SO MUCH TO LEARN, SO LITTLE TIME LEFT TO LEARN IT

Another fine morning for my country road walk.  Rather than follow that with a relaxing drive through the countryside, I headed back home and again trotted out my gardening and clean-up tools again.  The owner of our Park, Adam, has been working to clean up a lot of overgrown scrub trees in a few areas of the Park.  Yesterday, he started on the east end of our street where we live.  Using a Bobcat, he was able to pull out and cut down a number of weed trees.  He was able to clean up most of the mess, but of course, there was a lot of small debris left, and that's where I came in late yesterday and today.  With my trusty garden rake, pitch fork, weed whacker, leaf rake, and wheelbarrow, I was able to gather a lot of that debris together in a few piles.  I didn't have to do this, but I wanted to do it, and get things cleaned up. Tomorrow morning, I will hook up my utility trailer, which is already half full of yard waste, and haul all that stuff down to the Park's recycle area.  It's a great way for me to get some exercise.

Tuesday evening, after my walk under cloudy skies, I decided to take a drive over to Tower Hill and have myself a quiet sit with my windows down listening to the Crickets.  My iPhone alerted me to the presence of the International Space Station approaching my area, and sure enough, with the cloud cover dissipating, I was able to see it go over.  Shortly after that, I spotted a distant bright light low in the eastern sky where there should not have been a bright light.  With my 7x50 binoculars. I was able to determine it was moving very slowly, and not at a speed an aircraft could fly.  It appeared to be about the same size and light density of the planet, Venus but I definitely knew it was not Venus.  I watched this object for the best part of half an hour, trying as best I could to apply some kind of logic to what I was seeing.   It wasn't until the object, moving at a slow, steady speed, seemed to dim a bit and began moving in a northerly direction.  Then it happened, I saw a faint blinking red light and knew right away it was probably an aircraft.  My logic then surmised that it was likely a smaller aircraft flying towards me, possibly from the Toronto or Stratford airport.  I figure the brightness of the object was created by the aircraft flying with its landing lights on.  The brightness dimmed when it made a slight change of direction.   I knew then that in all likelihood I was seeing an airplane.   I was relieved it was an aircraft and yet disappointed that it wasn't something else.  Oh, I love being out at night, and tonight, with clear skies today, I will again be out and about with my eyes on the sky. I love these stargazing nights of mine.  And, I love the photographic abilities of my iPhone 15 and especially at night in low light conditions.  Suprisingly, I was able to set up 'Siri' on my phone last night at Tower Hill too, and my mind is just boggled at all the amazing mind mind-blowing technology in this phone.  So much to learn, so little time left to learn it, and so few brain and memory cells left to understand what it's all about. 

I FIRST SPOTTED THE WHITE SPOT OBJECT JUST ABOVE AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE FIRST RED LIGHT TOWER YOU SEE COMING FROM THE LEFT OF THE PHOTO...I INSTINCTIVELY KNEW THAT SHOULDN'T BE THERE

 NEARLY HALF AN HOUR LATER, THE OBJECT CAN STILL BE SEEN UNDER THE MOON, HAVING TRAVELED FROM MY FIRST SPOTTING IT TO THE RIGHT, WHERE YOU SEE THAT TALL DARK RED SPIKE

And, an uncanny thing today.  I was talking to Lorraine (Woodsy) on the phone just after noon when our conversation was interrupted by silent spots.  The phone signal started winking out.  I decided to end the call and dial Lorraine back.  In my usual iPhone confusion, I must have pressed a wrong number, and I heard somebody saying 'hello', 'hello', and knowing it wasn't Lorraine, I quickly pressed a red button and ended the call.  I messaged Woodsy on Facebook, and then a short time later, my phone rang.  It was Sabra, Kelly's daughter.  She was the one saying 'hello' hello', and when I hung up, she thought maybe something was wrong.  About a minute into our conversation, Sabra reminded me it was 9 months to the day that her Mom passed away.  Looking up at the clock, I was startled to remember that it was at this 'exact' time of day she passed away.  Right down to the last minute.  And here, nine months later to the minute, was Sabra and I talking.  Hmmm, I wonder about those unusual phone interruptions that led to Sabra and I talking today.     

Al's Music Box:)) Groovin by The Young Rascals.

GEEKY ME ON MY TUESDAY NIGHT WALK...WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEADER PICTURE AND KELLY'S PICTURE, ALL PHOTOS WERE TAKEN WITH MY iPHONE

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A middle-aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table, she had a near-death experience. Seeing God, she asked, "Is my time up?" God said, "No, you have another 43 years, two months, and eight days to live." Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a facelift, liposuction, and tummy tuck. Since she had so much more time to live for, she figured she might as well look even nicer. After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, a speeding ambulance struck and killed her. Arriving in front of God again, she demanded, "I thought you said I had another 43 years? Why didn't you pull me out of the path of that ambulance?" God replied, " Good grief, Girl, I didn't even recognize you.”

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To Mary, the love of my life:  There is nothing I would not do to reach your side. I would climb the highest mountain! I would cross the trackless desert! I would swim the widest ocean to be near you, my beloved. With love and tenderness, Jonathan  PS: See you Saturday night, if it doesn't rain.

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- Televangelism is all about false profits. 

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After discussing the “food chain” with my fifth grade class, I told them their weekend homework was to write a sentence showing they understood the meaning of the term. On Monday morning, one student handed this in: “Burger King is my favorite food chain.”

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A Few Thoughts on Exercising::  I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently, you have to show up.

- I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
- I don't exercise at all. If God meant us to touch our toes, he would have put them further up our body.
- I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
- I have flabby thighs, but fortunately, my stomach covers them.
- The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.
- If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.
- I don't jog, it makes the ice jump right out of my glass.
- It is well documented that for every mile that you jog..... you add one minute to your life .... This enables you, at 85 years old.... to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $5000 per month.

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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Al's Art Gallery

'DON'T RUSH ME', I ALWAYS SAY

 A NEAT-O HOT ROD SEEN AT THE GODERICH HARBOR THIS MORNING

Another fabulous weather day as I headed my way to Goderich this morning.   I skipped my walk because my legs were sore after Monday's tasks outside around the house, and especially my right leg.  I have a feeling something might be slightly amiss with the new hip I had done a year and a half ago.  Maybe, maybe not.  Backing things off today, I concentrated my efforts on cleaning the Subaru's interior.  I'll try an evening walk tonight at my country road spot.

 LOOKS LIKE A BIG SHIP IN THE HARBOR

 THE FEDERAL MOSEL IN HARBOR THIS MORNING TAKING ON A LOAD OF GRAIN

 I HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART SEEING FELLOW RV FOLKS OUT ENJOYING THEIR LIFESTYLE

 THIS OLDER CHAP WAS MOVING RIGHT ALONG

 WAITING FOR A FAMILY MEMBER AND A MORNING  OUTING ON THE BOARDWALK

I THINK THE LITTLE FELLA IS ENJOYING HIS MORNING ALONGSIDE LAKE HURON

OF COURSE NOT EVERYBODY IS STROLLING ALONG THE BOARDWALK

 HERE, THE BAYFIELD RIVER BEGINS TO MINGLE WITH THE BLUE-GREEN WATERS OF LAKE HURON

 AT THE FAR END OF THE GODERICH SALT MINE, THE RIVER FLOWS INTO THE LAKE

Back in 2005, our black and white border collie, Checkers, while in the living room, spotted a squirrel on our back deck.  Without a second's hesitation, Checkers took off at full speed chasing that squirrel.  Remember, Checkers was in the living room, and the squirrel was outside on the deck with only a screen door between them.  Needless to say, the squirrel quickly got away, but the screen door didn't, and Checkers went right through it. Now, keep in mind that this incident occurred thirty years ago.  Today, I 'finally' took that screen door to Home Hardware in Goderich to have a new screen put in.  Sometimes my decisions take a little longer to formulate than other times.  In the interim, we found the ripped screen convenient for our dogs, Max, Checkers, Cora, and Pheebs to go in and out into our fenced-in back yard any time they liked.  With our canine Pals using that door a lot, we never had to worry about any critters coming in because of our daily in and out doggy patrol.  Now, fast forward to this summer.  With Max, Checkers, and little Cora gone over a decade now, and Pheebs gone since the end of April, there has been an uptake of furry little critters coming and going through that unguarded broken screen door.  The chipmunks come in, tip toe quietly around behind my recliner, and head for the kitchen, where I have a big container full of birdseed.  They fill their cheek pouches and then scurry off back through the torn screen for home.  I swear, they've got a path worn in the rug.  Woodsy finally convinced me to pour some serious thought into getting that screen door fixed, so this morning, that is what I did.  Hey, it only took me thirty years to do this.  'Don't rush me,' I always say.

'CHECKERS'

 AND, A FEW COWS ON THE WAY HOME

Al's Music Box:)) It's All In The Game by Tommy Edwards.

MET THE NIFTY ROADSTER COMING BACK FROM ROTARY COVE

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A man moves into a new flat and invites a few of his friends around for a housewarming drink. He's got lots of lovely furniture, but then one of his friends sees an old hammer hanging on the wall and says, "What's that dirty old hammer doing there?" The man replies: "Oh, that's not a hammer, it's a talking clock. Look, I'll show you." So he picks up the hammer and starts banging it against the wall, whereupon a voice comes from next door shouting: "Keep it down in there, it's almost half past ten!"

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There were three little morons riding in the back of a truck. Suddenly the tire popped and the truck drove off the edge into the water. Two of the morons swam up and survived, but the other little moron drowned because he couldn't get the tail gate open.
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Moe: "Where did Larry go?"
Curly: "He’s round in front."
Moe: "I know what he looks like, I just wanted to know where he went."

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Hoss rode into town to buy a bull. Unfortunately, when he bought it, he was left with one dollar. Hoss needed to tell his wife to come with the truck and get the bull, but telegrams cost one dollar per word. Hoss said to the telegram man,"OK. I have my one word-'comfortable'." Why do you want to tell her that?” asked the telegram man. "Oh, she's not the best reader," Hoss said. "She'll read it really slowly". (Com-for-ta-ble, get it?)

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After spending 3-1/2 hours enduring the long lines, surly clerks, and insane regulations at the Department of Motor Vehicles, a lady stopped at a toy store to pick up a gift for her son. She brought her selection - a baseball bat to the cash register. "Cash or charge," the clerk asked.
"Cash," she snapped. Then apologizing for her rudeness, she explained, "I've spent the afternoon at the motor-vehicle bureau. I am not too sane right now!!" "Shall I gift wrap the bat?" the clerk asked sweetly, "Or are you going back?"

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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Al's Art Gallery