The Missing Toe

The Famous Sour Toe Cocktail (just ask Tex and Kristin). .. The BIG news story this week from the north:

A pickled human toe, the centrepiece of a bizarre Yukon drinking ritual, was swallowed last Saturday night in an apparent act of bravado by a departing American worker.

Here's the whole story:
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/08/27/mysterious-american-worker-pays-500-to-swallow-toe-at-yukon-bar/

I Can Get You A Toe

Apparently getting a toe to replace the missing one is not too difficult.  Just ask Walter.

Tyler's Triumph

Thanks to my son, I now (sort of ) have an extended family in my circle.  They consist of many talented people, one of whom I want to talk about today - Tyler Massey.  Tyler is Erica's husband (remember pregnant bridesmaid Erica??  She had a bouncing baby boy, by the way, named Bruce Vincent) and Erica is Brooke's sister, and Brooke is my son's wife.  Whew!!!  Back to Tyler.  He is pictured above in the purple plaid shirt.  This past Saturday he participated in the Ironman Canada Triathlon at Whistler B.C.  

An Ironman Triathlon

An extreme challenge for the supremely fit, the Ironman Triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile (3.9-kilometer) swim, a 112-mile (180-kilometer) bike ride and a 26.2-mile (42.1-kilometer) run. It's been said that just finishing is a victory! 

And finish he did.  I think he is the fittest person I know!  Congrats to you Tyler!  What an accomplishment!

Want to read more on this Triathlon and a breakdown of Tyler's results, click here .

Rank: 47

Overall Rank: 1109

BIB:	1044
Division:	M25-29
State:	Whistler BC
Country:	CAN
Profession:	Financial Analyst

Swim:	1:11:01
Bike:	6:03:31
Run:	5:40:45
Overall:	13:03:38

Sale, Sale, Sale

Actually it is Sale, Sale, Sale, Sale, Sale, Sale.  Six of us joined to put on our Multi-Family Garage Sale.  It was a rain or shine sale and a good thing too as it rained through the evening till about 6:30 AM, then was certainly overcast; consequently we set up IN the garage.  

We had a grand variety of goods.  From dishes, vacuums, and suitcases to baby toys, clothes and everything in between.  We were a bit worried that the weather would limit our clientele, but ...

then they started to come and come they did.  We had a great turnout, the sun even shone a bit at which point we pulled most of the items outside, then the clouds came again along with showers, at which point we put everything inside once again.  Oh well, a few extra dollars in our pocket and a bit less "junk" on our house.  I call that successful!

Golf Night

Left home last night and it was hot in the sun.  Arrived at the course and it was definitely getting cool, especially with the wind that perked up.  Forgot my jacket but what can you do?  Golfed the first few holes and the wind died down, some sun came out and then wished I have worn a t-shirt rather than my sweatshirt.  Whew, lots of different weather in two hours.  

Dog Sitting

Queen Lily gets along well with her new brother.  She is gentle even when rough-housing.  

And Timber will learn quickly with Lily as teacher.

Timber

Dog-sat the new little one yesterday.  Timber is such a puppy, inquisitive, chewing and eating everything in sight!  So cute.

August

Took my cue from the golf course today and came home and fall fertilized my lawn.  Yup, it is getting to be that time.  And thinking of fall, I took these few photos to remind myself of the beautiful blooms I have surrounding me.  No vegies in the vegetable garden this year, only colourful flowers.  I am truly enjoying the colours and scents.

My friend Helen grew most of these flowers which now bloom.  She truly has a green thumb.

Even Caleb had to pop down from the barrel as the flowers overtook his resting spot.  But he's not complaining and sends his warm regards to his friend Josh in Ontario.

I have had a few comments on my tardiness at updating my blog.  I do have reasons.  First and foremost, we have had SUMMER here - for the last THREE MONTHS.

Remember  when you were young and in public school and it was June and you couldn't wait for school to be through so you could enjoy the hot weather.  Then finally school is out and you are free to spend your days with your friends just playing in your sleeveless shirt and shorts - riding your bike, swimming at the local watering hole, playing baseball if you could round up enough people.  You were outside from dawn to dusk and summer seemed so very long.   Well, that is just the type of summer we have experienced and we cannot stop talking about it.  I, therefore, have spent my days out-doors and loving every minute of it.

But alas autumn follows summer and as of this week fall is in the air.  The temperatures have dropped slightly and it is threatening rain although I haven't seen too much of that so far.  Today we went out to the golf course and though it once again threatened rain, we were spared.  The above photo shows our drives, both excellently placed on the fairway.  I took the photo as I was so pleased that our drives were long, straight, and not in the bush.  (Oh, it doesn't take much to make me happy!).

Then it was off for a coffee at the Bike Shop that houses Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters.  A lovely way to spend a morning.

An addition to the Family

A new brother for Lily.  

SR was driving to Mayo and just north of Pelly Crossing saw what he thought was a bear cub walking the center line of the highway.  He slowed down and found this little one all by himself in the middle of the road.  After calling and calling and finding no reply from an owner, he put the little one in the truck and the rest is history.  Now Lily has a little brother whose name is yet to be decided.  A visit to the vet today confirmed he was about 2 months old and healthy.  Welcome little one!

You learn something new every day!

A beautiful summer morning to visit Bean North for a coffee.  It's not just around the corner, so it takes a while for us to think of driving for 15 minutes to enjoy their coffee (the best in the Yukon!!!!) and their gardens.  And they now are offering gluten free goods which is a definite plus for me.

Reminder:  If you want to enjoy coffee here, it does not open till 11 AM.  

Across the road from Bean North is a road.  Follow the road which drops down and hugs the Takhini River you will find the Yukon farmland.  Farms upon farms upon farms.  Who knew?  I have never been on this road but here it is.  AND, it is part of the TransCanada Trail.  Who knew that too??

Follow the trail and eventually you will get to Dawson City.   Do read the "Notice" sign as it states things like:

 

And there is the story of the Overland Trail which was opened in 1902 as a means of getting from Whitehorse to Dawson City in the spring, fall and winter.  And interesting story if you can read the sign below.  I have passed some of these coach houses on the highway going north but this trail includes them all.  Very interesting.

Ken Update

With Barbie gone, Ken sure is playing the field.  First a brunette, now a blonde.  Ken, Ken, Ken ...

August 12

Yup, went to see The Wolverine tonight.  Now even if I didn't like the script, which I did, just look at Hugh Jackman.  He was worth the price of admission alone.  And in 3-D.  The story was as I expected, action packed, good guys, bad guys and the good guys win.  Well worth seeing if you like that kind of action.

On the way to the theatre, as I turned onto Hamilton Blvd, lo and behold, there was a black bear walking along the side of the road.  He/she must have come out of the woods around the school and was walking beside the fence of the tank farm,  I believe waiting for an opening so he could re-enter the bush area.  Yes Lily, there ARE bears in our walking area so I will be vigilant when walking with you ... tail up and wagging, were safe; tail down in between your legs, time to find another route.

And in case your wondering, Summer is STILL here  ...  that is JUNE, JULY and now AUGUST!!! Apparently, according to Tanya who grew up here, this is what Yukon summers were like in the 1960's and 1970's.   I have lived here 35 years now and this is the FIRST REAL summer I have experienced.  Oh yes, we would have gotten a few weeks here and there but we also would get lots of wind, coat weather and rain.  Not this year!!  We are all so happy we cannot stop talking about it.  29 degrees while I was driving to the theatre at 7:00 PM.  It was so hot during the day that our one hour golf lesson reverted to a half hour lesson as it was too HOT to stay out in the sun.  Gotta love it!