ANNIVERSARIES, RAIN AND TRAVELLERS

This was a special week as it was our 44th anniversary on Friday, July 23. The next day we helped our friends Jerome and Marge Stepp celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. It was great to see their six children, spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren, other family members and friends gather at Torquay Community centre for a time of visiting, a steak supper and a fun program. Jerome and Howard went to Tenold school together, just 1/2 mile south of our farm. Jerome had farther to walk as the Stepps lived 1 1/2 miles north east of Tenold. Marge and I were walking partners until they retired to Torquay. I miss those morning walks and chats with my "step sister". Our kids went to school together and took part in hockey, volleyball, and ballgames. Lots of good memories.

We spent our anniversary at home but it was a very memorable day as we got 2 1/2 inches of rain in the afternoon! That has never happened on July 23rd in our 44 years on the farm. It was welcome too as crops were needing moisture. The low spots had been drowned out by earlier spring rains so the extra water didn't do much damage there. Trees and grass have never looked better the end of July. The high humidity isn't good for some crops so that is a concern now.

Friday brought Todd and Kristy to Canada for three weeks. They landed in Calgary. Kristy's sisters met the plane and they were off to a motel for the night and a day of shopping on Saturday before heading home to Brooks. Todd flew on to Regina and spent two nights with Laurel and Greg and family. Clare, Jodi and Abbey joined them for a BBQ on Sat. night and they endured watching the Rider game on TV, a 40-20 loss for SK.

Today the Diekragers took Todd to Weyburn and enjoyed a swim in the new outdoor pool there. Clare and Todd took a crop tour and ended up at the farm for supper. Then Todd left for Lampman in our pickup. He is heading for Minot with Kirk, Shauna and the kids tomorrow morning. They will spend a day at the State Fair, spend the night in the camper and come home on Tuesday. Todd has been looking forward to warmer weather so he'll get a dose of it tomorrow!

Clare was also travelling this past week. He and his brother-in-law, Joey Kot, drove to Phoenix, AZ to pick up a boat for Joey. They stayed at Joey and Jan's condo there, got in some golfing, relaxing in the pool and trying to keep cool in the 114 degree heat! Clare enjoyed seeing the different countryside in the various states they drove through.

This weekend it will be our turn to travel as we head to Brooks with Todd for Jolene and Gib's wedding next Saturday. Howard has been feeling some better this week so I think he's up for the trip. He's usually better when he's away from home so we'll see if that holds true this time. Don't look for my blog next Sunday as we likely won't be back until Monday or Tuesday. We should have wedding pictures to post next week. By the way, I have all the hardanger done on the wallhanging, just to finish the names and wedding date in cross stitch now. It will get done!