Aaaah! Spring weather in January in Saskatchewan. Great! That was the week that was. We have had above zero temperatures in the daytime, a nice reprieve from that -35 C stuff. We have had January thaws before. In fact it used to create havoc with the curling bonspiels we tried to have in Waseca when I was a kid. We had natural ice and the weather would get warm and people could not throw the rocks hard enough to get in the house at the other end. Then the roof started dripping and you had to shave off the little ice humps or they would send the rock off on a new course, usually not where you wanted it to go. Artificial ice is better for keeping the ice but costs a lot more.
These January thaws usually end badly with bitter northwest winds or snow. Clouds carrying moisture cannot get here if it is -35 C. They get cooled off and have to drop their snow in the mountains. For the hoar frost calendar I have marked July 11 as a possible rain. We will see.
On the home front, Jaco has the truck running, but the temperature gauge is not working. There are two senders on this new motor so something else is different here. There are no brakes so this will have to be cured. A truck with poor brakes is not something I want to see. I have had experience in my Arthur era with trucks with no brakes. It was much less serious as it was a 1953 one-ton Ford and it had an emergency hand brake you could use if needed. In all the time my dad owned that truck I don’t ever remember the foot brake working. He was not a fixer.
The hydraulic pump was leaking so Jaco took it off. Upon closer inspection we find the casting of the pump is cracked. How did that happen? They have quit making that pump. I am phoning wreckers at the moment. The price tag is $995 for the pump at Princess Auto, only one left at Barrie, Ont. I will pass!
On the wheat wars front, just like usual the farmers are losing. The North West Terminal at Unity puts out a text on markets every day. They put on a special for high protein wheat of $7.08 per bushel. In two days they bought enough wheat that if they get 100 rail cars a week it will take them three months to take it all in. Now that is really something. What about the other companies they sell in to the same Vancouver market. Are they putting in their pockets the $1 or $1.50 they are paying less? It also says something about the futures market. People want wheat to eat. You can’t eat a futures contract, not very filling anyway.
In Durum, the Canadian Wheat Board PRO price is at the moment $12.50 a bushel. Who knew? I phoned the Wheat Board and their market is to the east, shipped to Mission Terminal at Thunder Bay, Ont.. Shipping is currently closed as the wheat has to go out the St. Lawrence. The durum could be delivered to a CWB facility like the Great Sandhills Terminal that they just bought. Closest CWB elevator they own is Luseland. You can also deliver to companies who are agents for the CWB. Producer cars are a three-month wait. All very interesting. I know how this thing is going to end. Everybody and their dog and the dog’s brother will be trying to grow durum next year. That is a higher price than canola.
I heard the sad story that Target Stores (133) in Canada are all going to close. Boohoo, we will not miss them. The arrogant suits bought out Zellers and promptly closed the one in Lloydminster. That was a good store as I bought some stuff there, not enough to keep the store open I am sure. You have to question how smart these suits are anyway. First they close the drug store in Zellers. When was a drug store ever losing money? It is almost a licence to print money with all us old guys on the pills. Then they close the restaurant. The place was always busy. Smart moves like that would drive any business out. Nope we won’t miss Target in Canada. Pack your kit and caboodle and vamoose. Take your mother-in-law with you, too. Don’t let the screen door wack you on the butt on your way out. Good riddance. Go close a store somewhere else. I am sure with your management expertise you will happen upon another victim. The only ones I feel sorry for here are the 18,000 loyal employees who will be losing their jobs.
This is the time of year that half the country jumps on an airplane and heads to warmer climates. Some go to Mexico, some to Hawaii, some to Arizona or Florida. When I was younger I might have thought of it, but back then we had cattle to feed, kids in hockey, there just didn’t seem time to fit it all in. I never was a beach bunny, more like a beach ball or beach whale. Now we have time, I just do not feel the urge. Also I have a problem with my wonky knees and sore back. The walking in airports is not good for me. It is just easier to stay home. We also have pets to consider. Bev and her dogs are so tight that when Bev and our daughter Melissa went to Victoria, B.C. last fall, I stayed home and fed them, but it didn’t matter. They sat out in front of the house for hours staring at the road willing her to come back. Her cats were starting to look at me like I was responsible for her being missing. Our daughter Crystal came every day to check on the dogs and me. When Bev came back one of the dogs stood on his hind legs so he was eye level and without touching her, did what was some kind of dog talking. The other one grabbed a stick and was racing around her feet. That was his signal, he was ready to go for a walk. I petted them and fed them, but they were never that happy to see me! So what would we do with these pets for a month? It is easier not to go, I think.
Joke of the week: An 88-year-old woman was summoned for jury duty. When she was called forward for questioning the defence attorney started asking her questions to see how her mental facilities were. The defence attorney asked her if she ever had anything to do with a lawyer. “Yes,” she replied “I hired a lawyer to make a living will.” “How did that turn out?” asked the defence attorney? “Well, I don’t know,” she said “I’m not dead yet!”
