WOKE UP TO A WINTER WONDERLAND THIS MORNING

No wind as snowflakes lazily floated lightly to Earth through our surrounding Pine trees at daybreak.  Cold but pretty as clumps of snow hung heavy on sagging Pine boughs. It's the kind of winter snow we don't mind, knowing it is temporary & soon will be gone. It was a photographer’s true winter scene.  Unfortunately the only photos I have of it are from in the house. Although the weather was picturesquely perfect outside I’m afraid I was under the weather inside.

 

Must say how nice it is being back at our desktop computer in our Sunroom again.  First time since last October I have not had to have my laptop…..on my lap!!  Nice to have a big screen that remains stationary on the desk therefore making it much easier for me to edit my photos.  I always have trouble getting exposures right while balancing my Toshiba on my knees.  If the screen tilts just an inch forward or back it affects the exposure & with me constantly moving around either on our rig’s loveseat or my recliner & Ikea chair in Congress it is near impossible for me to get the photos edited correctly. 

Aside from that it is doubly nice to be sitting comfortably with large windows on three sides of me overlooking our whole front yard.  Hope to get some birdfeeders hung up tomorrow to again bring all the birds back into our yard.  I can just sit right here at the computer & photograph them as they freely come & go.  I also have a nice sound system here in the Sunroom & with our ambient lighting it all makes for one very pleasurably cozy place for me to spend my evenings contentedly working away on my posts. 

Soon our front yard will green up & green in giving our Sunroom a tropical atmosphere.  Running water in our Frog pond, birds singing in the trees & shrubs, Frogs croaking, Crickets cricketing, & Owls hooting in the Pine trees.  And nobody can see in through all the foliage we have planted over the years.  Yes, it sure is nice to have a pleasant home to come home too.  We are so fortunate in so many ways.

A few days ago I mentioned I had not climbed out of my PJ’s until 10:30 a.m.  I never got out of of my PJ’s at all today & I’m guessing that has to be a first since maybe when I was kid.  Stuck close to my recliner with a blanket & watched a few old movies.  That darn chest congestion which I thought would have cleared up on it’s own by late last week is being persistent despite starting the meds today.  Felt like Kelly had the heat cranked up to about a hundred all day.  I am hopeful for some improvement tomorrow. 

 

Despite blowing snow coming in off Lake Huron this afternoon we did end the day with sunshine beginning late afternoon & as I type this in early evening I have sunshine streaming in our west Sunroom window lighting up my Spirits.  Sunglasses may be required at any moment.

Wondering if anyone out here is familiar with Canadian made Triple E Commander Class A Motorhomes??  From what we have read they were a quality built coach, very solid & very well insulated.  Built with a Northern climate in mind.  I’m thinking they were comparable with some of the higher end American coaches. 

 

GROANER’S CORNER:((  When the Mother returned from the grocery store, her small Son pulled out the box of animal crackers he had begged for. Then he spread the animal-shaped crackers all over the kitchen counter.  "What are you doing?" his mom asked.
"The box says you can't eat them if the seal is broken," the boy explained. "I'm looking for the Seal."

---

My class was touring the local animal shelter, oohing and awing over the lost and waiting-to-be-adopted animals.  One of my third grade boys was gazing intently at an elaborate aquarium full of different species of fish.  "They're beautiful, aren't they," I commented.
He looked at me thoughtfully, then replied, "Yes, but I don't understand...how can anyone lose a fish?"

---

Both of my parents are full time RV’ers and lead very hectic lives at times. So my father Fred W. was bound to forget their wedding anniversary.  Remembering at the last minute, he sped to the stationery store, flew through the door, and breathlessly asked the salesclerk, "Where are the anniversary cards?"  To his surprise, he heard my Mother Jo call out, "Over here, Fred."

HAD SOME MEDS PRESCRIBED FOR MY CHEST CONGESTION TODAY

With a good night’s sleep I was feeling a bit better this morning & was able to get out & walk our usual Pine Forest loop trail.  First time around since late last October.  Kelly & Pheebs did the trail Sunday.  Other than branches down here & there the pathways were in reasonably good shape.  I’ll clean up the trail in a few weeks once I get our own yard mess under control. 

<<< WE HAVE CROCUS’S COMING UP

Despite hefty winds this morning I was so surprised at how mild it was.  Thermometer was up into the mid 60’s.  Although not being out of the woods with this cold yet I couldn’t let those nice mild working temperatures go to waste.  Hooked up the utility trailer behind the Jeep & began raking up & loading pine needles, branches, & wet leaves, .  I didn’t keep at it hour after hour like I usually do though.  Was maybe outside for 40 minutes or so then had to come in for a rest.  Just couldn’t quite summon up the energy to get myself back out again & that was probably just as well.     

I’ve noticed we have more tree & shrub damage than first thought.  The ice storm back in December really took a toll on the young Cedar & Pine trees I had planted over the last few years.  Some are broke off right to the ground & the rest are damaged & bent over.  I’m sure the winter was terrible for all the poor animals & birds in the area as well.  Hard to understand how they can survive these brutal cold winters & heavy snows.

PERIWINKLE ALWAYS SEEMS TO SURVIVE THE WINTER’S COLD

With encouragement & interest from readers I decided this morning I will attempt to make a new bird station.  After all, the priority here is the bird’s & not whether I feel like building a new feeder station or not.  I have sometimes been known to get my priorities miss-aligned a wee bit you know.

Kelly headed up to Goderich this morning & re-newed her drivers license, picked up some groceries & stopped around the Medical Clinic to leave some blood.  While there she made an appointment for me to see my Nurse Practitioner.  Turns out she had an opening this afternoon so in I went.  Prescriptions had to be re-newed & also figured I might have her see what’s going on with my chest congestion.  She did some listening with one of those stethoscope thingys & immediately prescribed me some drugs.  250 mg Azithromycin & 50 mg  Apo-Prednisone.  We’ll see if that gets me out of the woods & jacks up my energy levels.

Our earlier mild temperatures plummeted throughout the day & the weather folks are calling for freezing rain & ice pellets overnight changing to snow by morning.  Could have us white landscape by morning.  Temps will remain just below the freezing mark for Tuesday before beginning to rise again.  Looks like I might have myself an inside day.  Probably resume our yard clean-up Wednesday.

CANADA GEESE ON THE PARK’S POND AGAIN THIS SPRING

ROBERT KNOWLTON joined us a couple days ago on our ‘Friends’ list over yonder in our side bar.  Welcome aboard Robert.  Afraid we won’t be traveling for a bit but if you can tough it out with us for the summer we should have the wheels rolling again in October if not sooner:))

GLAD NONE OF THESE TALL PINES CAME DOWN ON OUR HOUSE THIS WINTER

GROANER’S CORNER:((  God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli and cauliflower, spinach, and green, yellow, and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.
Then, using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's and Krispy Kreme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" and Man said, "Yea," and Woman said, "and another one with sprinkles." And they gained 10-20 pounds.
And God created the healthy yogurt that woman might keep the figure that man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane, and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.
So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.
God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.
God then brought forth running shoes so that his children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to get up to change the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering light and gained pounds.
Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin, sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And man gained pounds. God then gave lean beef so that man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created the 99-cent cheeseburger. Then he said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yeah! And super size 'em." And Satan said, "It is good."
And Man went into cardiac arrest. God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.
Then Satan created HMOs.

I THINK LAST WEEK’S TRAVELS CAUGHT UP WITH ME TODAY:((

YEP, GOT ME A BIG CLEAN UP AHEAD & THIS IS JUST PART OF THE FRONT YARD

Didn't manage to pull myself out of my jammies till about 10:30 this morning. Combination of road lag, a poor night's sleep, & my hanging on chest cold. Just kinda hung around in my recliner watching the Biography channel for a big part of the day. Had rained in the night & the morning remained cloudy but at least quite mild.  Think we might have been in the mid 50’s which is super for working outdoors.  A short period of sunlight was enough to pull me outside for about an hour & spend some time on the end of my leaf rake beginning the big yard clean-up. That was about the only thing I accomplished today.  Better day tomorrow I’m hoping……………….

MY BIRD FEEDING STATION SEEN IN SO MANY SUMMER PHOTOS IS WRECKED

Saturday night looking at the weather map across the States & Canada I saw just how lucky we had been again this year in missing bad weather.   It just reaffirms my belief it is best to travel quickly at this time of year with fast moving volatile weather systems churning in the atmosphere.  Where we were Friday night in Lansing Michigan had high winds & heavy rains Saturday night & Port Huron where we crossed the border Saturday morning had hail the size of quarters.  Tonight’s news said 80 mph wind gusts across Michigan.

  

LAMP POST GLOBE IS BUST BUT EXPENSIVE BULB IS STILL INTACT

How nice to be back home with a fast internet connection once more.  Our slow & spotty internet in Congress just got to seem like normal after awhile.  That is until we got home Saturday & saw how fast & how nice a speedy internet connection is.  Bonus.

DON’T KNOW IF I WILL TRY BUILDING ME A NEW FEEDING STATION OR NOT >>>

Everything started up & came alive just fine again this year.  Computer & TV Stereo just booted up as usual when I plugged everything back in.  Course I didn’t have a clue how the remotes worked & if it wasn’t for Kelly I would probably be back to the days of getting up & walking over to the TV to change the channel or turn the volume up & down.  For some reason my mind just will not retain that kind of stuff anymore.  It’s why I have so much trouble with all the newer technologies these days.  And how super nice to be using our desktop & 20 inch monitor again.  Wowie Ka-Zowie do those big bright photos ever leap off the screen now:))  I like the portable mobility of my Toshiba laptop but give me a desktop with a huge monitor display any day.

Going to call it an early night…………..

I CONSIDER MYSELF FORTUNATE TO HAVE A YARD TO CLEAN UP OTHERWISE I’D BE SITTING AROUND TWIDDLING MY THUMBS THIS WEEK WITH NOTHING TO DO….AND COMPLAINING ABOUT IT

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A professional photographer was invited to dinner with friends and took along a few pictures to show the hostess. She looked at the photos and commented "These are very good! You must have a good camera." He didn't make any comment, but, as he was leaving to go home he said "That was a really delicious meal! You must have some very good pots."

LANSING MICHIGAN TO BAYFIELD ONTARIO…..’WE’RE HOME’ AFTER THE QUICKEST BORDER CROSSING OF EVER:))

Always a nice feeling knowing home is only a matter of hours away. It's a Snow Bird perk we both really enjoy. Had ourselves on the move by 6:45 a.m. & we were finally back on our own Ontario time again. Traffic was lite on I-69 all the way. A major highway construction project just a couple miles from the border itself turned out to be confusing but a lucky guess put us on the right road.

LAST REST STOP AREA BEFORE THE BORDER
It was our 9th Port Huron homeward bound border crossing in 10 years & it was our quickest. No line-up & the one car at the booth pulled out just as we rolled up so never had to stop until we were right at the window. It was exactly 9:15 in the morning.  Handed over our passports, 3 quick questions, & with a 'welcome back to Canada' from the lady border guard we were on our way. This is always one very, very, precious moment for us as we pull away from the border gate.  We look forward to it from the time we leave Canada until the time we get back.  Only word to ever come even remotely close to describing that great feeling we have inside after successfully clearing the border is, Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh:)))))

ROLLING UP & OVER THE BLUE WATER BRIDGE IN PORT HURON THIS MORNING

As much as we love the States & consider it our second home it is always such a huge feeling of relief to be back on our home turf. Our Provincial health coverage kicks in again & no matter what happens it is going to be resolved with less complications than if we were south of the border for sure. I'm sure American folks traveling in Canada experience the same thing when getting their feet back on their own familiar home turf as well.

OUR SOUTHERN ONTARIO LANDSCAPE IS LOOKING A LOT LIKE THE FLAT LANDS OF KANSAS

How great to be back on a two lane quiet country highway again as we headed into Forrest Ontario for our Tim Horton’s coffee.  Surprised to find Timmies undergoing a major facelift but no problem as Kelly waded through the construction zone & returned minutes later with 2 medium size coffees & a couple of 22-10 ton Apple Fritters.  We slogged those Fritters down in short order & got our faces right into our coffee cups.  That was our second Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh for the day:))

Nice quiet relaxing drive for the rest of the way home.  There is always something comforting in being surrounded by old familiar surroundings.  Rolled through Grand Bend casting a glance in at Ron’s FOUR SEASONS PERFORMANCE to see what he had sitting around in Class A Motorhomes.  A toot coming into Bayfield going by friends Di & Harry’s place STORMRUNNER RV SALES.  Stopped on Bayfield’s Clangregor Square & unhooked the Jeep.  Kelly & Pheebs headed on home with me following.  Don’tcha just love that coming down the home stretch feeling.  And did I mention what a fine Saturday morning it was too.  As reader’s know, Saturday mornings are my favorite time of the week & coming home in warm sunny weather this morning just made it all that much more special.

LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE TO HOME & YES THAT IS SNOW ON THE RIGHT

As expected we had some snow as I pulled Winnie into her spot but at least it was in the melting phase.  Course I had to step out of the coach into snow but who cares, we were home.  Pheebs was already racing around all over the place.  Think she knew she was home too.  Also noticed something else we had been expecting.  Winter storm damage.  We had been seeing it for the last day or two on our way home.  Branches & trees down.  Our property is a big mess but no serious damage from downed tree limbs other than a smashed lamp post at the end of our driveway.  Going to take me a lot of work to get things cleaned up this year but that’s Ok I’m looking forward to it.  Gives me something to do for the next week or so & having a project in front of me is always a good thing for AL:))

PULLING INTO OUR RV SPOT

 

AND MY FIRST STEP OUT THE RIG’S DOOR GOES RIGHT INTO A VERY SOFT & WET PILE OF SNOW

It was 11 a.m. when we rolled into our driveway & it was 3 p.m. before either one of us took a break or sat down.  We’re both like that, we just like to get at things & get them done.  Clothes to come in, fridge & cupboards to be emptied, laundry, TV’s & sound systems to re-activate, etc. etc.  It’s a necessary but welcome hustle & bustle.  When I finally did sink into my recliner for the first time this year it was my third Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh moment.  And my thoughts were once again the same as in previous years, ‘that’s it, I’m never getting out of this big chair & ever going anywhere ever again’!!  Of course we all know I’ll be moaning & groaning & chomping at the bit in a couple weeks to get going & do something different again.  Always happens with me that way.

UNLOADING BEGINS

 

BOOSTING THE SANTA FE’S DEAD BATTERY & THIS SNOW & ICE BEHIND THE HOUSE IS GOING TO TAKE AWHILE TO MELT

Anyway, we are home safe & sound & thanks to everyone for their thoughts & kind wishes as we slogged our way back to Bayfield Ontario.  With heavy rains closing in on us right now I hope to get caught up with some blog reading again over the next few days, get some emails answered.  I’ll try to remember recent questions readers have asked as well.  See y’all tamarraw……………:))

PHEEBS ISN’T SURE ABOUT ALL THIS SNOW STUFF

  

TRY THIS SNOW CONE PHEEBS………….. EEEEYYYOOOUUUUUUUU

Y’KNOW, I REALLY DIDN’T LIKE THAT SNOW CONE MOM & JUST DON’T BE GIVING ME ANOTHER ONE EITHER

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A doctor, a lawyer, a little boy and a priest were out for a Sunday afternoon flight on a small private plane. Suddenly, the plane developed engine trouble.
In spite of the best efforts of the pilot, the plane started to go down. Finally, the pilot grabbed a parachute, yelled to the passengers that they had better jump, and bailed out.
Unfortunately, there were only three parachutes remaining.
The doctor grabbed one and said "I'm a doctor, I save lives, so I must live," and jumped out.
The lawyer then said, "I'm a lawyer and lawyers are the smartest people in the world. I deserve to live."
He also grabbed a parachute and jumped.
The priest looked at the little boy and said, "My son, I've lived a long and full life. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. Take the last parachute and live in peace."
The little boy handed the parachute back to the priest and said, "Not to worry, Father. The 'smartest man in the world' just took off with my back pack."

ALTOONA (DES MOINES) IOWA TO LANSING MICHIGAN & WE BLEW CHICAGO’S DOORS OFF………….

We were on the road by 7 Iowa time under clear sunny skies.  Thursdays North winds had dissipated & we were able to sail right along without any of Mother Nature’s wily ways impeding our steadily Eastward progress.

 

INDIANA HAS SOME NICE REST AREAS

I had a feeling I was going to feel better when I woke up this morning & my feeling about that turned out to be correct.  A good night’s sleep & aside from schnoofles in my schnoot I feel well rested compared to the previous day.   Lungs are still congested, heads still stuffed but I was free of the hacking cough today & that was a big plus.

 

JUST A COUPLE OLD BUILDINGS ALONG THE WAY

We are on the East side of the country now so it is traffic mania.  So many times today I longed to be back on those long wide open scenic roads of the West but reality dictated we were where we were & there was nothing to do but deal with the traffic chaos at hand.  And deal with it we did as we held our own against the hordes of many manic metal monsters menacingly moving for miles & miles around us on all sides.

OUR VERY MUCH MOST BESTEST LITTLE LAP DOG

I knew we had to get our buns well East of Chicago before the afternoon rush started around 3.  Friday afternoons are always the worst in any city & Chicago traffic has been known to eat RV’ers up & spit them out.  We pushed hard right from Altoona east of Des Moines all the way.  Entered the melee around 1 p.m. on Chicago’s southwest side & were well out of it less than an hour later with all limbs intact & no dents & scrapes to the Winnie Wagon.

 

With our GPS (Garmin Gertie) & Kelly handling the navigation, Pheebs lending moral support, & me driving, we sailed ourselves right through the south side of Chicago without hardly a cuss word for a change.  Traffic flowed smoothly & I’m sure us Country Bumpkins showed those City Slickers a thing or two.  We just up & blowed Chicago’s doors off.

PHEEBS WAS JUST GOING BONKERS RACING AROUND ON ALL THE SOFT GREEN GRASS AT THE REST AREAS ALONG THE WAY

We decided early on to take the toll road right from it’s Western End south of Chicago all the way to highway 69 north of Angola.  This is the third time we have used this toll road as opposed to going up through Gary Indiana, Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, etc. like we have a few times before.  Had we gone that way we would have been mired in the Friday afternoon rush along that corridor.  Although the toll road cost us $23, in my opinion it is well worth the aggravation it saves.  No heavy traffic congestion, just a nice relaxing drive from Chicago to highway 69.  MapQuest says we logged in 525 miles today.

PASSING ELKHART INDIANA WHERE MOST ALL RV’S ARE MADE

  

CLIMBING OFF THE TOLL ROAD NORTH OF ANGOLA MICHIGAN

Before reaching the end of the toll road I knew we had enough energy left to make it North on 69 to Lansing Michigan where we knew a Cracker Barrel was awaiting us.  We have been to this one half a dozen times before.  Moved our clocks ahead another hour & rolled into Cracker Barrel at 6:30 Ontario time.  Of course all the 4 wheelers were parked in the RV/Bus spots & the place was packed.  (we found a quiet spot around the back)  It was Friday afternoon & that’s always a big ‘feed bag’ time for a lot of folks.  Including us tonight.  It will be our last Cracker Barrel stop until we return to the States probably sometime in October.  I’ve already forgot what I had for supper but it sure was good.

OUR OVERNIGHT SPOT AT CRACKER BARREL

Pretty darn nice feeling knowing we are now only 186 miles from home.  Won’t take us long to reach the border in the morning & from there it is only an hour & twenty minute drive home.  And that includes are annual tradition of stopping at Tim Hortons in Forrest Ontario for what most of we Canadians consider to be the best cup of coffee on the Planet.  Of course opinions may differ, but really……………….

CRACKER BARREL:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A couple Air Traffic Control Goodies::

The controller working a busy pattern told the 727 on downwind to make a 360. The pilot of the 727 complained, "Do you know it costs us two thousand dollars to make a 360 in this airplane?" Without missing a beat the controller replied, "Roger, give me four thousand dollars worth."

---

A DC-10 had an exceedingly long landing rollout after landing with his approach speed just a little to high... San Jose Tower: "American 751 Heavy, turn right at the end if able. If not able, take the next exit off of Highway 101 back to the airport.

---

Tower: "Eastern 702, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on 124.7" Eastern 702: "Tower, Eastern 702 switching to Departure... by the way, as we lifted off we saw some kind of dead animal on the far end of the runway." Tower: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff, contact Departure on 124.7... did you copy the report from Eastern?" Continental 635: "Continental 635, cleared for takeoff... and yes, we copied Eastern and we've already notified our caterers."