Friday, March 13, 2026

Friday March 13, 2026 Problems

 

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Friday March 13, 2026

 I went to see Bob at the Hospice yesterday with my laptop, intending to be able to communicate better that way.  But I had just sat down when both his sons, Dylan from Edmonton and Connor from BC, dropped in.  Speaking with the nurses, I found that Dylan had been designated as the main Contact, so I deferred to him and got his phone number.

The doctors apparently figure Bob will be gone in about 2 months.  Bob just has too many problems medically all at once.  I discussed with Dylan the possibility of buying Bob's scooter, paying off his TD loan, and sell it.    I also requested the return of the air-conditioner I had lent to Bob, so that I can pass it on to someone else in need.  I was relieved to be able to be in contact with the boys, so we will see what happens now...

I was under my kitchen sink to get something, and noticed water below.  I put in a report to the maintenance man, Yves, about that, and also the toilet appeared to be running all the time now, despite adjusting the flapper....

I got a notification from Alexa that my luggage had been delivered!  I had no knock, or doorbell ring, but, sure enough, my new luggage bag was at my door.  I had ordered this one because it was reasonably priced and had the highest 9.8-star rating on Amazon.

Today, Yves was at my door at 9:30am to check the toilet and kitchen sink.  Apparently Monday he intends to install a brand-new toilet and fix the hot water sink leak.

I got an email from Air Canada wanting a ton of details again about the broken luggage and wanting me to choose from a limited selection that some captive luggage company was providing... Grrrr...  I responded again with all the photos and the previous report where I had told them that I had already purchased a reasonable replacement, requesting reimbursement.  We will see if they do indeed come through with the $169.....

I was supposed to go see Bob again today but I slept until 12:30pm and am still trying to catch up with so many things.

My nose hates the dryness here and was bleeding already within 24 hours...  I am filling the tub with hot water and blowing the moisture through the apartmentwith a fan.  That helps somewhat...  I am resisting going back to the fancy humidifier I had, because of the white dust everywhere, unless you use distilled water.  Such a pain.....

Tonight there is a meeting at Theresa's down the hall about Alberta Independence with something to sign...  I am on the fence whether to attend or not.  To me, the Independence issue is a forceful negotiating tactic to get fair treatment from Ottawa.

 So much to do yet....

 

I hope you enjoy the pictures.  That was the day’s excitement.

Al

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© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.  

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE  that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.


That is CLOUDY

Later some mountains

Dylan, Connor and Bob

The boys

Bob is not good

New Showkoo 28"

Almost as good as my old one

 

 


Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Wednesday March 11, 2026 Edmonton

 

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******

Wednesday March 11, 2026

 I survived the flights OK, but my carefully wrapped luggage with all my belongings, gifts, 2 cameras, a tripod, and my laptop got molested.  It must have been Customs in Cali who ripped off my plastic film wrap and broke into the bag and moved things around.  They damaged the zipper sliders in such a fashion that I could not open the bag to check until this morning.  Then I had to break the zipper, rendering the luggage useless...  To make a long story short, I have reported it to the AC counter in the Edmonton Airport, and just finished filing a Damage Claim online as instructed, having just ordered a suitable replacement bag.

 Even though I have had little sleep in the last 36 hours, I was up early, checking the bag and, as far as I can tell, nothing was taken, surprisingly...  And, there were no notes from Customs about any inspection....

 

Around noon, Bernie helped replace my battery in the Regal and it started up nicely with no problem.

That allowed me to slip up to the bank for some cash, and then over to the Registry to renew my car Registration.

Next it was a little grocery shopping because the cupboards are bare.

I got the IPTV working again here since Cristina was not interested in keeping it down there...

Then I slipped over for a quick visit with my friend Bob who is in Hospice at the old Edmonton General Hospital, 2 blocks from me.  He realizes that he will not be going back to his apartment.  He has developed a respiratory problem which makes it hard for him to talk above a whisper which is mostly understandable.  His family has been to see him.

I hardly recognized him with hair on his head and face, and he has lost so much weight!  I promised to return tomorrow with the laptop so he can write down his wishes for his apartment and his scooter....

Don called me that he had a yen to go for Wings, so I joined him. 

 Now I really need to get some shut-eye........

I hope you enjoy the pictures.  That was the day’s excitement.

Al

******

© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.  

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE  that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.


 




 

 


Monday, March 9, 2026

Monday March 9, 2026 Almost..

 

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Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

 http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

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******

Monday March 9, 2026

 I finally reached vet John to confirm that we will leave Andalucia around 2am.  The Avianca website says to be at the gate by 4am for the domestic leg to Bogota, so we should be good for time.

There was no email from Avianca or Air Canada about check-in, so I went to the AC website and they said the check-in would have to be done with Avianca..........  And, that went much easier than anticipated.  

I am now checked in on all 3 flights and just need to drop off my luggage and go through security.  Like the trip down here, I will only have my fanny pack to roam the airports.   I was a bit shocked to remember that I will have a 5-hour layover in Montreal before catching a 5-hour flight to Edmonton, arriving just before midnight.  I think I really need a good book.....

Cristina and I went shopping for last-minute items and for a nice lunch.

With the lake in the backyard, I should not have been surprised to see several dragonflies cruising for mosquitoes.  Catching them in flight is almost impossible, but one kindly landed nearby for a photo-op.  I kept these 4 pics out of 76...

We have a few items of construction and housekeeping to attend to before finalizing the packing, wrapping the suitcase in plastic wrap, and showering for the long travel day.

So glad we are not flying anywhere near the Middle east or even the USA.

The boredom of a long air voyage is not something I look forward to.

Hugs to everyone.... 

I hope you enjoy the pictures.  That was the day’s excitement.

Al

******

© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.  

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE  that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

 

This the best I caught in flight...

This one posed for a bit.