I TRULY WELCOME THIS QUIETER STAGE OF LIFE

 A FEW PHOTOS FROM AROUND OUR PARK THIS MORNING

Before heading out Thursday evening, I stepped out onto the back deck and looked up to check for a clear sky.  I did not see what I had hoped for, so that was that, and I stayed home.  Well hey, at least I saved myself some coffee and gas money.......Imagine my surprise this sunny, warm morning to find all the wildflowers and grasses on the east side of my walking road still standing.  I thought for sure they would have all been mowed down yesterday.  And, to add to my delight, little yellow butterflies were twittering all about.  Reminded me of a couple of years ago at this time when, for several days, Pheebs and I were surrounded on our morning walks by all those same kinds of little yellow butterflies.  

 I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE ALL THESE WILDFLOWERS AND GRASS STILL STANDING

Home again, I took a slow drive through our Park, keeping an eye out for a few photos.  I never have to look far to find many beautiful things, whether in flower beds or in the Park's own nature itself.

 THE REFORESTRATION PROJECT AT THE SOUTH END OF THE PARK IS DOING REALLY WELL

This afternoon found me on my front porch reading again and chatting with the chipmunks.  

 HEY, SOMEBODIES IN MY BIRDSEED CONTAINER

 AND, IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOT HIS CHEEK POUCHES FULL OF SEEDS TOO

I love these quiet summer days doing things I enjoy doing, whether it be puttering in the yard, reading on the porch, taking a few pics, or writing and putting my daily blog together. I also enjoy my morning and afternoon coffee times, sometimes with a peanut butter sammich to make all things right with the day.  I have felt for quite some time now, so fortunate to be out of the rigors and responsibilities of the working world, and I truly welcome this quieter stage of life.

 CONE FLOWERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVS

Al's Music Box:: Love Letters In The Sand by Pat Boone.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Life's questions...

- After eating, do amphibians have to wait one hour before getting out of the water?

- How can there be self-help groups?

- If someone has a mid-life crisis while playing hide and seek, does he automatically lose because he can't find himself?

- If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?

- Instead of talking to your plants, if you yelled at them, would they still grow, but only to be troubled and insecure?

- Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do 'practice'?

- When sign-makers go on strike, is anything written on their picket signs?

- Where do forest rangers go to 'get away from it all'?

- Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

- How do they report power outages on TV?

- Why are builders afraid to have a 13th floor but book publishers aren't afraid to have a Chapter 11?

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Susie: My husband is a great handyman. He can repair almost anything.

Jane: My mother always taught me to beware of the man that can fix everything. You'll never get anything new.

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Two dog owners were bragging about the intelligence of their pets. “The brightest dog I ever had,” said one, “was a Great Dane that used to play cards. He was great at poker, but finally a friend complained about him and I had to get rid of him.” “You got rid of him, a bright dog like that?” exclaimed his friend. “A dog like that would be worth millions.” “Had to,” the first man replied. “I caught him cheating.”

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"So," Jane asked the detective she had hired. "Did you trail my husband?" "Yes ma'am. I did. I followed him to a bar, to an out-of-the-way restaurant, and then to an apartment." A big smile crossed Jane's face. "Aha! I've got him!" she said gloating, "Is there any doubt what he was doing?" "No ma'am," replied the sleuth. "It's pretty clear that he was following you."

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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Al's Art Gallery

TO WHERE THE MORE NORMAL NOISE WAS HANGING OUT

 FLOWERS GROWING AMONGST THE BOULDERS AT GODERICH'S ROTARY COVE

With the Perseid meteor shower happening Wednesday night, I was hoping to maybe see a couple of meteors, but alas, by the time I made it out to my night sky spot, I couldn't even see the Planet Venus because of a combination of clouds and I suspect, some high-altitude smoke from the western wildfires.  Oh well, it was another nice summer's evening drive, and it was nice to hear a chorus of crickets again. If the sky is clear tonight, I will try again.

 WEDNESDAY NIGHTS SUNSET AS SEEN FROM MY WALKING ROAD

 THE SETTING SUN SEEN THROUGH A HAZE

On the way to my walking spot this sunny and warm morning, I passed the orange tractor ditch-cutting mower on Bayfield River Road.  Seeing that, I had little hope that the flowers and grasses along the east side of my gravel walking road would still be there.  But, slowing down for my turn onto the Stirling Line, I was heartened to see flowers and grasses still standing tall and waving in the morning's gentle breeze.  I enjoyed my walk despite knowing that by the time I return for my evening walk, all the beautiful wildflowers, grasses, and plants could all be gone.  So, I said my goodbyes just in case. But they will all return next Spring, growing more profuse than ever.  And, with a bit of luck, I just might be there to welcome them all back again just like I did this past Spring:))

 TOOK THIS SEGMENT OF PHOTOS ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF MY WALKING ROAD THIS MORNING WITH MY iPHONE

 MR. THISTLE HAS ALREADY GONE TO SEED, BUT IT HAD THE PRETTIEST PURPLE BLOOMS ON IT

 THE WEST DITCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAS BEEN CUT, BUT THE EAST DITCH ON THE LEFT SIDE AS OF THIS MORNING HADN'T BEEN CUT YET

Following my walk, and with an A&W breakfast coupon in my hand, I headed off to Goderich.  I was hoping to get my quiet little table in the corner, but there was a whole gaggle of people in that area all talking at once, so I had to retreat around the corner to where the more normal noise was hanging out.  From A&W it was down to the harbor and beach area for a few quick photos before heading home after a quick stop at Walmart.

 FLOWERS REACHING FOR THE SUN

 CHICORY FLOWERS

 QUITE A PARADE OF LITTLE TYKES CROSSING THE ROAD HERE NEAR A&W

Al's Music Box:: I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles.

GROANER'S CORNER:((The following are actual church bulletin board bloopers found in churches across the United States::

- "Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on 'It's a Terrible Experience'."

- "Due to the Rector's illness, Wednesday's healing services will be discontinued until further notice."

- "Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM. Please use the large double door at the side entrance."

- "The eighth graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement on Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy."

- "A song fest was hell at the Methodist church Wednesday."

- "Potluck supper: prayer and medication to follow."

- "The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church."

- "Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones."

- "The choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir."

- A new loudspeaker system has been installed in the church. It was given by one of our members in honor of his wife.

- Please join us as we show our suport for Amy and Alan in preparing for the girth of their first child.
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What's the difference between a Northern zoo and a Southern zoo? In a Northern zoo you have the name of the animal and the Latin name underneath. In a Southern zoo you haven the name of the animal and a recipe underneath.

Q. What do you call a lady with one leg shorter than the other??
A. "I - lean"

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Jim was startled to see the nonchalant way Jon was taking the fact that his lady love was seen with another man. "You said you love her and yet you saw her with another man and you didn't knock the guy down?"
"I'm waiting," Jon said. "Waiting for what?" asked Jim. "Waiting to catch her with a smaller man."

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Al's Doggy World

 WITH ALL THE DOGS IN AL'S POST TONIGHT, I AM FEELING A WEE BIT UPSIDE DOWN

Meanings:

Al's Art Gallery