Hints of summer, a new resident at the Seidlitz bed and breakfast, and multiple short trips

Spring is sort of here... and is still here... and it is June already. Even with our chilly weather, we have still gone out to do a few things.

First off, we have a new person living with us! I know, eventually that statement is not going to surprise anyone... Staying with us this summer is Wendy's cousin's daughter (Christine). She volunteer's at the hospital with Wendy's manager. This opportunity for some healthcare system experience could prove useful for her future goals.

Hiking at one of Hamilton's many waterfalls

Although a month later than normal, our crabapple tree bloomed gloriously this May. It was so cold out that the blooms also lasted far longer than expected. Guess they were needed for insulation.

One day, Wendy was looking at a picture of her father (Ron) and his older brother (Roy) and decided to take a photo of their two grandchildren (Parker and Christine) holding the photo. This also gave me a chance to try out the portrait mode on my new phone (Google Pixel 3a, if you are interested).

We recently decided to go into Toronto to take in a Blue Jays game, stopping first at our niece's place nearby for lunch. Leanne, Scott, Elyse, and Brynn joined us at the game and sat in the next row from Wendy, myself, Ying, and Fanfan. The girls seemed to have a great time; the dads found the one discount beer stand on our level (hint, instead of buying an $11 beer, the same one costs $5 at the Dugout Deals stand on each level of the Rogers Centre).

Ying and Fanfan under the CN Tower

Scott photobombing our selfie

Elyse taking it all in

Brynn likes the camera

Fanfan also loves the camera

 Since the game was a "Junior Jays" event, the girls got to go onto the field after the game (the Jays won by a mile) and ran the bases. Fanfan wasn't completely sure what the big deal was, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.

On the field

Our spring flowers are in full swing now (yes, in JUNE), but they will soon wilt as the heat comes rushing in later in the month.

Last week Wendy took a trip with her manager to attend a conference in Detroit. It was purely a work trip, but she noted that her hotel was directly beside the border crossing as you come out of the bridge from Windsor. They decided to drive there, since it would be too much hassle to fly.

Another last minute trip was scheduled after Adam called us last week and asked if we could come up to North Bay on the weekend to attend the Annual Parade and Banquet for the Cadet Squadron where he is a civilian instructor. He acted as the MC for the parade, and this occurred in the hangar at his college. Over the course of the long day, we got the full tour (inside the aircraft as well - including the 727), and learned how he helped move all the aircraft around to accommodate the parade. We also got to meet many of the people that he has talked about over the last year.  If all works out, the next time we are up in North Bay, we may be able to get a guided tour of the NORAD facilities at 22 Wing, the air force base next to the college. Adam may  no longer be a civilian in the next few months, but that event may appear here in a later post.

The MC at work

The weekend ended with a nice breakfast at our hotel, where they said Adam could come to eat for free. Small towns are great!  Long drives home through Toronto cottage country traffic... not so much.

One last note, here is a photo to show Christine in her uniform at the hospital. Although we frequently drive in together to work, Wendy is the only one who see her 'at work'.

Coming up this week, I go to a conference in New Orleans that I stumbled upon only a few weeks ago. Wendy won't be able come along, as I will arrive Friday late afternoon and leave Sunday noon (I need to get back to teach on Monday). Too expensive for 1 day (while I am in conference). Looks like it will be a very interesting meeting (it is called the Teaching Professor Conference!), and the weather there is likely going to be very hot (30-35C, plus humidity).

Later this summer will see a short trip to Calgary and Banff, then a week at a rented cottage on Sauble Beach (Lake Huron). Glad I bought a new carry-on bag - it will likely pay for itself in the next several months!

June so far

June has been a busy month, especially for Parker. In addition to his umpire job, he got a part time job as a dishwasher at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster (he was a caddie there last summer). He works some very long shifts, sometimes finishing just before 1 am... which means one of us has to stay up to drive him home. 

If that wasn't busy enough, Parker also is a player on a Dundas Minor baseball team. They play in several locations around Hamilton, so sometimes there is a little driving involved. Maddy seems to like to go to the games and really enjoys all the new smells at the ball park.

Adam hasn't been idle either.  He has some news to share...

https://goo.gl/photos/gnLkHFWJDCT8UqRP7

Click the link above if the video doesn't work

Yes, he bought all the gear to go with the motorcycle he purchased. Here he is showing off the gear.

He picked up the bike (a used Suzuki) this week and will be taking a motorcycle course this coming weekend. He has his M1 licence (motorcycle learner...) and the course he will take includes the road test that satisfies the government requirements. 

Wendy and I have kept busy as well.  We went with her mom to a family wedding (Wendy's cousin) in Zurich (Ontario). Here we are just after the outdoor service.

It was blistering hot, so we found shade wherever we could.

Wendy and I have been doing Tai Chi since last year, and we have finally learned all 108 moves. Here is Wendy doing some of the moves... I took pictures because I had to sit out at the end due to some joint issues.

https://goo.gl/photos/Ly9QGXnDM3qKKwFT7

Click the link above if the video doesn't work

Last day in Quebec City

Wendy's conference was over last evening, so we took the chance to go out to dinner and wander the city for a while. Below is the view from our window in the evening (after most of the Blue Jays disaster game was over).

This was an interesting and colourful sight - seemed to be a war memorial.

The restaurant where we ate dinner was reported to be the oldest pizza restaurant in the city. We had a chicken and bacon pizza with a Caesar salad - ON TOP! Yes, the salad was piled on top the freshly baked pizza. Actually better than it sounds!

Halloween decorations are big here. This display went all out, with a cauldron, fake flames, and real steam.

The pumpkin was of good size as well.

Purple is the predominant colour used to light up most buildings at night. Here is the Chateaux Frontenac.

Our last full day was set aside for Wendy and I to sleep in then tour the Citadel. It is the main Fort and home to the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd regiment (vingt deux; the Van Doos). Below is a shot taken in one of the museum areas with badges from military units across Canada.

Most of my photos were on my real camera, but here are a few from the tour.

This panorama will likely stick off the edge of the web page, but it shows a nice view of old Quebec.

This is their largest cannon but it is not the one they fired at noon.

We did stop in to visit a beautiful old cathedral. Gorgeous interior...

This picture of Wendy nicely combines 2 common themes from the trip. Here is Wendy eating maple cotton candy (really good stuff!) while watching a Blue Jays game!

The rest of July and August

I know I am going back a bit, but I thought I would catch up on the routine happenings in July with our family.

Adam went off to the cadet summer camp at Blackdown (near Barrie) to work as an adult civilian. He got this position somewhat last minute, as he was on a waiting list. He couldn't apply before the usual deadline because he was still a cadet (until his birthday in April), so his name got on the list later than expected.

He was in charge of a company and all the staff cadets and says he had a good time. He hopes to go back next summer and is starting the paperwork early.

Adam is on the opposite side of the table on the right. Red hair.

At the end of June (I was in Europe) Parker signed up for baseball. He went back to baseball like a fish to water, having not played for a long while. The team did very well and went to a variety of places across Hamilton to play.

In July, when money was REALLY tight, the driveway people came back to finish the job they started in May. No more gravel driveway, no more mud. Below is the project mid-way through and the finished product. So smooth that snowblowing will be a joy this winter!

2nd place in city tournament

We visited Carrie, Ken and the two kids in July and Parker seemed to be very interesting to Jacob. 

Also this month, Wendy, her mom, and Melanie took a shopping trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan. They stayed a few nights and did "a little" shopping. Here is some of the stuff they bought!

Mel and Murray's pool and cabana in their back yard was a frequent stop for us to take in the great out doors.  Here are three people enjoying the fresh air and sunshine... all plugged into their tablets.

Can you guess what I am going to update you on next?

Yes, August!






Here is Wendy on Murray's bike. She held on very strongly, as she doesn't really like motorbikes.

Murray brought his old MG from his parent's place - they were moving so he had to find a spot for it. This was a nice shot that I have used for a windows wallpaper.

At the end of August, Parker and I took a short trip out to Manitoba to see my family. Wendy stayed home to spend some much needed time with her mom.  Here is the crew in the airport elevator just after our flight to Winnipeg.

The prairie sunset on the way to Portage la Prairie.

First thing the next morning, with bright sunshine and the juice waiting on the table, I knew I was home again.

One of the sights we took in was the Winnipeg zoo. This little gopher decided that I was an interesting sucker. He came right up and almost touched my hand. I kept telling it that Parker was the one eating the mini-doughnuts! It soon turned, and took off with a chitter.

 The highlight was supposed to be the polar bears - this is the best view we got of them.

This tiger was just watching us, like we were the entertainment.

The butterfly conservatory was full of monarchs.

We went to the Forks (a shopping area at the fork of the Assiniboine and Red rivers). Here is the rather unusual Museum of Human Rights building. It is just across the "d*nk bridge" on the other side of the river.

My parents are always outside when the weather is warm and the mosquitoes are not.

Parker's stated main reason for coming on the trip was to play golf with his uncles. He did that several times, and once with his grandfather along as a golf cart driver.

We had a BBQ at Dave and Sandra's place. Here is my bother Karl and my mom checking out the BBQ.  Just potatoes on this one. The real BBQ was the smoker that Dave recently bought to do pulled pork.

Parker even played golf in the back yard!

I took a few walks around town to do some photography. Found a few interesting subjects.

Meanwhile, Wendy found an online auction with a kitchen table and chairs. She bought it very cheaply. My job will be to recover the seats.

More photos from the BBQ.

15 years old!

The blue icing was very blue!