Ride A Bike Week

 I broke down and bought a new bike yesterday even though I did have to pay HST on it - the "old" government had actually taken the PST off new bikes.  It's a GT Avalanche 2.0 and has front suspension and seems a pretty comfortable ride for a beginning moutain biker like me.  I plan to get all my accessories off the other bike put onto this one - it's got to be useful for getting in to town for groceries and library books.  I was also looking for a bike that would shift more smoothly, be lighter, and generally just work better.  Had it out for a couple of rides again yesterday and it was a nice change.  Today I learned it's Ride A Bike to work week so will have to ride in to work at the hospital grounds tomorrow.

The Base and the Pyramid

We're not in the habit of posting pictures of our grandchildren over the internet so I'll just have to tell readers that Andrea and I decided on Monday that Miro, our gymnast, is going to be the top of the pyramid while Atley will definitely be the base.  He has a stocky build and the other day, in his diaper, lifting a bag of seasame seeds, he reminded me very much of someone training for Sumo wrestling.  Miro,  the wiry guy, can move his body in amazing ways.    I hope they will support each other throughout life as base, middle and top of the pyramid!

Steve's Wonders

Just finished the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson and I'd highly recommend it as a good read.  I haven't had much experience with Apple Computers except when the schools all purchased Apple II's back in the 1980's and I had to learn a few things about them!  My next experience was in the Isle of Man when I was given a laptop computer to use and it was made by Apple.  I found it a bit frustrating, but I knew that I'd never want to live without a laptop again (and I haven't).  It surprised me to realize how recently so much of Apple technology has taken over the world.  I still use a Windows computer, but I have to say that I absolutely love my ipod and I'm grateful that Jobs gave up enough control of that device to allow it to be sold to the entire world.  And yeah, the Shuffle feature is my favourite part of the whole thing.  Jobs was an amazing talent - I'd have hated to know him, I'm sure, but I like lots of things that he designed.  Thanks, Steve, for some of those brilliant devices you helped to develop and thanks to Walter Isaacson for a compelling read.

First Mother's Day as Grandma!

There seemed to be so many CBC programs about mothering this year as the Sunday of Mother's Day approached.  Since I've become reacquainted with motherhood by becoming a grandmother, I do reflect on some of the changes that have occurred in the past 30 years.  To my mind, babies have to be much more comfortable than back in the 70's and 80's.  The diapers absorb so much more liquid, the clothes are much warmer and the strollers, bedding, and chairs are all built for comfort!  I don't know why no one thought about those basic facts before.  But then the '80's were so much into "stuff", I guess it's not surprising that consumerism for babies won out.  So the comfort thing is a bit of a mixed blessing.  Enjoyed a 5 km run with my daughter and the boys - Andrea took the chariot and still managed to place second her age category.  I was the only entry in age 60 plus (women) so got another first place!  We had a lovely dinner out while Dad and Grampa looked after the boys.  Happy Mother's Day, Mums in my world!

Plastics!

  It doesn't show up too well in this photo, but the base of our new greenhouse is being protected by a variety of plastic bags!  This will, hopefully, keep the wood from rotting over the summer season. Too bad I don't have any more Manx Shop-Rite bags - that would win me an award for sure!

This is our first greenhouse, created by Dave.  We're going to try it out on a smallish size and see how well it works in our limited "good sun".  We went crazy and I seeded some more lettuce in a tray and Dave planted dozens of seeds to come up in pots.  It's gardening time and we're glad that it's finally here!