Summer Update

 Well, the year of 2023 continues to kick years 2019-2022 in the ass.  As if this year has not already been transitional, life-changing and relationship-affirming.  We are nearing the end of the Summer of Cheryl, and what a summer it has been.  Here are a few highlights so far. 

• Our last Canada Day party was a success.  We had a great turnout of friends and family and a washer toss tournament that saw Jack & Taylor defeat Erin & Sam in the finals.  Lots of good memories and great friends.  It was like a chapter closing in our life.  It was great to host when the kids were young and helped cultivate our group of friends, but the time for us to be at the helm is done. We will see what happens in the future, but it is great to have Canada Day open to travel or make plans without hosting.
• We made it to Parlee Beach.  Years of nostalgia came flooding back to me here.  Years of staying at Barb Goguen's cottage growing up, to Dale & Barb's cottage, Bub & Gerry's cottage, all of the family gatherings we had there when I was a kid.  And finally, to our own family excursion there with Mark & Cathy and their family.  Sean & Kat Nason had a place right on the water and we walked to the beach, played some guitar, had some fantastic food and basically remembered where we came from.  
• I could spend a long time delving into hanging with Sean Nason & Greg Pineo again, but I will keep it short.  As always, these two gentlemen have been with us at our highs and lows over the years with both of them stepping in when Andrew was born, and stepping in once again when he died.  Hanging with these guys reminds me of where I came from and how lucky I am.  Sociable, gents!
• Chris & Aislinn spent a week with us here.  I was never worried, but I know that our lifestyles are very different, so I didn't know how we would all mesh.  It worked out great.  Chris and I had great discussions on the deck in the morning and we balanced our time together and apart very well.  As I watch Wayne, and Dad and Pommie get older, I am hopeful that Chris, Jackie and I will continue to foster  a relationship like this.
• Dad's 75 birthday was a success.  Joyce planned the event at their house and family and a few friends stopped by.  The Wartman Clan headed to Panmure Island and CLamdiggers the next day for a family celebration as well.
• Chris & Aislinn treated Cheryl & I to see "The play that goes wrong" at Confederation Centre.  The play was great and it was great to spend time with Chris & Aislinn, but for me the real thing of note here was Graham Putnam on stage at Confederation Centre.  Local Boy does good.  It is so good to see "one of us" local theatre guys catch a break on the big stage.  And he nailed it.  
• We snagged last minute tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld in Summerside and Bill Burr in Halifax.  Both shows were great.  
• I had Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) Surgery in Halifax at Halifax Vision Surgical Centre.  Surgery was yesterday and so far the results are fantastic. Unlike my laser eye surgery (PRK) which fixed my distance and was very dramatic, this surgery replaced the entire lens.  While the surgery will fix all  of my vision including never having cataracts, the main difference for me is reading and using computers and cellphones which I am doing as I type this much easier and with less strain.  I had been noticing this slipping and as I rely more and more on technology and reading, this surgery will hopefully put me ahead of the curve while I am still young enough to enjoy my full range of vision.  That is my hope anyway.  This is day 2, so we will see.  
• Cheryl is still retired and loving it :) - I have tried to play gatekeeper this summer so that Cheryl can focus on Cheryl without having to defer to others needs/wants which is her natural tendency.  I hope this gives her the space she needs to figure out what she wants to do JUST for her.  But most importantly, to have fun.