Happy Birthday is extended to Brian and Peter. We hope you had a great day! I guess the best present is …Canada winning the World Cup of hockey.

TGIF and the first week of the school year over and done
with. Only another 38 weeks until summer vacation:>) Something new this year is early start times for both Laura and I. The alarm goes off at 6:15am, the bus comes at 7:10 and I have to be at school by 8:05. The best thing is we both get home earlier.
Continue reading →

We’ve been having fun camping at the Port Huron KOA. Today the weather has been perfect with clear air and warming sun. I went for a little drive down by the marina area while the girls were shopping at the local dollar store near our campground. I took the laptop computer to use the GPS map feature and when I got back in the truck after a short stroll I noticed I had a very strong wireless connection. I thought I’d say a quick hello.

CNN reports that in a bid to protect its lucrative media contracts, the IOC is barring competitors, coaches, and support personnel from writing firsthand accounts of their Olympic experience, on the web or in print, for the duration of the Games. Nor are they allowed to ever post photographs or movies that they’ve taken, including media of themselves, even after the Games are finished. They’ve threatened to disqualify anyone that violates their restrictions and sue them for monetary damages.

The IOC’s rationale for the restrictions is that athletes and their coaches should not serve as journalists — and that the interests of broadcast rightsholders and accredited media come first. It’s a good thing they’re not having any problems selling tickets anyways, eh?

This morning at 7am, Tom headed off to Port Dover on his ST1100 for Canada’s Largest Motorcycle Event, PD13. This is the first time he has done something like this with his bike although I have always been intrigued to do Sturgis or Daytona Bike Week. Have fun Tom and enjoy the ride! Check it out http://www.pd13.com [MORE added by Tom… Please continue]
Continue reading →

It was an emotional morning as we bid adu to Catherine as she headed back up north after a wonderful weeks stay. While she was here we sat and talked, played board games, visited with Irene, had a pondside picnic with Pud and Milt, celebrated Laura’s birthday, went on a shopping spree to Clem’s Book Store, had an evening with friends and neighbours at the North Harwich Volunteer Firefighters BBQ, visited a long time friend Barbara Jean, enjoyed great suppers and sipped wonderful wines. It went by all to soon. Thanks for your visit Catherine….until next year……!
This morning Catherine and Jackie caught the train together to Toronto. Catherine is meeting up with Bill and Jackie is going to Barrie with friends for a concert.

Happy 16th Birthday Laura!
Birthdays are more than cakes and candles,
they’re more than presents too.
They give us a chance to celebrate
someone as special as you!

Today Laura celebrated one of the biggest milestones in a young girl’s life, her Sweet 16 birthday, marking an important passage from childhood into the approaching life of an adult. She chose to celebrate this special occasion with her family including her Aunt Catherine. We had a lovely picnic lunch at Erieau Beach and a brisk walk along the pier breakwall. Tom made a delicious wine chicken for supper, with corn on the cob and red skin potatoes. After soccer practice Jackie and Josh brought Laura’s friend Jenny back for marble cake and opening of presents. It was a great day!
Continue reading →

August 1st brought a welcome mini vacation. I travelled down the 401 to Chatham where I hadn’t been for well over a year. My family continued to be wrapped up in baseball commitments back in Mississauga and I welcomed the break. I loved the farm facelift and it was fun to see both Jackie and Laura home for the summer. Thanks Laura for giving me your room for the 3 days. Lucas was sweet and very luvable. Thanks Tom and Martha for treating me to the movies and the picnic at Mitchell’s Bay. It was so nice to be back.

What a lovely weekend for a….”Road Trip”!!!
Laura was babysitting Alex yesterday so Tom and I headed out for an all day motorcycle outing. We first headed south to the Chatham Airport to see the Chatham Aeronauts R/C Model Flying Club’s 6th Annual All-Ontario Scale Fly-in. The show featured turbine jets, combat teams, helicopters, and free-style aerobatics. There was also a display of classic cars and full-size aircraft. We spied an Ultralight and chatted with the owner and instructor about his craft. A neighbour, Larry Anderson was there and I admired his all original 57 T-Bird convertible and his 65 Corvette ragtop.
We had a blast last year and this was definitely on our summer agenda. It was much bigger this year with the new location and visiting pilots and planes.
Continue reading →