There will be road trips

On Sunday I caved and drove my 2019 Can Am Ryker around the industrial area. That part of town is practically deserted on a Sunday. I stayed in town away from traffic to get used to the feel of riding it again. My legs are stronger and I was able to get on and off it a lot easier. The tank was a bit under half full so I put some gas in it before parking it again. I enjoyed it so much I am wanting to take a short trip or two this summer by bike and car. I should be up to it.

My father had two brothers and three sisters. Growing up my father’s side of the family was involved in various feuds with each other to varying degrees. Dad was not one to do things halfway, as long as I could remember he refused to have anything to do with his sister Doreen up to the day he died. My father was in and out of hospitals for some serious issues and when he was admitted he always left word that one particular sister was not allowed to visit. Due to family disagreements we lived in British Columbia where a grew up and they all lived in Alberta. Growing up in a different province I did not have much of a relationship with relatives. Times are different, aunts and uncles have all been dead for years.

I mention this as almost being killed off in an accident a little over two years ago I want to connect with some of the family that is worth meeting. Another reason is that there are less of them as I get older. There were all kinds of relatives on my father’s side, from successes to a few that did time for some serious criminal acts (armed robbery) and even an Orthodox priest. Some I have not seen in years and I may try to reach out.

I have a cousin Linda, ten years older, that lives near Salmon Arm in British Columbia. We have not seen much of each other through the years. I managed to talk her into meeting up in June for a four of five day road trip. I have found out that she is a very Type A personality that likes to plan stuff down to the minute and has already made hotel reservations. She asked what I had planned for this trip and seemed a bit shocked when I said I had nothing planned, I make it up as I go along. I told her she could drive as she likes to be in control however since we are taking my car I control the music. I will not play any Scandinavian death metal. A non-negotiable point for Linda is stops at wineries in the Okanagan. No disagreement here.

I am looking forward to this. It should be interesting. 

Minor stuff

Tackling some items, nothing exciting.

Mom’s estate is practically done. Tax returns are done. There had to be two final returns done, one for the last return, and a separate one because there was a death benefit that was received from the government. Back in September the funeral director told me to apply for it when I did not want to, it was a small amount that I felt was inconsequential. The director talked me into it. That $2,500.00 is considered income and therefore had to be claimed resulting in more paperwork not to mention more money to the accountant. I await final paperwork from our wonderfully efficient government.

I have a few boxes of mom’s documents I want burned. Old bank statements, financial reports, and so on. I have a few friends where I can do that. It is a matter of waiting until the snow and ice is gone. Shredding companies want an arm and a leg to get rid of small amounts. You spend a lifetime accumulating stuff only for someone to get rid of it when you pass.

I have been cleaning out some stuff of my own. I have some aids to daily living that I have not used lately and I would love to donate. Things like a shower bench, walker, crutches, stuff that I hugely needed but I am not needing as I get better. In a few months I will clear those out.

I renewed my driver’s license. When I was recovering in the hospital in 2024 checked my license and found it needed to be renewed in 2026. I was concerned about that as it took me many months before I was able to drive again and if my license had expired for a significant amount of time I did not want to reapply. I did not have to renew until this July but better to get it done now instead of forgetting about it later. 

I have underground stall for my car and I rent another where I have two motorcycles parked. Yesterday I put the key on the 2019 Can Am Ryker, a three wheeled motorcycle, hit the start button and it immediately started. That felt good as I parked it to store it las October and never hooked up a battery charger or used gas stabilizer. I should do those things, I never have and never had an issue. I have thoughts of taking it out for a spin except for the Jekyll and Hyde weather we have been having. Spring will inevitably arrive and I will have a better time this time. My legs are stronger and I could get on the bike fairly easy. I am looking forward to it. 

Elevator Friday - Spruce Grove, Alberta

Spruce Grove Alberta Wheat Pool. Built in 1958, it is designated a Provincial Historic Resource and is a working museum run by volunteers.

Thank you to Dale Redekopp.

Update

Doing some walking with a cane. I walk like a penguin. I do some walking over the course of a day then my knees and hips rebel and I have to knock it off for a day, or two, or sometimes three. I cannot do long distances but I can notice improvement. I have used crutches once in the last week as I did not trust the surface of a sidewalk enough to use a cane.

There are times when I am taking steps and it feels like one of my femurs is going to break. I know that will not happen as the bones are solid and there is a lot of metal holding them together. It is odd how you second guess yourself. I can feel a few new minor things. When I got up from a seated position I used to have to stand in place for a bit before I felt I was on solid enough footing to take a step. Now I can go from sitting to standing and waiting less to move. Jogging will have to wait until 2027.

Have not been posting much lately . . .

Trying walking unassisted has proven to be a little difficult. I have been concentrating on putting the crutches aside and using a cane. That has been not too bad. The effort over the day has been very tiring and sometimes painful. I have been snatching at every little bit of progress and trying to build on that. If anyone has been wondering where I have been this is what I have been doing.