Musings on woodwork, the Wildlife Disease Association, and students in Uganda.

A more relaxed day today. Been putting finishing touches to a walnut and maple chess table. Now the challenge of making the drawers to hold the chessmen. Have also been using scraps from larger projects to make a laminated tray that will go the Wildlife Disease Association meeting in early August. Funds raised by this group (I have been a member since 1975, and you can find about more about the organization here) at their crazy charity auction (you have to be there) are used to support students in various ways. I have been granted a spot on the program to talk about our work in Uganda with Canadian & local students seen here working on a Uganda kob (Kobus kob thomasi).

Also out picking Saskatoon berries (Amelanchier alnifolia). We have several thickly dressed bushes in the garden, and there are lots of them in the neighbouring area.

They are known as Serviceberries or Juneberries in the USA, and have a very short season, right about now. The Juneberry name must be from the earlier flowering & growing season south of here.

Delicious on cereal, in pies,with ice cream, in cakes, syrup for pancakes and as a purée for jam, or a start for wine. Here a dinner guest - one of the students who came to Uganda and joined us for an evening - tucks in to a Saskatoon cheesecake - which tends to go fast!