Woodstock Ontario - Jasper's Birthday Party

We were up at 7:00 AM but did not get up until 8:00. Heather and Jasper picked us up to go shopping at WalMart, where Heather picked up some party favours for the afternoon and we got Jasper booster seats to replace the little person car seats he had outgrown. Then we stopped by McDonald's for breakfast before going back to the house.

Heather and Sandy went to pick up the birthday cake and, after they returned, Tom took Jasper to a friend's 1:00 PM birthday party. Lucky kid, two parties in one day. Heather and Fiona came over to our hotel room for a while before we headed to Jasper's party.

Hanging out at the hotel

Fiona looking especially cute

The birthday cake

We headed over to C&D Lanes for 2:30. Ostensibly a bowling alley, they seem to cater to a lot of kids birthday parties. There was another one just wrapping up as we got there, but our table was already all set. Family and friends gathered, and some adults and kids actually bowled. Then the staff served a lunch of burgers and hot dogs followed by a very nice cake and the gifts. I avoided the lanes because every time I play, I screw up my knee. Sandy just doesn't like bowling.

Trying to keep shoes from wandering away?

Heather and the sons-in-law (Tom's father Stan on the right)

All four of our grandchildren in one place

Tom's brothers

What's a party without balloons

Kim with Fiona (looking unsure) and Robyn watching bowling

Tom and Jasper with a kid's ball launcher

Fiona and Dad

They don'y need a launcher

The lanes were busy for a while

Heather is very good at party organizing

The colour of the day is purple

Of course, some people lost interest in bowling

Time for food

Birthday boy

Robyn and Jolene

Fiona and her other grandma, Zofia

What is this?????

No room at the table for the adults

It was an awesome cake, and not too sweet

It was almost a shame to cut it

And then there was not much left

Lots of presents

And cards, and money too

The party started to break up about 5:00 PM. We left at 5:30 and headed back to the hotel, stopping to get fuel at an Esso (we get Optimum points there that we use for groceries) first. The gas price was $0.959, 15 cents lower than at home. I have no idea what causes a disparity this great, but the government assures us time and again that the process for setting prices is legitimate. I have my doubts.

If I lived here, I would probably stop by regularly

Can't beat the price

We had planned to head back to Sudbury in the morning, but Jolene and Robyn wanted us to stay another day. Jolene was going to find something interesting for all of us to do, so were going to be here another night.

I would have gone down to the exercise room in the hotel this evening but I forgot my gym bag at home. Not unusual because I actually have not hit the YMCA since last fall. I need to get that fixed soon. Instead, we went to bed early.

Sudbury Ontario to Woodstock Ontario

After almost six months of staying in Sudbury, we were now heading south for the second time in two weeks. This time was to attend grandson Jasper's fifth birthday party in Woodstock. True to form, they were predicting not one but two "snow events" in southern Ontario over the weekend.

We left town just before 10:30 AM under partly cloudy skies and clear roads. Sudbury was approaching a record snowfall season, which would mean that over thirteen feet of the white stuff had fallen. Snowbanks were high but highways were clear and what clouds there were dissipated before we got to Parry Sound.

Before wed left, I had signed into the library and downloaded Robert Heinlein's Assignment in Eternity to my phone. This audio version of some old and somewhat dated tales by the master was narrated by Bronson Pinchot (remember Larry's cousin Balki Bartokomous?). When the phone was paired to the Equinox's entertainment system via Bluetooth, the dashboard buttons usually controlled the play/pause functions. Imagine my consternation when they did not do that today. I don't want to be touching the phone to control it because the penalty for distracted driving now included a three day driver's licence suspension in addition to a hefty fine. I pushed play on the phone and let it go.

 Seen north of the French River - no idea what it was

We stopped at Parry Sound to pick up lunch at Mickey D's. The sun was high in the sky and snow was melting, making it feel like spring was close. I searched on-line for any information on the phone/infotainment centre interface. I wish that people (and businesses) who post technical advice would date the post or mention what software version they are using. Even Google and Facebook forums are woefully inadequate in this regard. I tried deleting and re-pairing the device but that didn't work, so we headed on.

There was a stop at the Moon River truck pullout to add windshield washer fluid. The Equinox does not have a low fluid indicator, so the tank will always run dry at the least opportune moment.

The infotainment system finally lost the phone book as well, so I got off at the Duckworth exit in Parry Sound and found a parking lot. Again I unpaired and paired the phone with the car and, wonder of wonders, everything started to work right. I thought I did the same as I did in Parry Sound, so I have no clue what fixed the problem. By the way, gas at the Shell there was $.959 per liter compared to $1.109 in Sudbury this morning.

To try something different, we exited at 88 and then took 27 south to Highway 9 in Schomberg. There was almost no snow on the ground down here. We did find a Lexus and a Mercedes that seemed to like cruising the rural roads at 20 KPH under the posted speed limit and we noted that the Country Style Donuts outlet in Schomberg was closed down. Country Style makes donuts the way Tim Horton's used to before Wendy's bought them out and ruined the baking process, but they are slowly disappearing despite having what I consider to be a better product.

From Highway 9, we took the usual Airport Road/ Highway 24 through Guelph, where the car told us that the ambient air temperature was up to 34 F.

A tree between Guelph and Cambridge

Leaving Guelph, we got caught in a rush hour traffic jam on the two lane road. The Maple Grove cutoff that went past the Toyota plants took us to Highway 401 at Highway 8, missing what was usually a big tie-up and eternal road construction on the 401 through Cambridge.

We got into Woodstock just before 5:00 PM, the end of a good day on the road. Although there was still a little snow on the fairways at Cedar Creek Golf Course, there were also hundreds of Canada geese. I guess they got back early. With the mess they make, I have to wonder if starving countries in this world might be interested in some goose meat protein?

After checking in to the Best Western Plus, I checked my blood sugar. It had been a bit out of control lately. Now, after two Sausage McMuffins about 10:00 AM and a Double Quarter-Pounder With Cheese after noon, I was surprised to see it was 5.6 (101 in US measure). I wish I could figure out why I sometimes get surprises like this so I could do it more often.

When Heather, Tom and the grandkids got home, Sandy and I went by Subway and picked up supper on the way to the house. She got a sandwich and we picked one up for Heather, while I ordered a chopped salad with steak. After visiting for a while, we went back to the room for the night.

Today's Route (313 Equinox miles):

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Cambridge Ontario to Sudbury Ontario

Things were interesting this morning. We didn't want to start too early due to the dire forecasts last night, so we didn't get up until 9:00 AM. Environment Canada had issued three separate warnings overnight. The first, before dawn, was for freezing rain. The next, a while later, was for high winds. The last one, not long ago, was for fog. Word from Sudbury was that rain had fallen, the side streets were like skating rinks and maybe we should wait a day before coming back. Kim said a Sudbury pastor that they knew was live-streaming his morning service so his flock could stay safe at home.

With these scary harbingers of doom to consider, I checked the trusty weather radar. Taking everything into account, I predicted we would run behind the rain front all the way, getting to Sudbury before the temperature dropped below freezing and the snow began. It looked about as optimistic as we could have hoped for and, even if it did turn nasty,  there were many places along the way that we could go to ground if necessary. We had decades of experience driving in winter conditions and my only real fear in bad conditions was the other driver.

I decided to avoid the 401, always a good plan in marginal conditions. We left at 9:30 and headed northeast on Highway 24 through Guelph. There was even less snow in the fields than there was on Friday.

 Snow unbound fields along Highway 24

It was 42 F as we stopped for coffee in Erin and, soon after, we encountered fog. Canadian federal regulations require daytime running lights on all cars and trucks, so every Canadian vehicle should always have some lights to the front. As usual, we met more than a few running through the fog with no lights whatsoever. I have not figured out how so many vehicles on the road today do not conform to the federal standard. Provincially, there is no requirement for headlights to be on in the daytime, so drivers do not risk being charged under the highway laws. Still, common sense dictates that you want as much light showing as possible when visibility is limited.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who run fog lights 24/7. In the soup today, I did turn the fog lights on and appreciated the extra coverage they provided.

 Fog varied from this to a lot thicker

Near Mono Mills, I almost had to take the ditch when a driver came out of the fog passing another car on two-lane Airport Road. I am not sure what he was thinking but, as I said earlier, I always fear the other person. The fog continued along Highway 9 but cleared by the time we turned north on six-lane Highway 400.

 Fog cleared on Highway 9

We stopped about 11:30 at the On Route service centre in Barrie for a bathroom break and more coffee. Radar showed that it was raining to the north of us, while the forecast predicted snow starting in Sudbury about 5:00 PM. Lots of time to cover the 180 miles before then.

There weren't many skiers at Mount St. Louis. Around Waubaushene, a light rain started falling. It was actively raining by the time we got to Parry Sound but the temperature was still 40 F so the roads were OK. A crew with a backhoe was cutting drainage channels through the snowbanks on Highway 69, a sure sign of spring.

Rain was heavier at the French River and we saw contractor plows on the four-lane with the blades down on bare pavement. The one on the lfft was scraping snow off the centre bank and depositing it in the roadway. I often shake my head at what they are doing with our taxpayer money. Water had pooled in some low spots but it was easy to avoid those spots because there was always at least one clear lane.

 Still snow in the Great Whire North

Lots of snow

It was still 36 F when we reached Sudbury. Despite all the warnings, it turned out to be a pretty ordinary trip. We were in the driveway before 3:00 after braving water and slush ruts in our subdivision. Next week, we will head down again for Jasper's birthday party.

(Waiting for Monday to come back would not have been a good idea. Conditions were bad enough to trigger a 70 car pile up on southbound Highway 400 south of Barrie, resulting in closure of the whole highway in both directions.)

Today's Route (281 Equinox miles):

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Cambridge Ontario - Coldest Night Of The Year

The Coldest Night of the Year Walk wasn't until this evening, so we were in no rush to get up. After rolling out of bed at 9:15, we called Heather and arranged to meet for breakfast at Dean Michael's Griddlehouse in Woodstock at 10:00.

We arrived just after Heather and the grandkids. Tom was busy with something at the church. Michael's was a little busy, so they opened the far room for us.

 Recommended for breakfast in Woodstock Ontario

 Catching up

 It's not just a waffle

 Jasper's waffle

 Fiona is waiting patiently

 Happy girl

Breakfast was excellent as usual. Afterwards, we went back to Heather's house for some grandchild time. We would be coming back in a week for Jasper's birthday. Then we headed back to the Travelodge in Cambridge for a nap.

After heading over to Kim and Mike's for 3:30 PM, we then followed them to The Vineyard Church on Elgin Street where many of participants had gathered. Our team was from Cambrian Community Church and Kim, our captain, registered us and picked up our toques. There was also a CONY walk in Sudbury the same night, but Sandy and I were more interested in supporting the family.

While waiting, I met Kathryn McGarry, the new mayor of Cambridge and a former Minister of Transportation under Kathleen Wynne. She was surprised that we would come all the way from Sudbury for the walk. I mentioned my time working with MTO to revise the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act back in the day. She was a nice lady, I guess I can forgive her for being associated with Ms. Wynne.

With all the snow at home, it had not occurred to us that we might be able to walk in shoes so we didn't bring them. They would have been a lot more comfortable than boots on the walk. After opening ceremonies at 5:00 PM, we started out on the 5 kilometer route. The 10 K was the same but kept going after the turnaround point.

 Team Cambrian Community Church

 Starting out...

...in last place

Much of the route was on dry sidewalk but there were some spots where ice was still built up. Sandy hung onto my arm since she was sporting her new cast and had fresh memories of slipping and falling. The mood was generally upbeat and jovial with all these folks really buoyed up about helping the less fortunate in their community.

Interactive map

The turnaround point for the 5 K walk was at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church, also on Elgin Street. They had coffee, hot chocolate, water and snacks available. Suitable refreshed, we started back. It was dark by the time we arrived (still in last place) and were treated to some hot food and a variety of delicious looking desserts.

According to the scoreboard, team CCC raised $1,750. A total of $36,430 was raised by 132 walkers on 19 teams to support the Urban Hope Centre. There was a lot of prayer that was outside my normal Deist frame of reference, but I judge people based on intentions and sincerity and both were good here.

We got back to our hotel room by 8:00 PM with plans to head home in the morning. There were dire weather warnings for tomorrow, with local forecasts of freezing rain and then snow. We set the alarm and turned in early, planning to decide what to do after we saw what the morning really brought.

RIP Gambler 1956 - 2019

We got back to the room after the skating races and found word that Rod "Gambler" McDaniel V~13993 of Mountain View, Arkansas had passed away. He was diagnosed not long ago with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer and was placed in hospice soon after.

Rod, his wife Deb (Bubbles) and whole family have helped organize the annual VROC Reunion in Eureka Springs, Arkansas every fall. They also popped up at other rallies from time to time. As with Lucky Al a couple of weeks ago, they were very close members of the VROC family.

 Rod 'Gambler' McDaniel - Eureka Springs, Arkansas (2017)

Gambler and Lucky Al - ES 2017

You leave a large empty place in the lives of everyone who knew you, Gambler. Our condolences to Bubbles and family.

Rest In Peace

Sudbury Ontario to Cambridge Ontario and Skating Races

For people who like to wander a bit, we had certainly not been doing that lately. In fact, we were not out of town since we got back from the Arkansas trip last September. Time is flying by because, in some ways, it seemed like that just happened yesterday. This was alarming when one stopped to consider that this was the rest of our lives sliding away.

Daughter Kim, son-in-law Mike and the girls usually participate each winter in the Coldest Night Of The Year walk in Cambridge. CNOY is a Canada wide initiative which raises money for local programs that support vulnerable families and individuals. Sandy and I normally donated to Kim and Mike's team, which represents their church, but decided that we needed a road trip. The walk was on Saturday but Mike informed us that Jolene and Robyn would also be participating in the Galt Schools’ 89th Annual School Skating Races on Friday night. A twofer.

We usually stay in Woodstock when we are down but decided to try a Cambridge venue this time. I wanted to build a few more Wyndham Points but had not been pleased with the Super 8 last time. The Travelodge on Hespeler Road had good reviews and reasonable rates, so I reserved for Friday and Saturday nights.

It should be noted that Sudbury was experiencing an unusually severe winter. We had the coldest temperatures seen in years, coupled with over ten feet of snow and very little thawing. After fueling up and going back home to get the voice recorder I had forgotten (showing how rusty I was regarding trip preparations), we hit the road about 9:40 AM. The temperature was around 26 F, so the snow was not as crisp as usual.

The trip was uneventful. We stopped for lunch to go at McDonald's in Parry Sound and then again for a bathroom break at the service centre on Highway 400 in Innisfil. Nobody noticed that I had to do up the button on Sandy's jeans because of the cast on her wrist.

Once we got onto Highways 9 and 24, it was evident that the south had a lot less snow than we did. There was a shiny layer on top showing that their last precipitation was probably rain. The old Eddie Shack coffee place in Caledon was now a Tim Horton's. Poor old Eddie, gone and forgotten. We stopped at the Tim's in Erin for more coffee.

Lesli phoned me about some Safe Ride Home business and I marveled that I could be anywhere in North America and a caller would not know that I wasn't sitting in my living room. There is so much technology these days like cell phones, computers, GPS, digital cameras and so on that was barely even contemplated when I was in school. But I would have to think long and hard about whether it is better or not. I guess it would depend on who you are and what you value.

Sci Fi fan AND grammar Nazi?

We arrived at the Travelodge about 3:00 PM. It was an older building but the desk clerk was very friendly and the room was recently remodeled. There was a real Indian restaurant attached but, not being familiar with real Indian food, we decided to avoid it until we could find a guide familiar with the cuisine. Instead, we took a nap until race time.

The Skating Races

Mike said they would be getting to the Galt Arena Gardens about 6:15. We were a few minutes behind them, so they saved a parking space right behind them. It looked like a lot of people were arriving.

I need to say a few words about the Galt Arena Gardens. It is reportedly one of the oldest continually operating ice hockey arenas in the world. It opened in 1922 and was renovated in 1997. It makes me sad to think that our own stately Sudbury Community Arena, built in 1951, is slated for destruction and replacement at a very high cost to taxpayers. I wonder how much an upgrade would cost? The Cambridge Skating Club has been teaching figure skaters in the Gardens since 1951. Neil Carpenter, Toller Cranston and Ron Shaver all got started here and, if I remember correctly, my brother Doug studied there with Carpenter for a few summers in the 1970's. That was before he traded in his skates for a guitar.

 Galt Arena Gardens

 Catalytic heaters for the spectators

One of many murals depicting the arena history

This school race has been going on for 89 years. There were elementary school age kids in skates everywhere. The principal of Chalmers Street Public School was issuing numbered jerseys to each of his students, including Jolene (28) and Robyn (4). There were many individual and relay categories divided by age and gender. Each of the girls would compete twice, first individually and then as part of a relay team. I took photos as best I could, considering there was a net meant to stop errant pucks between the lens and the ice.

 The Chalmers Street Public School Team

 Mom and Grandma settled in to watch

 Robyn (in pink) set to start her race

 Giving her all

 And done

 Second place

 Jolene's turn

 Hard charging

 Until she caught an edge

Then it was time for the relays.

 Jolene about to pass a competitor

 Her team came home in second place

 Robyn charging ahead

 And rounding the turn for home

Parents and grandparents watched intently

After the skating was finished, we all headed up Hespeler Road to the State and Main Kitchen and Bar to get some supper. It was my first time in a State and Main, a southern Ontario roadhouse style chain. The food was good but I wish I could have stuck to my diet. Oh well.....

After supper, we bid adieu to the family and moved the short way up the road to the hotel. Tomorrow would come all too soon.

Today's Route (280 Equinox miles):

Interactive map

RIP Hearly Hinds

While we were waiting to see the orthopedic surgeon at the hospital, I received a text that Hearley Hinds had passed away last night from injuries sustained in a snowmobile incident a week before.

I first met Hearley in 1980 when I had the occasion to buy a Dodge Horizon. Given the nature of this vehicle, it was only natural that I would get to be on a first name basis with the service manager at my dealership. Hearley did a great job overseeing the service operation at Laurentian Chrysler and our relationship continued through a 1984 Plymouth Voyager and 1995, 1997 and 2003 Dodge Caravans, not to mention a 2000 Neon and a 2000 Cirrus. I can say without a doubt that it was Hearley that kept me within the Chrysler family over the years and, when he retired, I moved on the Chevrolet (because of you, Kenny).

Imagine my surprise in 1989, when I got involved in organized snowmobiling as Vice President of the Sudbury Trail Plan,to find that Hearley was a driving force in the Nickel Belt Snow Spirits, one of the clubs that made up STP. While avoiding the political and business aspects associated with sledding, he was one of the key "can do" people that built the trail system. He  was able to get trail work done in a manner that was equaled by few others.

Our condolences to Margo and the family. Hearley was one of a kind and he will be missed. Rest In Peace.

Sandy Sees The Orthopedic Guy

We headed over to the hospital early enough to get a parking spot in the closest lot. After proceeding to the proper Ambulatory Care Unit waiting room, we took a number and were seen by the admitting desk right away. Then we got comfortable, talked to some of the folks we had met the night before and met some new people. Most had fresh casts on because this was orthopedic clinic day in the ACU and yesterday was icy slip day.

The first time Sandy was called, it was to meet with an osteoporosis advisor. This nurse's job was to interview more mature people who had sustained fractures, explain the risk osteoporosis risk factors and suggest mitigating strategies. She also offered to schedule a free bone density scan, which Sandy accepted. It is nice to see some preventative measures being practiced.

Back in the waiting room, we watched as people were called in one after the other. Eventually, Sandy was called again and another history was taken by a nurse. From there, it was across the hall to X-ray and then back to the big waiting room for yet one more long wait.

Finally, we were called for the final time and escorted to a room in the back that was subdivided into four examining areas. Dr. Tubin, the surgeon, looked at the X-rays and said there was a crack in the radius and a small chip in a wrist bone but no surgery would be required. He also asked if the arthritis in her thumb caused and trouble. Sandy said she wasn't aware that she had arthritis so, no, it wasn't a problem. Tubin has a five star rating, unusually high, and his folksy manner (unusually in a bone doctor) has to be one of the reasons. He told one of the people following him that the wrist needed to be re-positioned and said he would see her again in three weeks.

I don't know if the people who apply the casts are nurses or technicians, but they are good. This one cut off the plaster cast and quickly applied a fiberglass replacement. Given a choice of colours, Sandy picked pink. We booked another appointment here for three weeks hence, said goodbye to our new friends and headed home.

Sandy shows her new cast to her mother  

RIP Lucky Al 1955 - 2019

We were shocked to receive news today that "Lucky Al" Mottram V~9147 had passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home in New Jersey.

Lucky Al - Eureka Springs VROC Reunion 2018

Al has been a part of our wandering VROC family for many years. Retired from business, he had recently been pursuing his interests in being a blacksmith and acting. He was a respected and loved fixture on the VROC rally circuit and will be greatly missed.

VROC Memorial Page to Lucky Al Mottram

Rest In Peace, Al. It was an honour to know you. Gone but not forgotten.

Sandy Takes A Tumble

It started on the weekend when a light drizzle fell and then froze. I walked out gingerly on Monday night to place our blue box and garbage at the end of the driveway for the Tuesday morning pickup.

Tuesday afternoon, Sandy grew impatient waiting for me to collect the empty blue box and garbage can. While I was napping, she ventured out to do the job herself. Unfortunately, she slipped on the ice and fell backwards. She knew her arm was hurt, but went ahead and retrieved the containers and then got the mail as well anyway.

When I woke up, she told me what had happened. Her right wrist hurt but there was no obvious deformation and she also had some pain in her right shoulder. At suppertime, the pain in the shoulder had abated but the wrist had not so we decided to go and visit  the folks in the Emergency Room at Health Sciences North.

The admitting and triage folks took care of her relatively quickly and we were soon ushered into the ER proper. There is a lot of talk about hallway medicine in Ontario, where patients needing admission exceed the rooms available, so they wait on gurneys in hallways, lounges and anywhere else they can find to put them. The ER sure was overloaded this evening, with more than one patient to an examining room, parts of corridors screened off and gurneys in the halls. We were shown to a small waiting area packed with people cradling injured limbs. It seems Sandy was not the only one who slipped on the ice this day. (The count proved to be 42 fractures due to slipping on the ice throughout the day.)

We spent a few hours getting to know our fellow patients. Eventually, Sandy and I were shown to a private examining room where we waited for another while as we watched nurses, orderlies and the odd doctor come and go outside the door. The wait actually did not bother me since I know that people are seen in the order of urgency, and we were low on that list.

Eventually, a young resident came in, took a history and did a preliminary examination. She said someone would be by to take Sandy for X-rays and ordered something for pain. After a nurse had taken Sandy for the X-rays and then returned her to the examining room, the resident returned with Dr. Bourdon. He was the former hospital Chief of Staff and was now Vice President of Medical and Academic Affairs. He was also the doctor who handled Sandy's pulmonary embolism back in 2009. He said the break was not severe and then he coached the resident on how to apply a plaster cast. She booked an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in the out-patient clinic tomorrow morning for follow-up.

We headed home and set our alarms for the next morning.

R.I.P. Malcolm L. Jacobs 1950 - 2019

Malcolm on a trip to the UK

Jan phoned to let us know that Malcolm passed away early this morning. It was a tragedy for someone so alive and vibrant to be struck down so young, but his condition had been grave ever since the heart attack on December 14 and subsequent strokes. We thought he was improving but it was not to be.

Sandy's Mom Jan is in a nursing home with advancing dementia and we had not told her about his heart attack in December or the problems since. Today, we simply told her that he had a massive heart attack and passed away. It was difficult to tell just how much she grasped, especially since she said she had just been talking to him yesterday, something that would have been totally impossible. 

Malcolm would have been 69 on the 11th of this month.

Another New Year

We ended fifteen nights of Safe Ride Home Sudbury with a huge blizzard last night. The AWD Equinox was sidelined due to a spontaneously shattered lift gate window, so we made due with the FWD all season tired Kia Rondo. The little car was a major challenge in the deep snow until I shut off the traction control. Then it clawed its way anywhere I asked it to go. The phones were live from 8:00 PM until 3:00 AM and Sandy stuck with me the whole time as our team (among others) drove callers who thought they might not be safe behind the wheel home in their own vehicles.

Safe Ride Home Sudbury mascot Stewie

Safe Ride Home Sudbury worked every Friday and Saturday night starting November 16, 2018 through to the end of the year plus New Years Eve. The total road volunteer strength was 210 individuals, with some working one night and some working almost all, in teams of two or three. My job was to receive applications, review them, build the database and schedule, prepare work lists for each night and oversee the sign-in/team assignment function as well as the training. I also drove every night once the HQ tasks were done, gathered the stats and cash at the end of the night and generated the reports. Additionally, I prepared the media releases and executed the social media campaign. All in all, it was a busy but very rewarding time, working with great people and knowing that we were keeping some other people from getting behind the wheel when they shouldn't.

The most difficult part was helping the clientele realize that the volunteers don't give up their nights so that the general public can party. They do it because the general public will party and needs as many alternatives as possible to keep from making poor decisions.

The family ended the year on a somber note. Sandy's brother Malcolm, the epitome of exercise and healthy eating at 68, suffered a major heart attack at his home in Vancouver on December 14. After a quintuple bypass operation, they placed him on an ECMO  machine to help oxygenate his blood while his heart was not up to the task. ECMO has some risks and it appears that, in his case, it may have been the cause of a series of strokes. His kidneys were also damaged in the process. His partner Jan was with him every day and kept the family posted but he was still in ICU and in guarded condition at the end of the year.

It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone. It is also hard to believe that I have not posted here since we got back last September. We are now starting to make some serious plans to squeeze as much as we can out of 2019 before it gets relegated to the trash heap.

Happy New Year, everyone.