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/
OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/
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.
you know: "if it ain't broke don't fix it"..we enjoy your rants..keep 'em coming..can't keep 'em in..you might explode!!!
ReplyDeleteAl, keep on blogging about what you see and feel. Anyone who doesn't like it can go find a Pollyanna blog to read, and that is the way I feel about my own blog. I know I step on toes periodically, and there are times when I keep quiet about something I want to write about because it would either offend half the readers, or would just expose too much of myself. (I worry more about the latter most of the time.)
ReplyDeleteThere ought to be a way to hide the sitemeter so that it isn't always sitting there laughing at us.
Also, I think readership goes up when the blogger is moving. Traveling seems to be what they want to read about.
I love your blog as it is and I'm sure lots of others feel the same way.
Al, who's blog is it anyway?
ReplyDeleteDon't get down, those that enjoy your blog will keep reading, regardless of where you are. Besides, I have to catch the groaner!
Those interested in something else will move along. It is, after all, your blog. Blog how you want!
Uncle Harry looked like he loved the pie. What a nice idea.
Nothing better than a good cup of timmy's and a slice of pie to make your day.
I love that you spend alot of time with him, that's so important to those living in a nursing home.
Cheers!
(oh and great pictures!!!)
I fully believe a person's blog is their own space to do/write/say/show what is on their mind. I don't want to always read things that reflect what would be my own opinion. Reading about other people's opinions and feelings is what expands our horizons and allows us to enjoy and appreciate other people more and more. No, I may not always share the same opinion as you but being close-minded is not in my nature. I'm glad you have not given up on your daily blog posts. It allows us to share your life without intruding into it.
ReplyDeleteLoved those pics of the cherry pie. Looks like Uncle Harry was getting ready to really enjoy his piece. Happy Birthday, Aunt Jean.
Great looking cherry pie! Your Uncle Harry and Aunt Jean look terrific! Beautiful flower pics today!! Awesome blog!!
ReplyDeleteBut, I especially like how you have expressed your feelings about how and why you write your blog. That's why you have so many dedicated readers who return day after day.
As I've said before, I wouldn't change a thing if I were you. If you have a rant now and then, there are enough of us 'opinionated' types out here to either agree with you when we do or, sometimes, to disagree.
Your rants have stirred many emotions in me but never once have they ever made me angry! Most often, I get a good laugh at someone who can find terrific ways to express total frustration at things. Every one of them also makes me think and that's always a good thing!
It's funny, Gerri & I were talking about some similar thoughts for the past couple of days and reading Margie's blog today it seems that there must be alot of thinking going along the same line. I think we all have to be ourselves and be honest about who and what we are. My hat is off to you for being you, we each will attract folks that are drawn to us by our being who we are.
ReplyDeleteTo our own self BE TRUE.
Happy Birthday Aunt Jean
I'm sure I have offended most everyone in my blog at one time or another...but..it's MY blog..so you get MY spin on things..good or bad...Keep on keepin' on, Al. If we were all of the same opinion, wouldn't life be soooo humdrum????
ReplyDeleteYours is one blog we never want to skip. Some folks' blogs we do skip now and again, some we've dropped out of altogether (but I can't figure oout how to get them off the list that shows which blogs I follow).
ReplyDeleteI gotta get back to blogging more regularly. Got any hints to get me off my duff?
Don't change a thing Al. You post your thoughts and feelings. Although we are many miles apart and have never met I feel like I know you and look forward to hearing from you everyday.
ReplyDelete--Rod
Hey, you are what you are, and each reader is what they are. Life is a mixed bag of tricks that you don't have to sugar coat. OK, Admiral? :)
ReplyDeleteThe only time I don't read your blog is when the wifi is toast. :(
Forgot to mention two things. The pics of the flowers were great...I really like the first one, and yes, all bloggers love comments and input!
ReplyDeleteWe agree too, your blog is always interesting and has wonderful photos to boot. Don't change it.... please?
ReplyDelete~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/