The most thoughtful and memorable gift my parents ever gave me was a set of three gloves.
This gift was so thoughtful as each glove represented a sport that I was keenly interested in.
These were gifts on my birthday when I was in my early twenties and I still have these gloves, almost.
The first pair are cross country ski gloves. A wool inner liner and a very supple leather outer cover.
The second pair were for sailing. They got used sailing with friends on their boats or when skippering my Fireball. Now a days I’m using them on the Oarboard for rowing.
Protection from lines and sheets and now oars.
The third pair is the “almost” pair as they were stolen ☹️. This pair were Solomon down hill ski gloves made extra special by a large “S” on the back of the hand for Solomon or was it for Stewart??
Anyway on a cool day I was riding my Honda 550F and parked it to briefly go into a store. I locked the Helmut to the bike and stuffed the gloves in the Helmut. A short time in the store and the gloves were gone when I came out. I still miss those gloves.
The glove trio remind me of my parents love and the effort and thoughtfulness behind the gift. I remember them fondly when use these gloves many years later.
Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) successfully completed the first end-to-end demonstration of the key stages of its advanced fuel recycling process, in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory. Supported by an award from ARPA-E and the Department of Energy, this milestone marks a significant step forward in Oklo’s efforts to scale up its fuel recycling capabilities and deploy a commercial-scale recycling facility to increase advanced reactor fuel supplies, and enhance fuel cost effectiveness.
Additional important information can be found in our press release.Press releaseICYMI
During my work life I flew to Toronto from Winnipeg quite a few times. The flight path in both directions flies right over Lake of the Woods. In fact it flies directly over our cottage on Heenan Point and this is the point where they reduce air speed and begin the decent into Winnipeg.
I’ve taken a few pictures over the years but never as clear as this one that my son Scott took on the way back from Montreal.
Henan Point on Lake of the Woods
There are lots of variables in getting a clear shot like this. Are you in a window seat with the lake on the correct side of the plane? How’s the weather, is it clear and cloud free? Are you paying attention and ready to get the shot? The plane is still going pretty fast and you only have a few minutes.
Took advantage of the sunny calm weather to do a little kayaking.
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The thoughts you fill your mind with are crucial because what you cling to influences your worldview.
If you choose to dwell on God’s promises, you start to recognize God’s blessings during uncertain times. Trusting that God will redeem your present pain equips you to walk forward in faith and keep on fighting.
Isaiah 12:2 reminds us that we belong to a God who is faithful to keep His promises. This God rescues us and fights for us. So when we belong to God, we have nothing to fear—all we need to do is cling to God and wait on Him to act.
So as you walk forward today, reflect on some of God’s promises, and let them transform the way you think:
God will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)
God’s peace will guard your heart. (Philippians 4:7)
God delights over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. (Psalm 32:8)
God is your refuge and strength, your help in times of need. (Psalm 46:1)
In all things, you are more than a conqueror because God loves you. (Romans 8:37)
God will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
God’s perfect love casts out all your fear. (1 John 4:18)
Nothing can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:38-39)
God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you. (Philippians 1:6)
So, back in June of 2022 I was at the dentist complaining about some pain in one of my molars. This molar had a root canal and crown done a while back and I didn’t think anything else could go wrong with that tooth but, apparently I was wrong! The opinion was that the root had cracked and the only remedy was an extraction.
This particular molar was the last one on the lower right side so it is kind of important for chewing so just an extraction is not the end of the story. The further recommendation is to get an implant and oh by the way start saving. My dentist gives me an estimate of around $3,500!
Step 1
Confirm the diagnosis by having a consult with a specialist and a panoramic X-ray. This happens on 2022/7/31 and sure enough the specialist agrees and recommends the implant as well. He makes a referal to Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery and the journey gets officially underway.
Step 2
I meet Maxillo on 2022/9/28. this appointment was delayed by some other health issues but I’m finally able to sit in the chair. I’m assigned an implant specialist and the first thing he does is another fancy X-ray just like in Step 1 even though I had that X-ray sent over to Maxillo. They want their own and up to date image. They too confirm that implant is the way to go and by the time I leave the office I have a detailed estimate of the cost and an appointment for the extraction.
Step 3
Extract the tooth – 2023/01/12. This is the least favourite of the steps. They are super professional and in exactly one hour, as per the estimate, it’s done. The tooth is extracted and the resulting “hole” is packed with bone graft material. Now I need to wait a minimum of 6 months for everything to heal and the bone graft material to take hold. After 2 weeks there is a quick checkup to make sure things are healing properly.
Step 4
Place the Implant – 2023/09/12
This is the post that they are going to screw into my jaw bone.
And to help them place it exactly there has been another hi-tech pano x-ray and the results are up on the screen in the procedure room.
Once the post is “implanted” a cap is put on the top and I’m on my way for another 3 month wait for this to heal up.
The next appointment is a quick visit for a “torque test” where they ensure the post is solidly in place by putting a torque wrench, a very small one, on the post and give it a twist to ensure it can handle the tooth being bolted on. At this point the Maxillo team has completed their work and I’m handed off back to my dentist. Why the two organizations? Turns out it’s a licensing thing that the oral surgeons can’t hold the two licensed required by the Manitoba Government to perform both type of work. Other provinces can, but not in Manitoba.
Step 5
On 2023/12/18 I’m back at my dentist’s office and they take impressions to send off to the lab to have my new tooth created. Impressions are made by biting into those huge metal trays filled with goop like play-doh except it hardens quite quickly and while this is happening you try to not choke. ?
Step 6
On 2024/01/09 the tooth is back from the lab, after an unexpected 2 week delay due to a parts shortage, and it’s time to install the finished product. And here it is!
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo from the top of the tooth where you would see a hole going straight down into the silver metal part. This is where they will insert a bolt and torque the tooth to the post. At this point there is another X-ray to ensure that the tooth is seated properly.
At this point things are looking good and the top of the tooth where the bolt went in is covered with dental material to finish the install. Some buffing and polishing and I’m done and the tooth is ready for use immediately.
It’s good to have it completed. A procedure that should have taken 9 months was extended due to my other health issues to 18 months. Steak dinner tonight. ?
