Theresa and I are enjoying some of the best weather Florida can offer because traditionally November and early December are the very best. However we are in touch with our kids and they report a different story about the weather in Oakville. We are about to go home for a number of weeks and wish to have nice snow and sunshine every day we are home.
The weather here is ideal for our way of life and we have cool evenings and hot days. Not really hot but around 80 degrees. The warm weather seems to push my arthritis on to the back burner and we are able to enjoy our activities of biking, swimming and now the gym.
When we arrive home we try to get in the correct mode to enjoy the winter. We have always been outdoor people and look forward to a good snowfall some real winter temperatures.
Looking after our garden and trees would be a summer chore but here with their winter the climate is perfect to carry on as if it were summer.At any rate we will be heading home on the 13th and prepared to meet whatever weather mother nature provides.
We often say we now have summer all year long but in fact sometimes the weather can be warmer in Ontario than parts of Florida.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
Pool Repairs
I closed the main circuit to the electrical panel and then I saw and heard a bang and a big puff of smoke came from the 1 hp motor. I knew it was shot but I changed it before and decided to do the same. Four stainless steel bolts hold the motor to the actual pump. Three came out very readily but the fourth one was stuck. I gave a little force and the head came off the bolt.
This puts the whole game in a new ballpark. I left the scene and went to the dealer where I bought a whole new unit and ordered a service call to install the new system and re plum the the above ground working parts to the system. Theresa and I noticed that our solar blanket was beginning to wear so we went out and bought a new one. We decided to get it all out of the way at the same time. After today we should have all the problems solved and we will be able to get back in our heated pool again. As we swim every day we missed even the day when the pool was under going a cleanup.
It was nine years ago we did the same thing so we felt that this would be our last time for this up date.Life is fine and all will be nice again until we have another unexpected challenge. You can see from the picture that Theresa supervised the whole operation.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Thinking Back
My memories of my time shared in the High Arctic have become pictures of special events hidden in the recesses of my mind. This time of the year up there was very new to me as the sun was forgetting to appear and with 24 hour darkness I had to make some adjustments. I never had those bad mental and physical effects that many experience when moving to the North.
I was determined to carry on and with my dog Buck we continued to travel to my fish and hunt camp on Grainier Lake. Travelling to and from the camp was a challenge but when the moon was bright it added a whole different atmosphere and I loved the solitude with the beauty of the white landscape and moon shadows.
Every once in a while Buck and I would encounter caribou or muskoxen and we would just sit and watch them silently disappear into the whiteness of the landscape. One time an Arctic owl swooped down and nearly took my helmet off as it attacked me several times. I must have invaded her space.
In town the Inuit pretty well hunkered down but people managed to complete their work and find time for ice fishing for fresh Arctic Char and lake trout. The air temperature was averaging minus thirty below zero but with the wind it was way colder than that. I received great advice from my Inuit friends when they helped me purchase clothing to withstand the cold temperatures and specially the wind. I never really felt cols on a regular basis and when I travelled over land for a distance I took special precautions.
All my clothes were similar to or the same as the Inuit. They were very costly but you must protect yourself. The danger of freezing was very real and for the first weeks I froze my eyes, hands and feet. Facial freezing was a regular danger and after a few months I rarely suffered any problems.
On the first of December the Hamlet had a big party in the rec center with live music, good food and beer.Everyone took part. In the afternoon the young people had their dance, food and soft drinks. Even the very young had a great time and when the day ended many were so tired that they fell asleep and parents carried them to their snow machines to get them home.
The night party for the adults gave some of the talented Inuit an opportunity to sing and jig and just have a good time. Since beer was served there was a limit of six over the evening. This was a colourful night with the women dressed in bright colours and a beautiful array of Inuit clothing showing plenty of fur and excellent sewing skills. As the evening ended the people drifted to their homes where the party carried on with the addition of home brew and music.
I loved the customs and traditions of the Inuit and I regret the bad influences of the outside world which eventually will partly destroy a people who survived 10,000 years as an independent people.
I was determined to carry on and with my dog Buck we continued to travel to my fish and hunt camp on Grainier Lake. Travelling to and from the camp was a challenge but when the moon was bright it added a whole different atmosphere and I loved the solitude with the beauty of the white landscape and moon shadows.
Every once in a while Buck and I would encounter caribou or muskoxen and we would just sit and watch them silently disappear into the whiteness of the landscape. One time an Arctic owl swooped down and nearly took my helmet off as it attacked me several times. I must have invaded her space.
In town the Inuit pretty well hunkered down but people managed to complete their work and find time for ice fishing for fresh Arctic Char and lake trout. The air temperature was averaging minus thirty below zero but with the wind it was way colder than that. I received great advice from my Inuit friends when they helped me purchase clothing to withstand the cold temperatures and specially the wind. I never really felt cols on a regular basis and when I travelled over land for a distance I took special precautions.
All my clothes were similar to or the same as the Inuit. They were very costly but you must protect yourself. The danger of freezing was very real and for the first weeks I froze my eyes, hands and feet. Facial freezing was a regular danger and after a few months I rarely suffered any problems.
On the first of December the Hamlet had a big party in the rec center with live music, good food and beer.Everyone took part. In the afternoon the young people had their dance, food and soft drinks. Even the very young had a great time and when the day ended many were so tired that they fell asleep and parents carried them to their snow machines to get them home.
The night party for the adults gave some of the talented Inuit an opportunity to sing and jig and just have a good time. Since beer was served there was a limit of six over the evening. This was a colourful night with the women dressed in bright colours and a beautiful array of Inuit clothing showing plenty of fur and excellent sewing skills. As the evening ended the people drifted to their homes where the party carried on with the addition of home brew and music.
I loved the customs and traditions of the Inuit and I regret the bad influences of the outside world which eventually will partly destroy a people who survived 10,000 years as an independent people.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
A Year Later
The other day I celebrated a very important anniversary. It was a year since I had my surgery which gave me freedom from pain which haunted me for many years. The spinal fusion was a complete success but I still had work to do to become mobile and able to perform physical tasks as well as before.
The surgery left me with a blood clot and some nerve damage to my right leg. I was told that the recovery would take up to 18 months and I believe it. I lost about 30 percent of my back flexibility which means I can pin up my golf ball but when I occasionally sink a putt I am unable to reach down to pick it out of the hole..
Theresa and I attend a gym five times a week and we are enjoying the exercise. I hope that the program I am on will help me with the strength issue and perhaps the other issues which I have. It is difficult to have a problem putting on your socks or shoes but it is a small price to pay for the benefits I received from my surgery.
It is a mental issue and when I become a little concerned about my lack of mobility or any deficit I have physically I quickly remember before time. I now realize my golf game will never return to its best times or my walking will have speed or agility problems. In fact nearly every physical act I perform will be a little less efficient than in the past.
I accept the situation and give thanks to the Dr's who gave me the increased freedom from pain and a chance to live a normal life. When my Dr. told Theresa and I the true fact that I would end up in a wheel chair without the surgery it took me 10 seconds to make the call. I really helped me to have a wife who was a nurse and understood the need for patience and hard work to recover. Our life has changed over the past year and I know that the recovery will be on going for the next period of time.
All in all the past year was an adventure for me and everyone connected with my recovery has made it happen. I am thankful.
The surgery left me with a blood clot and some nerve damage to my right leg. I was told that the recovery would take up to 18 months and I believe it. I lost about 30 percent of my back flexibility which means I can pin up my golf ball but when I occasionally sink a putt I am unable to reach down to pick it out of the hole..
Theresa and I attend a gym five times a week and we are enjoying the exercise. I hope that the program I am on will help me with the strength issue and perhaps the other issues which I have. It is difficult to have a problem putting on your socks or shoes but it is a small price to pay for the benefits I received from my surgery.
It is a mental issue and when I become a little concerned about my lack of mobility or any deficit I have physically I quickly remember before time. I now realize my golf game will never return to its best times or my walking will have speed or agility problems. In fact nearly every physical act I perform will be a little less efficient than in the past.
I accept the situation and give thanks to the Dr's who gave me the increased freedom from pain and a chance to live a normal life. When my Dr. told Theresa and I the true fact that I would end up in a wheel chair without the surgery it took me 10 seconds to make the call. I really helped me to have a wife who was a nurse and understood the need for patience and hard work to recover. Our life has changed over the past year and I know that the recovery will be on going for the next period of time.
All in all the past year was an adventure for me and everyone connected with my recovery has made it happen. I am thankful.
The World We Live In
We sometimes take for granted the wonderful opportunity of living in a clean, safe environment.Our life here in Florida is basically living outdoors. Every morning we open our house to the outside world. With sliding doors and a covered lanai we begin our day sitting in fresh air and it only gets better as the day moves along.
Since there are no smokestack industries in the area we never feel the effects of pollution. I do experience the pollution at home and my eyes and nose give evidence of the cause.As we bike along uncrowded back roads and along waterways we are treated to sightings of birds of every description. One of the common and most beautiful exhibitions of birds is capturing wood storks in flight. Often we will see large numbers of these large birds performing their ritual dancing in the sky.
These birds are excellent flying machines and achieve very high flight patterns. Sometimes they fly with the vultures who dot our skies every day. Along our shores wading birds dart in and out among the waves and gain their meal of sea creatures. The sea grapes in abundance grow in profusion in the sandy soil and provide food and shelter to many birds.
Palm trees have a profound effect on the landscape as the number and variety of these trees spell out a tropical world.People who live here yearlong take this world for granted but the visitors and snowbirds appreciate the unique and wonderful environment we share with mother nature and her beauty.
Since there are no smokestack industries in the area we never feel the effects of pollution. I do experience the pollution at home and my eyes and nose give evidence of the cause.As we bike along uncrowded back roads and along waterways we are treated to sightings of birds of every description. One of the common and most beautiful exhibitions of birds is capturing wood storks in flight. Often we will see large numbers of these large birds performing their ritual dancing in the sky.
These birds are excellent flying machines and achieve very high flight patterns. Sometimes they fly with the vultures who dot our skies every day. Along our shores wading birds dart in and out among the waves and gain their meal of sea creatures. The sea grapes in abundance grow in profusion in the sandy soil and provide food and shelter to many birds.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Area Discoveries
While out biking yesterday Theresa and I had an opportunity to look around our community and to see if any new birds were making their home here.Much to our surprise we observed another pair of eagles taking up residence. The female was on the nest and the male was roosting on a limb close by. This was a sure sigh that they had decided to have a family at that location. This tree is about five minutes from our home and just down street from the other eagle nest. We shall be busy this winter keeping tabs on this pair.
There are many signs of a comeback for the construction business. There seems to be some building going on everywhere. Even the commercial sector is involved and we hope that this trend keeps up. As we biked through our neighborhood we observed few if any vacant houses. The yards and property in general was neat and well kept. This was a change from a couple of years ago where numerous houses were empty and there was the appearance of abandoned properties.
Things are looking up and our area is on the mend. We are so happy that there are families are once again moving into the area and bringing new life. We hear children playing and people working on their properties. It is a good feeling.
There are many signs of a comeback for the construction business. There seems to be some building going on everywhere. Even the commercial sector is involved and we hope that this trend keeps up. As we biked through our neighborhood we observed few if any vacant houses. The yards and property in general was neat and well kept. This was a change from a couple of years ago where numerous houses were empty and there was the appearance of abandoned properties.
Things are looking up and our area is on the mend. We are so happy that there are families are once again moving into the area and bringing new life. We hear children playing and people working on their properties. It is a good feeling.
Grey Cup Day
Grey Cup Day used to be one of the greatest celebrations among our group of friends in Pembroke. The day was a time where our gang planned to share the best part of a day at someones home. Arlyss usually had the honour of hosting the party but others shared the joy of entertaining the rowdy bunch..Great food, great drinks and just a great time shared with trusted friends.
This year in Florida with the big crowd of Theresa and I ,we planned a special party. As the game was special in as much it was the 100 year of the Grey Cup we planned to watch it on channel 61. This channel follows Canadian sporting events and have been advertising the event for sometime.
Theresa went out to bring home a large uncooked pizza. We added other ingredients and it turned out to be excellent. As the game started at 6 pm we sat in our favourite chairs and waited for the early introductions to finish.With the game being played in Toronto and their team in the game , Calgary was at a disadvantage because of the crowd noise. It seemed like hours before the game got under way and it was pretty exciting for the home crowd as they got off to a great start.
Theresa and I were now having pizza and getting in the football spirit.Time became a factor and the clock ticked off at 10 pm and the game was still being played we were beginning to get a little distracted. Toronto had a commanding lead and the officials were calling a foul on every other play it looked like we might make it to midnight. However at 10:27 the game ended and Toronto was the final winner.
As far as Grey Cup days go this was a good one with our party of two. I did go back in my memory bank a little and remembered three Grey Cups that I attended. One was the wind bowl where kicking into the wind was impossible and another was the fog bowl where the fog rolled in off the lake and the game had to be completed the next day.Those were exciting days and memories from those games are still clear in my mind. Today with the four hour plus game I shall remember it as the 100 Th Grey Cup and a good long at that.
This year in Florida with the big crowd of Theresa and I ,we planned a special party. As the game was special in as much it was the 100 year of the Grey Cup we planned to watch it on channel 61. This channel follows Canadian sporting events and have been advertising the event for sometime.
Theresa went out to bring home a large uncooked pizza. We added other ingredients and it turned out to be excellent. As the game started at 6 pm we sat in our favourite chairs and waited for the early introductions to finish.With the game being played in Toronto and their team in the game , Calgary was at a disadvantage because of the crowd noise. It seemed like hours before the game got under way and it was pretty exciting for the home crowd as they got off to a great start.
Theresa and I were now having pizza and getting in the football spirit.Time became a factor and the clock ticked off at 10 pm and the game was still being played we were beginning to get a little distracted. Toronto had a commanding lead and the officials were calling a foul on every other play it looked like we might make it to midnight. However at 10:27 the game ended and Toronto was the final winner.
As far as Grey Cup days go this was a good one with our party of two. I did go back in my memory bank a little and remembered three Grey Cups that I attended. One was the wind bowl where kicking into the wind was impossible and another was the fog bowl where the fog rolled in off the lake and the game had to be completed the next day.Those were exciting days and memories from those games are still clear in my mind. Today with the four hour plus game I shall remember it as the 100 Th Grey Cup and a good long at that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)