'STRIKE ONE', 'STRIKE TWO', 'STRIKE THREE', AND THE GROCERY GAME WAS ALL OVER FOR ME THIS MORNING!!

NICE PAIR OF MALLARD DUCKS ON OUR PARK'S POND THIS AFTERNOON

So far so good for us and life is still pretty much normal just like before.  Social distancing is no problem and we've been able to get a few groceries when necessary as well as gas.  I have enough little outside projects going on at the moment to keep me occupied for awhile and luckily my old arch nemisis boredom has not been an issue for me so far.

A FEW INSPIRING SUN SPLASHES ON OUR JEEP RIDE THURSDAY MORNING

PASTORAL BARN YARD

WE HAVE A LOT OF OLDER BARNS HERE IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO AND YOU CAN SEE MANY OF THEM AT MY PHOTO ALBUM... SOME OLD BARNS, SOME NEWER ONES AND A FEW SHEDS ALONG THE WAY

OF COURSE SOME BARNS ARE NOT AS HAPPY AS OTHER BARNS

Our weather so far for March has been acceptable.  Have had some really nice days with a few winter like disappointments along the way.  Waiting patiently for a little warmth in the air.

Had half a dozen items on my grocery list so Pheebs and I headed off in the direction of Goderich this morning.  Pretty much had the roads to ourselves.  With low oil prices I figured I had better do my part and pick up some gas as well.  My way of helping John B in Alberta and Mike C from Montana to boost their Shell oil stocks.  Don't want those boys losing any more money and going hungry:))

THIS GODERICH GAL WAS HAVING QUITE A TIME WITH ALL HER GROCERIES HERE OUTSIDE 'GIANT TIGER'

LUCKILY A GOOD SAMARITAN RUSHES TO HER AID

'JUST FOLLOW THE GOOSE YOUNG MAN JUST FOLLOW THE GOOSE' MY MIND KEPT SAYING TO ME

My first stop was Walmart where I walked in took one look at the line-up and walked out again.  That was strike one!!  Next I went to Zehrs Supermarket, walked in and looked over to the cashier area.  Looked Okay so proceeded to pick up 2 green bananas, three large carrots, two toothpaste items and a 25 Watt lightbulb.  Heading for the milk and orange juice area and coming around the end of an aisle I heard a male voice telling someone to back up and stay in line.  Looking in that direction I saw a line-up of people all the way back to the bakery department.  Some carts were exploding with groceries.  Because of my zero tolerance and impatience with line-ups I immediately turned around and re-tracing my steps put the light bulb back as well as the two toothpaste items.  Next the three carrots were carefully put back along with the two bananas.  Returned the cart and I was out of there.  Strike two!!  After a drive down around the harbor area I stopped at Food Basics in Goderich's south end.  About 35 million cars in the parking lot with people clustered around the door.  Strike three I was out!!  The grocery game was over.  Pheebs and I headed home empty handed.  

A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STILL CONTINUES AT THE GODERICH ELEVATORS

AND RESTORATION WORK CARRIES ON ALONG LAKE HURONS SHORELINE SOUTH OF GODERICH'S HARBOR MOUTH

BACKFILLING ALONG THE TOP OF THE NEW BREAKWATER WALL IN FRONT OF THE BEACH STREET STATION

DRAGGING THE BUCKET BACKWARDS TO LEVEL OFF THE BACKFILL

Almost forgot.....at the gas station after filling up, the attendant carefully and rather stealthily came up alongside the Jeep with a box and the debit machine.  The box contained thin plastic gloves.  He instructed me to remove one glove and put it on my right hand.  He held the machine as I used my gloved hand to punch in the numbers.  Transaction completed I took my Michael Jackson glove off.  He asked if I wanted the paper receipt and I said no.  Wasn't going to put my new glove on again just to receive a paper receipt!!

HERE I AM IN OUR BACKYARD MARCH 26TH 2008 TRYING TO GET A CAMPFIRE GOING JUST AFTER RETURNING FROM THE SOUTHWEST....DON'T AKS ME WHY I WAS TRYING TO GET A CAMPFIRE GOING.....I WAS YOUNGER THEN 

 Under a heavy overcast Pheebs and I headed home with a short muddy stop alongside Kitchigami Road.  Again, hardly any traffic anywhere.  I think everybody was at the grocery stores loading up their shopping carts.  Looks like we might have to gnaw the bark off our pine trees, get our drinking water from the frog pond and compete with the birds, bunnies, squirrels, and chipmunks for what's left of our birdseed.  It's either that or Kelly will have to take her vast storage of patience to the grocery store with her.  I have great patience for raking leaves and stuff.

STOPPED ALONGSIDE KITCHIGAMI ROAD

SO NICE TO SEE BLUE SKIES AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON

PINE TREE REFLECTIONS IN OUR PARK'S POND

IN THE PHOTO BELOW IT LOOKS LIKE WOODPECKERS HAVE BEEN BUSY WITH THIS TREE OR MAYBE JUST ONE BIG PILEATED ONE

I'm 75 and a half now and you would think after many years being involved with Spring clean-ups I would know better than to try to get everything done all at once pushing myself for hours until my legs are numb, my hurting backs bent over, and my arms are so sore I don't even know where they are.  Well you would think that but oh no I have to half cripple myself every year about this time.  Tried taking Pheebs for a walk on rubbery legs and had to turn back, head for my recliner, and sit down to take the pressure off my brain.

MY TRUSTY GARDEN PALS HAVE STOPPED FOR A REST BESIDE THIS OLD DEAD TREE

MALE MALLARD DUCK ON OUR PARK'S POND

THIS SMALL DUCK WINGED IN OVERHEAD AND LANDED ON THE POND

NOT THE BEST PHOTO BUT WONDER IF ANYONE KNOWS WHAT KIND OF SMALL DUCK THIS IS AND IN PHOTO BELOW IS A PAIR OF WELL CAMOUFLAGED CANADA GEESE

Got a song stuck in my head today.  First heard it a week ago on my Sirius Satellite Radio Ch. 53 The Chill Lounge.  Didn't like the tune because it sounded like another one of those repetitive generic young whiney voiced girl songs.  I turned the volume down.  Couple days later I heard it again But I didn't turn the volume down this time.  Earlier this week it was on again.  Hmmmm, is this simple little repetitive lyric song growing on me??  It came on again this morning and I turned up the volume with a smile on my face.  Very rare for a smile to ever escape this stone face of mine.  Couldn't really make out the lyrics to well but I liked how she pronounced the word 'coffee' in the song.  On the way home and most of this afternoon I have not been able to get that jingly little tune out of my head.  Went outside, knelt down and repeatedly banged my head on a rock.  Well that made it worse.  The rock cracked, volume in my head went way up, and somebody somehow added loud bells to the song.  So now to make things even worse I have a constant ringing in my ears.  Be very careful now about clicking on this link.  Like me you may not like the song at first but think you might give it a second listen.  Keep that up and your going to have this catchy little tune rattling around in YOUR head before you know it.  I don't recommend the rock head banging cure unless you don't mind bells in your belfry and a ringing in your ears......Okay, hear ya go, I'll Make A Cup Of Coffee For Your Head  Now, on the serious side of this song I found something out later today in regards to the lyrics.  death bed (coffee for your head)  Now I'm really confused:((

DUCKS DON'T NORMALLY STAY ON OUR PARK'S POND VERY LONG BUT I HOPE THIS PAIR DOES AND BUILDS A NEST ALNOG THE EDGE

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Three prisoners are captured in the war, and are about to be executed. They are asked what they wish to have for their last meal.  The Italian asks for Peperoni Pizza, which he is served and then taken away. The Frenchmen requests a Filet Mignon, which he is served and also taken away. The Jewish man requests a plate of strawberries.  The captors are surprised and reply, "STRAWBERRIES?"  "Yes, Strawberries."  "But they are out of season!"  "I'll wait......"
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“He built his entire itch-cream business from scratch.”
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A SIGN OF OUR TIMES

In this world of madness, discord, insensibility, absence of reason, gullibility, sheer stupidity, and chaos, I am reminded yet again of a simple something I read years ago.  I'm sure many others have read it and I feel there are also many who have dismissed it from their lives.  It is called...…. 

'The Death Of Common Sense'.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
Why the early bird gets the worm;
Life isn’t always fair,
and maybe it was my fault.

Common sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults are in charge not children).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of an 8 year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate on the cheek, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common sense finally gave up the will to live, after a women failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common sense was preceded in death, by
His parents, Truth and Trust
His wife, Discretion
His daughter, Responsibility
His son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers
I know my rights
I want my rights
I want it now
I’m a victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. 

I would say with the way things have now become and the way they are going in this insane political world the loss of common sense will not bode well for our declining society and uncertain future.

AND THEN WE HEARD TINY SQUEALS OF LAUGHTER AHEAD ON THE TRAIL...COULD IT BE FAIRIES? OH I WAS SURE HOPING SO:))

AFTER STRIPPING THE COB OF IT'S CORN CHIPPY CLEANS UP THE TABLE SCRAPS

So nice early each morning when opening our patio door letting Pheebs out to hear the twitterings of early songbirds in our backyard trees.  A truly fine way to start any day.  It occured to me while listening to the birds it was nine months to Christmas Day.  I don't know why my mind works that way, it just does sometimes.

SPOTTED THIS DOWNIE WOODPECKER IN OUR FRONT YARD TODAY

HE EYES THE COLD WATER IN THE BIRDBATH

COMES DOWN  CLOSER FOR A LOOK SEE

AND HAS HIMSELF A REFRESHING SIP OF WATER 

NOW THAT IS ONE HAPPY LITTLE DOWNIE WOODPECKER

Always encouraging any time at dawn when opening our curtains each morning to see pink skies filtering through our many pine trees.  With no wind blowing the branches around I was hopeful for some slightly warmer air.  We did get over 40F and although not exactly warm it was still mighty fine for catching up on some outside yard work later.

Pheebs and I wandered over to Clinton this morning and of course I should have known the bird seed place wouldn't be open.  No matter, grabbed a coffee to go at Hortons and meandered our way over to the Bannockburn Conservation Area.  It was a beautiful morning with a clear deep blue cloudless sky overhead.

THIS STURDAY WALKING BRIDGE CROSSES SEVERAL CREEKS

IF AND WHEN THE CREEKS FLOOD THIS SMALL MEADOW IS OFTEN UNDER WATER

WE CLIMBED UP INTO THE UPPER FOREST

WE'LL HEAD OFF UP THAT TRAIL AT TOP LEFT

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL MORNING IN THE FOREST

A SPIFFEL OF SNOW HIDES IN THE SHADOWS OF AN OLD TREE STUMP

WE TURNED AROUND HERE WHERE THE TRAIL LEADS DOWN INTO A RAVINE

THE SHADOW COWBOY AND HIS MIGHTY DOG PHEEBS

No cars in the Bannockburn parking lot so we were off down the trail enjoying the peaceful ambience of nature.  Didn't go all the way around the loop trail but just far enough to get a bit more exercise for my winter weakened legs.  So nice in the forest but oh my the mud in places.  Anyway it was a nice 40 minute walk with babbling brooks, twittering birds in the tree tops and sunshine sparkling down through the tall pines, cedars, and maple trees.  And how fresh the forest air.  And then I heard the playful squeals of small children coming along the trail.  

A LONG AGO TREE STUMP

MOSS AND LICHENS COMPLETELY COVER ANOTHER STUMP

IT WAS HERE ON OUR RETURN TO THE JEEP I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMETHING AHEAD

PHEEBS HEARS IT TOO

SOMEWHERE OUT THERE COMES THE SOUND OF CHILDRENS SQUEALS AND LAUGHTER

Pheebs and I stepped off the trail to let a Mom and her two small children go by.  In passing she said something about having to get them out of the house and burn off some energy.  A few minutes later and a little further along on our homeward journey I heard another small voice.  Could it be fairies?  Oh I was sure hoping so but nope it was another Mom coming along the trail with another wee toddler.  Pheebs and I managed to slip on by them with a cheery 'Good Morning' and headed for the Jeep.  We were home 20 minutes later.

PHEEBS WATCHES THE TRAIL AHEAD INTENTLY

THEN YES SHE HEARS THE CHILDREN TOO

THAT'S THE MOM WITH ONE TODDLER.....I DIDN'T GET A PHOTO OF THE MOM AND TWO TODDLERS

WE'RE BACK TO THE JEEP

ON THE WAY HOME WE SPOTTED THE HIGHLAND FURRY FACE GANG BASKING IN THE SPRING SUNSHINE

Without stopping for a rest I hauled out my wheelbarrow and with pitchfork and lawn rake I picked up all the leaves and needles I had raked up on neighbor Monica's lawn, loaded them into our utility trailer and hauled them off to the dump.  On the way back I noticed neighbor Pat up the road had a pile raked up by the edge of the road so with the utility trailer already hooked up I stopped and scooped her pile of leaves and pine needles as well.  Off to the dump with a second big load and that was it for the day.

THAT'S MONICA'S LOAD OF LEAVES AND PINE NEEDLES

AND THIS IS PAT'S LOAD OF PINE NEEDLES AND LEAVES AT THE DUMP

AND I EVEN HAD ENOUGH ENERGY LEFT OVER FOR AN AFTERNOON WALK WITH THE PHEEBS TOO

With skies clouded over again I headed inside and brewed myself up a Cinnamon Chalet tea.  Had a real nice potpourri smell to it.  Cream definitely takes the harsh bitter edge off coffee but doesn't seem to do anything for tea so I have dispensed with putting cream in tea.  And of course I never add sugar to tea or coffee.  

THE FOREST FLOOR IS A FASCINATING PLACE

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A man suffered a heart attack and had by-pass surgery. He awakened to find himself in the care of nuns at a Catholic hospital. As he was recovering, a nun asked him how he was going to pay the bill. He replied in a raspy voice, "No health insurance." The nun asked if he has money in the bank. He replied "No money in the bank." The nun asked " Do you have a relative who could help you?" He said "Just a spinster sister who is a nun." The nun, slightly perturbed, said "Nuns are not spinsters! Nuns are married to God." The patient replied, "Then send the bill to my brother-in-law!"

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Q: What did the baby digital watch say to the mommy analog watch?

A: Look Ma, no hands! -------------------------

Our 15-year-old daughter, Melanie, had to write a report for school about World War II, specifically D-Day and the invasion of Normandy. “Isn't there a movie about that?” she asked. I told her there was, but I couldn't think of the name. Then it came to her, “Oh, I remember! Isn't it something like ‘Finding Private Nemo'?”

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