THINGS WENT WELL AT MY MEDICAL APPOINTMENT AND A 25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AUGUST 1RST:))

ON THE MEMORY CARD OF ONE OF MY CAMERAS I FOUND A FEW UNPUBLISHED PHOTOS TAKEN BACK IN APRIL….’AMERICAN GOLDFINCH’

The appointment with my nurse practitioner went fine this morning and it was determined I will likely live to see another day and perhaps many more days after that.  Seems it was a bacterial infection I had and the blood in the toilet Saturday and Sunday morning was caused by a separate issue which we are monitoring.  Although not thought to be serious.

HOPE THESE SNOWY PHOTOS COOL YOU OFF ON THESE HOT SUMMER DAYS

With the fog of recent medical concerns now lifted it clears my mind to once again proceed with our future winter travels.  It seems medical issues at this age really know how to grab one’s attention and rightfully so.  Every time something goes bump in the night now I always ask myself the same question, "well is this it?  Is this the beginning of the end of my days.  I'm probably not alone with this thinking and am guessing it's very common with aging folks.  Not a thought that would enter one's mind years ago but with the reality and consequence of aging it's a logically natural thought progression for many of us now.  Nice to dodge yet another bullet one more time and be out from under that self imposed black umbrella feeling of 'impending doom'.  Again,  thanks to everyone for your concerns.   Hi-Ho Hi-Ho it's off to the next dilemma we go.

DARK EYED JUNCO

I have had a number of significant life changing turns in my life and one of them occurred 25 years ago tomorrow August 1rst.  After a long unsuccessful seemingly endless search I finally found my true long lasting and forever soul mate.  It began with an ad in a local paper placed by me and followed by a few back and forth phone calls which in turn led to a meeting in a coffee shop near the unlikely sounding hamlet of Doon.   Here then is an excerpt from a previous post a year ago that tells of the day I finally met this wonderfully caring person...………

GREAT AMERICAN EAGLE……….’OH COME ON’!!!!!!

It was 25 years ago tomorrow August 1rst that Kelly and I met for the very first time in a little coffee shop near Doon Ontario south of Kitchener.  I have been carrying a pen and little black note book in my shirt pockets every day for 34 years and in September of 2009 I wrote a post about how that pen and notebook nearly sunk my chances that very first day I met Kelly.  (I carry notebooks to write everything down I need to do each day) Here is an excerpt from that post……..”As helpful as my little black (yes, it's actually black) book has been over the years it did very nearly cost me a second date with a very good looking personable blonde I had just met in a coffee shop one afternoon in Doon, Ontario. It was my first time meeting Kelly & I had pulled out all the stops. Wore my very best used Thrift Shop shirt and Sally Ann jeans.  Newest pair of old running shoes and I even think I remembered to wash behind my ears that morning.  To put the icing on the cake I even bought her a coffee as I recall. My pen & notebook were securely in my pocket and I never gave them a second thought. Everything went well (I think it was that free coffee I bought her that made the big impression) & we agreed to meet again later in the week for a movie. It wasn't until a few years later that she told me when she came into the coffee shop that day & saw the pen & notebook in my pocket that she had me pegged for a nerdy type guy & she definitely was not looking for a nerdy type guy. (good thing I had taken my glasses off & stuck them in my back pocket) Well, somehow me, my pen, & my notebook all survived the close coffee shop encounter that day & we have all been a part of Kelly's life ever since. Who would have ever thunk it huh. Now, how's that for a happy ending to a story between a man, a woman, a pen, & a notebook................:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((    In keeping with tonight’s snowy photos I give you this announcement::  Effective immediately, the following economizing measures are being implemented in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" subsidiary for Christmas 2018:
1) The partridge will be retained, but the pear tree, which never produced the cash crop forecasted, will be replaced by a plastic hanging plant, providing considerable savings in maintenance
2) Two turtle doves represent a redundancy that is simply not cost effective. In addition, their romance during working hours could not be condoned. The positions are, therefore, eliminated
3) The three French hens will remain intact. After all, everyone loves the French
4) The four calling birds will be replaced by an automated voice mail system, with a call waiting option. An analysis is underway to determine who the birds have been calling, how often and how long they talked.
5) The five golden rings have been put on hold by the Board of Directors. Maintaining a portfolio based on one commodity could have negative implications for institutional investors. Diversification into other precious metals, as well as a mix of T-Bills and high technology stocks, appear to be in order
6) The six geese-a-laying constitutes a luxury which can no longer be afforded. It has long been felt that the production rate of one egg per goose per day was an example of the general decline in productivity. Three geese will be let go, and an upgrading in the selection procedure by personnel will assure management that, from now on, every goose it gets will be a good one
7) The seven swans-a-swimming is obviously a number chosen in better times. The function is primarily decorative. Mechanical swans are on order. The current swans will be retrained to learn some new strokes, thereby enhancing their outplacement
8) As you know, the eight maids-a-milking concept has been under heavy scrutiny by the EEOC. A male/female balance in the workforce is being sought. The more militant maids consider this a dead-end job with no upward mobility. Automation of the process may permit the maids to try a-mending, a-mentoring or a-mulching
9) Nine ladies dancing has always been an odd number. This function will be phased out as these individuals grow older and can no longer do the steps
10) Ten Lords-a-leaping is overkill. The high cost of Lords, plus the expense of international air travel, prompted the Compensation Committee to suggest replacing this group with ten out-of-work congressmen. While leaping ability may be somewhat sacrificed, the savings are significant as we expect an oversupply of unemployed congressmen this year
11) Eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming is a simple case of the band getting too big. A substitution with a string quartet, a cutback on new music, and no uniforms, will produce savings which will drop right to the bottom line
Overall we can expect a substantial reduction in assorted people, fowl, animals and related expenses. Though incomplete, studies indicate that stretching deliveries over twelve days is inefficient. If we can drop ship in one day, service levels will be improved.  Regarding the lawsuit filed by the attorney's association seeking expansion to include the legal profession ("thirteen lawyers-a-suing"), a decision is pending.  Deeper cuts may be necessary in the future to remain competitive. Should that happen, the Board will request management to scrutinize the Snow White Division to see if seven dwarfs is the right number.

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An enormously wealthy 65-year-old man falls in love with a young woman in her twenties and is contemplating proposing.  "Do you think she'd marry me if I tell her I'm 45?" he asked a friend.  "Your chances are better," said the friend, "if you tell her you're 90."

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GOT MYSELF A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT FOR TUESDAY MORNING

Sure wished our refreshingly cool low 60’s mornings would hang on longer into the day.  I’ll just have to be patient and wait another month or so for those very much most magical mornings.

Under clear sunny skies Pheebs and I headed off for the Maitland Valley Medical Center.  I have an appointment to see my Nurse Practitioner Tuesday morning at 11:30.  When I told the reception lady my symptoms she said there is a bacterial infection going around right now.  I’m wondering if that would include the bleeding I experienced Saturday and Sunday mornings.

HOLLYWOOD MAY HAVE IT’S ‘RED CARPET’ FOR IT’S STARS BUT GODERICH HAS A ‘BLUE CARPET’ FOR IT’S BEACH GOERS FROM THE PARKING LOT TO THE BEACH

THESE RV RENTAL FOLKS WERE STILL IN THE SAME SPOT THIS MORNING SO MUST HAVE OVERNIGHTED IT

SAW THIS GUY ON A GODERICH STREET THIS MORNING, GEEEEZZZZZ I DIDN’T THINK IT WAS THAT COLD!!

From the medical center we did our customary coffee-harbor-beach sweep then headed ourselves for home.  Humidity was already up and I didn’t feel like going for a hike and turning myself into a sweaty ball of paste again.  Besides, the mosquitos and biting Deer Flies would be waiting for us in the hotter air as well.

AND THANKS AGAIN TO OUR FRONT YARD FROGS FOR TODAY’S PHOTO OPPS

I LOVE MY MOM EVEN IF SHE’S  FEELING A LITTLE STONED TODAY

I COUNTED 25 TURTLES ON THIS LOG IN A POND IN FRONT OF A FARM HOUSE THIS MORNING

Did a bit of weed whacking then came in and sat by my fan with the A/C on.  My outside activities for the day were over.

WE ARE STILL KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THIS YEARS CORN CROP

EVEN GETTING SOME PAWS ON THE GROUND TO CHECK THE STALKS

Overall I am feeling remarkably better than just 3 days ago which has totally surprised me.  Last time I shook like that then felt as bad as I did afterwards it lasted for weeks.  I think it was the Fall of 2015 when it last happened. 

I LIKE TO SEE FARMYARDS FILLED WITH FLOWERS

HEY IS THIS A SIGN OF AUTUMN??  NOPE, JUST A YOUNG TREE STRUGGLING THROUGH  SUMMER’S DROUGHT

Holy Smokes almost August already and that means only 6 weeks to our departure time for this winter’s travels.  Haven’t been thinking too much about that lately but I had better hurry up and get my pre-travel hat on.  I’m sure once this weather begins to cool off a bit more it will activate me into action.  Lots to do…………

‘IF YOU GET ANY CLOSER WITH THAT CAMERA MISTER I’M GONNA JUMP RIGHT ON YOUR FACE!!’

GROANER’S CORNER:(( A Few Church Bulletins::

The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.

"Our next song is "Angels We Have Heard Get High.

"Don't let worry kill you, let the church help.

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.

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My boss told me to have a good day, so i went home.

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Three old ladies met on the street on a very stormy day. The wind was so strong and loud that they had difficulty in hearing each other. "It's windy," said one. "No, it's Thursday," said the next. "So am I," said the third. "Let's go and have a drink!"

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HI HO–HI HO IT WAS BACK TO THE WOODS WE DID GO:))

INTO THE DEEP DARK MYSTERIOUS WOODS WE WENT AND A GIANT MONSTER WOOD SPIDER ALMOST GOT US
With the addition of a good night's sleep under my belt I woke up feeling much better this morning.  No aches, no nausea, no shakes, no fever, no headaches and no weakness.  I was again good to go and with a great weather day upon us go we did go.  I seem to have a lot of ‘go’ words in this post already.

BEFORE WE GOT TO THE WOODS WE TOOK A SPIN DOWN AROUND THE GODERICH HARBOR AND BEACH AREA

SPOTTED A FEW RV’S HANGING OUT DOWN ALONG THE SHORELINE AND THAT’S A TRIPLE E

NOTICE THE TWO BIG DOGS

THAT MOTORHOME IS A ‘SAFARI’

I GOOGLED THE NAME ON THE WINDSHIELD AND IT’S AN RV RENTAL COMPANY IN CALIFORNIA

THIS IS A POSSL AND IF I WAS TRAVELING ALONE THIS WOULD SUIT ME JUST FINE….I LIKE THE INTERIOR DESIGNS

BY THE LOOKS OF THAT LICENSE PLATE I’M GUESSING MAYBE IT’S EUROPEAN

IT WAS GORGEOUS MORNING FOR A SUBLIME SUNDAY MORNING SAIL

GETTING THINGS SET UP FOR A DAY AT THE BEACH

WHAT BETTER WAY TO START THE DAY THAN A SUNDAY MORNING STROLL ON THE BOARDWALK

Just like Saturday morning I knew I had to get my legs out walking again and with pleasantly cool 63F temperatures upon us I felt confident there would be no flying bug annoyances in our areas nearby forests.

DID I JUST SEE A TINY ELF SCURRY IN THERE

SOME HEAVY VINES IN THESE WOODS

THERE ARE FACES IN THIS OLD TREE AND IF YOU TURN YOUR IMAGINATION LOOSE YOU WILL SEE THE LARGE PYTHON SNAKE EMERGING WITH IT’S MOUTH WIDE OPEN TO GRAB YOU
Under clear blue skies Pheebs and I were off to Goderich for our usual routine of a McDonald’s coffee and swing down around the harbor and beach areas.  Picked up a few groceries in town and headed straightaway out into the countryside.  There is a deep dark forest on Kitchigami Road less than a quarter mile east of Portal Hill Line and that is where we headed.

CAREFUL THERE COULD BE SOMETHING LURKING IN THERE

I DON’T RECALL EVER SEEING THIS TALL  SPINDLY 7’ PLANT BEFORE

The soothing effects of a quiet forest come directly from my childhood.  Can’t remember if I mentioned this before but where we lived in the little village of Tavistock Ontario there were forests nearby with one of them called ‘Kaufman’s Bush’. From our house it was only a quick 7 or 8 minute walk away.  Back in the 50’s I often would go there by myself to play in the woods and explore the mysterious wonderments of nature.   Many were the happy hours I spent with all my friends, real or imaginary.  Overhead in the tall forest canopy were many birds twittering in the tree tops while on the ground scurrying through leaves and branches were squirrels, bunnies and other shadowy creatures.  It was not unusual for me to see Pixies, Fairies and Elves.  Butterflies too.  Sometimes I might be lucky enough to catch site of a Garter Snake and if I was real lucky, maybe an elusive Fox.  I would see faces in the older gnarled trees as well as swamp monsters and shadowy animal figures from comic book lands far far away.  I still see those old friends of mine today each time I walk a forest trail and I find comfort knowing they are all still there waiting for that little boy to once again walk by with a look of wonderment on his face and a knowing smile.

WHENEVER I SEE A SPIDER WEB ACROSS THE TRAIL I KNOW NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE ME AND i ALWAYS GO AROUND THE WEB SO AS NOT TO DISTURB THE SPIDER AND ALL IT’S HARD WORK

With the wretched humidity rising quickly I didn’t want to push my luck after being sick the past couple days so Pheebs and I walked maybe a quarter mile in along the winding up and down trail before turning around and making our way back to the Jeep.  Although I felt energetic and noted how good my legs felt while doing the uphill sections I did notice how that short walk had tired me.  Back in the Jeep we cranked up the A/C and headed the short distance home.

I SOMETIMES HAVE TO KEEP MY EYES ON THE GROUND TO FOLLOW THE PATH

PHEEBS ALWAYS SEEMS TO KNOW THE WAY

‘YA SHOULDN’T HAVE SAID THAT DAD NOW I DON’T KNOW WHERE THE PATH IS!!!!’

STILL LOOKING

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED BUSH FERNS
Late Saturday afternoon Kelly’s daughter Rebecca with husband Ricardo and their daughter little Ella dropped in for supper on their way from their stay at a Deer Park Lodge cottage.  Still not feeling well I kept myself away and off in the sunroom for the most part.  I had no appetite so ate no supper.  I did join the gang later for a short while around a back yard campfire that Ricardo chopped wood for and got going.  It was Kelly and Ricardo who took the following photos.

AT OLIO'S IN BAYFIELD FOR LUNCH SATURDAY ELLA’S NOT TOO SURE IF SHE LIKES THAT BIG PICKLE SHE JUST TOOK A BITE OUT OF

BY GOLLY I THINK SHE LIKES IT
 
ELLA POSES WITH THE COOK AT OLIO’S AND LATER WITH HER DAD RICARDO AS THEY EAT UP SOME MORE SMORES AROUND THE CAMPFIRE IN OUR BACK YARD

THAT’S ME OLD GRUMPY FACE IN THE BACKGROUND…..ELLA ASKED. ‘IF I TOUCH THIS SPARKLER ON YOUR NOSE AL WILL IT MAKE YOU SMILE’??  i SAID ANYTHINGS WORTH A TRY ELLA’ SO SHE DID AND I DIDN’T

RICARDO ASKED, ‘WHY ARE YOU WEARING YOUR PAJAMA BOTTOMS’??  I HAD NO EXPLANATION

HERE I SHOW OFF MY PROWESS AT CHARMING CAMPFIRE SMOKE

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER
Okay back to the forest walk………..

HEADING BACK PHEEBS TIP TOES PAST THE OLD SLEEPING GHOST TREE
 
LIKE PHEEBS I MYSELF TIPPY TOED PAST THE OLD SLEEPING GHOST TREE TOO

ALMOST BACK TO THE JEEP
First thing in the morning I’m (Pheebs too) going to head for the Maitland Valley Medical Clinic in Goderich to make an appointment with my Nurse Practitioner.  Something else happened Sunday that convinced me I had better seek some medical attention.  No doubt there is something going on somewhere so I had better get myself smartened up a bit and deal with it.  At this age and stage of life one is wise to not fluff this kind of stuff off……………..

KELLY TOOK THESE BEACH PHOTOS AT DEER PARK LODGE WHEN SHE SPENT TIME WITH THE GANG A COUPLE DAYS AGO

ELLA BUILT THIS BRIDGE OVER THE SAND PIT AND THAT LITTLE COOL CAT  KID DANCING ALONG BEHIND HERE IS GOING ‘OOGA BOOGA OOGA BOOGA’

ELLA HAS HER NEW UNICORN ON THE LAUNCH PAD FOR A DIP IN LAKE HUROM BUT THE MISSION WAS SCRUBBED AT THE LAST MINUTE BECAUSE OF ROUGH WATER

SHE TOOK HER UNICORN TO THE DEER PARK LODGES’S POOL AND WAS AN INSTANT HIT WITH ALL THE OTHER 753 KIDS THERE

LOVING HER UNICORN SO MUCH ELLA EVEN TOOK IT IN THE CABIN TO WATCH TV COMPLETE WITH HER ALWAYS PRESENT AND VERY MUCH MOST FAVORITISTSECURITY PILLOW
GROANER’S CORNER:(( A Few More Words of Wily Wisdom Tonight:::
We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. - C.S. Lewis
- We are often most in the dark when we are the most certain, and most enlightened when we are the most confused.
- We don't have the time or money to do it right, but we'll have time and money to do it over again.
- We need either less corruption or more chance to participate in it.
- We totally deny the allegations, and we are trying to identify the allegators.
- We sometimes get all the information, but we refuse to get the message.
- We're making progress. Things are getting worse at a slower rate.  We've always done it that way!
- Wet manure is slippery.
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