Happy Canada Day

It doesn't get any better than this . . . I actually live 20km (that's about 12 miles) east of Kamloops on the north shore of the South Thompson River . . . Just finished grilling two racks of ribs and now am sitting on my deck that faces east down the river valley, having a glass of red while I listen to the Blue Jays and Mariners; yes, wireless Internet is wonderful. The setting sun is shining on the hills to the east -- which, to be truthful, only serves to highlight the rust-coloured trees that have been so ravaged by pine beetles.

Hope to spend part of Canada Day with Ajay Baines. The former Kamloops Blazers captain helped the Hamilton Bulldogs to the AHL championship and he has brought home the Calder Cup. He called earlier tonight while he (and the Cup) were visiting Blair and Randy Rota. Randy won the Calder Cup with the Nova Scotia Voyageurs — remember them? — in 1973. As I checked out the Voyageurs' roster, I actually found a player against whom I played when I was growing up in Lynn Lake, Man. Murray Anderson, who spent some time in Montreal's organization, played for the Voyageurs. He is from The Pas, Man., and played for his hometown Huskies.