Trailer Rainbows Beer and a Van

We made our first trip to the Cox Trailer in a few years - sadly, we spent the weekend working, with me studying for court testimony and Jane painting - but the change in scenery was relaxing all the same. The Coxes also popped by with food for an impromptu barbeque. We hope to get there a few more times this summer and fall. What a great spot.

A few wicked thunderstorms this week also brought some amazing rainbows over our flat plains and big skies.

And, we bought a van! Mainly to ferry Jane's artwork and booth around to art shows, but also to be used for camping, and a second vehicle for more flexibility. It's got style!

Kitchen and hall to washroom and far bedroom

Living room and bedroom

Jane hard at work!

Nice visit to the trailer!

Home to sunshowers and rainbows

Pot o' Atomic Gold!

Canada 150 decision - Labatt 150 or Canadian Stubby?

We bought The Van!

Memorial Cup and May 2-4

The May Long Weekend arrived just in time, precisely when it meant to, bringing with it mainly beautiful weather and several eagerly anticipated activities.

On Friday night, we ventured to Windsor for dinner at The Manchester pub, followed by an evening of laughter at the casino courtesy of comedian Trevor Noah. We also walked the downtown area, where many streets were closed off hosting Memorial Cup festivities.

Saturday started with a cat food run to Costco and a sign delivery, followed by great seats for a Memorial Cup round-robin game at the WFCU Centre. We not only watched the OHL Champion Erie Otters defeat the WHL Champion Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2, but likely also ended up on national TV a few times given our seat location. The host Windsor Spitfires had already defeated the QMJHL Champion Saint John Sea Dogs in the tournament opener, setting up an interesting week of great hockey.

We spent much of the rest of the long weekend on the patio at Rennie's Village Smokehouse, enjoying arguably the ultimate trifecta - smoked meat, craft beer, and live music.

Back at home, we squeezed in a bonfire, some BBQ and a bunch of yardwork and art prep, accompanied by much Chris Cornell to lament the recent passing of my favourite singer.

Game Day!

Amen, Eh?

Warm-ups

Windsor Spitfires roll out the red carpet

The action from section 120, row C

Face-off!

Bomber the Mascot

Erie takes the lead!

Frenzied action in the corner

The Otters celebrate their victory

Brief sunshowers end in a rainbow.....

....and a gorgeous sunset

Time for the first bonfire of the season!

The patio at Rennies

Spring into 2017

Spring arrived in earnest whilst I was sojourning in Cuba, which has me playing catch up at this late date. Besides getting the garden ready for planting, the usual spring issues with riding mowers delayed the first cut and afforded the nefarious dandelions a definitive head start. Alas.

We are also quite busy attempting to keep Jane prepared for the upcoming summer of art shows, which means we're cutting, staining and assembling wooden canvasses like a mofo. She can still only hand paint so fast, but at least if the preliminary prep work is done, she can stay ahead of the game.

Tulips abound!

First tilling

Quite a difference between the cut and uncut!

Preparing canvasses to receive their art!

Whoa, Halfway there.....Whoaaaa, livin' on fresh air

Cherry blossom special

Cuba Libre

After taking a Robert Q shuttle to Pearson Airport, I joined a few familiar faces and made my way down to Cuba to participate in the nuptials of Keith and Ashley. Our Sunwing flight took us on an afternoon jaunt over the eastern seaboard en route to Santa Clara, Cuba and its "short runway".

From the airport, a comfy bus stocked with beer and a friendly tour guide whisked the wedding party northward, over the lengthy causeway and out to the giant sand bar known as Cayo Santa Maria. By 10pm we arrived at the resort, and were greeted with mimosa's (mimosae?) and checked into our digs at Grand Memories Paraiso.

What followed for me was a much-needed week of R&R, punctuated of course by the main event, the wedding itself. As Best Man duties go, standing on a sandy Cuban beach for a few minutes while your best bud of 30 years plights his troth is not too hard to take. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness!

I got to meet some new and interesting folks, see some sights, imbibe mass quantities of Cristal and Bucanero cerveza, and even managed to practice my rusty high-school Spanish on numerous occasions. It really is a small world, even a world away when you are still meeting people who used to live blocks away in the same towns in Ontario. Also spent some quality time with Kevin and Grayson and a balcony with a view.

Glad I got to see Cuba and meet her friendly people before the inevitable change that is coming. Hasta Luego!

Departing Toronto on a (Sun)wing and a prayer

Cuban Customs

Above the Clouds

Bird's Eye View of Myrtle Beach

Room 5519 - Home Sweet Home for the next week

The view from my balcony

The nearby market

Cuban parking brake

Donde esta la playa?

The wedding site

Cuban sunset

Azure skies and cerulean waters

Grand Memories Paraiso main entrance

Poolside

Urban Cuban

The tail end of the trip

Back Home to felines and flowers