GOOD LUCK MY FRIENDS

Despite my efforts to ignore what's going on in American politics right now I cannot seem to keep myself away from checking the cable news channels almost on the hour for the latest headlines.  With most everything going so nuts all over the place how does one bury one's head in the sand and pretend not to notice or be interested in what's happening?  Maybe it's the undeveloped photojournalist deep within myself that draws me to the media coverage taking place south of the border.  In my mind, I think staying abreast of things is important and the right thing to do.  We in Canada are in the same room as the large but friendly troubled Elephant to our south so every move that Elephant makes we here in Canada had better pay close attention to what the Elephant is not only thinking but what it's doing, and in which direction that Elephant is moving.  Although frustrating and irritating as the news can be at times we cannot turn our back on it.  And choosing trustworthy news sources is key.  We have been and still are on the brink of world-changing events right now and I for one do not want to miss it by getting myself upset with things and turning my back on it.  However, for we Canadians not to be upset or affected by events south of the border it is a tall order indeed.  I just hope for our dear American friends, common sense, logic, decency, civility, truthfulness, and a realistic sense of morality and responsibility win out.  Good luck my friends...........

A GREAT LOOKING DAY AT BAYFIELD'S BEACH

STRUTTING THE BEACH WITH ATTITUDE

IT WAS SO WINDY THESE GULLS WERE LITERALLY HANGING IN THE AIR

OUR SECOND DAY OF HIGH WINDS ARE BRINGING HIGH WAVES ASHORE

BAYFIELD'S SOUTH PIER IS LOOKING MORE LIKE THE BOW OF A SUBMARINE PLUNGING INTO THE WAVES

MORE EMPTY SLIPS AT DOCKSIDE THIS MORNING

A cloudy morning followed by a sunny afternoon made for a nice early October day somewhere in the high 50's and low 60's Fahrenheit.  A usual morning drive around for Pheebs and I without anything too exciting happening.  More winter prep outside around the house this afternoon and that was about it.

A LEAFY LANE

A TREE HAS DUMPED ITS APPLES ALONGSIDE A CORNFIELD

INSIDE THE CORNFIELD

WE STOP AT THIS SPOT ON PAVILION ROAD MORE THAN ANY OTHER

Kelly took the call from Goderich's Maitland Valley Center this afternoon that came in regarding my blood tests last week.  Everything was good and all systems were go.  My next blood test in 3 weeks will be to determine my PSA number regarding my prostate cancer.  It's been over a year now since I completed my radiation treatments and so far so good...........

GROANER'S CORNER:((   A Swiss man, looking for directions, pulls up at a bus stop where two Englishmen are waiting."Entschuldigung, koennen Sie Deutsch sprechen?" he says.The two Englishmen just stare at him."Excusez-moi, parlez vous Francais?" The two continue to stare.  "Parlare Italiano?" No response.  "Hablan ustedes Espanol?" Still nothing.  The Swiss guy drives off, extremely disgusted.  The first Englishman turns to the second and says, "Maybe we should learn a foreign language...."  "Why?" says the other, "That bloke knew four languages, and it didn't do him any good."

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Everyone has heard of the historical figure, Karl Marx...
But no one remembers his sister, Onya, who invented the starting pistol.

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THE DAY JUST KIND OF DRIED UP AND FLATTENED OUT

It was back to Goderich first thing this morning to pick up those few grocery items I walked out on last Sunday morning.  Only this time I went to Food Basics.  Much better.  Picked up some gas, a McDonald's coffee, and took a drive down around the harbor forgetting to remember the Rotary Cove road out to the dog walking area is closed until October 16th.  Still more work going on building up the shoreline against the coming late October and November storms.

STORMY LAKE HURON WATERS

GODERICH HARBOR OUTER BREAKWATER

THE ALGOMA INNOVATOR WAS AT THE SALT DOCK TODAY

We took the scenic route back to Bayfield through Ben Miller and picked up a few seasonal photos along the way.  It's starting to look and feel a little Thanksgivenish and Halloweeny out there in the countryside.

I DIDN'T SEE THE SPACESHIP BUT I DID SEE THE ALIEN CREW MEMBERS OUT  AND ABOUT TAKING  SOIL SAMPLES 

MILKWEED PODS

STOPPED FOR A FEW PHOTOS AT THE BEN MILLER INN

I had spotted a trail a few weeks ago at the northwest corner of the Colborne Cemetery northeast of Goderich so this morning Pheebs and I decided to drive to the back of the cemetery and see where that trail would lead us.  Well, it didn't go too far actually.  Maybe the short side of a quarter-mile with it ending at a farmer's field.  A second trail branching off on the right side led in a semi-circle back to the northeast corner of the cemetery.  Both semi-maintained trails could be walked in about 15 minutes or less.  

LOOKS LIKE THERE WERE SOME LARGE TREES IN THIS AREA NOT SO LONG AGO

HEADING BACK TOWARDS THE CEMETERY

TOMBSTONES IN THE DISTANCE

It was a sunny but windy day making it feel cooler than it actually was.  Nice day nonetheless and I put a few yard things away.  Didn't have quite as much energy stored up as I thought I did and was soon back in the sunroom watching our front yard birds coming and going from the comfort of my recliner.  

A FEW PHOTOS AROUND OUR FRONT YARD FROG POND

The Blue Jays have really taken over the new feeder which I am having trouble keeping filled up.  I guess that's okay for the Jays but not so good for my birdseed pocketbook.  Some of the bird photos below could have been better but I've included them anyway

BLUE JAY

RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH

BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE

FEMALE CARDINAL

Our sunny morning gave way to an increasing cloud cover and other than an afternoon walk for Pheebs and I the day just kind of dried up and flattened out.  Sunshine returned late in the afternoon and everything was good again:))

WE LOVE OUR LITTLE FRONT YARD CHIPMUNKS

I ALWAYS LEAVE A LITTLE EXTRA BIRDSEED ON THE GROUND FOR THE CHIPPIES

MORNING'S DEW

With colder mornings upon us now I crank up the Jeep's heater full blast for a short while.  I have a couple dash vents on either side of the steering wheel and have them strategically positioned to blow their soothing warm air at two points on the wheel.  One blows directly onto the 10 o'clock spot while the other one blows onto the 2 o'clock position.  Why those two places??  That's right where I have my hands placed and oh how I like to feel that warm air blowing directly on my hands.  If my hands are cold then I am cold so it's always important for me to get my hands warmed up first:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((   Tim decided to tie the knot with his long time girlfriend. One evening, after the honeymoon, he was organizing his golfing equipment. His wife was standing nearby watching him.  After a long period of silence she finally speaks: "Tim, I've been thinking, now that we're married maybe it's time you quit golfing. You spend so much time on the course. You could probably get a good price for your clubs."  Tim gets this horrified look on his face.  She says, "Darling, what's wrong?"  "For a minute there you were beginning to sound like my ex-wife."  "Ex-wife!" she screams, "I didn't know you were married before!"  "I wasn't," he replied.

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