KELLY WAS NOT ENCOURAGED BY THIS MORNING'S PHONE CALL

 WE CAME UPON THIS SHADY COUNTRY STREAM THIS MORNING

Sunny skies from horizon to horizon found Pheebs and I walking our gravel road this morning.  She's walking a little slower these days but then again, so am I so we make quite a compatible pair.  We didn't quite do our half mile but maybe tomorrow.  Following our slow poke walk, we jeeped ourselves around a few country roads between Bayfield and Clinton.  I would still love to live in the country with no noisy neighbors for at least a mile.  And big open starry night skies overhead.  Maybe one of these days eh:))

 OUR AREAS WHEAT HARVEST WILL SOON BE UPON US

 SUMMER'S COUNTRY ROADS

 NEW MOWN HAY AND A BLAZE OF BUTTERCUPS

Home again, I cut some grass and whacked some weeds.  Trimmed back a few vines and cut off some burgeoning Sumac and Mulberry trees.  If we were to ever go away for a couple summer months we would never be able to find our house when got back.  It would be completely overgrown.

 THIS COUNTRY ROAD CUTS THROUGH A FOREST ON BANNOCKBURN LINE

 THIS IS THE KIND OF COUNTRY PROPERTY I LIKE

 A PLACID MID-SUMMER FOREST STREAM

  COUNTRY FLOWERS ALONG A SHADED FOREST ROAD

I had a device in my hands yesterday that was trying my patience as I tried to figure out how it worked.  Pressing this button and that icon, swiping up and down, maybe even giving it a shake I, in total frustration, uttered to myself, 'I give up'.  I turned to walk away when I heard a woman's voice behind me say, "I don't understand I give up."  WHAT!!  Well, it turns out the voice was that of a gal named Siri.  Yes, it was an Apple iPad I had in my hands.  A few years ago when Kelly was at her Mother's place in Spencerport New York she saw a refurbished used iPad for sale and bought it.  She brought it home, put it in a drawer and basically kind of forgot about it.  Well, that was until yesterday when something triggered her memory and she got it out wondering if it would be something I would be interested in.  Well, yes I would be if I could figure out how it works.  And, that of course brings me around full circle to the beginning of this story where I said, 'I had a device in my hands'. 

I sometimes make light and intentionally poke fun at these Senior years that I and many of you now live in but I feel comfortable in how I think about it now that I am here.  As they say, 'laughter is the best medicine'.  Despite all the mental and physical medical downsides and drawbacks, I would have to say I am becoming increasingly comfortable with where I am.  It makes no sense to look back and pine away about days gone by anymore.  In fact, if someone gave me a choice to go back and live my life over or begin life anew or stay where I am now closer to the end of my life, I'd say 'I appreciate the offer but I'll stay right where I am thank you very much'.  When I look around and see what's going on with this world and the direction it is headed I clearly do not have any interest in being a part of its future.  I'm tired of all the drama.  Despite growing difficulties, I am more comfortable in my own skin now than I was years ago.  I'm very grateful that my life has taken the once unexpected positive turns it has and I no longer have to live with the character I was many, many, years ago.  The road hasn't been easy but I am beginning to catch fleeting glimpses of that distant light at the end of life's tunnel.  The road may yet be long but that's okay, I am finally beginning to understand just where that twisty winding road is leading.  And, I like what I am seeing.  And, I am liking how I feel about too.

HERE'S A SURE SIGN THAT OUR SEASON IS MOVING ALONG 

 SOME FARM GATES ARE NO LONGER USED

 SUMMER'S CORNSTALKS REACHING FOR THE SKY

Kelly's liver transplant liaison person called from University Hospital today to tell Kelly her physio appointment is scheduled for Monday morning at 10 a.m.  These few physical tests will be undertaken to determine Kelly's strength.  The lady told her they had been discussing her case and the two main issues that would make Kelly ineligible for a liver transplant are her age and lack of body fat and muscle.  Kelly was not encouraged by this morning's phone call but a final decision has not yet been reached.  Due to the renewed intensity of her itching problem (Pruritus) we will be at London's Victoria Hospital Saturday morning where Kelly will undergo another plasmapheresis treatment.   

HOLLYHOCKS ARE ANOTHER ONE OF MY FAVORITE FLOWERS

THESE HOLLYHOCKS CAN BE FOUND IN VARNA AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF MILL ROAD AND PARR LINE RIGHT BEHIND ON GOLDEN PAWS

Al's Music Box:)) Handy Man was a single released by Jimmy Jones in 1959.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Merv was in a terrible accident at work. He fell through a floor tile and ripped off both of his ears. Since he was permanently disfigured, he settled with the company for a rather large sum of money and went on his way. One day, Merv decided to invest his money in a small, but growing telecom business called Plexus Communications. After weeks of negotiations, he bought the company outright. But, after signing on the dotted line, he realized that he knew nothing about running such a business and quickly set out to hire someone who could do that for him.  The next day he had set up three interviews. The first guy was great. He knew everything he needed to and was very interesting. At the end of the interview, Merv asked him, "Do you notice anything different about me?" And the gentleman answered, "Why yes, I couldn't help but notice you have no ears." Merv got very angry and threw him out.   The second interview was with a woman, and she was even better than the first guy. He asked her the same question, "Do you notice anything different about me?" and she replied: "Well, you have no ears." Merv again was upset and tossed her out.  The third and last interview was the best of all three. It was with a very young man who was fresh out of college. He was smart. He was handsome. And he seemed to be a better businessman than the first two put together. Merv was anxious, but went ahead and asked the young man the same question: "Do you notice anything different about me?" And to his surprise, the young man answered: "Yes. You wear contact lenses."  Merv was shocked, and said, "What an incredibly observant young man. How in the world did you know that?"  The young man replied, "Well, it's pretty hard to wear glasses with no ears!"

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- What’s it called when you steal your bike back from the thief?  Recycling.

- My friend couldn't pay his water bill, so I sent him a "get well soon" card

- What's the difference between roast beef and pea soup?  Anyone can roast beef.

-I was trying to steal some spaghetti from the local supermarket... but the security lady saw me and I couldn't get pasta

- I once met a shy pebble.  She wished she was a little bolder.

- Earth is 70% water and uncarbonated.  Technically…it is flat.

- What's the difference between a dirty bus stop and a lobster with breast implants?  One is a crusty bus station, and the other is a busty crustacean.

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