WE WERE ON THE MOVE TODAY

DRAGONFLY AT THE PARK'S POND THIS EVENING

Neither Kelly or I had ever set foot inside a Road Trek camper van until this morning and we had to drive all the way to Kitchener Ontario just to do that.  It was a 1998 Dodge Road Trek 190 Versatile and in great condition.  It was for sale of course and we had spotted it on the internet.  I liked the van and it had a lot going for it.  But a lot wasn't quite enough.  A nice couple our age were the second owners of the van and traveled far and wide staying in RV Parks every night along the way.  By staying in RV Parks everynight they had no need to use the van's shower or hot water.....because this particular van had neither.  The original owner had ordered the van from the factory without a shower or hot water tank so therefore it simply had no shower and no hot water.  Can't imagine getting up in the morning and washing my face with cold water.  Maybe when I was 14 or something.  Cold water's Okay....if your drinking it!!

THIS IS THE VAN WE LOOKED AT THIS MORNING

Well that was a deal breaker for us of course and we did find the van a bit too small for us anyway.  In my opinion those Road Treks are excellent vans for one person as long as it had the normal shower and hot water facilities.  I could see myself easily traveling in a van like that but with two people........ummmm, not so much.  On the way home we decided there was no point looking at any more Road Treks or even Pleasure Way vans.  To have the minimum space we require it looks like we will have to go back to something like a small Class C again.  Need something with a rear bed for sure and preferably a generator.  We do like the newer B+ vans but they are way out of our financial reach. So our search continues....................

A TINY LITTLE FROG SITTING ON A BOARD IN OUR FRONT YARD POND

Heat and humidity were bad today and it's about to get worse over the next few days.  Heat warnings are already out.  We had the Jeep's A/C maxed all the way to Kitchener and back.  Kitchener is about an hour and a half drive straight east of us.  I lived and hung around Kitchener for a few years back in the late 60's and early 70's.  Liked it then but glad I don't live there anymore.  It has simply grown waaaaay too big for this country bumpkin kinda guy.

DAY LILIES ABOVE AND GRAPES ON A VINE BELOW

Despite some of my country bumpkin ways I have never lived on a farm except for a few months in northwestern Ontario back in the mid 50's and that's where I went to a one room schoolhouse.  When I Get Growed Up I Want To Drive A Big Yellow Bulldozer  However I did  grow up in a small southwestern Ontario village of about 1300 people where the surrounding countryside was only a two minute drive in any direction from the center of town.  Tavistock Ontario was that village and my time spent there growing up in it's rural environment until well into my teens no doubt laid the foundation for my love of the countryside which was to again manifest itself much later in life.  Although I deliberately took myself out of my rural setting in 1965 it was not until 30 years later in 1995 that I was able to get my head back together enough to (with Kelly) move into an old deserted tumble down and drafty farm house far out in the country north of St. Marys Ontario.  When I look back now at the 7 years we spent in the old farm house they were not only our best years but they were a personal best for me as well.  Oh how I wish I had been blogging and taking photos back at that time but we never had a computer until 1998 and blogging was unheard of.  Not many photos from that era either because I had become discouraged with photography and gave it up for about 8 years.  But oh the memories of our time living in the beautiful tranquility of rural southwestern Ontario Canada:))

CLEMATIS

Had myself quite a shock when I turned on the bathroom light this morning and looked in the mirror.  I am going to have to be a lot more careful with my new glasses!!

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A Love Story::
I will seek and find you . . .I shall take you to bed and have my way with you .I will make you ache, shake & sweat until you moan & groan.  I will make you beg for mercy, beg for me to stop. I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I'm finished with you.  And, when I am finished, you will be weak for days.  All my love, The Flu.
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- What do you call a hen who counts her own eggs? A mathemachicken.

Q: Which way did the thief go when he stole the computer? 
A: "Data-way."
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OUR RINGING PHONE THIS MORNING ADDS TWO MORE MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

Wasn't even 7 a.m. yet this morning when our A/C kicked in.  Figured we were in for a hot and miserably humid day but luckily a cloud cover rolled in late this morning and kept the hot Sun from turning the day into a steam bath. Pheebs and I were even able to get away with just having our windows down and not snapping on the Jeep's A/C.  Slipped ourselves into Bayfield and swung down around the beach and harbour area.

THIS IS MY FIRST LOOK AT THE NEW CONCRETE TOP ON BAYFIELD'S SOUTH PIER AND HEY THAT LOOKS LIKE A SAILING VESSEL OUT THERE

IT'S SOME KIND OF A LARGE SAILING VESSEL ALRIGHT

LOOKS LIKE A YOUNG CREW TO ME

LOOKING BACK TOWARDS THE BAYFIELD SHORELINE

LOTS OF ROPES, METAL PULLEYS, AND WOODEN PEGS

We were back home shortly before 10.  Kelly's car was gone so I knew she had slipped up to Goderich for a more in depth ultra sound after a mammogram last week revealed a spot.  On our kitchen counter she had left a note.  My Urologist's office in Stratford had called with a Cat Scan appointment for July 23rd.  Also an additional appointment with Dr. Bukala to discuss the results of the Cat and Bone scans.  It will be at this meeting with the Doctor on August 14th where I will find out what stage this prostate cancer is at and what treatments will be available to me.

LOOKS LIKE DAD HAS THE GIRLS OUT FISHING THIS MORNING

A FEW OTHER FISHERMEN ON THE PIER AS WELL

BAYFIELD HAS A SMALL BEACH AREA AND THIS IS PRETTY MUCH IT

While in Goderich Kelly did manage to obtain a copy of my prostate biopsy from the Medical Center in Goderich and upon arriving home later was able with the help of on-line information to glean some info from the report.  Readers had asked about my Gleason score and according to Doctor Kelly here at home it is seven.  Eight is when things really start to go haywire.  My Canadian PSA number was 15.4 but it might be a different numbering system in the States.  She was also able to determine there are 4 stages to prostate cancer and thinks I am in Grade 4.  I think there are more readily available treatments in the States than here in Canada but I'm not sure about that.  Anyway, we'll find out all those things for sure August 14th.

QUIET MORNING IN THE HARBOR

GUESS THAT JUST ABOUT SUMS THINGS UP GUYS

Noticed the light flashing on our answering machine so checked that out as well.  It was Goderich's Huron Optometric Center calling to say my new eyeglasses were done and ready to be picked up.  Well it was back out the door with Pheebs and I and off we went to Goderich.  Donning my new glasses at the optometrists and stepping out the door my first reaction was....'WOW' and HOLY SMOKES'!!  Everything looked so clear and bright.  I even saw cars going by on the street, buildings on the other side, and people walking by.  Amazing.  And I can finally see my computer screen clearly again.  Guess the old cheapskate here had waited way too long to act between eye prescriptions.  New glasses were $633.00.

NO NEED FOR LIFE PRESERVERS WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR BICYCLE ONBOARD EH

ALWAYS A FEW BOATS FOR SALE AROUND THE HARBOUR

One of the problems I seem to be having lately is getting my energy levels up to the point where I feel like doing something.  I am spending too much time following the path of least resistance which too often leads me to my comfy recliner.  Of course that leads to weight gain and weight gain leads to low energy levels.  It's an unhealthy merry-go-round for sure.  

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT GREEN STUFF IS HANGING ON THAT BOAT OR WHY IT'S HANGING ON THERE

Nice email from a blog reader couple in Iowa this morning saying they have decided to sell their 2006 Pleasure Way van.  Unfortunately with the dollar exchange between Canada and the U.S. it makes looking at and buying anything in the States cost prohibitive for us.  Too bad, it looked like a nice van.

SPOTTED THIS CAR IN BAYFIELD THIS MORNING

ALONG BAYFIELD'S MAIN STREET

AND THIS TIM HORTON COFFEE SHOP PROJECT IS STILL A BIG BUST

With my new glasses I noticed a huge difference when editing my photos tonight.  For the first time in years they looked vibrant and sharp for a change.  And what a nice feeling that was.  Readers would comment sometimes about how sharp my photos were and yet that was not how I was seeing them.  I was almost convinced they had my photos mixed up with somebody else's.  I would agonize over what I was doing wrong and now realize it was mainly my glasses all along although I still do lots of stuff wrong...……………... 

WON'T BE LONG AND FARMERS WILL BE OUT HARVESTING THEIR GOLDEN WHEAT FIELDS

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A man walked into the produce section of his local supermarket and asked to buy half a head of lettuce. The boy working in that department told him that they only sold whole heads of lettuce. The man was insistent that the boy ask his manager about the matter. Walking into the back room, the boy said to his manager, "Some jerk out there wants to buy a half a head of lettuce."  As he finished his sentence, he turned to find the man standing right behind him, so he quickly added, "and this gentleman kindly offered to buy the other half." The manager approved the deal and the man went on his way. Later the manager found the boy and said, "I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier. We like people who think on their feet here. Where are you from, son?" "Canada, sir," the boy replied. "Well, why did you leave Canada?" the manager asked. The boy said, "Sir, there's nothing but raunchy bar girls and hockey players up there." "Really!" said the manager. "My wife is from Canada! The boy replied, "No kidding?? Who did she play for?"
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Woman's Quote of the Day: "Men are like fine wine. They all start out like grapes, and it's our job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something with which you'd like to have dinner with." 
Men's Counter-Quote of the Day: "Women are like fine wine. They all start out fresh, fruity and intoxicating to the mind then turn full-bodied with age until they go all sour and vinegary and give you a headache."
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WELL IF IT WASN'T FOR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS WE PROBABLY WOULDN'T GET OUT MUCH

GRAND BEND'S YACHT CLUB LIVE BEACH CAM CAUGHT THIS STORM CELL COMING IN ACROSS THE LAKE SHORTLY BEFORE 5 THIS AFTERNOON

It was another routine Jeep ride to Goderich and back this morning for Pheebs and I.  Really nice temps in the lower 50's.  Back home I spent some time around the yard snipping weeds and trimming bushes.  By noon the heat and humidity was too much and I retreated indoors for the rest of the day. 

FILLING UP A LARGE JOHN DEERE WEED SPRAYER

THIS OLD BARN AROUND THE CORNER FROM OUR PARK IS UNDERGOING A REBUILD AND I'M GLAD THE NEW OWNERS DECIDED TO DO THAT INSTEAD OF TEARING IT DOWN

Some may remember a couple of months ago when I put all new tires on the Jeep.  At the time I said I had a feeling we might be in for a busy Summer running around with medical appointments.  Good thing I got those new tires because between the two of us we've got 4 out of town appointments lined in the next 3 weeks.  In the morning Kelly heads to Goderich for an ultra sound.  Her London Doctors office called yesterday and they want her back to University Hospital on July 29th for a Doppler/Ultra Sound test.  Two days after that we are back in London again for another appointment for Kelly to talk things over with her Gastroenterology/Liver Doctor.  A week later I'll be on my way to the Stratford Hospital for a bone scan and an as of yet unscheduled Cat Scan. I have a feeling we'll both still be running to medical appointments come Fall and Winter as well.  Yep, it's a good thing I got those new tires on the Jeep.

THAT'S QUITE A ROOF CONFIGURATION

THIS SHOT PUTS THAT ROOF CONFIGURATION INTO PERSPECTIVE

I was touched by Croft's post this morning as he talks about coping after the loss of his dear wife Norma.  It has only been about four months but I think he is doing well in coming to grips with his grief and looking to the future with a positive attitude that will carry him far.  We met Croft a few years ago at the second Bloggerfest in Quartzsite Arizona.  Nice friendly fellow.   

SUNRISE? SUNSET? NOPE, IT'S A REFLEXTION OF OUR SALT LAMP IN A MIRROR

GROANER'S CORNER:(( An Indian chief had three wives, each of whom was pregnant. The first gave birth to a boy. The chief was so elated he built her a teepee made of deer hide. A few days later, the second gave birth, also to a boy. The chief was very happy. He built her a teepee made of antelope hide. The third wife gave birth a few days later, but the chief kept the details a secret. He built this one a two story teepee, made out of a hippopotamus hide. The chief then challenged the tribe to guess what had occurred.  Many tried, unsuccessfully. Finally, one young brave declared that the third wife had given birth to twin boys.  "Correct," said the chief. "How did you figure it out?"  The warrior answered, "It's elementary. The value of the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the other two hides."
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“At first no one believed Edison when he said he'd made an electric bulb. They dismissed it as a filament of his imagination.”
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- How did the pharaoh get so rich? He was running a huge pyramid scheme.

- The patient goes to the dentist and says, "I have yellow teeth, what should I do?"  The dentist replies, "Wear a brown tie."
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