IT'S ALWAYS LOADED WITH FRIED ONIONS

I was at first encouraged by a pink sunrise through the trees but it was soon gone and the day remained cloudy.  A short drive into and around Bayfield for Pheebs and I.  Home again I busied myself on the end of my snow shovel clearing out a couple inches of new fallen snow.  

WE SURE HAVE A LOT OF SNOW AND IT JUST KEEPS ON COMING

RIGHT NOW THE SNOW IS LIGHT AND FLUFFY BUT WHEN TEMPS GO ABOVE FREEZING ALL THOSE SNOWFLAKES WILL TURN TO DROPS OF WATER AND THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF WEIGHT ON AREA ROOFS

HEY THERE'S MY GOOD NEIGHBOR FRANK DOING OUR DRIVEWAY TODAY

Shortly after noon slipped up to the Walmart Pharmacy and picked up some meds for a friend who was unable to get there today.  Before returning home I slipped through the A&W drive-thru and picked up a 'Double Buddy Burger'.  It's always loaded with fried onions.

I WAS STARTLED WHEN A FREIGHT TRAIN WENT WHOOSHING THROUGH THE RAIL CROSSING AHEAD OF ME THIS AFTERNOON ON ORCHARD LINE

On the way home I dropped off the meds.  Roads were snow-packed but the visibility was good.  Not snowing, and no icy cold winds.  Not much going on this afternoon.  Did some cleaning and a load of laundry.  All is good, just counting the days to warmer weather:)) 

 'HEY DAD, WHY IS ALL THIS SNOW IN OUR BACK YARD??

 STARING AT THE SNOW AND WISHING IT WOULD GO AWAY

Al's Music Box:)) Rise is an instrumental written by Andy Armer and Randy 'Badazz' Alpert, first recorded in 1979 by trumpeter Herb Alpert. The A&R representative at A&M Records, Chip Cohen, knew Randy Alpert was into funk and disco music. He asked Randy to rework Tijuana Brass hits as funk tracks.  Herb Alpert recalls, "I think we started by playing ‘A Taste of Honey’ or ‘Tijuana Taxi'. And it just felt like the wrong approach. I didn’t feel comfortable playing that way."  As Alpert and Armer were working on Cohen's assignment, they decided to write an original song for Herb as well. The result was "Rise". “Rise” was originally recorded as an uptempo dance number, however, while recording the master at A&M studios, the drummer on the session, Steve Schaeffer, strongly suggested that Herb and Randy try slowing the tempo down to 100bpm.  It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in October of that year and remained in the top position for two weeks. Herb Alpert thus became the first artist to reach the top of the Hot 100 with a vocal performance ("This Guy's in love With You" 1968) as well as an instrumental performance. "Rise" was also successful on other charts, peaking at number four on the R&B chart, number 17 on the disco chart and spending one week atop the adult contemporary chart. The recording also received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instruemental Performance. Songwriters Armer and Alpert were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition.  "Rise" has been frequently requested as a sample by various artists. Randy Alpert declined most of them. When he heard the tape of Notorious B.I.G. rapping over "Rise" he was wildly enthusiastic about it and immediately approved the sample. He later gave Bell Biv DeVoe permission to sample the song, because he was a fan of the group. He declined to let The Sopranos use the song during a scene where someone was being beaten. Alpert also refused to let Pfizer use "Rise" in a campaign for Viagra which would have relied on the double entendre implied by the song's title.  In October 2016 the "Rise Remix EP" was released on the Herb Alpert Presents label. It has seven selections with six remixes as well as the original track.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( It is pouring rain in the flood plain of the Mississippi Valley, and the rising river begins to threaten all manner of private homes, including that of the local Rabbi.  With water coming into the ground floor, a rowboat with police comes by, and the officer shouts, "Rabbi, let us evacuate you! The water level is getting dangerous."  The Rabbi replies, "No thank you, I am a righteous man, who trusts in the Almighty, and I am confident he will deliver me." Three hours go by, and the rains intensify, at which point the Rabbi has been forced up to the second floor of his house.A second police rowboat comes by, and the officer shouts, "Rabbi, let us evacuate you! The water level is getting dangerous."  The Rabbi replies, "No thank you, I am a righteous man, who trusts in the Almighty, and I am confident he will deliver me."  The rain does not stop, and the Rabbi is forced up onto the roof of his house. A helicopter flies over, and the officer shouts down, "Rabbi, grab the rope and we'll pull you up! You're in terrible danger!"  The Rabbi replies, "No thank you, I am a righteous man, who trusts in the Almighty, and I am confident he will deliver me."  The deluge continues, and the Rabbi is swept off the roof, carried away in the current and drowns. He goes up to heaven, and at the Pearly Gates, he is admitted and comes before the Divine Presence.  The Rabbi asks, "Dear Lord, I don't understand. I've been a righteous observant person my whole life, and depended on you to save me in my hour of need. Where were you?"  And the Lord answered, "I sent two boats and a helicopter, what more do you want?"

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- I came home from work this evening and said to my wife, "Are we having salad for dinner?"  "Yes we are, how did you know?" she asked.  I replied, "Because I can't hear the smoke alarm."

- Teacher: If there are seven flies and I hit one with a ruler, how many are left?  Little Johnny: Just the squashed one.

- I gave my father $100 and said, “Buy yourself something that will make your life easier.”  So he went out and bought a present for my mother.

- My wife was getting annoyed that I kept leaving freezer door open and it kept on defrosting.  We have since split up, it’s all water under the fridge.

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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Kellys Corner

 MORNING WALK IN THE KOFA MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA

 RELAXING ON THE PORCH AT OUR CONGRESS ARIZONA HOME

 AT COUNCIL ROCKS IN THE DRAGOON MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA

Al's Art Gallery

MY 97 YEAR OLD AUNT JEAN IS STILL A PRETTY SHARP COOKIE

I think the last time Pheebs and I were at a 'Burger King' was in Wickenburg, Arizona about 10 ago.  This morning, we set off to go to Burger King again, but not to Wickenburg.  We headed to Exeter Ontario where I knew a new Burger King to be.  It wasn't the only reason we went to Exeter though.  I'm almost out of Melita #1 coffee filters.  Canadian Tire in Goderich carried them at one time until they didn't.  Home Hardware in Goderich carried them until the store burned down last May.  So, the closest place with #1 coffee filters is at Home Hardware in Exeter Ontario a 22 miles from here.  Slightly longer than 16 miles from Congress to Wickenburg Arizona which incidentally had 3 round-a-bouts along the way.   Anyway, that was our reason to drive to Exeter on this cold and gray winter's morn.

 I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE PATCHES OF BLUE SKY WHEN PHEEBS AND I ROLLED OUT OF THE PARK THIS MORNING

 THIS IS BASICALLY WHAT MOST OF OUR DAY LOOKED LIKE

We rolled out our driveway at 9:20 and upon exiting the Park I was surprised to see encouraging patches of blue sky.  We took the highways to Exeter and before long we were at the Home Hardware store.  I scooped the last two Melita #1coffee filters off the rack and thanked my lucky stars they at least still had two left.  From there it was over to Burger King a short distance away.  We 'Whopperized' ourselves with a few fries to boot.  The burg was kinda juicy so needless to say part of it ended up on my shirt and my pants.  All very parr for the course with me.  Sitting in the parking lot we finished up the burg and fries as best we could.  It will probably be the last burg and fries I have for a long time.  As with a number of other foods, I seem to have lost my taste for burgs and fries too.  Just as well I guess, and I might add, it's about time too.  There was nothing wrong with the Whopper and fries.  It's just me.  Heading home we stayed off the highways and meandered ourselves along half a dozen snowy gravel roads.  Snapped a few pics while emboldened by a few sun splashes along the way.

 EXETER'S NEW BURGER KING

 PHEEBS IS LASER FOCUSED ON THE DRIVE-THRU WINDOW WHERE THE WHOPPER WILL COME FLYING OUT OF

 HEY, AT LEAST I'M GETTING MY VEGGIES FOR THE DAY

 SHARING WITH MY BEST PAL

AND YES, THINGS WOULDN'T BE NORMAL IF I DIDN'T GOOB MYSELF WITH SOME JUICY TOMATO DROPPINGS AND A CHUNK OF LETTUCE

SOMETIMES MY TRUSTY NAVIGATOR CURLS UP ON THE FRONT SEAT AND GOES TO SLEEP....IT IS AT THESE TIMES WE OFTEN GET LOST

 'I'M NOT SLEEPING DAD, I KNOW WHERE WE ARE'

 DRIVING THE COFFEE FILTERS HOME

I think we were home around noon when an odd thing happened and I'm sure that Kelly was behind it.  I was standing at the kitchen sink when a thought popped into my mind.  Go look under the placemat on the computer desk in the sunroom.  I did that, and there on a piece of  paper, was written my SIN number as well as Kelly's.  Well, I hoped it was mine.  Then, a second odd thing happened.  I saw an email in our 'Outlook' email program from Aunt Jean in Florida.  In it she said...."Hi Allan,  After our telephone visit last night, I got to thinking that I perhaps had the number you're looking for.  Remembered to check my files & sure enough, there it was.  Here it is, ???-???-???.   Take care my dear.  Love & Hugs........Jean".  I checked Jean's number with the number on the piece of paper and 'Walla' they matched.  Yessiree, my 97-year-old Aunt Jean is still a pretty sharp cookie:))  Now I can get those other 3 envelopes finally mailed.

 IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I LAST TOOK A PHOTO OF A BARN BLOCK QUILT

 I LIKE HOW THAT LITTLE RED SHED HOLDS ITS OWN AGAINST THE SURROUNDING BIG GRAY FARM BUILDINGS

 OH-OH SHED FALL DOWN AND GO BOOM

 MAYBE THEY CAN MAKE A CHICKEN COUP OUT OF IT

 IDLE FARM MACHINERY PATIENTLY AWAITS NEXT SUMMER'S BUSY DAYB

 I REMEMBER THEM PUTTING THE RED ROOF ON THAT FARM HOUSE YEARS AGO

For the third afternoon in a row, I haven't had one ounce of energy to spare.  I spent most of my time in my living room recliner nodding off every time I tried to read something on my laptop.  Thanks to commenter Ron from Franklin, Tennessee on last night's post, I have tapped into Rich Bowlin On YouTube with his iPhone tips for Seniors.  How great to have a clear English-speaking instructional Senior person on YouTube for a change.  Anyway, as soon as I can get all these dosing zzzzzz's out of my head and clear up my mind, I will be following this fellow's instructions with Kelly's iPhone 15 in hand.   Wish me luck.  

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A Blast From Our Past:)) Our Sunday Search For Cochise's Council Rocks...It took us two tries to finally find the location of the Indian Chief Cochise's council rocks in the Dragoon Mountains of southeastern Arizona but 14 years ago yesterday we did indeed find that location.  Remember to click on the smaller pictures to enlarge them.

 A WANDERING DRAINAGE DITCH CUTS THROUGH A FARMER'S FIELD

BARE BRANCHES REFLECTED IN A COLD DECEMBER CREEK

 I'VE ALWAYS KIND LIKED THIS HILLTOP HOUSE FOR SOME REASON

Al's Music Box:)) The Master's Call “The Master’s Call” is a song featured on Marty Robbins’ iconic 1959 album Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.  Written and performed by Robbins in a strophic song structure, “The Master’s Call” is a redemptive tale about a young man who leaves home behind to plunder and rob as an outlaw.  One night the speaker is rustling cattle, which was once “a common hazard of early settlers in Texas,” when he finds himself reflecting upon his sinful life.  Distracted by strange voices and visions, the narrator is thrown from his horse and faced with the stampeding herd of cattle.  The narrator cries out for mercy and witnesses the face of Jesus Christ in a flashing bolt of lightning.  The same bolt of lightning kills the charging cattle, thus saving his life and reaffirming his faith in God.  The song’s intended message is that God has a reason for everything, and it ends with the narrator devoting his life and soul to his savior.  From the moment “The Master’s Call” begins we are subject to somber background vocals mournfully singing alongside a soft guitar harmony.  These aspects immediately set the tone of the track before any words are exchanged.  Thus by the time that Robbins sings the first line, “When I was but a young man I was wild and full of fire,” we already have the feeling that this is going to be a sad tale.  Sure enough, the speaker ends up leaving his parents to lead a life of sin.  Since it is composed in the strophic form, the instrumentation does not change much during the course of the song.  However, “The Master’s Call” is a powerful song that builds in intensity as the song progresses, and Robbins’ vocal inflections convey a considerable emotional depth to the listener.  Robbins sings with passion, and he sings less calmly and more passionately as the song builds.  We can truly feel the remorse in his voice as he sings: And I cried oh Lord forgive me, don’t let it happen now.  I want to live for you alone, oh God these words I vow.  These lines actually lead up to the song’s emotional climax, in which the speaker privately realizes the sinfulness of his life and the years that he has wasted pursuing unjust causes.  Robbins’ singing during this verse is powerful and commanding, even when compared to the rest of the song.  In fact, this is the one part in which the instruments deviate from their regular structure.  The guitar branches out and does its own thing, seemingly reflecting the speaker’s own loss of control.  Before long the pace of the song has returned to normal, and the speaker is back to the present moment again and out of the moral dilemmas brewing in his head.  As listeners, we have to almost readjust after such a raw display of emotion.  The song’s themes of redemption, faith, and devotion are indubitably related to Marty Robbins’ own religious beliefs. When asked in an interview whether he believed God played a role in his career, Robbins had the following to say: “I started praying for this long before I ever got it, and long before I ever got into the business. Because I do believe in prayer. And I prayed for all these things, and God gave me the strength to get them. I have never set up any particular goal. Never. I just let it happen. Because I knew it was going to happen”.  Robbins’ faith in a wise and benevolent God is evident in this song, in which a sinner is spared and allowed a second chance at life.  “The Master’s Call” is arguably one of the most powerful tracks from Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.  Haunting background vocalists and memorable guitar playing set a somber stage for the listener, but ultimately only serve to complement Marty Robbins’ outstanding talent as a singer and a songwriter.  This song’s instrumentation, vocals, and overall message make it an incredibly engaging and potentially enlightening experience for listeners.

 GOLDFINCH

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Although this married couple enjoyed their luxury fishing boat together, it was the husband who was always behind the wheel operating the boat. He was concerned about what might happen in an emergency. So one day out on the lake he suddenly said to his wife, "Ok honey, this is a drill. Pretend that I am having a heart attack. You must get the boat safely to shore."  She was initially surprised and flustered, but she soon settled down and was able to safely drive the boat to shore.  Later that evening, the wife walked into the living room where her husband was watching television. She sat down next to him, grabbed the remote control, switched the channel, and said to him, "OK honey, this is a drill. Pretend I'm having a heart attack. You must set the table, cook dinner, and wash the dishes."

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- Why is it called a "building" when it is already built?
- do they call them "apartments" when they are all stuck together?
- Why is there an expiration date on SOUR cream?
- If you keep trying to prove Murphy's Law, will something keep going wrong?
- Why does flammable and inflammable mean the same thing?
- How can someone "draw a blank"?
- Shouldn't there be a shorter word for "monosyllabic"?
- Why is the word "abbreviate" so long?
- Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
- What is another word for "thesaurus"?

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A Policeman said to a fair haired lady: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?  The fair haired lady replied: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.

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- They say money talks, but mine just waves goodbye.

- The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how much I play, I’ll never be as good as a wall.

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"A guy was so happy that it was St Patrick's day, he was literally bouncing off the walls!"  "What was his name, you might ask?"  "Rick O'Shea."
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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Kelly's Corner

 KELLY WALKING WITH HER SISTER IN LAW LESLIE IN SARASOTA FLORIDA

 KELLY WITH HER OLDEST SON JASON AT BAYFIELD'S MAIN STREET SANTA CLAUSE PARADE ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO

Al's Art Gallery