UNLESS SOMEBODY THREW A CUP OF TEA ON A SAUCER AT YOU

A colder gray day hung over us as Pheebs and I made our way around a few country roads this morning.  And, for whatever reason, my mood seemed to match the weather.  I sometimes wrongly let my mind wander into the future and then dwell there too long before catching myself.  Today was one of those days and I had a hard time shaking it off.  

It is not always the case I get my wording and phrasing quite right in my posts and a word I used in my Wednesday post is a good example of that.  On our Jeep ride this morning it suddenly entered my mind that I may have used the word 'compelled' incorrectly when I said in a sentence 'I feel compelled to write something every day'.  Checking my Google dictionary earlier I found that yes, I did use it incorrectly.  I should have said 'I feel the urge and the need to write something every day' and that would have been more accurate.  I wonder how many other words and phrases I have used over the years that I myself have misconstrued and left readers with the wrong impression.

As expected, I am seeing a lot of confusion on a few media sites I occasionally look at in regard to the recent shooting down of unknown objects in the sky.  UFO means exactly what it says, UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT!!  It does not mean Flying Saucers!!  It's unfortunate how the words UFO and Flying Saucers have become forever linked.  And therein lies the panic.  I have seen UFOs in the Arizona sky that were just that, 'unidentified flying objects'.  But, they were only temporarily that until I was able to figure out and identify what I was seeing.  A soundless pattern of light forms moving slowly in a westerly direction across the night sky south of Ajo Arizona one time almost had me convinced for a couple of minutes that I was actually seeing a real Alien craft.  However, I was able to determine that what I was really seeing was a night refueling operation with a large jet tanker aircraft fueling several smaller jets.  This was one of about half a dozen sights that I saw in the southwest skies which at first confused me.  If you are walking along and something flies past your face and you didn't see what exactly it was, then you could call it an unidentified flying object.  Unidentified, because you didn't quite see what it was.  Flying, because it was in the air, and it definitely had to be some kind of Object.  Maybe it was a bug, a bird, a leaf tossed by the wind, or maybe it was a thrown snowball, stick, or rock.  Maybe somebody throwing a frisbee for their dog.  Or, maybe it was a Bat.  But, whatever it was, the UFO that went by your face was most likely not a Flying Saucer.....unless of course, somebody threw a cup of tea on a saucer at you:))

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A journalist assigned to the Jerusalem bureau takes an apartment overlooking the Wailing Wall. Every day when she looks out, she sees an old Jewish man praying vigorously. So, the journalist goes down and introduces herself to the old man.  She asks, "You come every day to the wall. How long have you done that and what are you praying for?" The old man replies, "I have come here to pray every day for 25 years. In the morning I pray for world peace and then for the brotherhood of man. I go home have a cup of tea and I come back and pray for the eradication of illness and disease from the earth."  The journalist is amazed. "How does it make you feel to come here every day for 25 years and pray for these things?" she asks.  The old man looks at her sadly. "Like I'm talking to a wall."

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Son: “Dad, I want to be in politics when I grow up.” 

Dad: “Are you insane? Have you completely lost your mind? Are you a moron?”

Son: “Forget it, there seems to be too many requirements.”

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I SPOTTED A SHIP TODAY THAT HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS LATELY (RE: SHOOT-DOWN)

 DESPITE A CLOUDY OVERCAST, WE HAD A FEW NICE SUN SPLASHES ON OUR WAY HOME FROM GODERICH THIS MORNING 

Big overnight winds brought in milder temperatures and cloudy skies.  Despite an expected high of 50F+ temps topped out today at 46F.  We lost a lot of our remaining snow overnight.  I like when that happens.

 MOST OF OUR SNOW MELTED OVERNIGHT

 HOW GREAT TO SEE FARM FIELDS OF COLOR AGAIN

Needing a few things in Goderich, Pheebs and I headed up that way, grabbed a coffee, wandered down around the harbor, picked up some stuff at Walmart, and came home.  Although both Pheebs and I were up for a long afternoon walk, my leg wasn't, and we had to cut it short again.  Very annoying!!

I THINK THESE FOLKS MAY BE THE FIRST BEACHCOMBERS OF THE YEAR  AT GODERICH'S ROTARY COVE 

 SHORELINE ICE IS MELTING VERY QUICKLY NOW

When I saw the red bow of a ship poking out from behind the world's largest underground Salt Mine, I had no idea what ship it was until I zoomed in with my camera lens and read the name, Griffon.  I knew right away that it was a vessel belonging to the Canadian Coast Guard and the very same vessel that has been in the news this past week.  The Griffon has been involved in the search for debris on Lake Huron from the latest shoot-down of an unidentified flying object.  I am assuming that this ice-breaking Coast Guard vessel is in port to re-supply its stores or maybe to bring ashore whatever it has found in its search.  Goderich is the only main port on the entire Canadian shoreline from Tobermory to Sarnia, a distance of about 200 miles.  I never thought to drive over to the north side of the harbor to see if there were any kind of security vehicles near the Griffon's docking spot.  Darn:((   

It was another one of those days where I sat here at the computer blankly staring out the sunroom window in front of me trying to think of something to write about.  As a rule, I feel compelled to write something every day but some days like today, my mind simply refuses to help me out.  But, then I thought of the Griffon and walla, at least I had another paragraph:)) 

 CANADA GEESE STRUTTING THEIR STUFF ALONG THE PIER

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The inmate on death row was scheduled to be put to death by firing squad the following morning.  Throughout the day, the prison guards were being very nice to him.  But when they asked him if he wanted something specific for his last meal, he didn't want anything special.  When they asked if there was something special he wanted to do, he said nothing.  Finally, when he was put before the firing squad, the guard asked if he wanted a cigarette and a blindfold.  "No," the inmate said, "just get it over with."  "Well, is there anything that I can do for you before you go?" said the guard.  The inmate thought. "Actually," he said, "Music is my life. One thing I would really like is to sing my favorite song, the whole thing, with no interruptions."  The guard nodded and told him to go ahead.  The inmate started, "One billion bottles of beer on the wall..."

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I was in a liquor store and the owner asked me, "Do you need help?"  I replied, "Yes, but I’ll have a bottle of whisky instead."

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I WAS TEMPTED TO HAUL A FEW SUMMER THINGS OUT OF THE SHED

 AT OUR COUNTRY ROAD WALKING SPOT

My Monday blog published without any problems so I must have got all my gosh darn ding dang words lined up just right for the big B.  Looks like me and Blogger are back on an even keel.

Another gorgeously sunny day had Pheebs and I out to our country road walking spot this morning for half a walk.  Heading north with the wind at our backs was fine, but turning around partway and walking back to the Jeep with the icy wind on my face was not so good.

 SNOW CONTINUES TO SLOWLY MELT OFF OF AREA FIELDS

 SNOW MELTS SLOWER IN THE SHADED FORESTS

Home again, I found myself wandering around our yard rather aimlessly looking for something of interest to do.  Raked up a couple piles of birdseed husks, fired up the leaf blower and cleaned our front porch off, burnt some trash in the burning barrel, and chopped away at a few icy spots around the sidewalk.  I was tempted to haul a few summer things out of the shed but had to keep reminding myself that this is not Spring.  For sure we still have freezing cold temperatures, snowfalls, and winter storms ahead of us.  This weather we are having at the moment is a teaser so it's important to remain wary and not succumb to Spring Fever.  I guess the next celebratory stepping stone to Spring will be St. Patrick's Day nearly a month from now.

 OUR FRONT YARD FROG POND IS STILL FROZEN OVER

 DESPITE A HIGH OF 48F TODAY THE SNOW IN OUR FRONT YARD DOESN'T SEEM TO BE IN ANY BIG HURRY TO MELT

 AN OLD WOOD KNOT EMERGES FROM OUR FRONT FLOWER BED

 A NEIGHBOR'S CHAIR BUT WITHOUT THE NEIGHBOR IN IT

 OUR AFTERNOON POND WALK

An afternoon walk for Pheebs and I but it was another short one.  Pheebs didn't seem to be into a walk and my right leg was bothering me again.  

Thirteen years ago today Kelly and I hosted an impromptu get-together south of Quartzsite Arizona at the foot of the Kofa Mountains.  Yes, you read that right.  We actually hosted a get-together of people:)) Remember to click the pics to make them larger if you get there......A Get Together In The Desert.  

GROANER'S CORNER:(( University Courses For Men And Women::  Whatsamatta University's Seminars For Men's Fall Catalogue.  Once again, the female staff at Whatsamatta University will be offering courses for men of all marital statuses in an attempt to help males and females understand each other better. Attendance in at least 10 of the following is required.

1. Combatting Stupidity
2. You Too Can Do Housework
3. Resistance to Beer
4. How To Properly Fill An Ice Tray
5. We Do Not Want Sleazy Underwear For Christmas (Give Us Credit Cards)
6. Understanding The Female Response To Coming Home Drunk At 4:00am

7. Wonderful Laundry Techniques (also called "Don't Wash My Silks")

8.  To Go Shopping With Your Mate Without Getting Lost
9. Get A Life - Learn To Cook
10. How Not To Act Like An Idiot When You Are Obviously Wrong
11. Spelling - Even You Can Get It Right
12. Understanding Your Financial Incompetence
13. You, The Weaker Sex
14. Reasons To Give Flowers
15. Garbage - Getting It To The Curb
16. You Cannot Always Wear Whatever You Please
17. How To Put Down A Toilet Seat
18. Give Me A Break - Why We Know Your Excuses Are Lies
19. H20. The Remote Control - Overcoming Your Dependency

20. The Remote Control - Overcoming Your Dependency
21. Helpful Posture Hints For Couch Potatoes
22. Mother-in-Laws Are People Too
23. The Weekend And Sports Are Not Synonymous
24. How Not To Act Younger Than Your Children
25. You Too Can Be A Designated Driver
26. Male Bonding: Leave Your Friends At Home
27. Attainable Goal - Omitting Foul Expletives From Vocabulary
28. You Don't Really Need That Porsche

Whatsamatta University's Seminars For Women's Fall Catalogue.  Once again, the male staff at Whatsamatta University will be offering courses for women of all marital statuses in an attempt to help males and females understand each other better. Attendance in at least 10 of the following is required.
1. Combatting The Impulse To Nag
2. You Can Change The Oil Too
4. How To Properly Fill A Beer Mug
5. We Do Not Want Ties For Christmas
6. Understanding The Female Causes Of Male Drunkenness
7. How To Do All Your Laundry In One Load And Have More Time To Watch Football

8. Parenting - Your Husband Gave You Children So You Could Have Someone Other Than Him To Boss Around
9. How To Encourage Your Husband To Cook More And Be Able To Stomach His Slop
10. How Not To Sob Like A Sponge When Your Husband Is Right
11. Get A Life - Learn To Kill Spiders Yourself
12. Balancing A Checkbook - Even You Can Get It Right
13. Comprehending Credit Card Spending Limits And Financial Responsibility
14. You, The Whining Sex
15. Shopping - Doing It In Less Than 16 Hours
16. If You Want To Know How That Looks On You, Ask Your Mother
17. How To Close The Garage Door
18. If You Don't Want An Excuse, Don't Demand An Explanation
19. How To Go Fishing With Your Mate And Not Catch Pneumonia
20. Living Without Power Windows - How To Turn A Crank

21. Romanticism - The Whole Point Of Caviar, Candles, And Conversation
22. How To Retain Your Composure While Your Husband Is Relaxing By Himself
23. Why You Don't Need To Invite Your Mother Over Every Weekend
24. Payday And Shopping Are Not Synonymous
25. How To Act Younger Than Your Mother
26. You Too Can Carry A Backpack
27. Female Friendship - Why Your Best Friends Are Not The Women Who Complain About You The Most
28. Learning To Appreciate The Beer Belly And Lard Butt Morphologies Of Men
29. Attainable Goal - Catching A Ball Before It Stops Moving
30. How To Close The Top On The Toothpaste

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FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I BEGAN BLOGGING....I GOT BLOCKED!!

 A NICE SPRING-LIKE MORNING WALK IN THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY

For the first time since I began blogging eighteen years ago my Sunday night post was blocked.  After hitting the publish button the following message came up.........This post was unpublished because it violates Blogger's community guidelines.   Now, I have always been very careful about what I write and I have never had this happen before.  When I started blogging I set a few basic standards for myself and I have stuck to those standards.  No foul language, no off-color jokes, no raunchy or gory photos, etc.  And for the most part, I knew enough to stay away from religious and political stuff.  But, Sunday night at the end of my post I expressed a few thoughts about what is going on in our airspace and how certain types of people will probably come up with all kinds of bizarre conspiracy theories.  Of course, I can't tell you everything that I said in the second to last paragraph in Sunday's post because I would probably get blocked again so I will just leave it at that and hope a couple words I just typed in the last sentence won't have the same blocking result.  Once I removed the gist of my thoughts in that Sunday night paragraph, the blog published just fine.  I'm not upset about being blocked because I understand the need for Blogger's policy and especially so in this day and age of tumultuous times.

 BIG BLUE SUNNY SKIES TODAY

Thankfully, another sunny day with temps reaching 39F.  The next couple of days are forecasted to be in the mid 40's.  A morning's drive into Bayfield for Pheebs and I plus a bush lane walk out of the wind southeast of Bayfield.  Home again, and with a poor night's sleep I didn't have a lot of energy to spare today so I curled up in my sunroom recliner reading and catching up on some zzzzz's.  And so, bang-zoom went another day. 

 PARKED ALONGSIDE A COUNTRY ROAD NEAR A BUSH LANE

NICE TO SEE THE FOREST FLOOR GREENING UP

 HEADING BACK TO THE JEEP

Over the last number of years, I have posted many photos of the Highland Cattle that live on a farm just east of our Bayfield Pines Park...The cattle owner, in an Instagram, said this morning that he is scaling back his farming operation and has sold all the cattle.  So, no more cutesy pa tootsie's to take pictures of:((

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Parents are expected to participate in their children's education, and my friends were no exception. They gladly helped their fifth-grade son, John, whenever he was stumped. One day after school, John ran into the house waving a paper in the air. Hey, Mom, great news! There were only three mistakes on my math homework, he announced. “You made one, Dad made one and I made one!

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