A SIGN OF OUR TIMES

In this world of madness, discord, insensibility, absence of reason, gullibility, sheer stupidity, and chaos, I am reminded yet again of a simple something I read years ago.  I'm sure many others have read it and I feel there are also many who have dismissed it from their lives.  It is called...…. 

'The Death Of Common Sense'.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
Why the early bird gets the worm;
Life isn’t always fair,
and maybe it was my fault.

Common sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults are in charge not children).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of an 8 year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate on the cheek, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common sense finally gave up the will to live, after a women failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common sense was preceded in death, by
His parents, Truth and Trust
His wife, Discretion
His daughter, Responsibility
His son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers
I know my rights
I want my rights
I want it now
I’m a victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. 

I would say with the way things have now become and the way they are going in this insane political world the loss of common sense will not bode well for our declining society and uncertain future.

AND THEN WE HEARD TINY SQUEALS OF LAUGHTER AHEAD ON THE TRAIL...COULD IT BE FAIRIES? OH I WAS SURE HOPING SO:))

AFTER STRIPPING THE COB OF IT'S CORN CHIPPY CLEANS UP THE TABLE SCRAPS

So nice early each morning when opening our patio door letting Pheebs out to hear the twitterings of early songbirds in our backyard trees.  A truly fine way to start any day.  It occured to me while listening to the birds it was nine months to Christmas Day.  I don't know why my mind works that way, it just does sometimes.

SPOTTED THIS DOWNIE WOODPECKER IN OUR FRONT YARD TODAY

HE EYES THE COLD WATER IN THE BIRDBATH

COMES DOWN  CLOSER FOR A LOOK SEE

AND HAS HIMSELF A REFRESHING SIP OF WATER 

NOW THAT IS ONE HAPPY LITTLE DOWNIE WOODPECKER

Always encouraging any time at dawn when opening our curtains each morning to see pink skies filtering through our many pine trees.  With no wind blowing the branches around I was hopeful for some slightly warmer air.  We did get over 40F and although not exactly warm it was still mighty fine for catching up on some outside yard work later.

Pheebs and I wandered over to Clinton this morning and of course I should have known the bird seed place wouldn't be open.  No matter, grabbed a coffee to go at Hortons and meandered our way over to the Bannockburn Conservation Area.  It was a beautiful morning with a clear deep blue cloudless sky overhead.

THIS STURDAY WALKING BRIDGE CROSSES SEVERAL CREEKS

IF AND WHEN THE CREEKS FLOOD THIS SMALL MEADOW IS OFTEN UNDER WATER

WE CLIMBED UP INTO THE UPPER FOREST

WE'LL HEAD OFF UP THAT TRAIL AT TOP LEFT

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL MORNING IN THE FOREST

A SPIFFEL OF SNOW HIDES IN THE SHADOWS OF AN OLD TREE STUMP

WE TURNED AROUND HERE WHERE THE TRAIL LEADS DOWN INTO A RAVINE

THE SHADOW COWBOY AND HIS MIGHTY DOG PHEEBS

No cars in the Bannockburn parking lot so we were off down the trail enjoying the peaceful ambience of nature.  Didn't go all the way around the loop trail but just far enough to get a bit more exercise for my winter weakened legs.  So nice in the forest but oh my the mud in places.  Anyway it was a nice 40 minute walk with babbling brooks, twittering birds in the tree tops and sunshine sparkling down through the tall pines, cedars, and maple trees.  And how fresh the forest air.  And then I heard the playful squeals of small children coming along the trail.  

A LONG AGO TREE STUMP

MOSS AND LICHENS COMPLETELY COVER ANOTHER STUMP

IT WAS HERE ON OUR RETURN TO THE JEEP I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMETHING AHEAD

PHEEBS HEARS IT TOO

SOMEWHERE OUT THERE COMES THE SOUND OF CHILDRENS SQUEALS AND LAUGHTER

Pheebs and I stepped off the trail to let a Mom and her two small children go by.  In passing she said something about having to get them out of the house and burn off some energy.  A few minutes later and a little further along on our homeward journey I heard another small voice.  Could it be fairies?  Oh I was sure hoping so but nope it was another Mom coming along the trail with another wee toddler.  Pheebs and I managed to slip on by them with a cheery 'Good Morning' and headed for the Jeep.  We were home 20 minutes later.

PHEEBS WATCHES THE TRAIL AHEAD INTENTLY

THEN YES SHE HEARS THE CHILDREN TOO

THAT'S THE MOM WITH ONE TODDLER.....I DIDN'T GET A PHOTO OF THE MOM AND TWO TODDLERS

WE'RE BACK TO THE JEEP

ON THE WAY HOME WE SPOTTED THE HIGHLAND FURRY FACE GANG BASKING IN THE SPRING SUNSHINE

Without stopping for a rest I hauled out my wheelbarrow and with pitchfork and lawn rake I picked up all the leaves and needles I had raked up on neighbor Monica's lawn, loaded them into our utility trailer and hauled them off to the dump.  On the way back I noticed neighbor Pat up the road had a pile raked up by the edge of the road so with the utility trailer already hooked up I stopped and scooped her pile of leaves and pine needles as well.  Off to the dump with a second big load and that was it for the day.

THAT'S MONICA'S LOAD OF LEAVES AND PINE NEEDLES

AND THIS IS PAT'S LOAD OF PINE NEEDLES AND LEAVES AT THE DUMP

AND I EVEN HAD ENOUGH ENERGY LEFT OVER FOR AN AFTERNOON WALK WITH THE PHEEBS TOO

With skies clouded over again I headed inside and brewed myself up a Cinnamon Chalet tea.  Had a real nice potpourri smell to it.  Cream definitely takes the harsh bitter edge off coffee but doesn't seem to do anything for tea so I have dispensed with putting cream in tea.  And of course I never add sugar to tea or coffee.  

THE FOREST FLOOR IS A FASCINATING PLACE

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A man suffered a heart attack and had by-pass surgery. He awakened to find himself in the care of nuns at a Catholic hospital. As he was recovering, a nun asked him how he was going to pay the bill. He replied in a raspy voice, "No health insurance." The nun asked if he has money in the bank. He replied "No money in the bank." The nun asked " Do you have a relative who could help you?" He said "Just a spinster sister who is a nun." The nun, slightly perturbed, said "Nuns are not spinsters! Nuns are married to God." The patient replied, "Then send the bill to my brother-in-law!"

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Q: What did the baby digital watch say to the mommy analog watch?

A: Look Ma, no hands! -------------------------

Our 15-year-old daughter, Melanie, had to write a report for school about World War II, specifically D-Day and the invasion of Normandy. “Isn't there a movie about that?” she asked. I told her there was, but I couldn't think of the name. Then it came to her, “Oh, I remember! Isn't it something like ‘Finding Private Nemo'?”

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WELL GUESS WHAT.....IT'S TEA TIME AGAIN.....AND IS IT EVER

EARLY SPRING SNOWDROPS ALONGSIDE OLD LOG STEPS IN THE FOREST

I don't know how many times I've said 'all our snow has melted' but here I am saying it again.  Guess it was just one of those up and down temperature winters.

THESE WOOLY SHEEP ARE RIGHT ROUND THE CORNER FROM OUR PARK

WITH THE SHEEP ARE A COUPLE LLAMAS

WOOLY SHEEPS

THESE TWO LITTLE GUYS HAVE ALREADY LOST THEIR WOOLY COATS

It was a drive up to Goderich for Pheebs and I with a stop on the way home for a forest walk on Kitchigami Road.  Nice to see greenery emerging from the forest floor.  A few skiffles of melting snow, muddy trails, and a brief touch of sunlight in the tree tops.

IT WAS A SPOOKY LOOKING FOREST WE WALKED IN THIS MORNING

SO NICE TO SEE THESE FOREST FERNS

Home shortly after 10 I'd hoped to get a few more outside things done but found my energy levels depleted so retired to my recliner and settled in with Kindle reader.  Supposed to be sunny on Wednesday so I'm hoping to re-charge my batteries then.  I'm sure looking forward to some warmer air.  

A BRIEF TOUCH OF SUNLIGHT ON THE PINE TREES CANOPY

Heard some machines rumbling about somewhere outside so looked out to see a couple tree cutters moving into position to take down the remainder of large pine tree that had been partially topped off last October.  I can now finally plant a couple cedar trees I had bought late last year in the spot where the big pine tree came out.  I like planting landscape things like shrubs and trees:))

ON OUR AFTERNOON WALK THIS TINY PATCH OF SNOW LOWER LEFT WAS ALL WE COULD FIND

Well, I'm back on tea again.  A Gal in our Park is a tea afficienado who blends her own teas and wondered it I'd like to try some of her masterful concoctiouns.  Sure why not I thought so she dropped me off a decades worth of assorted tea samples Monday.  

HERE'S MY TEA STASH:))

I've already tried the 'Honey Lemon Breezy' which made me kinda wheezy.  I'm joking of course but I did like it.  I have yet to try 'Dark Chocolate Chai' oh my.  'Strawberry Fields' should last me 'Forever' and 'Summer Pear' may be quite a dare.  I hope 'Sawadee White' don't get me tight.  Might have to wait for Christmas to try "Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride' and with 'Lavender Oolong' how can I go wrong.  'Mocha Latte' should make my day.  I hear White Cinnamon Sage' is all the rage and 'Pink Lady Epicure' is gonna do me for sure.  I have a hunch 'Nutty Granola Crunch' will fix me up right after lunch.  'Ginger Bread Cookie' and Spiced Ginger Plum' mix em together and Yum Yum Yum.  I'm sure with a cup of 'Caramel Nougat ' I'll soon be getting me a big fat cat.  'Peachy Lychee' may have me up in the night for a, well you know.  I hope 'Apple Mango Sangria' doesn't give me, well you know again.  Geeezzz, I had better not mix 'Peachy Lychee' and 'Apple Mango Sangria' or I could find myself in quite a fix.  Well these are just a few of the samples Shannon brought over for me and I do intend to try every one of them.  Yessireeee I sure gots lots of tea.  Say, that reminds me......Did ya hear about the old Indian Chief who sat up all night drinking tea?  Yep, they found him in the morning drowned in his own Tee-Pee:))  Thanks Shannon:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A sailor meets a pirate in a bar, and take turns boasting of their adventures on the high seas. The sailor notes that the pirate has a peg-leg, hook, and an eyepatch.The sailor asks "So, how did you end up with the peg-leg?"The pirate replies "We were in a storm at sea, and I was swept overboard into a school of sharks. Just as my men were pulling me out a shark bit my leg off.""Wow!" said the sailor. "What about your hook"?"Well...", replied the pirate, "While my men and I were plundering in the middle east, I was caught stealing from a merchant and the punishment for theft in the middle east is the loss of the hand that steals""Incredible!" remarked the sailor. "How did you get the eyepatch"?"A sea gull dropping fell into my eye.", replied the pirate."You lost your eye to a sea gull dropping?" the sailor asked incredulously."Well...", said the pirate, "..it was my first day with the hook."
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