Golf Tips

Guess who is playing golf? Last week I went out and bought a set of golf clubs ....the whole package, brand new, including woods, irons, putter, bag, and even two of the new hybrids. Now all I need is an electric golf cart!!! I would appreciate any tips you may want to offer....just add them to the comments below. 

Stanley Cup Hockey Champs

Mike's hockey team won the championship! They went on a winning streak just when they needed it and went right on thru the division. Mike being one of the team's leading scorers was always apprecited for his timely goals. I'm not sure whether the winners in this old fellows 'beer' league are the ones who drink the most beer or the ones who drink the least beer. (they didn't let me in the dressing room....but then again, does anyone want to go into a mens dressing room after a hockey game inolving 15 exhausted and sweating hockey players.)

Happy Grandfather's Day

In such a short time our family has expanded substantially. Becoming quite a handsome bunch, if I do say so myself! We had a nice day together and lot's of kind words, cards, and gifts for Grandpa. (not sure why Mike is holding my hand...he's usually not that emotional.) 

Miss Elle

Doug and Michelle held a great little family barbeque/picnic for Father's Day. Miss Elle is Jacob's cousin. Ain't she a cutie! Doug is Judy's brother. Michelle is Shannon's twin sister. Shannon is Shawns brother. Any questions?? 

First Father's Day

 

Test the Metal

Weily once again tested his bike and his bones at the Squamish "Test the Metal", 67km, mountain trail bicycle race. At this rest stop the cramping in his legs and soreness in his back made it virtually impossible for him to smile for the camera. He finished the punishing track in just over 5 hours....yes that's five hours of up and down the BC coastal mountains! Five hours was more than an hour better than last years time but then last year he was in the final stages of getting married. When he was "much younger" he did it in around 4 hours. This race attracts some 800 riders from all over the place and is one of the most popular in North America. I guess if your with 800 other riders we can't quite declare him totally crazy but....67km, hills, five hours? 

Violets

Today I was fooling around, learning, and practising the use of the "macro" feature on our camera....ie. trying to get a nice picture of a small object, up close. This was the best of about 40 shots...some inside with a flash, some outside in natural light. This natural light shot was, I thought, the best. These African Violets were used as table centre pieces at Karen's wedding last July. After 'dying off' last summer, Tricia kept a few and tenderly nursed them through the winter. Two of them have reflowered this spring....we'll have to see if she can get them to continue flowering....they say you have to have a special touch with African Violets and of course always talk kindly to them. My mother had the 'touch' and often had multiple flowering Violets around her house. Of course she had an advantage...her name was "Violet". 

Jacob Gets a Foot Massage

This picture was taken just before they got curious about each others eyeballs. It must be the sparkle that makes them attractive or they have been watching too much WWF! 

World Cup has Started!

Teo can't wait til Japan takes to the field so that he can cheer on his hero, #10, "Nakamura". (note the soccer shoes) 

Can You Hear the Pipes Lad?

Yesterday we went to the Highland Games here in Delta. A lot of interesting competitions for dance and music with two reviews of the mass bands where all the competing bands played as one. No hagis burgers! I have always enjoyed the Scottish Pipe and Drum bands. A favourite memory from when we were cruising was when a piper on another boat played one evening while we were anchoured in a beautiful BC coast inlet. Tricia's mom, Rosie, always said she liked them best when they played "Far, Far, Away"....ie. in Scotland....and she was the only one with some Scottish blood in her??? (maiden name Alexander). What fond memories do you have of the pipes? 

Power to the People

One of Teo's many little characteristics is to hold his fist high in the air....thus his "Power to the People" gesture. Isn't it odd, the power that these little guys do have....like feed me...NOW!!! His 'lefty' Grandma is happy to see him doing it with his left hand. He'll probably overcome that left-handed thing and be normal like the rest of us. 

Mickey Mouse Club

When I found out that I didn't know all the words to the Mickey Mouse Club theme song, Jacob and I had to check them out on the internet. For those of you who may remember the Mickey Mouse Club.....do you remember the words to the song? When we found a Mickey Mouse Club site, there were pictures of Annette....one of my first loves....and every other Mickey Mouse club fan at the time. 

Rose and Ernie

Today would have been Rose and Ernie's 70th wedding anniversary. Although they didn't make it to 70 years they did more than most as they travelled around the world living in England, Australia, and Canada while raising their five children....Jean, Marie, Alun, Tricia, and Colin. 

My Birth Bill

I was born at the Toronto East General Hospital and I have proof to confirm it. The above bill shows that my Mom and I were in the hospital for 14 days...apparently that was normal in those days....and, notice the total cost for a two week hospital maternity stay was a whopping $72.60 and, I had to pay $36.30 towards that before they let me go home! 

Iris the Wife

These beautiful flowers were always in our gardens when I was a young lad. I can remember my dad commenting on how beautiful they were. It wasn't till recently when I was doing some family genealogy that I discovered that my Dad's first wife was named " Iris". I guess these flowers were a small tribute to her. He must have had a thing for flowers....his second wife, my mother, was named "Violet". 

Identify Please!

Can you identify this flower and it's famous seed pod? These are growing in a flower box just outside our condo complex. (Perhaps for medicinal purposes) 

What a Big Bath!

Summer fun has started!!! 

Here...smell this!

Please feel free to suggest your own caption for this photo....just add it to the comments below.

First Mother's Day

Karen and Judy get to celebrate their first Mother's Day today. (I'm afraid it won't be a day of liesure.) They are both such good moms and the two little gaffs love their mommies dearly. What's with the finger in the mouth thing? 

"Rosie" (1910 - 2004)

"Rosie's" Birthday was 11 May 1910.

Tricia's mom was always smiling and ever ready for a party! When her birthday fell on Mother's Day,it was a very special day for her. Her motto was "Live, Laugh, and Love".....a motto that she has passed on to all of her family.

Eight more Wood Ducks

The Wood Duck is one of the most colourful birds you'll ever find. Of course it is the mature male who holds all the beauty. If you look deeper into my blog you will see a nice picture of a mature male Wood Duck. I wonder how many of these guys will become one of those beauties? 

Stand still Please!!

Cows are such good subjects for the camera. I don't hink I needed a 1/200th second shutter speed to capture this fast mover! Even her tail wasn't swaying. Two questions....Is this where chocolate milk comes from?....Is this momma possibly having a baby? 

Can You Smell the Lilac?

When I was a wee lad living in Toronto, we had a 'forest' of Lilacs at the back of our yard. There were trails and hiding places throughout the 'forest' and as kids we played there often. I have since always liked the beauty and smell of Lilac and always had fond memories of my "Lilac Forest". Until....a few years ago my sister suggested I revisit the old 'homestead'. Our home in Toronto was on a 25' postage size lot...the "Lilac Forest" couldn't have been much bigger than a few bushes. Oh well, I still have fond memories when ever I see a Lilac. How does one hide in a Lilac bush? 

Jacob's First Studio Picture

Looks like a born model. I'm sure he'll have more trips to the picture studio, just to supplement all the pictures his mom and dad and grandparents take!!! 

Too Damn Cute!!!

Teo just turned six months old on May 7th and he's just starting to sit up. Before we know it he'll be standing up and doing walkabouts.