WE DID NOT GET THE ANSWERS WE WERE LOOKING FOR TODAY:((

IMPERIAL SAND DUNES NEAR GLAMIS CALIFORNIA
Nice response from readers to Mr. Lizard guy. Our South West colorful Earth toned Lizard is mounted on an inside non movable wall with about an inch clearance as the slide comes in. It is cleverly designed & not just flat like many wall hangings that have a tendency to swing back & forth in a moving vehicle. It has a flexible concave shape with a single fastener. I put a small flat head screw in the wall & pressed the Lizard fastener over the screw & shifted the Lizard slightly locking the screw & the Lizard together. Releasing the Lizard enables the tin fastener to push back against the screw head therefore causing opposite tension to hold the Lizard against the wall. Seems pretty solid but if not we may have to strategically place a few small tabs of Velcro. I have a feeling it's going to be just fine the way it is.  Glad y’all liked it & it was only $21.95 which I though was a great price for that.  The BAYFIELD BERRY FARM has lots more Lizards, Frogs, etc for sale hanging on the walls.  Groovy:))

THIS IS HOW MR. LIZARD GUY LOOKS WHEN THE SLIDE IS IN…HE’S JUST KINDA PEEKING OUT
Had the Motorcycle out for a short toot this morning. What a great bike this is to ride & every time I am out on it I think there is 'no way' I should even be thinking of selling it. No problem with the bike itself, the problem is me. Once I'm on the bike I'm good to go but it's getting myself interested enough to get on the bike & go somewhere in the first place that’s my problem.

Had a foggy start to the day as I headed for Clinton to see Dr. Bukala about my past marginally elevated PSA tests. Good news this morning. Said I'm slightly high for someone my age but the numbers have remained constant since 2012 & in fact were down slightly with my last blood test a few weeks ago. I'm cleared for travel:)) He has scheduled my next PSA test for late next April.

Humidity was high today but it remained cloudy which helped considerably by keeping old Sol's hot rays from reaching us. Me in particular. With Jeep windows part way down we endured the muggy weather hours drive to Stratford.   We later drove home in rain.

DONNA FROM THE CAVE DWELLERS WONDERED IF WE HAVE A KITCHEN TABLE & YES WE DO,..IT’S VERY PORTABLE & CAN EASILY BE SET UP & PUT AWAY
 
THE BROWN SPLOTCHES ON THE FLOOR WERE CAUSED BY A SILLY MISTAKE I MADE WITH MY CAMERA…FORGOT TO TAKE THE LENS HOOD OFF WHILE USING THE FLASH SO WHAT YOU SEE IS A SHADOW OF THE HOOD CAST UPON THE FLOOR

AND OUR TELEVISION IS IN THE KITCHEN DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE COUCH SO NO 90 DEGREE HEAD TWISTING

We were at the Stratford General Hospital in good time for Kelly's appointment at 3 p.m.  Doctor Haffner & another Doctor in training called us in about 3:05.  We had been hoping for some solid answers today especially after Kelly’s liver biopsy a few weeks ago.  We did not get what we were hoping for.  Two separate Pathologists read the biopsy report & both concluded the test was………’inconclusive’,"insuffcient specimen".  Said they did not have enough information from the few small liver samples that were taken.  We are no further ahead today than we were weeks ago.  In Layman’s terms deciphering what the Doctor said, Kelly basically underwent that painful biopsy for nothing.  It simply was not done properly.  Bottom line is Kelly will probably have to undergo another liver biopsy but next time it will be done in London Ontario by a team of professionals who know what they are doing.  The Specialist in London who Dr. Haffner wants Kelly to see has just returned from summer holidays.  An appointment with this man is in the works for as soon as possible & it will be this London Specialist who decides whether Kelly has another liver biopsy or not.  There are 3 things that positively point to PRIMARY BILIARY CIRRHOSIS which Kelly is suspected of having.  She has two out of three & the biopsy was supposed to confirm & make the third confirmation.   In the meantime Kelly goes again in the next couple days for more bloodwork & another Echocardiogram next week.  They did do an ultra-sound today checking for fluid around the heart & lungs.  None was found.   Bottom line is that we are once again WAITING for another appointment which this time will be at the prestigious University Hospital in London Ontario.

KELLY WAITS PENSIVELY IN THE WAITING ROOM
We decided today on a departure date for the South West.  All things being equal we hope to leave Saturday October 19th.  Haven’t decided on which route we will take this year but I might be leaning towards slipping through Chicago & heading out across the plains again.  Of course it will depend on weather.  We have used this route several times before taking different routes once west of Chicago.  I’ll have to get my head buried in my Atlas again & see if I can get a feel for where we’re going.  Our last 3 trips to the South West & back have been shotgun trips.  Two years ago leaving Congress our little Cora died the morning we left so we didn’t waste any time getting home.  A very sad journey.  Last April we again hurried home after my Uncle Harry died.  And last October we didn’t waste any time getting from Spencerport NY (near Rochester) to Congress so we could begin work on our house & property.  Once we are west of Chicago in late October & west of the Mississippi we’ll see what shapes up.  Travel plans sometimes change daily for us & I sometimes like that kind of unexpected spontaneity.  Keeps things interesting & makes for more of an adventure for us. 

WHILE WAITING FOR KELLY’S ULTRA SOUND I TOOK 3 PHOTOS FROM INSIDE THE HOSPITAL…THIS ONE IS THE MAIN ENTRANCE & GIFT SHOP
 
SNACK BAR JUST INSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE & LOOKING OUT AT THE REAR ENTRANCE GROUNDS
Think Pheebs & I might take the Winnie Wagon for a spin in the morning.  Maybe slip up to Goderich & top up the propane tank.  It’s always mentally uplifting for me to take the RV for a drive.  Maybe crank up some tunes so Pheebs & I can do some howling & yodeling.

STOPPED AT A FARM TO PICK UP SOME SWEET CORN ON THE WAY HOME…KELLY EATS THIS STUFF BY THE TRAIN CAR LOAD…ME NOT SO MUCH
Note to commenter SallyB…..Was talking to Aunt Jean tonight & she was wondering if you live in Sarasota Florida.  She’s doing OK but again has had to shorten her morning walk up a bit.  And with all the rain in Florida she has not been to the golf course in quite awhile.

BUMPED INTO SOME OLD RV BLOGGING FRIENDS IN SLAB CITY CALIFORNIA A COUPLE YEARS AGO…KELLY TALKS TO RENEE
I particularly liked Sue’s thoughts & feelings about her years of blogging here in our little community of RV Bloggers.  Well written & from the heart.  It’s entitled Time & Effort & can be found here at BIGDAWG AND FREEWAY.

GROANER’S CORNER:((   FROM A RETIRED HUSBAND - After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to the Target Store.  Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring, and preferred to just "get in and get out."  Equally unfortunately, my dear wife is like most women - she just loves to browse.  Yesterday, my dear wife received the following letter, from the local Target Store:-
Dear Mrs. Jones:- Over the past 6-months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store.  We can't tolerate this behaviour, and have been forced to ban both of you from the store.  Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Jones, are listed below, and are documented by our video surveillance cameras:-
July 2nd:- Set all of the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
July 7th:- Made a trail of prune juice, on the floor, leading into the Men's Rest-room.
July 19th:- Walked up to an employee, and told her, in an official voice, "Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it, right away."  This caused the employee to leave her assigned station, and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor.  That, in turn, resulted in a Union Grievance, causing Management to lose time, and costing the Company money. We don't have a Code 3.
August 4th:- Went to the Service Desk, and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on Layaway Purchase Plan.
August 14th: Moved a "CAUTION - WET FLOOR" sign over to the carpeted area.
August 15th:- Set up a tent, in the Camping Department, and told the children shoppers that he'd invite them in, if they'd bring pillows and blankets from the Bedding Department, to which 20 children obliged.
August 23rd:- When a clerk asked if they could help him, he began crying, and screamed, "Why can't you people just leave me alone?" EMTs were called.
September 4th: Looked right into the Security Camera, and used it as a mirror, while he picked his nose.
September 10th:- While handling guns, in the Hunting Department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressents were.
October 3rd:- Darted around the store, suspiciously, while loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" theme song.
October 6th:- In the Auto Department, he practiced his "Madonna's Bra Look," using different sizes of funnels.
October 18th:- Hid in a clothing rack. And, when people browsed through, yelled, "PICK ME. PICK ME."
October 22nd:- When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position, and screamed, "OH, NO. IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN."
Took a box of condoms to the Checkout Clerk, and asked where the Fitting Room was?
October 23rd:- Went into a Fitting Room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled, very loudly, "Hey! There's no toilet paper in here."
Sincerely, Your Local Target Store.
-------------------------------------------------------------
- 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.

FOUND US A GROOVY LIZARD FOR WINNIE THE BAGO

A HOSTA BLOOM

Was it rain I was hearing on the roof or just wind in our Pine trees at 4:45 this morning. Shaking off grogs of sleep I realized it was rain I was hearing. Shaking off a few more grogs I remembered the Jeep's windows were down. Out of bed & out the door with Pheebs close behind. Of course as soon as she realized it was raining she slammed on the brakes & stayed on the porch. No way was she going to get any of that darn water stuff on her fur. Noticed the Jeep wasn't wet inside as I quickly wound the windows up. Closed a couple shed doors & put away a few lawn chairs. I ended up a bit damp in my pyjamas but not soaked. It was a fast scrambling start to the day & I was surprised at the warm 73F temperature so early in the morning. Humidity set in but not quite enough to run the A/C. Just enough to keep me inside close to a fan though.  Day later cleared & we ended up in sunshine.

WAS ABLE TO GRAB A FEW EXTRA PHOTOS FOR TONIGHT’S POST BY TAKING A WALK AROUND OUR FRONT YARD

Sabra, Derek, & the two boys, Keenan & Langdon came over about 9 this morning.  They had stayed the night at the Bayfield Inn Motel.  Pheebs & the boys raced around playing ball for a bit before we all headed over to the BAYFIELD BERRY FARM for breakfast.  Over the years when members of Kelly’s family have come to visit this is usually where we sometimes go for breakfast.  I remember the last time I saw Kelly’s Dad before he passed away a few years ago was right here at the Berry Farm.

WITH RASPBERRY FIELDS BEHIND THEM & STRAWBERRY FIELDS IN FRONT OF THEM DEREK EXPLAINS TO THE BOYS WHY IT’S CALLED A BERRY FARM

While waiting for breakfast Kelly spotted a big South West Lizard on the wall for sale & I new right away we were needing to have that fellow for our Winnie Wagon.  The Berry Farm has arts & crafts for sale as well as many home made jams, jellies, breads, baking, plus a whole host of other neat-o things.  For anyone in the area we would definitely recommend this place just northeast of Bayfield on Orchard Line.

A LITTLE SOMETHING TO KEEP THE BOYS BUSY WHILE WAITING FOR BREAKFAST

 

KELLY CHECKS OUT SOME ARTSY WALL HANGINGS WHILE SABRA PERUSES THE MENU

LIKE THE SLOGAN ON LANGDON’S T-SHIRT

I was anxious to get myself up to Goderich & see if I could find a 7/8 socket for Winnie’s hot water tank plug so after saying good-bye to Sabra, Derek, & the boys I loaded up Pheebers & off we went to Canadian Tire.  Found the socket stuff I was looking for.  Next stop was Walmart for a few items & back home we went.  Had taken my cameras along but ran into rain along the way & the day just didn’t turn out to be too photo inspiring.

<<< NEEDED A LITTLE HELP TO BRING THE BIG LIZARD HOME

Had several success’s in a row today which almost left me in a state of shock.  The socket was actually the right size & I was able to screw the new anode rod hot water tank back into the tank without throwing my hat on the ground & jumping on it.  Even remembered to put white plumbers tape on the screw part.  Fired up the water pump & it actually filled the water tank back up like it's supposed to.  Wow, I was on a role.  Checked for leaks around the plug & there wasn’t any.  Geeeeezzz, that wasn’t normal but I’ll take it.  Buoyed by my unbridled success I tackled the job of hanging our new Lizard on the wall.  Dammed if that didn’t work too.  By this time I was getting a little nervous about my accomplishments & figured I had better call it a day before I got a big head about it all.  When one has a rather grievous mechanical track record like mine one has to be very grateful for even the smallest of miracles.

THE VERY LEFT END OF THE RED LOOP WIRE IS TOUCHING THE NEW ANODE PLUG I PUT IN THIS AFTERNOON

Each time I step into the rig I like it a bit more.  I remember the first time we walked in & saw the interior of it in London……..I was not impressed.  Honey mustard colored couch.  What!!  Driver’s & passenger seats were the same. Geeeezzzz.  And E-gads it even had a Caramel colored dash.  I sure did not like the looks of that dash at first.  But those were basically the only things I didn’t like & over time I have become used to the colors.  I still prefer darker wood grain cabinets but it’s Okay.  Not my favorite instrumentation panel by far but I’m sure I’ll get used to it as well after a few thousand road miles.  The color of the walls are fine & ‘no’ we will not paint them.  The Damon’s walls were more of a bland white & for sure we were needing to get some paint on them pretty quick back in 07.  We have a tendency to make each rig our own so our interior will once again gravitate to a warm cozy & artsy South West theme.  Lizards, Coyotes, & Saguaro Cactus.

  

I’m off early in the morning to see my Specialist Doctor in Clinton.  In the afternoon we head for Stratford so Kelly can see her Specialist Doctor guy.  I will be glad when we can both head for the South West & see our favorite Mother Nature Specialist again.  She’s the most best Specialist of them all……………:))

LOTS OF SHROOMS GROWING AROUND THE PROPERTY THIS TIME OF YEAR

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.

RARE OCCURRENCE AS THE BAYFIELD BUNCH HAS SOME SUNDAY COMPANY

YEP, THAT’S KELLY WITH THE HAT ON AS DAUGHTER SABRA HAULS HER INTO THE BOAT

A mighty fine day dawned on us & I have finally been able to resume my morning walks around our pine forest trail once more. Think it had been about 3 weeks or so since injuring my foot. Have to work on getting some strength back into my leg muscles. I was surprised at how fast those muscles turned to mush.

PHEEBS HAD A GREAT TIME PLAYING BALL WITH THESE 2 LITTLE RASCALS TODAY

 

 

PHEEBS TAKES A QUICK BREAK BETWEEN INNINGS

Slipped over to Bayfield’s STORMRUNNER RV SALES & SERVICE this morning & picked me up a new hot water tank anode plug. Monday I will slip up to Canadian Tire & find myself a socket to fit that plug & screw it back into the water heater. Think I left my previous hot water tank socket in the Damon’s heater compartment. I did flush out the water tank a couple more times Sunday morning & that rotten egg sulphur smell was greatly reduced. I will fill the hot water tank from our fresh water tank which has a bit of bleach in the water. Hopefully that will solve our hot water tank sulphur smell.

<<< PHEEBERS LOVES BEING THE CENTER OF ATTENTION

I see it didn’t take JANNA & MIKE long to make it back from the Oregon coast to their ranch in Montana. Length of driving days depends on each individual’s driving habits & preferences. For some it’s just short hops of a hundred miles or so. Some of us would prefer to put the hours in on the road rather than sitting around in a campground or wherever. For me it depends on the destinations, circumstances, & weather.  If I have a good tail wind pushing me along & the weather is good I just like to keep rolling.  As a rule when we leave Bayfield in the fall our destination is the South West & not anywhere in between.  Just like to get as far south & as far west as we can while the weather’s good.  Same thing coming home in the Spring. We generally travel through the mid west in early April & the weather can turn on a dime coming up through Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri etc.  No need to tangle with a tornado so we just scoot it while we can.  If we were full timing we would probably travel differently.  No need to rush anywhere.  We would probably just saunter along looking at this & looking at that along the way.   

LITTLE ELLA’S FIRST TRIP TO BAYFIELD & SHE’S ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD

 

Hey JERRY & SUZY, I do believe my header photo is that of a Red Tail Hawk & I remember taking that photo in Arizona’s Leslie Canyon at the foot of the Chiricahua Mountains in South Eastern Arizona back in January of 2012.

A very rare occurrence for the Bayfield Bunch today. We had company.  What!! Kelly's daughter Rebecca with husband Ricardo & new baby Ella came this morning from Waterloo Ontario. Half an hour later another one of Kelly's 3 daughter's arrived with husband Derek & their 2 boys Keenan & Langdon. The boys were a bit leery of Pheebs at first but Pheebs soon won them over with her big smile & charming ways.  The 3 of them were soon racing around like crazy. Pheebs had a blast playing toys with the boys & they sure kept her on the move. We showed everyone Winnie the Bago, pre-ordered some Subs & headed for the beach.

 

RICARDO & KEENAN                                                 DEREK & LANGDON

Kelly had pre-arranged a boat ride at DEER PARK LODGE. Deer Park's owner Kirsten has a large pontoon boat which can carry about 10 people. Kirsten's Son Matt captains the boat. Subs were eaten on the beach & soon Captain Matt edged the boat into the shore. Bit of swell running & the winds had picked up. Wasn't possible to beach the boat so riders had to get a bit wet while boarding. I had intended on going but after seeing Derek, Sabra, the 2 boys, & Kelly scrambling aboard in the surf I opted out. Didn't want to get my shoes & socks wet & I was concerned about my camera. I waved them off, took a bunch of pics from shore & they were soon motoring on out into the lake.

DAD, I HOPE YOU GOT ME THE PEANUT BUTTER SUB I WANTED

 

UM, I DON’T THINK THIS LOOKS LIKE PEANUT BUTTER……MMMMMMM, YES IT IS & IT’S GOT MUSHROOMS ON IT TOO
Rebecca, Ricardo, & Ella remained on the beach under a cool umbrella. Pheebs was home alone & I knew she would be pretty sad after everyone had left without her earlier so I headed for home about 4 minutes away. I had found the beach too hot anyway so was happy to be home sitting beside my nice cooling 3 blade fan with a happy little Pheebers sleeping contentedly on my lap. Caught a couple biographies on the Biography Channel & that just kind of settled my day in nicely.

KELLY & RICARDO WITH THE PONTOON BOAT AT ANCHOR IN THE BACKGROUND

RICARDO PLANTS AN UMBRELLA AS REBECCA SHADES LITTLE ELLA FROM THE SUN

About 4 o'clock Pheebs & I headed out for Deer Park in case Kelly was needing any help getting back up the steep hill. I had driven her down to the beach in the Jeep. Met Ricardo, Rebecca, Emma, & Kelly just heading for home so turned around. Kelly said they had quite a time getting off the boat when they returned to the Deer Park beach & said it was good I hadn't gone because for sure I would have ended up with a waterlogged camera jumping overboard into the surf.

KEENAN READIES HIS SURF BOARD WHILE DEREK HELPS LANGDON WITH HIS

 

HEY, LOTS OF PRETTY STONES HERE

This was the week-end for the Zurich Beanfest & that generally means one thing for a me.  One of my oldest childhood friends always treks up for his annual feed of beans & then drops around our place on his way back to Kitchener Ontario.  Always nice to see Craig Wilker & do a little catching up. 

A BOY & HIS BOARD ABOUT TO TAKE ON THE LAKE

 

  

YEP, LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE BLONDE CURLY HAIRED CALIFORNIA SURF BOYS IN THE MAKING

I wasn’t up to going out for supper so Kelly, Derek, the 2 boys & Kelly’s daughter Sabra headed off to a place called ‘The Albion’ here in Bayfield.  To noisy a place for me plus I wasn’t hungry.  However, I will tag along for breakfast in the morning at THE BAYFIELD BERRY FARM.  High cholesterol levels or not I’m just feeling the need for a mess of bacon & eggs for a change.

DEREK & KIRSTEN STRUGGLE TRYING TO PULL THE BOAT IN…I THINK CAPTAIN MATT ALREADY FELL OVERBOARD

 

NOPE, THERE’S CAPTAIN MATT ON THE RIGHT STEADYING THE BOAT AGAINST THE WIND…ALL ABOARD & BON VOYAGE

KIRSTEN WALKS ASHORE & CAPTAIN MATT HAS TO TELL UNRULY PASSENGER KELLY TO REMAIN SEATED PLEASE:))

All & all a nice easy day.  Nothing too heavy duty for the head.  But who knows…..with both of us seeing Specialists Tuesday, things could change.  Always something going on & for me that’s the challenging side of interesting………………………………..10-4:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Artist Pablo Picasso surprised a burglar at work in his new chateau. The intruder got away, but Picasso told the police he could do a rough sketch of what he looked like. On the basis of his drawing, the police arrested a Mother Superior, the Minister of Finance, a washing machine, and the Eiffel Tower.

-------------------------------------------------------------
- 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.