The Epistle of Q – Chapter Forty-Five (Part I)

When will I leave this trip?

While I am not yet back in BC, this will be it for this chapter in my life!! This morning I will leave the boys to finish their hockey week and I will meander back westward, unlikely to even check my website!

Yesterday the hockey practices began — one across the river/harbour in Superior, Wisconsin and one in Duluth. Due to good scheduling (i.e. no overlap) I was able to get to both. It was neat to watch grandsons working hard to get into team shape for the up-coming tournament (the serious games start on Friday — when the BC Lions next play too). There is some serious talent on the teams so they should acquit themselves well; but, what do I know, as I haven’t seen any of the opposition!!

The teams had a pasta dinner last evening that I opted out of as I had eaten a late lunch at Subway with Brendan after his mid-afternoon practice. I’d had two breakfasts — one early (muffin & juice) with Hayden because he had the early practice and then another light one (different kind of muffin, but same juice — apple) with Connor and Brendan in mid-morning after I got back. After they had eaten their team meal, they informed me that they did not get an adequate dessert. This is always unfortunate when such happens to grandkids. So we checked the local scene and discovered we could have a good walk (real exercise) into the harbour section of the city and we might be able to discover a Coldstone Creamery and if it didn’t work, on the way back we would pass a DQ.

The walk was invigorating and helped them digest their pasta. AND, we found the Coldstone store in a quaint, old, refurbished building in the harbour section. What a delight! And the people behind the counter were very generous in their portions. We sat and enjoyed this dessert moment, walked back to the hotel and after some working out in the pool by the boys (while I marked Grad papers), we all crashed early (lights out at 9:30 without having to be told!!).

Today will bring to a close a very special two weeks. The kids are going to be alright. They are bright, fairly focused, energetic and yet thoughtful. Grade X should go well. And they’ve done something remarkable. They put up with their Grandpa for over three solid days while transversing half the continent and staying in traveller-type hotels with the concomitant breakfasts, and enduring 30+C heat in a vehicle filled with hockey gear!! As they say in the Mastercard commercial: “it’s been priceless!!”

Thanks guys (and thanks to their parents for letting me have this time…). Continue to enjoy life.

as always,
g.w.