Ted cooking - Virtual Rotary Gala!
We had an unusual Christmas 2019. Laura and Frances were spending Christmas with Frances' Dad, so couldn't come home. So, instead, we went to Calgary for an early Christmas with them. Spencer, who had been in Costa Rica for a week, came back in time to join us.
Then on Christmas Day, Louise and I first visited my Mom, who was in the Sturgeon Hospital, and my Dad who was in Youville home.
We then had a very nice Christmas Dinner at my sister Patty's before heading to the Farm to see Louise's folks and her side of the family.
We spent Boxing day at the farm with lots of family visiting, (baby Hugh was a big hit with everyone). Then on the 27th, we headed to St. Albert for a big 80th Birthday Celebration for Louise's mom, Carmen. It was held in a community hall, and there must have been 100 people who came.
On New Year's day, I got a call from my Sister Patty, that mom had taken a turn for the worse and that we should gather the family. She passed a few days later.
After taking care of the initial duties, with the help of my siblings, Louise and I left for Mexico on January 20. The trip had been booked since July, and after discussing it with my siblings, we decided there wasn't much we could do at home and no reason not to go.
We spent two weeks at Las Brisas, one of our favouite places.
Christmas Dinner at Laura and Frances's place
Taking Wilf for a sail in Huatulco
Daily Volleyball is one of the highlights of the trip for me, but other than a few days at the start of the trip, it just didn't happen this year.
We did spend a lot of time on the water - stand up paddling, swimming and reading during the day, and playing cards with Wilf in the evenings, so it wasn't like we didn't have a lot of fun! You can read more about our trip here.
We got home, just before Mom's funeral which was held on February 8. My brother and I did the eulogy which we had prepared with help from our sisters.
The church was packed with people. Mom's Choir group, the St. Albert Singers were there in force and performed some songs. They did an amazing job. Her Aquasize group were also all there, along with her card stamping group (Pretty Mean Stampers), as well as many friends and family.
Mom had so many friends... it was very nice to see.
Her obituary is here.
Ted and Louise at Las Brisas
Unfortunately Dad was not in good enough condition to attend the funeral. He had been declining both physically and mentally for some time, and was just not up to it. If we were able to get him to the service, we would have needed the help of at least one aid, and he wouldn't have known what was going on anyway. We all decided it was best to leave him in the care of the folks at Youville. I did stop by to tell him about the funeral afterwards.
Ted - Skidooing with Louise
I don't remember exactly when it started, but Louise and I did a complete bathroom renovation in our guest room. It is one of those things that has been on the "Honey Do List" since we moved in 25 years ago.
We changed out everything except the ceiling, and while it probably took longer than it should have, it turned out pretty well.
We also did some touchups - painting and the installation of a wood cabinet in the attached bedroom.
It was pretty good timing. Spencer was able to help with the renovations as he moved in with us ... and then was able to move into the newly renovated suite once we were done.
He has been spending his time converting a large Ford Transit van in to a fully winterized mobile home. Once the conversion is complete, and COVID restrictions allow it, he plans to head off travelling.
You can read more about his adventures here.
It is nice to have him home, particularly during this COVID period, although we have had to make some adjustments.
Ted Skiing at Marmot Basin
Ted and Louise at Marmot Basin
Our trip to Europe for a 14-day Bike and Barge trip was also cancelled, as was any hope of windsurfing in Costa Rica, or even heading to the Gorge for our annual spring and fall trips.
Being retired, Louise and I weren't really impacted by COVID other than our travels. We are lucky, living at the lake, where there is lots of space, and many opportunities to enjoy doing the things we love to do.
I was able to get out windsurfing on our lake more than usual this year. I am not sure if it was windier than usual, or if it was just that I was around more. Also, with the new sport of windsurf foiling, you don't need as much wind, so you can get out more often.
Because our June (and September) windsurfing trips were cancelled, I also made a special effort to travel to Pigeon Lake, Wabamun Lake and Lac La Biche, where some of our group have cabins - so that I could sail with my friends.
It is a lot more fun sailing with friends, and it is easy to keep appropriate distancing while on the water! Really, all things considered, I had a really good year of windsurfing. You can read our group winsurfing blog here.
Ted Windsurfing
Ted with Wind Wing
We have been doing it mostly in low wind on our Stand Up Paddle Boards. It is not that hard, and with the wing, just like a sailboat you can tack and go upwind or downwind.
I have also tried it a few times in more wind with my foil board, but that is a bit trickier and while I have accelerated to where the foil is starting to lift my board out of the water, I am a long way from being able to control it properly. It's always fun to try something new.
Visits were not allowed at all for a period, and then were opened up to just one visit a week by two people - and only if the weather was good. The visits were only ½ hour long, and had to be held outside in the parking lot, at opposite ends of a 2m long table, with everyone wearing masks, and the parking lot was next to a busy/noisy street.
Ted Wind Foiling
A Life Long Passion
Brian, Patty and I took regular turns visiting, and, Micky, who lives 7 hours way came when she could. COVID was really cruel to Dad in the end.
I am sure he would have far rather taken his chances with the disease, than to not be allowed visitors.
Brian's and my visit to Dad on his Birthday at the end of May was cancelled because dad had a cold, but we were able to see him in early June and presented him with the book as a gift for his 94th Birthday.
His nurse helped him by paging through the book and pointing to the photos. He told us it was a very nice book, but I am not sure he recognized that they were his models. I hope it brought him some joy. You can download a pdf version of the book here if you are interested.
That was the last time I saw Dad when he had any cognitive ability left. Dad caught a cold again the next week (not COVID), so was quarantined in his room (meaning he was restricted to his bed, because if they put him in his wheelchair he would attempt to escape out of his room). He declined quickly.
When he was totally unresponsive and near-death, we were then allowed to see him again and even go into his room and hold his hand - not that it did him (or us) any good. What a broken system. He passed on June 27 at the Age of 94. You can read his obituary here.
Dad's funeral was a small affair. Attendance was restricted by COVID, but as Dad would often tell me, he had outlasted almost all of his friends. I think he had more friends than he remembered though, as several of his Radio Control Airplane buddies came to the funeral, and many more would have come if the service had not been restricted. A few of his work colleagues came, but others couldn't because they were isolating themselves.
We set up his favourite model, a Tiger Moth, on display as well as other memorabilia including "The Ace" - a speed boat he had built in the 1950's which had won an award from Mechanics Illustrated. The guests seemed to appreciate the displays and I am sure Dad would have been pleased.
It is very sad to lose both one's mom and dad in one year, but they both had lived long, wonderful, happy and fulfilling lives, and their time had come. Life moves on. As Louise says, "Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened." There is a lot to celebrate and remember!
Ted with is Thunderbolt
Dad used to fly a lot at the field in the 1980's and was good friends with the owners Wilf and Gladys Blackwell. Wilf passed years ago, but his son Reg and wife Terri now run the field. They have welcomed me like long lost family.
There is a very nice camping area at the field, so I would drive our old motorhome over and park it for the weekend (Usually Wednesday through the Tuesday of the following week) and use it as a base. Louise would drive over for the occasional evening or afternoon, but usually wouldn't spend the night. It was really quite a bit of fun, and I enjoyed getting to know many of the "regulars".
Ted with his De Havilland DH 100 Vampire
ducted fan jet
Ted and SOME of his planes. Sukhoi su-29, Extra 300, Cularis Glider and DH 100 Vanpire
A good day at the field.
I am lucky to have access to a field so close to home. I spent many a calm afternoon at the field, flying my ever-growing collection of planes. Often, I am the only one there, so I have the place to myself, although often Reg, who is usually busy farming, drives his quad over to chat for a while, and sometimes take one of my planes for a flight! Reg and Terri (his wife) do so much to keep the field in great condition! They make everyone who visits feel like family!
And as if flying planes RC planes isn't enough, I have started flying FPV Quadcopters or Drones. They fly more or less like a helicopter, but they have four rotors (propellers).
It is very different, from flying a normal RC plane where you watch the plane from the position you are standing in and control it from there.
I has taken me some time to get used to the perspective and fast moving field of view.
Here is a link to a video of one of my flights (this is what I see in the goggles).
Mojo Vortex Quad Copter
Ted with his Quad Copter and FPV Goggles
It's lots of fun, and as I said, very different. After my first season, I am starting to get the knack of it. The next step is to be able to fly between trees, goal posts and other things without hitting them.
It is really fun to be doing something where you can tell that you are improving with each few sessions.
In the fall, I purchased a second FPV Quadcopter, which weighs only 29 grams, is only about 3 inches by 3 inches, and is suitable for flying indoors. It is called a NewBee Bee Brain. Flying indoors is not only fun, it is perfect for the winter when it is too cold to fly outside, but I can still improve my flying skills.
So, sitting in my chair in the living room, on a good flight, I can fly into the dining room, go under the dining room table, up and around the kitchen, then down the hall and down the stairs into the basement where I first fly around the family room and then into our master bedroom where I try to do a spot landing on a marker I have on our bed.
Then I take off and fly towards our mirror so I can see myself (I mean my quadcopter), then back to the family room and around the corner into Louise's craft room, where she promptly shoos me away!
NewBee BeeBrain Quadcopter with FPV camera and Goggles
Flying my BeeBrain FPV Quadcopter
I am sure I am driving Louise and Spencer nuts with it, but I am having fun, and my skill level is definitely improving!
Next, I want to build some gates that I can set up on tables or on the floor, so I can practice flying through them. It is a good thing my BeeBrain is tough, because I have had some really interesting crashes.
Louise and I spent a lot of time on the water with Spencer this summer, boating, water skiing, wake surfing and wake foiling.
Laura and Frances were also able to visit a few times for appropriately distanced visits.
There is nothing better than spending a day boating with your kids!
Spencer is almost at the point where he can propel himself on the foil just by pumping it - great to be young and fit!
Ted Wake Foiling
Louise and Ted - Biking to Tim's for a Tea/Coffee
We had planned to do some overnight biking trips around home, and of course our trip to Europe to "Bike and Barge", but between COVID restrictions and everything else going on, we just didn't get to them.
Still, we do really enjoy getting out on the bikes - and Louise really loves her E-Bike.
I continue to be active in Rotary, and am in charge of setting up and hosting the Zoom meetings. I don't run the meetings, but I coordinate all the screen shares, admit people to the meeting space, prepare all the meeting invitations, and basically run all the technical stuff.
It keeps me busy, particularly on Mondays. Interestingly, our attendance has actually increased now that we are meeting by Zoom, although most of us do miss the physical interactions. Still, Zoom is a pretty good alternative.
Our events and fundraising have changed as well. In the spring instead for our formal $100/plate Gala, we had a Virtual Gala.
Ted - cooking for our "Virtual" Rotary Gala
Just Louise, Spencer and I for guests!
And, of course we are always selling tickets to raise funds.
Contact me if you are interested!
Participants could donate $50.00 (or any sum), to the club, and then dress up and have a nice meal at home with some wine. We all shared photos of ourselves doing this with the rest of the club and on Facebook.
In the fall we had another Wine and Cheese, but his time on Zoom.
We were divided into groups of 3 or 4 couples in each Zoom Breakout Room, so we could have a nice chat without it being too crowded. Of course we each had our own wine, cheese and snacks. While not as much fun as getting together in person, it is still a lot of fun!
In August, Laura and Frances were married in Calgary. Louise went down a few days early to help them with the organization and set up. Spencer and I arrived the day before the wedding. It was a very small wedding, with only 15 attendees.
It was held on the rooftop of the Simmons building in Downtown Calgary, overlooking the Bow river. It was a beautiful day, and the wedding was lovely. We enjoyed lunches in the park, and even riding electric scooters around downtown Calgary.
You can read more about it on Laura's page here, and Louise's page here.
Laura and Frances's Wedding - Head Table
Last Thanksgiving on the Farm...
Throughout the summer and fall, we, and Louise in particular, was kept busy helping her parents Bernie and Carmen prepare for the sale of their farm site and equipment - and then the subsequent move into the Chartwell Independent Living facility in St. Albert.
Like my folks, Carnen was anxious to get off the farm, while Bernie, although he understood that they had to give it up, was a little more reluctant. I really hope they enjoy their new life at Chartwell. It really does look like a great place.
At the beginning of November, we got word that my uncle Don, mom's youngest brother, had passed away. He was only 76. It was a shock to everyone. His obituary is here.
We have had a mild winter so far, so have enjoyed some skidooing and getting out for walks whenever we get the chance. We also have been able to continue to get on our bikes, although inside - using our Zwift training system.
I am trying to do about 60km a week, and Louise goes just as often, but not as far.
Ted - ZWIFT virtual bike ride in the Basement
New Septic Tank Installation
December has also been a busy month. We installed a new 2000 gallon septic tank adjacent to our house. Our "field system" has been slowly failing over the years, so it was time for the replacement.
It will mean having a pumper truck out every month to empty it, but it was likely the right thing to do. It was very impressive seeing the big equipment digging within a meter of the house, right outside our dining room window.
In spite of COVID, and the passing of my folks, it really has been a pretty good year.
We are so lucky to live where we do, to have so many options for things to do, to be retired, so not worried about the next paycheck, and to have the support of so many friends and family. We are truly grateful! I wish you all the very best for 2021!
Merry Christmas!
Ted
Ted
First Motorbike Ride of the year
Skidooing with Louise
Water Skiing
Wake Foiling
Louise and I did quite a bit of Stand Up Paddle Boarding this year.
Spencer foiling outside of the wake
Wake Surfing
Happy with my Wind Foiling Session
Windsurfing
Rigging my sail
Wind Foiling at home
Trying out my New Wind Wing
Wind Wing
Another Foiling Session
Flying my Sukhoi su-29 at Alberta's Littlest Airport
Displaying Dad's Tigermoth at Alberta's Littlest Airport Fun Fly
A good flying day - used up 11 Batteries!
Flying the Cularis powered Glider
Thunderbolt
Ted - Flying
I put lights on my Fun Cub, so I can fly it at dusk!
Late in December, we had a few warm and windy days.
I couldn't resist trying out my Wing on Skies
Dad and his girl!
