DARNED RIGHT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON SOUTH OF THE BORDER

THIS DRYDOCKED SAILBOAT'S STERN WILL SOON BE PROWLING THE DEEP WATERS OF LAKE HURON......NICE ARTWORK

It's a soft cold rain gonna fall and so it did for most of the morning.  It was a very drab and dreary landscape Pheebs and I wandered around in this morning.   Stayed off the muddy country roads.  Low clouds were almost on the deck in a few places.  Idle wind turbine blades were sometimes lost in the mist.  We didn't go far mainly concentrating our travels right in the small village of Bayfield itself.  Once a small fishing hamlet atop the bluffs of Lake Huron Bayfield still retains much of that old town feel.  And that's why we like it here with it's many summer sailing boats neatly docked at their prim little slips along Bayfield's River.

DEFINATELY A RAINY START TO OUR DAY

NO SIGN OF ANY SATURDAY MORNING WORKERS AT THE BAILEY BRIDGE SITE

THEY HAVE BEGUN GRADING THE SOUTHERN APPROACH TO THE BRIDGE

I don't know why it takes me so long to get my smarts organized sometimes but after walking into Bayfield's Foodland this morning I had to ask myself a question.  Why did I drive to a denser populated people area like Goderich early Friday morning not thinking about food line-ups?  Three cars this morning in Foodland's parking lot with maybe 5 people in the store.  Found every single item on my list and saw very few empty shelf spaces.  Nobody ahead or behind me at the check-out.  I've always considered myself a slow learner but I figure with this new red Foodland ribbon now tied tightly around my little finger I will be reminded of the best place to pick up my few grocery items now and again in these troubled times.  Two thumbs up for Bayfield's well stocked Foodland located at the outskirts of Bayfield's south end right on highway 21's west side.

FOODLAND'S WELL STOCKED SHELVES

BAYFIELD'S SHOP BIKE COFFEE ROASTERS  ON MAIN STREET ARE STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND WILL DELIVER

ON THIS DARK DRAB DAY I KEPT MY EYE OUT FOR SPLASHES OF COLOR AROUND THE HARBOR AREA

A FISHING BOAT OUT OF WATER FOR WINTER

WITH IT'S WOODEN TRIM, GREEN COLOR, AND FANCY DRAGON ON THE STERN I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE NICEST SAILBOARTS IN THE HARBOR

It would be a stretch to say there was any warmth in the air this morning but it was Okay to be out in our carport's storage area re-arranging things for summer.  We have a lot of RV stuff piled in there and the only real way to deal with that is to get another RV to put all that stuff back into.  It was nearly high noon when the Sun finally popped through the clouds bringing afternoon temps up to over 50F.  We're slowly getting there:))

LOOKING WEST IN OUR CARPORT'S STORAGE AREA AND YES I EVEN HAVE MUSIC IN THERE TOO

LOOKING EAST AND THAT IS ALL OUR RV STUFF ON THE RIGHT SO YOU CAN SEE WE DO NEED ANOTHER RV TO STORE THAT ALL IN

THESE VEHICLE CLEANING AND WAXING SUPPLIES SPENT WINTER IN OUR HOUSE AND NOW HAVE TO BE RETURNED TO THEIR OUTDOOR SUMMER CABINET

With the political madness going on south of the border (yes we have our political madness up here too) I have had to walk away from the television again.  Just too disturbing and upsetting to see what is going on.  I do not read any news on the internet because I don't trust it to be the truth.  Some may think we Canadians shouldn't be concerned about American politics but ya darned right we should.  With our two countries joined at the hip like we are we have every right to express our opinions and feelings.  As Canadians, through our educational system I would venture to say many of us know more about America than a number of Americans do.  We live in the same hemisphere with a very large unpredictable restless Elephant and when that big Elephant moves we in Canada had better take quick notice.  Having spent 13 happy adventuress winters in the Great American Southwest and having met and made many very good friends along the way I feel like America is my second home.  So just remember America, your concerns are our concerns and ya darned right I'm concerned about what's going on in your country.  Enough said...…………..

LOTS OF RAIN THIS MORNING AND MORE COMING OVERNIGHT INTO SUNDAY

GROANER'S CORNER:(( If my body were a car, this is the time I would be thinking about trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps and dents and scratches in my finish and my paint job is getting a little dull. But that's not the worst of it.  My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see things up close.  My traction is not as graceful as it once was.  I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather.  My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins.  It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed.  My fuel rate burns inefficiently.  But here's the worst of it, almost every time I sneeze, cough or sputter.....either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires.------------------------------
My garden came up crooked. It's true what they say about the best laid plants.
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'STRIKE ONE', 'STRIKE TWO', 'STRIKE THREE', AND THE GROCERY GAME WAS ALL OVER FOR ME THIS MORNING!!

NICE PAIR OF MALLARD DUCKS ON OUR PARK'S POND THIS AFTERNOON

So far so good for us and life is still pretty much normal just like before.  Social distancing is no problem and we've been able to get a few groceries when necessary as well as gas.  I have enough little outside projects going on at the moment to keep me occupied for awhile and luckily my old arch nemisis boredom has not been an issue for me so far.

A FEW INSPIRING SUN SPLASHES ON OUR JEEP RIDE THURSDAY MORNING

PASTORAL BARN YARD

WE HAVE A LOT OF OLDER BARNS HERE IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO AND YOU CAN SEE MANY OF THEM AT MY PHOTO ALBUM... SOME OLD BARNS, SOME NEWER ONES AND A FEW SHEDS ALONG THE WAY

OF COURSE SOME BARNS ARE NOT AS HAPPY AS OTHER BARNS

Our weather so far for March has been acceptable.  Have had some really nice days with a few winter like disappointments along the way.  Waiting patiently for a little warmth in the air.

Had half a dozen items on my grocery list so Pheebs and I headed off in the direction of Goderich this morning.  Pretty much had the roads to ourselves.  With low oil prices I figured I had better do my part and pick up some gas as well.  My way of helping John B in Alberta and Mike C from Montana to boost their Shell oil stocks.  Don't want those boys losing any more money and going hungry:))

THIS GODERICH GAL WAS HAVING QUITE A TIME WITH ALL HER GROCERIES HERE OUTSIDE 'GIANT TIGER'

LUCKILY A GOOD SAMARITAN RUSHES TO HER AID

'JUST FOLLOW THE GOOSE YOUNG MAN JUST FOLLOW THE GOOSE' MY MIND KEPT SAYING TO ME

My first stop was Walmart where I walked in took one look at the line-up and walked out again.  That was strike one!!  Next I went to Zehrs Supermarket, walked in and looked over to the cashier area.  Looked Okay so proceeded to pick up 2 green bananas, three large carrots, two toothpaste items and a 25 Watt lightbulb.  Heading for the milk and orange juice area and coming around the end of an aisle I heard a male voice telling someone to back up and stay in line.  Looking in that direction I saw a line-up of people all the way back to the bakery department.  Some carts were exploding with groceries.  Because of my zero tolerance and impatience with line-ups I immediately turned around and re-tracing my steps put the light bulb back as well as the two toothpaste items.  Next the three carrots were carefully put back along with the two bananas.  Returned the cart and I was out of there.  Strike two!!  After a drive down around the harbor area I stopped at Food Basics in Goderich's south end.  About 35 million cars in the parking lot with people clustered around the door.  Strike three I was out!!  The grocery game was over.  Pheebs and I headed home empty handed.  

A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STILL CONTINUES AT THE GODERICH ELEVATORS

AND RESTORATION WORK CARRIES ON ALONG LAKE HURONS SHORELINE SOUTH OF GODERICH'S HARBOR MOUTH

BACKFILLING ALONG THE TOP OF THE NEW BREAKWATER WALL IN FRONT OF THE BEACH STREET STATION

DRAGGING THE BUCKET BACKWARDS TO LEVEL OFF THE BACKFILL

Almost forgot.....at the gas station after filling up, the attendant carefully and rather stealthily came up alongside the Jeep with a box and the debit machine.  The box contained thin plastic gloves.  He instructed me to remove one glove and put it on my right hand.  He held the machine as I used my gloved hand to punch in the numbers.  Transaction completed I took my Michael Jackson glove off.  He asked if I wanted the paper receipt and I said no.  Wasn't going to put my new glove on again just to receive a paper receipt!!

HERE I AM IN OUR BACKYARD MARCH 26TH 2008 TRYING TO GET A CAMPFIRE GOING JUST AFTER RETURNING FROM THE SOUTHWEST....DON'T AKS ME WHY I WAS TRYING TO GET A CAMPFIRE GOING.....I WAS YOUNGER THEN 

 Under a heavy overcast Pheebs and I headed home with a short muddy stop alongside Kitchigami Road.  Again, hardly any traffic anywhere.  I think everybody was at the grocery stores loading up their shopping carts.  Looks like we might have to gnaw the bark off our pine trees, get our drinking water from the frog pond and compete with the birds, bunnies, squirrels, and chipmunks for what's left of our birdseed.  It's either that or Kelly will have to take her vast storage of patience to the grocery store with her.  I have great patience for raking leaves and stuff.

STOPPED ALONGSIDE KITCHIGAMI ROAD

SO NICE TO SEE BLUE SKIES AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON

PINE TREE REFLECTIONS IN OUR PARK'S POND

IN THE PHOTO BELOW IT LOOKS LIKE WOODPECKERS HAVE BEEN BUSY WITH THIS TREE OR MAYBE JUST ONE BIG PILEATED ONE

I'm 75 and a half now and you would think after many years being involved with Spring clean-ups I would know better than to try to get everything done all at once pushing myself for hours until my legs are numb, my hurting backs bent over, and my arms are so sore I don't even know where they are.  Well you would think that but oh no I have to half cripple myself every year about this time.  Tried taking Pheebs for a walk on rubbery legs and had to turn back, head for my recliner, and sit down to take the pressure off my brain.

MY TRUSTY GARDEN PALS HAVE STOPPED FOR A REST BESIDE THIS OLD DEAD TREE

MALE MALLARD DUCK ON OUR PARK'S POND

THIS SMALL DUCK WINGED IN OVERHEAD AND LANDED ON THE POND

NOT THE BEST PHOTO BUT WONDER IF ANYONE KNOWS WHAT KIND OF SMALL DUCK THIS IS AND IN PHOTO BELOW IS A PAIR OF WELL CAMOUFLAGED CANADA GEESE

Got a song stuck in my head today.  First heard it a week ago on my Sirius Satellite Radio Ch. 53 The Chill Lounge.  Didn't like the tune because it sounded like another one of those repetitive generic young whiney voiced girl songs.  I turned the volume down.  Couple days later I heard it again But I didn't turn the volume down this time.  Earlier this week it was on again.  Hmmmm, is this simple little repetitive lyric song growing on me??  It came on again this morning and I turned up the volume with a smile on my face.  Very rare for a smile to ever escape this stone face of mine.  Couldn't really make out the lyrics to well but I liked how she pronounced the word 'coffee' in the song.  On the way home and most of this afternoon I have not been able to get that jingly little tune out of my head.  Went outside, knelt down and repeatedly banged my head on a rock.  Well that made it worse.  The rock cracked, volume in my head went way up, and somebody somehow added loud bells to the song.  So now to make things even worse I have a constant ringing in my ears.  Be very careful now about clicking on this link.  Like me you may not like the song at first but think you might give it a second listen.  Keep that up and your going to have this catchy little tune rattling around in YOUR head before you know it.  I don't recommend the rock head banging cure unless you don't mind bells in your belfry and a ringing in your ears......Okay, hear ya go, I'll Make A Cup Of Coffee For Your Head  Now, on the serious side of this song I found something out later today in regards to the lyrics.  death bed (coffee for your head)  Now I'm really confused:((

DUCKS DON'T NORMALLY STAY ON OUR PARK'S POND VERY LONG BUT I HOPE THIS PAIR DOES AND BUILDS A NEST ALNOG THE EDGE

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Three prisoners are captured in the war, and are about to be executed. They are asked what they wish to have for their last meal.  The Italian asks for Peperoni Pizza, which he is served and then taken away. The Frenchmen requests a Filet Mignon, which he is served and also taken away. The Jewish man requests a plate of strawberries.  The captors are surprised and reply, "STRAWBERRIES?"  "Yes, Strawberries."  "But they are out of season!"  "I'll wait......"
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“He built his entire itch-cream business from scratch.”
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