YABBA DABBA DO ANY EXCUSE WILL DO:))

TWO FINE HORSES WITH A KEEN SENSE OF CURIOSITY WATCH ME THROUGH AN OLD WOODEN RAIL FENCE

It’s that time of year again to re-new license stickers.  Paperwork had arrived a few weeks ago so figured that would be a good enough excuse for Pheebs & I to head out & get that taken care of this morning.  Filled out the forms & it was off to the license bureau in Goderich we went toot sweet.  Quick stop at Walmart for a few things & then off to the tag office.  No line ups & I was the only one there.  Needless to say I had 3 clerks falling over each other trying to get to the counter first just to give themselves something to do.  One Ford, one Jeep, one Hyundai Santa Fe, & one Honda motorcycle = $288.  Yeouch!!

MEN & MACHINES STILL HARD AT WORK IN THE GODERICH HARBOR BUILDING A NEW WATER BREAK WALL

Some readers will be proud of Pheebs & I this morning.  We skipped both McDonald’s & Tim Hortons.  No breakfast paddy, no carrot muffin & no coffee.  We didn’t however get out of town quite Scott free though.  We did blow threw ‘SUBWAY’ & picked us up a 6” Tuna sub & headed off down to the north harbor to eat it.  And we got a whole lot smarter this time too by not getting any sub sauce on our lettuce, tomato, green peppers, & onion sub.  (no onions for Pheebs)  No sub sauce meant no drippy mess all over the place.  Of course with no coffee or muffin both of us had to spend the rest of our morning driving around with Tuna breath.  Not nice!!

THIS WAS OUR VIEW WHILE EATING OUR TUNA SUB THIS MORNING…BOW OF A BIG LAKE FREIGHTER WITH THIS SEASONS BUSY GRAIN ELEVATORS IN THE BACKGROUND

AHEAD OF US THE SIFTO SALT MINE WITH A LINE OF TRAIN CARS WAITING TO BE LOADED WITH ROCK SALT

Reason for the Walmart stop was to pick up some fish oil vitamins that reader’s had suggested.  Turns out Kelly already had some of those CO Q10’s left so started them this morning as well.  I will also pick up some B12 shortly.  I know there are as many views on all this as Carter has liver pills but I try to keep an open mind in this area.  I have to have some belief in what my Doctor tells me & I have to have some belief in what readers & others tell me.  If somebody told me a handful of Jube-Jubes every day would bring my cholesterol down I for sure would not believe that.   Nurse Practitioner wants me back in for another blood test in 8 weeks.  I will stay on the Crestor for now as well as a few other things reader’s recommended.  And as noted, I have already made an effort today to skip our 2 routine fast food joints.  I must admit, my breakfast paddy, muffin & coffee habit did certainly escalate this summer.  I am no stranger to bad eating habits & addictions & well know how fast bad eating routines can quickly get out of hand.  Do I consider myself a big junk food eater?  No I do not, but I do have my times.  And if you heard a big sigh of relief pass over the land earlier this morning it was just me double checking my ‘natural’ peanut butter jar & seeing the words….’no cholesterol.’

<<< A SURE SIGN AUTUMN IS ON IT’S WAY…NO I DIDN’T PICK ANY OFF THE TREE OR THE GROUND…DIDN’T WANT TO GET MYSELF INTO ANOTHER LEMONGATE FIASCO

Finishing up our ‘no mess’ Tuna sub this morning Pheebs & I headed out of town for the tranquility of the countryside.  No hurry to rush home so we took one of our long winding scenic routes enjoying yet another beautiful pre-Autumn weather day.  I think we hovered somewhere around the 72F mark & for me that is a perfect daytime temperature. 

Question a couple nights ago about how Kelly is doing & do we have any results from her biopsy yet.  She’s doing fine & the biopsy site is looking better with less swelling & just a bit of bruising left.  We will find out the results of the biopsy on August 27th when we travel to Stratford for a meeting with Kelly’s specialist, Dr. Haffner.  And JOOL, yes I have enjoyed music by the Browns for years.  Have those 3 songs you mentioned in my music library.  MargieAnne, I have been checking out those links too…………thanks.

ACCIDENTALLY CAUGHT MY DRIVER’S SIDE MIRROR IN THIS PHOTO… BOTTOM RIGHT

 

LOOKS LIKE THIS OLD WINDMILL HAS ABOUT HAD THE BISCUIT MIKE & HOW FAST MOTHER NATURE RECLAIMS HERSELF

Kelly put in a call to our insurance company this morning to see how much our travel insurance is going to be for 6 months traveling in the States this winter.  As expected, the rates are way up plus they won’t even cover her for heart, lungs, or liver problems now.  Still, her rate will be $1,138 for 6 months.  My rate went down because I am past the penalty period for my kidney stone procedure but then it went up because I am past 65 now & a year older than last year.  My rate comes in at the same rate as Kelly.  That’s another $1,138.  That totals us out at $2,276 for Stateside health insurance this winter.  As Charlie Brown would say, “Good Grief”:((    

  

WE EVEN MANAGED OURSELVES A LITTLE STOP AT THE PORT ALBERT BEACH TODAY…A FAVORITE SPOT FOR SMELT FISHERMAN

It's been a difficult summer both mentally & physically as evidenced by the number of times I have had to take myself for a drive in the countryside. Have probably taken more country tours this summer than the two or three summers before combined. For the moment it is the only way I have to appease my restless nature. Just cannot handle sitting around the house doing nothing all day. It's not so much not having things to do as it is not having the interest to do things. Of course that is one of the classic signs of a depressive state. While Kelly is content to spend time at home reading for hours on end I do not have that luxury. Seems I am always wanting to go somewhere, see something, do something. It is why our winter travels are always happier times for me & our stay-home lifestyle during the summer here in Bayfield is such a long grind until we are on the road going somewhere again.  I’m guessing most folks find a happy medium somewhere between our two extremes.

  

AND OF COURSE WHAT IS A DAY WITHOUT A DRIVE THROUGH MENNONITE COUNTRY

It's always nice to get home from the South West in the Spring, but it's only good for about a month for me before my restlessness kicks back in. Just as some folks will not understand my restless Spirit, I on the same hand will never understand folks who say they never get bored with anything. How is that possible. Same-same everyday. It's the same mystery to me when I hear people say, "if I could live my life over again I wouldn't change a thing". How is that possible. How is it those folks have lived such totally perfect lives. Life's full of little mysteries isn't it. Well, at least for me it is............................:))

JUST LOVE THE FREEDOM OF BEING ABLE TO GET OUT & GO SOMEWHERE…………………………:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A man without a woman is bachelor while a woman without a man is a genius.  And did you know most stress is caused by 3 things:  Money, family, & family with no money!!  And only on a cruise ship will you pay hundreds of dollars a day to sleep in a closet…………………….

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

A SHORT RV DRIVE & ‘THE SONS OF THE PIONEERS’ TOPPED MY DAY

Always a good feeling for me driving our RV whether it was the Damon, the Sunseeker, or now the Winnebago. Pheebs & I took Winnie the Bago for a ride this morning listening to the SON'S OF THE PIONEERS. Their harmonies always pick up my spirits & take me back to our happy travels & lifestyle in the South West.

<<< TIS THE SEASON FOR MUSHROOMS & BIG EDIBLE PUFF BALLS
A phone call from my Nurse Practitioner's office confirmed what I had already expected. The results were in from my cholesterol tests & my numbers were exceptionally high. Nurses words were, "your LDL is off the charts." Well, so what else is new. Seems most people I know have high cholesterol levels. Nurse Practitioner said I am to get back on my meds. I was put on Crestor about a year ago but stopped taking it a couple months later because of pains in my hip. Leg pain is a side effect of Crestor. When I stopped taking it the sharp pain I was having on the outside of my right hip stopped. I associated that with Crestor & never did resume the pills. Soon as I told my NP that a few days ago, a blood test was ordered & now I'm back on Crestor. Another possible side effect is over tiredness. Oh great, just what I needed right now….more tired added onto already tired:((

A TYPICAL SIDE ROAD PIT STOP FOR PHEEBS & I…SHE SURE LIKES TO GET OUT & RACE AROUND WITH HER NOSE TO THE GROUND

 

LOTS OF CORN PLANTED IN AREA FIELD THIS YEAR

Question about Wednesday night's post asked why they would drain all the water out of Wildwood Lake. Answer to that is flood control.  More info at this link….. WILDWOOD DAM

YEP, THIS HERE’S THE COUNTY WE LIVE IN ALRIGHT

Aha, now here’s another outdoors blogger who enjoys nature photography in the ever so spectacular mountains of Colorado.  Sheila from WOLF SONG BLOG is our latest Bayfield Bunch blog follower.  Welcome aboard Sheila & you might want to check out a fellow photo buff in your area.  Mark over there at the BOX CANYON BLOG.

ANOTHER EVENING GOOSE POND REFLECTION

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Sam and Sally Clam live at the bottom of the sea and they are wild for dancing and go every night to Sam's dance club. Well, life is good until one day, poor Sally buys the farm and floats up to heaven.

At orientation, St. Peter tells her all the rules, hands her a harp that she has to keep with her at all times, and tells her to have a good time. It's okay for a while, but as with ALL dancers, even dead clam dancers, she misses her former life and all the fun times out on the floor with her partner, Sam.

After much moping around, Sally finally gets permission to go back to earth for ONE day, but she has to be back in heaven by the last stroke of midnight. So, she's off! She finds Sam and they're having a great time - double spins, reverse London Bridge, slithers up and down - until BONG! BONG - it's midnight!

Sally races back up to heaven, where she is greeted by St. Peter who has a TERRIBLE look on his face!

"Where is your harp?"

"Oh no”……….“I left my harp in Sam Clam’s Disco!!

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

PHEEBS & I ENDED UP IN THE WILDWOOD CONSERVATION AREA TODAY

LOVE THESE KINDS OF SKIES

From my recliner each morning it is only the sometimes fleeting colorful wisps of sunrise I see through our thick stand of towering pine trees. Oh how I often wish we had clear views to the east so as to catch each days fiery beginnings. Miss those mountain sunrises, sunsets, & clear night skies we see in our southerly travels each winter. Am so looking forward to getting ourselves back to the great American South West again.

LOVE THE SMELL OF NEW MOWN HAY

Knew as soon as I saw the first trickle of sunlight spilling through the pine boughs Pheebs & I would be out the door in a couple hours heading off somewhere.  And, we were.  Kelly & Pheebs had to do the morning walk without me again though.  I just can’t go far on my sore foot.  Every time I think it’s beginning to feel better I try a short walk & boom I’m right back where I started.  On the positive side….at least it wasn’t my ankle that twisted or it would have been much worse.

NOT OFTEN WE SEE THE OLD WAY CEDAR FENCES WERE ONCE BUILT

Last week when Kelly had her biopsy I had planned to kill some time that day by wandering around the very familiar Wildwood Conservation Area east of St. Marys Ontario.  Bad weather that day cancelled my plans but I still had Wildwood on my mind.  With that thought in my head Pheebs & I ambled our way in that direction after rolling through Clinton to fill up the Jeeps gas tank & our morning breakfast tummies.  I know I sound like a broken record but it was just another gorgeous morning with those big white magical puffy clouds in the sky.  It is always such a pleasure for me to be out in the countryside.  No traffic, no people, no noise, no problem:))

I know the WILDWOOD CONSERVATION AREA & surrounding country side very well having spent a lot of time around there in the mid to late 80’s.  Have hiked every inch of the Wildwood trail & cross country skied much of it as well.  I knew a spot at the end of a road where the trail passed close by & that was our first stop.  Knew Pheebs & I could access Wildwood Lake via a sloping flat footpath.   Chuckled to myself as I recognized & remembered the times I cross country skied this section of trail.  Could always pick up a bit of speed on the skies & end up a crumpled wreck in the snow as the trail made a sharp right hand turn at the bottom. Figured it had probably been close to 20 years since I had last walked this section of trail. Awww, so many great memories of yesteryear for me here in this area.  And all good ones too.

WILDWOOD LAKE IS MAN MADE & HOME TO SAIL & POWER BOATERS PLUS WATER SKIING & WINDSURFERS…TODAY IT WAS PERFECTLY QUIET:))

  

 WE HIKED DOWN THIS FAVORITE STRETCH OF CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAIL TO THE LAKE THIS MORNING

Our next couple of stops were on bridges spanning the lake.  Many the time while living in Stratford I would drive out here on a clear night, park on one of the bridges & just get out & lose myself in the wonderment of so many stars overhead.  I hadn’t learned the Constellations yet but no matter, it was just great to look up & see all those stars overhead & wonder what everything is all about…..& why.  No human sounds around & just the Owls in nearby forests.  Frogs, crickets, & the sounds of an occasional fish jumping somewhere out in the nearby lake.  And then there were those Moonlit nights with the Moon casting it’s long stretching Moonbeams across the placid waters.   Oh how I loved to escape my life in the city during those years.

DAM IS AT THE FAR END & IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS DRAINED EVERY FALL WITH ONLY A SMALL STREAM RUNNING THROUGH THE CENTER IN WINTER

 

PHOTO TAKEN FROM THE BRIDGE WHERE I WOULD COME SOME NIGHTS TO STAND QUIETLY IN THOUGHT UNDER THE STARS

COULD SEE 4 WHITE DOTS ON THE FAR SHORE (18MM WIDE ANGLE)

MY 300MM LENS SHOWED ME THEY WERE SWANS

By the time we reached the second bridge I knew I was going to be looking for something.  I always do when I stop at that bridge.  Took a bit of searching with my 7x50 binoculars but by golly there to my surprise it was.  Still standing after all these years.  In the late 80’s I belonged to some clubs in Stratford one of which was the Stratford Field Naturalist Club.  It was decided by the club, in conjunction with the Wildwood Conservation management to construct & place an OSPREY (Fish Hawk) nest along a remote section of the lakes east end.  Myself & 5 other members volunteered to do that & so it was on a crisp Autumn Saturday morning we volunteers plus one fellow from the Conservation management drove as close as we could to the remote area.  We would be transporting all the materials to build that platform about a quarter mile through some pretty heavy duty underbrush.  I had just bought a brand new pair of fleece lined sturdy high rubber duck winter boots.  One of the guys carried a shovel, hammers, & nails, while 2 others carried some plywood & 2x4’s.  The management fellow packed in a chain saw.   Myself & a couple other guys carried a long post the Osprey platform would sit upon.  The lake had just been drained for the winter & our goal was to reach a spit of high ground about 50 feet off shore.  None of us took into consideration the fact that the muddy lake bottom had not had time to dry & firm up.  I was in the lead carrying the front end of the post.  Stepping out of a swatch of waist high grass I was suddenly down & nearly up to my knees in soft lake bottom mud…..& stuck.  We had a bit of time getting me back up out of that mud & I was lucky to retrieve my new boots because the mud just kept trying to suck them right off my feet.  The fleece lining was a mess of course & from that day forth forever smelled like a reeking swamp.  I think when I went anywhere after that people would twitch up their noses saying, geeeezzzz, here comes old Swamp Foot again.

 

THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE GREAT SATURDAY MORNINGS THAT HAS ALWAYS REMAINED IN MY MEMORY

Anyway, despite that little foible in the mud we were successful in getting our Osprey stand materials to a closer spot, assembled, & hoisted up into place.  I had a camera along of course & recorded our mighty feat.  Camera was loaded with 35mm black & white film at the time because I knew our Osprey stand adventure might just end up in the newspaper.  Back in those days my best friend Jim Hagarty was District Editor for the Stratford Beacon Herald.  Aside from sending me out on a few photo assignments occasionally he gave me free reign to take photos of anything in the countryside I found interesting.  I would shoot up a roll & hand it into Jim at the newspaper & many of my photos were published in Jim’s ‘This Week’ farm addition which he would put together each week.  A few times I would do a write up with the photos as well.  Tonight while typing this I remembered a scrap book I kept of my newspaper photos at that time.  Above are a few photos of our Saturday morning Osprey nest adventure.  While I had my scrapbook out tonight I counted up the number of photos I had published in the Beacon Herald’s ‘This Week’ farm addition.  Turns out it was 96 with 12 of those photos making the front page of Jim’s farm addition.  Thanks Jim:))

OSPREY NEST IS ON THE FAR SHORE ABOUT WHERE THE JEEP’S WINDSHIELD MEETS THE TREE LINE

 

WHEN I ENLARGED TODAY’S OSPREY PHOTOS IN MY EDITING PROGRAM & HAD A CLOSER LOOK I AM NOT SO SURE THAT IS THE SAME OSPREY NEST WE PUT UP…SAME LOCATION SO MAYBE THEY REBUILT OR REPLACED IT…ANYWAY, THAT’S WHERE IT WAS………………..

Back to today………….. After our drive down memory lane around Wildwood Lake Pheebs & I headed into the town of St. Marys for some eats.  It was well after lunch & we had worked ourselves up an appetite.  Amazingly enough I remembered where the ‘Submarine’ shop was across from the high school.  Pheebs waited in the Jeep while I slipped in & ordered us up a 6” Tuna sub with all the fixins.  Back in the Jeep I knew enough to stay put & eat our sub where we sat.  Good thing because we ended up in a bit of a mess again.  The  sauce I had on the sub made it pretty slippery & slidey & we soon had a splotch of Tuna on the steering along with some groovy sub sauce on my clean shirt.  Oozed out some tomatoes & lettuce but Pheebs was quick to clean up that end of our mess dilemma.  I sometimes made a grab for the green peppers but Pheebs usually beat me to it.  She’s pretty fast on her paws. 

DON’T FORGET ME DAD

 

I KNOW YOU WOULD LIKE IT ALL PHEEBS BUT SO WOULD I…..US GUYS JUST GOTS TO SHARE

Following our messy sub debacle we quickly headed out of town for the open countryside & home.  Couple more pit stops along the way for a few pics & we were home by 3.  Todays Jeep adventure had lasted 6 hours.  Nice way to spend some relaxing hours in these sometimes looooooooong days of summer.  Maybe we’ll take the rig for a short run in the morning.  Winnie needs a good outing too…………………….:))

REFLECTIONS IN OUR PARK’S GOOSE POND TONIGHT

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Bubba and Earl are two avid hunters who got a pilot to take them to Canada to hunt moose. They bagged six.
As they were loading them on the plane to come home, the pilot tells them the plane can only carry four.
The two good old boys objected strongly. "Last year we shot six and the pilot let us put them all on board; he had the same plane as yours."
Reluctantly, the pilot gave in and all six animals were loaded.
Unfortunately, even on full power the little plane couldn't handle the load and went down a few moments after takeoff.
Climbing out of the wreck Bubba asked Earl, "Any idea where we are?"
"Yeah, I think we're pretty close to where we crashed last year."

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

HAD OURSELVES A LAZY STAY AT HOME DAY

Every once in a long while comes a day along when I am just quietly comfortable to stay at home. Today was one of those days. Nice looking morning but soon clouded over with a stiff wind driving temperatures down. Maybe it was the wind having it’s wild way with roadside tree branches or maybe it was the fact I had the Jeep's heater on low but coming back from Goderich I sensed a touch of winter in the air which scurried me along a little quicker seeking my cozy comfortable recliner. No restlessness to go anywhere or do anything today. Just crawl under my blanket, Pheebs on my lap, a few re-runs of CORNER GAS on TV & I was reasonably content for awhile. I sometimes like when these kinds of days un-expectantly sneak up & take me by surprise.  I’m sure tomorrow will be different again…..well at least I hope it is.

My blood work at the Maitland Medical Center this morning required fasting so no cup of early morning coffee. The clinic opens at 8 a.m. & I knew a crowd of coffeeless Seniors would be milling around the entrance jockeying for position to be first in to get their blood work done.  First in means first out & home to get the coffee pot on. I knew this because I had arrived there early several times before & became a part of that coffeeless mob scene. Played it smarter this morning by waiting until after 9 before heading to the clinic. The coffeeless gang had been processed by that time & the scene had simmered down. I was number 19 with only half a dozen weary looking folks ahead of me. I was in & out in about 25 minutes. Straight to McDonald's for a coffee & muffin. Had taken my cameras with me but couldn't seem to summon up enough energy to head out & chase down any photos. Think it mainly had to do with the weather. 

Must say I was totally surprised by a Guest comment in our Shout Box this morning saying I had written about depression before. Like the Guest, I did a quick search by typing depression into my Search box. I was surprised by what I found. Indeed, I had written about depression before & not just once. Had no recollection of those mentions & for me it's a little scary knowing my memory had not remembered them. Soon as I began reading some of what I had written I did recognize the mentions right away though. My thanks to Guest for pointing out my absentmindedness.

Surprised to see it's August 13th already. When one isn't working it is easy to lose track of  days. I have a small calendar date window on my watch but I don't have a magnifying glass to go along with it to read the date. Kelly & Pheebs headed down to the Library this afternoon with another armload of books to return. Sure is a good thing Bayfield built themselves a new library over this past winter. Quite a challenge keeping Kelly stocked in books. The majority of her day was spent reading in our quiet sunroom. Y'all already know where Pheebs & I were for the day............

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Signs Posted by Business’s

-Sign on an electrician's truck: Let us remove your shorts.

-Maternity Clothes Shop: We are open on labor day.

-On a Maternity Room Door: Push, Push, Push

-Non-smoking area: If we see you smoking we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action

-Optometrist's Office: If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place.

-Scientist's Door: Gone Fission

-Taxidermist Window: We really know our stuff.

-Podiatrist's Window: Time wounds all heels.

-Muffler Shop: No appointment necessary. We'll hear you coming.

-Butcher's Window: Pleased to meat you.

-Veterinarians Waiting Room: Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!

-The Electric Company: We would be delighted if you send in your bill. However, if you don't, you will be.

-Beauty Shop: Dye now!

-Garbage Truck: We've got what it takes to take what you've got.

-Computer Store: Out for a quick byte

-Diner Window: Don't stand there and be hungry, come in and get fed up.

-Bowling Alley: Please be quiet. We need to hear a pin drop.

-Cafeteria: Shoes are required to eat in the cafeteria. Socks can eat any place they want.

-Music Library: Bach in a minuet.

-Funeral Home: Drive carefully, we'll wait.
-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.