Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474

Welcome home. Still winter here, but we're losing snow. Sitting on a donut and taking pain killers, but they're leaving me sleepy. Hope to be able to get to the first match April 27, even if Red and Rooster have to remind me which way the bullets go in and which end goes BANG!

Well, good news: London, UK knows where Canada is and the pants have now traveled back across the Atlantic, to Montreal and are now in the loving hands of Canada Customs, where they are being examined to ensure they aren't any danger. Now, as long as they don't get sent off to Iqualit, Nunavit or Yellowknife................... Had my radioactive seed implants this AM and me and my glowing pelvis are now home, sitting gingerly on a donut, trying to keep a catheter in place and not kink the hose. Now get off the lawn!

Naw, that was someone else. It's just my new pants are on a nice trip. I'm here in Ottawa, while they get to go on world tour.

Hey! Painted Mohawk! Keep your eyes peeled for my new Travelling Cowboy Pants. They were last seen at Heathrow, London, UK, on the 25th, so they could be anywhere now. Better let Jabez know as well. They could end up in Uganda. I already gave Dr.Dr. Bob a heads up, just in case they end up in Senegal. And keep off the lawn. The snow is melting and it's getting soft and muddy.

If'n Jabez saw where this thread had dropped to, he would be disappointed and even GRUMPIER than normal. I'll start with MY grump! Caught a bug on St. Patrick's Day that got progressively worse. Not too big a deal, Rooster, Red Storm and Clangity Jane (All, like me, of Irish Descent) were here and got all the left-overs put away, while I went to bed. Fast forward a couple of days and the plague has dropped into my lungs; I'm wheezing away and scheduled for radioactive seed implants on the coming Monday, so it's off to the Doctor for antibiotics and an inhaler. Still not totally better, so now my procedure is delayed for a few days, while my lungs clear and allow them to knock me out for the implant ceremony. Oh well. At least #1 Son, AKA BIG RED is taking the day off so he can drive his old man to and from the Cancer clinic. Now get off the lawn.

Getting ready for St. Patrick's Day. Irish cowboy friends coming over for corned beef and cabbage, Irish Tea Cake and some other dishes. Irish potables stocked in the frig and a selection Bushmills regular, Black Bush, Red Bush and Bushmills Single Malt along with Tellamore Dew to sample. Guest rooms are all set for stay-overs.

Actually, I had been hoping my pee would glow in the dark, when I make one of my many nightly forays to the throne room, but no such luck. Oh well. Waiting for April 27 and the first match of the year for The Ottawa Valley Marauders. I figure (hope?) I'll be a lot better by then. Been loading up some .45's for the event and, hopefully, some practice before hand. Haven't shot since last August, do I'll have read up on which end goes BANG! and which way the cartridges go in. Hey, no laughing at the old timer. Now get off the snow covered lawn!

Have a good, safe trip Jabez. We'll keep the fire going while you're away. Starting to feel a little better, after a rough week, following the completion of my radiation treatments. Continuing sweats and ...........other "potential problems" I was warned about. Let's say I was glad I followed advice and did a lot of Kegel exercises before and during my treatments. Staying close to home while getting ready for the radioactive seed implants. They're telling me I'll have to stay at least 10 feet away from children and pregnant women, so my neighbour Phat's kids are going to have to be told why they can't hang around old "uncle" Terry for a while. Good thing they're now old enough to understand. Apparently, I'll have to have a card explaining why all the bells and whistles go off if I try to cross the US/Canada border. I'll have to find out how long I'll be dangerous Getting ready for my St. Patrick's Day; Irish Tea Cake and Corned Beef & Cabbage dinner with Rooster, Red Storm and Clangity Jane joining us.

You meant you weren't shooting Duelist?? Well, I guess I'll issue a big WELCOME to the one handers. You can now join up with us PISTOLEROS.

OK, I'm GRUMPY, but grateful. Had to show up for radiation at 7:30 this AM. OK that's doable; up at 5:00 coffee and breakfast, shaved, showered and.... whatever. Get the the hospital after swilling down a lot of water. (They want your bladder full and your bowel empty) - OK so far. 8:00 AM and I find out the unit I receive treatment in has their machine down and the treatment list is backed up. - OH-OH! Full bladder!! Sit with legs crossed practicing Kegel exercises until it's nearly too late, but make it to the facility. Ahh! Sweet Relief! But now bladder is empty. Have to start over with water to refill prior to treatment OK, start drinking.. Finally get to radiation machine at 8:45 for the treatment, then rush to the facility for sweet relief. Three sweet reliefs before attempting to drive home. Then two stops along the way. BUT the treatment got done. So I'm grumpy but grateful.

OK, OK I'll resurrect this from page 2 ignominy. Snow followed by rain and freezing rain around here. Weird winter.

Snow removal team came around blew snow and ice into a flock of trucks and carted it away. Did it just in time; the banks were too high to see over and we were down to one lane and it was tight!! Just read some e-mails from friends in Amritsar, India and Dacre, Senegal, complaining about the heat and wishing me well with the radiation treatments. (Only 9 more scheduled) May just have to deal with them. Now get the heck off my snow covered lawn.

Minus 15 here right now. Having my last cup of coffee and getting ready for another bout of radiation at noon. Don't mind the radiation bit, but there's now a weather warning, calling for lottsa snow this afternoon and tomorrow, when I go for another round of radiation. Oh well, maybe my pee will glow in the dark. Whadaya think??

Congratulations to all! Now get on with the business of spoiling her!

We is all just a settin' here waitin' for the news Jabez! Boy or a girl? Name? Come on now Grandpa, don't keep us in suspenders!!

We haven't been getting as much snow as other years. Had a couple of good s'falls, but no "Snowmagadon". YET! But I fear it's coming. At least that's what my bones are telling me.

The other phenomenon I noticed in the 40 years I worked for the City, was how an elected councillor suddenly became an expert Professional Engineer, Charted Accountant, Purchasing Agent, Doctor, Police Officer etc. I told one I was contemplating running for office myself, just to gain those credentials without all that pesky, time-consuming university stuff. (I had over 30 years in by then and knew where the skeletons were buried.)

Belated Happy New Year to all the GRUMPS.

Sunny and -14 here, on the 27th this AM. Light fluffy snow on the driveway. Christmas dinner went from 5 on the morning of the 23rd to 10 by nightfall. (I had only prep'd for 5 + a bit extra.) Oh well, it was nice to see the in-laws. Good folks and it's been a while. My own family is much too far away to visit and I think they're a bit afraid of Ottawa. The chickens.

Back at ya Jabez. And Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the rest of the GRUMPS. Now get off my lawn?

Well Jabez, if the Canadian Border Services turns them back, they can head to one of the "Undocumented" border crossings.

You sure ya wants to encourage that?

Sitting here watching, with mixed emotions. I live in Ottawa and had season tickets to the Rough Riders and then the Red Blacks, but I come from Alberta! SWMBO is hooting and hollering for the Red Blacks, but I don't care for the way they are playing right now.

What to do? What to do? I now live in Ottawa. I was born in Edmonton. I support the Ottawa Red Blacks and had season tickets. I have a soft spot for the Stampeders. Who do I cheer for Jabez? The only thing that could make it any worse is if it was the Eskimos were in the Cup game.

I wonder, would we get bored with all that warm weather and sunshine? Just think Jabez: No Ski-Doo trips; No Ice fishing; No skiing; No Ice skating; No snow shoveling; No frost bite. Whatever would we do?