In times of personal difficulties, I often find the words of Jon Bon Jovi quite comforting. It was a 75 km ride into the City of the Future. Unfortunately, once Toronto ate it up, it lost its city status. Sad to see. It was around the Scarborough Town Centre (4th biggest Shopping Centre in Canada!) that I recognized the landmarks that were once so familiar to me. I rode on the sidewalk since the streets were getting so busy and I turned up Saratoga St. to see the Wattersons, parents of Jim Watterson. I found the place and knocked on the door and Jim's dad answered it. He said hello warmly and then stood there as if expecting me to sell him something. It took me a second to realize he didn't know who I was so I told him and then the recognition kicked in. We parked the bike around the side and I had a seat in the kitchen. Mrs. Watterson came in the kitchen and I filled them in on my adventures and plans very briefly. I have tried somewhat to let people know of my plans. The nice thing about being on a bike is that I have some flexibility in terms of departure. I was quite happy with our little chat but like so many others, they wanted more Dave so I graciously accepted an invitation for dinner next Wednesday. They were very excited to be upgraded from "Host Dave Schulte in Ontario" runners up to finalists! Well done! Before I left, Mrs. Watterson sent me off with a currant loaf which I have made quick work of! Delicious!
I came home to the house that I grew up in and there are a few changes to the place but it still looks the same. Sue, my stepmother, heard me rummaging around the back with my bike and I went inside to greet her. Juno the old black lab is still kicking even though her medical problems seem to be increasing. Once I showered, Sue and I caught up and I found out that Tara, my youngest sister was arriving back from Europe via Scotland, France, and Switzerland where she attended the wedding of my neice Charlene. While Sue was at the airport, I took Juno around the block for a walk but after about 10 minutes, the excersise and heat was getting to her but she was ableWe had an exhibition of pictures and video before heading to Red Lobster for dinner. I also did a skype chat with my 2nd youngest sister Lisa in Scotland. The boardding house where she is staying can't afford a sound system so she could see and hear us but only sign and type back at us. We were looking at the Scotland pictures so most of the conversation was me looking up at the Scotland pictures while Lisa watched me. The gift of technology!!
The location of Red Lobster has changed and we headed west to find the closest one. The meal was good and our manager came and had a lengthy conversation with us. I noticed that he didn't mind interacting with Tara at all but was disappointed when he turned down the offer to sponser the remainder of my trip. I think Red Lobster is trying to turn itself into a ritzy restaurant by having the manages come around to the table to talk the guests. Still, good to chat with him. Tara was definitely jet-lagged by the time we finished dinner so we let her go home. I got a nice sleep in Lisa's bed
I came home to the house that I grew up in and there are a few changes to the place but it still looks the same. Sue, my stepmother, heard me rummaging around the back with my bike and I went inside to greet her. Juno the old black lab is still kicking even though her medical problems seem to be increasing. Once I showered, Sue and I caught up and I found out that Tara, my youngest sister was arriving back from Europe via Scotland, France, and Switzerland where she attended the wedding of my neice Charlene. While Sue was at the airport, I took Juno around the block for a walk but after about 10 minutes, the excersise and heat was getting to her but she was ableWe had an exhibition of pictures and video before heading to Red Lobster for dinner. I also did a skype chat with my 2nd youngest sister Lisa in Scotland. The boardding house where she is staying can't afford a sound system so she could see and hear us but only sign and type back at us. We were looking at the Scotland pictures so most of the conversation was me looking up at the Scotland pictures while Lisa watched me. The gift of technology!!
The location of Red Lobster has changed and we headed west to find the closest one. The meal was good and our manager came and had a lengthy conversation with us. I noticed that he didn't mind interacting with Tara at all but was disappointed when he turned down the offer to sponser the remainder of my trip. I think Red Lobster is trying to turn itself into a ritzy restaurant by having the manages come around to the table to talk the guests. Still, good to chat with him. Tara was definitely jet-lagged by the time we finished dinner so we let her go home. I got a nice sleep in Lisa's bed