Dec 20 - no pike

One minnow lost -- I saw the flag flip -- nothing on the hook.  So we had chicken for dinner !  Oh well.  I hope that my minnows last until I come back.  Given the expected temperature over the next couple of days, perhaps I should put them outside.  They survive better in the cold.  I'll think about that.

I diddled with the stove, seems that it's fixed now.  The day before I'd replaced the electronic part that automatically generates a starting spark to the burner that wasn't working but we were finding that after the burner was on for a while, it would start sparking again, seeming not "knowing" that the burner is lit. 

With some trial and error I found that the burner itself has to make really tight contact with the base underneath and it wasn't, due to the partially stripped threads.  I inserted a couple of washers and managed to tighten it some more.  Now it's working.  Ideally I'd replace those stripped parts but I have to investigate to see how the one is fastened onto the stove top from underneath, i.e. to see if I can get at it.  Part of the problem, I expect, is that the dissimilar metals and heat are causing corrosion in the threads after a few years of usage.  

That was a before-breakfast project.  The only other significant project was gathering financials together to submit to the accountant for the Randonneurs Ontario tax return.  The corporation tax return is a bear otherwise I'd do it myself.  The fellow who does our tax return doesn't charge us, thank goodness.  He's a friend of former Treasurer Jim Griffin.  I have no idea how old he is or how long he'll continue to do this free of charge.  

It was sunny and cold most of the day, gradually warming to 20F.  It's 17F now, not much different.  The warming trend is supposed to bring rain over the next couple of days before it cools down again.  Any rain will mean even better glare ice out front as long as there's no snow cover.

What else ... I've been doing some exercises downstairs, mostly situps and bench presses.  I haven't even touched the stationary bike.  Oh yes, I submitted my 2014 kilometer-age to CKAP, the Canadian Kilometer Achievement Program.  It has quite a few members from across Canada and several from the U.S.  People tally their lifetime kilometers.  I just joined last year and since I'm over 50, was able to submit the prior two years as well.  I'm now at 76,000 kms for the four years on file.

Some people have been at it for a while.  I see "Woody", a fellow in South Carolina, tops the list with 800,000 kms tallied.  That is notable !  I also see that Ken Bonner has been the top achiever the last few years, running around 25,000 kms per year.  Three years ago he hit 50,000 kms.  50,000 kms !!!  That's amazing.  I have been running around 20,000 kms the last few years and it would be a push to hit 25, let alone even thinking about 50 !

I tried watching some of the latest Dr. Who through Jeffrey's Plex server and after about 20 minutes, it hung.  I'm not sure why.  I had to ratchet down the quality to get a reasonably consistent playback without pauses.  I'll fiddle with it some more at some point.  I've also been watching some of the earlier Dr. Who.  The scripting, acting etc. is terrible, so terrible that it's funny.

We wrapped presents, so we are ready to go to Stef's on Christmas Eve.  She hasn't told us what she plans to do yet vis-a-vis dinner. 

Today we head to Toronto, via Britt for Mass, Barrie to pick up the girls.  Abby gets a sleepover with Mya.  It should be fun for all !

Onward !