IT WAS THURSDAY MORNING SO THAT MEANT A TRAVELING COFFEE WITH MY BEST BUDDY RICHARD:))

BESIDE OUR LITTLE FRONT YARD FROG POND

Last time my good friend Richard & I slipped out for coffee was two weeks ago today.  We agreed at that time to meet again (although we only live a couple hundred yards from each other) in a couple weeks which of course was this morning.  It was my turn to drive so we wandered on down around Grand Bend grabbing a couple Tim Horton coffee's along the way.  A nice relaxing tour around the Bend then the long way home along our picturesque country roads.  Now them’s is my kinda people mornings.  Richard & I go back 40 years & neither one of us is ever at a loss for words whenever we get together.  We agreed to meet up again two weeks from today.  Same time, same place, different roads.  Nice to have a friend like that:))

Gene from Ohio in our Shout Box asked, 'Al, Bayfield looks like a nice destination. Are there campgrounds nearby? How long is the drive from Detroit?   Well Gene, MapQuest says it’s 126 miles from Detroit to Bayfield with a driving time of two & a half hours.  We have a really nice Provincial Park about half an hour south of Bayfield on highway 21 called the Pinery Provincial Park which is right on the shores of Lake Huron & there is one RV campground on the outskirts of Bayfield called, 'The Old Homestead.'

SPOTTED THIS CAR GOING BY IN OUR PARK THIS AFTERNOON

IS THIS A BLURRY PHOTO OF A CANADIAN MOOSE HIDING IN SOME TALL GRASS OR IS IT A BLURRY PHOTO OF A TURKEY VULTURE TAKING TO THE AIR??

Took Pheebs for a walk around our Park’s pond this afternoon.  I was again reminded of why Kelly & I like our Park so much here at the 5 Seasons Estates.  But it’s probably not for the same reasons a lot of folks like Parks.  All of the following things make our Park the thankfully quiet piece of nature we love so well.  We do not have a swimming pool or hot tub.  We do have a Clubhouse that a few folks meet in a couple times a week to play cards but other than that, there are no social activities.  No social activities equals no noise:))   Our street, or road as we call it, is not paved & we have no STOP signs except for the one leaving the Park.  There are no children’s playgrounds here.  In fact, there are no children, therefore no teen-agers so therefore again, no noise.  About 62 units spaced out over a wide area in a Pine forest means very little traffic.  Probably 90% of all residents are over 65 & a percentage of them do not drive.  Our Park is bordered by hardwood forests & farmland so no busy highways bustling by.  Not even so much as a distant train whistle anywhere.  We are quite simply, a small peaceful hidden away little community out in the countryside.  And, imagine if you can, not even having to lock your door.  Safe to walk anytime day or night.  Miles of quiet forest trails at our doorstep.   Yep, just a few thoughts I had while walking Pheebs around the pond this afternoon:))

 

ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE POND IS OUR PATH TO THE WOODS 

There is not a day goes by the Pheebs doesn't put a multitude of smiles on my face & warm feelings in my heart.  Kelly & I often remark how truly fortunate we are to have found such a wonderful little Pal 4 years ago.  Pheebe just bubbles over with happiness & love 24 hours a day non stop.  Not a mean bone in her body & we have never ever even heard her growl.  And what a smoochy little snuggler she is too.  Loves her tummy rubs.  And, every night she sleeps on my bed right beside me.  Now, how special is that.  I think she is a combination of Max, Checkers, & the Motormouse all rolled up in one & that just makes her, her very own sweet little self .  She is just the greatest & we are sooooo very fortunate to have her in our lives:))

Would you believe I have not seen my family Doctor in over 5 years.  Fact is.....I've never seen him.  Never met him at all.  Well at least I think he’s a him because his first name is Stan.  Guess I just haven't had any medical issues serious enough to see my family Doctor about yet.  The way things are done here in our neck of the woods is a much different way of doing things than it was years ago.  It seems nowadays a person is assigned a Nurse Practitioner (NP) who is a fully qualified registered Nurse.  Well at least it's the way it is at the Medical Center I go to in Goderich Ontario.  It is my Nurse Practitioner I see whenever I make a 'Doctor' appointment.  My NP lady determines if my case is serious enough to require an actual Doctor.  I think it's a great idea because it saves our busy Doctors having to spend precious hours of their days dealing with things like sniffles, colds, bumps, scratches, sprained ankles, bee stings, prescription renewals & people overdosing on peanut butter sandwiches.  I guess when someday my Nurse Practitioner lady refers me to my Doctor across the hall I will know at that time my condition is serious, my days are numbered & I am well beyond my usual petty complaints, sniffles, prescription renewals, & peanut butter addiction woes.  In the meantime I am a lucky guy.  I have a very caring & personable Nurse Practitioner……& her name is Sue:))

GROANER’S CORNER:(( Last October my wife bought a magnolia tree from the local nursery, but after only a few weeks the leaves shrivelled. It appeared to be on its last legs. My wife took some leaf samples and marched into the nursery to demand an explanation.  "I know exactly what's wrong with your magnolia," said the manager.
"Good," said my wife. "What's it suffering from?"  "Autumn," he replied.

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A man approached a ticket agent and said, "I want to buy a bus ticket for Norwald."
The ticket agent started searching his destination book, "Norwald? Let me find that. Hmm... never heard of it. Let me see... Norwald. I don't see Norwald listed, and I can't find it on the map. Just where is Norwald, anyway?"  "Over there. He's my brother-in-law."