TWAS A MUSHROOM KIND OF DAY

Our mild October weather continues but light overnight rains brought in a Sunday morning cloud cover. Kelly slipped over to Deer Park for a few hours around 9. With no projects slated for today I was facing kind of a do nothing day. Wasn't in a do nothing mood so Pheebs & I strapped on the Jeep & headed off to see what we could see. Not as pleasingly scenic in the countryside without a morning's sunshine beaming down bringing all the flora colorfully alive. But no matter, Pheebs was wanting to go for a spin & so was I. Picked up a few things at Walmart in Goderich, grabbed a 6" Tuna sub at Subway & slipped out into the countryside. Well try as I might I just couldn't get my photo head on, the cameras remained unused, & before too long I headed the Jeep back in the direction of home.

 

And it was in our own back yard I found all of tonight's photos. Clouds cleared by early afternoon so I was back out of the house looking for things to do. Noticed we had a veritable mushroom forest growing right under our noses. Mushrooms grow & progress through their life cycles in a relatively short period of time. They change shape, they change color, & then all of a sudden they are gone. Fascinating little creatures they are.

Question in our Shout Box asks, "what are your major projects for the Arizona house this winter? Good question. Unlike last year at this time when we had a list of projects in mind, this year we really don't have any. We basically took the winter season off from our usual travels around the South West last winter to concentrate on projects to bring our house & property up to snuff. Knew that was important to do in the first year. Especially the stucco on the house, the fencing around the property, a new roof over the north section, & the property clean up. Those were all necessary & needed to be taken care of right away. We do have some plumbing issues that should be addressed this winter & some electrical work. But for the most part, the house is now to the point where we can use it as a home base for further travels in the South West. That was always our original intention for buying a cheap house & property somewhere. Oh I will no doubt get my head full of more creative landscape ideas for sure & it will be little projects like that which will keep me occupied for the days & weeks we are there....... Always appreciate reader's questions.

 

And why do trees shed their leaves in Autumn?? The answer is here at EARTHSKY. EarthSky can also be found on our side bar to the right along with ONE-MINUTE ASTRONOMER. Always lots of current & educational info on these 2 sites.

 

If anyone missed the comment in our Shout Box about my Saturday post you might want to slip over & have a look at what 'bitterness' looks like. Judging from the subject matter, phrasing, & obvious sour grapes again, I & others strongly suspect the usual source. And I will leave it at that. Hey, this guy obviously still reads my posts every day:)) Although not in a positive way.  Too bad because it’s just one of those things that doesn’t have to be………………

 

I do sometimes have quite a go-around with my impatient self when loading the RV for winter travels. Here is a good example of that. I have things gathered together in a few areas that I want so much to load up right now. Not tomorrow, not the middle of the week....right now!! Fact is, those things do not have to be loaded yet & I know perfectly well if I pack them into the rig's rear storage area I am only going to have to pull them all out again half a dozen times when Kelly comes out with some new stuff to load. And of course that stuff could go into the storage area right underneath all the other stuff I had impatiently packed. Happens every year. I'm just one of those guys who likes to get at something, go like nuts, get it done, then sit around grumbling, & complaining I have nothing to do & I’m bored. Yep, do it to myself all the time I do:((

 

Ever wonder why I go on & on about wanting to be on the road traveling more?  Slip over to BOX CANYON BLOG & have a look at Mark’s road photos.  THAT’S WHY:))

 

Kelly is off to her daughter's for Thanksgiving Monday. Going to be a lot of people there. And just for the record....yes, Kelly & I are definitely on the same page. We think alike about many things. Only difference is, I'm the one writing about those thoughts so I am the one who is seen as the opinionated one. I understand that. But I can assure you many of Kelly's thoughts & opinions are the same as mine. And in some cases even more so. Only difference is, Kelly does not express her thoughts & feelings in a blog like I do. She is one smart Gal that Kelly is.............:))

GROANER'S CORNER:(( And here's a few for the Teachers out there.......

TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America.
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America?
CLASS: Maria.

TEACHER: Why are you late Frank?
FRANK: Because of the sign.
TEACHER: What sign?
FRANK: The one that says, "School ahead. Go slow."
TEACHER: John, why are you doing your multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
TEACHER: Greg, how would you spell "crocodile?"
GREG: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L
TEACHER: No Greg, that's incorrect.
GREG: Maybe it's incorrect, but you asked me how "I" spelled it.
TEACHER: Ryan, what is the chemical formula for water?
RYAN: H I J K L M N O
TEACHER: Ryan, what are you talking about?
RYAN: Well, yesterday you said it was H to O.
TEACHER: Adam, why do you always get so dirty?
ADAM: Well, I guess it's because I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
TEACHER: Beth, give me a sentence starting with "I".
BETH: I is...........
TEACHER: No Beth...Always say, "I am"...not "I is".
BETH: All right........."I am the ninth letter of the alphabet."
TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now Alex, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
ALEX: Because George still had the axe in his hand.
TEACHER: Now, Macy, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
MACY: No Ma'am, I don't have to. My Mom is a good cook.
TEACHER: Daniel, your composition on "My Dog" is exactly the same as your brother's composition. Did you copy off of him?
DANIEL: No teacher, it's the same dog.
TEACHER: Parker, what do you call a person who keeps on talking to people who are no longer interested?
PARKER: A Teacher

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- 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.

EVER NOTICE SOMETIMES DURING CERTAIN CONVERSATIONS, YOU MIGHT GET BLANK STARES………

JUST SOAKING UP SOME OF THESE MIGHTY GREAT AUTUMN DAYS

Another fine October morning & we spent most of it buzzing about the RV. Kelly continued loading & I busied myself cleaning Winnie's windows, etc. Took the motorcycle for a nice ride & returned it right into storage for the winter. I sure didn't get too far on it this past summer. I logged a total of 531 kilometers which probably works out to around 350 miles. Oh well, by keeping the mileage down the bike will last a lot longer. Total kilometers on the 2002 Honda Shadow Aero 1100 is 43,860 kilometers which I figure is somewhere around 28,500 miles. Bikes hardly broke in yet. I have ridden my Honda 8,122 miles since trading in my 1984 Yamaha Virago 750 on it back in May of 07.

BIKE IS IN STORAGE FOR THE WINTER

PHEEBS ANXIOUSLY AWAITS TO SEE WHAT SNACKS I’M BRINGING OUT OF McDONALDS FRIDAY

 

LAST CANADIAN GAS STOP UNTIL NEXT APRIL & PHEEBS RIDES ON THE LOVESEAT COMING HOME
Snowbirds & fellow Boondocker friends JEAN & SKIP from Vancouver Island BC are into their 4th day of travels since leaving home. They had originally planned on heading to Utah first but cold temperatures have steered them over into Nevada. Weather has a habit of doing that to RV’ers sometimes.  Fortunately they are not locked into reservations or time frames so are free to wander.  Nice way to travel:))

  
Never picked up a camera today so tonight's photos are a collection of unused pics from the last 3 or 4 days. I'm hoping Pheebs & I can get a few more scenic gravel runs in before we head south a week from today. As nice as it is here right now I will be glad to be on the road heading for the South-West again.

 

Ever notice sometimes during certain conversations you might get blank stares. Sometimes happens when talking to a casual stranger, somebody you just met or maybe an old friend you haven't seen for awhile. We here in RV Land tend to take our RV lifestyle for granted. We are all quite familiar with every day words such as RV (Recreational Vehicle), Full Timing, Diesel Pusher, Toad, Fiver, Rig, Slides, Boon Docking, Black Tank, Snow Birding, Brake Buddy, Hitch Pin, Hitch Itch, etc. These same words however can bring a completely blank stare when talking to someone who is not of, nor is aware of the RVing world. As strange as that may seem to us, we still have to realize and accept the fact we are in the minority of understandable and socially acceptable lifestyles. I'm sure all of us at one time or another have found themselves on the defensive end of a conversation trying to explain the RVing lifestyle concept to someone who just doesn't get it. I have read blogs and talked to folks, who when putting their RV dream plans together told absolutely no one about their intentions. No friends, no business associates and in some cases, not even family. I'm sure there are Full Timers on the road who's casual friend's have no idea where they are or where they have disappeared to. Might even be some family members left wondering too.

One of the quickest ways to attract criticism in our society is in daring to be different. Society tends to set a normal style of life…….as for example, working 9 to 5, couple kids in school with a nice house on a nice street in a nice town. And a nice car in the driveway of course. Deviate too far from this and eyebrows begin to get nervous. Whispers can be heard. To the majority of the norm it is totally inconceivable that someone would sell their precious car and house along with all their worldly possessions to go live in a steel and fibreglass box on wheels. No roots, no social club, no steadfast daily routines, no same-same friends, no seeing the Grands 3 times a week or eating at your favourite restaurant 4 times a month.  No being in that same church pew every Sunday morning year after year after year either. How is it possible to live without the daily normalcy of routine. How can people exist without all their 'stuff' clustered around them.

STILL LOTS OF YELLOW PINE NEEDLES FOR THE WINDS TO BRING DOWN

I can't remember when it was I first became aware of and interested in the RV world but it was a very long time ago. I have always had that wanderlust feeling right from early childhood but it was probably in my first days of tent camping that my mind began to formulate the understanding and feasibility of a different kind of realistic lifestyle. The word 'Gypsy' still did not have a good reputation back when I was a kid so one had to be careful when expressing any kind of interest in living a life other than the accepted norm. A kid sure didn't want to be associated with those wild Gypsies after all. Luckily, along with a lot of other old wives tales and myths, the stigma attached to the word Gypsy has long ago gone the way of the Dinosaur. Well, at least in my sometimes topsy-turvey little world it has.

  
How fortunate I consider myself to be since making the leap into the Nomadic lifestyle even if it is only half a year at a time. Our first rig back in the late 90's was a 17' Class C Dodge Centurion and from the time we headed that little RV down the road until now we have never looked back. Although not Full Timers we do manage to spend 5 or 6 months a year as Snow Birds traveling and living in our Motor Home in America's great Southwest. Our alternating lifestyles have brought us a far greater understanding of not only our surroundings, but ourselves as well. Personally, I much prefer our life on the road as opposed to our sitting at home life but that's just the way it has to be right now. My mind sometimes spends too much time on this problem trying to figure out a reasonable solution and agreeable compromise on how to better tip the balance in favour of spending less time at home and more time on the road enjoying all the benefits the RV lifestyle has to offer. A lifestyle outside the box, a lifestyle outside society's 'norm' and a lifestyle like no other………….

ANOTHER ONE OF OUR BACKYARD MUSHROOMS

With our temperatures in the low 70's today under sunny skies I couldn't help thinking as I puttered around outside, it just cannot get any better than this. Sunlight shining through gold & orange colored Autumn leaves & a soft warming breeze in the tops of the pine trees. Bees buzzing about & unseen crickets chirping their late Autumn charms. Tis the season magic abounds in the land's early October air. A mere month from now this landscape will be gray & barren of it's Autumn warmth & colors. Temperatures will be much colder as icy winds come sweeping in off Lake Huron bringing rains & probably early snow flurries. As long as we are financially able & healthy enough to travel we will always look forward each & every October to escaping the harsh ravages of winter. Even a mild winter here in no way compares to the weather down south. Not even a little bit. Oh the horrors when one day our traveling days are ended. Oh the horrors.............:((

TIS A DOG’S LIFE FOR SURE:))

GROANER'S CORNER:(( And, a few parting thoughts……..

-For every vision, there is an equal and opposite revision.
-Four-wheel-drive just means getting stuck in more inaccessible places.
-Free advice costs nothing until you act upon it.
-Friends come and go, but enemies accumulate.
-Frustration is not having anyone to blame but yourself.
-------------------------------------------------------------
- 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 TAKE WINNIE FOR A SPIN TO THE BEACH:))

Kelly had some work first thing at Deer Park this morning so she was out the door early. Pheebs & fired up Winnie the Bago & headed ourselves off to Goderich to pick up some gas. Onboard generator needs the rig's gas tank at least a quarter full to operate & Winnie's fuel level was below three quarters. Wanted to fire up the genny & let her run a bit.  Decided again this year not to fill our gas tank in Canada. We'll do that when we get south of the border. A hundred dollars this morning will get us well across the border.

TIME TO BRING IN OUR BACKYARD MUSHROOM TABLE FOR THE WINTER

 

HEY WAIT A MINUTE, THAT’S NOT A TABLE, IT’S A ‘REAL’ MUSHROOM…AND GEEEEZZZZ I HATE WHEN MY HEAD FALLS OFF ON THE GROUND LIKE THAT…I HAVE A HARD TIME PICKING IT UP & ATTACHING IT AGAIN:((

Quick stop at McDonalds for a coffee & muffin (no, we did not attempt the drive-thru) & it was down to Goderich's harbor with us. Another great Autumn morning as we parked near the beach & dog walking area. Nobody around so we had us a quiet stroll along placid waters. Enjoyed seeing flocks of Canada Geese practicing their water take offs, circling in fluid formations, & splashing down again on Lake Huron’s smooth glass like surface.

CANADA GEESE PRACTICING THEIR FORMATION FLYING

 

WEAVING & CIRCLING FOR A LANDING

BANKING LEFT

  

CIRCLING BACK AROUND & LINING UP THE WATERY RUNWAY

 

FINAL APPROACH

TOUCHDOWN:))

So nice to have an RV with a quality sound system again. Our Damon Challenger just had an ordinary radio with a couple cheap speakers in the dash. And there was always a wind noise factor as well. The Ford's cab is much quieter & with the surround sound system in both the cab & coach we finally have ourselves a decent sound system once more. Sound quality has always been important to me.

   

Raked up some more pine needles & spent some time fussin about in the RV. Kelly loaded more stuff. We're gettin there:)) In a comment on Thursday's post PatB asked, "Why aren't you spending Thanksgiving with Kelly & family"? Well, several reasons actually. Kelly may or may not stay over at her daughter's for the night.  It is much simpler for Pheebs & I to stay home. There is expected to be over a dozen adults there with about 7 kids. If I went we would have to take Pheebs & that would just add to all the confusion, craziness, hooting & hollering.  And I know it would be too much for Pheebs.  And Kelly already knows it will be a stressful day for her as well. Bottom line is simple.....I can't tolerate, nor do I  have the patience for being around that many people, that much noise, for that length of time, in that small a space.  I know that answer will probably not sit well with many family oriented people but I’m just not a big family get together or visiting type person anymore.   Just being honest about a question that was asked.

EVEN MANAGED TO GET PHEEBS & THE WINNIE WAGON IN THIS ONE

“Are you alright Sir”?  I heard these words about a month ago as I was lying on the floor in the main aisle of a large well known furniture store.  The elderly white haired lady asking the question was standing over me & quite concerned.  Yes, I was flat out on the floor alright & it was the day Kelly & I went to the Lazy-Boy store in London Ontario.  I was a bit embarrassed & tried to assure the lady I was fine.  She couldn’t seem to figure out if I was fine, what was I doing lying on the floor.  I quickly assured her I was alright & just waiting for my wife.  She asked if I needed assistance getting up.  I said no, I was just down here on the floor measuring something.  Which of course is exactly why I was in that position in the first place…….with a tape measure.  I had to get down on the floor to see what kind of a frame the loveseat I was looking at had.  And I needed to measure that frame to see it would fit on the slide in our Winnebago.  Some readers may remember my post from that day….A STATE OF WAFFLE.  Took an additional bit of convincing on my part that I was Ok before the good Samaritan lady finally continued on her way.  Thought I saw her look back a couple times.  Thought I could get up by myself too……………:(( 

A LONE CORMORANT & A LONE FISHING BOAT UPON THE CALM LAKE HURON WATERS THIS MORNING

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Thanksgiving One Liners..............
-I'm excited about Thanksgiving because I love unwelcome parenting advice from relatives I see twice a year.
-Thanksgiving is great because people tend to speak less when food is lodged in their mouths.
-There is a special place in hell for people that play Christmas music before Thanksgiving.
-You don't need Thanksgiving to hate your family.
-They should change the name of Thanksgiving to something more fitting like say, Turkeypocolypse or Stuffing-cide.
-For the first time, we are going to have a HAPPY Thanksgiving. This year, I am stuffing the turkey with Prozac!
-------------------------------------------------------------
- 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.