Category: Grab Bag

It started around 5pm yesterday, and this is what we woke up to this morning. A co-worker who was flying in from Toronto was diverted to Saskatoon and my son who has been out in his 4×4 this morning reported that several buses are stuck and blocking traffic. A good day to work from the home office as I listen to the dull roar of the neighbor’s snow blower. I’m hoping my “snow blower” (Scott) will look after our driveway, as he’s home today. His construction job with J&D Penner seems to have come to an abrupt end with the change in weather.

Did I day burning bush? I meant burning brush; this stuff is definitely getting consumed. On a rare November trip to the lake where the weather was great with temperatures at +10 and no snow, we observed the annual brush burning event. A neighbor organized the burning pile through the year and several local cottagers contributing to the pile. This year we both participated in contributing to the pile and observing the burn. We’ve heard rumors that there is a big road party in conjunction with this activity but we were heading back into the city before there was any sign of a party but they had another couple of hours of active burning ahead. The wind was light but not from the best direction, I hope they kept everything under control. In years past we’d just see the charred remains in the spring and were none the wiser. Now we know how it happens.

 
On October 21, 2005, Eric turned 23 and something magical happened, he became a Princess (according to Scott). We had a great time around a Saturday brunch celebrating Eric’s birthday with Dez, Scott, Mandi & Shirley. However, apparently I need to work on my waffel making skills. First there was the over filling, then the sticking and then they were too crisp. Everyone ate them anyway and survived.

Happy Birthday son, we love you very much and are so very proud of you. You are a blessing in our life and the lives of many. 

@import url(http://www.blogger.com/css/navbar/main.css);
@import url(http://www.blogger.com/css/navbar/1.css);
div.b-mobile {display:none;}

 
Today, I was back on the bike for the usual spin out to Assiniboine Park and back for a distance of 35km. This would be fairly normal, if it we’re not for the crash on the Maah Daah Hey Trail on October 2, a mere 14 days ago, which resulted in a 3rd degree AC shoulder separation.

This first ride after the crash was far less that stellar and no where near as fast as my normal ride. I was favoring and protecting the left arm and watching out for every bump and crack in the road and of course there was no curb jumping or anything exciting at all. Just a nice first safe ride. The crash on the MDH was on Sunday about 40 minutes into the days ride. I was crusing down an nice straight downhill section that seemed quite ordinary until there was a large dropout in the track and I had too much weight forward which caused a crazy shock bottoming jar, tossing me out of the track. This would not normally be too bad as I could have typically re-gained control, slowed up a bit and dropped back into the track. But, before this could happen there was this large rock in the way, that I just couldn’t seem to steer around. Well as best as I can figure, the bike hit the rock and I flew over the bars one way an the bike departed in a separate direction. There was no bouncing, no rolling, just a sudden stop from about 25/kmh on my left shoulder.

For the first few minutes, I just layed there and did some pretty serious praying. After a while, I was able to sit up and the arm hurt quite a bit. I was sure that the forks on the bike would be trashed or the front wheel would be taco’d, but to my surprise the bike seemed fine, certainly alot better that I was. The rest of the guys were up ahead so I got back on the bike and rode down the rest of the hill and over to Scott & Eric. By this time I was feeling a little dizzy and decided to start back to the hotel. I’m about 8km from the hotel and as I start moving I realize this will be a very long walk. After walking up the hill past the scene of the crash, I decide to ride the rest of the way as it’s almost all down hill from here. Slowly and carefully I pick my way down the trail, onto the road and back to the the hotel. After a shower it’s into the car for the 9hr drive home. The next day is at the doctor’s to get the verdict. Oh well, stuff happens and this now marks my most serious bodily injury to date. It was worth it for a couple of days riding with the guys. I’m looking forward to MDH VI. 

Send via SMS

BlogThis!

blogspotInit();

 
This is the chair where worries melt away as you look out over the bay in front of our cottage. It’s Thanksgiving weekend and we’re closing up the cottage at the end of another great summer season. I’m so very thankful for a wonderful family, Shirley, my loving wife, two great sons Eric & Scott, and Dez & Mandi. It’s been a fun weekend having everyone together. 

I was out walking at lunch today and found myself at Photo Central. And as you can imagine when you find yourself in a store that specializes one of your favorite hobbies, photography, you can’t help but look around and getting interested in some new gear. The first was a camera bag by Lowepro that was also a backpack, very nice. Then there was the tripod bag, which would be great for trucking around the Manfroto. Or how about a new monopod? Light, portable and flexible a great accessory. Then there was the Canon hand strap, a whopping $50, which also required that you use the battery pack. And of course I been looking at the flashes, 430EX & 580EX , which are both quite nice. There was also an announcement for some photography courses and it would be good to improve the technique. Any way, just in case anyone is interested, Christmas is coming.