Wednesday, April 22, 2026

AND NO, THERE ARE NO PLANS AFOOT TO SELL ANYTIME SOON

 TUESDAY NIGHT'S SUNSET TAKEN FROM DEER PARK LODGE
Realizing I was going to be a bit late for the sunset Tuesday night I didn't go all the way into Bayfield.  Halfway between our Bayfield Pines Park and Bayfield's beach is Deer Park Lodge, where Kelly once worked.  With it still being early in the season, I knew there wouldn't be many, if any, people there.  One of the cabins at Deer Park is called 'The Hutch' and I knew I could catch the sunset there.  The Hutch was Kelly's favorite cabin and any time her Mom & Dad or brother Peter and wife Leslie came for a visit, she always booked them into the Hutch.  Her daughter, Sarah, with her then husband and children, once came for a visit and also stayed in the Hutch. I have fond memories of Kelly's family gatherings there.  From Deer Park, I took my customary drive into Bayfield.  The beach and harbor area, Pioneer Park, and a slow cruise up and down Bayfield's short Main Street.  Bayfield, in my opinion, still retains its old fishing village charm and especially so in it's off season evening hours.  I like it best when it's quiet and not bustling with summer tourists.  From the quiet little village, as nightfall set in, I slowly made my way out into the countryside to my night sky spot.  It's actually only an eight-minute drive from our Park.  Arriving there, I settled into my spot, opened the moonroof, and tipped my seat back.  With binoculars in hand, I was able to look up through the open roof and see the craters on the Moon, as well as one satellite moving from west to east.  No meteorites, but that was okay.  I just enjoy quietly sitting there under the starry night sky.  And as Jack Horkheimer always said at the conclusion of his Astronomy Star Gazer TV show, "Keep Looking Up".
 THE HUTCH
 A LOT OF NICE MEMORIES IN THIS COTTAGE

A LOT OF NICE HOMES IN BAYFIELD WITH THIS BEING ONE OF THEM
 BAYFIELD'S LITTLE INN
Had I thought of going for a country road walk this morning, then that is what I would have done.  But, I guess my mind was focused on a few more little outside projects, and my morning walk went right over my head.  Let's just say I shoveled up more pea stone, relocated it, and planted more grass seed where the pea stone had been.  If I ever stop planting grass, Scotts (grass seed company) is going to go out of business.  Skies remained sunny and blue as temperatures slowly warmed up, making for another great day to be outside doing a number of small, but enjoyably creative and constructive things.  For me, the phrase 'strike while the iron is hot' rings true.  I know myself well enough to get as much done as possible while I am in my 'doing' frame of mind.  It will not likely last, so I have to get myself out there every day and get as much done as I can, while I can.  Also, with this aging thing ramping up now, I can foresee a day, maybe not too distant in the future, when I just might not be able to do all this enjoyable outside stuff.  Also, at some point, I may sell this place, and if so, I want to have things looking saleable.  Also, in the back of my mind now, there is this little voice constantly on my case saying 'Git er done Al, git er done'!!   But no, there are no plans afoot to sell any time soon.  I like it here:))

SHOVELLING UP MORE PEA STONE THIS MORNING AND SHAKING THE DIRT OF THE STONES

 WHEN IT RAINS OUR DRIVEWAY CAN BECOME MUDDY, SO I MADE A WIDE PEASTONE PATH FROM OUR FRONT PORCH TO THE CARPORT (THE PATHWAY IS ON THE LEFT)
 MOVED OUR BLUE GAZING BALL TO A NEW LOCATION THIS AFTERNOON
 I AM SURPRISED TO SEE SOME OF OUR FERNS UP THIS HIGH ALREADY
 NICE TO HEAR THE BABBLING SOUND OF WATER IN OUR FRONT YARD FOR ANOTHER SEASON

Al's Music Box:: Taxi by Harry Chapin.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( If Noah Built an Ark in 2026::

And lo, in the year 2011, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said:
"Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me."
"Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans."
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have 6 months to build the ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard, but there was no ark.
"Noah! I'm about to start the rain! Where is the ark?"
"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed."
"I needed a building permit."
"I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system."
"My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision."
"Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it."
"Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl."
"I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls, but no go!"
"When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space."
"Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood."
"I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew."
"Immigration and Naturalization are checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work."
"The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with ark-building experience.
"To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species."
"So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."
Suddenly, the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"
"No," said the Lord. "The government beat me to it."
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At a dinner party, the speaker who was the guest of honor, was about to deliver his speech when his wife sitting at the other end of the table, sent him a piece of paper with the word “KISS” scribbled on it. A guest seated next to the speaker said, “Your wife has sent you a KISS before you begin your speech. She must love you very much.” speaker replied, “You don't know my wife. The letters stand for “Keep It Short, Stupid.”

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Tuesday, April 21, 2026

I HOPE ONE OF THOSE 'SHOWERING' METEORITES DOESN'T LAND ON MY HEAD

AT THE TIME OF POSTING TONIGHT I REALIZED I HADN'T TAKEN ANY PHOTOS TODAY SO HAD TO QUICKLY DASH OUT INTO THE FRONT YARD FOR A FEW QUICK PICS
Another happy camper day spent outside, puttering around with all my usual gardening tools.  I won't drag you through my putterings, but just know it was a good day doing things I like to do.  I did keep my eye on the sky, though, and I had my fingers crossed that the day would end with clear skies.  Tonight is the Lyrid Meteor Shower, and I was hoping to slip out to my night sky viewing spot to see if I could at least spot one.  Referring to these meteor events as 'showers' is misleading, so if I manage to see one or two, I'll consider myself fortunate.  Of course, I won't be out there at prime watching time, which is after midnight, but a shower....really!!  Anyway, at the time of posting this tonight, the cloud cover is a mixed bag of sun and cloud.  I'll head out anyway and see how I make out.  I hope one of those showering meteorites doesn't land on my head and bend my hat!!   

 FORSYTHIA IN EVENING TWILIGHT
 OUR DAY LILIES ARE COMING RIGHT ALONG
HYACINTH
 PLASTIC FLOWERS ON OUR FRONT PORCH
 OUR WIND CHIMES CARDINAL IN THE EVENING LIGHT

Al's Music Box:: Venus by Frankie Avalon.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Fathers Then and Now::  Fathers of 1900 didn't have it nearly as good as fathers of today; but they did have a few advantages:

- In 1900, fathers prayed their children would learn English.  Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.

- In 1900, a father's horsepower meant his horses. Today, it's the size of his minivan.

- In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family's head, he was a success. Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that's just the vacation home.

- In 1900, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived. Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure to record the procedure on his cellphone.

- In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons. Today, kids wouldn't touch Dad's clothes if they were sliding naked down an icicle.

- In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business. Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and program their smartphone.

- In 1900, a father smoked a pipe. If he tries that today, he gets sent outside after a lecture on lip, throat, and lung cancer.

- In 1900, fathers shook their children gently and whispered, "Wake up, it's time for school."
Today, kids shake their fathers violently at 4 a.m., shouting: "Wake up, it's time for hockey practice."

- In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table. Today, a father comes home to a note: "Jimmy's at baseball, Cindy's at gymnastics, I'm at adult-Ed, Pizza in fridge."

- In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream.
Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons' ears and shout, "WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE.."

- In 1900, a father gave a pencil box for Christmas, and the kid was all smiles. Today, a father spends $1,800 at Toys 'R' Us, and the kid screams: "I wanted a new Apple phone!"

- In 1900, if a father had breakfast in bed, it was eggs, bacon, ham and potatoes. Today, it's Harvest Crunch, soy milk, dry toast, and a lecture on cholesterol.

- In 1900, fathers said, "A man's home is his castle." Today, they say, "Welcome to the money pit."

- In 1900, "a good day at the market" meant Father brought home feed for the horses.
Today, "a good day at the market" means Dad got in early on an a stock trading tip.

- In 1900, when fathers entered the room, children often rose to attention. Today, kids glance up and grunt, "Dad, get out of my space, will ya"!!!!

- In 1900, fathers threatened their daughters' suitors with shotguns if the girl came home late.
Today, fathers break the ice by saying, "So...how long have you had that earring?"
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My bio says that I have a corner office with views of the entire city, drive a $500,000 vehicle, and that I'm paid to travel. My dates never seem too happy when I tell them I'm a bus driver.
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A young couple drove several miles down a country road, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the husband sarcastically asked, "Are they relatives of yours?" "Yes," his wife replied. "I married into the family."

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