I NEVER CAN SEEM TO FIGURE THAT ONE OUT

Due to all the rain lately, it had been a few days since I last made it out to my country road walking spot.  But, under threatening skies, I did manage to slip out and get myself in a walk.  Although the temps were at 46F, there was not much of a wind, so all was okay.   Stopped for a few pics on my way home.

 IT LOOKS LIKE A SMASH OF DUCKS OVER THERE

 YES, AND THEY ARE ALL MALLARD DUCKS TOO

 A WIDE AND COLORFUL COUNTRY LANE

The sun finally popped through the clouds around 12:30, and Al popped out of the house about five minutes later and began raking and loading up a couple wheelbarrow loads of leaves and pine needles.  With sunshine continuing to energize my batteries, I hauled out my two aluminum ladders and began trimming some overgrown Mulberry trees with my clippers and Sweede Saw.  I do have a chainsaw that I bought new when we first moved here over two decades ago, but I haven't used it for about fifteen years, so it's probably gummed up.  But that's okay, I don't like using noisy power tools anyway.  

Had Woodsy been feeling better today, we would have headed off to Grand Bend, where she said potatoes were on sale at Dani and Matt's No Frills Grocery Store.  She is a very frugal little shopping person and always knows where the best prices are for things.  For her, checking grocery store flyers on her smartphone is like having an enjoyable hobby.  Me, not so much.  I always get hosed at the store with signs that say, 'Two For The Price Of Six'.  I never can seem to figure that one out:))   

 THIS MAPLE SYRUP OPERATION ACROSS FROM OUR PARK AWAITS THE COMING OF SPRING

 A FEW DECORATIONS IN OUR PARK

 RED MAPLE LEAVES GROW BIGGER IN OUR PARK

 LOOKING SOUTH DOWN ONE OF THE ROADS IN OUR PARK

Al's Music Box:: Trail Of Broken Hearts by k.d. Lang.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A  Jesuit was out for a drive and crashed into another car, only to discover that the other driver was a Franciscan. “It was my fault,” each insisted as is only right and proper with religious men. Concerned, the Jesuit said, “You look badly shaken up, Father. You could probably use a good stiff drink right now to calm down.”He produced a flask, and the Franciscan drank from it and said, “Thank you, Father; I feel much better now. But you’re probably shaken up too. Why don’t you have a drink as well?” “I will,” the Jesuit replied, “but I think I’ll wait until after the police have come.”

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- There is always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.

- One reason to smile is that every seven minutes of every day, someone in an aerobics class pulls a hamstring.

- The best way to keep kids at home is to make the home a pleasant atmosphere..... and let the air out of their bicycle tires.

- Car sickness is the feeling you get when the monthly car payment is due.

- Families are like fudge .. mostly sweet with a few nuts.

- Laughing helps. It's like jogging on the inside.

- My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely.

- If you can remain calm, you just don't have all the facts.

- You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you're down there.

- Some people remind me of old TV sets. You have to hit them a few times until they get the picture.

- If someone with multiple personalities threatens to commit suicide, is that considered a hostage crisis?

- “I planned to find my watch today, but I didn't have the time.”

- One man said to the other, "You know, there are really only three kinds of people in the world: those who can count, and those who can't.
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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Al's Art Gallery

WHETHER WE UNDERSTAND IT OR NOT

 OUR STREET HERE IN THE PARK IS CALLED SUGAR MAPLE AND IS APTLY NAMED

Using some sound logic, I figure these back-to-back rainy days are payback for our previous back-to-back sunny days.  Yup, that's what it's got to be alright!!  Or, d'ya suppose it's got something to do with the current change of seasons.  Oh well, despite the rainy drizzle, I hooked up the utility trailer and hauled another partial wet load of pine needles, tree branches, and fallen leaves off to the Park's recycling area.  It turned out to be a bit of muddy business.  But, no problem.  With our outside water still turned on, I was able to hose myself and the car off after I returned home.

 A FEW PHOTOS ALONG OUR STREET EARLIER TODAY

 OUR DRIVEWAY IS JUST UP THERE ON THE LEFT

With a poor night's sleep, Woodsy was feeling a little under the weather today.  Aww shucks, there I go mentioning the 'weather' word again!!  Oh yes, proud to be a Canadian eh:))

 NUTHATCH

 THIS MIGHT BE A TUFTED TITMOUSE

I have totally given up on  all the dog rescue sites.  It is clear to me that my age is against me.  A friend of a friend of mine, talking to some animal people, said it's unlikely the rescue sites will let a dog go to a single person of my age with a very limited future.  I can understand the sites rightfully having the dog's welfare and best interest at heart.  They don't want the re-homed dog having to go through the trauma of having to be re-homed again.  So disappointing and disheartening.  Years ago, we bought Max as a puppy for $5.  Little Cora came to us from Kelly's daughter Sabra, and Kelly brought Checkers home one day from the place where she worked at the time.  And, it was the Zurich Vet Clinic that phoned and told us of a dog in Zurich that needed a new home back in August of 2011.  That dog was of course, was Pheebs.  I do have my name in at Zurich's South Huron Veterinary Clinic in case they have any strays come in, and I did call them today to make sure they still have my name and number.  They do.

It is not always easy trying to remain focused on the present when so much has already happened in the past to remind us of who we are and how we got to where we are today.  We often complain about things we can't remember any longer and yet there is an upside to that.  If we were constantly flooded with good and bad memories of the past, it would be difficult for us to function well in the present.  And, I think that is a built-in safeguard for all of us, whether we understand it or not.

 HAD A FEW PHOTOS LEFT OVER FROM SEVERAL DAYS AGO

 HEADING HOME FROM GODERICH THURSDAY AFTERNOON

OUR PARK'S ENTRANCE OF THE SOUTH SIDE OF BAYFIELD RIVER ROAD

Al's Music Box:: Do You Believe In Magic by the Lovin' Spoonful.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A little girl said, "Grandpa, can I sit on your lap? "Why sure you can," her grandfather replied. As she sat on her grandfather's lap she said, "Grandpa, can you make a sound like a frog?" "A sound like a frog? Well, sure Grandpa can make a sound like a frog." The little girl said, "Grandpa, will you please, please make a sound like a frog?" Perplexed, her grandfather said, "Sweetheart, why do you want me to make a sound like a frog?" And the little girl said, "Because Grandma said that when you croak, we're going to Florida!"

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Knock Knock

Who's there?
Vlad!
Vlad who?
Vlad to meet you!
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Voodoo!
Voodoo who?
Voodoo you think you are!
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Waddle!
Waddle who?
Waddle you give me if I go away!
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Wade!
Wade who?
Wade till next time!

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"Are you writing a thank-you letter to Grandma like I told you to?" "Yes, Mom." "Your handwriting seems very large, why is that?" "Well, Grandma can't hear well, so I'm writing very loudly."

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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Al's Art Gallery