SPRING IS MAYBE ON ITS WAY:))

Thirteen years ago now we were staying a few days at the Lost Dutchman State Park at the base of the Superstition Mountains 40 miles east of Phoenix, Arizona.  Here is one of those days we were there..... Hiking Up Superstition Mountain

 THE FIRST BIRD I SAW ON THE CHANGED FEEDER THIS MORNING OF COURSE WAS A GRACKLE

 I DON'T MIND THE GRACKLES CLEANING UP UNDER THE FEEDERS

A second sunny day with temps reaching 48F..Needless to say, we had some welcome melting going on.  A walk in the Bayfield cemetery this morning and some minor puttering around with my snow shovel this afternoon helping Mother Nature get rid of some snow.  Overnight and Friday's rain will be another big help.

THE ONLY CARDINAL I SAW TODAY WAS THIS FEMALE

I WAS GLAD TO SEE THIS MOURNING DOVE ON THE FEEDER

Since replacing our birdseed station Wednesday with a smaller feeder, our bird traffic in and around our front yard is now much diminished.  I have mixed feelings about that.  I heard a Robin in Bayfield this morning and a couple Robins in our backyard this afternoon that I wasn't able to lay eyes on.   I also saw a Red Wing Blackbird in our front yard and shortly after that, I saw a single Turkey Vulture slowing cruising above our tall pine trees.  And, as impossible as this sounds I'm sure it was tree frogs I could hear near a neighbor's house.  Soooooooooo, with all those signs going on, I'd say Spring is maybe on its way:))  

 OUR RESIDENT HALF DOZEN BLACK SQUIRRELS WERE VERY ACTIVE TODAY

Al's Music Box:)) Moonlight Lady by Julio Iglesias from the album 1100 Bel Air Place.  1984

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A man hasn't been feeling well, so he goes to his doctor for a complete checkup. Afterward, the doctor comes out with the results. "I'm afraid I have some very bad news," the doctor says: "You're dying, and you don't have much time left."  "Oh, that's terrible!" says the man: "How long have I got?"  "You have 10," the doctor says sadly.  "What do you mean, 10?" the man asks: "10 what? Months? Weeks? What?!"  "Nine, eight...."

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A man went to the doctor and said: “Doctor, I keep having visions of the future.”
“When did these start?”
“Next Thursday.”
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IT WAS A NICE SUNNY DAY TO DISMANTLE OUR FRONT YARD BIRDFEEDING STATION

Sunshine:)) If I didn't say any more, that one word would be enough.  It's still cold but at least the countryside looked nice when Pheebs and I took a frosty morning's drive around a few snow-covered gravel roads earlier today.

 IT WAS GREAT TO SEE BLUE SKIES TODAY

 CRITTER TRACKS IN THE SNOW

 THERE IS A FARM POND IN THERE JUST WAITING TO GET THAWED OUT

  FOREST SHADOWS

I finished my latest book called The Crossover Experience: Life-After-Death/A New Perspective by DJ Kadagian, Dr. Pim van Lommel, and Gregory Shushan PhD.  This is the fifth book I have read on this subject matter and I would recommend it to anyone curious about this topic and especially if it is their first venture into this field of interest.  There are so many positive things I could say about this book's content but I suggest if anyone is interested in the subject they simply read the book (as well as others) and judge for themselves.  Years ago I had very little interest in this kind of thing but now at 78 years old and rounding turn four into the home stretch, this subject has taken on a lot of meaning for me.  And, it is an absolutely fascinating subject I may add.      

 CABIN IN THE WOODS BESIDE A POND

The only thing of any significance I did today was to take down our bird station.  It's been up for about 4 years but with the Grackles back from the south now and swarming the feeder, I had to make some changes.  I've put up a smaller feeder on the black pole and I know that won't stop the Crackels but it has a smaller feeding surface and will be more discouraging for them in the long run.  I finished screwing on and bolting down that feeder to the pole about 2 p.m. and do you know I did not see one gol darn ding dang bird on that feeder for the rest of the day.  Not even a chickadee.  I think our front-yard bird gang is really cheesed off and I now fear retribution.  I may have to take both cars to the carwash in the morning to get all the birdie goop hosed off:((   

 WE HAD SOME MELTING GOING ON TODAY....MORE TOMORROW

 TODAY'S BLUE SKY CAN BE SEEN IN THESE COLORFUL ICICLES

 I WILL PUT THE BIRD STATION BACK UP NEXT OCTOBER

 KELLY MUST HAVE HAD HER SMARTPHONE CAMERA OUT AGAIN 

 SAY, D'YA SUPPOSE THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME DIVINE INTERVENTION HELPING ME OUT HERE??

 WELL, WE'LL SEE HOW LONG THIS LATEST BIRDFEEDER SETUP LASTS OR IF IT WILL EVEN ATTRACT ANY BIRDS

Al's Music Box:)) Tin Man by America from the album 'Holiday'.  1974

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A frog telephones the Psychic Hotline and is told: "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you."  The frog says: "This is great! Will I meet her at a party, or what?"  "No," says the psychic: "Next semester, in her biology class."

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SPRING OFFICIALLY ARRIVES IN LESS THAN A WEEK

 BAYFIELD'S FISHING FLEET

I had to have a few words with myself this morning in order to get my body out of the house.  Looking out the window I could see it was a raw cold and bleakly drab day with the thermometer sitting at 25F.  And, with snow in the air, I could also see it was windy.  Despite wanting to go back to bed and pull the covers over my head I talked myself into taking Pheebs for a Jeep ride into Bayfield and back.  The only good thing about the day was the knowledge that Spring will officially arrive next Monday at 5:24 p.m. If not for that, I think I would have sunk completely out of sight today.......... 

Al's Music Box:)) Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison from the album 'Blowin Your Mind.  1967

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Murphy and his wife went for a stroll in the park. They sit down on a bench to rest for a while. Soon they overhear voices coming from a secluded spot nearby.  Suddenly, Mrs. Murphy realizes that a young man is about to propose. Not wanting to be eavesdropping during such an intimate moment, she gently nudges her husband and whispers, "Whistle, to let that young couple know that someone can hear them."  To which Murphy replies, "Whistle? Why should I whistle? Nobody whistled to warn me?"

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I HEARD HIM SAY, IF YOU FALL APART, CALL ME

 A SNOWY BLEAK DRIVE TO CLINTON ONTARIO AND BACK THIS MORNING

A slightly different start to the day.  Just me in the Jeep heading out on another dull and gray snowy morning.  I had an optometrist appointment for 9:30. at Clinton's Huron Optometric.  All went well and my eyes are still in good shape.  The only thing iffy is slight cataracts that are not yet at the stage for having that problem corrected.  I wish they were at that stage so I could ditch these glasses and see things clearly like I did could decades ago.  The last thing Paul Weaver the optometrist said to me going out the door this morning was, 'your good for another 100,000 miles but if you fall apart, call me'.  I don't have to go back for another whole year.  Home again and in need of some exercise, I slipped outside this afternoon and followed my snow shovel around for half an hour.  More snow coming Tuesday:((   

Al's Music Box:))  I'd Really Love To See You Tonight by England Dan and John Ford Coley from the album, 'Nights Are Forever'.  1976

GROANER'S CORNER:((   Joe had asked Bob to help him out with the deck after work, so Bob just went straight over to Joe's place. When they got to the door, Joe went straight to his wife, gave her a hug and told her how beautiful she was and how much he had missed her at work. When it was time for supper, he complimented his wife on her cooking, kissed her and told her how much he loved her.  Once they were working on the deck, Bob told Joe that he was surprised that he fussed so much over his wife. Joe said that he'd started this about six months ago, it had revived their marriage, and things couldn't be better. Bob thought he'd give it a go. When he got home, he gave his wife a massive hug, kissed her and told her that he loved her. His wife burst into tears.  Bob was confused and asked why she was crying. She said, "This is the worst day of my life. First, little Billy fell off his bike and twisted his ankle. Then, the washing machine broke and flooded the basement. And now, you come home drunk!"

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I KNOW IT'S RARE BUT WE DID HAVE COMPANY TODAY

 A MOODY MORNING AT GODERICH'S ROTARY COVE LOOKING OUT OVER A CALM LAKE HURON

I've heard this winter has been the cloudiest winter in over seventy years.  With that thought in mind, Pheebs and I slipped out under grey cloudy skies and headed for Goderich to pick up a few things.  Our usual harbor run and then it was off for home whereupon we arrived at our driveway at the same time our company did.

Little Ella and her Mom and Dad were here from Kitchener Ontario.  I hadn't seen Ella for quite a while and it's gonna be kinda hard to call her 'little' Ella anymore.  She's growing quickly.

KELLY HAD A GIFT FOR ELLA

 THIS IS CALLED A SASH AND HAS A NUMBER OF POCKETS IN IT MAKING IT VERY CONVENIENT FOR CARRYING A SMARTPHONE AND A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS....I GUESS MAYBE IT COULD BE CALLED A SASH PURSE

 I WOULD HAVE CROPPED MY MUG OUT OF THIS PHOTO BUT THE RESULTING PICTURE OF ELLA WOULD HAVE LOOKED WEIRD WITH A BIG HAND SITTING ON HER SHOULDER

 ELLA AND HER DAD RICARDO IN OUR SUNROOM THIS AFTERNOON....RICARDO IS OVER SIX FEET TALL AND I THINK ELLA IS GOING TO FOLLOW IN HER DAD'S FOOTSTEPS

Kelly had whooped up a big pot of yummy chile along with some home-baked bread so it wasn't long before we were all around the table chowing down.  Ella and Pheebs always have a great time whenever they come and it's always good to see Ella, Rebecca, and Ricardo.

ELLA MADE HERSELF A STUFFED ANIMAL FORT AND YES THAT'S SPENCER THE WHITE TIGER BEHIND HER AND I HAVE ADDED A LINK NEAR THE END OF MY POST ABOUT THE DAY WE MET SPENCER AND HOW KELLY RESCUED HIM FROM A FATEFUL END

 GETTING READY TO HEAD FOR HOME

 ELLA HEADS TO THE CAR WITH HER CARE BEAR UNDER HER ARM

 THIS WAS PHEEBS FIVE MINUTES AFTER THEY LEFT

As a last-minute add-on tonight I have included a link to a post I wrote on October 23rd, 2012.  We were at Kelly's mother's place in Spencerport New York for a few days in our Motorhome before heading south to Florida and then on to Arizona..  Kelly Rescues Spencer  We named the white tiger Spencer after Spencerport NY, Kelly's home town:)) 

Al's Music Box:)) Night Fever by the Bee Gees from the album 'Saturday Night Fever'  1977

 AND HERE'S KELLY WITH  HER MOUTH WATERING HOMEMADE BREAD

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A Father is asked by his friend, "Has your son decided what he wants to be when he grows up?"  "Yes, he wants to be a garbage collector," he replies.  To this his friend responds "Strange ambition to have for a career."
"Well, he thinks that garbage collectors only work on Tuesdays!"

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Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes...Small, large, circle, square, thin crust, thick crust, stuffed crust, extra toppings.

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Father: How do you like going to school?

Son: The going bit is fine, as is the coming home bit too, but I'm not too keen on the time in between!

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HERE'S CALIFORNIA'S ARROWHEAD GRAMMA'S COMMENT

 A WINTER'S MORN

I may have unintentionally made a little 'ooopsy' in my Friday post.  Leading my first paragraph off talking about exaggerations I began my post with a photo of what I winkingly called a Ruby Throated Green-Winged Southern Semi-Siberian Hummingbird.  I put a little smiley face behind the caption to show I was humorously 'pulling your leg'.  That little green Hummer isn't real.....I think it's plastic.  Okay, I just wanted to clear that up in case............well you know.

 A NICE WINTER'S DAY WITH A COMBINATION OF SUN AND CLOUDS OVERHEAD

 LONG FARM LANES CAN BE A CHALLENGE DURING WINTER MONTHS

There's not much I can say about today that I haven't said in countless other posts so I guess I will just say it again by starting off in my usual manner.  Under a changing sky of sun and cloud, Pheebs and I cruised around half a dozen country roads taking a few photos along the way.  Our day didn't get much above 28F but at least there wasn't any wind to make the temperature feel worse.  For me, it was basically another day tipped back in my sunroom recliner reading.  Oh ya, and there is more snow on the way Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday:(((((((

 SNOW DRIFTS ALONG THE ROADSIDE

A long-time reader and commenter on my blog left a comment on my Friday post which reminded me of an old saying that I have used over the years.  The comment goes something like this, 'I complained I had no shoes until I met the man who had no feet'.  Arrowhead Gramma's comment on my Friday post is a good example of that saying.  Here's me all the time complaining about the snow we have and the inconveniences it brings.  And here's California's Arrowhead Gramma's side of that saying...... Al, been AWOL for a few days while dealing with the white stuff. The Governor has declared San Bernardino County/our mountain communities in a State of Emergency and today the President made a Federal declaration for our area which will allow FEMA to assist our area. Wednesday/Thursday our rural lane was plowed using a backhoe and it took 10 hours (around the length of a football field) to move the 109" inches of snow that had accumulated. Biggest problem was where to put it all. The expense is shared with four other neighbors. Fortunately my fellow that does the shoveling was able to come yesterday and shovel off two very long decks that had 4/5 feet of snow. He wanted to get it off before today's rain. We have lost two three generation grocery stores and now have one grocery store for most of the villages near me. Our roads are all down to one lane and there are  banks 12/15 feet high. I have not left my house since February 21st and had not seen another human since February 24th until the plow came through on Wednesday night. I am so grateful that all seems well with the house, the electricity only flickered in my area and we had heating, etc. I am blessed. Never thought that Snowmageddon would be a part of my bucket list.  

 LOOKS LIKE A FELLOW RV'R WHO DIDN'T MAKE IT DOWN SOUTH THIS WINTER

Ellen's Groove:)) Ellen And Her Mom & Dad share a few photos and Ellen practices a new bass line.

Al's Music Box:)) Ode To Billy Joe by Bobby Gentry from the album 'Ode To Billy Joe'.  1967

A HIDDEN CREEK MEANDERS IT'S WAY THROUGH A SNOWY FOREST

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A Briton, a Frenchman and a Russian are viewing a painting of Adam and Eve frolicking in the Garden of Eden. "Look at their reserve, their calm," muses the Brit. "They must be British." "Nonsense," the Frenchman disagrees. "They're naked, and so beautiful. Clearly, they are French." "No clothes, no shelter," the Russian points out, "they have only an apple to eat, and they're being told this is paradise. They are Russian."

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One morning the phone rang at 3:00 a.m. in Jeff's house. He picked up the phone and a woman asked, "Is this 555-1111?"  "No, this is 555-1112." Jeff replied.  "Oh, I'm so sorry for disturbing you." The woman said.  "That's alright," Jeff said. "I had to get up to answer the phone anyway."

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