OH HOW WE OF THE RECREATIONAL ROAD KNOW WELL OF WHAT IT IS HE SPEAKS

 IF IT LOOKS COLD IT IS BECAUSE IT IS COLD

Daytime temps have begun their downward slide and today's high was 25F with a wind chill of 14.  With several prescriptions to renew Pheebs and I headed off to Goderich this morning.  Secondary roads were slippery with ice and hard-packed snow.  With my last few posts top-heavy with photos I was determined to keep my picture-taking down to a dull roar this morning.  And, so I did.  Home again I topped up the bird feeders and dusted off a couple of my snow paths.  The bulk of the afternoon was spent reading.  I'm sure glad I re-discovered my old childhood reading hobby a decade ago because it has led to countless hours of sheer entertainment for me these past years.  I was a real bookworm way back when.  Reading is such a great way to productively while away the hours.

WE HAD TO PLOW A BIT OF SNOW TO REACH PHEEBS PIT STOP AREA THIS MORNING

THE COLD GREEN WATERS OF LAKE HURON

 ONLY ONE BOARD WALKER OUT TO BRAVE THE ICY COLD WINDS

 THESE CANADA GEESE ARE HUNKERED DOWN WITH THEIR BEAKS PUSHING DOWN THROUGH THE SNOW LOOKING FOR GREEN GRASS BELOW

And speaking of reading, I am again reminded of John Steinbeck's book, 'Travels With Charley'-In Search Of America which I am currently reading.  I so much admire Steinbeck's writing style and here in one sentence this afternoon I had myself yet another in a series of rightly understandable chuckles.  In referring to his traveling vehicle which in later years would be referred to as an RV (Recreation Vehicle) he writes in a worrisome manner. "I carried too much of everything---too much food, too many books, tools enough to assemble a submarine".  Oh my, all we RV'ers out here past and present can identify so much with that statement of his.  So true it is.  After blowing a tire due to the weight of his vehicle's load he goes on to write..."It was obvious the other tire might go at any moment, and it was Sunday and it was raining and it was Oregon.  If the other tire blew, there we were, on a wet and lonesome road, having no recourse except to burst into tears and wait for death.  And perhaps some kind birds might cover us with leaves".  Oh how we of the recreational road know well of what it is he speaks.    

 I WAS ABLE TO FIND A FEW SPLASHES OF COLOR ON THIS GRAY DRAB DAY

Ellen's Groove:)) This video really shows Ellen's progression and it is her best so far.  She starts off playing a 'fretless' bass and  I especially love how she powered through a few little flubs along the way.  Her dad Hovak follows with a short explanation of the equipment they are using for this video and then Ellen does her Top Ten Bass Guitar Lines-Part Two.  If you haven't seen any of Ellen's previous videos you really should see this one.  If you have been following her from the beginning like I have, it is truly amazing how far she has progressed.  She is well on her way to becoming one of the best bass guitar players ever.  She has the music and rhythm in her just bursting to get out.  With her bubbly personality and infectious laughs and giggles, I'm sure she will go far in life.  So, if you are not aboard the bandwagon yet, climb aboard this young ten-year-olds rocketship and ride with her to the stars.  Ellen's Top Ten Part Two.

ELLEN AND HER BEST PAL NEO

GROANER'S CORNER:((   The other day, Louise and I got into some petty argument. (I say it was petty. She would have said it was Armageddon.) As is our nature, neither of us would admit the possibility that we might be in error.  To her credit, Louise finally said, 'Look. I'll tell you what. I'll admit I'm wrong if you admit I was right.'  'Fine.' I said.  She took a deep breath, looked me in the eye and said, 'I'm wrong.'  I grinned and replied, 'You're right.'

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My young daughter was wearing a beat-up old watch a friend had given her.  I asked her, "Does it tell the time?"  My daughter looked at me and said, "No, you have to look at it."

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