OUR BEST WEATHER DAY OF THE YEAR SO FAR

A STUDY IN ROOF PEAKS

With temperatures well up into the 50's by 8:30 this morning Pheebs and I were energized enough to get ourselves out the door and on down the road.  Meandered the back roads south to Grand Bend, grabbed a small coffee at Tim Hortons (no muffin but the lady gave Pheebs a Timbit) and took us for a swing down around the beach area.  Nobody there but in a few short weeks Grand Bend will be crammed with tons of traffic and teenagers a hoopin and a hollerin.  I know because I used to be one of them there ‘Granders’ many years ago.  

WORK IS STILL PROGRESSING ON THE CONDO AT THE BEACH END OF GRAND BEND’S MAIN STREET

NOT A PLACE I WOULD CARE TO LIVE…..IN THE SUMMER MONTHS TRAFFIC CAN BE BUMPER TO BUMPER HERE AND ESPECIALLY ON WEEK-ENDS AND ‘OMG’  WHAT ABOUT ALL THE TEENY-BOPPER NOISE 

Needing to get us some exercise I noticed the big parking lot at the Huron County Playhouse a couple miles northeast of Grand Bend was totally empty so we stopped there and had us a speed walk around the whole parking lot.  Okay so it wasn't exactly a speed walk but we did make it all the way around.  Looks like the Playhouse will kick off the 2018 season on June 7th.

THE HURON COUNTY PLAYHOUSE WHERE WE HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF GREAT MODERN MUSICALS OVER THE PAST DECADE AND A HALF….BUDDY HOLLY STORY WAS ONE

SAY I WONDER IF THAT IS ONE OF THEM THERE LONG HAIRED ACTORS OVER THAR

ONE OF THE PLAYHOUSE’S LARGE PARKING AREAS WITH THE PLAYHOUSE ON THE LEFT AND THE DARK HORSE ESTATE WINERY ON THE RIGHT

ON THE PLAYHOUSE GROUNDS LOOKING ACROSS TO THE ADJOINED DARK HORSE ESTATE WINDERY

WE SPOTTED A HORSE OUT FRONT OF THE WINERY

AN ADJOINING ROAD BETWEEN THE PARKING LOTS OF THE PLAYHOUSE AND WINERY

CAN WE SLOW THIS ‘SPEED WALK’ DOWN TO A ‘SPEED WOBBLE’ DAD

What an absolutely beautiful morning it was as we lazily made our way around half a dozen dusty Huron County country roads. With this warmer dry weather drying up the land I noticed a lot of farmers out working their fields.  Plowing and fertilizing were the two biggies.  

FARMERS WERE VERY BUSY IN THEIR FIELDS THIS MORNING

WELL SOME FARMERS WEREN’T QUITE AS BUSY AS OTHERS

LIQUID FERTILIZER BEING LOADED INTO A ROGATOR TYPE OF SPREADER

BET THIS HERD OF COWS IS MIGHTY ANXIOUS TO GET OUT OF THAT BARN AND OVER TO THAT TANTLIZING GREEN GRASS

A GOOD DAY FOR BRUSHING HER HORSE

THE GATOR OPERATOR CHECKS A FEW FITTINGS BEFORE STARTING

LOADING MANURE INTO WHAT I AM GUESSING IS A WILMAR

By the time we got home around 10 Kelly had already left for a 11 a.m. dentist appointment in Goderich.  With what dentists charge these days we will have to sell our house and Motorhome to cover that dental bill.  Well it almost seems like that sometimes.

FLOWERBEDS ALWAYS LOOK SO RATTY THIS TIME OF YEAR

With what I consider to be a perfect temperature of 70F today I was able to flit from one little yard project to another and it was the first time I was able to comfortably wear a short sleeved shirt this year.  Moved the bird bath a few feet over into a shaded area to prevent direct sunlight from promoting algae growth in the water.

 

BIRD BATH MOVED AND GAZING BALL LEVELLED UP

  

THIS GRUBBY FLOWERBED SHOULD LOOK A LOT BETTER NEXT MONTH AT THIS TIME

WE ARE FINALLY SEEING SOME POSITIVE SIGNS OF SPRING

Also hauled the vacuum cleaner out and tackled the Motorhome's interior.  Looking much, much, better now.  Almost made me want to load it up and go somewhere. 

SURE A NICE FEELING TO HAVE THE MOTORHOME ALL SPIFFED UP AGAIN

REPAIRS ON THE RIG’S REAR END LADDER HAVE BEGUN AND I HAVE MY GOOD FRIEND RICHARD TO THANK FOR GETTING THAT STARTED

Wished we had some large areas around for boon-docking like the southwest has but we don't.  If the Government owns the land they don't want you on it and if the farmers own the land they don't want you on it either.  That doesn't leave much.  And no, RV Parks are not an option.  The other thing is Kelly's health and with both good and some not so good days it is probably better for us to stick around home.  She has suggested Pheebs and I go somewhere ourselves but that just don't seem right going somewhere without Kelly.  And I'm sure not going to leave her home alone on those days she's not feeling well.

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A tramp knocked on the door of the inn known as St. George and the Dragon. The landlady answered the door.The tramp said, “Could you give a poor man something to eat?”"No,” said the woman, slamming the door in his face.He knocked again and said, “Could I have a few words with George?”

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“Geology rocks, but Geography is where it's at!”

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A widow visited a spiritualistic medium, who satisfactorily produced the deceased husband for a domestic chat.  "Dear John," the widow questioned eagerly, "are you happy now?"  "I am very happy," the spook assured her.  "Happier than you were on earth with me?" the widow continued, greatly impressed.  "Yes," John asserted, "I am far happier now than I was on earth with you."  "Oh, do tell me, John," the widow cried rapturously, "what is it like in heaven?"  "Heaven!" the answer snapped. "I ain't in heaven!!!!!"

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MUDDY PAWS ON THE MORNING TRAIL WHILE LATER PHEEBS AND I TAKE THE MOTORHOME FOR A SPIN

Living here in a pine forest with tall trees all around us I am out of touch with the night sky so missed Sunday night's full Moon.  One of the greatest things for me about the American Southwest each winter has been the crystal clear and unobstructed diamond studded night skies stretching from mountain top to mountain top.  On how I miss those awe inspiring and thought provoking nightly moments under the stars.

PHEEBS AND I HAD OURSELVES WALKING IN A DARK FOREST THIS MORNING
 
MOSS ON THE FOREST FLOOR
Our thermometer was again below freezing early this morning but we had clear skies and a sunrise.  Warmer Spring weather is due once again to re-start itself today and I'm sure I am only one of several millions of people here in Canada's southern Ontario and neighboring States and Provinces so much looking forward to that.  It has been such a long, cold, and depressingly frustrating Spring to say the least.

WITH THE GROUND DRYING UP FARMERS WERE OUT WORKING THE LAND TODAY
With a cheerier outlook tucked under my hat Pheebs and I were again off to Goderich for our customary swing down around the harbor.

GODERICH’S SIFTO SALT MINE IS THE LARGEST OF IT’S KIND IN THE WORLD AND A FEW DAYS AGO WORKERS WENT ON STRIKE…..COMPANY OWNERS ARE THREATENING TO ‘SHUT IT DOWN’!!
Needing to grab myself more exercise we headed south of Goderich on highway 21 to Naftel's Creek Conservation Area and wasted no time in getting ourselves onto the still muddy trails.  Somewhat limited to where we could walk we did manage to skirt around some watery mud soaked areas and kept going.  Well at least I skirted around but not so much the Pheebs as she just plowed herself right straight through the oozy goop.  Not a soul around and we had the forest to ourselves.  How nice to be out walking in nature again and especially before the bugs become a problem.

YAAAY WE WERE THE ONLY ONES AT THE HIKING AREA THIS MORNING

NAFTEL’S CREEK HAS THREE DISTINCTIVE COLOR CODED TRAILS

SOME SECTIONS OF TRAIL WERE DRY WHILE OTHERS WERE WET AND MUDDY

SOME SECTIONS WERE  MUDDIER THAN OTHERS AND THIS WAS ONE OF THEM

AND HERE COMES LITTLE MISS MUDDY PAWS CHARGING RIGHT THROUGH IT
 
TRAIL ON LEFT IS MUDDY WHILE TRAIL ON RIGHT IS DRY

THERE’S A LITTLE PHEEBER BUNS UP THERE SOMEWHERE

TRAIL MAINTENANCE TREE CUTTERS HAVE BEEN BUSY

I’M SURE THERE WILL BE LOTS OF MOSQUITOS HATCHING SOON IN THIS AREAS SWAMPY WATER

IF ONE WANDERS OFF THE TRAIL ONE CAN EASILY MISPLACE THEMSELVES

LOOKS LIKE TRAIL VOLUNTEERS HAVE LAID DOWN SOME STRAW IN A FEW MUDDY AREAS

LOTS OF SMELLS ALONG THE TRAIL
We were home before noon and I right away fired up the Motorhome.  With Pheebs on board in the navigator’s seat we headed the Big E out for a much needed run.  Not good to leave a motorized vehicle sitting in one spot all the time and especially a heavy Motorhome.  Not good for the tires.  It was the first time on the road since we had returned from the south nearly 8 weeks ago so we took the rig for a half hour drive down around Clinton way.  Again, it hummed along as smooth and powerful as ever. 

MY TRUSTY RV NAVIGATOR FOR THIS MORNING’S RIDE AND NOTICE HER ‘ON THE JOB’ CONCENTRATION AS SHE CLOSELY SURVEYS THE ROAD AHEAD

A NICE WARM SUNNY MORNING FOR CRUISING ALONG IN THE MOTORHOME

ONLY A MILE FROM HOME
Back home again I set to work de-winterizing the Motorhome.  Usually when we come back from the Southwest sometime in late March the weather isn’t too bad so we’re not in the habit of winterizing it and simply keep it plugged in with the furnace on low.  This year coming home earlier than usual the weather turned nasty with plunging temperatures.  I had no choice but to haul the Motorhome’s manual out and quickly winterize it.  The winterizing went better than expected and the de-winterizing today went not to bad as well.  My usual frustrations of course but that’s normal. 

BY GOLLY THAT’S OUR PARK JUST AHEAD THERE ON THE LEFT
Nice afternoon forest walk with the Pheebs and I think our temps got up into the 60’s on a mighty fine sunny Monday afternoon.  Think we are predicted to break the 70’s mark Tuesday.  Nice weather sure goes a long way in making a lot of folks feel better and I am one of those folks.  Three frogs in our front yard pond now.

STILL THE ODD PATCH OF SNOW LEFT ALONG THE NORTH FACING DITCHES
In a blog comment ‘Flowergirl’ asked, “Why don't you just switch to an every other day blog”?  Well actually there are several reasons why.  For me anything older than today is old news and my interest in old news drastically drops right off from day to day.  The other reason of course is my memory and trying to remember what happened yesterday is a real challenge to not only my memory but my patience as well.  Knowing me I would become discouraged with my memory and simply push away from the keyboard and head off in a huff berating myself for not being able to clearly remember what happened the day before.  A daily blog while my mind is still fresh at the end of the day is the only way blogging works for me.  My posts are basically spontaneous each day without a lot of re-writes and over editing and I guess that’s kind of my style.  My photography is much the same.  I am not a perfectionist…………………..

MUDDY PAWS??  WHAT MUDDY PAWS????
Once again a big thank you to those readers who have reached out and helped me push my overturned blogging cart back onto the ascending tracks of this up and down blogging roller coaster of mine.  I really need to learn how to keep the low spots along the tracks clear of my own self inflicted mire and muck.

HEY WHO JUST JUMPED INTO THE JEEP WITH MUDDY PAWS!!
GROANER’S CORNER:(( Harry was shipwrecked on a deserted island. For several months, he longed for someone to talk to; searched the horizons for even the suggestion of a ship.  One day, his commitment was rewarded: A beautiful woman was washed up onto the beach, floating on a large steamer trunk. Harry got her all settled, and fed, and dried off and they started talking.  She told him April was her name.  April asked Harry, "what is something you've REALLY missed being out here on a deserted island for so long?"  "A clean shirt," was Harry's response. With a huff, April reached into the steamer trunk and tossed Harry a shirt.  "Surely there's SOMETHING you've really missed out here...all alone...on an island with NOBODY all this time?"  "Oh wow, YEAH, there sure is: I'd REALLY like a dry pillow to sleep on."  April reached into her steamer trunk once again and tossed Harry a pillow; and she would not be put off. Striking her most alluring pose, she asked in her most provocative voice, "C'mon, Harry, wouldn't you like to play around?"  Harry got all excited and started jumping up and down. "Don't tell me you have a set of GOLF CLUBS in there, too?!???!?!"
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- “Why did the watch make a quick trip to the dry cleaners? It was pressed for time!”
- Years ago someone in California hollered “Gold,” and people drove from all directions. That’s the way they still drive in California.
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WE’LL SEE HOW TOMORROW GOES

ALL OF BAYFIELD’S SUMMER SAILBOAT DOCKS ARE BACK IN THE WATER

Everything is Okay here folks. Long time readers will know I have a habit of stumbling over myself from time to time which results in me not always publishing my daily blog.  There are a number of reasons for that of which one is my frustration with my own repetition.  When this happens I lose interest and direction.  So far over the years this loss of interest has been short and only lasts a few days.  I do know however sooner or later that blogging frustration of mine will likely be permanent.  Could be tomorrow, next month or two years down the road.  For the time being I hope to wake up each morning with a desire to write a few words and take a few photos.   As long as I feel that way then that is what I will continue to do.  We’ll see how tomorrow goes…………..

I DON’T THINK I HAVE SEEN THE FEDERAL KUSHIRO IN THE PORT OF GODERICH BEFORE

MODERN SAILORS

A big thank you to all you ‘Shouters’ for your thoughts and concerns……………….. 

WITH OUR COLD SPRING THE HULLETT MARSH IS TAKING A LONG TIME TO GREEN UP THIS YEAR

GROANER’S CORNER:(( Q. What did the cannibal say when he came upon a sleeping missionary. "Ah! Breakfast in bed”.

- Did you ever see the customers in a health-food store? They are pale, skinny people who look half dead.   In a steak house you see robust, ruddy people. They're dying of course, but they look terrific.

- God noticed that Adam was lonely. He said to him "Adam, I am going to give you the perfect companion. She'll cook and clean and listen, she's perfect."Adam replied, "What will she cost me?"God said, "An arm and a leg."Shocked, Adam said, "Well, what can I get for a rib?"

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