August 1st- August 3rd

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 20 degrees, Calgary 21 degrees, Mesa 44 degrees”

A sharp contrast to the last 3 weeks today being the 3rd and it is cold outside.

I have to finish sone of the events in the past few days. Tonight Jessica had glow in the dark sticks and the boys along with us had a ping pong, foosball tournament in the night.

In the morning Jessica and the kids readied for their home trip. Jessica was taking Daisy just to make it easier for us with the wedding and getting the motorhome ready to be towed.

We got all dolled up and even if I have to say so myself we looked good. Real good !

The wedding — the whole reason for our trip — turned out to be a genuinely wonderful event. When I look at the church, the ceremony, the venue, the food, the music, the dress, and the overall feel, it easily lands at a solid 9 out of 10. A few personal critiques, sure, but nothing that took away from how well the day was done.

We arrived at the church and initially parked along the street with everyone else until someone pointed out a large lot behind the building. A smart move, considering parking in front of people’s homes tends to make you feel like you’re trespassing before the ceremony even starts. The church itself was beautiful — high A‑frame, cedar interior, and a distinctly Catholic vibe. The procession was grand, with both parents escorting the bride and groom. Everyone looked sharp, and the pride on the parents’ faces was impossible to miss. Taylor looked fantastic in one of the nicest wedding dresses I’ve seen in quite some time.

The ceremony was warm, humorous, and interesting — but let’s just say it wasn’t exactly the Catholic marathon I had mentally prepared for. No wine, no water being flung around, no candle choreography, no cracker‑based communion, and not a single knee‑pad workout. Instead, it felt a bit like we were listening in on a marriage counseling session. Pleasant, meaningful, and wrapped up in a tidy 40 minutes.

Then came the venue: the Prestige Hotel in Salmon Arm. Google Maps apparently decided to take the day off, because half the guests were sent on scenic detours. But once you actually arrived, the place was first‑class. Overlooking the lake, filled with gorgeous flowers, beautifully decorated — just a stunning setting. Even the wedding space itself was done perfectly, elegant without being over the top.

Timing left us a little hungry, so we ducked into the bar for a quick bite and a drink during what is called the “Catholic Gap.” A strategic snack never hurt anyone.

Inside the reception room, servers circulated with appetizers and champagne, all delicious. The speeches were excellent — every parent and friend delivered heartfelt, well‑crafted remarks. It always amuses me that weddings temporarily suspend reality and transform everyone being toasted into saints, heroes, and the kindest humans ever to walk the earth. Still, there were some genuinely funny moments, and Lucas’s Dad playing one of Lucas’s own songs was a standout — practically star‑level.

Dinner was one of the best wedding meals I can remember. Chicken or beef. I went with the brisket roast: real mashed potatoes, vegetables wrapped in bacon, rich gravy, and tender beef. Jackie’s chicken was just as good. A full 10 out of 10 and that is hard to do with a bigger crowd.

The DJ was excellent, keeping the music loud enough for energy but not so loud that you had to shout to talk. His flashing lights, however, were aimed at a height that ensured we were blinded every time we tried to watch the dance floor. A small detail, but my retinas noticed.

The first dances were lovely, and Jeff — who may have enjoyed a few drinks — was unstoppable. He danced all night with the enthusiasm of someone who had been waiting his whole life for this exact playlist. Honestly, watching him was half the entertainment.

I found it a bit odd that there was no head table, but maybe that’s the modern way. Traditional elements like cake cutting, garter tosses, and bouquet throws seem to have quietly retired from weddings altogether.

As with many events these days, the crowd thinned around 11 p.m., whereas people used to stay much later. Times change, but a great wedding is still a great wedding.

Overall, it was one of the best weddings I’ve attended — not extravagant, just done right and done simply. We thoroughly enjoyed both the wedding and the reception. What I like it was a WEDDING, all of their friends and family know they are marred, we all got to celebrate and congratulate with them as they set themselves up a beautiful foundationally start point to a life long union.

I know if i was a women I would not want to change my last name but I still personally believe it is the proper thing to do. It removes the difficulty with governments, will not confuse the general public when they asked your name, definitely will help with kids last names and it defines a family unit. If you are a famous person, have a very important position within a company or even own a company perhaps not but anyone else I say just do it.

We rolled back into the motorhome just after midnight, grateful for the cooler mountain air and the blessed silence that came from finally closing the windows. Sleep should have been easy, but my mind insisted on replaying every possible scenario of getting towed off a mountain highway at dawn. Nothing like anxiety to keep you warm at night.

By 7 a.m., I sent a text, and the reply came fast — and positive. Relief washed over me so hard I almost forgot how little sleep I’d had. Jackie and I spent the entire morning preparing both ourselves for the long trip home and the motorhome for its less‑glamorous journey on the back of a tow truck.

Calling it a gong show might be generous.

The truck rolled in with a 40‑foot trailer, and that’s when the real entertainment began. Between the cramped campsite, low overhead wires, and drivers on the Trans‑Canada behaving like they were late for the Olympics, we had nowhere workable to load. He tried one spot, then another, but every angle was wrong — and I was inching the motorhome around with barely functioning brakes and one foot permanently planted on the emergency brake like I was trying to land a plane.

The campsite owner suggested a pullout about 300 yards down the highway. Not ideal, considering the traffic, but doable. I crept onto the shoulder while Jackie followed in the Jeep, hazards flashing like a mobile warning beacon. Miraculously, it was the perfect spot.

Then came the balancing act: driving the motorhome up onto the trailer with about two inches of clearance on each side. Two inches. One wrong move and I’d be sideways in a ditch, starring in my own cautionary tale. With the operator giving hand signals like he was guiding a helicopter landing, we got it up. The hitch scraped badly thanks to the angle, but at that point, cosmetic damage felt like a luxury problem.

Once it was secured, I faced my final challenge: getting out. I opened the door and realized I was at least five feet off the ground with nothing to grab, nothing to step on, and no graceful options. So I did what any rational adult would do — closed my eyes and jumped.

The ditch was angled just right to flip me into a full somersault. If there had been judges, I’m confident I’d have earned a perfect 10. Somehow, I landed without a scratch, which feels statistically improbable but I’m not asking questions.

What should have been a simple Sunday drive turned into the kind of odyssey that future generations will assume I exaggerated. We loaded up the motorhome, dropped it at the repair shop a friend-of-a-cousin swore by, parked it in a yard that was not secure, and headed home with fingers crossed and stress levels elevated.

The Jeep was packed to the roof — the kind of packing job where you start questioning your life choices — and the roads were unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Near Field, traffic funneled from two lanes to one, and we crawled for forty minutes. Then the entire Columbia Valley lost power, turning every gas station into a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie. Revelstoke was overflowing with people all trying to fill up at once. Even the roadside rest stop had a twenty‑minute lineup for an outhouse that looked like it had lost a battle with humanity. Piss on the floor, toilet paper everywhere, a bloody napkin tossed casually like modern art, and a smell that could have peeled paint. People really outdid themselves.

Every stop was crowds, chaos, and lineups. By the time we reached Canmore, the idea of a sit‑down restaurant was laughable. Fast food became the only viable option. The place was packed, and a young woman in front of us had her card declined, then simply turned and walked away without a word. The cashier looked like he’d seen things, so we shared a laugh with him as he cancelled her order. We ate in the truck, then jumped straight into another miles‑long wait thanks to an accident near the lime plant. I have never seen so many cars. If anyone needs proof that population caps should be a serious conversation, this trip was it.

Along the way we passed broken‑down RVs, stranded cars, boats sitting sadly on the shoulder, and even a truck and camper burnt to the ground. It felt like the highway was warning us: “Turn back now.”

A 5½‑hour drive stretched into eight. And this was Sunday — not even the peak of the long weekend. Monday may be biblical.

Next we picked up Daisy. Sweet, happy Daisy, who greeted us like nothing unusual had happened at all. No confusion, no stress — just pure joy. Honestly, I think she likes Audrey’s place. Maybe she had the best weekend out of all of us.

Today August 3rd is our oldest grandson Jackson’s 15th birthday. While it is wonderful seeing him grow up it is actually sad for Jackie & I as we had so much fun with him as a youngster. He used to think we were special but his friends took over that now.

We had a wonderful family gathering at Red’s Diner in Seton. This is a wonderful breakfast place. Jessica, Atticus, August, Corey, Victoria, Audrey, Jackie and I all joined Jackson for a celebratory brunch. Everyone’s meals were spectacular. Very nice gathering. Plan is to have cake later today.

I am going to throw in a few pictures of Jackson over the years as this cute little boy has become a young man.

Happy Birthday Jackson. Grammy and I are very proud of you and love the person you are becoming.

We came home and unpacked everything and took a small rest. A little later we picked up Audrey and we headed to Victoria’s for Jackson’s birthday cake and supper. The Waldie’s ordered Chinese Food from Chili Island. One of the best Chinese places ever, It was nice sitting outside talking with our girls , Corey and seeing the boys playing. Jackson had his girlfriend over and even though we all gathered for his birthday we did not see much of him the entire day/night. Young adults !!

Audrey did awesome today first coming for breakfast with all of us and spending the entire afternoon until 9pm visiting with us. It is proof if you put your mind to it you can accomplish a lot and getting out of the house is exceptional for the mind and body. I am sure she enjoyed it. It is always too easy to say no and you can miss out on a lot of things.

Hazel and daisy enjoying the sun. Love how they always lay down beside one another.

Our building went 55 . Awesome. My only fear is now we get more older people on the board and get more anal instead of having some younger points of view. Wonderful though to have as 55 plus to eliminate kid damage , kid noise and all amenities getting too much usage.

Thought of the Day

Jackson told us he couldn’t hang out because he had ‘plans.’ I didn’t realize Fortnite counted as a social engagement. May have been his girlfriend

August 5th/6th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 24 degrees, Calgary 26 degrees, Mesa 40 degrees”

The next week of weather has been the kind you want to bottle and save for February—warm days, sunshine that actually feels like sunshine, a polite little breeze, and nights cool enough to remind you you’re still in Alberta. It set the tone for a day that was equal parts errands, observations, and a few moments that made me laugh.

First stop was Woodridge Ford for an oil change and tire rotation on the Flex. I booked through their “express” program, which, as it turns out, uses a definition of express not found in any dictionary known to humankind. Tower Jeep has always taken about two hours; Woodridge decided to one‑up them with a solid two and a half. Still, I’ll give them this: the full inspection they do beats the quick‑lube shops. There’s a certain confidence that comes from knowing someone actually looked at the car instead of just waving a dipstick around.

The service advisor and I had a good laugh—he said he rarely sees Flexes anymore. Ours is a 2019, the final year they made them. We joked about it being a fast hearse, which honestly feels like the most accurate description of a Flex ever written.

While the car was being “expressed,” I walked over to McDonald’s. I’d seen the news about their new CEO and the struggle to fix declining sales. They could save themselves a lot of consulting fees by simply asking customers. The seating? Terrible. High chairs and awkward tables instead of booths. The pricing? No longer inexpensive—just expensive. And the kiosks? They’ve removed the last shred of human contact. Fix those three things and they’d be halfway back to their former glory.

As I ate, I listened to a group of eight old-timers having a lively discussion. What I loved was how they disagreed—calmly, thoughtfully, without turning it into a cage match. It was like watching a masterclass in civil conversation.

I flipped through the Calgary Sun, which is now so thin it could be used as a bookmark. Very few ads, barely any news. I give it three years before it joins the dodo bird in extinction.

Back to the dealership, the Flex still wasn’t ready, so I wandered around looking at new vehicles. My only comment: $140K for an SUV and $65K for a basic one is absurd. A new car is one of the worst financial decisions people make—high cost, brutal depreciation, and for what? A different cupholder?

Once the car was finally done, I headed home and then out to Oasis.

As I drove up, I spotted one dead flower box, one barely hanging on, and the rest looking fantastic. You’d think a neighbour might notice a struggling box and give it a splash of water, but apparently that’s asking too much. The culprit was two clogged irrigation heads—pond water isn’t exactly pristine, and they plug up easily, especially during a long hot stretch.

I spent the entire day working outside: mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs, deadheading plants, weed eating, and picking up what felt like a million twigs scattered everywhere. Must’ve been a big windstorm—the blue bin had even dumped bottles across the yard.

Still no update on the motorhome. I’ll follow up tomorrow.

Wordle in five today. Dumb word.

There are certain things in life that simply feel wrong. Wearing a sweater in August is one of them.

This week at my Turner Valley Men’s League, summer decided to pack up early and leave us standing on the tee box wondering what we did to deserve it. Instead of the glorious 32°C days where the ball flies forever and your swing feels like poetry, we got… cold. The kind of cold where your fingers lose feeling, your muscles stage a protest, and your golf ball compresses about as well as a stale dinner roll.

And let me tell you — it showed on the scorecard.

Four golfers. All good golfers. All proud, seasoned, respectable players.

And the results?

101, 99, 98, 94. That’s not a leaderboard — that’s a cry for help.

Cold golf is a different sport. It’s like Mother Nature flips the difficulty setting to “expert” and laughs while you try to remember what a fairway feels like. Every swing feels like you’re trying to chop wood with a pool noodle. Every putt feels like you’re wearing oven mitts. And every drive goes exactly 40 yards shorter than you think it should.

But here’s the part that hits a little deeper: I’m starting to feel like my peak golf days might be behind me. The realization creeps in quietly — like the cold wind on the 12th tee — that maybe the best rounds are in the rearview mirror. It’s a strange, sad little moment when you admit it.

Luckily, life has a way of balancing things out.

Because while golf may be betraying me, hot roast beef sandwiches never do. One of my all‑time favorites — a travelling rep classic. Warm, comforting, reliable was the special today.

And hey, Wordle has been treating me better than the golf course. I had a two and three with a 5 thrown in the last few days. At least something in life still thinks I’m sharp.

So yes, summer might be over. The scores might be ugly. The sweater might be back in rotation.

But the laughs were good, the company was great, and the roast beef was hot — which, honestly, is about as close to victory as you can get on a cold August day.

Even my WordPress is getting anxious. I am running out of storage space after 12 years of blogging and have to either buy more, expensive or start deleting which I hate to do. When I say expensive I mean a way to much. They think businesses are the only ones using a webpage. I have and never want to have a means of income from my page unlike most others.

August 7th–8th

“mercury Forecast Edmonton 23 degrees, Calgary 24 degrees, Mesa 43 degrees”

Another almost perfect weather. The only issue is the amount of smoke in the air. Livable but gets to the eyes and throat a bit.

I got a hold of my repair shop in Salmon Arm. He apologized and explained he has been swamped repairing fire trucks as emergency repairs. Make sense to put everything else on hold due to that. He expects to start on it Monday and advise. I am ok with that , i like the honesty but wish he would have phoned me not me chasing them down.

Paid bills and got caught up my sheets.

Golfing at McKenzie Golf Club always feels like stepping into a familiar routine: four characters, one fairway, not hit that often, and absolutely no guarantee of consistent performance. Jeff came out swinging like he had a sponsorship deal on the line, driving the ball with the kind of confidence that makes the rest of us suspicious. Wendy, meanwhile, delivered the best drives of the day — the kind that make you briefly consider whether she’s been secretly training with a pro. Jackie chipped beautifully, dropping shots with finesse and control. As for me, I had what can only be described as a “mixed bag,” the kind of golf day where you celebrate the good shots and pretend the bad ones were part of a strategic experiment.

Despite the variety of skill levels, the laughter never stopped. That’s the magic of this group: no matter how the ball flies, the fun always lands.

We wrapped up on the patio with cold beer and good food, the perfect ending to a day outdoors. The lingering smoke kept the heat down, giving everything a warm, hazy glow — like nature’s attempt at mood lighting. Not ideal, but it did make the patio feel extra cozy.

This morning, Jackie and I took on the closet, a task that had been silently judging us for months. We managed to clear out over 50 pounds of clothes — a number I’m choosing to brag about because it makes us sound both productive and slightly heroic. Five pairs of pants, at least twenty shirts, and a few items so old they probably qualify as vintage. Some were brand new, some were too big from when I was 50 pounds larger, and some were simply victims of changing taste or perhaps bought as a gift and I didn’t care for them. Thankfully, the Diabetes donation box downstairs made the whole process easy. Plus, now our guests will actually have space to hang their clothes instead of living out of their suitcases like nomads.

To finish the night, we watched the Canada vs USA U18 hockey game. These young players skate like they’re pros. In fact better than watching the NHL with the effort. Canada didn’t just win — they dominated. It was the kind of game that makes you grin and think, “Yep, that’s our team.”

A day of golf, a patio supper, a closet victory, and a hockey triumph. Not bad for a Friday, Saturday event.

Thought of the Day

Did you know laughter is the fastest way to have an enjoyable vacation.

August 9th–10th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 24 degrees, Calgary 25 degrees, Mesa 44 degrees”

Just when Calgary offers one of those clear summer days, the smoke settles in and erases the mountains entirely. It’s a strange feeling when the horizon disappears — a reminder of how quickly the weather can shift and how much the landscape defines the city. No tower, no downtown silhouette and no mountains.

Last evening brought a better distraction: a film on Prime shot around Calgary and largely in Bragg Creek. Recognizing familiar roads, storefronts, and scenery adds a layer of interest you don’t get with most movies. Even with a storyline that followed a familiar, predictable arc, it was still an enjoyable watch and a nice change of pace.

This morning was dedicated to the long‑awaited OASIS meeting, the final step in a process that has stretched over three years. The electrical infrastructure is outdated and no longer capable of supporting current demands, making replacement unavoidable. The initial estimate exceeded four million dollars, but the board — supported by two CPAs and an MBA — managed to negotiate a reduction of roughly $1.7 million. That brought the per‑lot assessment down from about 10K to 6.6K, with financing options available for anyone who needs them. It was a significant amount of work and a meaningful outcome.

The meeting itself, however, became unnecessarily prolonged. Around ten individuals extended the session by more than an hour with questions that did not contribute to the decision at hand. Some challenged the board’s competence despite the extensive preparation and professional expertise involved. One participant continued asking repetitive questions to the point where the room’s patience visibly declined. It was clear the discussion had drifted far from productive territory.

There is no other way to say it than POEPLE ARE STUPID ! The unfortunate part most of these people are older which looks bad on everyone. If your dumb please shut up and stay seated.

Rather than voting immediately, the board opted for an electronic ballot. Given the clarity of the issue and the substantial cost savings achieved, the proposal is expected to pass without difficulty.

The $6.5 K can just be added to your asking price if selling as it represents a huge value increase.

We got through that and then cleaned up the lot and talked a bit to the neighbors.

I know I discuss this maybe too much but I hate being lied to and am in the anal process of having to say no again to my doctor.

Did you know cholesterol guidelines have been cut nearly in HALF since the 1960s?

1960s — Total Cholesterol up to 260–300 was considered normal. LDL wasn’t even on the radar.

1988 — Total Cholesterol <200 / LDL <130–160

2001 — LDL <100 established as “optimal”

2004 — LDL <70 introduced for “high risk” patients

2026 — LDL targets now as low as <55

Every decade, the numbers get lower. Every decade, more people get put on statins.

But here’s what the guidelines don’t tell you —

Cholesterol is not the enemy.

Your body NEEDS cholesterol to:

— Produce estrogen, testosterone, progesterone and cortisol

— Build and protect every cell membrane in your body

— Manufacture bile for digestion

— Synthesize vitamin D

— Support brain function (your brain is 60% fat and runs on cholesterol)

From a functional medicine perspective, the rise in statin use over the last 30 years has coincided with a dramatic increase in Alzheimer’s disease, hormonal imbalances, low testosterone, adrenal dysfunction and infertility — conditions that all share one common thread: the raw materials to make your hormones and protect your brain have been systematically suppressed.

Statins work by blocking the same pathway your body uses to make cholesterol — including the cholesterol your brain and endocrine system depend on daily.

This is not anti-medicine. This is asking better questions.

Are we treating a number, or are we treating a person?

Before accepting a lifetime prescription, ask your doctor: what is driving your cholesterol up, and what does your body actually need?

There are moments in life that leave a mark so deep you feel them long after the crisis has passed. For me, that moment came wrapped in a year I can only describe as the most depressing, fearful, and destabilizing period I’ve ever lived through. It all started with a medication I was told I “needed.” My parents lived long, full lives without ever touching these drugs — my mom to 94, my dad to 90 — and they refused them outright. I took them, and I paid the price.

Within months, my liver numbers were completely out of range. Muscle pain became a daily companion. But the worst part wasn’t the physical symptoms — it was the psychological shockwave that came next. Sitting in a doctor’s office and hearing the words “you have metastatic cancer” is something you don’t forget. When a doctor asks if you’d like her to speak to your wife because the news is that serious, your entire world tilts. It’s the kind of moment that freezes you from the inside out. No doctor unless 100 positive should be allowed to use those words.

That diagnosis turned out to be wrong. But the damage was done. For a full year, I lived inside a maze of conflicting opinions, guesses, and “expert” interpretations along with a phelora of tests in Calgary and even having to go the cancer hospital in Edmonton. Every appointment felt like a spin of the wheel — what new theory would they throw at me this time? It wasn’t clarity. It wasn’t care. It was chaos. And it was terrifying. How do you trust someone that is pulling things out of hat. Trust gone!

I came out of that year with one conclusion: I will never take those medications again. To me, they are poison. Not metaphorically — literally, based on what they did to my body and mind. I’ve spent countless hours researching, reading, trying to understand what happened. But the internet is a minefield of noise, agendas, and half-truths. You have to sift through it all with skepticism, because everyone seems to have an angle.

What I do know is this: my experience was real. It wasn’t “just a side effect.” It wasn’t “normal.” It was a system failure that left me shaken and permanently changed. And while others may tolerate these drugs without issue, my story is a reminder that not everyone fits the mold, and not every risk is worth taking.

If you’ve ever been blindsided by a medical experience that spiraled out of control, you know exactly what I mean. And if you haven’t, I hope you never do.

Two things.

First- Anyone that you know of that has or had dementia find out if they were or are on a statin ? Second- Look up the difference between relative risk and absolute risk. The medical industry lives off relative risk. And it is so deceitful and misleading it is asinine we allow it. I will give a simple sample. 100 people are studied. 50 people get a placebo. 50 people get a statin. 10 people on the placebo have a heart attack. 5 people with statins have a heart attack. The drug industry STATES a 50% reduction in deaths and sells millions of pills. Relative risk dictates a 50% reduction. Absolute risk indicates a 5% difference. ( 5 people difference out of 100 people) Which percentage sells more drugs.

Had our electrical vote tonight done digitally. Now fingers crossed we have people that understand the value.

Watched Big Brother and they are going back to a bit like it used to be but still weird and not the same for us. Change is good but change that is dumb loses ratings. I am sure they are a way down.

Still smoky outside.

Jackie has an appointment today and then we are taking Jackson to a clothing store for an outfit to start hugh school.

First thing though I went to wash the Jeep. I went to the new car wash in Seton and WOW is it nice. They have drive thru touchless, they have drive thru brushes and they have wash bays. All neat clean and easy access. It took me about an hour or so but so worth it. $18 and it is washed, vacuumed, polished and dried. Tire shine on wheels and fenders and done. Arms do feel like wax on wax off but it looks good. Watch it will rain right away.

I must have driven thru a highway line paint session which I do not remember but I have yellow paint splatter in places i hate but it is stuck now. That paint is usually very fast drying which make sit that much odder. One of life’s mystery’s but I dislike it.

.This car wash will be my go to from now on. Love it.

Jackie and Tor along with Jackson picked me up and we headed to South Centre. It was Jackson’s birthday gift from us to have get new clothes for school. He is a semi fast shopper. A little pickier but gets the job done, He picked up a pair of New Balance running shoes a pair of pants, shorts a tee shirt. All nice but a little on the bland side. No color. LOL

He was happy ! We met Corey at Montana’s for supper. Love Montana’s as they have ribs, steak, burgers and my favorite Fajitas. Wonderful filling meal.

Thought of the Day

Being a grandparent means you measure value in smiles, not receipts… though the receipts can get pretty long sometimes.

August 11th–12th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 20 degrees, Calgary 18 degrees, Mesa 39 degrees”

Cooling down early in Mesa is always unusual.

You look at the forecast, see 18°, and think, “Perfect shorts weather.” And for the first hour, you feel like a genius — strolling around in summer gear, no jacket, soaking up that warm‑ish afternoon air. Then the day remembers it’s close to winter, flips a switch, and suddenly your fingers are doing their best impression of uncooked perogies. White, numb, and absolutely not compatible with holding a golf club.

The upside of a chilly day is that the course becomes your own private playground. Jeff and Wendy were fighting off a cold, so they paired up, leaving me with Jackie — which turned out to be a strategic win. Later in the round, when the temperature dropped from “refreshing” to “why am I outside,” we ended up driving the cart with a blanket over our bare legs, pressed together to steal each others heat.

The air was heavy, the fairways soft, and the ball roll… well, let’s just say it wasn’t rolling so much as landing and immediately stopping. Everything played shorter, and everyone seemed to struggle a bit — pushes, misses, putts that refused to cooperate. I don’t know the exact score for the Graces, but I’m confident it wasn’t their personal best. Jackie’s definitely wasn’t. Meanwhile, I felt like I was playing mediocre golf, yet somehow walked away with 12 pars and my best score in weeks. Golf is weird. Sometimes you feel terrible and play great; other times you feel great and play like you’ve never met a golf ball before.

Rain showed up on the 16th hole just to keep things interesting, but we finished without getting soaked, which felt like a small victory.

Inside the clubhouse, the food was solid as usual. Wendy’s fish and chips came out a little crispier than she likes. In hindsight, I should’ve swapped one of mine with hers — I love crispy batter. I think mine were excellent as I ordered the Bud Light version. Her loss could’ve been my crunchy, golden gain.

We wrapped up the day by picking up Daisy at Audrey’s and had a good laugh about the new driver’s license design. All the ads show the AHC number on the front bottom left, so naturally Audrey’s new license had… nothing there. Turns out they moved it to the back. I’m betting more than a few people are going to stare at the front, panic, and assume they’ve been issued a discount knockoff.

Another fun day, another set of stories, and another reminder that shorts at 18° in Calgary is both a bold choice and a questionable life decision.

Wonderful lightning storm last night. I love these. I like the booming thunder better but that has been pretty quiet this year.

It was raining this morning and carried on until mid afternoon. Then warm and sunny.

Did everyone get their Danny Bucks. $200 free money that in 20 years if not touched will be $1400. You can’t go wrong. They created an easy process to apply and the money is deposited FAST. I don’t agree with the concept but in some cases it will help a small bit. I would rather have seen the taxes removed off gas provincially or a extra credit at tax time of more value. I like the fact she is attempting to help but the amount is just too little to make an impact. I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Jackie and I spend all day cleaning and organizing the condo for our guests. Sweeping, dusting, toilet cleaning, shower cleaning, mopping and vacuuming. I think we are all done after about 5 hours or so. Just changing the sheets tomorrow morning and then done.

We had originally planned to stay out at Oasis in the RV but that is still in Salmon Arm. So we are moving in for a short period to Audrey’s. The MIL.

A few days all mixed into block. 13th to 15th

Jackie and I kicked off the day with the kind of optimism you only have before entering an airport. We were on a mission to meet Janet, Andy, and their boys — Adam and Will — who were flying in.

To our shock (and mild suspicion), their flight was right on time. Not “airport time,” where on time means somewhere within the next fiscal quarter, but actually on time. Even more miraculous, they breezed through security so fast I briefly wondered if they’d bribed someone, discovered a secret tunnel, or simply sprinted past the “Remove your belt” sign with Olympic-level confidence.

Within minutes, they appeared — cheerful, intact, and not carrying the thousand-yard stare of people who’ve just survived a middle‑seat flight. The boys were buzzing with energy, Janet looked relieved to be off the plane, and Andy had that “I definitely packed snacks” dad‑swagger.

Reunited, we headed out, ready for whatever adventures the day had in store. And honestly, starting with an airport victory? That’s practically a good omen.

The first mission of the day was securing a rental car, and they ended up with a shiny Hyundai that looked perfectly innocent — right up until they tried to introduce it to thier mountain of luggage. Packing those suitcases into the trunk quickly turned into a full‑scale engineering project. It felt less like loading a vehicle and more like assembling a Lego masterpiece, except the Lego pieces were oddly shaped, overstuffed.

Adam took charge with the confidence of someone who has solved puzzles harder than this. After a series of twists, shoves, rotations, and one moment where I’m pretty sure he defied basic physics, he managed to squeeze everything in. It was such a tight fit that I thought we should take a picture, because there was no guarantee it would ever be replicated again.

And let’s be honest — this is a tall family. These aren’t people who travel with dainty little overnight bags. These are people whose legs deserve their own zip code. Yet somehow, against all odds, the Hyundai rose to the challenge, and they rolled out with every suitcase accounted for and only a mild fear of what would happen when they had to unpack.

We got them all settled into the condo, instructions for TV, A/C etc so they should be all good. They decided to freshen up so we left to Audrey’s and they came later.

After travelling for so long and the timing we decided to have a fast food lunch and chose A & W for the Alberta Grass Fed beef and Poutine a national treasure food “made in Canada” . They loved the burgers and loved the Poutine. A & W Root Beer was a big hit also.

Dave along with Alan & MaryAnn came by for a visit which was excellent so we had a nice visit.

So it was nice first gathering.

Up earlier in the morning and to be Canadian we had to hit Tim Hortons. You cant go wrong with Tim’s for breakfast. ICE caps, English Muffins , and Pretzels all were had. Janet had a neat app where you get special pricing for dated food or excess and lo and behold that Tim’s had a $5 deal for a full box of donuts, Timbits etc packed in it. Great app and Jackie loaded it on her phone.

Then off for adventure of the day. Our first stop was Horseshoe Canyon. It is a mini Grande Canyon. We decided to walk down into the crevice and along the bottom. Will even went a step further and climbed up to the top of a range on the opposite side.

Love the canyon. Now off to the suspension bridge. I remember this as a kid being a wooden plank swinging bridge but the sign says different. Even a warning sign not to sway the bridge but I only take those a suggestion anyways. This is a warm up for the mile high Golden Bridge they will experience.

Swaying going across was good coming back more people on and much more difficult to get done. Still a lot of fun but not even close to be called a “scary ” event.

Next on the agenda was the Hoodoo’s which seem so much smaller but still so unique and cool. One bad parent letting their kid run into the protected area. Dumb ! Adam & Will climbed all of the way to the top of the range above the hoodoos. Still a very cool site to see.

Back into the car and off for a bite to eat and visit to The Last Chance Saloon in Wayne. This place has awesome reviews and is iconic.

It was one busy place but we got lucky and were able to be served on the outside patio. Very fortunate for us that the weather was exceptional all day.

This place is famous for it’s farm to table concept with them buying everything or making everything they can, The meat and veggies are all local and the recipes self made. The smoke their brisket for like 22 hours.

Adam loved his plating. It was cornbread waffles, topped with mac & cheese, with cowboy candy and coleslaw, A odd combo but Adam loved it. Will and Andy had a brisket taco , I had burned brisket ends . Every meal was awesome. I had brown beans as a option and wow, Beans with pineapple in it is amazing. We were stuffed.

First opportunity for me to offer them Caesars, Not the perfect Caesar as no garnish and made a little different that the original. These guys make them dirty with extra Worcestershire sauce and add horse radish. Still good, not perfect but Andy seemed to like it but time will tell if he orders another. LOL

We stayed at the Saloon for quite awhile, I forgot to mention we passed over 11 bridges on the road that cross the Rosebud River to get there.

Next stop downtown to see the worlds largest Dinosaur. Much bigger than I remember it.

The Drumheller visit wrapped up smoothly, with a relaxed drive home that gave everyone time to unwind and let the day settle in. After an hour of rest, the group headed to Launch Pad — a change of pace that added a fresh burst of energy to the evening.

Janet, who arrived insisting she was not a golfer, quickly proved that labels can be misleading. She stepped up, found her rhythm, and began hitting targets with a consistency that surprised even her. Points appeared, targets lit up, and she handled it all with calm confidence while laughing as she finished second.

Andy delivered a standout performance of his own, winning two out of three games and setting a clear benchmark for the rest of the group. His results were strong enough to earn some friendly bragging rights, and the boys will likely be hearing about it for a while. I know I would have.

Both guests showed an impressive ability to adapt, connect with the activity, and enjoy the moment. Their shots were clean, their timing sharp, and their enthusiasm genuine — the kind of participation that makes hosting a pleasure.

The evening also offered an unexpected highlight: a doe and her two fawns quietly crossing the hitting path, followed shortly by a large buck. It was a striking scene, perfectly timed and memorable for guests who may not often encounter wildlife so closely if there are even whitetails in England.

Overall, it was a well‑rounded, engaging, and enjoyable experience — a blend of activity, relaxation, and natural beauty that left a strong impression on everyone involved.

So a full day with lots of sight seeing. Loads of food. Such different things to do and a fun fun day. Nice we were able to incorporate authentic Canadian cuisine and culture in the day.

Thought of the Day

Helping tourists is like being Google Maps with worse accuracy but way better facial expressions.

August 15th

“Mercury Forecast Edmonton 25 degrees, Calgary 23 degrees, Mesa 42 degrees”

It has become a running joke with the cousins and us as the mountains just can not be seen. Everyday we look, we show them pictures of what they look like yet no one can see them. It was also funny as they DO NOT LIKE warm beer which is a generalization we have of English people and they drink coffee not tea. There are just like us.

This morning’s gathering at Audrey’s had the kind of warmth that makes a family moment feel both intentional and effortless. The breakfast had been set in motion the day before with the bacon prep, and Jackie was out early picking up everything else we needed. The spread came together exactly as planned — bacon, scrambled eggs, bagels, croissants, fresh fruit — simple, abundant, and perfect for a relaxed morning with people who matter.

The group that arrived made it feel complete: Jessica, Atticus, August, Victoria, Corey, Jackson, Audrey and the two of us plus our 4 special guests. A comfortable mix of ages, personalities, and easy conversation. Dave chose not to attend and headed home, and Alan and MaryAnn were tied up with prepping for tonight. The Huggett girls were busy as well one out of teh country. Even so, the gathering carried a clear sense of purpose. When relatives travel from another country — especially those you rarely get the chance to meet — creating a welcoming space isn’t just polite, it’s meaningful. It’s a way of acknowledging the rarity of those connections and the value of showing up for them.

For Jackie, the morning held a deeper emotional weight. Being able to say, “This is my cousin visiting from England,” was something she had never experienced. Her parents’ decision to distance themselves from family when they moved to Canada meant she grew up without that extended network. Using the word cousin wasn’t just a label; it was a moment of belonging she had been denied for most of her life. In contrast, my own experience has always been the opposite — more than twenty cousins within a few hours’ drive and over a hundred direct relatives. Holidays, weekends, and countless ordinary days were spent visiting, celebrating, and staying connected.

Today’s breakfast wasn’t just a meal. It was a reminder of how differently family shapes each of us, how meaningful it can be to bridge those gaps, and how important it is to embrace the rare opportunities when distant relatives make the effort to be present. It was a simple gathering that carried the quiet significance of connection, history, and the small joys of being together.

We had our wonderful brunch which everyone enjoyed. After lunch we all headed to the lake as the weather was wonderful.

Chaparral Lake stands out as one of the south’s most polished and thoughtfully executed residential lakes — a space where design, maintenance, and atmosphere all work in harmony. Its shoreline is shaped with intention, giving the beach a clean, inviting sweep of sand that feels more curated resort than suburban amenity. The water stays remarkably clear, the grounds are consistently well kept, and the entire layout reflects a community that values both aesthetics and usability.

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What makes it even more distinctive is the quiet. Limited access keeps the environment calm, allowing the lake to retain that rare sense of openness even in peak season. You can actually enjoy the soundscape — water lapping, kids playing at a distance, the soft hum of summer — without the congestion that usually comes with a great beach.

Chaparral Lake isn’t just pleasant; it’s an example of how a well‑planned community amenity can elevate everyday living. Other Calgary spots like Sikome Lake, Auburn Bay, or even Sundance and Midnapore do not have the same vibe. Some lakes have better amenities but that does not mean a better experience.

The drive north to see Alan and MaryAnn had that easy, rolling pace that comes after a good morning — everyone fed, everyone relaxed, everyone still riding the momentum of a family day that was actually going well. Andy followed behind us, though he and Janet made a quick detour to pick up flowers for MaryAnn. They handled it with military efficiency, reappearing almost immediately, bouquet in hand.

MaryAnn and Alan, of course, went full hospitality mode. What they called “a few things” turned out to be a full culinary event. Appetizers everywhere, too many as people would have ate a lot more main course if they hadn’t been spoiled. The main course that could have fed a small village: pulled pork, perfectly sliced beef, fresh buns, salads, mashed potatoes, gravy, and an impressive number of bonus dishes that seemed to multiply every time someone walked into the kitchen. It was the kind of spread that makes you briefly reconsider your life choices before going back for seconds. Plus there was so much I wanted to make sure I made a dent in the pile.

The backyard became the social hub — cornhole games, conversations drifting from one group to another, kids laughing, adults catching up, and that easy rhythm that only happens when people genuinely enjoy being together. With Alan and MaryAnn, Danielle and Justin in the mix, though David had already headed home it was even more vibrant. It was shaping up to be one of those perfect outdoor afternoons until the rain decided it wanted to be part of the family too. It arrived uninvited, as rain tends to do, and politely escorted everyone back inside.

And then came the running joke — standing on Alan’s deck, staring out at the horizon where the mountains should be. Normally they’re right there, postcard-perfect. Today? Nothing. Not even a hint. Nothing for the last few days. Just a wall of sky pretending it had never heard of the Rockies. At this point, it’s less a joke and more of an annoyance as we so wanted our guest to see them.

A rainy drive home.

The cousins are off on a great Canadian Adventure. Banff, Golden, Canmore, Hinton, Jasper, throwing in the Ice Fields, The Sky Walk, the Jasper Tram, Maligne Lake, Golden Suspension Bridge, Kicking Horse rapid float, and the tube run down the mountain. They should have a blast and the weather is looking very good. They will be back in about 10 days to stay with us before heading back over the pond.

I talked to my motorhome mechanic in Salmon Armand and so far the estimate is lower than expected but it is not finished. Just over 4K so far. They are waiting for pricing on axle seals and ABS sensors.

Thought of the Day

Family gatherings are like Wi‑Fi—sometimes the connection is strong, sometimes it’s just a lot of buffering.