Tuesday, August 07, 2018

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY MORNING FOR REFLECTIVE THOUGHT AND CONTEMPLATION

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Gentle late evening rains Monday night left a refreshing smell first thing this morning.  Not the same smell as a desert rain but pleasing just the same.  Lots of happy giggles in the garden with all plant life pleasantly refreshed.  We started our day under a changing moody cloud cover and slightly diminished humidity.

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THIS WHOLE CORNFIELD WAS GIGGLING AND I HEARD A LOT OF WHISPERED CHUCKLES COMING FROM THE BEAN FIELD BELOW AS WELL

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Pheebs and I swung through Bayfield picking up a coffee to go and a few photos along the way.  With not as many week-end Latte tourists in town I was in and out of the shopbike coffee roasters in one quick flip.  Nice.

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FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN THIS GODERICH TUGBOAT TIED UP IN BAYFIELD

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THE BAYFIELD POLE WALKERS WERE OUT AND ABOUT THIS MORNING IN BAYFIELD AGAIN

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HEADING OUT OF BAYFIELD I WAS GRIPPED BY THE MORNING SKY

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Slipping out the south end of Bayfield I noticed right away what a beautiful morning we actually had going for us.  It was a moody sky overhead textured with billowing puffy gray and white clouds with an occasional smattering of sunshine making it's way through to pop out the summer colors.  These types of skies are always my favorite.

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A WELL MANICURED FARM LANE

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Matching my Satellite radio music to the relaxed feeling of the morning we made our way along the back country roads plodding along at an even slower pace than the slow pace we usually go.  I marveled at all the colors and hues as Sun splashes touched down traveling across acres of green and gold farm lands.  I could feel something special in the morning air so we kept going and going taking in all the fine scenery we could. Nary another soul did we see which for me added to the serenity that enveloped us for the whole time Pheebs and I were out and about.  Some mornings are just like that for us.  Diamonds in the rough.

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‘ARE YOU TAKING MORE PICTURES OF ME DAD’

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YES, WE SURE LOVE OUR QUIET COUNTRY MORNINGS:))

In a reflective mood earlier today I spent a lot of time thinking and remembering many old pleasant happenings over the years thinking how fortunate I am being able to spend these precious morning hours with my best Pal out doing what I absolutely love doing.  I am never more at peace than when I am out for our daily morning Jeep rides through this rurally beautiful countryside.  I never feel more at ease with myself than I do the hours I spend by myself.  Once a rather social fellow almost always being involved with people everywhere I went I can't believe how I did all that years ago.  Always running around here and there people pleasing.  Always trying to be what other people thought I should be and always feeling bad when I would inevitably fall short of either their or my own expectations.  How much better life is now at this latter stage of life since I finally turned my back years ago on that lifestyle and walked away.  It hasn't come easy and self doubt still on occasion shadows me but with morning's like this morning becoming even more assuring for me I know I am right and have chosen the path I am destined to walk.  And I'm learning too I don't have to feel guilty about that.  Maybe some of this aging stuff isn't so bad after all if one is open minded and patient enough to embrace, understand, and accept it.  And some mornings that is exactly where I am and what I do.

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A CATTLE PEN

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LOOKS LIKE A HERD OF COWS AHEAD

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YEP, COW’S ALRIGHT

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NOW IF I WAS A COW THAT WOULD BE ME WAY OVER THERE BY MYSELF ON THE RIGHT AWAY FROM HERD DOING MY OWN THING

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AND JUST DOWN THE ROAD WE WERE ABOUT TO SEE ANOTHER HERD OF COWS

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YEP THERE THEY ARE AND THAT BIG WHITE FELLER IS A BULL AND I KNEW THAT BECAUSE HE WAS WEARING A NAME TAG THAT SAID, ‘I’M DA BULL’

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NICE LAZY MORNING UNDER A BIG SHADE TREE

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I THINK THESE FOUR ARE AT ODD ENDS WITH EACH OTHER

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JUST CALL ME SNOOZY

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Pheebs and I finally made it home around 11 and with clearing skies allowing more Sunshine through the big clouds the day quickly turned a bit too hot and sticky for my liking.  But no matter, it was into the cool confines of our house we went and there we stayed. until it cooled off enough after supper to get out a do a wee bit of yard work.

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LOVE THESE BIG SKY DAYS

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AS PRETTY AS THE MORNING WAS THIS FELLA SURE WAS SMELLING IT UP

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CORN AGAINST THE SKY

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One of my favorite guitar players is the late Michael Hedges and it was his 'Aerial Boundaries' this morning that added to my wandering thoughts.  Oh how I wished I would have learned years ago to play a musical instrument well.  Piano, guitar, violin, anything.  It's not that I didn't once try but I didn't try hard enough and it's a regret I will always carry with me.  I am always absolutely in awe when I see or hear musicians who play instruments so well.  My Grandfather made violins, my Mother played piano by ear, and my talented Son is a singer, songwriter, keyboardist, music producer and technician all wrapped up in one.  And he wears all those hats well.  Somehow that music talent from my Mother leap-frogged over me to my Son.  Well not exactly, I do have the music in me but never learned well enough how to get it out.

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GROANER'S CORNER:(( A young ventriloquist is touring Norway and puts on a show in a small fishing town. With his dummy on his knee, he starts going through his usual dumb blonde jokes.  Suddenly, a blonde woman in the fourth row stands on her chair and starts shouting, 'I've heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes. What makes you think you can stereotype Norwegian blonde women that way? What does the color of a woman's hair have to do with her worth as a human being? It's men like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community, and from reaching our full potential as people. Its people like you that make others think that all blondes are dumb. You and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blondes but women in general, pathetically all in the name of humor!'  The embarrassed ventriloquist begins to apologize, and the blonde interrupts yelling, 'You stay out of this.  I'm talking to that rude little twit on your lap.'

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During his physical, the doctor asked the patient about his daily activity level.  He described a typical day this way: 'Well, yesterday afternoon, I waded along the edge of a lake, drank eight beers, escaped from wild dogs in the heavy brush, jumped away from an aggressive rattlesnake, marched up and down several rocky hills, stood in a patch of poison ivy, crawled out of quicksand and took four leaks behind big trees.' Inspired by the story, the doctor said, 'You must be one hell of an outdoors man!' 'NAH,' he replied, 'I'm just a crappy golfer.'

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Monday, August 06, 2018

IT IS VERY RARE FOR ME TO SEE A MOVIE i ACTUALLY LIKE ANYMORE, BUT……..

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Okay, let me get my thoughts about today's hot and sticky weather out of the way right up front then I won't have to blather on about it later!!  #%&@!!*  There, that feels better already.

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A routine morning drive up to Goderich and back by 10 pretty much wrapped up my day.  Going for a walk anywhere was out of the question.

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For the third day in a row my energy was sapped. I think this aging thing is steadily gaining ground on me but I do have my days where I’m sure it teases me into thinking I’m actually gaining on it a bit.

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It’s not often anymore that I find any kind of movie interesting enough to watch.  Being so sick and tired of the standard schlock coming out of Hollywood how nice it was Sunday night to sit down with Kelly and watch a DVD movie she had come home with from the Library.  Maudie is a Canadian film based on a true story and it takes place near the small fishing community of Digby, Nova Scotia.  I was actually through Digby back in September of 1965.  The endearing factors for me about this movie are that it’s Canadian made and it’s factual with no glitz, no glamor, and no over the top Hollywoodiness.  It’s a bit of a heart tugger boys so be careful.  In my opinion you don’t get much better than Canadian made films.  Canadian productions are known for their down to earth quality and Maudie is one of those homespun honest movies.  Superb acting by Sally Hawkins.   When Kelly and I first met 25 years ago we sought out these types of home grown Canadian films with a number of them centering around Canada’s east coast.  Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about Maudie.

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Had to switch on my overhead computer desk light on about 7 tonight.  I know the cloud cover has darkened the skies but for sure these shortening days are becoming more noticeable.

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GROANER’S CORNER:((  Adam was hanging around the Garden of Eden feeling very lonely. So, God asked him, "What's wrong with you?" Adam said he didn't have anyone to talk to. God said that He was going to make Adam a companion and that it would be a woman. He said, "This pretty lady will gather food for you, she will cook for you, and when you discover clothing, she will wash it for you. She will always agree with every decision you make and she will not nag you. And will always be the first to admit she was wrong when you've had a disagreement. She will praise you! She will bear your children. And never ask you to get up in the middle of the night to take care of them. "She will NEVER have a headache and will freely give you love and companionship whenever you need it." Adam asked God, "What will a woman like this cost?" God replied, "An arm and a leg." Then Adam asked, "What can I get for a rib?"

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A minister stood in front of his congregation and announced, "I have good news and bad news. The good news is we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is that it’s still in your pockets.”

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Sunday, August 05, 2018

SUMMER CAN’T BE OVER FAST ENOUGH FOR THIS GUY

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Not easy to come up with interesting things to write about or photos to take in this crappy spell of hot sticky weather we are experiencing.  Both mental and physical sides of myself are turning to mush.  More heat advisories today as the temps hit 90F.

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THIS LITTLE DICKENS HAS LEARNED TO SCURRY UP THE LONG STALKS OF NEABY PLANTS TO GAIN ACCESS TO SEEDS ON OUR BIRD STATION

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I SURE HAVE TO FLAP MY ARMS LIKE CRAZY TO GAIN ENOUGH ALTITUDE FOR SOME OF THESE BIRD PHOTOS YOU KNOW

Pheebs and I did get out for a bit but even a short walk alongside a shaded hedgerow resulted in heat and humidity powered Deer Flies and Mosquitos driving us back to the sanctity of the Jeep. There was one very small consolation though.  I heard the chirpings of a few Crickets and to me that is one of the earliest signs of Summer's end approaching.  Summer can't be over fast enough for this guy.  If you don't hear from me for a few days just know that I have moved lock, stock, and barrel into our refrigerator and am happily sitting inside with 6 jars of peanut butter, a flashlight, and a nice cozy warm sweater on reading about climate change on my Kindle...……

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SUNDAY MORNING FISHERMEN GATHERED ON BAYFIELD’S SOUTH PIER

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PHEEBS AND I WALKED UP AND BACK ALONG THIS SHADED GRASSY STRETCH BETWEEN A HEDGEROW AND A CORNFIELD THIS MORNING SWATTING AT HEAT GENERATED DEER FLIES ALL THE WAY

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YEA THOU I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF MANY APPLE TREES I FEAR NO ABSENSE OF FUTURE APPLE PIES

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‘SWEET CORN’ STANDS ARE NOW APPREARING AT THE ENDS OF  SOME FARM LANES

Well at least we did accomplish one thing while stuck inside today and that was to update our Apple IPod music devices by transferring additional music from our desktop computer to our individual Ipods.  Only time I ever use my IPod is when we are traveling and I can listen to it via headphones at night while working on my daily blog postings. 

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GROANER'S CORNER:(( How To Be Politically Correct When Talking About Women::

She is not a BLEACHED BLONDE - She is PEROXIDE DEPENDENT.

She is not a BAD COOK - She is MICROWAVE COMPATIBLE.

She is not HALF NAKED - She is WARDROBE IMPAIRED.

She does not wear TOO MUCH JEWELRY - She is METALLICALLY OVERBURDENED.

She is not CONCEITED - She is INTIMATELY AWARE OF HER BEST QUALITIES.

She does not want to be MARRIED - She wants to lock you in DOMESTIC INCARCERATION.

She does not GAIN WEIGHT - She is a METABOLIC UNDERACHIEVER.

She does not TEASE or FLIRT - She engages in ARTIFICIAL STIMULATION.

She is not DUMB - She is a DETOUR OFF THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY.

She is not TOO SKINNY - She is SKELETALLY PROMINENT.

She does not HAVE A MUSTACHE - She is IN TOUCH WITH HER MASCULINE SIDE.

She does not HATE TELEVISED SPORTS - She is ATHLETICALLY IGNORANT.

She has not BEEN AROUND - She is a PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED COMPANION.

She does not WEAR TOO MUCH PERFUME - She commits FRAGRANCE ABUSE

She does not have a KILLER BODY - She is TERMINALLY ATTRACTIVE.

She does not GO SHOPPING - She is MALL FLUENT.

She is not an AIRHEAD - She is REALITY IMPAIRED.

She does not get DRUNK or TIPSY - She gets CHEMICALLY INCONVENIENCED.

She does not get FAT or CHUBBY - She achieves MAXIMUM DENSITY.

She is not COLD or FRIGID - She is THERMALLY INACCESSIBLE.

She does not WEAR TOO MUCH MAKEUP - She has reached COSMETIC SATURATION.

She does not have BREAST IMPLANTS - She is GRAVITY RESISTANT.

She does not NAG YOU - She becomes VERBALLY REPETITIVE.

She is not LOOSE - She is MORALLY IMPAIRED.

She does not have THIN LIPS - She is COLLAGEN DEPENDENT.

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Saturday, August 04, 2018

A FEW PHOTOS FROM THE HULLETT MARSH

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Sure glad it's not last week at this time when I was feeling so sick.  Seems it was a bacterial virus I had so since then I have made a change to my morning shakes.  I've decided not to buy any more lettuce, carrots, or celery that is not pre-washed and packaged.  I don't know if that is how I picked up the bug or not but figured it might cut down on my chances of that happening again.  Better to be safe than sorry.  I was always a little lax in thoroughly washing every single lettuce leaf or celery stock anyway.

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CABBAGE BUTTERFLY METHINKS

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BULL THISTLE

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A really nice cool morning up to about 9 a.m.  Pheebs and I headed over to the Hullett Marsh and took ourselves for a short walk while there was still a slight inkling of coolness in the air.  Managed a few wild flower photos as well as some butterflies, etc.  With heat rapidly building again we were back into the Jeep and headed for the cool comforts of home.  And that was it for another day.

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ROLLING OUT OF OUR FORESTED PARK WE HEAD EAST FOR MORNING’S LIGHT

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A NICE DRIVE TO THE HULLETT MARSH

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THIS IS THE SPOT WE MOST OFTEN COME TO IN THE MARSH

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WE HEADED OFF WALKNG DOWN THAT LANE TO THE RIGHT

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MOST OF TONIGHT’S PHOTOS WERE TAKEN ON A SHORT WALK DOWN TO THAT YELLOW GATE AND BACK

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CABBAGE BUTTERFLY IN FLIGHT

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Although we haven't reached the predicted 90 degree temperatures Kelly and I are still finding it too hot.  Luckily our evenings have been cooling off nice so at least we get a nightly reprieve.  I am patiently waiting for cooler weather to re-charge my batteries and allow me to comfortably head outside once again and get a bunch of things around the yard caught up.

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GROANER'S CORNER:((  John was sitting outside his local pub one day, enjoying a quiet pint and generally feeling good about himself, when a nun suddenly appears at his table and starts decrying the evils of drink. "You should be ashamed of yourself young man! Drinking is a Sin! Alcohol is the blood of the devil!" Now John gets pretty annoyed about this, and goes on the offensive. "How do you know this, Sister?" "My Mother Superior told me so.""But have you ever had a drink yourself? How can you be sure that what you are saying is right?" "Don't be ridiculous--of course I have never taken alcohol myself" "Then let me buy you a drink - if you still believe afterwards that it is evil I will give up drink for life" "How could I, a Nun, sit outside this public house drinking?!" "I'll get the barman to put it in a teacup for you, then no one will ever know."The Nun reluctantly agrees, so John goes inside to the bar. "Another pint for me, and a triple vodka on the rocks", then he lowers his voice and says to the barman "and could you put the vodka in a teacup?""Oh no! It's not that Nun again is it?"

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