Still a bachelor until May 13. Lesley is having a great time in New Zealand, all there is well apparently. Here, well the dogs still look out the window every morning expecting her to drive up. Soon Tippy, soon.

Some good news. Since the snow has melted, Tippy has become quite difficult to control outside. There is a winters worth of stuff to sniff and chase, minding me was not her priority. I have gotten an electronic collar for her and it has worked wonders. After just a day of use she usually only needs the tone stimulus, not the electrical tingle. Many times I now take her outside without the collar and she minds wonderfully. She even minds now if I call her in mid chase of a rabbit or something. I have used it for about a week now, and she even sits by the door waiting for me to put it on her when it is time for outside. What a joy to be able to walk outside with my dog without fear of losing control of her and her being attacked by something in our woods here. I bought the expensive variety, but so far money well spent.

The basement finishing goes on, major construction is nearly done, should be completed within the next few days if I can find the energy to get off the couch. Wiring and plumbing are done. The last major part for now is the knotty pine paneling in what will become a bedroom and the adjoining hallway.

As spring comes, the draw of the outdoors increases. A few days ago we had a beautiful warm, sunny, spring day. I spent the day outside with the dogs burning a winters accumulation of construction debris. Fishing begins in a few weeks, also Lesley and I will be involved in much bread baking in the outside oven, The Farmers Market will be opening here in a few weeks and we will be selling bread there.

I moved up to a newer, smaller SUV a few weeks ago for my fishing needs. The old one had over 150,000 miles and was 13 years old. Lesley has become increasingly concerned that I might become stranded in some of the remote areas I go to alone, and has been pushing me to get something newer. So, when this 2006 Ford Escape came along with everything I wanted on it and low miles to boot, I got it. I probably don't need the moon roof but I guess I can open it and look at the bottom of my canoe when I am carrying it!

I don't talk much about my stroke anymore. I still have "deficits", but have pretty much just figured out how to get on with what I want to do. I still have aches and pains, but I have noticed they usually go away when I get active. Taking a day off sitting on the couch seems to make them worse. I guess one of the worst problems I have is that I bleed at the drop of a hat because of the blood thinners I am on. With all the construction I have been doing there are many nicks and cuts all the time. I had to go to the Dr. yesterday for antibiotics because one cut had become infected. I wear gloves, knee pads, long sleeves, etc, to protect myself, but stuff happens. I always have band aids close at hand.

Anyway, as much as I am enjoying writing this, I am not getting my exercise done sitting here on the couch, or finishing the basement. So, off to work I go!