THUNDER, LIGHTNING AND RAIN FOLLOWED BY A COLD DAMP DAY

SOMETIMES ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK UP  (NIKON D50)

Big winds, rains, thunder and lightning along with a scared little Motormouse made for a restless night.  Pheebe of course took it all in stride with her usual happy smiling face and wagging tail.  I slept right through most of the night's activities but Kelly wasn't so lucky and ended up having a tired day.

I was surprised by reader's emails making the connections between wheat intolerance and depression.  I would not have thought of that.  I know the intolerance in itself would not be the root cause of depression but I do understand that it could somehow affect the degree of depression.  I have always believed depression is the power of negative thinking and who knows what chemical changes and imbalances take place in the body from day to day to add further effects in our ever changing moods.

Several readers have suggested St. John's Wort as a herbal approach to dealing with depression so 3 days ago I picked up a bottle of sixty 300mg pills.  Am also now trying a herbal pill called Probiotic to possibly deal with my suspected wheat intolerance problem.  It was just a few days before that I stopped eating wheat based products.  And, Kelly informed me this morning to refer to this possible problem as wheat intolerance and not wheat allergy.  Two different things I am told.

3 WAY TUG OF WAR

Maybe it's too early to tell or maybe it's just in my mind but I am definitely feeling better both mentally and physically than I was a week or so ago.   Actually, the whole summer as far as that goes.  Also managed to drop my weight from 213 to 209 so I am encouraged.  Gotta be careful though.....don't want to get myself too giddy and run the risk of besmirching my old Cuersudgeon status:))

Sure do like using Google Earth from time to time and it has saved us a few unnecessary long drives.  Case in point….Kelly spotted a half acre piece of farm property for sale on a local Real Estate site this week about a half hour drive north of Bayfield.  The property had an old house on in it that looked like a nice quiet place in the country.  I quickly gassed up Google Earth and flew out to the address shown on the Real Estate site to see what I could see from an aerial view.

Well, it was in the country all right but from the Google Earth image it was plain to see the house was only about 100 feet off a gravel road.  That meant cars going by very close to the house and lots of road dust.  Google Earth also showed a very large new looking house right beside the half acre property and probably only a couple hundred feet from the old farm house.  The Real Estate agent had been careful not to include that new house in any of the 3 photos taken of the half acre property.  Google Earth had once again saved us an hours trip for nothing, otherwise we might have driven out there for a look around. 

The house on the property was not to our liking anyway.  A two story hundred year old wooden frame farm house that for sure had seen better days.  Too old for us and we would never buy a two story house anyway.  And we would certainly never buy a house that had another house close by.  I figure a half mile is the minimum acceptable distance between properties.  Kelly feels the same way.

Had ourselves a cold damp day much like we normally experience in November.  Noticed folks to the south of us are experiencing dropping temperatures as well.  I am going to be really ticked if we are forced to winterize the rig before leaving this year……………

TRYING OUT MY NEW JEANS, SHIRT AND JACKET THIS MORNING ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE  (CANON POWERSHOT SX210IS)

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A drunk went into a telephone booth and dialled at random.......... "Salvation Army," was the answer."What do you do?" asked the man."We save wicked men and women," came the reply."Okay, save me a wicked woman for Saturday night will ya."
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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.

-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.

BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS (revised)

The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

SURVIVED MY ‘SHOPPING FOR PANTS’ ORDEAL AND NEVER HAD TO STAMP MY FEET ON THE FLOOR ONCE

THESE TWO GUYS ARE ALL REVVED UP AND PATIENTLY WAITING TO GET THEIR WHEELS ROLLING FOR THE SOUTHWEST:)) (CANON POWERSHOT SX210IS)
We were off on our ‘new pants for Al’ Safari this morning about 10 a.m. but we did not end up where we started out for.  A TSC (Tractor Supply) store showed up along the way so figured we would stop in there first and have a look at their clothing line before heading on to Marks Work Warehouse.  For sure the prices were going to be better than Mark’s and what a piece of luck it was to stumble upon the last day of TSC’s 40% off on selected pants sale.  Groovy:))

RAKED THIS PILE OF PINE NEEDLES OFF OUR LAWN AND WILL LOAD THEM INTO MY UTILITY TRAILER SHORTLY FOR THE RECYCLE AREA
I summoned up a big load of extra patience as we browsed through work pants, casual trousers and numerous brands of blue jeans.   Cloistered myself in the tiny triangular shaped change room and proceeded to try on 7 different types of various sized pants.  Had really hoped to wedge myself into some 38’s but had to settle for size 40 again.  Darn peanut butter and honey sandwiches!!  The shortest leg length in most men’s pants is 30 inches.  My legs are about 28 inches….on a good day.  Anyway, I ended up with 2 pairs of Wrangler Jeans and one pair of dressy work pants made by Dickies.  But, that wasn’t the end of our shopping.  Noticed they had a great sale on long sleeved double pocketed warm flannel shirts (my fav) so I picked up 2 of them.  They’re perfect for warm, but sometimes cool Arizona days during the winter season.  You might be interested in why I like shirts and if so, yep I did a post on that too >>>>>>  I'M A BUTTON UP SHIRT KINDA GUY
 IN THE TINY CHANGE ROOM TRYING ON A NEW PAIR OF PANTS & USING MY CANON SX210IS  >>>
I haven’t had a good windbreaker for years but spotted a waterproof nylon wind resistant and lined ‘North 49’ squall jacket on the rack that had my name on it.  Zippered pockets to secure a small camera and keep it dry in wet weather, draw string turtle neck collar for warmth and an elastic waist band to keep the wind out.  Inside pocket and Velcro wrist fasteners.  Figured this would be a great jacket for motorcycling, amongst other things.  Kelly picked herself up a warm western flannel shirt and that was it for our shopping excursion.   And Al never even had a tantrum or stamped his feet on the floor once:))   
Our new Shaw satellite is all put together and mounted on it's new tri-pod.  I understand the settings on the satellite dish no problem but it is the tri-pod I am having difficulty understanding.  Unlike our previous tripod, the legs on our new pod are not adjustable so I'm not understanding the precise levelling process.  Am also not understanding how to do a fluidly smooth pan of the horizon with this set up.  Below I have some pics of the pod.  You will see 6 tightening bolts with 3 at the top of the pod and 3 at the bottom.  Seems totally illogical to me loosening all these bolts to slowly and smoothly swivel the dish horizontally in search of the satellite.  What simple technique am I missing here??

       
NIKON D90  CLICK PICS TO ENLARGE
Question from Donna about all the pine needles on the ground here at our place.  Yes, we have this big dump of pine needles every Autumn.  Same as leaves coming down except the Pine trees do not lose all their needles like a leafy tree.   Only a small percent of the needles drop leaving the Pine tree with a full coat of green needles year round.
 
     
CANON POWERSHOT SX210IS
Ever notice that if you weigh yourself after a shower you will quite often be a pound lighter than when you weighed yourself before getting into the shower.  Well, I've noticed that anyway and it begs the question....how do I gain a pound of dirt on myself every day?  I have been keeping a record of my weight for 18 years now so when I loaded myself into the shower this morning at 209 pounds I fully expected to step out of the shower at 208.  I stepped out at 210!!  Does that mean I not only failed to wash that pound of dirt off myself but I also gained a pound of water.....probably in my ears.  Well, I don't know what it means either but just thought I would throw it out there.  Oh, and what was my weight in October of 1993…………….181 pounds:))
NOT SURE WHAT THESE TALL PINES ARE BUT THEY MIGHT BE CALLED WHITE PINES >>> Want to thank folks for taking the time to email in their ideas and suggestions not only about depression but about my suspected wheat allergy as well.  I am following up on some of those thoughts and detailed instructions so we'll see how that affects my overall well being over this next little while.  I hadn't realized there was a connection between the wheat allergy thing and depression.  Thanks for those tips folks and I appreciate the interest and help from all our friends and readers.

MORNING HUGS:))  (CANON POWERSHOT A730)
IVAN has some great thoughts on BOON DOCKING in an interview with NATIONAL RV PARKS.  As many long time readers know, Boon Docking is our much preferred way of RVing as well.  And, for all the same reasons Ivan has stated in the interview.

THIS IS AN ORIENTAL ORNAMENT HANGING FROM OUR SUNBURST LOCUST TREE…THE BLURRED ORANGE BACKGROUND IS ACTUALLY OUR PINE NEEDLE COVERED ROAD OUT FRONT AND THE LIGHTER GREEN AT BOTTOM IS A SHRUB IN OUR FRONT YARD, BOTH BLURRED TOTALLY OUT OF FOCUS BY MY TELEPHOTO LENS (NIKON D40 AT 220mm USING A FILL IN FLASH)

As mentioned in Tuesday’s post, October 19th is and always will be a special day in my life.  In October of 2009 I was sober 30 years so wrote a post about attending my very first AA meeting in 1979.   OCTOBER 19TH 1979....A NEW LIFE BEGINS.
GROANER’S CORNER:((  If David Letterman were to define the term "Top 10 reasons for Owning a Recreational Vehicle" he might say………………………… 
1) A hobby that doesn't make you money, isn't relaxing, and leaves you broke!
2) A lifestyle choice that can kill you...or at least try to!
3) An obsession that will land you in the Funny Farm...or a Campground in Yeehaw Junction, Florida!
4) An amusing distraction...but you don't smile that much!
5) A great way to spend your kids inheritance!
6) A potentially deadly disease for which there is no cure!
7) A terrific way to see the very best and worse in humanity, from your living room.
8) There are easier ways to squander a lot of money! Live and pay Taxes in California for example!
9) The only cheap way to take a vacation that leaves you broke!
10) A way of life that is guaranteed NOT to make a 'homeless guy pushing a shopping cart with all of his worldly belongings in it' jealous!
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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

I’VE NEVER LIKED HAVING TO TAKE MY PANTS OFF IN A STORE!!

A QUIET AUTUMN HARBOUR AT GRAND BEND ONTARIO  (NIKON D40 AT 55mm)

An overcast windless 52F morning sky saw Kelly, Pheebs the Rocket Dog and myself driving over to see my Uncle Harry in Mitchell, Ontario.  Harry's doing well and as always was so glad to see the little Pheebe's nose peaking around the corner of his recliner nudging his arm.  Harry is often catching a few winks when we get there so we let the Pheebs slip in first and gently surprise Harry.

 

NOT A LOT OF BIRDS AT OUR FEEDER THESE DAYS BUT I DID MANAGE TO CATCH A BLUE JAY THIS AFTERNOON (NIKON D40 AT 300mm)

For as long as I can remember I have never liked the idea of walking into a store and taking my pants off.  Didn't like it years ago and don't like it now!!  Buying a pair of pants is such a pain in the britches.  Socks, underwear and shirts are different.  Socks come in a generic size that seems to fit all from Centipedes to Elephants and if underwear and shirts have an L or XL tag on them I'm probably going to be ready to go.  Pants are a whole different animal with each manufacturer having their own interpretation of sizes.  And, not all pants are shaped the same.  Having a pair of legs that are a bit short for their length I always have to have about a foot cut off the leg bottoms or it looks like I am walking around on a large pair of soupy pant noodles.

JUST AN OLD STUMP BY THE WATER’S EDGE ( NIKON D40 AT 300mm)

I don't think I own a pair of pants at the moment that does not have a rip or some kind of hole in them somewhere.  And I think the last 2 pairs of used blue jeans I  bought already had a few bullet holes in them before I even got a chance to wear them.  Maybe it's those claustrophobic 3x3 tiny change rooms in stores that I don't like or is it knowing some large woman with a mean disposition and a couple bratty kids in tow is impatiently waiting on the other side of the door with a chip on her shoulder and an armful of clothes that are probably going to be too small for her anyway.  Whatever it is, I hate having to buy pants so I go for as long as humanely possible in my old tattered threads..….keeping my pants on!!

ALWAYS A BIG JOB EVERY YEAR RAKING UP ALL THE PINE NEEDLES (NIKON D90 AT 18mm)

With my new wheat free eating habits now in place JUDY wondered about my peanut butter and jelly sandwich habit.  First, yes I'm eating 'natural' peanut butter again, but it's with honey, not jelly.  Kelly brought home a loaf of wheat free bread for me to try and I find it takes a bit of getting used to the semi cardboard taste but if I pop a slice into the toaster I find it is rather survivable if I put a real good slathering of peanut butter and honey on it.

AS THE LINE GOES IN RINGO STARR’S SONG….♫ I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS ♫ (CANON POWERSHOT A730)

It has been well over a year now since we brought our little 2006 Jeep Wrangler home and I love driving that silly little puddle jumper just as much now as I did over a year ago.  I've never been one known for keeping a vehicle for years at a time but I do intend on keeping this square cornered and odd shaped thing that looks like a cardboard box on wheels for as long as I can.  The 6 speed manual transmission still messes with my head sometimes and if I'm not paying attention, any hefty gust of wind can set me to soaring like a kite.  Small potholes in the road can have the same effects on a Jeep as trench warfare and if a sneeze occurs at the same time my hands are on the steering wheel I can find myself heading off in half a dozen different directions all at the same time.  Exaggerations??  Of course, but I think you get my drift.  Or, in the case of a two door Jeep Wrangler....I think you get my wobble:))

AUTUMN JEEP  (NIKON D40 AT 70mm) 

‘Late breaking rumour’......word has that AL will be hauled off to MARK'S WORK WEARHOUSE early Wednesday morning whereupon he will be forced to remove his old ripped pants and be fitted with some BRAND NEW ones....wish me luck.  Oh, and I hear new pants even come without bullet holes in them now.  Say, isn’t that just special:))

Tomorrow I will repost a link to the blog I wrote several years ago which has to do with October 19th, 1979.  An important life changing event in my life occurred on that date which in turn has left me with 32 years of continuous sobriety.

STONEBIRD (NIKON D90 AT 55mm)

GROANER'S CORNER:((  AL was once stopped by the police at midnight and asked where he was going. “I’m on the way to listen to a lecture about the effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the human body.” The policeman asks, “Really? And who’s going to give a lecture at this time of night?” “My wife”, came Al’s reply.

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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.