BEACH DAY

On a day like this you appreciate a warm fire and a good book ....................... better yet would be a warm sunny beach.

Stay warm and safe my friends and don't rush home.

Up-date 2:30pm

Wait a few hours and everything changes.

Time to put down my book and put on the snowshoes.

SLOW DRIVE HOME

It was a slow drive home last night. Highway 28 was closed because of an accident and there was another accident on the detour route. I did manage to get home safely after a 5 hour drive. Mary stayed in Bolton and will come home later in the week.

This morning it is heavily overcast with rain expected this afternoon.. Today we will see +6*C so the snow will be melting.

Safe travels everyone.

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

When we left Bancroft last Friday this was the scene out our front window. It's to get mild on Monday so I'm afraid much of this snow will disappear.

Mary has been busy working on her Owl; still many hours of work before it is done.

Kate loves to read and manipulate the fabric book Oma made for her.

Bedtime story with Oma.

More hugs first thing in the morning. Can you tell we love our grandchildren? It's the best way to spend the day.

Later today we will celebrate three birthdays; Mary, Sherri and Rob. Mary made a special no sugar, cranberry cake with cream-cheese icing so we can all indulge without the sugar or white flour.

Enjoy your day and safe travels everyone.

GEAR BOX

Next time you are going down the road and your steering feels a little loose, check it out. It could be more serious than you think.

This week I had to have this replaced. It's the steering gear box, old one in the vice, new one on the table.

Once in the shop the first job was to dig out the snow (from the trip to the ditch) and check for damage.

The old and new parts were compared to make sure everything was exact and would go together properly.

When it's -22*C outside you really appreciate a warm garage with a lift; makes the work go that much faster. Thanks to Abe everything went back in as planned and now we no longer have a loose steering system. Should be good for another 350, 000 kilometers.

Safe travels everyone and enjoy the sunshine.

IN THE DITCH

Yesterday Abe (my mechanic) called and said the steering box had arrived and he could replace it. I needed to get organized so told him I would be there by 11.

On my way to the garage this happened. I pulled over to avoid a driver who felt they were entitled to the WHOLE road and ended up dropping a wheel then the whole truck into the ditch ......... not a good way to start the day.

Even though I have four wheel drive I was stuck ............. unable to move forward or back and no cell phone. Time to walk and find help.

Fortunately Gerry (my pastor) lives about a kilometer down the road so off I went praying he was home and not back in the bush cutting trees.

Within an hour I was out of the ditch and on the road again; thanks to Gerry, bless his heart.

I called Abe, let him know I was finally mobile again and would be there shortly.

Some days you really appreciate friends. Thanks Gerry what will I do when you move?

Safe travels everyone and be sure to stay out of the ditch.

OWL'S EYES

Mary always has several quilt projects on the go but this Owl quilt is the most challenging.

First a pattern had to be made and then each feather had to be cut out; much like a jigsaw puzzle. Of course before any of this started all the right shades of fabric had to be found and washed. Each piece is then ironed onto a paper backing before being attached to the pattern board.

The eyes are critical as that is what first catches your attention. They aren't finished yet as there is still many hours of work needed before this quilt is ready to be hung.

A less demanding quilt is this checkered wool quilt made from old coats. It's beautiful and will become my camping blanket to keep me warm as we enjoy campfires with Owen this summer.

On bitter cold sunny days this is Mary's preferred  location; at her sewing machine with a view across our frozen pond.

Now it's time to throw another log on the fire and make plans for the day ahead.

Safe travels everyone.

YOGA VIEW

This is our "yoga" view. Yes, our bodies have reached that stage where they need HELP! They're stiff, slow and unresponsive at times. When we move we ache, when we walk we wobble, when we sit we sit too long. Time for a change and a challenge and believe me doing yoga stretches before the sun comes up is a challenge. But once the sun peaks over the horizon the view is inspiring.

This is my favourite view ..................... flat on my back ................... a two minute rest. It's also my best pose.

While I struggle with the balance, and holding still for 10 seconds the view keeps changing, distracting me and causing me to lose my concentration.

So far no injuries and I haven't fallen against the wood stove.

Still waiting to see a twenty year old body looking back from the mirror but I guess that will take more than three weeks of stretching.

Time for breakfast then a snowshoe across the lake.

Stay warm and safe everyone.