OH TO BOUNCE AND JOSTLE ALONG THOSE ENDLESS DESERT JEEP ROADS AGAIN

 AN OLD STONE WALL

It was shortly after 10 p.m. Friday night when Pheebs and I rolled out the driveway.  Minutes later we were at our starry night sky place in the countryside.  The smoky haze high in the atmosphere was gone and the night sky was clearly visible again.  I didn't take any photos and just simply enjoyed standing out under the canopy of sparkling diamonds overhead.  Low in the southwest sky hung lazily a cheese-colored half Moon.  Planets Saturn and Jupiter were visible in the southeast sky as well.  And oh how I love listening to the Crickets in the night air.  They are in the ditches alongside the road as well as the bean and cornfields.  Occasionally I will see a small dark object whisk by low over our heads.  Bats methinks.  Didn't see any satellites in the night sky but saw the blinking lights of 3 high-flying jets.  I love being outside at night in the cool crisp air under a host of bright shimmering stars and constellations.  It's a whole different and beautifully quiet world out there.    

 IT WAS A MIGHTY FINE SATURDAY MORNING FOR A SLOW DRIVE THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE

Cooler air came in overnight knocking out the heat and miserable humidity so it was a much better day today.  Lots of sunshine and cool breezes.  Needed a few things in Goderich so Pheebs and I were up there and back this morning after our morning walk.  Mowed some grass.

 BY 10 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING THERE WERE ALREADY A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT WALKING ALONG GODERICH'S BOARDWALK 

A PENNY FOR HER THOUGHTS

 I THINK THIS GROUP OF BEACHGOERS MAY HAVE COME FROM AS FAR AWAY AS TORONTO

 A NICE SOLID LOOKING BUICK FROM YESTERYEAR

 ONLY SHIP IN PORT WAS THE ALGOMA INNOVATOR

Below is picture of my musically talented son Sean and his lovely wife Kim.

I haven't been too adventurous in my eating habits this past week.  Kelly left a lot of meatloaf in the fridge so I've been fixing up single slice meatloaf sandwiches and dunking them in ketchup.  Peanut butter is my mainstay and tonight I rustled myself up some mashed potatoes with gravy, turkey with dressing, and corn.  Five minutes in the microwave and my Swanson Hungry Man turkey dinner was done.  It was too much for me to eat so I had to share with my best Pal.  As I've said before, I do not have a big appetite anymore and big meals are thankfully a thing of the past for me.  I'm quite happy with that because it is a big help in keeping my weight down. 

 A LOT OF BEANFIELDS THIS YEAR

Had a nice offer from a couple in Idaho to look after their hens for a couple weeks in October while they took some holidays.  However, with the border situation and medical uncertainties, I don't know if we'll ever get to the States again.  Oh, how I would love to see my favorite southwest mountains just one more time. (well okay, 10 more times)  To walk Arizona's beautifully green Sonoran desert among the towering Saguaros and listen to the wind whispering through their long uplifted arms.  To see the dark night sky with stars from mountain top to mountain top, and to gaze 20 and 30 miles across wide-sweeping endless scenic valleys.  To smell the desert after a rain and to awake to those glorious sunrises each morning and end the days under those oh so magnificent sunsets.  To bounce and jostle along all those endless Jeep roads and trails exploring old mines, abandoned townsites, and all those lost memories and mysteries only a desert can hide.  To hear the distant Coyotes, the Cactus Wrens, and the Curved Bill Thrashers.  And the weebling little giggles of Gamble's Quails.  To see those long stretches of open highway with not a vehicle in sight either ahead or behind for as far as one can see.  The serene solitude of boondocking with nobody in sight and no human sounds anywhere.  Those winding mountain roads and sweeping panoramic cliff-top vistas playing out for dozens of miles below.  The rock scrambles, the morning desert walks, and occasional campfires.  Going places we've never been, and seeing things we've never seen.  Oh how I miss our winter months in the great American Southwest:(( 

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Three priests died and came up to St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter looked up the priests and informed them there had been a mistake; they were not supposed to die for another 10 years or so.  The priests were upset about this and asked St. Peter what could be done. St. Peter said that he would send them back to earth in any form they wanted until the problem was fixed.  St Peter asks the first priest, " What do you want to become?" and the first priest replies," I always wanted to be an eagle and see all of God's creation from above."  "Done." St. Peter snaps his fingers and the first priest disappears.  St. Peter asks the second priest, "What do you want to become?" and the second priest replies, "I always wanted to be a dolphin and see all of God's creation from under the sea."  "Done." St Peter snaps his fingers and the second priest disappears like the first.  St. Peter asks the third priest, "What do you want to become?"" and the third priest shyly says, "Well... my wish is kind of sinful."  "No matter. You can choose any form you want." St. Peter says and the third priest replies, "Well, I always wanted to be  a...stud, you know?"  St .Peter replies, "I don't see a problem with that." St. Peter snaps his fingers and the third priest disappears.  Later, Jesus asked St. Peter, " I heard there was a problem with three priests being here before their time. Where are they?"  St. Peter explained, "One is soaring high above the Grand Canyon. The second is swimming in the North Atlantic. The third is on the left rear wheel of a Chevy Blazer."

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"You should meet my husband. He makes a living with his pen."  "Oh, so he's a writer?"  "No, he raises pigs."

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