AUNT JEAN'S BIRTHDAY, CHERRY PIE, & UNCLE HARRY:))

I'm sure the rain Gods were having quite a chuckle as they watched me put the Jeep's top down late Sunday afternoon.  They knew it would be difficult for me to get it up again in a hurry.  About 12 hours later they were happily dumping tons of water on us but I outfoxed them by parking the Jeep in the carport knowing I didn't have to go anywhere Monday anyway.  However, I did surprise my self this morning by actually getting the top back up & secured.  I didn't put the rear side windows in though because I figured there was no point in pushing my luck!!

My Aunt Jean's birthday was Sunday so this morning Kelly picked up a freshly baked Cherry pie (Jean's fav) at our local Mennonite bakery south of Bayfield & we headed off this afternoon to meet Jean at Uncle Harry's nursing home in Mitchell, Ontario.  Kelly headed off to Tim Horton's for a load of coffee while Jean, Harry, & myself headed for the Ritz Villa's lobby, pie in hand, to find us a nice table.  Rain soaked Kelly returned with the coffee & made a dash for the front door.  Minutes later we were all swamping down home made Cherry pie with 4 cup's of Timmy's best .  Fading memories & short stories were told & Uncle Harry had that twinkle in his eye again as a few of those old family memories brought a wee smile to his face.

AUNT JEAN CAREFULLY DIVIDES UP THE CHERRY PIE AS UNCLE HARRY LOOKS ON

Had a nice email today from another long time blog follower living just across Lake Huron from us in Michigan.  (Hi Al) Emails, comments, & Shouts, are always appreciated not only by myself but most other bloggers as well & it's always such a nice surprise when emails roll in from total strangers who have either just come across the blog or have been following it for years.  It's the kind of feedback that keep's my daily blog (& maybe other's) going on those gray days that come along every once & awhile. 

I get down on myself sometimes because I know I have lost readership due to my occasional 'rants & strong opinions.'  My intentions are not to intentionally alienate anyone but I know that is impossible for me as I run rough shod over people's feelings from time to time. 

I QUICKLY GRABBED TONIGHT'S FLOWER PHOTOS FROM THE FLOWER BED OUTSIDE THE RITZ VILLA NURSING HOME TODAY

Special thanks to you folks out there who take the time to email me with your thoughts, support & ideas.  And, you guys know who you are:))  Carol, Di, Rick, Al, Keith, Bob, Jerry, Rosanna, Wilf & Gypsy, just to name a few.

Have expressed my concerns a few times about changing my blogging ways but the response to that from many readers has been...."don't change a thing Al, we like the blog the way it is!!"  I have taken that advice to heart & it has given me added confidence to believe the way I write my blog is the right way for me to do it.  I write it the way I do simply because that is me & to do it any differently would be a false representation of myself.  I can't sap things up & I can't tell you I think something is 'awesome' if I don't think it is.  If I have a happy day, it's in the blog.  If I have a frustrating day, it ends up in the blog as well.  When anger occasionally rears it's ugly head  it finds it's way in through the keyboard too.  Sometimes you will find excitement & sometimes you will find sorrow.  But above all, you will always find honesty in my thoughts & feelings.  And sometimes......you may even find a little humor & silliness as well:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((

Charley, a new retiree-greeter at Wal-Mart, just couldn't seem to get to work on time.
Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean-shaven, sharp minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their "Older Person Friendly" policies.

One day the boss called him into the office for a talk. "Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang up job, but your being late so often is quite bothersome."
"Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it."
''Well good, you are a team player. That's what I like to hear. It's odd though your coming in late. I know you're retired from the Armed Forces. What did they say if you came in late there?"
''They said, "Good morning, Admiral, can I get you coffee, sir?''      (ain't it the truth!!)

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains un-awakened

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

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AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/ (a work in progress)

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.