Holidays

It has been great holidays so far. Had a wonderful Christmas and am enjoying my time at home with my wife and daughter. Been able to play some NHL, read some books and of course eat lots and enjoy time with family. Here are a few pictures.

Audios 2011, welcome 2012

While it is still a while before 2012 rings in, I probably, most likely won't be making any kind of posting on here until then . . . just seems to be how it goes. With three sleeps to go until Christmas, I am really looking forward to the time off with family and friends. This will be our daughter's first Christmas and Kim and I are pumped for that. The fun all kicks off tomorrow and then will roll until the 27th when all the 'extended' Christmas gatherings end. We do have another in January as well which will be a blast. If you read the Watrous Manitou, I have highlights of 2011 local sports in there for Monday's paper (Dec. 26). I also put local news headlines in this week's edition. I found it amazing how much stuff happens in and around Watrous and with former residents who are doing bigger and better things. Make sure and check it out if you get a chance. Here are some of my recent pictures that I really enjoyed taking . . . hope you enjoy. From Kim, Natalie and I may you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year! Blessings!

Friday's fast facts

Here are some thoughts from the past week ... have a wonderful weekend - the last before Christmas!

Wearing a green Roughriders tie and a smile, the Saskatchewan Roughriders new head coach Corey Chamblin was appointed as the team’s bench boss. The early Christmas gift was announced Dec. 15 by general manager Brendan Taman who has full control of the team’s operations when it comes to management.

While I was hoping the team would go with Calgary Stampeder offensive coordinator Dave Dickenson, after hearing the press conference and what Chamblin had to say, I came away impressed. Chamblin seems like a down-to-earth guy who is a player-type coach. He is also one of the youngest to get a job and is only a year older than slotback Jason Clermont. Chamblin also was mentored by Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin and in fact Tomlin gave the ‘Riders a reference for Chamblin. 

That in itself is good enough for me. To have a coach like Tomlin endorse you is no small feat. However, in saying that it will also depend on who he brings in to help him coach on the sidelines. The way it sounded, Chamblin wants a staff to help teach and instruct players and not just yell at them. That should bode well I think and I am anticipating a good staff to be on board. 

In saying that I also hope they bring in a quarterback coach to help with Darian Durant. Durant thrived with Marcus Crandel who was there before taking a position with Edmonton. Last year he really didn’t have anyone to bounce ideas off of and if it was up to me I would hire Kerry Joseph. To have Durant’s buddy and a quarterback who knows the game, would be a fantastic addition. However, with the crazy trade in Edmonton a few weeks ago with quarterback Ricky Ray being dealt, Joseph may want to try and win the starting job with the Eskimos this season. I don’t blame him but would not be surprised if he gets into the coaching ranks in the near future.

Getting away from the CFL for a bit, here are a few random thoughts as we head towards 2012.

• Why are there so many concussions in the NHL this year?

• Whether you like him or not, you have to give credit to Tim Tebow’s clutch performances. Tebow and the Denver Broncos find ways to win and at the end of the day that’s what counts. I like Tebow and think he would be a nice fit in the CFL.

• If the Calgary Flames don’t make any deals, whether it is to improve their team or rebuild, they will not make the playoffs. 

• How are the Minnesota Wild playing so good?

• The NBA regular season is on . . . 

• I still can’t believe that the Philadelphia Eagles shot themselves in the foot earlier this season. Knowing that New York and Dallas struggle late in the year makes it that much worse to know that a few more wins would of had them possibly in the playoffs.

• Looking forward to watching the World Juniors on TV. Team Canada will be looking for gold on home turf this year. I think they will get to the medal round.

• Apparently ‘Rider receiver Andy Fantuz was reportedly offered a three year deal to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the CFL. That deal was also rejected. I think you let him go and use that money to strengthen the defense.

• Chicago’s Patrick Kane had one of the nicest shootout goals ever! His goal against Minnesota was purely amazing!

Bush Arena

Started in 1990, the backyard rink at my parents' house in Watrous has grown over the years. Now that my brother, sister and I each have kids they will soon be able to enjoy it. However, before that, my brother, brother-in-law and friends will be able to hit the ice for another season, this one the 21st consecutive year! Here are some pics of the rink, which was made by my dad this season! He did a tremendous job and even added the red line and face-off dots! Chain link fence surrounds both ends to protect the neighbours yards and my parents' deck.

Alumni Hockey

Heard that Bethany College, where I went to school is having its hockey alumni tourney this year. After an absence, the event is taking place in February. I love that time when you get to see old faces and buddies. It is also the soccer alumni event too so there should be lots of friends there. Looking forward to it--here is our team from a few years ago that won the tourney-- going from not winning a game the two or three previous years to rolling through and getting the big trophy :) The bear shirt also had a lot to do with it haha.

Natalie

Just had to toss a few pictures of my daughter on here. What an absolute blessing!

Christmas shopping - the Amazing Race?

With the Christmas tunes blasting at work, in the car and at home, I thought my column for the next paper would be about last minute Christmas Shopping....I did that once and I will never do it again. Here is what I had to say:

Would you consider Christmas shopping a sport or even something you would see on the television show Amazing Race? Before you answer that or think I am crazy for asking, I think there could be some validity to it. 

If you do your shopping earlier than the last week and a half before Christmas then I would imagine your answer would be no. I would say you are lucky and smart for not leaving the task to the last minute. As you enjoy a cup of hot chocolate in front of your fireplace, others are gearing up for busy malls and crowded parking lots. I would almost compare it to the show Amazing Race. If you have never watched Amazing Race, competitors race against others to be the first team to reach their destination after performing a series of tasks. The last team usually gets eliminated. 

In the case of last minute Christmas shopping, this holds true to the show as the last minute shoppers are like the contestants performing a series of tasks like making sure they get the right Christmas gift. Not only is there that strategy involved but ‘contestants’ have to try and find a parking spot, figure out which stores to run into and then try and maneuver through crowds to hopefully find what you are looking for. 

I can’t imagine what malls in New York or large centres would be like during the week leading up to Christmas. Traffic is hectic, malls are packed tighter than sardines and the popular items become more rare to find than the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup.

Thankfully, this year we have essentially wrapped up our Christmas shopping in the Bushman house so our Amazing Race challenge is virtually done. This is a first to be done this early, but ever since I left shopping until the last minute one year, I vowed I would never do that again! 

Since I was working in Saskatoon at that time, it took me forever to find a parking spot at the Midtown Mall. Oh I should also mention I think the day I went shopping was Dec. 23. To find a spot before someone else is a sport in itself. After a 20 minute drive underground I finally found something, so I crammed my car in there and headed upstairs. That was just the beginning as I then had to fight my way through people in the mall to get to stores I needed to get too. Since I didn’t really know what to buy, stopping in numerous stores meant shoulder-to-shoulder with other last minute shoppers. I have to say I am not a fan of crowded malls or really malls in general so this was not exactly something I would consider fun.

Then there are those shoppers who are focused and determined to get what they need and fast. My advice if you are not one of them is to move aside. I have also noticed for ‘some reason’ that the tension is usually a little higher than normal for some shoppers during that time of year. It is also best to step away out of their path and try a different route of getting to your destination. You might take a bit more time, but it will be worth it in the long run than dealing with a confrontation.

With elbows up and your favourite running shoes on, a person has to power their way through the busy area and do their best to snag the perfect gift before everyone else gets it. Otherwise it will be plan B, C, or even D in which case you have no idea what to do.

Once you get back to your vehicle after a day of madness in the malls, then it is back home and for me that is where the real challenge comes in, wrapping the gifts. I don’t profess to be a good wrapper, ask my wife. Trying to make it picture perfect is just not going to happen. If that task was part of the Amazing Race game, I would lose badly. But thankfully I have a backup plan, my daughter. When she gets old enough in a few years she might just be making a few bucks from her dad to help him wrap her mom’s gifts. 

Coaching carousel

It has been a wild few days in the CFL coaching circle. First Scott Milanovich from Montreal was apparently given the head coaching job in Toronto and then today (wed) Calgary's defensive coordinator jumped to the boatmen also apparently catching Stamps head coach John Hufnaegel off guard. I think those two additions to Toronto will bode very well for the team. They are two great minds in coaching. Meanwhile Sportsnet's Arash Madani has been breaking news left, right and centre. That is one of the reasons why I follow him on twitter. He broke the news today (wed) that Ticats coach Marcel Bellfeiule was fired. The coach was the Rider offensive coordinator once upon a time. Bombers offensive coordinator Jamie Barresi was also relieved of his duties but yesterday. I think that Hamilton was already going to fire Marcel but also think that they figured the Riders were going to hire their defensive coordinator Corey Chamblin and watch for Hamilton to promote him as its head coach. Over to the Riders, Madani is reported Hamilton defensive co-ordinator Corey Chamblin, who is a favourite for the green and white job, was interviewed on Monday and that the interview went well. Madani also reports Winnipeg defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke and BC defensive co-ordinator Mike Benavides are also scheduled to be interviewed in the next few days. The list of people interviewed I imagine is long as they want to get it right. My vote, if I were to have one, would be for offensive coordinator Dave Dickenson out of Calgary. Dickenson could be the offensive mind that the Riders need, plus his brother is the special teams coordinator for the club. So with all the hustle and bustle of coaches getting the boot and getting hired who knows when the Riders will make their move - hopefully it won't be too late. 

Rec Hockey A champs

Had a blast with my brothers and cousin Steve over the weekend. Our rec team took part in the annual Kinsmen hockey tourney and we claimed the A title! We went 3-0 on Saturday thanks to some magnificent goal scoring by Stevie and Derek. It was a blast to play on their line and set them up -- nothing like gaining that chemistry from playing in the backyard rink! We had fun. Here is a pic of Steve sniping one in the finals as the Sharks took it over the Rangers in Watrous.

Musings from sports world

I'm finally feeling better..at least health wise...sports wise, the Eagles have been a huge let down this season and with another loss, this time against New England the over-hyped team is out of playoffs. While not officially its basically a done deal--really unfortunate since the Riders didn't do much this year and the Flames aren't exactly on fire. I had my hopes invested into a Philly team that was to compete for a super bowl, now they find themselves in the toilet bowl...here is a portion of this week's column that will be going into TWM...

That is all for the CFL this year as it all came down to the Grey Cup game between the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. While it ended earlier than that for many Rider fans including myself, I predicted in my previous column that the Lions would continue to roll and not look back, winning the 99th edition of the Grey Cup by a 28-25 score. While I did pick the winner, like most, I was a little off on the final result with the actual score being 34-23. 

The Lions had a pair of touchdowns in the second half to help secure the victory. The ‘home team’ had a 14-0 lead in the second quarter and continued to accumulate points.

The Blue Bombers scored a late touchdown in the fourth and tried to mount a rally but it was not to be. The Lions become the first team in CFL history to start the season 0-5 and win the Cup. They also won at home, the first time since 1994. The Lions also won it that year as well.

Quarterback Travis Lulay was named the game’s most valuable player, more hardware to go along with the league’s most outstanding player award he got earlier in the week.

It was essentially the Lions Cup to lose in my opinion and they did not shoot themselves in the foot. It is too bad for Bombers fans who will have to wait at least another year before their team wins. The last time Winnipeg won was back in 1990 when they beat Edmonton 50-11 in Vancouver. The Bomber’s quarterback at the time was Tom Burgess and the runningback was Robert Mimbs.

Winnipeg had 28 points in the third quarter in that game, something they desperately needed in this edition of the Grey Cup. Despite how it ended for them, the team does deserve credit going from a dismal record last year to making it to the finale this year.

To hockey and last Monday was a rough one for a pair of NHL coaches who got canned by their teams. Washington decided to part ways with Bruce Boudreau who was the fastest coach to reach 200 wins while Carolina dumped Paul Maurice, again.

Boudreau was in a no win situation after his players essentially tuned him out. The coach tried something new this year and got off to a 7-0 start but it was not enough. After having some difficulty with star player Alex Ovechkin, the team turned to former player, now coach Dale Hunter. Hunter won a Memorial Cup in London and has coached some top-tier NHLers during their junior careers. The move is interesting but something had to be done. 

The other move was Maurice getting the boot in Carolina. That was his second stint with the club and did well when he returned. However, this year the team has struggled and so an up and coming coach, Kirk Muller was brought in. Muller was on a lot of team’s radar and would have been scooped up by the end of the season. He was coaching with Nashville’s AHL affiliate. 

This will also be his first NHL head coaching stint and should do well. Both coaches are now in the same division and every team except for Tampa Bay has made a change since last spring. The Lightning though were not far ahead as they brought in Guy Boucher in 2010.

Under the weather

Been a month and still sick. First cold then sinus infection and now ?? Hope to get that figured out tomorrow. Pleased with CFL outcome today Edmonton and hamilton winning. Hope those two can go all the way. Blessings.

Part two of my sports picks

Here is a continuation from a few posts below: this is part two of that and it is also a portion of my column that will be appearing in this upcoming TWM. 

I will start with the World Series. Where would you rank this year’s World Series compared to others previous? While I do not profess to be much of a ball fan, I also would have to say it ranks pretty high. Game six of the 2011 classic was just that: a classic. Texas had a chance twice to end the contest and three times blew a two-run lead. St. Louis, on the bat of a hometown product, managed to force a game seven after extras. I caught that game from about the ninth inning on and I was glued to the television. Like many have said, that was the real version of reality TV with emotions and nerves all over the place. But being a Canadian, I would say that Toronto winning back-to-back World Series would be at the top of my list. Joe Carter was a factor in both of those finals and as a young kid, my dad got me out of bed to see the celebration on TV. I would have also loved to see Seattle win a championship. I was a huge Ken Griffey Jr. and Randy Johnson fan when they played for the Mariners. While they never won it there, it would have been cool to have them take a championship home.

My next question is, will the NBA lockout end? An easy one for me, no. Like other major professional sports, there are a lot of egos that don’t get left at the door. I think the stubbornness will prevail and a deal won’t get done. If one does, it won’t be until much later in the season.

What will happen to the ‘Riders next year? Will they win more games, less games, or miss the playoffs for another season? My vote: win more games. At least, I sure hope so. It was really a rough go this year for who knows why. There were a lot of things that could and need to be improved on for next season. The team finally sat Darian Durant for the remainder of the season along with Andy Fantuz, Barrin Simpson and others. I like that idea because they need time to heal and not risk a major injury, especially since there is no playoff picture. 

As for next year, I would put a priority on a different offensive and defensive line. Both need to get better. I think runningback Wes Cates will be done and it’s a good possibility iron-man Gene Makowsky will also call it a career. Durant needs help not only on the field but off. The team should be looking at bringing in an ex-quarterback to help. When they had Marcus Crandell, Durant had someone to go to, to get a perspective on the game. This year, he had the backups and I felt his confidence was lower than where it was last year. I would love to see a guy like Dave Dickenson from Calgary or Crandell come in and lead the team. The staff needs to have some younger minds on the sidelines to breathe some new life into the club.

And lastly, because I got razzed all last year for not putting them in the paper, my final question is, how many games will the Watrous Sharks win this season? My answer - and I am sure many on the team would agree - it depends on if Ryan Rheaume suits up between the pipes. If Rheaume gets the call, I would say the number of wins could vary dramatically. All kidding aside, since I don’t really want the back of my legs chopped down while trying to help defend the crease, it should be another fun season. It always is!

Trick or treat

Happy Halloween! Students at WES were all decked out in their costumes today. There was quite an array. As I sit here at coffee time I have had three mini chocolate bars :) my daughter is dressing up as an elephant. I have been telling everyone at work she loves chocolate bars and chips ... She's only almost 6 mths old. Guess dad will have to help her with those.

The riders coach and vp of operations ken miller announced today he is stepping down at the end of the season. A tremendous coach who had a rough year. The team needs an overhaul and this is a start towards that. I think he was awesome as a coach and it's too bad about the season. I say Dave dickenson would be awesome as the top bench boss and current Eskimos qb Kerry Joseph would be awesome as Durants qb consultant.

Casting my ballot on sports topics

Here is a snippet from my weekly column that will be coming out on Halloween...I propose a few questions and who I would vote for...of course they are sports related...

 With the election just a week away in Saskatchewan, I thought I would go with a voting theme. Since there is another week until the election, this is part one of a two-part voting column.

Starting in the CFL, which team has been the most surprising this year from a positive perspective? The choices are the B.C. Lions who got off to a dismal start and turned it up rattling off multiple wins in a row; the Edmonton Eskimos who went from basement dwellers last year to the top dogs; and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who could not get a win when it was close last year but were first in the east heading into the weekend. They also adapted the phrase swaggerville to their name as they have been playing relatively good.

My vote: While the Lions have been unreal right now and the Bombers have turned their ship around, I am going to have to go with Edmonton. After adding Eric Tillman as the general manager, the team went through an overhaul of sorts and has got things turned around in a hurry. I don’t think anyone would have predicted the Eskimos to be in first in the west this late in the season. 

To the NFL and who has the best chance at getting the first overall pick in next year’s draft? The winless Miami Dolphins who are going through quarterbacks like there is no tomorrow; the St. Louis Rams who were thought to have a decent year but were 0-6 last week; or the Indianapolis Colts who miss Peyton Manning as their quarterback.

My vote: The Colts. You can tell that the 0-7 team misses their injured quarterback and they have yet to get much going. However, Manning does not run the defense and giving up 62 points to the New Orleans Saints does not bode well. What it does bode well for is the first overall draft pick, which could be a quarterback if Manning’s injury persists.

My NHL question pertains to the Winnipeg Jets and is more of a dream for fans of that club. Who should the Jets acquire next? The choices are former netminder Nikolai Khabibulin who is also known as the ‘Bulin Wall. The tender played with old Jets team, albeit near the end of its tenure in the city; Teemu Selanne, the finnish flash. Selanne was the Jets for many years, setting a record for most goals scored by a rookie; Jonathan Toews. The captain of the Chicago Blackhawks is a native of Manitoba and a Stanley Cup winner.

My vote: ‘Hawks captain Jonathan Toews. Toews is the face of that franchise and would easily be the face of the Jets for years to come. Having a local guy as the team’s captain would not only be amazing but also raise interest to the team like never before. I know that there is enough interest there right now but adding Toews would be pretty cool. My second choice would be Selanne. I am a fan of retro stuff so adding the finnish flash to the organization would be incredible, although it would probably only be for a year since he has been contemplating retirement for the past few seasons. In his hey day, Selanne was simply outstanding.

Friday stuff

A few things for this Friday...

-Riders need to score a touchdown...if they don't in the first little bit it will be the longest drought in their history.

-Darian Durant is starting and Henry Burris is not...Drew Tate gets the ball for Calgary, never thought I would see that this year as Burris gets the bench, feel bad for him...Durant on the other hand, while he is one of my favourite qbs, I am not sure why he is playing especially since Riders are out and he has a problem with his foot...coach Ken Miller said they want to win regardless and that is why the move is made. If the Riders beat Calgary tonight, it will be their first W against a west opponent this year, ouch never thought I would see that...I will say Calgary takes it by 12 tonight.

-Hoping to do some golf this weekend--have never done a round so close to my birthday! The course in town is closed so good ol Nokomis or Young will do! Hoping for good weather :)

-Lots going on athletically in town...girls vball today, football next weekend and more volleyball as well.

-Flames need to start rebuilding, I don't think they will get to where they need to be...

-And from a portion of my column - The Point After - that will be in this Monday's paper, I give you my predictions for the NHL season...have a great weekend. Blessings.

This year, I think people could see quite a few teams make a surprise run. I have a feeling Montreal could be one of those teams along with Colorado and Los Angeles.

Starting in the eastern conference, Washington and Pittsburgh will again have great years but I also think Buffalo makes a charge for tops in the conference. Boston will again reach the postseason with Carolina, Montreal, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.

Now Leaf fans will be up in arms with me because of their hot start but I don’t think it will last. Toronto will finish either ninth or 10th. Ottawa and Winnipeg will be battling it out in the basement.

If Sidney Crosby returns, Pittsburgh finishes first at the end of the year followed by Buffalo and Washington. Montreal takes the fourth seed and will see Philadelphia in the first round. Boston will sit sixth overall as they battle that notorious Stanley Cup hangover while Tampa Bay is slotted in the seventh spot followed by Carolina.

In the playoffs, Pittsburgh beats Carolina, Tampa Bay takes out Buffalo, Washington edges Boston and Montreal takes out Philly.

Pittsburgh would then beat Tampa while Carey Price and the Canadiens defeat Washington. Advancing to the Stanley Cup finals would be the Penguins in six games, thanks to strong goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury.

In the west, Vancouver and Detroit will try to battle it out for tops. Chicago and Nashville will not be far behind. After a disappointing season, the Avalanche are back in the playoffs along with Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose.

Vancouver will defeat the Sharks in the opening round while Detroit takes out Colorado. Chicago will be in tough against Anaheim but will prevail and Los Angeles will beat Nashville.

 Los Angeles will carry its momentum forward by eliminating Vancouver while Detroit will handle Chicago. The Red Wings, like they have done so many times before, will beat the Kings and once again it will be the Penguins versus the Red Wings. This year I am going with Pittsburgh to take the Cup, Crosby’s second silver mug.

As for the other Canadian teams, despite a guarantee to make playoffs by Flames’ general manager Jay Feaster, the team finishes 10th while the Oilers sit 13th.

New digs

Had the chance to check out the new long term care facility being built in watrous. Here are a few shots of the inside. Residents are expected to be moving in by next June.

Friday's fast facts

I have been battling the cold or flu or something so haven't really had much of a chance to post on here. Here are some random thoughts as we head into the weekend....

-Loved Thanksgiving weekend, I know I need to get a pair of stretchy pants for next Thanksgiving if I will eat as much as I did this year.

-What is wrong with the Riders...three games and only nine points to show, the last game they only scored one! They have given up 99! I admire qb Darian Durant for playing hurt, on a broken foot in fact, but with the season basically a lost cause, I would put him on the bench and let him heal for next season. Let some of the rookies get a shot so that the team can see what they are like for next season.

-Coach Ken Miller and GM Brendan Taman have a year left on their contract, they will be back another season in some capacity. Andy Fantuz I would say is up in the air. I think he will either sign with Riders, Edmonton or Toronto.

-Flames are 1-2, beating Montreal last night. Miikka Kipprusoff got a win last night and took over first spot in the all-time wins column as a Calgary Flame surpassing Mike Vernon. Kipper would be in my top three favourite all time Flame tenders. Fred Brathwaite and Trevor Kidd take the other two spots.

-Summer is definitely gone as temps are cooling off. Apparently some snow flakes in Lanigan area today but blue clouds around here. Temps are to be in the mid teens so it makes for some beauty fall weather!

-Hope the Eagles get a win this weekend, they need to get on track and Washington would be a good start heading into their bye.

-Grey Cup is coming to Regina in 2013! Not only that the Memorial Cup was awarded to Saskatoon for the same year---what a cool opportunity for fans to check out.

-Hoping to play some football this weekend, long time coming for that :) should be a good time.

-Enjoy your weekend, today is a great day to curl up and read a good book or if you are youth leader like me, then it is a great day to play mission impossible tonight....blessings!

Friday's random thoughts

The weekend is soon here and with that a few things:

--I am not a ball fan but it was a week to remember for those who love the sport. Tampa Bay made a miraculous attempt into the post season while the Boston Red Sox dropped out of the race after a horrendous September. My buddy Tim will not be a happy camper as that is back-to-back years they missed the playoffs.

--The Riders are in Calgary and take on the Stamps Saturday. If they lose, I am saying that will be all and no playoffs. While they won't be mathematically eliminated, their chances at making the post season will be severely diminished. Meanwhile, B.C. looks like the hottest team in the league and takes on Edmonton tonight in their new digs in Vancouver. I'm saying as of now this will be your western final and Montreal and Winnipeg will be in the Eastern final. A bombers and edmonton final? Wouldn't that be something-last year they were in the cellar and now this year they could both be in that finale!

--NHL preseason continues. LA's Drew Doughty verbally agreed to a deal with the Kings that will see him make 8 million over 8 years! Wow that's a nice chunk of change but the potential for Doughty is there I supposed...but that's still a lot of cash.

--WHS football today has the Wildcats in Hanley. Watrous had the bye last week and are 3-0 heading into Sabres territory. After this game, the schedule gets reseeded and a round-robin format takes place.

--Three local schools were put under review this week. Bulyea, Nokomis and Young are under review in the Horizon School Division. Visit www.thewatrousmanitou.com for the story!

--Fall is here and I love it! Cool, crisp weather it has been awhile!

--Hoping to get out golfing at least once or twice yet before the season ends. The course at Manitou Beach has been the nicest in a long time and I haven't really had the chance to enjoy it much this year--but that's okay.

--Eagles take on the 49ers this Sunday--a must win there as well! Vick is slotted to be in the game.

--Not too much else other than enjoy the beautiful weather coming up this weekend! Blessings.

Half way there

Three days down and two to go for the weekend. The way the weather has been it's tough to complain. Nothing wrong with it that's for sure. Lots of stories for our upcoming paper which is always a nice thing to have. Came home to my wife, daughter and niece waving through the window- tough to beat a moment like that:)

SJHL to Watrous

For the second consecutive year, the SJHL is coming to Watrous! The LaRonge Ice Wolves led by Watrous native and head coach Bob Beattie will face off against the Notre Dame Hounds. The pair hit the ice in town last December to commemorate the new arena. This year the clubs will be in Watrous Nov. 19. This should be another great game--last year the Ice Wolves took the victory.

Fall days

A beautiful Sunday with hot temperatures. For the end of September and into the 30s is unheard of. We spent the day with the kesslers and urbinas at Wellington park at manitou beach. Here's some shots.

Friday's random thoughts

-Riders vs lions tomorrow for a battle of third...at the start of the year I didn't think it was possible, now I think Saskatchewan could not only get into the playoffs but have themselves a rematch of the 2007 Grey Cup against Winnipeg...however, one game at a time and the one against the Lions tomorrow is a crucial one...a playoff game of sorts.

-Flames preseason is underway--looking forward to hockey rolling again, hope that they can continue their winning ways like they did at the end of last year...I still think they need to make some changes but we will see what happens in the first two or so months before anything is done.

-Looking forward to spending some time with my wife and daughter this weekend, seems like life is so busy it is tough to get much time as a family.

-Sounds like Mike Vick is playing Sunday against the giants--this is good news :) Need a win against New York!

-Fall is here and so is the hot weather--wow, this is awesome to have almost 30˚C temperatures into the first weekend of Fall...I still love the crisp, cool air of the season though, it is tough to beat!

-Locally, WHS football team is off until next Friday, they are in Hanley and sit 3-0 and look to run their record to 4-0.

-Terry Fox Run is Sunday in town, the two schools walked this afternoon...I remember those days and the route appears to be the same as it was when I went to school here.

-Can't wait until our local bakery opens from holidays again! I miss my boston cream donut!!

-Watching Source Code tonight, very interesting movie and potentially could be in my top 10 of all-time...seen it once so tough to be in that category yet.

-Enjoy your weekend, blessings!

Hawks vs oil and sunshine

Had the chance to watch the Chicago Edmonton game in Saskatoon tues. The contest, won 4-2 by the oilers was fun to watch as eberle, rnh and smyth provided the offense for Edmonton while jonathon toews suited up for Chicago. Thanks pat for taking me!
While fall comes this week it appears summer wants a few more days. Temperature are expected to be in the mid to high 20s. That's just fine with me although i love the cool and crisp weather.

In my guesstimation

The weekend is here and a few observations:

The Riders will (at least have to) win their game Saturday against the Argos. The team is on an upswing while Toronto is spinning down faster and faster each week. A must need win and BC needs to lose to set up quite the showdown the following week at Mosaic.

NHL camps get underway--hope the Flames can make some noise this year but I am a little skeptical. Love my Flames but felt they needed to do a little more during the offseason. Would have been amazing if they would have gotten Brad Richards. My wishlist would be Drew Doughty/Zach Parise/Patrick Marleau or a solid centreman of some sort to help Iginla and company reach that next step.

Chicago and Edmonton tangle in Saskatoon Tuesday in preseason action. Hoping to see some stars from the 'Hawks but it is their first preseason game so not sure who to expect.

Golfing in Humboldt tomorrow--first time swinging the clubs there and first time swinging the clubs in about a month...could be an interesting day as it is also supposed to rain, but at least I will be on the course.

Eagles and Falcons Sunday--looking forward to catching that one! Vick will be ready against his former team in Atlanta! Let the march to the Super Bowl begin for Philly!

Harvest keeps rolling in the Watrous area--thanks to that awesome weather a few weeks ago, farmers are way ahead of the pace!

Check out the Watrous Manitou's facebook page...www.facebook.com/thewatrousmanitou  --we have updates from around the area/pictures/video and all that sort of stuff!

The warm weather has left us, at least for now, its supposed to warm up by next week but until then it has been a rather cold one--still rocking the shorts though...gotta hang tough until at least October, that's my goal anyway...enjoy your weekend!

Durant defends province/team in the 'Peg

Rider quarterback Darian Durant let loose a bit on some fans in Winnipeg during the latter stages of the Banjo Bowl. After getting beaked all game, the quarterback delivered some of that smack back to fans sitting behind the Rider bench. While some people are on the fence about it, I thought it was fine. He stuck up for Sask and the team and his family. Check out Rod Pedersen's blog or tsn.ca for all of Durant's comments. But here is some of what was said from a media scrum... taken from tsn.ca...

"I feel that the Winnipeg fans disrespected us. When you cross the Saskatchewan border and it says welcome to Saskatchewan and you put a Swaggerville over the Saskatchewan, that's disrespectful. I don't agree with that and I was just letting the fans know that they disrespected us and I'm going to stand up for my guys and my team."

"They were after us all game, from the start to the finish telling us how we suck, telling me how my mother should be ashamed of me, all types of things they were saying," explained Durant.

"I wanted to take the high road and I did that for three-and-a-half quarters, but when they start disrespecting me and disrespecting my family I have a problem with that."

The Riders are for real!

I don't know if anyone thought that the Saskatchewan Roughriders would go 2-0 in their home and home with the Winnipeg Bluebombers. Well not only did the Riders get the first w (just their second win of the season) at home versus Winnipeg in the Labour Day Classic, but they put on quite the show in their eastern counterparts city with a 45-23 win. The 'Riders got off to a bit of a sluggish start but after falling 10-0, the green and white got moving. Thanks to some stellar defense - five picks and some monster hits, one by by Craig Butler - the team got chugging on offense. Darian Durant led the attack and tossed a few touchdown passes to Chris Getzlaf and helped the team get its third win of the season, the second straight with new coach Ken Miller. Andy Fantuz also joined the team after being cut by the NFL's Chicago Bears and helped ease the pressure on the other receivers as he was double-teamed throughout the contest. The 'Riders now face an unimpressive Toronto club this Saturday afternoon. Should be a good one and another must needed win.

Banjo bowl

The night before what could be the riders 'tsn' turning point of their season. The green and white need a w tomorrow against Winnipeg in the banjo bowl. The riders got their 2nd win of the yr last weekend at home versus this same team but a BC win today means the riders are two game behind for that last playoff spot in the west. With a win they would be within one and a pair of games against the lions coming up could in fact tell the fate of this years club. While it's hard to win both the labour day classic and the banjos bowl the riders have to do it otherwise the last 8 games or so will all become must win. My prediction tomorrow 27-21 riders. Hope they get er done.

Just a few more pictures

So far nothing earth shattering to post but I thought I would toss some pictures on here from the past yr or two just cuz it's fun looking at pics. Some are from our trip to San Diego and Disney. Enjoy your weekend.