I remember putting off dental work. It's never a good idea; if it cost too much six months ago, it may well be worse now and therefore more expensive.

Dentists here are considered providers of essential services, even at the worst of the lockdown. That was one thing the Ontario gummint got right.

Now that my second jab is scheduled, I'm planning a trip to visit Edmund's sister and her family, including Niece No. 1 and her three rambunctious little boys. Yesterday I retrieved Edmund's laptop computer from the local Digital Wizard, who cleared it of all Edmund's content and updated the operating system. I packed it up today for the kids, along with Edmund's iPad, which isn't the latest model but should still be useful. Only the eldest boy, age 8, is in full-time school, but the others are hot on his heels. And who knows when we might find ourselves back in lockdown, and the schools gone virtual again?

I will also make the long haul to Ottawa before the end of the summer. Brother No. 2's birthday is 31 August, so that makes a good target date. While I'm there, I can visit Nephew No. 2 (plus wife and two daughters) and deliver more nice, useful stuff that I don't need.

Nephew No. 1 lives on the West Coast somewhere and I think I've met him exactly once, so I don't feel obligated to cut him in on the spoils. Also, has no children and he's old enough that he may well have reached the stage of looking around the house and wondering why he has so much stuff.

Niece No. 2 is at the nest-emptying stage of life but has yet to figure out her next act. I have no idea what she needs or wants, but I guess it's time to find out. As for Nephew No. 3, he's still young and footloose enough that stuff is more of a problem than a solution. He's the one who fits Edmund's bike -- and I really hope he can take possession of it soon.

My plan is to have the basement clear enough by winter that I can put an exercise bike and a padded mat down there without blocking the gangway.