A SINCERE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE

First and foremost, let me say thank you to all the blog readers for taking the time to leave a comment on my Friday post. To say I have been 'moved' by these kind comments would be an understatement.  I purposely didn't read any comments until Sunday morning.  I pondered each comment carefully, and the general consensus was clear.  Don't give up the blog, perhaps shorten it,  and don't worry about writing a post 'every day.'  All good advice, and I am in agreement with what has been said because, truly, inside, I do not want to give it up, and I would do well to listen to what readers have said and suggested.  The outpouring of concern in all the comments has re-strengthened the pilot light that had all but wavered and flickered out again.  If it weren't for the reassurance of readers, I would have given up my hobbies of blogging, photography, and traveling a long time ago.  I have readers to thank for enabling me and giving me a purpose to share these hobbies of mine in a helpful and meaningful way.   A sincere thank you to everyone for your care.  Following your suggestions, I will try to trim some fat off my blog and get myself into the habit of not blogging every day.

 THIS SOYBEAN FIELD IS PROBABLY ONLY A FEW WEEKS AWAY FROM BEING HARVESTED,,,,AND HOW DID I KNOW THEY WERE SOY BEANS??  MY iPHONE TOLD ME SO

ANOTHER BEANFIELD CLOSE TO ITS HARVEST DATE

 TALL DANDELION-LIKE FLOWERS IN THE DITCH ALONGSIDE MY WALKING ROAD

 THIS IS JEWEL WEED, AND A CLINTON DOCTOR ONCE TOLD ME TO RUB IT ON MYSELF AFTER I HAD A NASTY ENCOUNTER WITH A PATCH OF POISON IVY YEARS AGO

A FAINT MOON IN THE MORNING SKY EARLIER TODAY

 THE MOON WASN'T THE ONLY THING IN THE MORNING SKY

There were also a number of comments about 'getting a dog'.  I have been trying, but I'm frustrated with the half dozen area rescue dog sites and Humane Societies.  I have mentioned this before, but I will touch on it again.  It seems gone are the days when one could simply walk into a Humane Society and walk out with a new best Pal.  Yes, I do understand the importance of protecting the pet from unscrupulous people, but everything being 'online' now, with applications to fill out, interviews, and reams of questions, it seems things have kind of gone sideways somewhere.  One dog rescue site had a price list for the 'rescued dogs'.  Puppies -$800, Adult-$500, and Senior dogs-$250.  Maybe I'm off the mark here, or I am not understanding something.  Anyway, I'm definitely looking, folks.

SORRY ABOUT ANOTHER iPHONE SELFIE FOLKS BUT WOODSY INSISTED I PUT THIS ONE IN AFTER I SENT IT TO HER IN STRATFORD LAST WEEK...I AM AT MY COMMUNICATION TOWER HILL STARGAZING 

Al's Music Box:)) At Last by Etta James.

 A COUPLE OF HEAVY MACHINES HAVE MOVED INTO THE PARK...CHANGES MAY BE AFOOT

 A NEW MOBILE HOME IS COMING IN TO BE SET ON THIS CEMENT PAD IN A FEW DAYS

GROANER'S CORNER:((   A little guy gets on a plane and sits next to the window. A few minutes later, a big, heavy, mean-looking guy plops down in the seat next to him and immediately falls asleep. The little guy starts to feel a little airsick, but he's afraid to wake the big guy up to ask if he can go to the bathroom. He knows he can't climb over him, and so the little guy sits there, looking at the big guy, trying to decide what to do.  Suddenly, the plane hits an air pocket and an uncontrollable wave of nausea passes over the little guy. He can't hold it in any longer and he throws up all over the big guy's chest. About five minutes later the big guy wakes up, looks down, and sees the vomit all over him. "So," says the little guy: "are you feeling better now?

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I MAY FEEL DIFFERNTLY TOMORROW, BUT FOR TODAY, I AM KEEPING THE DOOR OPEN A CRACK

This morning, I again woke up with a decision on my mind.  It's a decision I have been wrestling with on and off for a long time.  Going back years, in fact.  But, in the past few months, weeks, and days, it has been on my mind again.  As much as I have enjoyed, and for the most part, still enjoy doing my daily blog, I feel it has, over time, become like an aging and all too predictable Dinosaur.  I originally started the blog back in 2006 to document the RV travels of Kelly, myself, and our three dogs, Max, Checkers, Cora, and later, Pheebs.  Thus, the name, Travel With The Bayfield Bunch'.  Those wonderful travels regretfully ended back in 2019, and here it is, 2025, and yes, some days it feels like I am definitely flogging an old Dinosaur.  I'm sure, with my constant repetition, readers have sensed this as well.  I don't want to say that this is my last post, or close to my last post, because to make that decision is to close the door and lock it behind me.  I may feel differently tomorrow, but for today, I am keeping that door open, just a crack.......................     

THERE IS MAGIC IN THE NIGHT SKY AND IT IS MY FAVORITE PLACE

 A FEW EARLY AUTUMN COLORS AT THE SOUTH END OF OUR PARK THIS MORNING

Decided to forego my morning walk and get right at my clean-up outside by the road.  Hooked up the utility trailer and proceeded to pick up half a dozen piles of branches, and pine needles, etc. that I had raked up on Wednesday afternoon. It took me two trips to the Park's recycling area to get everything unloaded.  It felt good to be outside in this cooler September weather, getting some much-needed exercise.  Following that, I had a bunch of new grass to water, and somewhere in there, I managed to fit in a morning and afternoon coffee break.

 MY FIRST LOAD THIS MORNING TO THE PARK'S RECYCLE AREA

Another fine evening, Wednesday, when I followed my rural walk with a drive to Clinton to snag myself a drive-thru Tim Hortons coffee.  As darkness set in, I slowly made my roundabout way to Tower Hill for a look at the night sky.  Despite a partial cloud cover, I was able to see the constellation Scorpius, the Scorpion, Sagittarius, the big tilted teapot, and Cassiopeia, the big 'W' in the northeast night sky.  Also saw two aircraft and three satellites.  And, all the time being hosted by a surrounding chorus of Crickets.  There is magic in the night sky, and it is my favorite place.

I SENT A COUPLE OF SMARTPHONE SUNSET PICS TO LORRAINE IN STRATFORD

Woodsy (Lorraine) rolled in this afternoon about 3:45, carrying a big pizza, all the way from Stratford. It's been a long time since I've eaten pizza, and it was a very much most pleasant surprise.

A FEW QUICK PICS AROUND OUR FRONT YARD THIS AFTERNOON

Al's Music Box:)) Sandman by the group, America

GROANER'S CORNER:(( As it gets colder and colder outside in degrees of Fahrenheit::

+60F Californians put on sweaters (if they can find one)
50 Miami residents turn on the heat
40 You can see your breath, Californians shiver uncontrollably, Minnesotans go swimming
35 Italian cars don't start
32 Water freezes
30 You plan your vacation to Mexico
25 Boston water freezes, Californians weep pitiably, Minnesotans eat ice cream, Canadians go swimming
20 Politicians begin to talk abohut the homeless, New York City water freezes, Miami residents plan vacation further South

15 French cars don't start, Cat insists on sleeping in your bed with you
10 You need jumper cables to get the car going
5 American cars don't start
0 Alaskans put on T-shirts
-10 German cars don't start, Eyes freeze shut when you blink
-15 You can cut your breath and use it to build an igloo, Arkansans stick tongue on metal objects, Miami residents cease to exist
-20 Cat insists on sleeping in pajamas with you, Politicians actually do something about the homeless, Minnesotans shovel snow off roof, Japanese cars don't start
-25 Too cold to think, You need jumper cables to get the driver going
-30 You plan a two week hot bath, Swedish cars don't start

-40 Californians disappear, Minnesotans button top button, Canadians put on sweaters, Your car helps you plan your trip South
-50 Congressional hot air freezes, Alaskans close the bathroom window
-80 Hell freezes over, Polar bears move South
-90 Lawyers put their hands in their own pockets

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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Al's Art Gallery

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