A SHORT MORNING DRIVE, MORE PROGRESS ON THE DECK AND JUST PLUM TIRED IT IS I AM

WELCOMING SIGNS OF SPRING

With mornings first rays of sunlight  poking through tall pine trees I knew Pheebs and I had better get on out there and soak us up as much of that magic stuff as we could.  We had Libby’s wheels rolling before 8 a.m.

ALONG LAKE HURON’S SHORELINE WHERE LAND MEETS WATHER A LONG NARROW CLOUD BANK ATTESTS TO THE DIFFERENCE IN TEMPERATURE BETWEEN THE TWO

IT’S A STRANGE SHADOW LIBBY CASTS IN THE MORNING’S LIGHT

It wasn’t a long drive we took ourselves on but we did soak up as much April 1rst countryside as we could.  Knowing Bruce was coming around 10 to work on the deck we had ourselves back home by 9:30.

OUT AROUND THE HULLETT MARSH

WE LOVE OUR RURAL FARMLANDS HERE IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO

Bruce is a steady worker and I wish I had half as much energy and patience as he does.  Deck and railings are all but done and Sunday morning he will be back to work on installing a gate and some lattice work around the deck’s bottom. 

ON NO I HOPE BRUCE DOESN’T SEND ME INTO TOWN TO GET A BOARD STRETCHER

We wrapped things up around 5 o’clock and what a relief it was to come inside and sit down in the cozy warmth of our house.  Pancakes with real maple syrup and sausages for supper really hit the spot.  And how nice to finally crumble into my recliner and give my legs and back a rest.

I THINK SOMEBODY GOT A HOLD OF MY CAMERA AGAIN

OKAY SO RIGHT UP THERE YOU USE A RHINO WRENCH TO NAIL THE DIGGLE HOOCH TO THAT BOARD-O-MAGATOR HANGING FROM THE HOOFENBEAR ARCH AND………………….

  

‘DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M TELLING YA’? ….. “NO, WHAT’S A HOOFENBEAR’??

NOTICE THE DENT IN THE FRONT OF MY HAT…..I GOT THAT WHEN I TWICE WALKED INTO THAT BROWN 2X4 RAILING

I CAN HEAR BRUCE TALKING BUT I’M TOO INTENT ON REEKING HAVOC ON THAT 2X4 TO HEAR ANYTHING HE’S SAYING!!

With my legs and back hurting again it was a long day.  I think this steady cold and damp is overpowering even my prescription arthritis medicine.  Tired tonight folks and just need to go lay down for awhile.

THE SAME BUNCH OF CROCUS’S IN OUR BACK YARD CAUGHT MY ATTENTION AGAIN WHEN I SAW A SMALL HONEY BEE BUSILY BUZZING ABOUT

I HADN’T NOTICED THE TINY YELLOW FLOWER THERE A COUPLE DAYS AGO

GROANER’S CORNER:((

1. "Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and
remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines."
2. "Your seat cushions can be used for flotation, and, in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with you with our compliments."
3. "As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."
4. And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Delta airlines is pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"
5. Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate.

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How many mystery writers does it take to change a light bulb?  Two, one to put it almost all the way in and the other to give it a surprising twist at the end.

ANOTHER CLOUDY DAMP DAY BUT PHEEBS AND I DID MANAGE TO GO PICK US UP SOME LUMBER

Second verse same as the first.  Well almost except we didn’t get the all day rain today we had Thursday.  Found it hard to interest myself in going somewhere this morning but go somewhere we did.  Needed a few additional pieces of lumber for the deck and a couple of those pieces were 12 footers so I finally talked myself into going outside and hooking up the utility trailer.  Pheebs and I were off once again to Langford Lumber in Clinton.  No coffee and muffins though as we loaded up our lumber and headed straight away back home again.  With Saturday calling for partially sunny skies Bruce and I had determined Saturday would be the best time to finish up the deck project.

With it being very damp outside today I pretty much stayed inside reading and eating too much.  My cameras never moved and at times I myself seemed to move even less.  Lots of outside things to do but no enthusiasm to get outside and do them.  Tonight’s photos are from my 2016 files.

Happy to say since resuming my Arthrotec arthritis medicine my legs and lower back are once again feeling much better.  I have an appointment with my Nurse Practitioner this coming Wednesday so we’ll see what we can do to keep me mobile.

GROANER’S CORNER:(( An overweight business associate of mine decided it was time to shed some excess pounds. He took his new diet seriously, even changing his driving route to avoid his favorite bakery.   One morning, however, he arrived at work carrying a gigantic coffeecake. We all scolded him, but his smile remained cherubic.   "This is a very special coffeecake," he explained. "I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and there in the window were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed, `Lord, if you want me to have one of those delicious coffeecakes, let me have a parking place directly in front of the bakery.'  "And sure enough," he continued, "after the eighth time around the block, there it was!"

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After a long, dry sermon, the minister announced that he wished to meet with the church board after the service. The first man to arrive was a stranger. You misunderstood my announcement. This is a meeting of the board, said the minister.
I know, said the man.  If there is anyone here more bored than I am, I’d like to meet him.

COLD, WET, AND WINDY:((

A COUPLE DOVES FLUFFED UP AGAINST THE COLD AND DAMP

With a storm watch advisory out for our area this morning I knew Pheebs and I had to get on the road early if we were going to get out at all.  Needed a few things at the grocery store anyway so with a big icy cold wind blowing we decided not to go far and slipped into Bayfield for a short drive-around.  I had made a decaf coffee to go before we left plus we still had one of Bartliff’s carrot muffins left.  Aside from bumping into Kelly in Bayfield’s Foodland store Pheebs and I didn’t stay out long and soon made tracks for home.

THIS MORNING’S STORM APPROACHES FROM THE SOUTH

I GUESS ONLY FISHERMEN KNOW WHY THEY GET UP EARLY AND GO OUT IN THE FREEZING COLD TO STAND FOR HOURS BY A BODY OF WATER IN HOPES OF CATCHING A FISH

STILL SAND COVERED ICE ALONG BAYFIELD’S SHORELINE

The coming storm looked really bad on the Exeter radar site showing heavy rain, freezing rain and possible snow.  It was nearly upon us and coming right up Lake Huron from the south.  Well I don’t know what happened to it’s ferocity but the big bad looking storm didn’t amount to much more than a cold wind and a bit of rain.  I guess it fizzled when it was supposed to have have frazzled.  At the time of publishing this tonight we are on the zero mark and it’s raining.  Yuk and double Yuk:((

WORK CONTINUES ALONG BAYFIELD’S FISHERMAN’S WHARF…..I’M REALLY CURIOUS AS TO WHAT THEY ARE DOING THERE

AT LEAST THE GUY IN THE CAB MIGHT HAVE A HEATER

NO HEATER FOR THIS GUY ON THE ROLLER

I think I slept a wee chunk of the afternoon away and that was about it for our day here. 

THAT’S QUITE A SIZABLE BREAKFAST THIS MALE CARDINAL HAS IN FRONT OF HIM

’OH I AM SO EMBARRASSED WHEN DARREN DUNKS HIS TAIL FEATHERS IN THE WATER LIKE THAT’

‘OH GET A LIFE MARSHA’

Up until 3 weeks ago I had been on the same Arthritis medicine for the past 18 years or so and for me it has been a miracle drug enabling my legs to perform for the most part pain free.  However due to stomach concerns about it's long term use it was decided by my former and current Nurse Practitioner to get me off that drug onto something newer and safer.  Tried that a couple years ago but only lasted a week or so before I had to go back to my Arthrotec.  Three weeks ago I switched over to another arthritis drug called Naproxen.  The pain and stiffness in my lower back and legs has been increasing on a daily basis ever since so in desperation Thursday night I stopped the Naproxen and took one of my Arthrotec pills.   Within a couple hours I was up and walking around with far less pain in my back and legs.  I don't know what magic ingredient is in that Arthrotec medicine but it sure works for me and it has always been very fast acting. 

Pssssssst, it was Kelly’s birthday today:)

BAYFIELD CERTAINLY IS A SCENIC LITTLE PLACE

GROANER’S CORNER:((

Patient 1: 'Why did you run away from the operation table?'
Patient 2: 'The nurse was repeatedly saying 'don't get nervous', 'don't be afraid', 'be strong', 'this is a small operation only', things like that.'
Patient 1: 'So what was wrong in that? Why were you so afraid?'
Patient 2: 'She was talking to the surgeon!'

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Jacob, age 92, and Rebecca, age 89, living in Devon, are all excited about their decision to get married. They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding, and on the way they pass a chemists. Jacob suggests they go in.  Jacob addresses the man behind the counter: “Are you the owner?”
The chemist answers, “Yes.”  Jacob: “We're about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?”
Chemist: “Of course we do.”

Jacob: “Medicine for rheumatism?”
Chemist: “Definitely.”

Jacob: “Medicine for memory problems, arthritis, and Alzheimer's?”
Chemist: “Yes, a large variety. The works.”

Jacob: “What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, antidotes for Parkinson's disease?”
Chemist: “Absolutely.”

Jacob: “Everything for heartburn and indigestion?”
Chemist: “We sure do.”

Jacob: “You sell wheelchairs and walkers and canes?”
Chemist: “All speeds and sizes.”

Jacob: “In that case, we'd like to use this store for our wedding presents list.”

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Saying there are no aliens in the universe is like scooping a cup of water out of the ocean and saying there is no fish.

A GOOD DAY WITH ABOUT 80% OF OUR DECK PROJECT COMPLETE

TODAYS SUNSHINE OPENED UP ALL THE CROCUS PETALS

Usually the first few lines of my opening paragraph each day come easy but tonight I sit pondering my keyboard.  Don’t want to start another post off with a weather report.  By the way it was sunny all day and I think we got up into the low 40’s somewhere.  Cloudy tomorrow followed by two days of rain and then another cloudy day after that.  Darn, I did it again!!

ALWAYS NICE TO SEE DOVES IN OUR FRONT YARD

A COMMON GRACKLE

Bruce rolled in at 10 this morning and 5 minutes after that our backyard porch deck extension was underway.  Not a whole lot I can say about how our day went except to say Bruce did all the working while I did all the standing around watching for whatever I could do to help out.  I can be quite a little hindrance you know.

AND SO IT BEGINS

THE VERY FIRST BOARD IS IN PLACE

I’M A DARN GOOD BOARD HOLDER UPPER

Somewhere around noon Kelly called us in for some hot bean soup and grilled cheese sandwiches followed by coffee.  Thought that was right nice of her.

THE RESIDENT ‘STRAW BOSS’ CHECKS OUT THE DECK’S PROGRESS

HERE’S PHEEBS RIGHT IN THERE HELPING BRUCE

By 3 o’clock Bruce had all the frame work done and it was time to put the deck boards on.  That was the best part for me because I had something to do.  Something to do I could do that is. 

KELLY HAD HER BLACKBERRY IN ACTION AGAIN TODAY…..AND I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW BRUCE AND I ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OURSELVES

We ended up two deck boards short so I will have to make another trip to Clinton but that’s Okay because we needed a few other pieces of lumber anyway for the deck railings and gate posts.  The deck at the moment is about 80% done but it may be a few days before we get back to it again.  With bad weather coming our way it may even be next week sometime.  I think it might have been around 4:30 when we finally got things cleaned up and called it a day.

When I look at the original back porch deck complete with roof it’s hard for me to believe or even comprehend I built that deck all by myself about 15 years ago and the only logical explanation I have as to how I did that plus one of our sheds is simply that I must have been in possession of far more brain cells back in those day than I am currently carrying around and operating with today.  It’s the only sensibly reasonable conclusion I can come up with.  How and where I lost all those brain cells I really don’t know.  But lost them I did.  And of course there are those out there who will say I never had them in the first darn place!!

THAT ROOF SUPPORT POST AT THE LEFT WILL BE RELOCATED

THE BACKYARD GATE WILL GO IN UP THERE TO THE LEFT BETWEEN THE DECK AND THE CARPORT…..BRUCE HAS IT ALL FIGURE OUT OF COURSE AND THE ONLY THING I WAS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT CORRECTLY TODAY WAS THAT I HAPPENED TO HAVE MY SHOES ON THE RIGHT FEET FOR A CHANGE

YOU CAN SEE WHERE WE ARE SHORT A COUPLE DECK PLANKS THERE ON THE RIGHT…..BRUCE SAID THAT WAS BETTER THAN BEING THREE BRICKS SHORT OF A LOAD

Between my lower back and my legs hurting now for awhile I don’t know which one of those two culprits is giving me the most grief.  I blame it on arthritis and this colder damp air but who knows………… 

PHEEBS ENJOYING TODAY’S SUNSHINE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME KEEPSING A CLOSE EYE ON US

GROANER’S CORNER:(( A child comes home from his first day at school. His mother asks, "Well, what did you learn today?" The kid replies, "Not enough. They want me to come back tomorrow."

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A Father is asked by his friend, "Has your son decided what he wants to be when he grows up?"  "Yes, he wants to be a garbage collector," he replies.  To this his friend responds "Strange ambition to have for a career."  "Well, he thinks that garbage collectors only work on Tuesdays!"

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A man goes into a drug store and asks the pharmacist if he can give him something for the hiccups. The pharmacist promptly reaches out and slaps the man's face. "What the heck did you do that for?!!" the man screams. "Well, you don't have the hiccups anymore, do you?" The man says, "No I don't, but my wife out in the car still does!"