Normally on our way to Saskatoon we turn south at the junction, but this time we decided to take a jaunt northerly and take a parallel highway. The land is pretty up there, if dry, and there is a ferry taking vehicles across the North Sask River so we hopped on.

It was a hellishly hot road trip. The van’s air conditioning doesn’t work and by the end of the day we had all suffered somewhat. Farmbeau’s head hurt, my arms were sore, and the boys were flushed.

Gotta get that fixed before the trip to BC; before the next road trip anywhere.

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Thursday
9:22 a.m.

An overabundance of gophers is eating the barley crop as it comes up, and chewing everything off the pastureland up north. Farmbeau is desperately trying to think of a way to decimate their numbers using means compatible with organic farming — no poisons. Might have to go out with a rifle and go gopher-hunting.

Don is home; his last day of school was yesterday. He keeps saying “We get to spend the day together, Mom, just you and me!” and I am thinking of taking him to town to do some shopping. His birthday is Saturday -- he turns 15 -- and I have no idea what to get him for a gift. Maybe as we stroll through the aisles of the bargain store together, he’ll help me figure something out.

Grandma phoned this morning, says sure we can have cupcakes and coffee at her place (Don’s request) Saturday night and invite the family.
Don wants a storebought cake, he says, not a homemade one. That’s fine by me, especially in this heat we’ve been having.

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“When seeking guidance, don’t ever listen to the tiny-hearted. Be kind to them, heap them with blessing, cajole them, but do not follow their advice.” -- from Women Who Run With the Wolves.

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Reasons to love Saskatchewan