A QUICK TRIP FOR SUBIE AND I TO STRATFORD AND BACK TODAY

Just me in the Subaru on this sunny but cool 45F morning.  We had to crank on the house furnace earlier and I had to crank Subie's heater up for a bit when I first headed out.  The Subaru dealer in Stratford had called saying there was an opening this morning at 10:30 for an oil change so I grabbed it.  I've been in the habit of doing this twice a year ever since we got Subie nearly two years ago.  I was in there by 10:15 and out the door by 11:15.  What a beautiful late Spring morning for a drive to Stratford through Southern Ontario's pristine farmland.  Everything is so green and lush.

 A BIG BLUE SKY AND A NEWLY PLANTED FARMER'S FIELD

I SAW HALF A DOZEN FIELDS WHERE THE CUTTING OF HAY HAS BEGUN

 WHO SAID CANADA DIDN'T HAVE BLUE COWS AND RED BARNS

 AND WHO SAID CANADIANS DON'T KNOW HOW TO PUT STICKERS ON THEIR CARS EH

With Kelly officially being on the liver transplant list now I don't like being anywhere more than half an hour from home just in case she gets a call from University Hospital to be at the hospital as quickly as possible.  

IN THE SUBARU WAITING ROOM WITH MY KINDLE

 SUBIE GOING UP ON THE LIFT FOR HER OIL CHANGE

Following the oil change and new windshield wipers I didn't waste any time getting myself home.  Okay, so I did take a quick whiz through McDonalds' before leaving Stratford.  A very enjoyable drive all the way home and I considered it a pleasant road trip:))

 HEADING HOME THROUGH FIELDS OF NEW MOWN HAY

 A LOT OF FARM MACHINERY ON THE ROAD TODAY

Before arriving home I made a stop at the Porters Hill Wild Bird Seed Co. for a couple 20-pound bags of birdseed.  Yes, I broke down and I'm feeding all the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and bunnies, again plus any other poor critters that wander in.  I wouldn't be surprised to see a Hippopotamus one of these days.  Still not happy about some of the table manners I see going on at the feeders but it's more important to get the little guys fed and not worry about who eats what and how.  And geeezzzz, I'm the last guy who should be talking about sketchy table manners.

Pheebs and I made it out for an afternoon walk and it was cool enough that I had to put on a long-sleeve shirt and a light nylon jacket to block the cool breeze.  Even the turtles were not out sunning themselves and the frogs were not chuggermming, but we did see a couple butterflies and I was able to get a few photos.  

 PHEEBS MAKING HER WAY ALONG A JUNGLE PATH IN OUR FRONT YARD

 ON THE SHADY PATH ACROSS THE ROAD FROM OUR HOUSE ON OUR WAY TO THE PARK'S POND

Al's Music Box:)) Betch By Golly Why is a song written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed, originally titled "Keep Growing Strong"  The composition later became a hit when it was released by the Philadelphia soul group the Stylistics in 1972 under its better-known title, "Betcha by Golly, Wow".  It was the third track from the Stylistics' 1971 debut self-titled album; released as a single in 1972. The single sold over one million copies globally, earning the band a gold disc.  It was the band's second gold disc. There are two mixes of the song; the 3:17 version released as a single is the one most familiar to listeners, while the 3:48 album version has an instrumental break prior to the song's finale.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Bob Hill and his new wife Betty were vacationing in Europe, as it happens, near Transylvania. They were driving in a rental car along a rather deserted highway. It was late, and raining very hard. Bob could barely see 20 feet in front of the car.  Suddenly the car skids out of control! Bob attempts to control the car but to no avail! The car swerves and smashes into a tree.  Moments later, Bob shakes his head to clear the fog. Dazed, he looks over at the passenger seat and sees his wife unconscious, with her head bleeding! Despite the rain and unfamiliar countryside, Bob knows he has to carry her to the nearest phone.  Bob carefully picks his wife up and begins trudging down the road. After a short while, he sees a light. He heads towards the light, which is coming from an old, large house. He approaches the door and knocks.  A minute passes. A small, hunched man opens the door. Bob immediately blurts, "Hello, my name is Bob Hill, and this is my wife Betty. We've been in a terrible accident, and my wife has been seriously hurt. Can I please use your phone??"  "I'm sorry," replied the hunchback, "but we don't have a phone. My master is a Doctor; come in and I will get him!"  Bob brings his wife in. An elegant man comes down the stairs. "I'm afraid my assistant may have misled you. I am not a medical doctor; I am a scientist. However, it is many miles to the nearest clinic, and I have had basic medical training. I will see what I can do. Igor, bring them down to the laboratory."  With that, Igor picks up Betty and carries her downstairs, with Bob following closely. Igor places Betty on a table in the lab. Bob collapses from exhaustion and his own injuries, so Igor places Bob on an adjoining table.  After a brief examination, Igor's master looks worried. "Things are serious, Igor. Prepare a transfusion." Igor and his master work feverishly but to no avail. Bob and Betty Hill are no more.  The Hills' deaths upset Igor's master greatly. Wearily, he climbs the steps to his conservatory, which houses his grand piano. For it is here that he has always found solace. He begins to play, and a stirring, almost haunting, melody fills the house.  Meanwhile, Igor is still in the lab tidying up. His eyes catch movement, and he notices the fingers on Betty's hand twitch. Stunned, he watches as Bob's arm begins to rise! He is further amazed as Betty sits straight up!  Unable to contain himself, he dashes up the stairs to the conservatory. He bursts in and shouts to his master:  "Master, Master! ... The Hills are alive with the sound of music! 

(I'm hoping by tomorrow I will have a better handle on these font colors)  So aggravating!!!!

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