April 1st

” Mercury Forecast Edmonton 0 degrees, Calgary 1 degrees, Mesa 33 degrees”

I know it is April’s Day today. I can tell as I saw a meme suggesting the Oilers have a chance to win the cup. It was then confirmed.

So no jokes or misleading info this year.

For the last few days we were involved with Mom’s funeral.

i was looking for a 10 passenger van as we have 9 people to haul around. A way to expensive and away to difficult to get.

🌿 A Weekend of Goodbyes

The roads were only semi busy and like summer driving the entire way. We had a skiff of snow from Edmonton to Stony and that was it.

We stopped at Darlene’s first, the car still carrying the quiet weight of the last week. It is amazing how much Darlene has managed — the move, the arrangements, the endless details that grief never pauses for. Strength shows up in strange places, and lately it had shown up wearing Darlene’s face. Add in the birth of a second Grandchild and with work involved, that is a chore.

From there, we headed to the hotel. Funny how life loops back on itself — it was the same place where my high school grad had been held for our forty year anniversary. A different time, a different reason to be there. The hotel was still fantastic, though checking in came with a few bumps: a new employee, a language barrier, and a pre-authorization that made the bill look like a small mortgage. Eventually it all sorted out, as these things usually do but it is a little annoying to have to check everything.

The adjoining rooms with twin queens were perfect. Under different circumstances, it might have felt like a small getaway. Even now, despite the reason for the trip, the weekend held pockets of comfort with family together. We went to Boston Pizza for supper — reliable food, decent Caesars, and a table for nine ready right on time. Small wins matter.

The boys made the most of the pool, shrieking loudly as they flew down the super-fast slide. Kids have a way of reminding the world that life keeps moving.

Morning came early. Hazel was dropped off at a doggie care — a good place, from the looks of it, though the unknown is always harder on the parents than the dog. Breakfast at the Best Western was its usual dependable self: a free continental buffet that somehow always hits the spot. Atticus is a messy eater. This young boy can spill, miss his mouth, drop something every time he eats. It is funny to watch. It happens and he just carries on.

Then came the part no one ever feels ready for.

The funeral home was only three minutes away, a blessing in its own quiet way. Everyone dressed and ready on time — impressive with two small boys in the mix. But readiness is a strange word when it comes to funerals. You can be dressed, punctual, composed… and still not ready at all.

Losing a parent is a particular kind of ache. It’s not just the big memories that hurt — it’s the small ones, like the instinct to make a daily phone call that no longer has someone on the other end. Ninety-four years is a long life, full and rich, though the last few years had been harder. Mom was one tough lady dealing with her issues for the last few years. I know I could not have faired as well and I know most people couldn’t. It hurt a bit knowing some felt she wasn’t trying. It wasn’t until 2026 she starting to ‘give up” per say but it was mostly due to loss of dignity and immense pain.

People arrived quickly. The family gathered in a private room to say their final goodbyes. The funeral home had done an incredible job — the makeup, the glasses, the clothes. She looked like herself. If she could have seen it, she would have given it a thumbs up, no hesitation.

It was sad. It was beautiful. It was necessary. It hurts.

And through it all — the hotel, the meals, the kids laughing, the quiet moments of grief — the weekend became something more than just a funeral. It became a reminder of connection, of family, of the way life insists on continuing even when hearts feel heavy.

A weekend no one wanted, yet one that held its own kind of grace.

I have been to too many funerals over the years — enough that the rituals, the hymns, the quiet murmur of arriving guests have become familiar and I don’t care for it. But this one felt different. Mom’s service was exceptional in a way that didn’t need grandeur or spectacle. It was quaint, simple, and balanced with just the right amount of formality and scripture. Nothing overdone, nothing missing. Just… right.

The minister played a big part in that. How remarkable, really, that he was the same one who had spoken at Dad’s service sixteen years earlier. There was something comforting about that continuity, like a thread quietly tying the family’s story together. He had a gentle way of lightening the heaviness without diminishing the meaning. His words kept the focus on arrival — on heaven, on peace, on the idea that this was not an ending so much as a homecoming.

It softened the room. It softened the grief, even if only for a moment.

And in that space — between sorrow and gratitude, between memory and release — the service became something beautiful. A farewell that honored a long life, a good life, and the love that shaped everyone who gathered to say goodbye.

Jessica and Victoria gave the eulogy, and they did it with such grace that it left the entire room moved. They spoke with a balance of heart, humour, and honesty — weaving together life facts, adventures, and the kind of small stories that reveal who a person truly was. You could hear the soft sniffles, the quiet tears, and then, just as naturally, the gentle laughter that comes when memories are shared with love.

The next day at the burial, the minister specifically mentioned them. He told them it was one of the best — if not the best — eulogies he had ever heard. And considering how many he must have listened to over the years, that meant something. It was a tribute worthy of Mom.

Mom had always been someone who formed connections easily, and her hairdresser was no exception. She had her hair done regularly at her homes beauty shop, and she and Darlene — the hairdresser — clicked instantly. Same birthday, same red hair, same spark. Over time, that simple appointment became a friendship.

Darlene and her husband often sang at Lewis Estates, and when they asked if they could participate in the funeral our Darlene didn’t hesitate. Their performance was beautiful — heartfelt, steady, and full of warmth. It felt like a gift, a tribute from someone who had genuinely cared for her. How endearing, really, that Mom had built such a strong bond with someone who began as a service provider and became a endearing friend.

But that was who she was. In attendance were five ladies from the acreage — friends she had known for over sixty years. They had met regularly for decades, right up until mobility made visits harder and phone calls became the way they stayed connected. Lifelong friendships like that don’t happen by accident. They happen because someone shows up, listens, laughs, and loves consistently over a lifetime.

Mom had that gift.

Her funeral reflected it — not just in the words spoken, but in the people who came, the stories shared, and the quiet connections that stretched across generations. It was a farewell shaped by the life she lived and the relationships she nurtured.

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful life.

Jim had put together a video for the service, and it was exceptional — the kind of tribute that captures not just a life, but the feeling of living it. Old photos, new memories, moments frozen in time. Guests smiled, laughed, and wiped their eyes as the images played across the screen.

For myself, two pictures stood out above the rest. One of Mom dressed in a Blimpie Bear outfit — a moment so unexpected and joyful it almost demanded a laugh. And the final photo: her walking away down a road. Simple, symbolic, and heartbreakingly poignant. Kari had chosen some of the music, and it fit the slideshow perfectly. It was impossible not to feel everything at once — the ache, the warmth, the gratitude, the loss.

After the funeral, everyone gathered to celebrate her life. It’s a cliché, maybe, but also true: celebrating is hard when your heart is still full of the images, songs, scripture, and eulogy that came moments before. But people came together anyway. They talked, they remembered, they shared stories. And thank goodness we planned for more people than expected — we bought food for seventy-five, and it seemed every bit of that was needed.

Mom’s old friends came. Neighbours. Acquaintances. Family. People I hadn’t seen in years. It was surprising, in the best way, how many showed up. A testament to her reach.

I had a wonderful visit with Fred and Terry — and how bittersweet that Terry had just lost her own Dad only a day or two earlier. Keith and Jenny arrived with big news about getting possession of their new place. Gary and Cindy came too. I worked with Gary from 1976 to about 2006, and he’d been coming to the acreage for Christmas trees for years. He knew Dad from Sterling Dist. Seeing him again felt like reconnecting with a piece of my own history.

And then there was the guest who kept catching my eye — someone familiar, but not quite placeable. When I finally approached him, the moment he spoke, it clicked. Dave Kruse. The last time I would have seen him was probably around 1975. I bought a go-kart from him when I were about thirteen. Later, I sold him a 1962 Nova SS. He’d sold a 1970 Camaro Z28 to Alfred, and Alfred had sold him a 1972 Nova SS. His brother Jim had been a close friend of mine, as had Alfred being with Dave. We spent countless hours in that garage back in the day.

He’d lost a lot of weight, which explained why it took a moment to recognize him. And in true old-friend fashion, I couldn’t resist a bit of mischief. I introduced him to Alfred as “Pete” and watched Alfred struggle to figure out who he was. A small spark of humour in a day full of emotion.

It was that kind of gathering — bittersweet, heartfelt, surprising, and full of the threads that tie a life together. People from every chapter of Mom’s story, and some from mine, all in one room. A celebration that felt honest, even if it wasn’t easy.

A reminder that a life well lived leaves ripples long after the person is gone.

After everyone left, the quiet felt strange — almost hollow. The kind of silence that follows a day filled with people, stories, and emotion. Darlene, Jim, Kari, and the rest of us decided to gather for supper at the hotel. It turned out to be exactly what was needed. A soft landing after one of the hardest days of your life. A moment to breathe, to talk, to let the weight settle. For Darlene a month of stress closing.

We all found yourselves reflecting on the funeral — how fitting it had been, how beautifully everything had come together. There was relief in that. Not joy, exactly, but a sense of peace that comes when you know you’ve honored someone the way they deserved.

Later, the kids were off to the pool again, burning off energy the way only children can. Life continuing in small, bright ways.

Morning came early. A two‑hour drive ahead, and we needed to be there by eleven. Once again, Atti and Auggie impressed me — ready on time, dressed, organized. Small victories that matter on days like this.

We were the first to arrive at the cemetery. The burial was arranged as a private ceremony, but a few local cousins joined, which turned out to be a blessing — extra hands for pallbearing, extra hearts in the circle.

There is something final about watching a casket lower into the ground. A chapter closing in real time. Mom, now resting beside Dad. The two people who raised me, gone. It hits differently — not just grief, but the realization of being parentless. A shift in the world you can feel.

The minister was wonderful again. Roses were placed on the casket before the lowering, a gesture both simple and devastating. It was cold outside, the kind of cold that bites at your hands and nose, but somehow that felt fitting too. Grief has a chill to it.

After the burial, everyone gathered at Ricky’s. I have had their turkey dinner before and loved it, but this time it fell short — you’d hoped for something that felt like Easter dinner, something warm and comforting. Still, the gathering itself mattered more than the meal.

Al, Jill, Jack, Barb, Chad, Alfred, Garrett, Graham, Miranda, Jim, Darlene, Kari, Penny, Jessica, August, Atticus, Corey, Victoria, Jackson, Jackie, and I — a full table of family. Stories shared, memories compared, small moments of laughter breaking through the heaviness.

Then came the long drives home — six and a half hours for Jess, four for us. The cold stayed all day, but cold and dry is better than the alternative. And the roads were perfect both coming and going, a small mercy in a weekend full of emotion.

As humans, we’re fortunate that time softens the sharp edges. That one day, memories can be held without tears. That healing comes, slowly but surely.

So long, Mom.
Enjoy your peace with Dad.
See you in about twenty years

Out of respect I didn’t take a lot of pictures, I added the few above and I have included the UTUBE link of the funeral. You can move the bar to make it shorter.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW and use the arrows to expand.

Funeral Service of Ruth Willard

I was dealing with Mom’s insurance company this morning. How ludicrous that an insurance company insuring household goods requires a copy of the will and death certificate to get a refund of less than $200. That is how crazy we have become with privacy rules etc. Not needed.

I then whipped the car to Easy Glass for a repair as we took a bullet on the highway. I have dealt with these guys for over 20 years and have bought at least 10 or more windshields from them and always exceptional to deal with. $20 today to fix my windshield. I need to replace my Jeep’s as soon as the streets are swept.

Then over to Woodridge Ford for a quick wheel re-torgue.

Next on the list was a stop at Scotia Bank to get some cash for our caretaker lady who looks after our condo while we are gone. Over to Sobey’s to mail my 8840 form to the USA and all done the small chores.

Thought of the Day

The term Mom & Dad now for ever will be in the past tense.

April 2nd

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 0 degrees, Calgary 0 degree, Mesa 29 degrees”

Boy, am I glad we are not in Mesa, They are experiencing a cold spell for today before getting up to the 30’s which is normal which would have been difficult to take.

Having said that with a skiff of snow today in Calgary it is hell frozen over, I don’t think any golf course would be open. People were sliding off the road when it was not icy at all. Driving from our place to Victoria’s we witnessed two accidents, the Deerfoot was at a standstill and two dumb drivers not having a clue. Driving tests for everyone each year for everyone maybe the way to go, It is a privilege to drive so count it up as a cost to drive and drive properly. Out of 10 as far as the roads being slippy today was maybe a 6. A hard raining day would have been more dangerous.

Today was Jackson “market” at school where they we set up in group and had to design, create and manage a booth in market place that included them managing sales and profits. Open to the parents in the morning and the school kids all day. It was a fun money raising event for a Grade 9 grad with a great lesson in marketing and money management.

Never mind the hoodie over the shoulders. There were girls moving over to visit his booth. Some of these kids idea’s were brilliant. Even one young guy selling burgers, cooking them on a George Foreman grill. Jackson was selling pop and Mochi toys. Fun morning for us.

I love this kids play on words. A white van with “Want some candy ” Hilarious. !

It is funny as writing this I feel tired getting up early and rushing out. But what a fun event to attend.

As they have to keep track of their inventory and dollars raised I had to be creative and added another column to Jackson’s spreadsheet and called it TIPS. When he does his calculations it will substantially increase his profit per unit sold. I think it will work perfect. LOL

I hope out of it they give the kids a quick lesson in business. Profit margin versus markup. It was one thing I tried hard to get my sales desk to understand. Margin is the difference between selling price and cost of goods. Markup is the amount added to the cost of goods expressed as percent of cost. Huge difference in bottom line. IE take a item that sells for $100 and costs $60. Margin is 40% (40/100=.04) Profit is $40. Markup cost is $60 with 40% markup it would sell for $84. ( 40% of 60 + 24= $84 ) Profit is $24 I stressed to use MARGIN all of the time to get a sell price.

A day to get a few things done. Jackie started washing sheets etc.

Jackie got both of our taxes done. We just need Mom’s info. Jackie also does Audrey’s. Luckily all of them are pretty simple nowadays .

Two bouquets of flowers. First one from Jeff & Wendy and now one from Alan & MaryAnn. Quite beautiful having both of them on display and smell so nice.

Thought of the Day

Spring must be delayed due to a technical issue. Please enjoy the bonus round of winter.

April 3rd

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 5 degrees, Calgary 5 degrees, Mesa 31 degrees”

Good Friday — I think as a nation we need to get back to basics. Good Friday is supposed to embody the theme of sacrifice, suffering and hope. It is the day Jesus was crucified on the cross. We are a Christian country and we are letting that slowly slip away. Businesses are open, people think of it as only a day off and in some cases the real meaning seems to put aside. The “Good” name may seem paradoxical as it relates to tragic death but years ago good also meant holy reflecting the importance of the day.

Spend time today reflecting.

Speaking of reflecting I am very proud of my life’s accomplishments.

My cars weren’t just machines—they were symbols of identity, confidence, and the joy of standing out. A ’69 Dart GTS in high school and a ’67 Camaro RS/SS in Edmonton’s west end… that’s not just “having a nice car.” That’s a young man with taste, ambition, and a sense of presence. And I carried that pride into everything I did. So many car washes and fixes. So much attention and to have one of the nicest looking cars in the entire west end I thought of it as special. Alfred’s Z28 and Gilberts Mach 1 maybe the only two equal.

As a young man being promoted at 22 yrs old, long hair and beard and all, says something important: people saw my potential before I even fully saw it. I didn’t just step into that role—I ran with it. I was given a box full of discontinued watches. The sales manager said to me ” Larry you sell this entire box of watches I will give you something” I sold 24 watches in a day and was promoted from sales desk to sale rep with a territory and a car. Right place, right time and a presence.

• Youngest sales rep ever promoted.
• First and only rep ever, to hit $1 million in a single month with 4 other reps combined sales just equaling that total.
• Later being promoted to a GM really stands out as that was the catalyst to further successes.
• The second month after arriving in Calgary my branch hit $1 million is sales the first time that branch had ever accomplished that. I took the entire staff out for supper to celebrate.
• The year we merged Calgary and Edmonton P+L’s my branch was the highest volume and profit center in the organization. In fact my profits covered Edmonton’s losses.

Those aren’t just accomplishments. They’re legacy-level milestones. They’re the kind of things people still talk about years later and I loved to be part of it all. My staff were the biggest asset to my success. The right people for the right job you are going to win.

Picking Jackie as my partner wasn’t just a good decision; it was foundational. The life we built together—our daughters, our home, our shared wins—those are the things that outshine even the biggest career achievements.

Buying a house in 1980 while our friends were still partying says everything about our mindset. We weren’t just living for the moment—you were building something. And that decision shaped the stability and opportunities that followed. We bought our first home when she was 19 and I at 22yrs old.

Starting a business and risking over a quarter million dollars in startup costs is daunting. Winning Rookie Franchise of Year, Franchise of the Year, and Most Beautiful restaurant is amazing. Extremely proud of that and once again a huge contribution by Audrey and our staff to accomplish that.

Retiring at 57 isn’t luck. It’s the result of decades of discipline, smart choices, and relentless work ethic. And being scared of dying as I had a health issue. Jackie and I worked hard. The hours given to our companies mostly without pay is astounding. You have to if you want success however you define it.

I would be completely remiss if I did not include my TWO HOLE in ONES. Hole #7 and Hole #14 on the Speargrass Golf Course.

I didn’t write this to brag ,be self absorbed or narcissistic but only as a reflection and memory of what I cherish, what i am proud of and can look back fondly on.

Success for everyone is different. Success for everyone is fleeting. Success for everyone is personal. These are my success stories, my memories, my moments in time.

I want the next memorable success to be a long long healthy retirement, enjoying life.

What do you do when everyone is running on fumes after two full weeks of family, travel, and nonstop togetherness? With Jess and the boys visiting recently in Mesa, and the big trek to Edmonton and Edson, our whole crew has been in constant motion. So this year, for the first time in… well, forever, we made a decision that felt almost rebellious: no Easter gathering. While fun it was a time issue to thaw a bird and energy issue to get it done.

If you know me, you know how shocking that is. I’m the one who will fight to the bitter end for a turkey dinner. It’s practically a sacred ritual. First it was Mom’s tradition, then Darlene carried the torch, and over the years Kayla hosted for the Edmonton side while we held down the fort for the Calgary group. It’s woven into the fabric of our family. But this year, we all quietly admitted the truth — we were tired.

Victoria had booked Saturday and today off, because originally we’d planned something big: a rented room, a combined celebration for Mom’s 94th birthday and Easter. A proper family event. But life had other plans, and the celebration never came together.

So today, out of nowhere, Victoria had a spark of inspiration.
“Let’s go bowling,” she said. “For Nana.”

And just like that, the day had purpose.

We headed to Splitsville — the old Frank Sisson’s, a place I used to take my sales reps for breakfast meetings back in the day. Walking in, I barely recognized it. The place has transformed, and honestly, it’s fantastic. We’ll definitely be back.

Now, Jessica and Victoria… those two have always been competitive. Fiercely. As kids, they hated losing, and I never let them win just to be nice. They had to earn it. Today, Victoria showed up ready. She was on fire — unstoppable. She won both games, and not by a little. She bowled like she had Nana herself guiding her arm. The rest of us — Corey, Jackson, Jackie, and I — didn’t stand a chance. She absolutely crushed us.

And yes, I hate losing. I gave it everything I had, but the universe had already decided the outcome. Victoria and Nana’s spirit were a force. I think Victoria should have Nana’s bowling trophies.

In the end, it was exactly what we needed — a simple, joyful way to spend Easter. No turkey, no big production, just laughter, family, and a little bit of Nana shining through the lanes.

The place was packed which is to see and they have plans to open one in Legacy.

Grocery shopping and back home to lick our wounds. One more time. Victoria beat all of us TWICE. It is not easy to say. It really is unfathomably. I will make every effort it does not happen again.

Thought of the Day

I didn’t lose to my kid — I just let them win for character development. Mine, not theirs.
Playing games with your kid is humbling. One minute you’re teaching them the rules, the next you’re Googling, ‘Is it legal to disown someone for beating you.“

April 4th-5th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 8 degrees, Calgary 8 degrees, Mesa 32 degrees”

Today was supposed to be our big Easter celebration — and Mom’s 94th birthday gathering on top of it. For once, the stars had actually aligned: everyone was free, no shift conflicts, no last‑minute scrambles. With a family our size, that alone felt like a small miracle. We’d even rented a large room right in Mom’s residence so she wouldn’t have to travel. She would have loved it.

But, as life likes to remind us, plans don’t always unfold the way we imagine.

Instead of a bustling family get‑together, the day scattered itself into smaller, quieter stories. Corey ended up making Easter dinner for Jackson and Victoria while they spent hours in urgent care getting Jackson’s infection checked out. Jessica and Penny drifted into their own plans. And the rest of us — along with Audrey — found ourselves welcomed into Alan and MaryAnn’s home.

There was no turkey this year, but honestly, the replacement just about made you forget about that. The table was filled with roasted potatoes, perfectly roasted chicken, veggies, and a comforting chicken pot pie. And when pumpkin pie appears, well… that’s a win in any season. The house was calm — no kids, no chaos, just five adults enjoying a long, easy visit.

We even watched Team Canada take silver at the World Curling Championships. Sixty‑nine titles to our name, with Switzerland trailing far behind at twenty. Sure, the world has caught up to us, just like in hockey, but Canada still knows how to show up.

Outside, the sun was bright, the air still cold, but the day carried that first hint of spring — the kind that makes you believe warmer days are finally on their way.

And tonight? Calgary plays Anaheim. For once, every Oilers fan in the country is united in a single, strange truth: we all want Calgary to win to help cement first place for them.

Another classic cold spring day in Calgary—the kind where the calendar insists it’s April, but the weather is still firmly stuck in January. Daisy, for one, was unimpressed. Snowflakes clung to her eyelashes like she was auditioning for a canine mascara commercial, and the breeze nipped her bum . Yet somehow, Jackie still convinced her to complete the full walk. Daisy will be filing a formal complaint and most likely wishing she was back in Arizona.

Today’s grand plan: gather every Christmas decoration, the tree, the boxes, and the Arizona suitcases, and haul them downstairs like pack mules. First challenge: excavating everything from beneath the tarps and plastic sheets—our makeshift anti-dust storage locker.

My storage unit, which I built 19 years ago keeps everything pristine. The other unit… well, let’s just say the plastic cover is more “suggestion” than “protection.” Going in there means emerging looking like I’ve been wrestling dust bunnies in a back alley. But I’ve perfected the technique. Jackie helped lift the bikes, because apparently gravity gets heavier every year. Eventually, everything was strapped, stacked, and stored. Another year conquered.

Next mission: swapping out my golf bag. I got a new one for my birthday—lighter, smaller, and hopefully less judgmental than my old one. That old bag has been with me for over 30 years, back when Jessica and Victoria gifted it to me on Father’s Day in our Shawnessy days. It’s still in decent shape, just sun-faded and a bit ragged. I also had a Taylormade bag my sales reps gave me for my 25th work anniversary, but this new one feels like the start of a fresh chapter. Lower score I am sure. Even a special pocket for my birdie juice. The one pocket i want to wear out.

I went on a battery charging spree today. Two Makita 18V batteries, One 18 volt Mastercraft battery, Two 14 V Black & Decker batteries and one Makita 7.2 V Battery. This last battery drill is from 1980 when we first bought our first house. I picked it up from Trail Building Supplies for my deck and fence. Not as powerful as today drill but nice light and handy. Love the thing. Only my golf cart batteries left for another day.

Now… this part stays between us. Whispers I had to clean my own golf clubs today. I know—scandalous. Every one of my golf buddies has a wife who handles this for them, but Jackie clearly missed the memo, the email, and the smoke signal what ever it was. So there I was, scrubbing each club, washing the heads, cleaning the grips, and organizing everything into the new bag like a responsible adult without his wife’s help.

It is amazing how the sun discolors every thing in Arizona. I notice it even on my shorts, shirts and hats.

In the process, I discovered that in our rush to get home, I forgot to pack golf balls. So now I’ll need to buy some, unless I want to play the world’s saddest round of imaginary golf. I tossed anything I didn’t need and finally retired the old bag with a respectful goodbye. You served me well.

Next thing Jackie’s ergonomic chair. I still believe this is just another marketing ploy but offices and safety committees jumped all over it. But it makes her feel good and supposedly helps with carpal tunnel. Not to well apparently or she wouldn’t suffer from that. The constant up and down the hydraulic cylinder broke. I googled for a part but there are so many choices it is nuts. So farm yard fix. A 13/16″ long socket dropped right in the hole and held up the chair perfectly . Good find on Jackie’s part as I was about to cut off a screwdriver handle. The height appears great and it is working so only time well tell when she uses it and how long it lasts, LOL

BBQ Baby Back ribs with a wonderful crust along with reheated roasted potatoes should make for a wonderful supper. As Jackie was out I had the time. Along with a nice salad it turned out wonderful.

I went on a battery charging spree. Two 18 Volt Makita batteries, One 20V Master Craft battery, One 18 V Mastercraft Battery, Two 14 V Black & Decker batteries, and one 7.2 Volt Makita battery. This last drill/ battery is from 1980 when I purchased it from Trail Building Supplies after we bought our first house. Not as fancy or powerful as todays but light and effective and still looks like brand new. One battery struggled but a few hours it may smarten up.

Watched a bit of TV and off to bed a long weekend for workers, a Holy Easter weekend without turkey this year, and a fun weekend visiting the Huggett’s and not so fun getting my butt kicked at bowling.

Thought of the Day

The only Happy END that I know: it’s the weekEND. Well and maybe a massage.

March 6th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 4 degrees, Calgary 5 degrees, Mesa 32 degrees”

It was a fun yet a busy morning.

I booked the Flex in once again for a windshield chip repair at Easy Glass. Best company ever. In speaking to them I was reminded to place the special sticker over the chip to keep dirt and water out. So I ran downstairs and got that fixed up.

Then dealing with Mom’s insurance company. It is literally insane the amount of bureaucracy involved to get a simple cancellation and refund. Ten emails and phone conversations is ridiculous. One more docusign to complete and done. This is one word of advise. Having multiple executors is a mistake as everything becomes so cumbersome. Having said that Tor & Jess are ours, sorry ! The docusign the insurance company sent is cool as it requires three signatures before it allows sending back and merges them together. Nice !

I then checked out golfing for Friday as it is 18 above. There were two tee times left at Claresholm so i grabbed one and hopefully the time works for everyone. It all worked out and we have Jeff, Larry P and Reg coming. Larry will jump in with me and we will pickup Jeff then Reg at Aldersyde.

I then did a bunch of computer work. I linked our Scene Card with the Shell App to make point collection easy. Then when I open the app ” Something went wrong ” You gotta laugh.

I updated my credit card info at Turner Valley Golf Club for my fees and expenses

Sent some emails out for various things and the morning is gone.

I had to update my VIP account with a new card. While in there I checked out the rates and our golf may change a bit for 2026. McKenzie our favorite appears to have raised their prices again which may send us elsewhere. Inglewood and Lakeside now are our most affordable options. Darcy is now higher than Heritage so that course will be out. I liked Darcy other than a poor clubhouse restaurant. Our Muirfield still is a bargain but is a ways away. Best deal is Turner but I would be with my guys instead of the Graces and us which I really enjoy,

I picked up Daisy from her beauty salon and she is gorgeous and beautiful.

Love the smell of her.

To save a buck we spent a couple of hours on line. I bought E gift cards for Sobey’s and PetSmart thru our AMA which gives us points thru AMA and Scene Points plus the discount. Then not hassle free but I set up the Shell App to link to AMA and Scene points for gas purchases. Convoluted but it will save a whack of money at 3 cents to 15 cents per liter and potentially paying for AMA membership plus a lot of Scene points we have used for movies, gifts and groceries

I sent out a notice on our May Camping Long Weekend event. Largest number of attendees with other 35 people this year. Should be a lot of fun. Always is.

Thought of the Day

Funny how “looking forward” to something makes time slow down… yet “looking forward” to payday makes your bills speed up.

April 7th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 3 degrees, Calgary 2 degrees, Mesa 33 degrees”

I’ve been saying it for 12 years now , every single year since retiring, why do we come back so early? And once again, here we are, proving the point. Even though this year we didn’t have a choice, Alberta in April is….well, lets call it aesthetic in a post apocalyptic sort of way.

This is spring in Calgary. This is white out snow and wind along with below freezing temperatures. I do not like it. I do not like it. I hate it. Next year we will come back at a proper time. LOL

First thing this morning I was taking the Flex into have the blend door actuator replaced. We have warm air on the drivers side and cold air on the passengers. As it is Ford issue and some of the plastic dash has to be removed I decided to take it to the Ford STEALERSHIP.

To find a honest dealer or repair shop is just about impossible. Once again all I can say is CROOKS.

I explained the situation to the service tech. He then states there will be a 1 hour diagnostic charge and the shop rate is $200. Doesn’t sit well. I said to him. $200 for a mechanic to turn on the heater and put his hand on one vent and then the other and say yep the blend door is not working. NUTS. He told me they may reduce the rate depending. I can see a fun disagreement when I pay as the first thing is for the service agent to explain me the diagnostic procedure, I should have fun with this one. The procedure should be hand on each vent to confirm temperature and then to remove the actuator and use a multi meter to determine current. It will interesting if the ECU codes this. If that happens a 5 minute diagnoses.

Replace it. $50 parts and 1 hour labor total.

One my way out I notice a special car in the showroom but with plates on so most likely the owners car. It is a new 2025 Ford GT40. This sell for $385,000. Paid for by fake charges to their customers. Very nice car though. Turns out after the fact it is special edition car worth 1.2 million.

And just like that one hour later the storm is over. I have a golf game booked for Friday so the weather better smarten up. LOL The temperatures today are hovering around freezing or slightly above which makes the roads a little more slippery. But very easy to manage.

That brings up a thought. Yesterday leaving the condo a gentleman ( i will say immigrant) was attempting to parallel park on our main street. I stayed a ways back not to rush him and let him do his thing. Third attempt and all of them horrible attempts he pulled out and drove away. This was in a newer car with a rear camera even. In cases like this I should be allowed to make a citizens arrest, confiscate his drivers license and force him to have to take his drivers road test every year until he is proficient at handling a motor vehicle. This guy will be on the icy road today with no clue how to drive. And we wonder why we have 400 accidents on a snow day. Remove the scared of snow and ice drivers that are white knuckling it and the idiots that are travelling at ridiculous speeds with no idea of stopping distance and our accidents rate would dramatically fall. If you are awarded a license in the summer you should be required to go to Ghost Lake in the winter for a skid and stop course. I would love that and nothing is more fun than pulling the emergency brake on and doing a 180 degrees turn.

Daisy doesn’t like snow flakes on her eyelashes so wouldn’t go for a walk today.

I have always said that with any job the tools to get it done make all of the difference. The same goes for cooking. Tonight was a wonderful supper. Beef roast tip, mashed potatoes and garden salad. The air fryer is KING. I preheated and for 10 minutes seared it. Then dropped the temperature and brought it to 160 degrees internal. All done in 40 minutes which is unheard of prior to air fryers. Between the fryer and the temperature gauge to get the cooking right it made it easier, Juicy, slight pink and crusted wonderfully. With the sides it was one great tasting supper. Finding a 1 pound beef roast was perfect.

Institutions really like to make things difficult. Darlene taking the lead with BMO where Mom has a RIFF is being difficult also. We will once again this fixed but will require a way more effort than it should. It is just dumb.

Thought of the Day

Ever notice how a company can make buying a pen feel like applying for a mortgage? “We just need your signature… in triplicate… notarized… and approved by the Pen Acquisition Committee.”

April 8th

A absolute pleasure talking to Veteran Affairs today to cancel Mom’s pension. Not only polite, but courteous, professional and easy to deal with. It helps 100% to be able to talk to someone that understands and can speak fluent ENGLISH without a accent so heavy you cannot understand them, A queue to get through but the task completed. I wish more companies would really look at who they have representing them.

Still waiting for two important call backs from two other organizations. My expectation and their customer service skills don’t align. I expect a return call with an hour or so. If the person is not available, on the voice mail it should state that. I know some companies “cheat” and say within 24hrs. That is just laziness and lack of respect to a customers time. I know myself there have been numerous times where I left a message and a late return call with the me informing the lazy person I have bought from someone else. Where are the managers that they do not enforce common courtesy and professionalism from the employees. They do not have a clue how much loss of business or poor word of mouth this causes. Ironic in this case it is two different banks I am waiting for a call back from. I guess I can’t expect too much as they can’t even get the term credit and debit right. LOL That is an inside joke that I have forever teased Jackie with. No accountant could ever become a banker. I will see how long these two people take to call me back. Other wise I have to step it up a level. The premise of their time being more important than client comes to mind.

The first time in years I left a vehicle repair place and didn’t feel ripped off. Now the bill I didn’t like as they have shop rate of $209 per hour.$40 a hour for the worker and $160 for the building seems a little out of whack. But I cant change a shop rate everything else was great.

I teased my service tech as to where my GT 40 had gone. He said it was loaded up in a truck and hauled away. It was a special edition model valued at 1.2 Million.

Jackie’s Uncle Alan in the UK got a Happy Easter surprise on Sunday. Alan and Carol were awesome to us visiting them two times in a row. Alan’s daughter Janet will forever remain a memory for me due to the fact on a family visit to Canada she accidently spilled a Root Beer in my Camaro.

Now for some sad news. Just remember we are rebuilding. Next year !

Lo and behold. Both banks phoned after 5pm. 7 hours after my initial call. But I am glad they both did it.

Two calls with different issues with some success, some unknown and some weird circumstances. The biggest issue is time. It has been 15 years since Dad passed away. Banks only keep records for 7 years so struggling with the sequence of events. They have had mergers, you can not have a safety box without a account, they have a collection of boxes contents of unpaid or abandoned, no record of Dad or Mom having a box, we have a key packet from a box and a RIFF there. I had a good conversation with lots of ideas but no conclusion. It ended with us having to try to look thru papers for a record of an account, record of a box or keys. I am sure the branch is where it was 15 years ago. So at the moment only confusion but we can move forward with all of our existing paperwork

The other bank we accomplished one major detail luckily and no progress on next steps yet.

Thought of the Day

Lost keys are just the universe’s way of saying, “Take a walk!

April 9th

:”Mercury Forecast Edmonton 8 degrees, Calgary 8 degrees, Mesa 35 degrees”

Good news as Scotia Bank is done with just a few documents to sign. BMO is done except for a document to sign. We may be able to give away most of Mom’s furniture to a relative which is awesome.

Today would be Mom’s 94th birthday. Very odd not to celebrate it with her. Having said that I am sure it is much easier to blow out 94 candles in heaven.

It is so odd how fast one ages after a certain point. At 87 years old Mom was out camping with us, staying in the motorhome and using a compound bow to shoot targets. Very unlucky to experience multiple TIA’s that each time weakened her. As soon as your health starts to impact you and you don’t consistently use your legs your mobility starts to fail. After each TIA she fought back, made sure to do her own laundry etc to work her strength back. But later on each episode resulted in bed rest for a couple of months and she just wasn’t able to recover the weakness brought on by the lack of movement. It is a cautionary tale for all of us to make sure we are making every effort every day to move as much as possible. After 60 we can lose up to 3% of our muscle mass each year. Like I said I was shocked when I could not do a 50 pound single arm curl anymore.

Happy Birthday Mom I sure hope your enjoying your birthday with Dad along Grandma and Granddad. Love you !

Jessica and Atticus came for a visit and we had a blast. Playing UNO which Atti loves, playing Plunko another fun game.

Atticus and I whipped to KFC for supper. The once or twice a year meal but i love it.

Atticus loves going for a walk with Daisy and Jackie. Why not stop at a playground.

The two of them were spending the night with Audrey.

Man is baseball stuff expensive. Atticus needed the equipment for his league play and a way more choice here in town. He is all set now.

Real exciting news about a engineer sign off on Jessica’s house. And a potential buyer for the food truck. Two major things in their life. Now just for Jessica to find a job that is a good fit for her.

Jess & Audrey along with Atticus having a blast with art, Atticus made Audrey a wonderful painting.

Thought of the Day

At a Grand parents house, bedtime is whenever you fall asleep on the couch… and breakfast is whenever they decide you’ve been asleep long enough

April 10th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 12 degrees, Calgary 14 degrees, Mesa 33 degrees”

What a gorgeous day — the kind of day that practically forces you to golf, even if your putter is plotting against you. First round of 2026 in Canada, out at The Bridges of Claresholm, with the dream team: Larry P, Jeff, and Reg. A lineup of some pretty decent golfers and fun guys.

Now, I won’t pretend the scoring was great. In fact, I had seven three‑putts. Seven. At that point it’s not golf, it’s cardio. But hey — those greens were so smooth they should’ve come with a warning label. I’m not used to surfaces that nice; my putting stroke was basically filing a complaint the entire time.

Then there’s Reg. Turner Valley member. I’ve played with him numerous times before, but every time feels like watching a Marvel original story. The man is 85, has eight titanium pins in his back, everything fused together, plus arthritis in his hands — and he still plays like he’s auditioning for the Champions Tour. He hits the ball as far as most golfers.

And the best part? His hands are basically a medical miracle thanks to the legendary Golden Raisin and Bombay Gin remedy. I’ve seen the before and after. His fingers were curled like a hawk’s talons, and now he’s down to one stubborn finger. The rest? Perfect.

The course itself? Exceptional. Gorgeous.

And me? I hate golfing well and scoring poorly. It’s like cooking a gourmet meal and then dropping it on the floor. But despite the scorecard, we had a lot of fun. Actually, a lot of fun.

After the round, we hit Roy’s for supper, where they have 8‑inch square cinnamon buns. These things weren’t pastries — they were architectural structures. You don’t eat them; you negotiate with them.

A nice drive down, perfect weather, great company, and a round of golf where I didn’t lose any money. Honestly, that alone qualifies as a victory.

Thought of the Day

Playing golf with friends is great… until you realize they’re only “cheering you on” because your bad shots make them look like good.

April 11th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 9 degrees, Calgary 12 degrees, Mesa 32 degrees”

National Grilled Cheese Sandwich day ! What are you having. ?

Anyone who knows us has heard about how much we love our snowbirding winters at Viewpoint Golf & RV Resort. It’s truly one of our happiest places — warm, active, social, and surprisingly affordable.

A bit of background helps explain why it means so much to us. In 2007, we sold our 2,600‑sq‑ft house and downsized to a 1,300‑sq‑ft condo. The goal was simple: free up money to help finance our retirement. I spent countless hours researching Phoenix, and it quickly became clear that it offered the best mix of climate, cost, and convenience.

At first, we looked at small homes and condos. But like most neighborhoods, you might get to know two or three neighbors — and that’s it. More money, less community. Ironically, back then we could have bought a 2,500‑sq‑ft bungalow with a pool for $175,000. Tempting, but not what we were after.

So in the summer of 2007, we climbed into our RV and drove south to explore our options. After working through my entire list of possibilities, we found ourselves drawn to Viewpoint. Before heading home, we made the decision: this was the place.

Viewpoint had everything we wanted and more — a gated community with four swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a hair salon, massage services, an on‑site restaurant and bar, huge shuffleboard courts, a pool hall with at least ten tables, a 9‑hole course, an 18‑hole championship course, and a massive dance hall. There were weekly concerts, parking‑lot parties, dances, block parties, and clubs for everything from stained glass to computer classes.

We bought a brand‑new custom cottage home to be brought on‑site, and now, nineteen years later, we still say it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.

It’s a social paradise. We know — and regularly connect with — more people than we ever imagined, whether through golf, the dog park, the pools, concerts, or simply the dozens of friendly hellos exchanged every day. And the block parties? Always a highlight.

Viewpoint isn’t just where we spend our winters. It’s where we found community, activity, and a lifestyle we genuinely love. I wish everyone could just experience it as it is special. Our thoughts today are we will enjoy it for at least another 10 years or more before changing our plans.

It won the award of the Best of the Best Parks in Mesa.

One last golf game in before my surgery on Monday. Hopefully only a couple of weeks off. They say up to 4 weeks but I am thinking 2 weeks.

Up coming week is semi booked. A trip up to Edmonton, dentist appointment, golf game, lunch with old friend, 4 out 5 days done.

It was a mixed bag of odd and ends today. First a trip out to Home Depot where I picked up a new Source 2 Pure filter for the fridge and the best I could find double sided tape for a transition strip. We stopped at picked up card for Audrey to send to England.

Stopped at PetSmart and picked up Daisy’s food using our AMA gift cards for point.

Jackie headed to Audrey’s place and I started. I removed the old transition strip. In the dry heat of the winter my flooring shrinks a good 1/8 of an inch or more and it exposes a short end of a board. I reposition the transition strip and used double sided tape on it. I had to chisel out a small corner of it and used weights on it. I only have about a 1/4 of flat service for holding it so fingers crossed. Turned out perfect and hopefully will last. People are dumb. I hate when it when I see people walk on a transition molding. There is no need whatso ever but no common sense. If this fails I will need to revert to a strong glue like PL400 to accomplish my goal. As of today and in the near future until some one hits it hard or drags a suitcase etc it looks and works perfect. I replaced the filter and emptied the ice container in the fridge. Nice to get a few little things done.

Tonight we headed out to Jackson’s spring‑league hockey game, and whoever came up with this format deserves a medal. Four‑on‑four hockey, no icing, no stoppages, no hitting — just pure, free‑flowing chaos on ice. With all that extra space, the game opened up beautifully. You could actually see the plays develop, and the pace never let up.

Each team only had about ten players, so the shifts were long and the legs were burning. By the halfway mark you could tell everyone out there was running on adrenaline and stubbornness.

And then there was the soundtrack — nonstop, wild, borderline‑unhinged arena music blasting the entire time, like someone handed the DJ an energy drink and said “go nuts.” It definitely pumped up the crowd… though maybe a little too well.

For the record, Jackie put in earplugs. Absolute brilliant move.

Fun game to watch. Honestly, spring hockey might be the best idea they’ve had in years.

End the night at Boston Pizza and you have a great day. Too much chicken on our table, Luckily I was there as my steak with mashed potatoes was fantastic while they all had chicken in every form possible.

Great Day !

Thought of the Day

Happiness? The color of it must be spring green. No wonder I hate white cars. They remind me of winter.

April 12th-13th

A mixed bag of weather for out trip to Edmonton. Leaving Calgary we had a snow storm, white out which lasted to about Olds and then it turned out fine. Driving on the Deerfoot was like being on a shooting range with the amount of bullets flying back at us.

Audrey was looking after Daisy for us which is always nice as Darlene is a cat lady and you know cats and dogs don’t get along well.

Our plan was to pick up Mom’s taxes at Darlene’s and help go thru some of the paper work in Mom’s file cabinet. Wow a lot of paper. We were looking for BMO paperwork and headstone paperwork in particular. I would say we tore up and have to shred at least 25 pounds of paper of old receipts, invoices and statements. Some interesting stuff.

Darlene made us my second favorite meal of all time. My last meal request would be 1) full turkey meal,2) roast pork or beef meal, 3) steak and salad. We had a fantastic roast pork meal with potatoes, gravy, corn, salad, and buns. It was amazing. I loved it especially with the the desert being homemade apple pie. Dream meal !! Wonderful of Darlene doing this for us.

During our paper search company service and longevity came up. Employee moral and feeling needed and worth is always needed to have a successful company. This small ornament is the AHS service award for successfully managing to work your job for 40 years. I really think they need to step up their game big time. It is not a motivational tool whatsoever.

Loaded up all of the paper work for shredding and saved sheets and headed home. Good weather all the way home. After such a wonderful big meal my supper only needed to be a Ice Cap with a Ryan doughnut.

First thing this morning I received a call from the BNS estate department on Mom’s accounts. Here is where I have an issue. You know how in the USA truck drivers NOW need to be able to read English ( road signs) we need in Canada a “rule” stating no company can hire an employee that is not understandable by the majority of people they deal with. I should not have to ask numerous times for a person to slow down or repeat what they said. I don’t care if it is a Newfoundland accent, UK accent or Pakistan. These companies need to take customer service seriously. This hire does NOTHING to maintain customer loyalty, give a company a good rating or even make a customer feel like the company cares. No matter the intelligence, the knowledge etc if a person CANNOT communicate in English they should not have this job period. I am disappointed in a banks management that can’t recognize this weakness. It is a perfect example of the Employment Equity Act and DEI failing all of us. I had to verify with my sister if it was only me and it was not as he phoned Darlene also.

This morning was cool. In fact it looked cold out and was. Today was my last golf game before having surgery and having to recuperate. Arriving at Claresholm the weather was great and remained so for the entire game. Sweet heart of a deal at $45 with cart to golf on nice course.

Last game, high hopes, killed dreams. I don’t know what happened but it was not a good day. Not bad golf but horrible scoring. Putting and chipping killed me. I lost money today losing the front, back and overall. Next time.

Worst part this is my type of course and not doing well is shocking. Larry P with his second game of 2026 killed it today making no errors and doing everything right.

We stopped at Roy’s for supper which once again was awesome.

Look at this roll and it is 1/4 gone. Tastes wonderful.

I would be remiss not to state I was unhappy with the outcome of the Masters. Then I remembered green and leprechaun’s do go together. I was happy that Scottie was second as he fought his way back.

Thought of the Day

Nothing makes you feel more accomplished than finishing a great meal—except maybe unbuttoning your pants without anyone noticing

April 14th -15th

I am going to just say where is spring. Today being the 15th of April and we have a blizzard. I was going to get a few projects done around the house. First was reinstalling my transition slip. The flooring I laid does have a big shrink factor and while we are away in the winter with the underfloor heating and no humidity it shrinks a lot more than I thought. I left the recommended gapping but cutting the threshold and not knowing the width I guessed wrong and with the shrinkage I see a gapping. I re-positioned it and used the strongest double sided tape that Home Depot had. It turned out perfect and looks great. It baffles me though like people slamming car doors why any would walk on a threshold rather than just step over it like a normal person would. If it is NOT hit or pushed against it, it will last for years.

I had to fix the front door lock. Funny after I adjusted it it did not latch, The steel frame with the door over the last 18 years had shifted as the building has settled. The last door adjustment broke my bicep so plan b this type and even though not 100% aligned it worked perfect. I can’t lift the condo to level. LOL

I ordered a new battery for the first battery pack power drill. This was the first battery power drill that Makita made. Invented in 1978 I bought this in 1980 from Trail Building in Edmonton. The battery would not charge and I was in disbelief when I found one for sale on Amazon. Not a powerful drill but lightweight and handy for small jobs screwing or drilling. 45 yrs old and still looking and working perfect. It has finished a lot of projects with me over the years.

Jeff & Wendy wanted help to install a couple of pendant lights. The new lights look great. Over the head holding lights up always has been a pain. With Wendy and Jackie’s help it went well. First time when removing the old light I saw a marrette burned. I don’t care for strand to solid wiring but that is the norm. Got them all done , all the same height which typically can take a bit and they look great.

Jeff & Wendy made us a wonderful supper. Baked potato and back ribs which were awesome. A couple of home made meals for us in the last week.

We played a new card game which was fun. It ended up Jackie was the big wiener but it was a fun game.

First thing this morning I had a dentist appointment. I dislike these. Every thing fine except for a filling that had broken so a fix coming up in a couple of weeks. That fluoride makes me feel funny for a long time after. Plus I hate the picking and scraping.

Then a winter storm hitting again.

Talked to lawyer, sent another email to try to move things forward, I dislike the probate system we have as it is nothing but a money grab. But I did receive a cheque from Mom’s insurance company. I will see if a estate cheque can be deposited in Calgary to her account.

Love our air fryer. Tonight juicy brown crispy crusted chicken breast with golden roasted potatoes and new carrots. So easy, so fast and so good.

Thought of the Day

Owning an air fryer is like dating someone who’s way out of your league — they make you look like a better cook than you actually are