JUST MY OPINION OF COURSE

 PHEEBS IN A BEANFIELD THIS MORNING

In my books, I'd call this morning about as close to weather-perfect as it could possibly get.  Big blue skies, sunshine, a slight breeze, and comfortable low-humidity temperatures.  Pheebs and I weren't long in heading out the door and jeeping ourselves off in the direction of Bayfield.  Kelly had taken Subie to Goderich.

 A CALM LAKE HURON ALONG THE SHORES OF BAYFIELD'S BEACH

 BAYFIELD BEACHCOMBERS

 LOTS OF CARS ALONG BAYFIELD'S MAIN STREET THIS MORNING

We hadn't been out to one of our favorite walking spots southeast of Bayfield for a while so after a drive down around the beach area and a toodle along Main Street we soon headed ourselves out into the welcoming countryside.  What a beautiful morning to be alive I thought to myself twenty minutes later as we walked along the edge of a mid-July beanfield.  Pheebs, more energized this morning than the last couple of mornings, darted about smelling this and exploring that.

 OUR WALKING AREA IS BETWEEN THE TREES ON THE LEFT AND THE BEANFIELD ON THE RIGHT

 I HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF TREE THESE VARIEGATED LEAVES BELONG TO

 A SMALL MUSHROOM IN THE MORNING'S DEW-LADEN GRASS

 FUTURE APPLE PIES PERHAPS

 HOW NICE THIS MORNING STANDING HERE ALONGSIDE THIS BEANFIELD UNDER CLEAR BLUE SUMMER SKIES

 HEADING BACK TO THE JEEP

Home again, I took our lawn mower for a walk around the few paths I have created around our house.  If not maintained these shadowed pathways would soon be encroached upon by the unstoppable Periwinkle, English Ivy, Virginia Creeper, Sumac, and Bush Ferns just to name a few.  In the winter, I shovel these paths free of snow and in the summer I mow them clear of vegetation.  I could just let them all grow in of course but what would be the fun of that.

 AND YES, THE ANNUAL WHEAT HARVEST HAS BEGUN

Kelly brought home from the grocery and health food stores even more protein-based and bulking-up foods today in an effort to get her strength up.  Also, in an effort to show the medical people on Monday she is not one to be easily discounted she had some photos printed up of herself taken during our RV travels these past years.  She hopes to show the medical people she is an active, adventurous, and determined outdoors person loving nature with a positive attitude towards life.  

 DARBY WELL ROAD WEST OF AJO ARIZONA

 HIKING IN ARIZONA'S ORGAN PIPE NATIONAL MONUMENT

 I'M GUESSING SOMEWHERE NEAR BORREGO SPRINGS CALIFORNIA

 THIS COULD JUST ABOUT BE ANYWHERE IN ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, OR NEW MEXICO

 NEAR COLLINGWOOD ONTARIO

 KELLY'S FAMILY, FROM THE LEFT....BEN, SABRA, SARAH, KELLY, REBECCA, JASON

Every time I download a book to my Kindle Reader it doesn't give me a page count but instead gives me an hour count.  In other words, it tells me how long it will take me to read the book.  I don't know how it figures out my reading speed but it does.  My last book was the longest hourly count I have ever had.  I just finally finished that 27-hour read today.  And, oh my what a fascinating read it was.  I read all 365 NDE (Near Death Experience) accounts from people all around the world.  All faiths, nonfaiths, and all walks of life.  Including the previous dozen books I have read on this subject, I am guessing I have read somewhere close to five hundred accounts of this growing phenomenon which now globally numbers in the millions.  Most of these books and accounts are written from personal views while others are written from medical and scientific perspectives.  In my opinion, all are very credible and all are very believable.  It certainly has opened my eyes and changed my perspective on things.  It's a very controversial subject of course and no doubt will remain so for a long time to come.  Although religion plays a part in a certain percentage of these stories it is not the whole story in itself.  Religion is but a part of a much larger and broader understanding and reality.  It does have its place and is an integral part in this greatest of all mysteries.  Just my opinion of course........ 

Al's Music Box:)) Africa by Toto from the album 'Toto IV'.  1982

 MY GOSH SHE'S A PRETTY LITTLE GIRL

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Mary Clancy goes up to Father McGuire after his Sunday morning service, and she's in tears. He says, "So what's bothering you, Mary my dear?"  She says, "Oh, Father, I've got terrible news. My husband passed away suddenly last night."  The priest says, "Oh, Mary, that's terrible. Tell me, Mary, did he have any last requests?"  She says, "That he did, Father."  The priest says, "What did he ask, Mary? "  She says, "He said, 'Please Mary, put down that damn gun.' "

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Knock Knock
Who's there?
Ivana!
Ivana who?
Ivana be rich!

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Italy!
Italy who?
Italy be a really big job!

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Why did the smartphone go to the dentist?  It had a Bluetooth.

Why did the donut go to the dentist?
To get a filling!

What type of bear has no teeth?
A gummy bear!

Why should people be kind to their dentists?  Because they have fill-ings too!

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KELLY WAS NOT ENCOURAGED BY THIS MORNING'S PHONE CALL

 WE CAME UPON THIS SHADY COUNTRY STREAM THIS MORNING

Sunny skies from horizon to horizon found Pheebs and I walking our gravel road this morning.  She's walking a little slower these days but then again, so am I so we make quite a compatible pair.  We didn't quite do our half mile but maybe tomorrow.  Following our slow poke walk, we jeeped ourselves around a few country roads between Bayfield and Clinton.  I would still love to live in the country with no noisy neighbors for at least a mile.  And big open starry night skies overhead.  Maybe one of these days eh:))

 OUR AREAS WHEAT HARVEST WILL SOON BE UPON US

 SUMMER'S COUNTRY ROADS

 NEW MOWN HAY AND A BLAZE OF BUTTERCUPS

Home again, I cut some grass and whacked some weeds.  Trimmed back a few vines and cut off some burgeoning Sumac and Mulberry trees.  If we were to ever go away for a couple summer months we would never be able to find our house when got back.  It would be completely overgrown.

 THIS COUNTRY ROAD CUTS THROUGH A FOREST ON BANNOCKBURN LINE

 THIS IS THE KIND OF COUNTRY PROPERTY I LIKE

 A PLACID MID-SUMMER FOREST STREAM

  COUNTRY FLOWERS ALONG A SHADED FOREST ROAD

I had a device in my hands yesterday that was trying my patience as I tried to figure out how it worked.  Pressing this button and that icon, swiping up and down, maybe even giving it a shake I, in total frustration, uttered to myself, 'I give up'.  I turned to walk away when I heard a woman's voice behind me say, "I don't understand I give up."  WHAT!!  Well, it turns out the voice was that of a gal named Siri.  Yes, it was an Apple iPad I had in my hands.  A few years ago when Kelly was at her Mother's place in Spencerport New York she saw a refurbished used iPad for sale and bought it.  She brought it home, put it in a drawer and basically kind of forgot about it.  Well, that was until yesterday when something triggered her memory and she got it out wondering if it would be something I would be interested in.  Well, yes I would be if I could figure out how it works.  And, that of course brings me around full circle to the beginning of this story where I said, 'I had a device in my hands'. 

I sometimes make light and intentionally poke fun at these Senior years that I and many of you now live in but I feel comfortable in how I think about it now that I am here.  As they say, 'laughter is the best medicine'.  Despite all the mental and physical medical downsides and drawbacks, I would have to say I am becoming increasingly comfortable with where I am.  It makes no sense to look back and pine away about days gone by anymore.  In fact, if someone gave me a choice to go back and live my life over or begin life anew or stay where I am now closer to the end of my life, I'd say 'I appreciate the offer but I'll stay right where I am thank you very much'.  When I look around and see what's going on with this world and the direction it is headed I clearly do not have any interest in being a part of its future.  I'm tired of all the drama.  Despite growing difficulties, I am more comfortable in my own skin now than I was years ago.  I'm very grateful that my life has taken the once unexpected positive turns it has and I no longer have to live with the character I was many, many, years ago.  The road hasn't been easy but I am beginning to catch fleeting glimpses of that distant light at the end of life's tunnel.  The road may yet be long but that's okay, I am finally beginning to understand just where that twisty winding road is leading.  And, I like what I am seeing.  And, I am liking how I feel about too.

HERE'S A SURE SIGN THAT OUR SEASON IS MOVING ALONG 

 SOME FARM GATES ARE NO LONGER USED

 SUMMER'S CORNSTALKS REACHING FOR THE SKY

Kelly's liver transplant liaison person called from University Hospital today to tell Kelly her physio appointment is scheduled for Monday morning at 10 a.m.  These few physical tests will be undertaken to determine Kelly's strength.  The lady told her they had been discussing her case and the two main issues that would make Kelly ineligible for a liver transplant are her age and lack of body fat and muscle.  Kelly was not encouraged by this morning's phone call but a final decision has not yet been reached.  Due to the renewed intensity of her itching problem (Pruritus) we will be at London's Victoria Hospital Saturday morning where Kelly will undergo another plasmapheresis treatment.   

HOLLYHOCKS ARE ANOTHER ONE OF MY FAVORITE FLOWERS

THESE HOLLYHOCKS CAN BE FOUND IN VARNA AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF MILL ROAD AND PARR LINE RIGHT BEHIND ON GOLDEN PAWS

Al's Music Box:)) Handy Man was a single released by Jimmy Jones in 1959.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Merv was in a terrible accident at work. He fell through a floor tile and ripped off both of his ears. Since he was permanently disfigured, he settled with the company for a rather large sum of money and went on his way. One day, Merv decided to invest his money in a small, but growing telecom business called Plexus Communications. After weeks of negotiations, he bought the company outright. But, after signing on the dotted line, he realized that he knew nothing about running such a business and quickly set out to hire someone who could do that for him.  The next day he had set up three interviews. The first guy was great. He knew everything he needed to and was very interesting. At the end of the interview, Merv asked him, "Do you notice anything different about me?" And the gentleman answered, "Why yes, I couldn't help but notice you have no ears." Merv got very angry and threw him out.   The second interview was with a woman, and she was even better than the first guy. He asked her the same question, "Do you notice anything different about me?" and she replied: "Well, you have no ears." Merv again was upset and tossed her out.  The third and last interview was the best of all three. It was with a very young man who was fresh out of college. He was smart. He was handsome. And he seemed to be a better businessman than the first two put together. Merv was anxious, but went ahead and asked the young man the same question: "Do you notice anything different about me?" And to his surprise, the young man answered: "Yes. You wear contact lenses."  Merv was shocked, and said, "What an incredibly observant young man. How in the world did you know that?"  The young man replied, "Well, it's pretty hard to wear glasses with no ears!"

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- What’s it called when you steal your bike back from the thief?  Recycling.

- My friend couldn't pay his water bill, so I sent him a "get well soon" card

- What's the difference between roast beef and pea soup?  Anyone can roast beef.

-I was trying to steal some spaghetti from the local supermarket... but the security lady saw me and I couldn't get pasta

- I once met a shy pebble.  She wished she was a little bolder.

- Earth is 70% water and uncarbonated.  Technically…it is flat.

- What's the difference between a dirty bus stop and a lobster with breast implants?  One is a crusty bus station, and the other is a busty crustacean.

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SOME DAYS

OUR BACKYARD PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS HAS A BLOOM ON IT

About the only things I could come up with for a post tonight are Al's Music Box and Groaner's Corner.  Some days are just like that I guess........

 AREA BEAN FIELDS ARE DOING WELL

Al's Music Box)) Blue Moon by Frank Sinatra.  This is another one of my all-time favorite songs.  I probably first heard it sometime way back in the late forties and it has stuck with me for all these years.  It is one of the songs that often rambles around in my head when I'm out walking.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Two businessmen in Florida were sitting down for a break in their soon-to-be new store. As yet, the store wasn't ready, with only a few shelves set up. One said to the other, ' I bet any minute now some senior citizen is going to walk by, put his face to the window, and ask what we're selling.'  No sooner were the words out of his mouth when, sure enough, a curious senior citizen walked to the window, had a peek, and in a soft voice asked  "What are you sellin' here?"  One of the men replied sarcastically, "We're selling stupid people."  Without skipping a beat, the old timer said, "You're doing well. Only two left."

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- What do you call a rabbit with fleas?  Bugs Bunny

- What do you call a sleepwalking nun?  A roamin’ Catholic

- What do you call a sad cup of coffee?  A depresso!

- What do you call a dinosaur with a bandage on?  Dino-sore.

- What do you call an old snowman?  Water
- What do you call something that’s easy to get into, but hard to get out of?  Trouble
- What do you call a woman with a screwdriver in one hand, a knife in the other, a pair of scissors between the toes on her left foot, and a corkscrew between the toes on her right foot?  A Swiss Army wife

- What do you call a soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray?  A seasoned veteran
- What do you call a meditating wolf?
Aware wolf!
- What do you call an American bee?
A USB!
- What do you call a fish with no eyes?
A fsh!
- What do you call a doctor who fixes websites?  A URL-ologist

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 When Kids Rewrite Songs::

- "O Susanna, O don’t you cry for me; for I come from Alabama with a Band-Aid on my knee!”
- "Give us this day our deli bread! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the whole East Coast.”
- "We shall come to Joyce’s, bringing in the cheese.”

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AND SO WENT ANOTHER DAY

 A QUIET SUNDAY MORNING IN SOUTHWEST ONTARIO

A sultry overcast and grey mid-July morning.  Looking out our living room window, not even a leaf stirred.  The air felt heavy with unseen moisture, but a quick check of our weather radar site showed not a raindrop in sight.  So, it was under these gloomy skies that Pheebs and I jeeped ourselves up to Goderich to pick up a few things at Walmart.  Would you believe I exited the store with only 7 items in my shopping bag and the bill was $91.04.  Of course you would believe this madness because it is happening to all of you as well.  Those 7 simple items consisted of the following....3 quarts of milk, 1 quart of orange juice, 1 pound of coffee, 1 jar of peanut butter, 1 box of cereal, 1 bottle of Wild Salmon Oil caplets, and one bottle of Glucosamine & Chondroitin caplets. (for my troublesome hip)  It's a good thing I didn't decide to pick up a small box of generic toothpicks because that could very well have spiked the bill to well over $130.00!!!!:((  Sunshine finally broke through the early afternoon clouds and so went another day.

 EMPTY BENCHES AWAIT SUMMER'S BEACH GOERS

 A SUNDAY PICNIC BY THE LAKE

Al's Music Box:)) You've Got A Friend by James Taylor from the album 'Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon.  1971

 AND, IT IS  ALREADY THE TIME OF YEAR FOR BLACK EYED SUSANS

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A husband is advised by a psychiatrist to assert himself. "You don't have to let your wife henpeck you! Go home and show her you are the boss!"  Of course, the husband takes the doctor's advice. He rushes home, slams the door, shakes his fist in his wife's face, and growls, "From now on, you're taking orders from me! I want my supper right now and when you get it on the table, go upstairs and lay out my best clothes. Tonight, I'm going out with the boys and you are going to stay at home where you belong! And another thing... guess who's going to comb my hair, give me a shave, and tie my necktie?"  His redheaded wife says calmly, "The undertaker."

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Knock Knock

Who's there? 

Alex 

Alex who?  

Alexplain later... now let me in.

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And, from the Covid days, we have this.......