A NICE SUNNY SUNDAY DRIVE FOR THE BAYFIELD BUNCH:))

FELT THIS COUNTRY SCENE LENT ITSELF TO BLACK & WHITE SO MADE IT SO WITH MY PICASA 3.9 PHOTO EDITING PROGRAM

Sore foot is better than I thought it would be this morning & I attribute that to my quickly icing it right after I hurt it Saturday. Wasn't able to do our morning walk with Kelly & the Pheebs but I was able to shuffle around outside being careful to walk on only totally flat surfaces. I had a very similar thing happen when Max & I were out walking one night about a dozen years ago. I stepped into an unseen pothole in the road & twisted my ankle badly. Kelly drove me to Emerge that time in St. Marys Ontario & an X-ray showed a slight fracture. I was told to stay off the foot for a few days. Could be the same thing here in which case it will heal itself. I'll give it a couple days & see how it goes.

WHAT’CHA GOT FOR BREAKFAST THERE MOM
Had ourselves another really nice day going on so I sure didn't want to end up sitting in the house in front of the TV or computer. Any yard projects were out of the question but I knew I could drive the Jeep. Kelly had spotted a couple places for sale in the country on her real estate site this morning so we made those places our destination for a day's drive. We knew the prices were over our heads but we always enjoy heading out looking at properties anyway, especially if the properties are vacant as were the two today.

FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER SEEN TURKEY VULTURES CATCHING A FEW RAYS ON THE BEACH

 

We were out our driveway by 9 a.m. Quick stop at McDonalds in Goderich & then down to the harbor to see if the old CPR train station was sitting on it's new foundation yet. It was. Took a few photos driving by because I knew I couldn't get out & walk very far.

 

Usually it’s just Pheebs & I out for country drives so it was really nice Kelly decided to come with us today.  I could tell Pheebs was missing the front seat but she’s so good natured she never said anything.  She was just happy Mom came along:))

SURE ARE SOME STRANGE CREATURES OUT HERE ON THE BACK ROADS

 

 

 

THESE LLAMA ARE ON A FARM JUST SOUTH OF DUNGANNON ONTARIO

 

 

 

<<< AND THERE’S PHEEBS HAMMING IT UP FOR THE CAMERA AGAIN. WHAT A LITTLE CLOWN SHE IS:))

Headed northeast out of Goderich & meandered our way through the countryside just taking in the rural scenery in what turned out to be yet another beautiful scenic day with lots of big fluffy white clouds in the sky. Wandered our way through Mennonite country & stopped at Lake Wawanosh. Kelly had never been there before & it's always a nice stop to let Pheebs out for a big run. Kelly figured it would be a good place for an overnighter in the rig & we might consider that. Limped my away around the Jeep a bit & immediately became aware of a pain behind my right knee. Right away remembered Tom's comment in Saturday night's post & knew the muscles in my right leg were binding up trying to compensate for my unusual leg movements because of the injured left foot. That pain stayed with me for most of the day & I was quite a site hobbling around. We both had a short chuckle at ourselves with all the things going wrong with us lately. All those great years with no medical difficulties & then boom, boom, boom.

A STOP AT LAKE WAWANOSH

We did eventually locate the two properties we had set out to find. Even if either one had been within our price range there was just too much work involved with both of the houses & overgrown grounds. With our recent medical challenges it just isn't wise for us at this point to be thinking of making any changes. But no matter, we had a good day's drive in the country & it's always a fun challenge tracking down points of interest. And it was extra nice having Kelly come along with Pheebs & I today. After these past few months of difficulties it was good to see all three of us happily on the road going somewhere again.

 

OUR RURAL COUNTRY ROADS CAN BECOME A LITTLE CROWDED THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH THE WHEAT HARVEST GOING ON

Our Sunday Jeep jaunt lasted over 5 hours & we were home again around 2:30. Kelly was feeling a bit of nausea from the new medication but other than that she is doing Okay. It was 20 years ago this week-end we met each other in a coffee shop near a little place called Doon just south of Kitchener Ontario.

 

# 1 -  NICE PIECE OF COUNTRY PROPERTY AT THE END OF A DEAD END ROAD BUT THE 1800’S HOUSE & ADDITION NEEDED A LOT OF WORK…NORTH OF WALTON ONTARIO

  

#2 -  WITH IT’S OLD BUILDINGS I TOOK A LIKING TO THIS NEGLECTED PIECE PROPERTY BUT IT WOULD BE JUST TOO MUCH WORK FOR US NOW &  NOT IN OUR PRICE RANGE ANYWAY…BRUSSELS ONTARIO

And a couple commenter questions…… First question:  My digitizing of slides hasn’t moved forward for a couple days so have to get on it again.  Still wrestling with myself over what to do with the slides themselves when I am done copying them.  Second question:  Not sure why there are not a lot of birds at the feeders these days but don’t think they have begun migration yet.  May & June seem to be the peak months for bird activity because they are all highly energized with mating & building nests etc.  They have to keep stopping by the feeders to re-fuel.  Seems everything slows down & enters into a quieter time in late summer.  Most plants, flowers, trees, & shrubs have peaked in their growth cycle.  It seems the same way with the birds, frogs, & many flying insects & butterflies.  It is if nature senses the coming of Old Man Winter far over yonder hill & a hush slowly begins to descend upon the land………………………. 

 

I LOVE YOU TOO MOM & THANKS FOR ANOTHER GREAT DAY:))  
GROANER'S CORNER:((

 

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

A TWISTED LEFT FOOT BRINGS A TEMPORARY HALT TO MY PHEEBER WALKS

A FEW DAYS AGO AT THE HULLETT-MARSH

With morning temperatures at 60 F we had a pleasant bug free walk around our morning pine forest trail. Long range forecast is calling for cool weather so I am keeping my fingers crossed we just might gently be sliding into Autumn without any further heat & humidity madness this summer. Oh could we be so lucky.

ROADSIDE PIT STOP FOR THE PHEEBS FRIDAY MORNING

Walked into one of our 2 sheds this morning to get something, forgot what it was I was looking for & ended up spending a couple hours on a cleaning bender. Had not planned on doing any shed cleaning but when I am struck with an energized work idea like that I have learned I had better go ahead & carry that little work impulse through while the gettin’s good.  I never did remember what I had walked into the shed for in the first place……..

 

RECENT RAINS KNOCKED OUR HOLLYHOCKS DOWN BUT FRESHENED UP OUR BACK YARD

Had myself a little bit of a mis-hap this morning which unfortunately has temporarily laid me up. There is a step down into our sun room & I did not see one of Pheebs hard butcher bones laying on the sunroom floor. As I stepped down with my left foot I stepped on that bone & very painfully twisted my foot to the left & dropped to the floor. Heard the crunching sound of bones, or muscles, or tendons in my foot. It was soooooo painful but of course when it comes to pain it is a proven fact we wimpy men do not handle pain as well as you women do. After a couple minutes I was able to get myself up & hobble myself out to the kitchen & pull a frozen bag of peas out of the freezer. Limped my way to the recliner & climbed aboard with my injured foot elevated & resting on the frozen bag of peas. Poor Pheebs, she was so upset because she knew something had happened to Dad & he was in pain. She was just like a little Mother hovering around me with a distressed look on her face & a desire to help Dad & make him all better. Took me awhile to convince her I was going to be Ok.  And she didn’t understand later this afternoon & again this evening why I wasn’t taking her out for a walk around the Goose pond either.  The outside of my foot is slightly swollen, a wee bit discolored & has a small bump about the size of a marble.  I can move around slowly but have to remember to keep any weight off that side of my foot.  I did put my shoes on & shuffle out to the Jeep to see if I could operate the clutch without any pain.  I could, so at least I can get up & go somewhere if I want.   We get too soon old & too soon clumsy huh…

RURAL SOUTH WESTERN ONTARIO

Note to Jack B Nimble......No, no, Jack nothing you said in your comment had anything to do with my Friday night’s post wherein I touched upon the topic of criticism. In fact nothing to do with anyone's comment on my blog or in my Shout Box. I sometimes come across comments left in other Blogger's posts that stir me up a bit & I just feel I have to sometimes speak up & voice an opinion.  For the most part we have a fine bunch of understanding, caring, & mature Bloggers out here & I feel it is important for all of us to be respectful of each other.  Sometimes that just needs saying……………………………….. 

BEEN YEARS SINCE I HAVE FLOWN ON A PLANE THIS SIZE & I DON’T SEEM TO HAVE MUCH OF A DESIRE TO FLY ON ANOTHER ONE ANY TIME SOON…OF COURSE THE FLYING PART WOULD BE OK BUT DON’T THINK I WOULD HAVE ENOUGH PATIENCE LEFT FOR ALL THAT AIRPORT SECURITY NONSENSE NOWADAYS
A question in our Shoutbox asked how I liked Tai Chi when I was a member years ago. TAOIST TAI CHI is a totally excellent physical & mentally challenging exercise program I would highly recommend to anyone & especially Seniors. Consists of 108 moves to be learned & that is where the mental exercise comes into play. The slow moving stretching required is exactly what is needed for aging & stiffening muscles & joints. There are various forms of toned down Tai Chi but Taoist Tai Chi is the real deal.  Due to various changing circumstances over the years I was never able to move on into the intermediate class.  I have done a total of 4 beginners classes over the last 12 years.  With 108 moves it is something which is learned by continuous repetition & if you finish a beginner's class & do not keep up the exercise program one's memory is quickly lost. Self discipline when it comes to exercising is not one of my strong points.  Tai Chi is one of those programs where the more you do the better you get at it. The emphasis is to perfect one's body & mind both mentally & physical with each & every one of the 108 moves. As I said, I would recommend Taoist Tai Chi for anyone & it's probably something I should maybe try getting myself back into again. Of course I would have to start all over with another beginner's class but with our Snow Bird lifestyle now it makes getting in at the start of a beginner's class difficult. I think the beginner’s class runs once a week for maybe a couple months.

JUST HANGING OUT DOWN BY THE RIVER

 

A GREAT BLUE HERON SLIPS AWAY FOR THE SAFETY OF NEARBY WOODS

As August begins it’s slow slide towards early Autumns cooler temperatures I have noticed our front yard bird activity around the feeders has really slowed done.  Still a few Goldfinches but not the big gang that was here back in June.  Haven’t seen the Baltimore Orioles or Red Breasted Grosbeaks for quite awhile.  A few Chickadees, Mourning Doves, & of course Blue Jays.  Even the Grackles are getting scarce.  An occasional Red Wing Blackbird still comes in for a snack & we have a Cardinal who flies in every night about dusk for a few late day seeds.
 

MOURNING DOVE ON OUR FEEDER STATION
GROANER'S CORNER:(( Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement center were sitting on a bench under a tree when one turns to the other and says: 'Slim, I'm 83 years old now and I'm just full of aches and pains. I know you're about my age. How do you feel?' Slim says, 'I feel just like a newborn baby.' 'Really!? Like a newborn baby!?' 'Yep. No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants.'

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

KIND OF A ZOMBIE LIKE DAY & KELLY STARTS HER NEW MEDS

A LARGE LAKE FREIGHTER TAKING ON A LOAD OF SALT AT THE GODERICH SALT MINE TODAY

  

LOTS OF COMMUNICATION GEAR ON THE BRIDGE OF THE LAKE FREIGHTER & SALT BEING DUMPED INTO THE SHIP’S HOLD

Neither Kelly or I slept well last night so it was kind of a Zombie like day.  Don’t think there is anything that gets me down faster than a poor night’s sleep.  I was curious as to how the old CPR train station move was coming along so summoned up a few scraps of energy & off Pheebs & I went to have a look.  The station has been moved from it’s old location to the new site & this morning they were preparing to move it onto it’s new concrete foundation.  Although a very slow inch by inch process there were lots of town folks lined up to watch & arm chair quarterback the whole operation.  Took a few pics & off Pheebs & went for a little fresh country air.

TRAIN STATION HAS TO BE MOVED SLOWLY OVER & ONTO THAT CONCRETE FOUNDATION

 

EVERYTHING HAS TO BE CHECKED, RE-CHECKED, & CHECKED AGAIN…..OVER & OVER INCH BY INCH

 

TOW TRUCK STANDS BY IN CASE ANYTHING MIGHT NEED A SLIGHT WINCH

 

LOTS OF ‘ARM CHAIR QUARTERBACKS’ LINED UP & MORE ON THE WAY

YOU CAN SEE HOW THE ROUNDED PART OF THE NEW FOUNDATION WILL MATCH THE ROUNDED PART ON THE OLD TRAIN STATION

Couldn’t really get myself interested in a gravel road run so Pheebs & I were back home again in a couple hours.  Most of the rest of my day was spent in my recliner dozing off, waking up & dozing off.  Kelly phoned MICHAEL'S PHARMASAVE in Bayfield around noon & her new prescription was in.  Her URSODIOL medication is for 1 year & she has to take the pills 4 times daily.  Dr. Haffner’s office phoned this afternoon & said they have a liver biopsy appointment lined up for Kelly this coming Wednesday beginning at 9:30 a.m.  Sounds like a lengthy process & we will likely be at the hospital for most of the day.

‘OH OH’, WONDER WHAT THESE SAILOR GUYS ABOARD THE LAKE FREIGHTER ARE THINKING ABOUT

Couple things to clear up.  This is Kelly’s 4th diagnosis since first being admitted to the emergency department at the Goderich Hospital about 2 months ago.  Only 1 diagnosis has been wrong so far & that was the very first PULMONARY EMBOLISM diagnosis given to her back on April 17th of this year.  PERICARDITIS diagnosed on May 16th & PLEURAL EFFUSION diagnosed on May 23rd were correct.  I underlined the word ‘probable’ in Thursday night’s post when I referred to this latest  PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS diagnosis.  Wednesday’s liver biopsy will likely confirm that.

A BUSY DIMENSIONAL PHOTO:  BLUE BACKGROUND BUILDINGS ARE PART OF THE SIFTO SALT MINE, BLACK SMOKE STACKS & SHIP’S BRIDGE BELONG TO A LAKE FREIGHTER LOADING ALONGSIDE THE SALT MINE, CUPOLA ON A BEACH INFORMATION CENTER, DIGGERS PREPPING THE GROUND FOR THE TRAIN STATION & THE TIP OF AN 80’ STEEL BEAM UNDER THE STATION… THE HAZY VERTICAL LINES ARE THE CONSTRUCTION FENCING I WAS SHOOTING THROUGH

Also, Kelly is in good spirits & her health has improved substantially from those dark days back in late April, May, & most of June.  She is a trooper & unlike me, she does not let things get her down.  She always has a 24/7 great attitude & is optimistic about our travel plans this coming winter.  We talked a bit about those & some other future plans today.  We have always been a forward thinking couple…………………… 

HEY, I THINK THIS BIG FREIGHTER HAS SPRUNG A LEAK

At the moment we have medical issues in front of us.  It is front & center right now so some of my posts have been & will be dealing with that.  When we are traveling my posts center around travel & when we are home here in Bayfield they center around our activities here.  Last winter the majority of our time was spent working on our Congress house & my daily posts reflected that.  When we sold & traded RV’s I blogged about that as well & when we were Ranch sitting a few years ago my posts centered around our activities at & around the ranch.  In fact, I write about what is in front of me each & every day.  My writings not only document what we physically do but more importantly deal with how we & I feel & think about things.  It is my blog & my choice what I chose to write about here & if someone does not like reading about our medical difficulties, or our boondocking lifestyle, or the colors on my blogsite, etc. etc. etc. then move on to something one does like to read about.  How simple can it be!!

 

LOOKS LIKE OUR LONG AUGUST 1RST WEEK-END HAS ONCE AGAIN BEGUN ALONG THE SHORES OF LAKE HURON

I've heard it said there are several types of criticism. Professional, Friendly, Constructive, Objective, Personal, Hostile & something new called Trolling criticism. I'm sure most folks are familiar with some of these. Friendly, objective, & constructive criticism if handled correctly can be helpful & educational. Hostile criticism however falls more into the category of finding or inventing fault. It is a mean self serving kind of criticism designed not to aid or help but to attack & undermine someone. It is to reject & to blame. It is generally believed people use hostile criticism to harass others . And I emphasize the word 'harass'. Trolling criticism is the new kid on the block since the coming of the internet. Easy for a Troll to sit behind a keyboard & continually lash out at others with sarcasm, accusatory remarks, ridicule, & rudeness.  How sad for the person doing the personal criticizing & how truly hurtful & unfortunate for anyone being the intended target of the criticizer. It is a lose/lose situation for everybody & is something that does not have to be………………………………………

RECOGNIZED RIGHT AWAY WHAT THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE NEAR THE BEACH WERE DOING….’TAOIST TAI CHI’…I WAS ONCE A MEMBER;))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A British pilot is shot down over Germany in WW2. He is brought to a hospital and is hurt bad enough where they had to amputate his leg. He asks the Germans if they wouldn't mind if the next time they raided London, if they wouldn't mind dropping his leg over British soil. The Germans agreed.  A week later the pilot's arm gets infected and must be amputated also. Again he asks the Germans to drop his arm over British soil, and again they agree.  A few days later he gets another infection in his other leg, and it gets amputated as well. He immediately asks the Germans if they wouldn't mind dropping it over British soil. The But the Germans refuse. When he asks them why, they reply, "We think you are trying to escape!"

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

KELLY RECEIVES YET ANOTHER MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS THIS MORNING

ONE NEVER KNOWS WHAT LITTLE CRITTERS MAY SHOW UP IN OUR FRONT YARD JUNGLE

It was shortly after 9 a.m. on a puffy white cloud laden scenic sunny morning when Kelly & I rolled out of our driveway heading east for Stratford’s  General Hospital.  This was the day we were hoping to get some directional answers on Kelly’s long & troublesome medical condition.  We were at the hospital early & luckily Dr. Haffner, Kelly’s specialist took us in early.  First let me tell you that Valley Fever has been ruled out.  Tests came back negative.  Doctor did say he had quite a time tracking her results down & finally found them still sitting at the Public Health Department in London Ontario.

 

Kelly has been re-diagnosed with probable PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS & that has to do with the liver.  It is a non curable rare disorder Auto-Immune problem that can be controlled with a specific drug.  Ursodiol (Actigall) is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. Ursodiol assists the liver in moving bile through the ducts to the gallbladder and small intestine. Studies have shown that Ursodiol prescribed early in the disease improves liver function, slowing the time it takes to progress to liver failure and the need for a liver transplant.  Primary Biliary Cirrhosis is not to be confused with the more commonly known Cirrhosis of the Liver commonly associated with the over use of alcohol.

It was also determined Kelly’s severe fatigue a month or so ago was caused by MONONUCLEOSIS.  It is something she had as a 12 year old child & it has lain dormant in her ever since.  There are a few other related conditions going on as well but everything seems to be related.  It was nearly 10 months ago now when Kelly first began running into problems.  Several of the conditions at that time are still persisting today.

Recent tests showed some remaining fluid around her heart so she is in for another Electrocardiogram (EKG) in Goderich.  Doctor also wrote her out a long term Ursodiol prescription which will begin dealing with the liver problem but we immediately ran into a problem later at the Pharmacy when she was told that medication is not available in Canada.  Faxes went back & forth between the Pharmacy & her Doctor with the Pharmacist phoning late this afternoon saying he is having the drug shipped in from the States & Kelly should have it by noon Friday.  Dr. Haffner’s office is also arranging for Kelly to have a liver biopsy done at the Stratford Hospital shortly & he wants to see her again in early September. 

SPOTTED MYSELF A LITTLE GREEN BACKED HERON IN A WILLOW TREE THIS AFTERNOON

Kelly is also lined up for another series of blood tests & an appointment is being made by Dr. Haffner for Kelly to see a liver specialist in London Ontario.   Kelly’s Doctor figured the earliest Kelly could get in to see the liver specialist was October.  That pretty much scuttles our mid September travel plans for heading to Colorado.  But, we have to do what we have to do to get Kelly feeling better & that is all there is to it.  We may have to put next week’s Bruce Peninsula travel plans on hold as well until we know about some of these new upcoming medical appointments.   To date Kelly has lost a total of 18 pounds but is looking at that weight loss positively.  You know how it is ladies……………………..

 

A BIG LAKE FREIGHTER MAKES IT’S WAY OUT OF GODERICH HARBOR A FEW DAYS AGO

GROANER’S CORNER:((   A young executive was leaving the office at 6 p.m. when he found the company President standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand. "Listen," said the Prez, "this is important, and my secretary has left. Can you make this thing work?"  "Certainly," said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button. "Excellent, excellent!" said the President as his paper disappeared inside the machine. "I just need one copy."

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.