PHEEBS AND I HAD TO SLIP OUT THE BACK DOOR

The first thing I saw when looking out the window this morning was a young raccoon in our driveway.  Twenty minutes later when Pheebs and I stepped out the front door the raccoon was there on our porch and Pheebs and the Coon came face to face.  Neither one of them showed any aggression toward the other and I quickly schwooshed Pheebs back inside.  A minute later we slipped out our back door, scampered around the end of the house, and climbed into the Jeep.  Haven't seen the raccoon since.

Being another dull and dreary day here I was needing to see some color so I chose a post of mine with lots of colors from early January six years ago.  Our First Time In Algodones Mexico.  And here is just one of the countless examples of how we once spent our Winter days....The Saguaros Stood Silent In The Moonlight.  And I think this was the last time I saw fellow RVer, and blogger friend Doug and his dog Yuma.  I believe they are near Borrego Springs California right now at the time of this posting.  You can find the link for Doug's blog in this post entitled....Atop The Plops

 SOMETIMES ON BORING DAYS I JUST GET SOME OF MY CAMERAS OUT AND PLAY WITH EM

GROANER'S CORNER:(( My girlfriend just asked me, "When we go to Egypt, can we go on a camel?"  I said, "As you wish," and booked it for her. She's going tomorrow...  I'm leaving in three weeks and flying there!

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A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, “The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.”His son asked, “But what happened to the flea?”

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MY OH MY HOW THIS WINTER IS FLYING BY DESPITE THE GRAY DAYS

 A FEW CHUNKS OF ICE IN THE BAYFIELD RIVER THIS MORNING

Without a bone-chilling wind this morning Pheebs and I were able to do some walking.  Not at our favorite country road spot but at another spot we like southeast of Bayfield.  Without the usual pile of January snow on the ground, the ease of walking is thankfully doable.  No doubt days are getting longer now but with our almost daily heavy cloud cover, it is a bit hard to tell.  I'm sure the next time I see sunlight I will absolutely bubble over right on the spot.

 NORMALLY THERE IS TOO MUCH SNOW TO WALK HERE IN JANUARY

 THIS IS A FARMER'S BUSH LANE

 SMALL AIR POCKETS UNDER THE THIN ICE

As most readers know, Kelly and I are not exactly at the top of anybody's socializing list and we are quite alright with that.  We two hermits much prefer to hang out all by ourselves anyway.  But, there have been times and especially so in our RVing days when we actually branched out a bit.  But, just a bit.  Anyway, here is one of those days, and remember, you can click on the photos to enlarge them......Sure Was A Socializing Saturday For Us Folks.  Now oddly enough after writing this post, I used the 'socializing' theme for my following day's post where I go on to share more thoughts and opinions about our lifestyle.  I sure know how to get myself into the soup at times.  Some Thoughts On Socializing And Coffee Habits.  Both these posts were written eight years ago when we had our house in Congress Arizona.  And, for you folks who are a bear for punishment, you can catch a glimpse of the ongoing desert landscaping project I had on the go around our house at that time.  Say What You Will.....I Like My Stuff     

 HEADING ACROSS THE ROAD FROM OUR PLACE FOR AN AFTERNOON WALK AROUND THE PARK'S POND  WHICH CAN BE SEEN AT TOP RIGHT

USUALLY, THE SNOW WOULD BE TOO DEEP TO WALK THROUGH HERE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR

AND THIS IS OUR 'WALK AROUND THE POND' AREA WHERE I GFIND MANY OF MY FROG, TURTLE, BUTTERFLY, AND DRAGONFLY SHOTS IN THE SUMMER

 HEADING HOME ALONG A LITTLE PATH I MADE THROUGH HERE NEARLY TWENTY YEARS AGO

 THESE PHOTOS LACK COLOR BECAUSE THE DAY LACKED COLOR

These dull, gray, and flat-lining blah winter days all seem to blend together with every morning and afternoon basically being a repeat of the previous day.  The only upside to these long and boring days is the knowledge that the months of November and December are already behind us.  And, just think.....it's only about 3 weeks to Ground Hog day and the shortest month of the year.  Oh, and in less than two weeks after Ground Hog day, it will be Valentine's Day already.  My oh my how time is flying by eh:))

 WHAT A LITTLE SWEETY PIE SHE IS ABD NOTICE WHAT A BUSHY TAIL SHE HAS

GROANER'S CORNER:((  There were two evil brothers. They were rich and used their money to keep their ways from the public eye. They even attended the same church and looked to be perfect Christians.  Then, their pastor retired and a new one was hired. Not only could he see right through the brothers' deception, but he also spoke well and true, and the church started to swell in numbers.  A fundraising campaign was started to build a new assembly.  All of a sudden, one of the brothers died. The remaining brother sought out the new pastor the day before the funeral and handed him a check for the amount needed to finish paying for the new building.   "I have only one condition," he said. "At his funeral, you must say my brother was a saint."  The pastor gave his word and deposited the check.  The next day at the funeral, the pastor did not hold back. "He was an evil man," he said. "He cheated on his wife and abused his family." After going on in this vein for a small time, he concluded with, "But, compared to his brother, he was a saint."

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SURPRISINGLY, THERE IS AN UPSIDE TO THIS DREARY WEATHER

These cold and gray back-to-back January days are so depressing but there is an upside to it.  No snow to shovel or ice to slip and fall on.  Area roads are bare and dry and not coated with tons of corrosive road salt.  Power outages are less likely due to heavy snow and storms.  The ground is walkable and the bird feeders don't empty as quickly.  Pheebs and I did manage a short Jeep ride this morning and a short afternoon walk near the Park's pond.......both under cold cloudy skies of course.    

HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR AN ICY COLD WIND WE COULD HAVE EASILY WALKED OUR COUNTRY ROAD THIS MORNING

I finished my true life Don't Blow Yourself Up book by Homar Hickam last week.  This book is an excellent sequel to Hickam's first book, Rocket Boys.  Homer lived a life chocked full of accomplishments and adventure.  In fact, a movie was made based on his first book, Rocket Boys.  We picked up a DVD copy of that book entitled October Sky Saturday and watched it.  We both liked the movie but I did notice a lot of things in the book didn't make it into the movie.  That's understandable because how do you condense a 12-hour read into a 160-minute movie.  Here is a YouTube of author Homar Hickam being interviewed.....Hickam Interview.  I am currently reading The Boys by Ron Howard (Opie from Andy Griffith) and his younger brother Clint. (Gentle Ben)  This book is a great insight into the Howard family and their acting careers and an enjoyable peek into the backstage antics of Hollywood.  Ron Howard also played Ritchie in Happy Days and went on in his acting career to become a well-respected successful director. 

 A FEW VERY LONG DISTANCE SHOTS OF A COUPLE SNUZZLY HORSES

Many times over my blogging years I have stated in my posts that I do not accept Facebook 'Friend Requests'.  The reason for that is because of my being hacked twice.  However, I do have some ongoing Friend Requests here that may be legitimate.  If those people could send me an email with some kind of verification that it is really them, I would appreciate that.  There is an email address in my blog's right-hand column.  

 AFTERNOON WALK

Ellen's Groove:)) Here's a short 25-second video of Ellen playing a guitar style known as  Slap Bass.  And here is bass singer Geoff Castellucci singing an old Bill Withers song, Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone.  You will notice in Geoff's very well-done videos that he sings all his own harmonies as well.  

 I HAVE NOT SEEN A SQUIRREL ON OUR BIRDSATION FOR AT LEAST A MONTH NOW

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The National Game warden put out a warning to all hikers in his area warning that they should wear small bells on their boots so as not to startle the bears. To distinguish the grizzly bear the notice read-- small bears droppings are small with nuts and berries in it. Grizzly bear droppings are much larger with nuts and berries and little tiny bells in it

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Golf balls are like eggs...  They are both white, sold by the dozen, and a week later you have to go out and buy more.

What do you get when you cross a Buddhist and a Druid? Someone who worships the tree that is not there.

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College student: "Hey, Dad! I've got some great news for you!"
Father: "What, son?"
College student: "Remember that $500 you promised me if I made the Dean's list?"
Father: "I certainly do!"
College student: "Well, you get to keep it."

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BREAKFAST FOR THREE IN ST. MARYS ONTARIO

ROLLING EASTWARD THROUGH ST. MARYS THIS MORNING....THIS NORMALLY BUSY MAINSTREET IS LOOKING LIKE A GHOSTOWN

It was under sullen gray skies that Kelly and I in the Subaru rolled out of our driveway early this morning heading for St. Mary's Ontario.  We were there to meet our good friends Gayle and Richard at Joe's Diner for breakfast.  However, it was only Richard waiting for us.  Gayle was too ill to make it so it was only we three heading inside.  Kelly had had a difficult night as well and was not feeling the best either.  Luckily they serve a good breakfast at the diner and Kelly was able to eat almost everything she ordered.  Had it been a few decades or more ago our breakfasts may very well have been the same but our morning conversation would have been of a much different nature.  It was another era for all of us at that time.  We may have talked and remembered those crazy, wild, and zany things of life that we have all lived at one point or another and we would have talked of hopes and dreams, future plans, projects,  challenges, and accomplishments.  But, time has traveled on for us and we have reluctantly entered into our Senior years where the words 'wild and zany' no longer hold the same zip, sparkle, and excitement they once did.  Well, not to the extent that some of those shenanigans we all were once a part of did that's for sure.  We now find ourselves in the world of aches and pains, doctors, procedures, illnesses, ambulances, nurses, paramedics, pharmacies, emergency rooms, medical appointments, daily pills, and just about anything else that can happen with an aging body and mind.  Can't help it, but it's just the reality of where we wild and zany folks are now.  The movers and shakers before us are gone and the movers and shakers behind us are fast upon our heels. But still, we try our best to accept where we are in this journey and understand and deal with the frailties of life as it plods steadily onwards carrying us to our final destiny.............and perhaps beyond.

 A VIEW TO THE SOUTHWEST FROM THE GHOST MOUNTAIN TRAIL AND SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA IS JUST THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAGUNA MOUNTAINS ON THE HORIZON 

Three RV memories of years ago on this date.  January 8th, 2011...A Return To Old Fort Rucker and Return To Ghost Mountain on January 9th, 2009.  While linking the Ghost Mountain post I noticed something that happened the day before on January 8th that is an example of Kelly's tough resolve... Mountain Palm Canyon Hike And An Injury    

GROANER'S CORNER:((   Eleven people were hanging on a rope under a helicopter, ten men and one woman. The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one has to drop off, otherwise they are all going to fall.  They were not able to choose that person, but then the woman made a very touching speech.  She said that she would voluntarily let go of the rope, because as a woman she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids, and for men in general, without ever getting anything in return. As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping their hands.

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My mate recently got divorced from his wife.  They decided to split the house.  He got the outside.

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AN OVERNIGHT SNOWFALL

 NOT TOO SMART I'D SAY

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A man was driving down the road. He passed a traffic camera and saw it flash.  Astounded that he had been caught speeding when he was under the speed limit, he turned around and, going even slower, he passed by the camera.  Again, he saw it flash. He couldn't believe it! So he turned and, going at a snail's pace, he passed the camera.  AGAIN, he saw the camera flash. He guessed it must have a fault, and home he went.  Four weeks later he received 3 traffic fines in the mail, all for not wearing a seatbelt.

ANOTHER DAY

Ellen's Groove:)) About 35 seconds into this video Ellen really gets her bass guitar rolling.  Again, watch her slick fingerwork on the guitar's fretboard on March On Fire.  Also, staying with the music theme, check out Geoff Castellucci's Sixteen Tons which was a Tennessee Ernie Ford song from the fifties.  Geoff Castellucci is the same fella who did a great job with Ghost Riders In The Sky.  You might get a kick out of his The Headless Horseman Needs A Head.  Geoff is a member of the Cappella group, Voice Play

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GROANER'S CORNER:((  A magician was working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. The audience would be different each week, so the magician allowed himself to do the same tricks over and over again. There was only one problem: The captain's parrot saw the shows every week and began to understand what the magician does in every trick.  Once he understood that, he started shouting in the middle of the show: Look, it's not the same hat. Look, he is hiding the flowers under the table! Hey, why are all the cards the Ace of Spades?  The magician was furious but couldn't do anything, it was the captain's parrot after all. One day the ship had an accident and sank. The magician found himself on a piece of wood, in the middle of the ocean, with the parrot of course. They stared at each other with hate but did not utter a word. This went on for a day, and another, and another.  After a week the parrot finally said: OK. I give up. What'd you do with the boat?

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A FEBRUARY 2010 MEMORY ON ANOTHER COLD JANUARY 2023 RAINY GRAY DAY

 STOPPING FOR A REST IN CALIFORNIA'S BLAIR VALLEY

Another in a seemingly endless series of cold and gray rainy wet days.  My inspiration for photos and words is basically nonexistent.  However, reading Ivan's blog this morning I saw he had a few pictures of California's Blair Valley and that sparked a memory.  Kelly and I have driven through Blair Valley a number of times in our RVing years while on our way to and from Marshall South's Ghost Mountain.  Ivan's photos reminded me of a morning in Blair Valley near Ghost Mountain when Kelly and I hiked down a long sandy wash to find a historic narrow passage once used by many pioneers, their wagons, and Butterfield Overland stagecoaches, making their way west in the 1800s.  Many of those people were heading for California's Gold Rush.  Histories Narrow Passage. Click on any of my post's photos to enlarge them.  You can find Ivan's blog on my sidebar or at Roadtrip 2022.   Anyone interested in my Marshall South posts over the years can simply type his name into my search bar to the right. 

GROANER'S CORNER:((   Mr. Johnson was overweight, so his doctor put him on a diet.  He said I want you to eat regularly for two days, then skip a day, and repeat this procedure for two weeks. The next time I see you, you should have lost at least five pounds.  When Mr. Johnson returned, he shocked the doctor by having dropped almost twenty pounds.  Why that's amazing! the doctor told him. You did this just by following my instructions?  The slimmed-down Mr. Johnson nodded. I'll tell you, though, I thought I was going to drop dead that third day.  From hunger, you mean.  No, replied Mr. Johnson, from skipping.

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