Apple Computer Update, Final Chapter

 This is a followup to my post d'd June 25th which will provide, I hope, the final chapter in my Apple/UPS saga.  By way of a brief recap, I had ordered a MacBook Pro which was to be delivered by UPS.  Confirmation from Apple advised that a signature would be required for delivery however UPS said they simply left it at my front door.  The package was not on my door step when my neighbour checked an hour of so later and numerous calls to Apple, UPS, Visa, Insurance Companies and the RCMP ensued.  

A word to the wise.  If you have Payment Protector Insurance through your credit card, and most credit card companies offer this, it is not as advertised.  Lots of forms to fill out, hoops to jump through, and turns out it is secondary insurance.  If your claim would be covered under another insurance policy, like you home insurance, the credit card insurance will only cover the amount of your deductible.  

In the end, 3 months later, after filing a dispute claim with Visa, I have my money back and the computer is who knows where.  At every turn in this process I was met with roadblocks, fine print, delays and general disinterest in resolving my problem.  Apple did finally accept my claim and resolved to order me a new computer or provide me with a refund however by that time I had already started the dispute process with Visa and felt that it would be faster to proceed with them.  That proved to be an erroneous assumption on my part. 

My concern with Apple ordering me a new computer was that it would once again be delivered by UPS with no firm guarantee that the final result wouldn't be the same.  At this time deliveries can't be made to the Apple store and the local store doesn't carry a machine in the configuration that I want.  The local Apple store would not take an order direct and suggested that I order online.  I'm caught in a loop and I'm getting dizzy. 

At this time I am on hold in the hopes that deliveries to the Apple store will be allowed in the near future although I'm doubtful about that given Covid's resurgence.  Apple has also announced they are dumping Intel chips and updating all their computers to ARM chipsets which are supposed to be faster, run cooler and provide better battery life.  For the time being I plunk away on my 2011 IMac and wait for the screen to reload with edits I have made to my photos.  So for the time being I will wait, at least for a few months or until my patience wears out.  

Good thing I'm retired and not going anywhere this winter.   

Now on to funner things.  

Deer Meadow Farm

A couple weeks ago we took a drive to Deer Meadow Farm which is only a few miles from our house.  We had heard lots about the corn maze and petting zoo and this year the design is cut to recognize Manitoba's 150th anniversary of joining  confederation.  Debbie and Don joined us on our trip and turns out it was a scouting trip for them as they revisited a few days later with grandson in tow.  We enjoyed our day however it is certainly an adventure designed for little people.    

This little tyke was certainly enjoying petting the calf

Hey!  Where did you get your ear piercing.  I'm Jealous

Lori hates chickens.  So unpredictable.  

Some of them have great colours. 

Who says the grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence. 

When the food dish is empty it doubles as a bed

Really weird coloured eyes.  

The bunnies were in large open crates so not easily petable. 
Probably safer though.  

We took a picture of the maze on our phones
however it didn't take too many turns before Don and I got us lost.  
The ladies took over and we all made it home safely. 

Debbie checking to make sure we are still following their lead. 

An old seeder all painted and pretty like.  

I prefer it a little more rustic looking so moved a few sliders
around and an old rusted piece of farm equipment appears. 

Thats it for today.  Have a ton more pictures to process however I may devote the next blog to an update on my sad saga about purchasing a computer online.  I finally have an end to the story.  

Till then.  

Church in Cooks Creek

Just out for a drive down a country road looking for interesting photo opportunities and look what we came across.  Officially called the Grotto Church of the Immaculate Conception, this Ukrainian Catholic church is located in Cooks Creek, just a 10 minute drive from Oakbank, Mb.  Cooks Creek is a small community, guessing under 100 people plus the surrounding farms and rural residents, but even in its hey day I doubt you would have expected to see a church of this size.  Church services are still held although for the time being they are held just next door in the outdoor Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.  Gotta give them credit for creating impressive names for their religious edifices.   I would love to get a peek inside but until this Covid thing subsides I suspect it will remain closed.  

Construction started in the 1930's and it was consecrated in 1952.  Apparently during this time there was a flurry of similar churches constructed across the prairies.  The structure was almost entirely hand-built by volunteers.  Restoration is an ongoing challenge with funds always in short supply to maintain a structure of this size and age.  Makes one want to source out some of the other similar churches built during this time.  I suspect there are not many left and certainly not this grand.  

These pictures were taken during a return visit this past Sunday afternoon.  I was waiting for an interesting evening sky with a good sunset.  While the sunset was obliterated by storm clouds the angry blue skies provided all the drama needed for some good shots.  In fact it started raining as I finished shooting and by the time we got home, only 10 minutes away, the thunder was banging loud enough to rattle the windows in the house.  In fact a lightning strike got a hydro pole less than a mile from our house and put us in darkness for a few hours. 

Pretty amazing. 

 

The Bell tower with part of the outdoor grotto in the foreground. 

 

A couple of trumpeting angels framing the bell tower in the background. 

The roof line sporting quite the collection of crosses.  I believe 9 in total although only 8 are visible here.

A grand front entrance.

Thats it for now.  Monday we headed over to the Trappist Monastery in St Norbert and I'll start working on those pictures tomorrow.  

Till then.