FIRING UP SOME OF THE RIG'S SYSTEMS

SOME OF OUR LEAVES HAVE BEGUN TO TURN

After a reasonably good night's sleep & this mornings cooler temps I was a veritable ball of fire for most of the day.  Well, part of the day anyway.  Ok, at least until the rains came & dampened my enthusiasm a bit.

   

WITH SCHOOL STARTING TUESDAY THESE CHILDREN'S SHELTERS AT THE ENDS OF SOME FARM LANES WILL KEEP THE LITTLE ONE'S OUT OF THE WIND, RAIN, & COMING WINTER SNOWS WHILE WAITING FOR THE  SCHOOL BUS

Test fired the rig's generator, water heater, water pump & blue flame heater & they were all a go.  Took me a few minutes to get over all that as I stood there in a wide eyed stupor wondering why everything had worked.  I'm a little worried now because that just was not  a normal happening!!

On August 2nd we received the following email from a fellow RV couple in Prince Edward Island.  Had meant to include it earlier but had temporarily misplaced it until I found it again yesterday.........................................

Dear Bayfield Bunch,
We take great pleasure in reading your blog, and enjoy your photographs.  My wife and I live on PEI and are avid boondockers.  I would like to relate a story to you which you and your readers may find of interest.
We decided to go to Europe and boondock in every country we could.  We went to Germany and bought a vehicle and travel trailer, and being of English origin, we thought we would boondock the UK first.  Our intention was to spend 2 years on the road in Europe.  As you may well know, Europe does not have the space that Arizona has, and you have to boondock where and when you can.  Sometimes in life, you get a gift from heaven:  we were waiting to catch the ferry to France when in front of us in the line up was the oldest Motor Home you have every seen, and as we had 7 hours to wait it wasn't long before we were in conversation with the owners.  They were a couple aged 87 and 84 and they were heading to Portugal to boondock for the winter.  They told us they lived in a seniors home and each year they told the staff they were going to visit their son and grandchildren.  They had their   vehicle parked on a side street and disappeared in due course.  Over the next 7 hours they gave us every little tip they had gained over the 32 years they had been boondocking, which bolstered our spirits and gave us confidence.  Their advice to us was to buy 4 traffic cones, pull up somewhere outrageously obvious, cover your number plate, pull up a drain cover, set out the cones as though you were fixing something.  They said you would be surprised how people just ignore you.  They knew every dump station, every free shower, and passed this information on to us.  We thought we would put their advice to the test.  Once we had obtained our cones we tried it in France and wonder of all wonders - it worked.  So then, it came to boondocking somewhere you would always remember.  Somewhere with high security, security guards and cameras.  What more obvious place than the Monte Carlo casino in Monaco!!!  We pulled up to the side of the casino in the centre of Monaco, put up our cones, and stayed two days. 
From that point on, we realized what an adventure boondocking really was. 
Now we read your blog and you are the couple parked in front of us. 
Keep on blogging, keep on boondocking, and don't let age scare you.
Ian & Linda Bloomfield

GROANER'S CORNER:((   Ed was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really angry. 
She told him "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less then 6 seconds
AND IT HAD BETTER BE THERE!!"
The next morning Ed got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.
Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway and brought the box back in the house.
She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.
Ed has been missing since Friday!!

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, part of their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/

It is not the concept of God I have a problem with.....it's his fan club that causes me grievous concern:((

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

A DAY OF SEPARATE VISITS & CONTEMPLATING SOME TRAVEL PLANS

PORTAL, ARIZONA.....(Tonight's photos are all from Autumn 09 in & around Portal, Arizona & Rusty's RV Ranch in nearby New Mexico)

  

WAITING FOR THE MORNING MAIL AT PORTAL'S POST OFFICE

Kelly was up early this morning & on the road for her daughter's house in Cambridge.  This would be the last day to visit with her other daughter & family from Vancouver.  They will be returning to the west coast on Monday.  Another daughter will be returning to Spain later in the week so Kelly may make one more trip to Cambridge at the end of the week.  And that trip will bring to an end all the many miles of traveling she has had to do in the past few weeks.

ROADRUNNER NEAR PORTAL, AZ.

THIS GROOVY LITTLE LIZARD CAUGHT MY EYE NEAR CAVE CREEK

It was three & a half weeks ago that I came down with the virus & nearly a month since I had seen my Uncle Harry at the Ritz Villa nursing home in Mitchell Ontario.  After Kelly left this morning I headed to Mitchell & spent a couple of hours with Harry.  He's doing well & we sure covered a lot of ground talking about old times & memories.  I actually enjoyed those 2 hours talking with him more than when we used to play pool at his previous residence.  We both had a tendency to not talk much when we were playing pool.

CAVE CREEK ROAD NEAR PORTAL, AZ. This is a birder's paradise & people flock here from all across the country.

Spent some time this afternoon pouring over one of our well worn Rand McNally Atlas's trying to get a feel for this winter's destinations.  Of course all the old haunts leap off the pages beckoning us back & I'm sure we'll revisit some of them but I'm trying to focus my attention on places we haven't been before.   LAURIE & ODEL talked of a favorite place of theirs when we met them in Bisbee Az last winter & that has stuck with me ever since.   A place & area called Lone Pine just west of Death Valley in California.  Kelly & I briefly visited a part of Death Valley back in about 1994 on a 4 day Las Vegas junket & I always hoped we might one day return to that whole area & spend some time there.

RUSTY'S RV PARK

Also wondering if early November is too late in the season to roll through Arizona's Monument Valley.  I do think it's probably too late for Colorado's Durango area.  We don't want ice & snow & below freezing temps at night.  Also waiting to hear from the ranch folks to see what their travel plans are this winter too.

CAVE CREEK

And a big welcome to our 166th blog supporter jimmy.  The more & more I look at this photo the more familiar the face becomes to me.  Could it be, could it be.....nawwww, it couldn't be..................But maybe:))

                         

A FEW PICS AROUND RUSTY'S RV RANCH INCLUDING RUSTY HER VERY SELF

Last year we headed straight for the ranch from here with a 4 day stopover at RUSTY'S RV RANCH near Portal, Arizona.  As you all know, we are not RV Park people at all but we certainly would recommend Rusty's.  And I would also highly recommend the great scenic area around PORTAL which is just a few miles down the road from Rusty's.  Like I said, it's always so tempting to go right back to the places we have enjoyed so much in the past but I have always noticed that it is the first impressions of an area that to me are the best.  Second & third times to the same place & the newness begins to wear off & that sharp edge of excitement becomes dulled a bit.  For me, there is nothing better than going to new places, seeing & doing new things, & experiencing the wonderment of a place I have never been before.  Just love it, love it, love it:)))))))

MOONRISE OVER RUSTY'S....NOV 2/09

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Dear God:  Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good Dog:

1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up.  

2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell. 

3. The Litter Box is not a  cookie jar. 

4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'. 

5. The  garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.

6. I will not play  tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.

7.  Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying  'hello'. 

8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table. 

9. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after.

10. I will not come in from outside & immediately drag my butt on the floor.

11. I will not sit in the middle of the living room & lick my crotch.

12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, part of their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/

It is not the concept of God I have a problem with.....it is his fan club that cause me grievous concern:((

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

WE'LL HAVE THE BIG WHEELS ROLLING OCTOBER 23RD:))

AUTUMN CROCUS'S IN YOUR FRONT YARD

OK, so now I'm getting excited again:))  The official word just came down from headquarters about 1:58 this afternoon.  Our trip to the Southwest is not only on for sure, but now has an official start date as well.  Looks like we will get the big wheels rolling on Saturday October 23rd.  That is within one day of our departure date last winter.   Looks like that gives us about 7 weeks to get organized & git er done before pulling out!!

Sure was a nice treat last night to have some good old home cooking instead of my usual peanut butter & honey sandwiches with & bowl of corn flakes for dessert.  The doggy guys are all pretty happy Mom is home too:))

TAKE OFF FOR A CANADA GOOSE

I was energized today by the cooler weather.  We're currently sitting at 57F with gusting winds & rain making it feel cooler.  Definitely sweater & light jacket weather but what a nice change of pace from that oppressive heat & humidity.  Give me this cooler weather any day!!

NIPPED A FEW GRAPES OFF OUR NEIGHBOR'S GRAPEVINE TODAY

Began my annual frog round-up this morning.  Our front yard frog pond is not deep enough for the frog's to winter over so every September I have to get out my bucket & net & begin snaggin me some frogs.  This cooler weather is a perfect time to do this because it makes me a little quicker & the frog's a little slower.  I take them across the road a short distance to a much larger & deeper pond & plop them in the water.  I generally end up taking in excess of 50 frogs out of our little pond.  Plus snails & tadpoles that get caught up in the net as well.  Today was a 9 frog day.

 

CATCHING THE LITTLE FELLERS

I DROP THEM OFF FROM THAT BANK TO THE LEFT WHERE THE WATER MEETS THE LIGHTER GREEN VEGETATION

I know we have some horse people out here in Blog Land & I'm thinking you will find Lisa & Bill Dozer's post on the Wild Horse & Burrow Center in Herriman Utah of particular interest.  Also, almost without exception I have noticed that most RVing folks are big time animal lovers so I think you will all find a lot of helpful info on Lisa & Bill's site regarding pets & animals.  Check out MONSTERMOBILE MEANDERINGS

Mary Ann has been picking up speed with some new Followers lately over at, IN THE WIND ADVENTURES so you might want to drop by & help Mary Ann keep that momentum going.  Mary Ann did a pretty good job at taking some wind out of my sails a couple months ago but we've managed to patch things up, help each other out, & mend a few friendly fences along the way since then.  Good folks over there:))

And a big welcome to our newest blog supporters, B.W. & CAROLS HAPPY TRAILS TALES & TAILS.  Like I said a few paragraphs ago, most RV folks are animal lovers & if you slip on over to B.W. & Carols place you will get to meet Joe Cocker & Sophie Girl:))  Thanks for taking an interest in the Bayfield Bunch folks...........

FORGOT TO INCLUDE THIS PIC IN FRIDAY'S BLOG......At the old farm with our 84 Virago Motorcycle.  We didn't have Checkers or the Motormouse at the time but we did have the Maxwell boy:))  About 1999.

Yep, pretty nice feeling to know for sure we're going somewhere this winter again:))))))))

GROANER'S CORNER  A mother took her five-year-old son with her
to the bank on a busy lunchtime.
They got behind a very fat woman wearing a
business suit complete with pager.
As they waited patiently, the little boy said loudly,
'Gee, she's fat!'
The mother bent down and whispered in
the little boys ear to be quiet.
A couple of minutes passed by and the little boy spread his hands as far as they would go and announced;
'I'll bet her butt is this wide!'
The fat woman turns around and glares at the little boy.
The mother gave him a good telling off,
and told him to be quiet.
After a brief lull, the large woman reached the front of the line.
Just then, her pager begin to emit a
beep, beep, beep.
The little boy yells out,
'Run for your life, she's backing up!!

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, part of their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/

It is not the concept of God I have a problem with.....it is his many radical fan clubs that cause me grievous concern:((

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

KELLY'S HOME:))

BAYFIELD'S SHORELINE ON LAKE HURON

"Hello, it's me & I'm at work."  Those were the first words I heard when I answered the ringing phone early this afternoon.  Due to a little mix-up in communications I wasn't sure if Kelly was coming home today or Saturday.  Hadn't heard anything this morning so assumed she was coming home Saturday.  I didn't know she was up & on the road early this morning fighting her way through rain, wind, & heavy traffic.  She was headed directly for work because she knew it was going to be a heavy day at Deer Park Lodge with the long Labor Day week-end upon us.  She was back in Ontario & back to work before I even knew she was home.

<<< THE WAY WE WERE:))

Despite getting out my RV pre-trip list yesterday & re-arranging some bins a couple weeks ago & a clean-up of the Motor Home's cab area last week......I have failed as yet to fully ignite my excitement & enthusiasm for this winter's trip to the southwest.  Normally each year by this time I would be scurrying around looking after this & that.  My mind would be in the process of focusing on the upcoming travels & I would have already been loading a few things into the rig.  We haven't discussed a departure date, a route or agenda of travel.  No idea where we're going or for how long.  A lot of things have to be taken care of but for some reason our conversations just have not centered on this winter's RV trip.  Being sick for the past 3 weeks hasn't helped & Kelly's mind has been on her Dad.  We'll see if we can get our RV heads on & begin pulling it all together soon.

Kelly made it home-home about 3:30 this afternoon & the Bayfield Bunch was once again complete.  Sure nice to have the Boss back........:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  And, did you know..........

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. 

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.

If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you and that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, part of their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/

It is not the concept of God I have a problem with.....it is his fan club that causes me grievous concern:((

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

A REFLECTIVE RAINY DAY

THIS ROAD IS CALLED PORTER HILL LINE & IT'S OUR QUIET PATHWAY TO & FROM FROM THE CITY OF GODERICH

My, my, how things do change with time.  When I was a kid it always took a team of Doctor's & nurses on horseback to round me up if I was to get any kind of a needle.  This morning I walked into the medical clinic, sat in the big chair, 'prick' & I was back out the door in minutes.  No fuss, no muss, no bother.  And no running for hours through dense underbrush with a swat team of Doctors & Nurses on horseback chasing me down with a big needle!!

It has been a real roller coaster of emotions for Kelly these past few days.  There has been sad times & there has been happy times.  There have been stressful times & their have been quiet reflective times.  Her daughter Rebecca flew in from Spain a few days ago & another daughter, Sarah, flew in with her husband & new twins from Vancouver.  Kelly had never met Bradley or the twins before.  Son's, Jason & Ben & daughter Sabra all drove down from Cambridge, Ontario bringing with them their friends & families as well.

 

A TOUCH OF RAIN ON THE ROAD THIS MORNING

Kelly said there were throngs of people at the visitation Wednesday & she met some relatives that she had not seen in 50 years.  Many great stories about her Dad that she had never heard before.  Frank was one of those guys who had a knack for turning total strangers into friends in just a matter of minutes.  The funeral was at 11 this morning.

KELLY TOOK THIS PICTURE OF HER DAD IN THE FALL OF 2008

Kelly thinks she might head for home Friday morning despite the heavy Labor Day traffic which will congest the highways & make for long line-up's getting across the border.  But, Kelly is an exceptionally strong person & will handle the journey like a pro, just like she efficiently handles everything else in her life.  There are exceptional human beings in this world & it has always amazed me how I was so fortunate to end up with one of them.

Yes, it sure looked like the Jeep was parked overlooking a mighty ocean in yesterday's blog but it is actually one of the largest fresh water lakes in the world.  We are so fortunate to live about 3 minutes from the beautiful sandy shores of Lake Huron on it's eastern Canadian side.  Excellent swimming with no salty water to encrust the swimmer.  And we don't got no sharks in the water or anything else that will eat you up either:))

Overnight rains finally brought down our heat & humidity & despite an overcast day it is OK to go outside again.

Now that September is here it is once again that time of year to bring out......the lists!!  If it wasn't for the lists I would be in a total ker-fuffle.  The lists are the same as last year & the year before that because each year it is basically the same items that have to crossed off the list.  I'm talking about the RV Pre-Trip list of course.  As any Snow Birder knows there is a multitude of things to take care of before finally transitioning from Home # 1 to Home # 2.  Sticks & bricks to RV.  One home has to be systematically decommissioned while the other home has to be slowly brought up to speed.  I won't go into all the things on my list because there are too many, but I do have them arranged under a few headings such as....'Things To Start Now' - 'Things To Work On' - 'Outside Stuff' - & 'Last Minute Stuff' etc.  Under these headings are of course sub categories & so on.  

Everybody has a different way of doing their lists & once again there is no right & wrong way to do it.  Whatever works for you is the important thing.  There are lots of sites on the internet for helping RV'ers prepare a checklist & I would recommend the RV NET FORUMS for all the help you will ever need.  I believe the RV Net Forum is the best all round RV help site on the Internet.  Any question you can think of you will find lots of fellow RV'ers in the forums ready to help you in a moment's notice.  And they cover every aspect of RV life that you can think of.  These are the people on the road with the every day practical answers.  And most of them are the people truly living the RV lifestyle..................

GROANER'S CORNER:(( 

'MONEY'

-It can buy a house
But not a home
-It can buy a clock
-But not time
-It can buy you a position
But not respect
-It can buy you a bed
But not sleep
-It can buy you a book
But not knowledge
-It can buy you medicine
But not health
-It can buy you blood
But not life............
So, you see money isn't everything and it often causes pain and suffering. I tell you this because I am your friend and as your friend I want to take away your pain and suffering!!
So, send me all your money and I will suffer for you!
Cash only please:)))))))  (it's a joke, it's a joke)

----------------------------------------------------------------

Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, part of their soul remains un-awakened.

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/

It is not the concept of God I have a problem with.....it is his radical fan clubs that causes me grievous concern:((

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

YABBA DABBA DOOOO, COOLER WEATHER IS FAST APPROACHING:))

BAYFIELD'S PIONEER PARK TODAY

It was the first night in nearly 3 weeks that I wasn't jolted awake at some point in the night by coughing spasms.  Aside from a few minor sputters this morning, there are no inklings of congestion in the head & chest & no headache.  I am cautiously optimistic I will be totally out of the woods within the next couple of days.  Fortunately for me I was healthy going into this viral thing & I would hate to think what this bug would do to someone who's health was not up to par.

THIS IS WHERE I COME IF I HAVE PICKED UP SOMETHING TO EAT IN TOWN

Even Max new it was too hot for a walk this morning & stayed behind while Checkers, Motormouse & myself did about half the trail.  By the time we got back Max already had the A/C turned on in the house.

I can tell by Kelly's emails that she is going to be soooooo happy to get home again.  Neither Kelly or I are used to non stop masses of people & the go-go-go stress that it entails.

THESE BENCHES WILL FILL UP FAST AS SUNSET DRAWS NEAR

Never did get out for a motorcycle ride Tuesday night.  Just didn't have enough energy units left at the end of the day.  Another heavy humidity one right now so me & the furry guys are hanging out inside. (yes, yes, I know about the grammar)  This central air we had put in 3 summers ago sure has us spoiled alright and I figure our Provincial electric company is at this very moment greedily smirking as they are getting ready to send us our 4.5 million dollar summer electric bill!!! 

A NICE PLACE TO EAT MY TUNA SUB

One of the nicest advantages for me of being home alone is I can watch whatever I like on Television whenever I want.  Now, there isn't much on TV I care for anymore but at least I have the option of the Biography, Discovery & History channels plus a few more that deal with the true realities of life.  I do not watch the news any more except for a couple minutes at the top of the hour sometimes & that is just to see what perpetual madness man has recently wrought upon himself & how it might effect little old me here in the Piney woods of Bayfield, Ontario.  Instead of television my hours are generally filled with soothing ambient music.

Welcome to our latest blog supporters over there at THE SAUNTERING SAMPSONS.  Thanks for taking an interest in the Bayfield Bunch folks:))

First thing Thursday morning I have to be at the Goderich Medical Clinic to give them a bucket of blood.  Seems they're going to run some tests on me & stuff.  Hardest part about all that is no food or drink after 6 o'clock tonight which is in about 7 minutes.  I have spent the last hour cramming as much food into myself as possible & my keyboard is now knee deep in crumbs of all descriptions.

I have blogged a few times about the foolishness of youth & how so many young people & especially males get themselves killed or injured by being too immature, rambunctious & careless with new pieces of powerful equipment.  Whether it's a car, snowmobile, motorcycle, a new chain saw, power drill, Jet ski or whatever.  They simply do not have the experience or maturity to operate new equipment.  Well, I should pay more attention to my own musings & practice what I preach because if I had done that I wouldn't have had an accident this morning.  I was too confident with my latest toy, going too fast & not paying close enough attention to what I was doing.  Before I knew it I got myself into a serious speed wobble, skidded precariously around a tight corner & plowed directly into the under side of my chin taking a huge chunk out of my beard with my new electric razor.  No injury to the razor of course but my beard & my pride sure suffered some big damage.  I guess there is still some of that young rambunctious & careless male spirit left in me........10-4:((

GROANER'S CORNER:((   A 6 year old and a 4 year old are upstairs in their bedroom 'You know what?' says the 6 year old. 'I think it's about time we started cussing.
The 4 year old nods his head in approval.
The 6 year old continues, 'When we go downstairs for breakfast, I'm gonna say something with hell and you say something with ass..'
The 4 year old agrees with enthusiasm. When the mother walks into the kitchen and asks the 6 year old what he wants for breakfast,
he replies, 'Aw, hell, Mom, I guess I'll have some Cheerios.'
WHACK! He flies out of his chair, tumbles across the kitchen floor, gets up, and runs upstairs crying his eyes out, with his mother in hot pursuit, slapping his rear with every step.  His mom locks him in his room and shouts, 'You can stay there until I let you out!'
She then comes back downstairs, looks at the 4 year old and asks with a stern voice, 'and what do YOU want for breakfast, young man?'
I don't know, he blubbers, 'but you can bet your fat ass it won't be Cheerios!'

----------------------------------------------------------------

Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, part of their soul remains un-awakened

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/ 

It is not the concept of God I have a problem with.....it is his radical fan clubs around the world that causes me grievous concern:((

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.