TRIED OUR JEEP LIBERTY OUT ON SLIPPERY SNOW COVERED ROADS TODAY AND WAS TOTALLY IMPRESSED:))

It was 5 a.m. and winds were still bending our tree tops.  With  crunching sounds beneath my feet bringing back familiar memories I was reminded of winters past.  I was in my PJ's and I was outside with Pheebs.  The ground was completely white with half an inch of crunchy snow.  I would have much preferred Arizona's desert sand under my feet as opposed to Ontario's snow but we are where we are.   And it was cold.

YEP IT WAS A BIT SNOWY AROUND OUR HOUSE THIS MORNING

Of course my decision dilemma first thing today was whether to head out for our morning Jeep ride or not.  Looked pretty gray and cold plus there was a fine snow in the air.  I was about to designate myself to my recliner when I noticed skies brightening.  Well that was enough for me so pulling my snow boots on for the first time this season I and you know who were out the door and into the Jeep.  We weren’t long in cranking up Libby’s heater and getting the temperature up to about 105 degrees.

OUT OUR DRIVEWAY AND UP THE STREET WE WENT

ROADS WERE A WEE BIT SQUEASY

OH GEEEZZZ I HOPE NOBODY WAS IN THAT CONSTRUCTION OUTHOUSE WHEN THE WIND BLEW IT OVER

NOPE NOBODY HOME

LOOKS LIKE A WEE BIT OF BLOWING SNOW AHEAD

Skies again darkened as we headed for Goderich.  Snowfall picked up a bit and the snow covered roads were a touch slippery.  I had never driven a 4 wheel drive vehicle on snow covered roads before so without hesitation I slipped it into 4 wheel drive and batted the Jeep around a bit to get a feel for it.  To say I was totally impressed with the improved handling capabilities would be an understatement.  Should mention our 07 Jeep Liberty is rear wheel drive making it prone to having the rear end skid out on slippery road cornering.  Not so in 4 wheel drive.  Wow!!  I was also very impressed with the straight line ABS braking on a slippery snow covered road surface as well.  And there is also an amber warning light in the dash to tell me if I am on a slippery surface and the wheels are beginning to slip.  I never knew the Jeep had those capabilities simply because I had never driven it on snowy roads before.  Also a big plus are our 4 heavier duty year old Goodyear on and off-road tires we had put on a week and a half ago.   And with a new battery last year and fresh undercoating this year I figure Libby is about ready for whatever old man winter decides to throw at her.

I THINK LOCAL FARMERS ARE GONNA HAVE TO GET SNOW TIRES ON THEIR CORN COMBINES SOON

I TRIED OUT THE JEEP’S 4 WHEEL DRIVE SLIPPERY ROAD CAPABILITIES AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ALONG THIS STRETCH OF ROAD

With a McDonalds coffee and muffin in hand we swung down around the south harbor and netted us a few cold weather photos along the lakeshore.  With yesterday’s high winds whipping up Lake Huron waters I could see incoming waves thrashing up against the shoreline leaving a thickening coat of ice behind.

DOESN’T LOOK LIKE ANYONE HAS BEEN DOWN THE SLIDES YET TODAY

NOT EXACTLY A LINE UP FOR THE EXERCISE EQUIPMENT THIS MORNING

Another large ocean going freighter docked at the Goderich Elevators and it was one I hadn't seen before.  Couldn't tell if the Federal Shelde was picking up a cargo or dropping one off.  Didn't see any crewman on deck or open hatch covers.

EVEN THE SHIP’S MAIN ESCAPE VESSEL LOOKS FROZEN UP

From the south side of the harbor we swung around over to the north side and it was from there I saw that in fact there was a second freighter also docked at the Elevators.  I hadn't noticed the Saginaw bow to bow with the Federal Shelde.  I could see the Saginaw was definitely unloading whatever it had in it's hold up into the elevator complex.

THE SAGINAW IS DEFINITELY OFF-LOADING

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY IN THIS PHOTO YOU CAN SEE STEAM RISING FROM THE WARMER HARBOR WATERS AS IT MEETS THE DAYS COLDER AIR

Although the day slowly became sunnier it was still cold so decided to head on home and scurry inside where it was nice and warm.  Just as I do not do summer's heat and humidity well I do not do winter's cold very well anymore either.  With our newer and much warmer gas furnace plus our new 55" HD-TV with a refreshingly new channel line-up it is a touch easier for me to cope with this cold Canadian weather.

SEEN IN THE WALMART PARKING LOT

NOT SEEN IN THE WALMART PARKING LOT

BUT COULD BE SEEN IN THE WALMART STORE

I looked up the meaning of the words ‘photo essay’ today and have decided the definition I found probably best describes my blog.  ‘an essay or short article consisting of text and numerous photographs.’  Yes,  I’m afraid that would be me alright and especially with the words ‘numerous photographs’ in there.  However, ‘short article’ sure doesn’t fit Mr. Blabberfingers does it.  Oh Dear, will I ever get this blogging thing under control………………………

OUR COZY LITTLE PLACE IS IN THERE SOMEWHERE TO THE RIGHT

All the leaves of our Redbud tree came off in yesterday’s winds and today our Basswood leaves are dropping like ten pins.  I think with these two nights and days of below freezing temperatures most of the area trees will quickly lose their remaining leaves.

GROANER’S CORNER:(( One night at the dinner table, the wife commented, "When we were first married, you took the small piece of steak and gave me the larger. Now you take the large one and leave me the smaller; You don't love me any more..."  "Nonsense, darling," replied the husband, "you are just a much better cook now."

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A man walks into a bar and orders one shot. Then he looks into his shirt pocket and orders another shot. After he finishes, he looks into his shirt pocket again and orders another shot. The bartender is curious and asks him "every time you order a shot, you look in your shirt pocket. Why?" The man replies, "I have a picture of my wife in my pocket and when she starts to look good, I go home."

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There was a man walking alone along a beach. He comes across a bottle with a cork in it. The man picks up the bottle and pulls out the cork. A loud roar follows and a genie appears. The genie says to the man, "I'm a little tired today and I can only give you two wishes."  The man says "That's OK, two is enough." "First, I would like one-billion dollars in a Swiss bank account."   Poof - The genie hands the man a paper and says "Here's the number to your account."   Next the man says, "Second, I would like to be irresistible to women."
Poof - the genie turned him into a box of chocolates.

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Knock Knock!
Who's there?
Honey!
Honey who?
Honey I'm home.

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