A DISTURBING PHONE CALL FROM AUNT JEAN'S BEST FRIEND

 MOURNING DOVE ON OUR FEEDER

A disturbing phone call from Aunt Jean's best friend Pat last night.  She said Jean woke up gasping for breath Wednesday morning and when Pat was over to see her she could hardly make out Jean's weak voice.  Aunt Jean's former employer and long-time friend Dr. Wiseman had been in to see her and ordered some tests.  I phoned Pat early this evening and she said she had been over to see Jean today and she was a bit better.  An electrocardiogram has shown a problem with her heart and I think Aunt Jean might be on oxygen now but I'm not sure.  I will call her at our usual time tomorrow night to see how she is doing.

Pheebs was eager for a car ride this morning so off we went into Bayield on another fine sunny morning.  Lots of people with cheery looks on their faces out and about walking.  Even saw some kids out playing.  Most unusual for this day and age.

 HOW NICE TO SEE THE BAYFIELD RIVER FINALLY FREE OF ICE AND DID YOU NOTICE THE FISHERMAN

 THE LAKE ICE IS BREAKING UP AND MORE WATER IS APPEARING

 BAYFIELD'S MORNING COFFEE KLATCH ALONG MAIN STREET

Home again, I dropped off Pheebs and picked up Woodsy for a drive to Goderich.  First stop was Food Basics and then Wendy's for a coffee.  McDonalds is closed for renovations.  Down to the harbor we went and I snapped a few pics.  Next stop was Giant Tiger where I was able to catch up my reading again while waiting in the parking lot.  From there it was north out of Goderich to show Woodsy around the neighborhood.  Being an avid walker and bicyclist I was anxious to show her the Maitland Valley Trail but snow prevented us from getting anywhere near it.  Maybe next week.  From there it was a swing around the Goderich Airport, a cruise through the Menneset Mobile Home park, and then east to the hamlet of Ben  Miller where we drove around the Ben Miller Inn before heading home via Porter's Hill Line.

 PASSED THESE HAPPY WALKERS THIS MORNING ON OUR WAY TO GODERICH

 ICE IS BEGINNING TO BREAK UP IN GODERICH'S INNER HARBOR

STANDING ON THE STIFF WATER

Feeling the need to be outside doing something in this early Springlike weather I headed outside and began gathering up more pine branches from winter's storms.  Some of the pine branches were big enough for me to use my swede saw to cut them up.  Hauled out my leaf rake and lightly raked up some debris on my melted winter paths.  What a great feeling to once again be outside accomplishing something useful and productive.  It has been a long winter waiting for these early days of Spring sunshine and warmer temperatures.

 THE BEN MILLER INN

 BEN MILLER ONTARIO

Al's Music Box:)) The Last Leaf and Rhythm Of The Fallen Rain were songs by an American vocal group called The Cascades.  They were best known for the single "Rhythm of the Rain", recorded in 1962, an international hit the following year.  In 1960, the Silver Strands were a group of United States Navy personnel serving on the USS Jason based in San Diego, California. They recruited John Gummoe, who originally acted as manager, then left the Navy to become The Thundernotes. The group's membership consisted of John Claude "John" Gummoe (born August 2, 1938) (lead vocals), Lenny Green (vocal and lead guitar), Dave Wilson (drums and vocal), Dave Stevens (bass), and Art Eastlick (rhythm guitar). Their first and only recording, "Thunder Rhythm" (and "Payday" on the reverse of the 45rpm) was with DelFi Records of Hollywood, owned and managed by Bob Keane. It was a surf-type instrumental. Lenny left soon after to pursue his own goals and the group acquired Eddie Snyder (guitar), David Szabo (keyboards), Dave Stevens (bass) and Dave Wilson (drums).  Influenced by the Beach Boys, the group became more interested in vocal harmony. They recorded demos and signed with Barry De Vorzon at Valiant Records, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., and changed their name to The Cascades – inspired by a nearby box of dishwasher detergent. Their first release, "There's a Reason", became a minor regional hit; in the summer of 1962, they went to Gold Star Stueios in Los Angeles to record a song Gummoe wrote in his Navy days on watch during a thunderstorm. The song was to become "Rhythm of the Rain" and the muscians on the recording included the " The Wrecking Crew" - including Hal Blaine on drums, Carol Kaye on bass, and Glen Campbell on guitar - arranged by Perry Botkin Jr. "Rhythm of the Rain" was issued in November 1962. It rose to No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1963, becoming a major hit in over 80 countries. "Rhythm of the Rain" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The Cascades continued to record, produced an album and several additional singles, including the follow-up "The Last Leaf", but did not match the charm or success of their big hit.  Gummoe left the group in 1967 to pursue a solo career and later formed the band Kentucky Express. Keyboardist/vocalist Gabe Lapano took over the lead chores.  The group also added Tony Grasso, with Owens and Snyder the remaining original members. Finally, they split in 1975.  Guitarist Eddie Snyder (born 1941) died on January 28, 2023.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Joe had asked Bob to help him out with the deck after work, so Bob just went straight over to Joe's place. When they got to the door, Joe went straight to his wife, gave her a hug and told her how beautiful she was and how much he had missed her at work. When it was time for supper, he complimented his wife on her cooking, kissed her and told her how much he loved her.  Once they were working on the deck, Bob told Joe that he was surprised that he fussed so much over his wife. Joe said that he'd started this about six months ago, it had revived their marriage, and things couldn't be better. Bob thought he'd give it a go. When he got home, he gave his wife a massive hug, kissed her and told her that he loved her. His wife burst into tears.  Bob was confused and asked why she was crying. She said, "This is the worst day of my life. First, little Billy fell off his bike and twisted his ankle. Then, the washing machine broke and flooded the basement. And now, you come home drunk!"

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John: "My grandpa is 98 years old, and he doesn't even use glasses."
Jack: "Wow, that is incredible!"
John: "Yep, he drinks straight from the bottle."

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- Look, you can either agree with me or you can be wrong.- What state has the smallest drinks?  Mini-soda.

- Where do pencils spend their vacation  Pencil-Vania.

- How do billboards talk?  Sign language.

What do you call a female magician in the desert?  A sand witch.

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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Kelly's Corner

 AT THE COMPUTER DESK IN OUR FIRST MOTORHOME

 NOW THAT'S A BIG LEAF

 I DON'T THINK THE LITTLE MOTOMOUSE IS TOO HAPPY ABOUT KELLY NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO HER

Al's Art Gallery