Staying in Our Bomb Shelter

The storm that blew thorough here this week was called a "weather bomb"  which is defined as a drop of barometric pressure of 24 millibars within 24 hours.  We had a drop of pressure of 27 millibars within 21 hours and was the lowest barometric pressure on record in North America other than  in a hurricane.   We did not have as much snow here as areas south and east of here but the sustained high winds made some pretty big drifts.

With the weather bomb we just stayed home in our bomb shelter. I worked from home from Tuesday to today.  The wind was gone down by Wednesday night but the roads out to where I work on the edge of the city were not cleared yet.   I was reviewing documents and had several conference calls which I could do just as well from home. We stayed in until Thursday afternoon when Elaine went shopping and then we were to a meeting with our polio group Thursday evening. The roads were not great but passable then. 

We had Elaine's parents here visiting since Monday. It was raining as they were coming but the big storm hit that night. They stayed here until this morning so the roads and weather would be better for traveling home. It was good to have them stay a few days. In the pictures you can see from the smile that Elaine was very happy to have her parents here.

Snowing and Blowing

 View from the side window with our van near the neighbour's house.  

 

View from the front window

Our warm weather is gone for a while as a snow storm has blown in.  I decided to work from home today and not venture out because the wind and wet snow were making slippery driving conditions.   Elaine's parents are here visiting and will likely stay until Thursday when it looks like the weather will be better.  By next weekend we are supposed to be back to 11C and sunny which will be nice if it is true. 

Another Week

Another week has gone by since I last blogged so thought I would just do a little update.   During the week I didn't really go anywhere other than to work each day and then home.   Yesterday I enjoyed helping Janice with making display panels for her  "magnetic grapes" experiment.  

Today we had lunch together at the church after the service with chili, salads, corn bread, etc.  There was quite a bit of variety with four different kinds of chili, including one made by Janice with ground turkey, a vegetarian chili with pumpkin, and two with beef.  Of course there was more than enough and desert as well.  And we had a nice time visiting during and after the meal.

I was hoping to go to the park again for Sunday afternoon which we have enjoyed several times this year.   I thought this may be one of the last nice days before cooler weather and possibly snow is in the forecast by Tuesday.   The temperature got up to 11C but it was cloudy with rain showers so we stayed home in the afternoon.   Then  this afternoon Elaine's parents phoned that they are planning to head over to our house tomorrow after visiting in Manitoba for the weekend.  So it will be nice to have them here for a visit.

Weekend Visiting

We had my cousin Stan staying with us for the weekend.  He had a course all day Saturday and Sunday.  We visited with him for a while when he arrived Friday night, and then each day after his class.    On Saturday Stan and Elaine and I were invited over to Bronwyn and Wade's place for supper.   It was very enjoyable to have supper and visit with them and see their home.    We visited more with Stan back at our house that evening.  We were listening to a CD he has of a pianist playing medleys of old hymns, and making a list to the hymns in each medley and were able to identify almost all of them.  Then Stan was back to our house for supper Sunday after his class and we had another visit before he left for home.

Then Sunday evening I helped Janice with her science experiment demonstrating the magnetic properties of grapes. (Actually any fruit with high water content will work.)  She has the video of the experiment  on her blog.    We had fun with that.   

We had a nice relaxing weekend.    I was not feeling too energetic since I had a trach change Thursday and have had more soreness, coughing and congestion in the nights since then, which disturbed my sleep (and Elaine's as well.)  So we just need a good sleep tonight and then back to work tomorrow.  

Norwegian Thanksgiving

We were up to Elaine's family's farm for the Thanksgiving weekend.   While we were there some relatives from Norway were visiting in the area.  The two couples are cousins on Elaine's father's side of the family.  We first met them at church on Sunday.   In the service Elaine's father gave a message and read scriptures in Norwegian to have something for the visitors, especially the older couple who spoke little English.   We could follow along the verses in our Bibles.  He told a story of the experience of salvation that his aunt from Norway had told about in a letter at the age of 90.    The visitors found the story quite touching since this aunt was their grandmother/ great grandmother.   Also in the service 20 children went up to the front for verses and songs. That is always an important and enjoyable part of the service.   After the service there was a Thanksgiving dinner for all the families related to these visitors.   We stayed around for a while in the afternoon for more visiting with the folks from Norway and some picture taking, etc.     We haven't had a chance to go through the pictures yet but will try to get some posted. 

Thanksgiving Weekend

This is the Thanksgiving weekend in Canada which has historically been a time to give thanks for the harvest.   With the nice weather the reports from the Saskatchewan harvest are looking better than they were earlier.   The latest report for the period Sept 28 to Oct 4 is that 60% is complete, which is more than double the previous week's report of 29%.    The normal for this period is 85% so more good weather is needed.

We are heading up north to Elaine's family's farm for the weekend.   I hope we can get away in good time today. Janice has some work to complete at the university before we can leave.

Let's remember to be thankful at all times and especially be reminded of God's faithfulness at this Thanksgiving weekend  The hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness expresses our thanksgiving for God's goodness.  

1. "Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
   There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
   Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
   As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
• "Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
    Morning by morning new mercies I see;
  All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
      "Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!
2. Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
   Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
   Join with all nature in manifold witness
   To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
   Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
   Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
   Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Have a great weekend everyone.  I will try to post some pictures after our trip.
 

Another Nice Afternoon in the Parks

I haven't blogged since last Sunday when we went to the park in the afternoon. It was so nice today at 25C with little wind  I wanted to go there again.  But Elaine wanted to take her bicycle and start up in the northwest of the city at the beginning of the bike trails.  So I dropped her off there and drove to meet her at another park farther along the trail.

 

Elaine at the start of the bike trail

Elaine took pictures along the bike trail as she rode toward Wascana Park

Elaine took this picture from near the Marina looking toward Pine Island

Elaine took another picture from the Marina zooming in on Pine Island.   She could not see me from where she was but I was going to meet her at Pine Island after she crossed the bridge to that side of the lake.  When I looked at the picture afterward and zoomed in I saw myself (with Tilley hat and oxygen tank)  where I was sitting after walking around the island (enlarged in inset.) 

The beautiful warm sunny weather we have had for the last 10 days is supposed to last at least another week.  So we tried to get out and enjoy it while we can.   And we are very thankful the farmers are getting some harvesting weather.