TO LONDON'S VICTORIA HOSPITAL AND BACK ON A WARM SPRING MORNING

 I THINK THAT MAMA GOOSE HAS A NEST NEARBY IN THESE TANGLES ROOTS SOMEWHERE

It was an early start for the Bayfield Bunch this morning with Kelly having a 9 a.m. Plasmapheresis appointment at London's Victoria Hospital in the south end of the city.  It is her second of six treatments.  We rolled out of our driveway at 7:30 with our destination of 58 miles being reached an hour and twenty minutes later.  A beautiful Saturday morning drive with very light traffic all the way there and all the way back.  Less than five minutes after dropping Kelly off at Victoria Hospital's North 'B' entrance Pheebs and I had our paws and boots on a trail at the nearby wildlife area behind Parkwood Hospital. 

 A NICE EASY DRIVE TO LONDON AND BACK TODAY

With a thin cloud cover, it was a touch cool but I had brought a jacket and the coolness soon warmed up.  Not many people on the trails for a Saturday morning and that of course was quite alright with me.  This area we were walking in has a history.  With a few buildings still remaining it was first established in 1920 after the Great War to treat homecoming soldiers with mental and nervous disorders.  This location also served as a military hospital following World War Two as well.  Here is a link to the history of this old military location.  Western Counties Veterans Lodge.  Cudos to the city of London for retaining this beautiful large piece of rural property and keeping it out of the hands of land developers.  A true oasis in a sea of housing developments, noisy roadways, and shopping malls. 

THIS IS WHERE PHEEBS AND I PARKED THIS MORNING WITH ONE OF THE OLD BOARDED UP-BUILDINGS IN THE BACKGROUND

 JUST THINK OF THE SAD AND TRAGIC STORIES THESE OLD WALLS COULD TELL

 ANOTHER OF SEVERAL OLD BUILDINGS STILL STANDING

 WE CAME ACROSS THE FOUNDATIONS OF SEVERAL OTHER BUILDINGS

 THE STONE FIREPLACES ARE STILL INTACT IN THESE RUINS

It was a nice leisurely walk this morning for Pheebs and I as we ambled along a few hardened muddy trails following along the north edge of Walker's Pond in an area also known as Westminster Ponds.  Constantly in the background was the low din of London's nearby traffic which surrounds this wildlife sanctuary.  It wasn't loud enough to be annoying though.  However, with two major hospitals within half a mile, it was not uncommon to hear the wailing sirens of ambulances racing to the hospitals.  

PHEEBS AND I HEAD WEST ON THE NORTH SIDE OF WALKERS POND

 HERE I AM WITH MY BEST PAL PHEEBS AND MY NEWEST BEST FRIEND MR, CANE

I THINK THIS LITTLE FELLOW IS TRYING TO HIDE ON US

 PEEK-A-BOO WE SEE YOU

 WE ARE FOLLOWING A YELLOW-MARKED TRAIL

 WOODEN BRIDGE OVER A SWAMPY AREA

Walkers Pond is also thought of as a small lake and I could see ducks and geese on the water.  Although this pond was once stocked with fish I didn't see any anglers around and maybe that is because of all the old dead toppled trees and brambles in the area along the shoreline where we walked.

 WALKER'S POND

 THERE SURE WERE SOME BIG TREES HERE AT ONE TIME

NOT VERY ACCESSIBLE FOR FISHING FROM THE SHORE

Pheebs and I walked west along the trail until we came to a spot I recognized from our walk a few days ago.  We turned around there and retraced our steps back to the Subaru.  We had been walking for forty minutes and by the time we got to the car the sun was out full tilt.  I had to quickly discard my jacket.  With windows down and the moonroof open Pheebs and I sat in the car for maybe half an hour.  Me reading and Pheebs snoozing.  My cell phone rang at about 9:45 with a nurse saying Kelly was ready to go and would be waiting at the entranceway.  Minutes later, Pheebs and I were there and picked her up.  Our first stop was at a Subway shop on Adelaide Street for a couple take-out subs.  Minutes later at a different location, we picked up a couple Tim Hortons coffee and quickly blew ourselves right out of the north end of London into the relaxing peaceful countryside.  An hour later we were home.  Kelly was feeling very weak and tired and slightly nauseous by the time she exited the car and headed into the house.  Luckily, the nausea went away and she crashed in her recliner for most of the rest of the day.  And, to add to Kelly's problems, she had a filling fall out of a tooth this morning.  That's going to be another Dentist appointment for her with that one being in Exeter Ontario.  Oh, and somewhere in all this we have to make an appointment for Pheebs at the Groomers in Clinton.  

 THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SMALLER PONDS IS THIS AREA AS WELL

 I DON'T NORMALLY SIT DOWN AT REST AREAS BUT I DID TODAY TO GIVE MY LEG A REST...WELL THAT LASTED FOR ABOUT TEN SECONDS AND I WAS ON MY WAY AGAIN

 NO NOT A GATOR...JUST AN OLD LOG FULL OF CURIOUS HOLES

 WE MADE IT BACK TO THE CAR

 IN THIS SHOT STRAIGHT UP THROUGH OUR MOONROOF YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE TWO NOSES:))

I spent the next hour cleaning the interior of the Subaru.  It had been in desperate need of vacuuming so I got that done as well as doing a general cleanup.  It's amazing the mess two people and a dog can make in a vehicle in such a short period of time.  Well, I guess eating messy sauce-dripping subs doesn't help much I thought as I picked a piece of gooey lettuce off the steering wheel, wiped a small dollop of mayonnaise off the gearshift, fished out a stretch of onions between the seats, some green peppers on the floor as well as some sticky honey mustard sauce not only on the seat but on my shirt as well.  Finally getting all that cleaned up it was thankfully my turn to head inside and crash into my own recliner in front of a fan.  The past couple of beautiful days have been a tad too hot for me but with temps dropping back down into the forties for most of next week I'll soon be missing these hot couple of days.  Tomorrow our calendar is clear but come Monday we will be off and running again starting with a morning appointment for me at the Maitland Valley Medical Center about this annoyingly sore leg of mine.  Luckily, it didn't give me too much grief on our leisurely walk this morning.........

Ellen's Groove:))  In this video, Wrath Of The Rising King you can easily see why Ellen is a natural musician.  The music just bubbles right out of her.    

MY SIDE SHOT SELFIE WHILE SPENDING MY TEN SECONDS SITTING ON THE BENCH

 AND WHILE PHEEBS AND I WERE OUT ENJOYING OUR WALK HERE WAS POOR KELLY IN THE HOSPITAL HOLDING UP TWO FINGERS TO SHOW THAT THIS IS THE SECOND OF HER SIX TREATMENTS...SHE SAID IT WAS PAINFUL TODAY

Al's Music Box:))  Spirit In The Sky by Dr. and the Medics from the album 'Laughing At The Pieces'.  1986  Ya might want to crank up your stereo because you can really rattle your upstairs windows with the heavy bass line in this one:))

 I TRY TO DISSUADE PHEEBS FROM DRINKING OUT OF CREEKS, PONDS, AND RIVERS BUT SHE BEAT ME TO IT HERE

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Person asked a young Engineer fresh out of MIT, "And what starting salary were you looking for?"  The Engineer said, "In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package."  The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, a company matching retirement fund for 50% of your salary, and a company car leased every 2 years -- say, a red Corvette?"  The Engineer sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?"  And the interviewer replied, "Yeah, but you started it."

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Do you have delusions of obesity? If so, you might be a hippochondriac.

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NOW HOW'S THAT FOR SOME GENUINE SMALL-TOWN TRUST AND FRIENDLINESS

 WE HAVE DAFFODILS BLOOMING IN OUR YARD:))

Thursday night about 9:30 I hopped into the Subaru and with the front windows down, the Moonroof open, and a few 'Chill' tunes on my Sirius Satellite Radio I slowly rolled myself out into the countryside to have a look at the big beautiful, and mysterious starry night sky.  I didn't even have to get out of the car to see the Big Dipper because I could see it right above me through the open Moonroof while driving there.  The spot I go to is the same one Pheebs and go to for our morning walks.  Stepping out of the car I right away saw the constellation Orion low on the western horizon.  The Planet Venus is now down in the western sky as well.  Mars is still up there but can be a wee bit hard to find.  Saw a few blinking airplane lights and one satellite.  I had intended to bring a reclining gravity chair and stay longer but I forgot it.  No matter, I was just happy to finally be out there under the big starry night sky again for a while.  I might go out there tonight again.....................           

Another mighty fine warm day again and I think we might have got up there near 80F.  Pheebs and I headed for our walking spot straightaway this morning.  With my leg feeling better I figured I would give it a go.  It's a quarter mile up the gravel road and a quarter mile back.  Carrying my cane I set up a good pace but never made the full quarter mile before the pain zapped through my upper leg.  Drats!!!!  Using the cane I slowly made my way back to the Jeep.  My leg bothered me for the rest of the day........Stopped in to see Richard and Gayle at their little house in the woods and they are doing fine.  With a rare good night's sleep under her belt, Kelly felt energized enough to head off to Goderich for some groceries and browsing this morning.  Home a couple hours later she was really tired and didn't feel the best for the rest of the day.  We're hoping the upcoming iron fusion will help with that and the other treatments will stop the itching that keeps her awake at night.......For me today, it was a day of Spring puttering.  Cleaned all the glass in both the Subaru and the Jeep, some more pine needle raking, and half a dozen other little things like cleaning up one of our sheds, etc.

 SPRING??  OH REALLY....

The last pair of sneakers I bought was at a Bass Pro Shop in Gainsville Florida about four years ago and by the looks of them now you would think I had bought them ten years ago.  I had mentioned to Kelly that I was probably going to get a new pair one of these days but she knows me well enough to know it would probably take me another four years to actually get around to maybe even doing that.  So, today she came home with two shoe boxes  In those boxes were two pairs of almost identical Merrel sneakers size ten.  The only difference between them was one pair was for a narrow foot and one pair was for a wider foot.  Kelly said the lady at Weurth's Shoes said to her, 'just take both pairs home free of charge and bring back  the pair that doesn't fit him the best'.  Now how's that for some genuine good old small-town trust and friendliness eh.  As this rapidly deteriorating world of ours spirals ever faster into chaos and madness it sure is nice to be reminded of a thoughtfully kind touch going back to the way things once were from the days that so many of us can still remember.........Now how's that for ending my post on a positive note tonight...................        

 YUP, THEM THERES MY NEW MERRELS:))

Al's Music Box:))  Under The Boardwalk by The Drifters from the album 'Under The Boardwalk'.  1964

 VIBRANT GREEN SHOOTS BURST THROUGH SWAMPY WATERS SEEKING LIFE-GIVING SUNSHINE

GROANER'S CORNER:(( My wife and I are a temperamental couple...I’ve got a temper and she’s mental.

- Why did the crab never share?  Because he’s shellfish.

- Did you hear the rumor about butter?  Well, I’m not going to spread it!

- What do you call a man who can’t stand?  Neil.

- I wouldn’t buy anything with velcro.  It’s a total rip-off!

- Dad, did you get a haircut?  No, I got them all cut.

- I keep trying to lose weight...but it keeps finding me.

- What do you call a bear without any teeth?  A gummy bear!

Why did the invisible man turn down the job offer?  He couldn’t see himself doing it.

- You know what the loudest pet you can get is?  A trumpet.- 

I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day...but I couldn’t find any.

- Why did the picture go to jail?  Because it was framed.

- Have you ever tried to eat a clock?  It's very time-consuming.

- What did the drummer call his twin daughters?  Anna one, Anna two

- I don’t trust stairs.  They’re always leading up to something.

- Why did the tomato blush?  Because it saw the salad dressing.

- Where do you learn to make ice cream?  Sundae school.

- What do you call a small mother?  A minimum.

- Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself?  It was two tired

- Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees?  Because they’re really good at it.

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WITH A SUNNY WARM BREEZE GENTLY BLOWING MY THOUGHTS AROUND

 SNOWDROP FLOWERS IN OUR PARK ACROSS FROM THE MAILROOM THIS MORNING

Oh how nice to have our doors and windows wide open again to let nature's warm breezes to softly blow freely through the house.  Oh how nice to step out the door in the morning without cumbersome snow boots, lined pants, long sleeve T-Shirts, flannel shirts winter mitts, and a heavy winter coat.  Oh the joys of a short sleeve shirt, no T-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers.  Oh the wonderment of feeling a comfortable warmth in the air.  And oh my, to hear the Spring songbirds and Peeper frogs.  The only good thing I see about winter is the way it makes one really, really, really, appreciate Spring when it finally arrives in all its life-inspiring finery.  Our temperatures rose to 75F today right here on the shores of one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world....Lake Huron.

SO NICE TO SEE SHEEP OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN 

 'OMG' I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH MY REAR END HAS GROWN OVER THE WINTER

A drive to Goderich and back for Pheebs and I this morning with a stop at Walmart and the Canadian Tire store along the way.  Of course, we did our shoreline cruise between the harbor and Rotary Cove too.  Nice to see folks out on the boardwalk enjoying the day with many of them walking their dogs.

 FRIENDS MEETING ALONG THE WAY

Home again, I took Scooter out for a toot around half a dozen country blocks.  Scoot purred along like a finely tuned Swiss Watch.  Upon returning home I backed it into the driveway and pulled the awning out to dry.  The awning is in good shape with no mold.  We still can't decide what to do with Scooter, keep it or sell it.  

THIS IS MY IDEA OF A SELFIE

 SCOOTER'S AWNING IS IN GOOD CLEAN SHAPE

In London yesterday the Nephrologist specialist brought up the topic of a 'liver transplant' for Kelly and wondered why she wasn't on the 'liver transplant' list.  He said he was going to send a letter to Kelly's liver doctor about it.  Maybe, just maybe there is a chance.  We'll see if anything happens.  Another department at University Hospital called today saying they have booked Kelly in for an iron infusion treatment in a couple weeks.  Our calendar is getting busier by the day.

 KELLY KEEPS METICULOUS RECORDS OF ALL HER MEDICAL RECORDS AND INFORMATION

Weather-wise, this mid-April Spring day was perfectly beautiful with a sunny warm breeze gently blowing my thoughts around.  I don't know what is going on with my leg but it has been improving these past four days or so.  I have had no short sharp pain jabs to the groin area.  I can feel my leg and hip area tweaking with a small soreness but I have been extra careful these last few days while walking or turning around, etc.  I imagine my Monday morning appointment will lead to X-rays and we'll go from there.                

 WE SLIPPED OUT THIS AFTERNOON TO  FARM LITTLE AT BAYFIELD'S SOUTHEAST END AND KELLY PICKED UP A VERY HEALTHY LOAF OF REDFIFE SOURDOUGH BREAD - WE HAD A COUPLE SLICES AT SUPPER.....EXCELLENT:))

Al's Music Box:)) True Love Ways by Buddy Holly from the album 'The Buddy Holly Story.  1960

 DUCKS ON THE BAYFIELD RIVER

GROANER'S CORNER:((   A man driving a Kia stops at a traffic light next to a Rolls-Royce.  The Kia driver rolls down his window and calls out to the Rolls-Royce driver, "Hey, pal, that's an impressive car. Does your Rolls have Wi-Fi? My Kia does!"  The Rolls-Royce driver replies, "Yes, it has Wi-Fi."  The Kia driver continues, "Nice! And do you have a fridge in there? I have a fridge in the backseat of my Kia!"  The Rolls-Royce driver, getting irritated, responds, "Yes, there's a refrigerator."  Not backing down, the Kia driver asks, "That's cool, man! What about a TV? I've got a TV in my Kia's backseat!"  The Rolls-Royce driver, increasingly annoyed, says, "Yes, there's a television. A Rolls-Royce is the epitome of luxury vehicles!"  The Kia driver says, "Amazing car! But, do you have a bed in there? I've got a bed in the back of my Kia!"  Frustrated that his car lacks a bed, the Rolls-Royce driver speeds off. He heads straight to the dealership and orders a bed to be installed in his Rolls. The following morning, he picks up his car, and the bed looks fantastic, complete with silk sheets and elegant brass accents. It's undoubtedly a bed suited for a Rolls-Royce.  The Rolls-Royce driver spends the entire day searching for the Kia. Finally, late that night, he spots the Kia parked with fogged-up windows. He gets out of his Rolls-Royce and knocks on the Kia's window. At first, there's no response, but then the owner pokes his head out, dripping wet.  "I now have a bed in the back of my Rolls-Royce," the Rolls-Royce driver declares smugly.  The Kia driver replies, "Did you really drag me out of the shower just to tell me that?!"

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