Travel day to Saskatchewan

 The blog is late this morning, and that's OK. Why? Well, I had borrowed a book from the library (an ebook on Libby) a month or more ago. It's by Riley Sager - Final Girls. His books are creepy — when you look up 'psychological thriller' in the dictionary, his books should be listed. Anyway - it got a bit too weird for me, so I let the book lapse. 

Then I decided to retrieve it and continue. Well, after having a nap on the plane because I had been up so early. I started reading on the plane. Oh my, I wish the flight had been a whole lot longer than it was. Then I had things to do, and it wasn't until I arrived at the hotel last night that I could read some more. But after driving for part of the day and the very early morning, I didn't read much. But I've been up reading. I don't have time to finish the book this morning, but it definitely fits into the psychological thriller genre. I didn't see this twist - many twists coming. And how many more can happen in 135 pages? 

As for travel, everything went smoothly. Although I struggled a wee bit with my suitcases. Well, after I got out of the Uber (had a great chat with a fellow from Sudan who has lived in Canada for six years), there were no luggage carts to be had. Hmm --- it's a bit hard to move three suitcases when you only have two hands. 

That was easy - I put the two big suitcases together, and piled the small third one on top, and I was good to go. Who needs a luggage cart?

The new (well, not new anymore) check-in terminals at the airport work just fine, and I noticed that the labels for the suitcases are specific - there is one for your checked (carry-on) luggage, while the other two are for large cases. No problem. I put them on the appropriate bags and all was good. 

However, the automatic drop-off didn't like the size of my carry-on, so I assumed I had made a mistake despite my taking notice this time. That didn't work, so I had to get an agent to help me. But after that, all was good. Getting through security with the priority card is a breeze. Dump everything into the bucket, walk through, and on the way to the gate. 

The only lineup was at Tim's, where I got a tea. I arrived at the gate just as the boarding process for Zone 2 was starting, so I literally walked right onto the plane. Don't worry -- I was there before all the required check-in times! But no need to be there hours before! And I don't know why DH covets the lounge so highly. Even if I had free access, I never have time, although he travels more and his flights get delayed, so it works for him. 

I received the notification that my bags were loaded onto the plane, and everything was in order. The plane was full. Actually, it was oversold by 4 seats, but I missed all that drama as I was in the Tim's line. I wasn't giving up my seat, so I didn't really care. However, we were told numerous times, as the plane was boarding, to put your wheeled bag in the overhead bin and to put the rest under the seat. It's incredible how many people ignore that. 

They even pulled one backpack from the overhead bins and asked whose it was, and no one claimed it. So, they were going to offload it. I assume the person spoke up when they threatened that! 

The airport in Saskatoon was busy. There's a huge event happening at the same time I am here - Ag in Motion, and it's massive. Getting a hotel room was a bit tricky, but even after waiting until later to book it, I still managed to find something decent. I had to wait for a car at the airport, as I had reserved one - see, I have reservations and everything! However, I had ordered a car because it was cheaper than an SUV, but I ended up with an SUV because everything else was sold out. I don't mind. And it was the same price. 

However, I got into the vehicle, and Hmmm — how the heck do I change gears? AH -- I found this paddle thing on the steering wheel. I'm not a fan, but I'm getting used to it. 

The gear shift

Then I was off to Robinson McNally. You just can't pass up a visit to a great bookstore! 

Oh my goodness — I didn't know this was such a big deal. Actually, there is a huge games section, as well as a large selection of EXIT Games, which we haven't explored in a long time. Our schedules have been too topsy-turvy. We used to play crokinole as kids. 

Crokinole anyone?

I browsed the magazine section, which is still pretty healthy compared to others I've seen. And there are still decent quilt magazines out there. Just not as many. 

Then I went to the quilting book section. This one seems to have a decent selection of books, but nowhere near what it used to be. There used to be a wide range of scrapbooking and multimedia options, but all that is now gone. It's likely being replaced by social media accounts, which is OK. 

I found two quilt books of the type I would select for one of my ongoing classes. However, I had a quick peek at them and put them back on the shelf. I don't need any more ideas. I don't know why it was called Alice in Wonderland unless it was made with an Alice fabric collection. But seriously? It's just a group of 6-inch blocks!!! I'm so over these small sampler quilts! 

A sampler quilt, anyone?

This book provided a new block for every week of the year, which is much better than one for every day. But the blocks are such a hodge podge, and again, you can pick your favorite blocks, or add in some orphan blocks, and you have created your own quilt! 

A block a week quilt

And then what's with this? I totally understand that some books will come with a plastic wrap on them, but who would buy a book like this? It's a hard cover and wrapped in plastic. Nope -- I'm not spending money on a book that I can't preview. I guess it's not worse than buying online, but still. 

Hardcover wrapped in plastic

Then, in the car, off to North Battleford. I passed the location of the Ag in Motion show on my way. Yep -- it's enormous, and because of the twin (two-lane) highway and the need to turn left off the highway to this location, the speed limit is reduced from 110 to 80 for miles to prepare people for that turn. 

I stopped at the Western Development Museum in North Battleford because that's where Dad works! Yep - he works, there's no two ways about it. I caught him at the welding station. I just hope he continues to be able to move around and drive for a long time! Although I can see him sitting in a wheelchair in the shop, directing the others to do the work! He's one very lucky man as he had a mini stroke a while back and that sapped some of his strength, but not his mind! 

Dad - setting up to weld something

And they have their museum days coming up - History in Motion, so they were busy getting some stationary engines running. They couldn't get the pump to pump water from the stationary engine and discovered that a leather gasket had disintegrated, so they retrieved a piece of leather to cut a new one. There is no option to buy replacement parts online from these guys, unless they can't make it.

I spent quite a while at the museum, just watching. So, if you ever wonder where I get my curiosity or energy, you need look no further than the picture above. He got it from his dad, who lived to be 100 years old. 

So what's the weather like here? Well, the high yesterday was about the same as the low back home. I think the highest it reached was 20 degrees. This is the temperature when I woke up this morning. 

OH -- that's cool

Yikes -- but it's smoky here. Not too bad, but it looks pretty hazy this morning, and you can smell the smoke. 

Well, I must go. I'm going to get out for a walk and find some breakfast, and then I'm off to work today. 

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!!!