Chris pretty busy! Jane kept watching Chris, having flashbacks to when he was that age. A lot of smiles crossing her face.

Our original plan was to have a picnic in a nearby park, but Max was off his nap schedule, so it was better for him to have our visit at the house and we were happy to oblige!

Ah, look at our granddaughter!! We are so enjoying our visit with Roxana today. She is definitely a sweetie and doesn’t seem to be shy at all. I can see how happy my wife is!!

She never cries and she smiles a lot.

She loves being read to by Grandma and Grandma loves reading to her.

We are having a great time watching her, her doting Daddy and her proud Mama!

This morning, right after breakfast, we headed off to Toronto to stay at Steve and Sara’s place for the weekend.

Sara had graciously extended this invitation which we were quick to accept.

It wasn’t long after that Grandma had Roxy on her lap, reading a book with her.

It has been another great day weather-wise and another day that I spent trying to figure out distribution logistics for my book project.

I have three options I am looking at so it’s a matter of deciding which one but I have a lot of time.

We are getting ready to visit Steve, Sara and Roxana tomorrow and will be staying there for a few days.

Saturday, we’ll go see Max.

Yesterday my irrigation system was acting up a bit.

I tried changing the batteries but it didn’t help so I left it for the day.

Went back at it today and got it going although the front yard controller shows batteries at 24% even though I put in brand new ones.

After a lot of thought, I have decided to disassociate my book project from the Temiscaming Centennial Committee.

They have indicated that it is their decision as to where profits will go contrary to their approval of my proposal which called for ALL profits to go to a charity in Temiscaming.

I no longer have confidence in this committee.

Big disappointment.

Fly in the Temiscaming Book ointment!

This morning I received a startling message from Christine Parent, Secretary Treasurer of the Temiscaming Centennial Committee, advising that the Committee has concerns about my Facebook posts where I state that profits from sales of MY book would go to charity.

She wants the profits to go to the Committee for them to decide how to use them. Also wants me to sign a contract.

This, seven months after approving my project submission which clearly stated all profits would go to a Temiscaming charity. I have this in writing. I learned many years ago to keep ALL documentation.

Very disappointing turn of events.

I will be changing the plan and fully intend to move forward as I see fit.

This morning, right after breakfast, we packed a lunch, cold drinks and headed for Georgian Bay.

We didn’t have a particular destination; we just wanted to get out in the dinghy, on the Bay.

We ended up at Tonche East on Beausoleil Island – the exact spot where we got married, just over 7 years ago. Funny how we are always drawn to this beautiful spot.

The water is way higher as you can see by the submerged dock!

There is one other person here camping in a tent. Other than that, we have the place to ourselves. We had an absolutely blissful day! I set up my hammock in the bush, Jane set up her chair and her libation right in the water. We both fell into a dreamy, “do not disturb us while we are in heaven”, state.

It was very good for both our souls. We stayed for an extraordinarily long time today.

Our across the street neighbours came for a social distanced visit this afternoon.

We set up on our back deck and enjoyed the shade while sampling some cold libations.

The afternoon passed quickly with lots of chatter and a lot of laughs. It was good to have a nice chat!

Our Cuisinart Grind’n Brew coffee maker has sprung a leak. The warranty has run out but we really like this model.

I checked You Tube and there were two possibilities: hose or heating element. So I took the bottom off to have a look.

It turns out it is a corroded element.

The advice fromYou Tube was if that’s the case, might as well get a new coffee maker.

I’ll take that advice.

So far I have 68 contributors who have sent in a submission for my project.

The oldest contributor, so far, is 93 years of age!

I have been in contact with a couple of people in Temiscaming who were involved with the publication of the 75th anniversary book and they were helpful especially in the area of distribution.

I have written up a detailed business plan which I will present to the Centennial Committee in September. This has been, and continues to be, a very satisfying undertaking.

It’s been overcast all morning and is now raining. We are both a little tired but ever so happy after a glorious weekend with Sara, Steve and our “Squirms”. It could only have been better if Tonya, Chris and our Maxster could have joined us.

I continue to edit and update the Temiscaming Centennial book, more stories are coming in lately. In the last few weeks there have been another 9 or 10 stories submitted!

It’s looking good!

What a nice way to enjoy the morning! A leisurely breakfast with Sara, Steve and Roxana and our precious granddaughter, who is even cuter in person than in photos. We are enjoying every moment!

She likes being carried from room to room to look at everything new. She is a curious girl! She has smiles today for both of us which makes us feel so good!! Grandma looks pretty happy below, holding her granddaughter!

And the 3 of us below, with a cute little bow in her hair!! No one can smile like Roxana Mae today!

We are enjoying our visit with Roxana who is just the sweetest bundle of cuteness you could imagine.

She is fascinated by all the new things to see here.

Today it’s raining like crazy so it’s a no go on the deck.

But yesterday was beautiful out there with Roxy.

Jane and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Granddaughter, Roxana, along with Sara and Steve.

We will finally get to actually hold her this time!

They should be here for the long weekend, returning home on Monday.

Exciting!