Summer months

Opa Jos Vandenboom is still going strong, keeping Mary and Susan always busy looking after him and taking him on outings all the time. Every now and then I come to his retirement home to play a few games of rummikub which he still does very well. It is nice to be fully mobile again after those few months with the catheter and the prostate problem. Mary's knee is also getting better all the time.

Mark and Carly played a beach volleyball tournament with friends in Welland. Was fun to see one of their matches. Back on the bike again to do most things. Yesterday to the flatwater center and a short swim in the canal.

Big part of one of the neighbour's tree came down. We will have to take down the entire tree which Trish will organize. I took off all the parts with the leaves and then Ralph came with his chainsaw.

All cleaned up again and Ralph will have some nice firewood, for the time being stored in our little old shed in the back. Now waiting for the rest of the tree to be taken care off....

Deck renovation

The deck on the side door needed to be renovated and we decided to try the expensive but much longer lasting vinyl panels. Before Mark and Shayd would do the fine work, I took on the taking off the old planks and reinforcing the joists. After ten weeks of doing nothing, it was tough on the body but good to do. Kept me busy for four days (slow slow worker....).

Mark (with all the right saws and tools) assisted by Karleigh did a great job with the finer work later joined by Shayd with his carpentry experience. I just lent moral support but enjoyed watching them.

For the new stairs we have to order other vinyl pieces but Shayd left us with a good temporary solution. He will be back here in a month or Mark can do it in the meantime. Shayd visited with Hilary because Hilary has two weddings from old school and university friends these months.

Mark took Shayd for some pickle ball experience in between the construction work and wedding activities. Together with Karleigh they even talked me into a game of doubles. Pretty stiff and slow but still pretty effective at the net with volleys...

Opa Vandenboom came for inspection of the work on the deck and gave his approval. We also took Hilary, Shayd, Karleigh and Mark for a nice dinner along Lake Erie, where we afterwards spend a bit of time on Long Beach. Life is good....