WISHED YOU COULD RIDE ALONG WITH PHEEBS AND I IN THE JEEP…WHAT A SWEETY PIE SHE IS

Knowing we were in for a hot day I had only a short window of opportunity to get myself outside and get a wheelbarrow load of Day Lilies re-planted.  The lilies around our place have greatly multiplied over the years and it was finally time to thin them out so with a firm grip on the wheelbarrow I headed across the road, down a little path through a stand of pine trees, across a mowed lawn to the Park's pond.  In a long grass area where I had planted some bamboo grass a few years ago I dug in 6 locations of orange Day Lilies.  What I hadn't figured on and had forgotten about was the hardened clay soil so I had quite a struggle digging the shallow holes for the lilies.  Within minutes my shirt was sticking to me.  If I was allotted 100 energy units for the day I used up about 40 of them right off the bat this morning.

Re-planted a few more hostas around the house and by 9:30 I had no choice but to retreat inside and jump into the shower.  Thought occurred to me I should see if there is such a thing as a waterproof recliner that I could drag right into the shower with me and just stay there for the next 3 or 4 days.  Heat warnings are out and it looks like we are headed into a steam bath.  Yuk and double Yuk:((

THESE LILIES HAVE SEVERAL NAMES WITH 2 OF THEM BEING DITCH AND DAY LILY

LILY PHOTOS TAKEN NEAR HOLMESVILLE THIS MORNING

With her face flat on the floor and a big impatient look on her furry little face Pheebs watched me like a hawk when I walked into the kitchen after my shower.  Would I head straight away for my relaxing recliner or would I head instead into the sunroom, pick up my cameras and grab my hat.  When she saw me do the latter she instantly burst into her happy face overdrive doggy dance with tail a twirling faster than a couple super turbo charged double helicopter blades.  Say that one with a mouthful of gravy:))

BEANFIELDS ARE LOOKING GOOD

AT THE END OF A FARM LANE THIS CHILDREN’S SCHOOL BUS SHELTER PATIENTLY WAITS FOR SCHOOL BELLS TO AGAIN RING IN EARLY SEPTEMBER

I BET ALL 3 OF THOSE ‘JOHN DEERE’ MACHINES ARE AIR CONDITIONED FOR SURE

Another beautiful morning for an all windows down Jeep ride.  Again there was no point stopping at the Hullett Marsh due to the building heat and biting Deer Flies but we did stop for a leg stretch at an area trail head which was once the location of a Potter's home and business back in the mid 1800's.

OLD BROKEN POTTERY AT THE SITE

THE BURNS POTTERY SHOPPE AND HOUSE ONCE STOOD ON THIS SPOT

ABOVE GOOGLE MAP SHOWS THE LOCATION OF BURNS POTTERY IN RELATION TO GODERICH AND HOLMESVILLE ONTARIO (CLICK ON MAPS TO ENLARGE)

IN MY SATURDAY POST I FORGOT TO INCLUDE THE LOCATION OF THE LAKESIDE FLEA MARKET SO HERE IT IS IN RELATION TO GODERICH (LOOK FOR THE YELLOW PIN NORTH OF GODERICH NEAR THE LAKE)

I don't know who loves our morning drives more, Pheebs or me but we sure do like getting out together.  I can't even begin to describe what a wonderfully sweet and bestest of ever great little Pal she really is.  I wished you could be with us riding along in the Jeep just to see her sitting right up there in the passenger seat with that big happy face smile of her.  Wished you could see how she tips her head back and looks at me, wished you could see how she gently rests her paw on my arm sometimes gently pulling it towards her for a tummy rub.  Wished you could see her disappointment when some of the gas station attendants forget to give her a doggy treat and her exuberant excitement when we get home and she races across the driveway for the house to hurry up and find Mom.  Happy, happy, happy she is 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  In the 5 years Pheebs has been with us we have never even seen so much as one angry second come out of her.  Not one.

  

SPOTTED NORTH OF CLINTON THIS MORNING, A COUPLE GOLFER GALS ON A SILO AND THIS STRANGE LOOKING OWL IN A TREE….CAN YOU GUESS WHY THE OWL IS LOOKING STRANGE??

I WAS HERE FIRST!! …… NO I WAS HERE FIRST!!

Not a lot of photo taking this morning but we did manage a few shots here and there along the way.  As with writing it's always a daily photographic challenge trying to come up with un-repetitive things and I do notice I have a tendency to repeat myself both in my writing and photos.  But it's a welcome challenge and one I do enjoy creatively trying to do things slightly different each and every day:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned. I couldn't concentrate. Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe. After that, I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it - mainly because it was a sew-sew job. Next, I tried working in a muffler factory, but that was too exhausting. Then, I tried to be a chef - figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn't have the thyme. I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it I couldn't cut the mustard. My best job was a musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy. I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn't have any patience. Next, was a job in a shoe factory. I tried but I just didn't fit in. I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income. I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining. So then I got a job in a workout center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a historian - until I realized there was no future in it. My last job was working in Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind. So, I tried retirement and found that I'm perfect for the job!

FEELING MUCH BETTER TODAY SO STARTED ON OUR FRONT YARD RENOVATION PROJECT

IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR SPENDING A LITTLE TIME IN OUR FRONT YARD WITH MY SHOVEL AND RAKE

It was 4 a.m. when our land line phone went bonkers jarring both of us out of a sound sleep.  Erratic ringing followed by exceptionally loud bursts of static after the answering machine cut in.  Had to pull the wall plug to silence all the noise.  Not an ideal way to start our day.   When re-plugged later the phone worked fine again.

DECIDED TO START OUR YARD RENOVATION WITH THE FLOWER BED CLOSEST TO OUR PORCH

BEFORE STARTING THAT BROWN EARTH AREA WAS TOTALLY FULL OF GREENERY

Another nice refreshingly cool morning found me out in our front yard with gardening tools in hand.  Over the years a lot of our green growing stuff has grown over other green growing stuff so today I started on one particular flower bed in front of our porch thinning it out, digging it up, and starting anew with a few different ideas.  I began moving some of the hostas and flowers flattened by falling pine trees last week to new locations.  By 11 a.m. I was basically a ball of paste and had to retreat into the coolness of the house.  Surprisingly, after an hours rest in front of my big marvelous cooling fan I was re-energized enough to head right back outside into the hot sun transplanting more hostas.  However when retreating into the house again around 2 it was right into the shower I went and that was it for any further outside activities.  Oh my how that recliner of mine just feels sooooooo great some days.

TRANSPLANTED A BUNCH OF HOSTAS

GOING TO CHANGE-UP A FEW THINGS IN THIS POND CENTER AREA AS WELL

Goderich's Maitland Medical Center called this morning with the results of my bone density scan I had Monday in Clinton.  Everything was fine and the lady on the other end said it was unlikely I would be breaking any bones in the next 10 years.  I asked her if I could try some bungee jumping now but she didn't recommend it.  She probably wondered if maybe I should have had a brain density test instead of a bone density test.  I bet they will make a note on my chart for next time.  

 

Happy to say, with the exception of my daily arthritic aches and pains, I am feeling once again back to normal.  No sick feelings today, no slight headache and my energy levels are coming back up despite our hot and uncomfortable humid weather.   Am so much looking forward to a month from about now when our late summer weather will finally finally begin shifting into the coolness of early Autumn……………….. 

GROANER’S CORNER:(( Three women are about to be executed for crimes. One's a brunette, one's a redhead, and one's a blonde. Two guards brings the brunette forward, and the executioner asks if she has any last requests. She says no, and the executioner shouts, "Ready . . . Aim . . ." Suddenly the brunette yells, "earthquake!!" Everyone is startled and looks around. She manages to escape. The angry guards then bring the redhead forward, and the executioner asks if she has any last requests. She says no, and the executioner shouts, "Ready . . . Aim . . ." The redhead then screams, "tornado!!" Yet again, everyone is startled and looks around. She too escapes execution. By this point, the blonde had figured out what the others did. The guards bring her forward, and the executioner asks if she has any last requests. She also says no, and the executioner shouts, Ready . . . Aim . . ."
The blonde shouts, "fire!!"

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Little Johnny's father noticed that Johnny was spending way too much time playing computer games. In an effort to motivate Little Johnny into focusing more attention on his schoolwork, his father said, "When Abe Lincoln was your age, he was studying books by the light of the fireplace."
Little Johnny replied, "When Abe Lincoln was your age Dad, he was The President of the United States."

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A four-year-old girl was learning to say the Lord's Prayer. She was reciting it all by herself without help from her mother.  She said, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some e-mail."

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Knock Knock
Who's there?
Ivana!
Ivana who?
Ivana be rich!

PUT ON MY PAJAMA BOTTOMS AND DROVE MYSELF TO THE CLINTON HOSPITAL

Pulling on my best pair of red plaid pajama bottoms I slipped into my spanking brand new gray/black corduroy slippers and threw on a silky short sleeve pizza patterned shirt.  I then walked myself out into the cool morning air, hopped in the Jeep and promptly drove myself to the Clinton Hospital.   Although feeling quite fine I had to have myself at the hospital by 8 o'clock for a bone density test.  Lady on the phone had told Kelly if her husband didn't want to wear a hospital gown he could wear pants as long as there were no metal buttons or zippers.  I decided pajama bottoms fit the bill perfectly and in order to be properly dressed I chose bedroom slippers to go with my jammies.  I was careful on my way to and from the hospital hugging the speed limit all the way.  I didn't need to be pulled over and caught cruising along in my red plaid pajama bottoms, gray/black bedroom slippers and short sleeved pizza patterned shirt.  I did get a few sideways glances in the Hospital waiting room though……………………………..:))  

MY MORNING’S ‘BONE DENSITY SCAN’ ATTIRE

Twenty three minutes after walking into the hospital I walked out of the hospital again, hopped into the Jeep and drove my gray/black slippers, red plaid pajama bottoms and pizza patterned short sleeve shirt home whereupon I had a decision to make.  Still feeling a bit pooky I could either flop myself into my recliner or drag myself back out the door and toss myself into the Jeep again.  I chose the latter so with cameras and doggy on board we headed out the driveway for some fresh country air.

SEEN IN CLINTON THIS MORNIG WAS A 1960 CHEVY IMPALA AND A YELLOW VOLKSWAGON OF UNKNOW YEAR….WISHED I HAD A DOLLAR FOR EVERY MILE I PUT ON VW ‘BEETLES’ YEARS AGO

Despite heat and humidity already building we had a very welcome and refreshingly cool brisk breeze coming in off Lake Huron.  With all windows down we picked us up a Tim Horton's coffee and carrot muffin in Clinton and straight away headed northeast out into the countryside.

No point stopping at the Hullett Marsh because of all the biting insects in the air so we just kept rolling along thoroughly enjoying all the beautiful rural scenery surrounding us.  Decided to head on up through Amish country and see if the folks had begun harvesting wheat yet but they hadn't so no wheat sheaves stacked in the fields.  Maybe by this week-end.

ONE OF OUR LEG STRETCH STOPS ALONG THE MAITLAND RIVER

NOW HERE’S A NICE SIGN OF THE COMING AUTUMN:))

Passing by Amish farms I quickly came to the conclusion Monday must be laundry day for these folks.  Farm after farm I went by had long lines of clean clothes hung up flapping in the wind.  Saw kids playing and womenfolk tending to large gardens.  Again, what a serene setting I found myself in and I couldn't' help but wonder what these peaceful people would think if they knew about all the manic chaos going on in the world right now whether it be political or otherwise.  I'm sure what we take as today's  unfortunate normalcy would be absolutely terrifying and incomprehensible to these hard working Amish folks.  From events I have seen and heard on TV this past week to what I saw in the countryside this morning I couldn't help but make comparisons to living on two entirely different Planets.  Maybe that's part of my underlying desire to live in the countryside.  Put a big locked gate at the end of the long laneway, throw the TV out the window and grow vegetables so we wouldn't have to go into town again.  It's quite a dreamer I am……….

FOR 1 HORSEPOWER THIS FELLA IS TOWING QUITE A LOAD

We stopped at Lake Wawanosh or Lake Wawasmash as Pheebs and I call it and again had the place to ourselves.  Small lakes like this are not necessarily the norm in these here parts and I figure based on it's cold clear water it must be spring fed.  How nice to be standing by the water's edge with birds singing and a warm westerly wind ruffling across Wawanosh's rippling surface.  All this madness in the world can't be real can it????

LAKE HURON WINDS RIPPLE THE WATERS OF LAKE WAWANOSH

From the quiet waters of Lake Wawanosh we began our slow trek homeward stopping here and there whenever a photo opportunity presented itself but again most of today's pics were drive-bys.    And once again I took so many photos this morning I will again have to space them out over the next few blog posts.  I wonder maybe if I were to get myself a set of horse blinders and strap them on my head I might not see so many beautiful photographic things every day.    

I’M THINKING THESE WAGONS ARE USED IN THE ANNUAL FARMERS CHRISTMAS PARADE

Still not out of the woods in the 'not feeling well' department but I did feel better today than I did Sunday.  Probably just some little bug or something that got under my skin.  In the long run and in my 71 years on this Planet I have been very fortunate to have spent the majority of that time in relatively good health.  (except for the bad old drinking days that is) So far so good and I will continue to keep my fingers crossed........................... 

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Points To Ponder:: 

-  Love is grand; divorce is a hundred grand.
- I am in shape. Round is a shape.
- Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
- Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; Professionals built the Titanic.
- Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels so good.
- Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.
- Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason.
- An optimist thinks that this is the best possible world. A pessimist fears that this is true.
- There will always be death and taxes; however, death doesn't get worse every year.
- In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday.
- I plan on living forever. So far, so good. 
- If marriage were outlawed, only outlaws would have in-laws.
- It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
- Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.
- Age doesn't always bring wisdom. Sometimes age comes alone.
- You don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stopped laughing.
- People who wonder whether the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.

NOT FEELING QUITE UP TO PAR

Although not feeling well today Pheebs and I did manage a short Jeep ride first thing getting ourselves out the door before 8 a.m..  Not a lot of photos as I mainly concentrated on simply immersing myself in what was to me a beautiful mid July summery Sunday morning.  Quietly enjoyed Huron Counties beautiful rural countryside and left my cameras sitting in place except for a couple photos.  Upon arriving home I wasn’t able to dredge up much energy and spent most of the day in my recliner.  I am hopeful my energy levels will be back up to par by morning…………………..

SPOTTED THIS SHED IN VARNA AND THOUGHT TO MYSELF, ‘NOW THAT’S OUR KIND OF PROPERTY, ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPING’…. LOVE IT:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  The Laws of Golf::
LAW 1: No matter how bad your last shot was, the worst is yet to come. This law does not expire on the 18th hole, since it has the supernatural tendency to extend over the course of a tournament, a summer and, eventually, a lifetime.
LAW 2: Your best round of golf will be followed almost immediately by your worst round ever. The probability of the latter increases with the number of people you tell about the former.
LAW 3: Brand new golf balls are water-magnetic. Though this cannot be proven in the lab, it is a known fact that the more expensive the golf ball, the greater its attraction to water.
LAW 4: Golf balls never bounce off of trees back into play. If one does, the tree is breaking a law of the universe and should be cut down.
LAW 5: No matter what causes a golfer to muff a shot, all his playing partners must solemnly chant "You looked up," or invoke the wrath of the universe.
LAW 6: The higher a golfer's handicap, the more qualified he deems himself as an instructor.
LAW 7: Every par-three hole in the world has a secret desire to humiliate golfers. The shorter the hole, the greater its desire.
LAW 8: Topping a 3-iron is the most painful torture known to man.
LAW 9: Palm trees eat golf balls.
LAW 10: Sand is alive. If it isn't, how do you explain the way it works against you?
LAW 11: Golf carts always run out of juice at the farthest point from the clubhouse.
LAW 12: A golfer hitting into your group will always be bigger than anyone in your group. Likewise, a group you accidentally hit into will consist of a football player, a professional wrestler, a convicted murderer and an IRS agent -- or some similar combination.
LAW 13: All 3-woods are demon-possessed.
LAW 14: Golf balls from the same "sleeve" tend to follow one another, particularly out of bounds or into the water (See Law three).
LAW 15: A severe slice is a thing of awesome power and beauty.
LAW 16: "Nice lag" can usually be translated to "lousy putt." Similarly, "tough break" can usually be translated "way to miss an easy one, sucker."
LAW 17: The person you would most hate to lose to will always be the one who beats you.
LAW 18: The last three holes of a round will automatically adjust your score to what it really should be.
LAW 19: Golf should be given up at least twice per month.
LAW 20: All vows taken on a golf course shall be valid only until sunset.

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A man and his wife were driving their Recreational Vehicle across the country and were nearing a town spelled Kissimee.  They noted the strange spelling and tried to figure how to pronounce it - KISS-a-me; kis-A-me; kis-a-ME. They grew more perplexed as they drove into the town.  Since they were hungry, they pulled into a place to get something to eat. At the counter, the man said to the waitress: "My wife and I can't seem to be able to figure out how to pronounce this place. Will you tell me where we are and say it very slowly so that I can understand."  The waitress looked at him and said: "Buuurrrgerrr Kiiiinnnng."