PHEEBS AND I KINDA TIME TRAVELED BACK THROUGH THE 1800’S TODAY

Although Pheebs and I didn’t see any stooked hay up in Amish/Mennonite country this morning we did see other things reminiscent of pioneering days long gone by.

LOOKS LIKE THESE FELLAS HAVE BEEN DOING SOME LOGGING IN THE BUSH AND I NOTICED LATER THEY HAD BROUGHT A BIG JUG OF WATER WITH THEM

I’M ABOUT A QUARTER MILE AWAY FROM THESE LADS

With blue skies overhead and a cooling breeze off the lake I don’t think we could have asked for a nicer morning.  Air was clean and fresh in the countryside as it blew through our open windows sometimes gusting strong enough to blow my hat off several times.  No annoying bugs and no uncomfortable humidity.  Just a real joy to be out on a summery Saturday morning in Southwestern Ontario.

SAY FELLAS CAN YA LET ME IN HERE

AWWWW GEE THANKS FELLAS:))

<<< I SAW A LOT OF SNUZZLING GOING ON THIS MORNING BETWEEN NOT ONLY HORSES BUT CATTLE AND SHEEP AS WELL

With all the madness and violence in the world bombarding us from all directions these days how nice to leave all that behind for a few hours and do a little time traveling back through an age our parents, grandparents and great parents once knew.  A seemingly simpler time when worldly events weren’t on one’s doorstep on a daily basis.  Life was by no means simple in those days but compared with what we call present civilization I think there is something in all of us that longs for those long ago days.

IF IN YOUR TRAVLES YOU REACH THE INTERSECTION HERE IN ST. HELENS YOU ARE PRETTY MUCH IN THE MIDDLE OF HURON COUNTIES AMISH COUNTRY

COUNTRY SCHOOL HOUSE WITH SWINGS AND TEETER-TOTERS

THESE ‘OLD ORDER’ AMISH/MENNONITE FOLKS ALL SEEM TO HAVE VERY LARGE AND VERY HEALTHY LOOKING GARDENS

PHEEBS ALWAYS ENJOYS THIS BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AS WELL

IT WAS THE HORSES I SAW AND DIDN’T REALIZE I HAD PEOPLE IN THE PHOTO UNTIL LATER WHEN I DID THE EDITING

Driving slowly through the serenely peaceful Amish countryside I am constantly reminded of the vast differences of our modern way of life compared to the Amish folks I see traveling the roads in their horse and buggies.  I see their beautiful well kept farms, their strong work horses, large garden plots brimming with vegetables, well fed cattle, their rolling hills of hay and clover.  And I see the people too.  Men in dark blue shirts with overalls and straw hats hitching up teams of horses.  Children playing in shaded yards with the boys dressed like their Dads and the girls dressed like their Moms in their long dresses and bonnets.  I often see the Moms with the children tending to the gardens.  Oh how much I would like to photograph them all………but as a rule I don’t.

I know Amish folks are sensitive about having their pictures taken and although I do take photos of them occasionally I am very careful and very sensitive about crossing the line.  Last thing I want to do is make someone uncomfortable and not only that, I myself am very uncomfortable taking photos of people and especially if they know I am taking photos of them.  Unless I can do it candidly I pass up many great people photos almost daily.  Long time readers have probably noticed how the vast majority of my photos do not include people. 

AWWW COME ON MOM QUIT BITING AT THOSE FLYS i’M TRYING TO HAVE MYSELF A LITTLE SNOOZE OVER HERE

JUST SOAKING UP A WARM SUNNY SUMMER SATURDAY MORNING

I drive by some of the greatest photos ever in Amish country and this morning was no exception again.  You just can’t imagine how beautiful some of these rural farm scenes are and especially when the folks themselves are outside and it’s the children at play that would make some of the greatest photographs of all and yet I never ever stop or raise a camera to take children photos in the privacy of their own yards simply knowing how uncomfortable that would make everyone feel including myself.   Also, any photos you do see of Amish or Mennonite people that I have taken I can tell you they are all done with my 300mm telephoto lens from a long distance away.

I’M GUESSING THIS AT A HOMEMADE MOBILE SAW MILL

NOTICE ALL THE BUGGY TRACKS LEADING IN AND OUT OF THIS AMISH FARM

I take these photos not to sell or profit from in any way, I take these photos to show my readers a different side of life that many may have never seen or imagined before.   To show how these hard working folks live a totally different way of life than the majority of we folks do.  I may not agree with their strict religious ways but I do respect and admire their principles, their morals, their work ethic, their honesty, and their coming together for the benefit and common good of their fellow man.

NICE TO SEE THE BROWN EYED SUSANS AGAIN THIS YEAR

And here’s something else I have noticed about these folks in our neck of the woods, they almost always give you a wave when you go by and that often includes the children too.

SPOTTED THIS BUGGY WHEN WE STOPPED AT LAKE WAWANOSH

THIS WAS PARKED A FEW YARDS AWAY BUT I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT IT WAS

LOOKING AT THE BUGGY I NOTICED A MOVEMENT AND A DARK SHAPE IN THE TREES AHEAD

LOOKING CLOSER I SAW THE DARK SHAPE WAS A HORSE TIED TO A TREE

WALKING OVER TO THE SHORELINE I SPOTTED THESE AMISH FELLAS OUT FISHING AND IT LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THEM MAY HAVE JUST CAUGHT A FISH

NOTICED LATER WHEN I EDITED THIS PHOTO ALL THESE FOLKS HAD LIFE JACKETS ON

I QUICKLY DEDUCED THEY ALL CAME BY HORSE AND BUGGY AND THIS 2 WHEELED CART IN THE GRASS WAS THEIR BOAT TRAILER WHICH OF COURSE WOULD HAVE BEEN HOOKED ON BEHIND THE BUGGY.  I WOULD HAVE LIKED A PHOTO OF THAT GOING DOWN THE ROAD BUT PHEEBS WAS TIRED BY THIS TIME AND ANXIOUS TO GET HOME….ME TOO

HOWEVER, BEFORE LEAVING PHEEBS SURE GAVE THAT BUGGY A GOOD SMELLING INSPECTION

CONE ON BUGSY TIME TO GO

CAN’T WAIT TO GET HOME AND SEE MOM

All and all it was another great drive through the countryside for Pheebs and I and if it wasn’t for our many relaxing morning excursions I really don’t know what I would do with myself most days.  Fly apart I guess.  For me personally I can’t think of a better way to start my day or a better way to end my day than sharing it through words and photos with my readers…………..

WOULD YOU BELIEVE KELLY PICKED UP A STRAWBERRY PIE AT THE MENNONITE STORE SOUTH OF BAYFIELD TODAY….IT SURE WENT WELL WITH OUR AMISH/MENNONITE TOUR THIS MORNING

GROANER’S CORNER:((  An elderly priest was speaking to a younger priest. "You had a good idea to replace the first four pews with plush bucket theatre seats. It worked like a charm! The front of the church always fills first now."
As the young priest nodded, the old priest continued, “You also told me to assign a little more beat to the music because it would bring young people back to church. So, I supported you when you brought in that rock ‘n’ roll Gospel choir. Now, our services are consistently packed.“ "Thank you, Father," answered the young priest. "I am pleased that you are open to the new ideas of youth." "All of these ideas have been well and good," said the elderly priest. "But, I'm afraid you've gone too far with the drive-thru confessional."  "But Father," protested the young priest. "My confessions and donations have nearly doubled since I began that!" "Yes," replied, the elderly priest. "I appreciate that, but the flashing neon sign, ‘Toot 'n’ Tell or Go to Hell’ cannot stay on the church roof!"

‘BECKHAM’…..RESCUED FROM THE STREETS OF ISTANBUL TURKEY

OUR FRIENDS RICHARD AND GAYLE’S RESCUE DOG BECKHAM

Well I'd be really pushing it if I said I had anything of much interest to write about today.  Rains rolled through our area for about an hour beginning at 7:30 this morning so that pretty much grounded Pheebs and I.  Daytime highs never got over 60F and with an onshore breeze the day had a cold and damp feeling to it.  Kind of late Octoberish.  A good time for some catch-up zzzzz's in my recliner. 

THANKS TO GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE BECKHAM CAME TO GAYLE AND RICHARD FROM ISTANBUL TURKEY WHERE HE HAD LIVED A HARD 6 YEAR LIFE ON THE STREETS

Our good friends and neighbors Richard and Gayle came over for a coffee about mid morning bringing their new Golden boy Beckham along to see Pheebs.  He’s a real delight and he and Pheebs are already best Pals.  Richard of course is the fella I go out for coffee with twice a month on Thursday mornings.

Pheebs and I will slip out in the morning and see if we can scare us up some new photos and a few semi-interesting things to write about.  With the long week-end upon us and lots of tourists and cottagers out about I figure we’ll just have to keep ourselves well away from all that stuff.  Maybe we’ll slide up through Amish country and see if we can find us a few hay harvest photos. 

BECKHAM IS NOW PHEEBS NEWEST BEST PAL:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  About a century or two ago, the Pope challenged the Jewish community of Rome to a debate. The Jews looked around for a champion who could defend their faith, but no one wanted to volunteer. It was too risky. So they finally picked an old man named Moishe who spent his life sweeping up after people to represent them. Being old and poor, he had less to lose, so he agreed. He asked only for one addition to the rules of debate. Not being used to saying very much, he asked that neither side be allowed to talk. The Pope agreed.The day of the great debate came. Moishe and the Pope sat opposite each other for a full minute before the Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers. Moishe looked back at him and raised one finger. The Pope waved his fingers in a circle around his head. Moishe pointed to the ground where he sat. The Pope pulled out a wafer and a glass of wine. Moishe pulled out an apple. The Pope stood up and said, "I give up. This man is too good. The Jews win."
An hour later, the cardinals were all around the Pope asking him what happened. The Pope said, "First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up one finger, to remind me that there was still one God common to both our religions. Then I waved my finger around me to show him, that God was all around us. He responded by pointing to the ground, showing that God was also right here with us. I pulled out the wine and the wafer to show that God absolves us from our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of original sin. He had an answer for everything. What could I do?"
Meanwhile, the Jewish community had crowded around Moishe, amazed that this old, almost feeble-minded man had done what all their scholars had insisted was impossible. "What happened?" they asked.
"Well," said Moishe, "first he said to me that the Jews had three days to get out of here. I told him that not one of us was leaving. Then he told me that this whole city would be cleared of Jews. I let him know that we were staying right here."
"And then?" asked a woman.
"I don't know," said Moishe. "He took out his lunch so I took out mine."

SIGN SAID ‘WALK IN - WELCOME’ SO KELLY WALKED IN AND CAME HOME WITH A NEW LOOK:))

Another mighty fine morning here on Ontario's west coast.  Nice walk in the Hullett Marsh followed by another walk in the Bannockburn Conservation area about an hour later.  A few photos along the way and we were home before 11.  Managed to get a utility trailer load of yard waste to our recycle area before retreating into the house for a short snooze in front of my big cooling fan. 

ONE OF TWO OLD IRON BRIDGES IN THE MARSH WHERE COUNTRY ROADS ONCE RAN THROUGH

EVEN THE SHADOW COWBOY WAS SPOTTED THIS MORNING

YEP THAT’S THE PHEEBS WAY UP THERE AHEAD ON RIDGE

TOPS OF THE DYKES ARE MOWED FOR EASY WALKING

 

One of the many nice things about our area is the abundance of rural roads taking a driver through the widespread scenic and diverse countryside.  Readers would be surprised at how many of my daily photos are taken right from the driver’s seat of the Jeep.

THIS GOOGLE MAP SHOWS OUR DIGS ON FAR LEFT, BANNOCKBURN AT BOTTOM AND TODAY’S HULLET MARSH PHOTO LOCATION TOP RIGHT……TOWN OF CLINTON AT TOP RIGHT OF CENTER

Kelly, in Goderich running some errands this morning came home with a new haircut which looks great on her.  It was a spur of the moment decision after seeing a sign at a downtown hairdressing shop saying ‘Walk In - Welcome’.
  

Well here we are at the end of another month and amazingly enough we are almost into July already.  While walking in the Marsh this morning it felt like late August with cooler temperatures and a heavy due on the grass.  Mid to late August always marks the early beginnings of my favorite time of year and this morning I reveled in that thought as I shuffled along through a patch of tall wet grass.

HURON COUNTIES BANNOCKBURN CONSERVATION AREA IS JUST A SHORT DRIVE FROM OUR HOUSE

NICE BOARDWALKS THROUGH THE SWAMPY WETLANDS

SPIDER WEBS IN THE FOREST

    

BIG ROOTS

I THINK DOGGY IS NEEDING A DRINK OF WATER

Funny how after deciding to spruce up our place and not bother looking at other properties and houses for sale we still seem to get ourselves all excited whenever Kelly spots something on the Real Estate sites or I happen to see a ‘For Sale’ sign on a country property somewhere.  We both know that if a sure-fire opportunity presented itself on a quiet little country setting close to town right here in our own area we would still probably go for it………………….

UPON RETURNING TO THE JEEP WE FOUND WE HAD ANOTHER HITCH-HIKER TODAY

GROANER’S CORNER:(( Black Fellah to White Fellah.  Dear white fellah,  There's a coupla tings you orta no.  Firstly…………….
Wen I am born, I'm black.
Wen I grow up, I'm black.
Wen I get sick, I'm black.
Wen I'm cold, I'm black.
Wen I go out in the sun, I'm black.
And wen I get scared, I'm black.
And wen I die, yes, I'm still black.
But you white fellah ....
Wen you born, you pink.
Wen you grow up, you white.
Wen you get sick, you green
Wen you cold, you go blue.
Wen you go out in the sun, you go red.
And wen you get scared, you yellah.
And wen you die, you purple
And you call me coloured !!

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Q. Did you hear about the new sushi bar that caters exclusively to lawyers? A. It's called, Sosumi.

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Q: What starts with E, ends with E, and has only 1 letter in it?  A: Envelope.