WELL, AT LEAST WE HAVE A FEW THINGS COMING UP

HEADING HOME FROM GODERICH THIS AFTERNOON

Not a nice weather day.  With temps hovering just above the freezing mark we had a combination of snow and rain coming down creating a cold dampness that just goes through your clothes and gets ya.  A few sunny breaks early on but that soon ended.  The rainy snow continued for the whole rest of the day with hardly a let-up.

 A FEW LADIES IN OUR PARK OUT FOR A WALK IN THE BRIEF MORNING SUNSHINE

 AS I ROLLED OUT OF THE PARK I SAW DARK CLOUDS TO THE NORTHWEST

Had to go to Clinton this morning and as so often happens with this type of weather it just got worse the further inland Pheebs and I went.  We were soon on slippery slushy roads so I quickly slipped the Jeep into 4-wheel drive which immediately improved the handling.  I decided a few days ago to put our heavier winter/desert tires on the Jeep for this winter so it goes into Clinton's Tirecraft on November 16th to do the tire switch.  Pheebs goes to the Groomer on November 17th for her pre-winter spiff-up.

TURNING RIGHT ONTO THE HIGHWAY HEADING FOR CLINTON I COULD DEFINITELY SEE MORE SNOW

 WITHIN A FEW MILES THE WEATHER BEGAN TO TURN NASTY

 SNOWY SLUSH AT TIM HORTONS DRIVE-THU

HEADING BACK TO BAYFIELD I COULD SEE THE WEATHER IMPROVING AHEAD

IT WAS SURE LOOKING NICER CLOSER TO HOME

I've noticed the anti-freeze level dropping and disappearing in our RV the last few times I've had it for a run so I stopped at the Bayfield Garage this morning to make an appointment to have them check the system for a leak.  It goes in early on November 19th.

 A SLIGHT SKIFF OF SNOW WHEN WE GOT UP THIS MORNING

With it being cold, wet, and nasty out I mainly stayed inside again except for a mid-afternoon drive up to Goderich and back.  It was just me in the Jeep this time as I headed to the Dynacare blood lab for a 2:30 PSA blood work appointment. (re. prostrate cancer)  I should have had this appointment sooner but kept forgetting about it.  I hope to have the results Thursday.

 HEADING TO GODERICH FOR MY DYNACARE APPOINTMENT

ROADS WERE SLIPPERY

 THE GODERICH AREA HAD WAY MORE SNOW THAN BAYFIELD

THE VAMPIRE CLINIC WHERE THEY TOOK MY BLOOD

With the Jeep being overdue for an oil change I stopped into the Napa garage behind the Jeep dealer while in Goderich and booked an appointment for the afternoon of November 19th to have that done. 

 ROLLING OUT OF GODERICH HEADING HOME

 AT LEAST THE ROADS WERE IN BETTER SHAPE HEADING BACK

 NOW HOW'S THIS FOR NATURAL CHRISTMAS COLORS

Well, at least a few things are happening here and we have stuff coming up to occupy our time.  It sure helps to chase these boring November blues away.  Oh, and also throw into that mix an Exeter dental appointment for Kelly as well as a Goderich Dynacar blood test too.  I know it's grasping at straws to keep ourselves focused but sometimes it's the little things that help one get over the humps and bumps.

 I HAD ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONGS GOING THROUGH MY HEAD HERE...SLEIGH RIDE

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A man goes to see the dentist and asks "How much to pull two wisdom teeth?"  The Dentist says "$100.00.  Man says, "too much. Can't you do it for less?"  Dentist says "I can do it for $50 if I cut out the novocaine."  The man says, "that's better but still too much. Can't we do it any cheaper?"  Dentist says, "I could let my trainee do it for $20 but she has never pulled a tooth before and it would be quite painful."  The man says, "That's great. Schedule my wife for next Tuesday."

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The Cajun menu offered a vast fish selection: Blackened redfish, orange roughy, pink salmon, browned yellowtail...Yet with a carefree, colorblind cook, we all ended up with Rainbow trout.

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I AM JUST NOT A COLD WEATHER OUTDOORS PERSON

 HEADING OUT OF OUR PARK I AM ENCOURAGED BY A SPLASH OF SUNSHINE

Had it not been for a cold biting westerly wind again this sunny 43F morning might it have been doable.  I guess I am just not a cold weather outdoors person.  Never really have been.  However, we did settle for a short Jeep ride into Bayfield and then southeast of Bayfield snagging a few photos along the way.  

 A LOT OF SAILBOATS IN WINTER STORAGE OVER THERE

 A CURIOUS-LOOKING TRUCK AT A BAYFIELD GAS PUMP THIS MORNING....PROBABLY HEADED FOR THE MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS OF THE SOUTHWEST

 AND SPEAKING OF CURIOUS LOOKING.....

HEADING OUT INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE

 WHAT WOULD MY BLOG BE IF I DIDN'T HAVE A PICTURE OF A TRACTOR OR A COW OR SOMETHING

AN UNSETTLED PART OF THE SOUTHERN SKY EARLIER TODAY

Home again I did rake up some leaves and pine needles in the driveway.  Not as much wind here in the protection of the pine forest.  My afternoon was a repeat of the day before.  And the day before that.  And......well you get my drift.

OUR FRONT YARD IS STILL HOLDING ONTO ITS GREENESS

GROANER'S CORNER:((  An elderly man goes into his doctor’s office for an annual physical. After a while, the doctor comes out and says: "I'm sorry, Bill, but we have discovered you have a condition that only allows you another six weeks to live."  "But Doctor," Bill replies, "I feel great. I haven't felt better in years. This just can't be true. Isn't there anything I can do?"  After a moment, the doctor says: "Well, you might start going down the street to that new health spa to take a mud bath every day."  "And that will cure me?" Bill asks excitedly.  "No," replies the doctor: "but it will get you used to the dirt."

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Two boys were talking excitedly when the teacher entered the room.  The teacher says, "What are you boys excited about?"  One boy answers, "We found a ten-dollar bill and decided to give it to the next person who tells the biggest lie."
"You should be ashamed of yourselves," said the teacher, "When I was your age, I didn't even know what a lie was."  The boys looked at each other......then handed the ten-dollar bill to the teacher.

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OUR COUNTRY ROAD WALKS ARE ABOUT AT AN END

 BAYFIELD'S CLAN GREGOR SQUARE

How nice to see sunshine making its way through the pine trees first thing this morning.  Had it not been for another icy cold wind Pheebs and I would have headed out into the countryside to our walking spot.  I have a feeling our morning and evening walks are about at an end now until warmer days next Spring sometime.  We did manage a short Jeep ride into Bayfield and back.  The rest of the day was spent inside reading.................

 ROUGH LAKE WATERS THIS MORNING

 I WAS HOPING THIS COUPLE WITH TWO SMALL DOGS WOULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER OUT ON THE PIER....AND THEY DIDN'T

ALL THE SAILBOATS ARE OUT OF THE WATER NOW UNTIL NEXT SPRING

 A  LONE SEAGULL STANDS ON ONE OF THE DOCKS

GROANER'S CORNER:((  An old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home.  He followed me into the house, down the hall, and fell asleep on the couch. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back, resumed his position on the couch and slept for an hour. This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: 'Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'  The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with four children -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'

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NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE COLD AND DARK RAINY MONTH OF NOVEMBER

It was nineteen years ago tonight that we moved the last of our things from the old farmhouse (Weenie Roast Ranch) near Fullerton Ontario to our location here on the outskirts of Bayfield on the shores of Lake Huron.  It was a cold and dark rainy Halloween night but it wasn't a trick, it was a treat to finally have our very own place.  Not all, but most of the time we are happy here but there are things I sure miss about our dusty old country digs.  

 ON OUR WAY TO GODERICH

 SAW A FEW JOGGERS OUT AND ABOUT

 IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE THIS BEAUTIFUL GREEN LANDSCAPE WILL BE ALL WHITE

A cloudy wet start to the day but skies partially cleared early on and it was nice to see sunshine highlighting the wet Autumn leaves and grass.  Needing a few things in Goderich, Pheebs and I were soon on our way.

 THIS TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME HAD A BIT OF A 'SQUEEZY' TIME GETTING THROUGH McDONALDS DRIVE-THRU

 KIND OF A GINGERBREAD BACKYARD

Three ships in the Goderich harbor and one a few miles offshore heading west.  Also spotted a busy fishing boat with its usual frenzied flock of swarming Gulls in the air surrounding it.  Quite a few people were out walking the boardwalk enjoying Autumn's crisp morning.

  I DON'T THINK I HAVE SEEN THE FEDERAL YUKINA  AT THE GRAIN ELEVATORS IN GODERICH'S HARBOR BEFORE

 THE ALGOMA SAULT TAKING ON A LOAD OF SALT...(SAULT IS PRONOUNCED SOO)

 OFFSHORE STEAMING WEST IS THE ALGOMA INNOVATOR....DID YOU NOTICE THE SEAGULL

I THINK IT'S A SAFE BET TO SAY THIS IS SHORELINE RESTORATION WORK GOING ON HERE

FROM A DIFFERENT LOCATION I NOTICED A SECOND SHIP AT THE SALT DOCK JUST TO THE LEFT OF THAT DOMED STRUCTURE

 I COULDN'T FIND A NAME ON THE SUPERSTRUCTURE

 LUCKILY I SPOTTED A SECTION OF THE BOW WITH ENOUGH LETTERING TO IDENTIFY IT AS THE ALGOMA BUFFALO

 ALGOMA INNOVATOR

Being the last day of October we now stand on the brink of what I consider to be the most depressing month of the year.  November is notorious for its long gray days of dismal rain and cold.  There have been exceptions, but generally, November is a tough one here in these northern latitudes.  A lot of cloudy downcast days with the only thing to look forward to being Spring nearly half a year away.  And, due to circumstances, it does not look like we will be traveling south this winter for the third year in a row............... 

GROANER'S CORNER:((     The good thing about having a husband who never listens is being able to say: "I already told you that."  Whether you did or not, he'll never know the difference.

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- Where do ghosts like to travel on vacation?
The Dead Sea!

- What did the mother ghost say to the baby ghost as they drove down the street?
Buckle your sheet belt.

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After much urging by his wife, Uncle Joe applied for work on a farm. The foreman decided to give him a try and told him to milk a cow, equipping him with a stool and a bucket.  An hour later Uncle Joe returned dirty and sweaty, the bucket in one hand and the broken stool in the other.  "Extracting the milk was easy," he explained. "The worst part was getting the cow to sit on the stool!"

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