A FEW CREEKS ALONG THE WAY

Woke up this morning, went into the washroom, grabbed my clippers, and off came my sideburns.  Now, you might ask, why would I do that??  Well, I guess it was just because I could as George used to say.  I really can't think of any other logical reason.  Well, maybe it was because I got tired of looking like a scruffy mountain man.  I didn't cut off my mustache or beard because if I did that I might have ended up looking like a 9 to 5 accountant or something.  Anyway, the sideburns are once again gone until next time.  And, oh yes I'm sure there will be a next time.  

A FEW FROZEN ICE PUDDLES ON A GRAVEL ROAD

Another beautiful morning with lots of sunshine and above-freezing temperatures.  Bonus.  Pheebs and slipped on down to our country walking spot and got some paws and boots on the thawing and slightly muddy gravel road.  We didn't walk as far as usual again because I am having problems with my right leg.

 THOSE FROZEN ICE PUDDLES WERE ON OUR WALKING ROAD BEHIND PHEEBS AND UP AHEAD OF THE JEEP A BIT

 A MIGHTY FINE LATE NOVEMBER MORNING FOR A WALK

 THERE WAS A SLIGHT BIT OF HAZE IN THE AIR WHICH REMINDED ME OF LATE MARCH

Following our walk, we slipped around a couple of big country blocks snatching a few photos along the way.  We passed over a few creeks so that is why I called tonight's blog, 'A Few Creeks Along The Way'.

 A FEW CREEKS ALONG THE WAY

I have been having trouble on and off with my right leg for over a year now but these past few months it has been more on than off.  Sometimes I can walk fine with no pain and then zap there it is again and it causes me to slow right down and limp.  Pheebs and I have had to shorten up a lot of walks.  The pain shifts around between the groin, my upper leg, and my hip.  I think the only reasonable cure for it is long dry desert walks and Arizona rock scrambles during the winter months.

 A WOODED FARM LANE

With it feeling very Spring-like again today I figured I had better get myself outside and do some very Spring-like stuff.  Fired up the wheelbarrow, grabbed my leaf rake and fork, and proceeded to rake up the driveway leaves where all the snow had melted.  It was a good feeling to be outside and doing something.  I think if these nice days keep up we might be seeing some sleepy eyed crocus flowers poking their heads up and wondering what the heck is going on.

Not a squirrel has been on the bird station since I trimmed the cedar branches yesterday.  I can tell no squirrels have been on it because the birdseed is not vanishing.  The birdseed I put on Wednesday night was still there this morning.  I'm cautiously optimistic but I know better than to let cautious optimism ingrain itself in me when it comes to squirrels and birdfeeders.  A number of helpful readers had suggested I put some kind of cone structure over that top round area and I too had thought about that but to do so would also have denied the birds from using that round area as a feeding and resting platform.  Mourning Doves like to sit up there and rest.  As for feeding the squirrels, I do have five pine posts and one stump that I always leave birdseed on for them.  I only get upset with the squirrely guys when they get onto the bird's bird feeders.  Otherwise, the squirrels, chipmunks, and bunnies are all quite welcome here........But then, it was just short of 3 p.m. this afternoon while tipped back in my sunroom recliner reading that I noticed one of the black squirrels go racing across the yard and right up the big cedar tree.  I watched him frantically racing from branch to branch trying to find his launch pad which of course was no longer there.  In a seemingly frenzied state, he raced down the tree, ran to the base of the bird station, and tried to climb the pole.  He didn't know I had previously sprayed that pole with WD-40.  Needless to say, he didn't get far.  From there it was back up the cedar tree for a repeat performance from a few minutes before.  Back down the cedar tree he again went and ran out to the feeder to fuel up on a few more seeds on the ground.  From there he raced over to the small pine tree.  I knew right away what was going to happen here.  And, it did.  Up he went and immediately launched himself through the air at the feeder.  'Bam' he bounced off the blue bin lid and tumbled to the ground just like a couple days ago.  Without missing a beat he was back up the big cedar tree again racing furiously through the branches trying to find a jumping-off spot but to no avail.  I thought for sure I was going to see a flurry of black fur flying through the air.   Back down the tree he came, scruffled around for a few more seeds, then scampered off across the road and that was the last I saw of him.  No doubt about it....he will be back again tomorrow when both his and my stress levels will once again entwine to make for another interesting day.  By the way, I refer to this squirrel as 'he' all the time because we all know female squirrels would never cause this much trouble.  Am I right guys.....eh:)) 

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The symphony orchestra was performing Beethoven's Ninth.  In the piece, there's a long passage, about 20 minutes, during which the bass violinists have nothing to do.  Rather than sit around that whole time looking stupid, some bassists decided to sneak offstage and go to the tavern next door for a quick one.  After slamming several beers in quick succession, one of them looked at his watch and said, "Hey! We need to get back!"  "No need to panic," said a fellow bassist. "I thought we might need some extra time, so I tied the last few pages of the conductor's score together with string. It'll take him a few minutes to get it untangled."  A few moments later they staggered back to the concert hall and took their places in the orchestra.  About this time, a member of the audience noticed the conductor seemed a bit edgy and said as much to her companion.  "Well, of course," said her companion. "Don't you see? It's the bottom of the Ninth, the score is tied, and the bassists are loaded."

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EVEN IF IT IS FICTION

 'BAYFIELD PINES'

Another mighty fine late November morning with reasonably comfortable above-freezing temperatures and clear blue skies from horizon to horizon.  It reminded me so much of Spring. Pheebs and I didn't waste any time getting ourselves into the Jeep and on the road.  We took a cruise through Bayfield and then out into the countryside.

 QUITE A CREW OF FISHERMEN ON BAYFIELD'S SOUTH PIER

I WOULD SURE LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH ALL THESE LARGE BOULDERS

 BAYFIELD'S SOUTHERN SKYLINE

 SURE WAS A GREAT MORNING TO BE OUT FOR A JEEP RIDE

 THE MORNING WAS SO NICE THIS FELLA HAS HIS JOHN DEERE TRACTOR OUT FOR A DRIVE

 I SEE SUNFLOWERS OUT THERE

Stopping at the Linfield Conservation Area we took ourselves for a walk in the fresh morning air.  I could feel a bit of the Sun's warmth on my face and that in turn made the morning feel even more Spring-like.  From the conservation area we wandered around a few more country roads soaking up the good feeling before heading back to Bayfield.

 THE LINWOOD CONSERVATION AREA

 WE TOOK A DRIVE PAST 'BIG BARKY'S HOUSE

 RUNNING ALONGSIDE THE JEEP BIG BARKY WAS SURE LAYING A BIG BARKING ON US

 A PARTING SHOT OF BIG BARKY THROUGH THE JEEP'S SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR

My birdseed supply was getting very low so I figured it was time to stop in at the Porter's Hill Wild Bird Seed Co. and snag me a couple 20-pound bags of Deluxe 'Mix' birdseed.  I also picked up a second 'squirrel-proof' bird feeder while there.  Talking with the nice owner fella I mentioned my problem with squirrels leaping from a nearby tall cedar tree branch onto my bird feeding station.  I said the branch was too high for me to reach and cut off.  He then graciously lent me his long-handled extendable 'lopper' shears for reaching and loping off high branches.  I thought that was mighty nice of him to do that.  I quickly scurried home to give it a try and I wasn't long in hauling out my tall eight-foot step ladder and parking it right next to the tall cedar tree.  With the long extended lopper in hand, I clambered up the step ladder and precariously maneuvered the lopper into position around a branch, pulled the rope, and off came the squirrel's jumping platform.  While up there I lopped off a few other small branches that could potentially be of aid to the high-flying squirrel as well.  Confident (silly me) this might solve my problem, I removed the garbage can from atop the feeder and hastened to throw a few handfuls of birdseed up there.  And then I came into the house and watched to see what would happen.  As it turned out, nothing happened and I didn't see any of the squirrels making an attempt to jump down from the cedar tree onto the feeder.  However, I'm sure they are having an emergency meeting tonight and devising a cunning new plan of attack.  We'll see what happens tomorrow and I will hang onto that lopper gizmo for a couple days just in case I have to ladder myself up into the tree again and do some more loppin........... 

 THAT ORANGE TH ING WITH THE LONG HANDLE IS THE LOPPER

 I'M ANGLING UP TO LOP OFF THOSE TWO BRANCHES RIGHT OF CENTER

 BALANCING ON THE LADDER I MANAGED TO SNAG THE FIRST OF TWO BRANCHES

 I NEVER LIKE HAVING ALL THAT STUFF ON THERE

 THAT ROUND TOP PIECE NOT ONLY KEEPS THE BIRDSEED DRY UNDERNEATH BUT IT IS ALSO ACTS AS A BIRDSEED PLATFORM AS WELL....MOURNING DOVES LIKE TO SIT UP THERE AND REST.....SO I GUESS YOU COULD SAY IT IS A DOUBLE-DECKER BIRD SEED FEEDER 

I also took advantage of the bare and dry roads today and had Scooter out for a maintenance run. I was hoping to blow some snow off the roof but the snow was too moisture-laden and I only succeeded in maybe blowing off half a dozen snowflakes, if that.  The rig ran fine and all was good.

 I CAN SEE A MR. APPLEFACE HERE

I had two good examples of 'memory flubs' today.  The first one occurred when I picked up the two 20-pound bags of birdseed because I thought I was nearly out.  Later, when I opened the Jeep's hatchback to look for something I discovered a completely unopened bag of birdseed that I had put in there a month or so ago and had totally forgotten about.  Oh well, one can never have too much birdseed can one.  The second thing was sort of a memory flub and sorta not.  It was kinda more like something I call 'an amazing piece of good luck flub'.  Deciding to take Scooter for a run, I searched everywhere for the rig's keys but to no avail.  I couldn't remember where I had put them. (oh geeezzzz, so what else is new)  They weren't hanging on a hook in the house where they should have been but I've been known to hide keys and then forget that they ever even existed.  I looked for those keys in coat pockets, pants pockets, under the driver's seat, the floor mat, behind the seats, above the visors, glove box, and even back in the coach where I might have had a brain wave and hidden the keys in a cupboard or something.  What about under the bed or behind the toilet, or maybe I put them in the fridge.  My search was to no avail and for sure the keys had to be truly lost....or temporarily misplaced I kept telling myself.  And guess what....they actually were truly more lost than I knew.  Stepping out of the RV and walking dejectedly around the front of it with my discouraged face dragging on the ground I was suddenly confronted with a most amazing piece of luck.  There on the ground laying in the melting snow right in front of me were Scooter's keys.  I just stood and stared at them hardly believing what I was seeing.  Had I just stepped into the Twilight Zone??  I must have somehow dropped those keys a week ago when I started the rig up in that cold and blowing snow period of bad weather we had.  I could tell the keys had been lying there under the snow for a while because of the way the ice had melted around the ignition key.  Just think, had we not had this mild spell and the snow hadn't melted, those keys would have been truly lost until next Spring sometime......Okay, okay, I might as well tell you about another memory flub I had recently.  Remember a week or so ago when out for a Jeep drive, Pheebs and I came across that big Mother Load of Corn alongside the road on our way to Grand Bend.  Well, after shoveling some of that corn into a couple of buckets, I leaned my trusty little shovel against the Jeep, opened the hatch, placed the corn buckets in the Jeep, closed the hatch, climbed into the driver's seat, and drove away.  A couple days later I opened the Jeep's hatch to take the corn buckets out and noticed something missing.  My shovel wasn't there.  What!!  My first thought was 'why would somebody break into the Jeep and steal my little snow shovel??  With a few more thoughts following that first thought and thinking back, I finally had to resign myself to the fact that yes, I no doubt forgot to put the shovel in the Jeep after putting the buckets of corn in.  And so it goes and so it goes:((

 WHAT AN EXTRAORDINARY PIECE OF LUCK UNEXPECTANTLY FINDING THESE KEYS TODAY

I finished another book in the Anne Of Green Gables saga.  I enjoyed Anne Of The Island.' just as much as the previous books and so much so that I am already off and running with the next book in the series, 'Anne Of Windy Poplars'.  This young red-headed freckle-faced girl and her Island adventures sure have won me over.   And, how refreshing to read something entertaining and totally different for a change.  Even if it is fiction.    

GROANER'S CORNER:(( One lab mouse to another: I've trained that crazy human at last.  How have you done that?  I don't know how, but every time I run through that maze and ring the bell, he gives me a piece of cheese.

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Nurse: Good morning Mr. Smith, you seem to be coughing much more easily this morning.
Mr. Smith: That's because I've been practicing all night.

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