NASTY WINTER STORM AND WHAT THE HECK DOES 'SNOT ROCKETING MY BOOGERS' MEAN??

 A BLUSTERY FRONT YARD THIS AFTERNOON

We started the day with a nice sunrise but it wasn't to last.  With a freezing cold and icy east wind, Pheebs and I never ventured outside of the Jeep and it was a short ride we had.  I was really stuck for photos this morning so Pheebs picked up the camera and took a picture of me for a change.  I don't particularly like my picture taken or sticking my mug in the blog, but she made me do it.  Yes really.  Brace yourself!!  

 WE STARTED OUT WITH CLEAR SKIES THIS MORNING

 THESE HORSES HAVE DONNED THEIR WARM WINTER BLANKETS

 NO, THIS IS NOT A SHOWBOAT IT'S A SNOWBOAT

JUST CALL ME SCRUFFY

Finished my book, Dying To Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing by Anita Moorjani.  For the most part, I really enjoyed this book and it certainly gives one many things to think about.  The only problem I had with it was wading through a lot of the author's repetition in the last third of the book.  But, that's just me........I started a new book today called, The Last Englisman by Keith Foskett or 'Fozzie' as he is known on the trail.  This is about a fellow hiking the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexican border in California to the Canadian border in Washington State.  In what I read this morning he mentioned a couple places Kelly and I have been to.  Julian and Warner Springs California.  The trail actually crosses the road in Warner Springs and also runs right by a place that has a unique stone feature which you can see and read about in a post I wrote on November 25th, 2013 entitled In Search Of The Great Stone Eagle Near Warner Springs California.  In speaking of a fellow hiker the author explains a method hikers commonly use for blowing their noses... He says, "after a few days, tired of carrying an endless supply of tissues, a fellow female hiker started employing the method most of us used: holding one nostril shut with a finger and blowing hard to remove any debris from the other, and then repeating the other side.  Americans refer to this as 'snot rocketing my boogers'.  Needless to say, I thought this was a rather descriptive and colorful explanation:))

 THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE DARK-EYED JUNCOS IN OUR YARD

 DID YOU NOTICE THE LONE MALE CARDINAL?

 A JUNCO AND MALE CARDINAL ON THE LEFT WITH A FEMALE CARDINAL ON THE RIGHT

 'OH-OH' I GOT A PROBLEM!!  THIS BLACK SQUIRREL IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE BIRD STATION!!

The leading edge of today's winter storm rolled in suddenly about 2:10 this afternoon bringing with it icy cold wind gusts and blowing snow.  (freezing rain to follow)  Our 28F temps had a wind chill factor of 15F  Although the storm came up from the south, the snow blew in on us from the east.  Figure that one out eh.  Our front yard was frantic with birds and squirrels furiously stuffing themselves with as much bird seed as they could.  I was kept busy keeping all the feeders topped up.

 ICY SNOW BLOWING UP AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF OUR SUNROOM'S PATIO DOOR

 BY LATE AFTERNOON IT WAS PRETTY NASTY OUT THERE

Al's Music Corner:: Laughter In The Rain by Neil Sedaka.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A wandering monk walked barefoot everywhere he went, to the point that the soles of his feet eventually became quite thick and leathery. And because he ate very little, he gradually became very frail. Several days often passed between opportunities to brush his teeth, so he usually had bad breath. Therefore, throughout the region, he came to be known as the super-calloused fragile mystic plagued with halitosis.

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"Doctor, Doctor, You've got to help me - I just can't stop my hands from shaking!"
"Do you drink a lot?"
"Not really - I spill most of it!"

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IF YOU HAVE THE TIME.....WE HAVE THE MEMORIES:))

 THIS JOLLY FAMILY JUST NEEDS SOME SNOW

It was a cloudy and cold rainy November day with Christmas just a month away.  On a drive into Bayfield and back this morning Pheebs and I did notice some paving equipment ready to go at the new Bayfield Bridge.  A dentist appointment for Kelly this afternoon in Exeter Ontario while Pheebs and I stayed home and held down the fort.  Other than all of the above excitement it was a quiet day.  Sometimes I almost just like it that way.

 NO SUNBATHERS ON BAYFIELD'S BEACH TODAY

 I THINK I MIGHT SEE A SWATCH OF PAVEMENT OVER THERE

A GOOD DAY FOR THE ROOFERS TO HAVE TIME OFF 

Over our RVing years, we have spent a number of American Thanksgivings in the United States so I took myself for a trip down memory lane today to have a look at them.  2007: South Rim Of The Grand Canyon Arizona.  2008:  Dog Canyon Hike and the White Sands National Monument New Mexico  2009: Making Faces at the Chickens...Bisbee Arizona and the following day we had A Fine Thanksgiving With A Fine Bunch Of Local Folks in McNeal Arizona.  2010: Cold Outside So We Stayed Inside...(don't let the lazy title fool you) 2011: Desert Sunrise on Darby Well Road near Ajo Arizona. 2012: Hamburgers, Lemon Tarts, And A Surprise Ceramic Rooster at our winter home in Congress Arizona.  2013: In Search Of The Great Stone Eagle Near Warner Springs California...Borrego Springs California.  2014: Kelly Improves Through The Day at our Congress Arizona abode. (keep in mind while reading any of these posts or any of my posts you can always go ahead or back simply by clicking the words 'Older Post' or 'Newer Post' at the bottom of the post) 2015: Blogger's Block And Flying Bird Photos in Congress Arizona.  2016: Nice Day For A Desert Walk With Pheebs Congress Arizona.  2017: Awwww Nuts!! 2016 was our last Thanksgiving in America.  But, if anyone has bothered to read even some of the above posts you can see why we love the great American Southwest so much.  It will always be remembered by Kelly and I as our second home away from home.  If only, if only.................

 I FIGURE THIS FARMER NORTHEAST OF BAYFIELD IS RAISING A FLOCK OF ROADRUNNERS AND THAT IS WHY HE HAS SO MANY SPEED LIMIT SIGNS IN THE BARNYARD

GROANER'S CORNER:(( An Irishman is walking along the beach one day, and he sees a bottle laying in the sand. He picks it up and starts to brush it off, and out pops a genie.  The genie says, "Since you have freed me from the bottle, I will grant you three wishes."  The Irishman thinks for a moment and says, "I'm feeling a might thirsty, I think I'll be wishing for a pint of stout."  POOF! There is a pint of stout in his hand. He drinks it down, and starts to throw the bottle, when the genie says, "I'd look at that bottle again before I threw it if I were you." So he looks at the bottle, and it is magicaly filling back up with stout. The genie told him, "That is a magic bottle, and it will always fill back up after you finish it." The genie then asked, "What other two wishes can I grant for you?"  The Irishman looks at the bottle in his hand and says, "I'll be taking two more of these."

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Read more on page: http://www.jokesoftheday.net/   

OH TO BOUNCE AND JOSTLE ALONG THOSE ENDLESS DESERT JEEP ROADS AGAIN

 AN OLD STONE WALL

It was shortly after 10 p.m. Friday night when Pheebs and I rolled out the driveway.  Minutes later we were at our starry night sky place in the countryside.  The smoky haze high in the atmosphere was gone and the night sky was clearly visible again.  I didn't take any photos and just simply enjoyed standing out under the canopy of sparkling diamonds overhead.  Low in the southwest sky hung lazily a cheese-colored half Moon.  Planets Saturn and Jupiter were visible in the southeast sky as well.  And oh how I love listening to the Crickets in the night air.  They are in the ditches alongside the road as well as the bean and cornfields.  Occasionally I will see a small dark object whisk by low over our heads.  Bats methinks.  Didn't see any satellites in the night sky but saw the blinking lights of 3 high-flying jets.  I love being outside at night in the cool crisp air under a host of bright shimmering stars and constellations.  It's a whole different and beautifully quiet world out there.    

 IT WAS A MIGHTY FINE SATURDAY MORNING FOR A SLOW DRIVE THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE

Cooler air came in overnight knocking out the heat and miserable humidity so it was a much better day today.  Lots of sunshine and cool breezes.  Needed a few things in Goderich so Pheebs and I were up there and back this morning after our morning walk.  Mowed some grass.

 BY 10 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING THERE WERE ALREADY A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT WALKING ALONG GODERICH'S BOARDWALK 

A PENNY FOR HER THOUGHTS

 I THINK THIS GROUP OF BEACHGOERS MAY HAVE COME FROM AS FAR AWAY AS TORONTO

 A NICE SOLID LOOKING BUICK FROM YESTERYEAR

 ONLY SHIP IN PORT WAS THE ALGOMA INNOVATOR

Below is picture of my musically talented son Sean and his lovely wife Kim.

I haven't been too adventurous in my eating habits this past week.  Kelly left a lot of meatloaf in the fridge so I've been fixing up single slice meatloaf sandwiches and dunking them in ketchup.  Peanut butter is my mainstay and tonight I rustled myself up some mashed potatoes with gravy, turkey with dressing, and corn.  Five minutes in the microwave and my Swanson Hungry Man turkey dinner was done.  It was too much for me to eat so I had to share with my best Pal.  As I've said before, I do not have a big appetite anymore and big meals are thankfully a thing of the past for me.  I'm quite happy with that because it is a big help in keeping my weight down. 

 A LOT OF BEANFIELDS THIS YEAR

Had a nice offer from a couple in Idaho to look after their hens for a couple weeks in October while they took some holidays.  However, with the border situation and medical uncertainties, I don't know if we'll ever get to the States again.  Oh, how I would love to see my favorite southwest mountains just one more time. (well okay, 10 more times)  To walk Arizona's beautifully green Sonoran desert among the towering Saguaros and listen to the wind whispering through their long uplifted arms.  To see the dark night sky with stars from mountain top to mountain top, and to gaze 20 and 30 miles across wide-sweeping endless scenic valleys.  To smell the desert after a rain and to awake to those glorious sunrises each morning and end the days under those oh so magnificent sunsets.  To bounce and jostle along all those endless Jeep roads and trails exploring old mines, abandoned townsites, and all those lost memories and mysteries only a desert can hide.  To hear the distant Coyotes, the Cactus Wrens, and the Curved Bill Thrashers.  And the weebling little giggles of Gamble's Quails.  To see those long stretches of open highway with not a vehicle in sight either ahead or behind for as far as one can see.  The serene solitude of boondocking with nobody in sight and no human sounds anywhere.  Those winding mountain roads and sweeping panoramic cliff-top vistas playing out for dozens of miles below.  The rock scrambles, the morning desert walks, and occasional campfires.  Going places we've never been, and seeing things we've never seen.  Oh how I miss our winter months in the great American Southwest:(( 

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Three priests died and came up to St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter looked up the priests and informed them there had been a mistake; they were not supposed to die for another 10 years or so.  The priests were upset about this and asked St. Peter what could be done. St. Peter said that he would send them back to earth in any form they wanted until the problem was fixed.  St Peter asks the first priest, " What do you want to become?" and the first priest replies," I always wanted to be an eagle and see all of God's creation from above."  "Done." St. Peter snaps his fingers and the first priest disappears.  St. Peter asks the second priest, "What do you want to become?" and the second priest replies, "I always wanted to be a dolphin and see all of God's creation from under the sea."  "Done." St Peter snaps his fingers and the second priest disappears like the first.  St. Peter asks the third priest, "What do you want to become?"" and the third priest shyly says, "Well... my wish is kind of sinful."  "No matter. You can choose any form you want." St. Peter says and the third priest replies, "Well, I always wanted to be  a...stud, you know?"  St .Peter replies, "I don't see a problem with that." St. Peter snaps his fingers and the third priest disappears.  Later, Jesus asked St. Peter, " I heard there was a problem with three priests being here before their time. Where are they?"  St. Peter explained, "One is soaring high above the Grand Canyon. The second is swimming in the North Atlantic. The third is on the left rear wheel of a Chevy Blazer."

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"You should meet my husband. He makes a living with his pen."  "Oh, so he's a writer?"  "No, he raises pigs."

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A BEAUTIFUL SPRING LIKE DAY SO PHEEBS AND I HEADED FOR GRAND BEND

It was a fiery red sunrise through the pine trees this morning and the first one I've seen that brilliant since returning from the great American Southwest last March.  I really do miss those great awe inspiring sunrises and sunsets of the west.

LAKE ICE IS BUILDING UP ALONG BAYFIELD'S BEACH

COUNTRYSIDE SOUTH OF BAYFIELD WAS  MAINLY FREE OF SNOW

US GUYS BOMBING ALONG THIS MORNING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN 

Temperatures came up in the night and we welcomed the day with our thermometer slightly above the freezing mark.  Oh happy days.  A touch of a breeze but it was not a deterrent.  A few handfuls of birdseed on our feeder station and little Muggins and I were out the driveway and on through Bayfield headed south.  Just a great morning to be out and with it being a Sunday morning country roads were pleasantly quiet.  Noticed there was hardly any snow anywhere.  Fields were green, gray, and brown with the sky being blue as blue could be.  With windows down Old Sol followed us wherever we went which in this case happened to be Grand Bend Ontario.   No need to stop for a Hortons coffee as I made a second cup before leaving home.  We headed straightaway down the main street for the beach area.

RIVER ICE IS BREAKING UP

ONE HAD TO BE VERY CAREFUL OF ONE'S FOOTING ON THIS ICY SURFACE OR ONE COULD VERY EASILY END UP IN THE ICY COLD RIVER

Lots of old memories for me in Grand Bend but I've blogged about them all before over the years so no need to blog it all over again.  We toodled around the town for a bit then pointed Libby's nose north and put the pedal down for home.  Even stopped in Bayfield on the way to wash the Jeep which of course was a huge mess.  What an absolutely gorgeous weather day more akin to late March or early April.  Just makes a feller want to hold onto his britches real tight and dance himself up a jig.  Yesireeee it was that kind a day alright:))

Home again I had lots of photos to edit. Always enjoy doing that and with this afternoon's Sun beaming through our sunroom windows I was all toasty warm and feeling right again.  I think we got up slightly over 40F.  Almost had to break out my summer shorts.  

SOME NICE HOMES ALONG THE NORTH BANK OF THE AUSABLE RIVER 

LAKE HURON IS ONLY ABOUT AN EIGHTH OF MILE DOWN RIVER TO THE LEFT

RIVER ICE LOOKS MORE LIKE A MARCH THAW

Not being a calendar checker anymore I sometimes lose track of time and have a habit of not paying much attention to it.  When my Aunt Jean said on the phone Friday night Christmas is this coming Wednesday it was like being jolted out of a stupor.  Well ya, I knew Christmas was coming alright but I just didn't know it was coming up so fast and in just a few days.  I don't know where my mind goes sometimes but it is sure in the habit of leaving me behind a lot.

::Archive Post::  November 25th 2013 found us hanging out in Borrego Springs, California.  We had heard of a Great Stone Eagle somewhere near Warner Springs so with a steep winding climb with the Jeep up Montezumas Grade into the San Ysidro Mountains we set off to find it.  Took us a bit of looking but a chance encounter with a local firefighter was the key to it's location.  Check out, In Search Of The Great Stone Eagle.  For more photos of the Great Stone Eagle and area click on my next day's post as well here at, Visiting With Jean and Skip.  Remember to click on the photos to make them bigger when you get there.

::Al's Musical Favs::  Beachcomber by Donald Wilborn.  Quite often with these pieces of music in Al's Favs there is a sound, a tone, a certain instrument, something in a person's voice, a certain beat or combination of instruments that flash me back to a time in my childhood.  

FIGURED IF I WE CAN'T MAKE IT TO ARIZONA THIS WINTER I WOULD JUST WEAR A PIECE OF ARIZONA ON MY HEAD

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A group of psychiatrists were attending a convention. Four of them decided to leave, and walked out together. One said to the other three, "People are always coming to us with their guilt and fears, but we have no one that we can go to when we have problems." The others agreed.  Then one said, "Since we are all professionals, why don't we take some time right now to hear each other out?"  The other three agreed.  The first then confessed, "I have an uncontrollable desire to kill my patients."The second psychiatrist said, "I love expensive things and so I find ways to cheat my patients out of their money whenever I can so I can buy the things I want."  The third followed with, "I'm involved with selling drugs and often get my patients to sell them for me."  The fourth psychiatrist then confessed, "I know I'm not supposed to, but no matter how hard I try, I can't keep a secret..."
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A little girl is sitting on her grandpa's lap and studying the wrinkles on his old face. She gets up the nerve to rub her fingers over the wrinkles. Then she touches her own face and looks more puzzled. Finally the little girl asks, "Grandpa, did God make you?" "He sure did honey, a long time ago," replies her grandpa. "Well, did God make me?" asks the little girl. "Yes, He did, and that wasn't too long ago," answers her grandpa. "Boy," says the little girl, "He's sure doing a lot better job these days isn't He?"
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