Connections

Friday night I was lolling around the house hoping to either die or have my cold magically disappear when Derek announced that he would like to go to tryouts for the area AA Bantam team.  That started on Saturday.  For two whole days.  Now keep in mind that he has been deliberating about this since then end of the last hockey season, and had firmly decided this summer that he was going to stay home and play hockey and football.  AND, that he has done zero training, has a terrible cold and, earlier this week, narrowly escaped an asthma attack after an allergic reaction while unplugging the combine full of peas.  So, off to the new Kindersley arena we went, both of us hacking and coughing and sniffling and sneezing.  Fun times.  However, in true Derek fashion, he quickly began renewing acquaintances and making new friends.  He looked not too bad, but I could see him getting slower and slower until he suddenly left the ice with about a half hour left in the session.  Yep.  Asthma attack.  Off to the hospital we went, where we were met by the most efficient nurse I have ever known.  She grabbed a mask and the ventolin, told us to leave the health card on the counter, and led us into a room where she hooked Derek up to the nebulizer and said she'd be right back.  Which she was, just as the ventolin was done.  She took his vitals, asked if he was OK, and let us leave after Derek said he didn't want to wait for the doctor.  Now that is health care.

Anyway, after a bit he decided to try the second skate, and did much better.  And after two more sessions yesterday, was told that they'd like to see more of him, and to come back for practices and an exhibition game.  For someone who wasn't going to play AA, let's just say he's "pumped".   Time will tell - there are some very good defensemen there.

Which brings me to the title of this post.  I knew a lot of the parents there from, you know, spending most of my life as a parent in a hockey rink.  Like my second cousin, Colleen (Hoff) and her son, Keegan McBride.   And my sister-in-law's cousin, Scott McGrath and his son, Dallas.  But some faces were new.  Like my dad's cousin's grandson, Brent Bacon and his son, Dawson.  (That's for you, Roy!!)  And the son-in-law of one of my dear friends from Calgary.  It is such a small world, and I love making the connections!

In other news, Adam began his new job operating wells near Fort Nelson, BC, with the same company for which Stephen has been working.  They work two weeks in then have two weeks off, and stay in a camp there.  They are on opposite shifts, so I won't have all my boys home at one time for a while, I guess.  On the flip side, we always have a hired hand on the farm!  Although Stephen has informed us that he is going to share an apartment in Edmonton with his good buddy, Travis Turnbull.  Just love keeping that Schraefel/Phillips connection going - look out Edmonton!  Stephen will stay here on his days off to help with harvest though, thank goodness.

My garden has been bountiful yet again this year, and I don't think I've watered it once.  I was just about to the other day, as the tomatoes were looking a little droopy, but we got 2.2 inches of rain on Friday.  It was a little more than we would have liked at harvest time, but you can't do a thing about it.  And the tomatoes look much happier now.

The guys have about 400 acres of peas in the bin.  They look really nice, and busheled fairly well.  The next 160 acres apparently don't look as nice.  There wasn't as much rain on that land, so Clem is hoping to start combining there tomorrow.  Then the lentils will have to be cut, and the barley is coming in fast, too.  Such a rush at this time of year.  The rain has given Clem some time to work on the swather, although they don't even make some of the parts for the old thing anymore.  I'm sure he'll come up with a "farmer fix", though.  He usually does!  Never a dull moment, that's for sure!

And just before I close, I have to tell you about the cutest little store I found in Saskatoon.  They sell only olive oil and balsamic vinegar, but they are to die for.  The have over 160 different flavours, and they let you taste them before you buy.  I can't remember the last time I was so excited about shopping!  Check it out for yourself next time you're in the "City of Bridges" - it's called the "Oliv Tasting Room" .  You won't be disappointed!

So that's about it for now.  Thanks for stopping in!
Chandra