SMORES AROUND A SATURDAY NIGHT BACKYARD CAMPFIRE

A pink sunrise through the pines was soon covered by a cool and cloudy morning sky.  That was fine with me knowing the Sun would only heat things up.   Until about 10 a.m. it was a T-Shirt, long sleeve shirt and light jacket kind of a morning.  Very nice:))  With a few things to pick up in Goderich Pheebs and I did our usual routine run before scurrying off back home. 

TWO LARGE FREIGHTERS IN PORT THIS MORNING WITH THE RED ONE AT THE GRAIN DOCK AND THE BLUE ONE AT THE SALT DOCK

WAITING OFF SHORE LAY ANOTHER LARGE TANKER

Park resident guy Mike and his friend Jim were already at work taking the shingles off our wood shed roof in preparation of putting new wood and shingles on.  I had planned to take those shingles off myself but after climbing up my ladder a couple days ago I didn’t feel comfortable on that small steeper sloped roof about doing that.  Better left to someone who’s more at ease with doing those kinds of things so Mike took the shingles off himself. 

HERE’S MIKE DOING THE JOB I HAD HOPED TO DO

HERE JIM PULLS NAILS OUT OF THE SALVAGED ROOF PIECES

With a week left before departure we’re starting to ramp things up a bit.  Gathering stuff together, etc.  Hard to believe only a week left before we head out.  Walked down around the corner to where the  new double wide home is going and was surprised to see the next two forested lots down there being cleared as well. 

FOUNDATION BEAMS ARE IN PLACE FOR THE DOUBLE WIDE HOUSE SECTIONS

EACH HALF OF THE HOUSE WILL BE SLUNG UP AND OVER TOP THOSE TALL TREES BY A BIG CRANE

HERE’S THE PARK’S CHIEF BUILDING INSPECTOR CHECHING THINGS OUT

STANDING AT THE HOUSE FOUNDATION LOOKING AT THE NEXT LOT TO THE SOUTH WHICH HAS JUST BEEN CLEARED

JUST A FEW DAYS AGO A PINE FOREST STOOD HERE

ANOTHER MACHINE STANDS READY TO DIG INTO THE NEXT HOUSE LOT

Said to Kelly this afternoon ‘I don’t know what I am going to use for an excuse now’.  Been complaining so much about the summer’s heat and humidity sapping my energy and today with a perfectly ideal 62F going on I was just as tired as ever.  I should have had enough energy to be outside doing somersaults around the yard but I actually fell asleep in my recliner ‘again’.  I did manage a short walk with Pheebs along the Pine Tree trail in our Park but that was about it:((

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS…..THINK COWS

Kelly’s youngest son Ben and his two boys Darion and Kai came up to Bayfield today to spend some time at the beach and stay overnight in the Motorhome.  After supper we had us a backyard campfire with scores of smores:))

THE BLUE CASTE TO SOME OF THESE PHOTOS IS CAMPFIRE SMOKE

THERE IS A COMMON THREAD TO THESE PHOTOS AND THAT COMMON THREAD IS THE PHEEBS:))

KAI DIDN’T SEEM TO CERTAIN ABOUT THESE SMORES AT FIRST

IT’S NOT SO MUCH THE BOYS PHEEBS IS INTERESTED  IN AS MUCH AS IT IS WHAT THE BOY’S ARE EATING

PHEEBS GET’S SOME MELTED MARSHMELLOW IN HER FUR

NO IT WASN’T ME WHO PUT MARSHMELLOW IN PHEEB’S FUR

<<<<<< OH PLEASE DARION JUST A LITTLE BITE

Would you believe I had the little heater going under my computer desk tonight.  Yep, I did and it sure beats having to run the A/C. 

YOUR LOOKING PRETTY COOL OVER BY THE TREE THERE DAD

‘OKAY BOYS THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR DAD WHEN HE EATS TOO MANY SMORES’

I’M SORRY PHEEBS I DIDN’T MEAN TO PUT MARSHMELLOWS IN YOUR FUR’

‘THAT’S OKAY DARION DON’T FEEL BAD

‘HOW’S ABOUT A HUG’

PALS AGAIN:))

OKAY GUYS JUST ABOUT BEDTIME

Takes me a long time to warm up to kids but once I do and feel comfortable enough around the little Aliens to let the boxed up Kid inside of me come out to play I can be quite a character.  The word ‘zany’ comes to mind.  It’s true and I once saw that happen to me for a few years way back in the mid 80’s one time. 

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Two priests were going to Hawaii on vacation and decided that they would make this a real vacation by not wearing anything that would identify them as clergy. As soon as the plane landed, they headed for a store and bought some really outrageous shorts, shirts, sandals, sunglasses, and etc. The next morning they went to the beach, dressed in their “tourist” garb and were sitting on beach chairs, enjoying a drink, the sunshine and the scenery when a “drop dead gorgeous” blonde in a tiny bikini came walking straight towards them. They couldn't help but stare and when she passed them, she smiled and said, “Good morning, Father” – “Good morning, Father,” nodding and addressing each of them individually, then passed on by. They were both stunned. How in the world did she recognize them as priests? The next day they went back to the store, bought even more outrageous outfits-these were so loud, you could hear them before you even saw them-and again settled on the beach in their chairs to enjoy the sunshine, etc. After a while, the same gorgeous blonde, wearing a string bikini this time, came walking toward them again. (They were glad they had sunglasses, because their eyes were about to pop out of their heads.) Again, she approached them and greeted them individually: “Good morning, Father,” “Good morning Father,” and started to walk away. One of the priests couldn't stand it and said. “Just a minute, young lady. Yes, we are priests, and proud of it, but I have to know, how in the world did YOU know?” “Oh, Father, don't you recognize me? I'm Sister Angela!”

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Zen Logic:  Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either.  Just pretty much leave me alone……...or else!!

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PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE APPLE FRITTERS

Holy Smokers, 48.6F first thing this morning and by golly I thought as I slipped into a warm T-shirt that is just totally fine with me.  A long sleeve shirt over my T-shirt and I was good to go.  How invigorating to finally be refreshed by healthier cool air again.  About time:))

EARLY MORNING SEA GULLS

Here's an example of how my memory works every day now.  Priority this morning was to slip into the Bayfield Garage and pay our Manifold repair bill.   Rolling out earlier than the garage opened I figured Pheebs and I would have to put in a little time.  Plan was to head East for Clinton, pick up a coffee, then slide a few country roads further east of Clinton before turning south past a few more country roads.  Another turn West would take us towards the lake and highway 21 whereupon another right turn would lead us north to Bayfield.  Garage was right on the highway so we could stop in, pay the bill, and head on home.  Well that was the plan anyway.  About three minutes after leaving the house I totally forgot about my Bayfield Garage plan and wandered off in a totally different direction.  Returning home an hour and a half later I walked into the kitchen and Kelly said, 'how did it go at the garage??  'Awwwww Nuts'!!!!!!  Welcome to a perfectly normal day in the life of...…..me.

Tying a colorful string around my finger with a note saying 'Bayfield Garage' Kelly turned me around, patted me on my pointy little head, and sent me off straight away to the garage.  I made it this time.  Our bill $1,077.24 complete with 8 new spark plugs came in slightly under the guestimated price and well under what I thought it would eventually end up being.  Not often that happens of course and always nice when it does.  Of course I always expect the worst and hope for the best.  Thanks to the Bayfield Garage for another job well done.

MUSHROOMS GROWING AROUND OUR HOUSE

Pheebs and I managed a short walk this morning but just before parking the Jeep a song come on the Sirius satellite radio.  It was an oldie from the forties, 'Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition'.  Well do you think I could stop that song from rattling around in head.  Nosireeee, over and over that line would play in my mind.  Only thing I was able to do was replace a couple of the words and change the line to, 'Praise The Lord And Pass The Apple Fritters.  There, now you've got it in your head too and I betcha your gonna go with ‘Apple Fritters’ as well aren't ya:)) 

PHEEBS AND I WALKED ALONG THIS OLD DEAD END ROAD BEFORE TURNING INTO THE FOREST

Within weeks some of our Park's Snowbirds and residents will begin to scatter so this morning Gayle and Richard along with Kelly and I took our Snow Bird neighbor Monica out for lunch at the Bayfield Berry Farm.  Monica flies out for Florida in October but we won't be here.  Gayle and Richard will be heading out in a few weeks for parts unknown as well.  We have all lived within a few hundred yards of each other these past bunch of years but will soon be like seeds scattered to the wind.

KELLY AND MONICA

BAYFIELD BERRY FARM

NO RICHARD ISN’T READING US A FEW PASSAGES HE’S USING KELLY’S BLACKBERRY SMART PHONE TO TAKE A FEW PHOTOS

THANKS TO THE BERRY FARM’S OWNER MARLENE FOR TAKING THIS PHOTO

HERE’S MONICA WRESTLING WITH HER SEAT BELT

Can't even begin to tell you how nice it is now being able to go outside, work away at things, and feel totally comfortable.  No heat, no humidity, no bugs, no problem:))

GROANER'S CORNER:(( An 80 year old couple were having problems remembering things, so they decided to go to their doctor to get checked out to make sure nothing was wrong with them. When they arrived at the doctor's, they explained to the doctor about the problems they were having with their memory. After checking the couple out, the doctor tells them that they were physically okay but might want to start writing things down and make notes to help them remember things. The couple thanked the doctor and left. Later that night while watching TV, the old man got up from his chair and his wife asks, "Where are you going?" He replies, "To the kitchen." She asks, "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?" He replies, "Sure." She then asks him, "Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?" He says, "No, I can remember that." She then says, "Well, I also would like some strawberries on top. You had better write that down cause I know you'll forget that." He says, "I can remember that, you want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries." She replies, "Well, I also would like whip cream on top. I know you will forget that so you better write it down." With irritation in his voice, he says, "I don't need to write that down, I can remember that." He then fumes into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes he returns from the kitchen and hands her a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment and says, "You forgot my toast."

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MOTORHOME REPAIRS ARE FINISHED AND IT WAS A 2 COFFEE DAY FOR RICHARD AND I PLUS WE HAD US A MISSION TONIGHT

PICKING UP THE MOTORHOME AT THE BAYFIELD GARAGE LATE THIS AFTERNOON

Sixty five degrees outside this morning:)))))))  A light rain in the night had me worried but luckily it quit.  The manifold repairs on the Motorhome had to be done outside and had it been raining it was agreed the Motorhome repairs would have had to be  re-scheduled.  With a weather eye to the sky I had the rig at the Bayfield Garage slightly before eight.

PARKED THE MOTORHOME HERE AND IT WAS HERE IN THIS SPOT WHERE THEY DID THE MANIFOLD REPAIR

Right on time a burgundy colored Chevy van pulled into the parking lot and scooped me.  Richard and I were off and running with our coffee travels this morning taking us up to Goderich and back with a few lakeside roads in between.  Drove by the Bayfield Garage about mid morning a few times to see how things were progressing on the coach and when we saw a mechanic fellow swinging a sledge hammer inside the driver’s side front wheel well we knew everything was progressing normally.  Well Okay……maybe he wasn’t swinging a sledge hammer but we did see a fellow working on it.  We both agreed it was better somebody else doing that nasty job than either one of us.

WITH THE REPAIRS DONE IT WAS A NICE QUIET DRIVE HOME

Cloudy skies overhead and what a HUGE RELIEF it is with temps at 68F instead of near 88 like Wednesday.  Feeling soooooooooooo much better and how nice to be outside without being all slimed up by the heavy humidity.  No comparison between yesterday and today and how nice to have decent healthy weather upon us again.  Didn’t even have to run the noisy A/C today.  Nice, nice, nice.  Don’t know how many times today I thought of carrying some things out the Motorhome then remembered the Motorhome isn’t here…..it’s at the garage.

Due to cooler air this morning I was able to get a few little outside things done.  A few days ago I moved our bird feeding platform to discourage a chipmunk from climbing up a nearby plant, jumping onto the platform, and eating all the birdseed.  Well that was fine until I unwittingly dug in poled green birdfeeder 3 feet away to support the tall bent over plants.  Perfect…..for the chipmunk.  Now he simply scurried up the tall plant stems, stepped onto the birdfeeder, then launched himself with oodles of grace and flair into the air across 3 feet of space onto the platform again.  I took down the poled green birdfeeder this morning.  Back to the drawing board. 

 

Been meaning to fix a garden gate for a couple years so I tackled that this morning as well unaware the humidity was sneaking up on me again.  That was brought quickly to my attention when a whole mob of Mosquitos set upon me.  With my shirt once more sticking to me I made fast tracks for the house.  Although our air is noticeably cooler we still have to get rid of that damn humidity in the air.  I’m thinking late December maybe but good news on the weather channel tonight.  Much cooler tomorrow and to borrow a few words from George over at ‘Our Awesome Travels’……’We Lovin It’:)))))

Late this afternoon I decided to take a drive into the Bayfield Garage to see how things were coming along with the rig’s manifold repair.  I was fully expecting it to be there over night.  Just as I pulled in a very familiar looking Motorhome was just pulling out and heading down the highway.  Figured that was a good sign.  And it was.  Minutes later it was back and a beaming mechanic hopped out and said, ‘it’s all done and ready to go’.  He said the job went much better than he had expected and the two bolts he was most worried about turned out to be not so bad.   The garage had phoned earlier in the day saying the mechanic was recommending new spark plugs as well so we had that done too.  It had been on my mind about the plugs for awhile now but had forgot to mention it.  The coach is a 2003 and we’ve had it 4 years with no plug change.  The mechanic said to me. ‘I don’t know what kind of gas mileage you were getting before but your going to get better mileage now for sure.  He said the plugs were bad and has saved them for me to look at tomorrow morning when I go back to pay the bill.  They didn’t have the paperwork done yet so Don the owner said just take the rig home and settle up tomorrow.  One of the nice homey advantages of a small town garage eh:))

HERE YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE SHINY NEW BOLTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE

DRIVER’S SIDE OF THE ENGINE……ANOTHER WELL DONE JOB BY THE BAYFIELD GARAGE:))

Slipped over to Richards after supper tonight.  We had us a mission.  A large King size mattress needed to be moved out, loaded on a trailer, and taken to a storage facility in Goderich.  Richard is one of those guys like myself who prefers to try and do everything himself and only resort to asking for help as a last resort.  A big floppy King size mattress is a last resort so between the two of us we had ourselves quite a struggle but to make a long story short we wrestled it out of the house, onto his tow dolly trailer and transported it along with rails and two box spring section to Goderich.  We then manhandled everything neatly into their storage locker, closed the door and headed for a take-out coffee at McD’s.  Nice drive home with a big Lake Huron sunset following us all the way.  We were back by 8 and nobody even got hurt once.  Between the two of us no matter what it is we can always seem to turn everything into an enjoyable adventure:))

YES AND WE EVEN HAD TIME TO STOP AND TAKE IN THE SUNSET

GROANER’S CORNER:(( One-Liners::

Middle age is when you are warned to slow down by a doctor instead of a policeman.

A clean desk is a sign of a cluttered desk drawer.

Anything worth taking seriously is worth making fun of.

Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.

To sit alone with my conscience will be judgment enough for me.

An escalator never breaks.  it only becomes stairs.

When you get older, lack of pep is often mistaken for patience.

The secret of success is to know something nobody else knows.

What will today's younger generation tell their children they had to do "without"?

If you're doing the speed limit, you're in the way. 18 out of 10 schizophrenics agree.

It's not an optical illusion. It just looks like one.

Bumper Sticker: Excuse me for driving so closely in front of you.

Today is the last day of your life, so far.

No man really becomes a fool until he stops asking questions.

People never grow up; they just learn how to act in public.

One half of the world will never understand the other half and it doesn't matter which half you're in.

I've discovered the whole problem with the National Debt.  Most of us work 5 days a week and the government spends 7.

You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

No matter how bad it gets, I'm rich at the dollar store.

The tongue must be heavy indeed, because so few people can't hold it.

The minute a man is convinced that he is interesting, he isn't.

If you want to know more about paranoids, follow them around.

Anything not nailed down is a cat toy.

The reason Las Vegas is so crowded is that no one has the plane fare to leave.

“People are always telling me to keep my nose to the grindstone, but I'm afraid that will cause me to lose face.”

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