AN INTERESTING DOCUMENTARY ABOUT A GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL CALIFORNIA MUSICIANS KNOWN AS ‘THE WRECKING CREW’

THIS IS MY IDEA OF A NICE COUNTRY PROPERTY….HOUSE IS BACK IN TO THE LEFT

With morning’s sunlight blasting through Libby’s windshield Pheebs and headed east out of our Park shortly after eight.  Our wanderings took us southeast of Bayfield.  Not a lot I can tell you about our sunny drive except to say we didn’t take many photos and simply sat back and enjoyed more of Huron Counties country scenery.  We were home again by 10 and I didn’t do much all day except sit quietly in our sunroom reading again.  I’m sure once we have warm air in our region I will feel more like getting back to work on a host of outside activities around the house.  Of course had I gone to bed earlier Sunday night I might not have been so tired all day either.

OUR RED BREASTED GROSBEAKS ARE BACK

Sunday night I sat up until nearly midnight watching a documentary entitled ‘The Wrecking Crew’ about a group of session musicians in southern California in the 60’s who were the one’s responsible for much of the instrumental music on recordings by the Beach Boys and a whole host of other groups.  They did all the background music for many rock and roll hits as well as Frank Sinatra, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Sonny and Cher, Nat King Cole,  and The Association, just to name a few.  Because the session musicians were more professional than many band members of various groups the session players were used in the recording studios when groups recorded albums.  Glen Campbell before coming to prominence on his own was one of the ‘Wrecking Crew’ studio session musicians.  And do you know those session players never received credit on the albums for all the great sounds they produced.  Innovative guitar rifts, drum solos, catchy bass lines, piano & horn solos etc. etc.  If your a music buff I suggest you check out this link for a look behind the 60’s music scene.  It’s an eye opener into all that music many of us still have rattling around in our heads today…..The Wrecking Crew

SAW A FEW FARM MACHINES ‘PARKED’ ON FIELDS TODAY READY TO GO SOON AS THE GROUND IS DRY ENOUGH

I WONDER AT TIMES  WHY SOME FARMERS HAVE SO MANY METAL BINS AND SILOS

FIRST TIME I’VE EVER SEEN MARKINGS ON A WIND TURBINE BLADE….I SUSPECT IT IS THE WORK OF EXTRATERRESTRIALS    

Ever since we met Pheebe in August of 2011 we have not been sure exactly how old she is and never knew her birth date.  Or if we did know, we forgot.  Going through a pile of old papers this afternoon Kelly found Pheebe’s actual date of birth.  She was born August 10th 2009 and it was almost two years to the very day we first met her in 2011.  Now at long last we have a date to celebrate her birthday.  Finally knowing that date now I was curious as to where we were or what we were up to on the day she was born and this is where one of the perks of writing a daily blog comes in.  Into our Archives I went and in less than a minute I had the exact day.  Turns out we weren’t doing too much of anything because it was one of those hot and humid days.  And my post that day reflected back to an RV trip we had taken to Big Bend National Park Texas in late December of 2004.  Here is that post……A Look Back at Big Bend National Park.

HEY IN THREE MONTHS IT WILL BE PHEEBS EIGHTH BIRTHDAY:))

GROANER’S CORNER:(( A photographer was invited to dinner with friends and took along a few pictures to show the lady of the house. She looked at the photos and commented, 'These are great! You must have a good camera.'
He didn't make any comment, but as he was leaving to go home he said, 'That was a really delicious meal!  You must have some very good pots.'

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United Airline Mottos::

- "We put the hospital in hospitality"
- "Board as a doctor, leave as a patient"
- "Our prices can’t be beaten, but our passengers can"
- "We have First Class, Business Class and No Class"
- "Not enough seating, prepare for a beating"
- "We treat you like we treat your luggage"
- "We beat the customer. Not the competition"
- "And you thought leg room was an issue"
- "Where voluntary is mandatory"
- "Fight or flight. We decide"
- "Now offering one free carry off"
- "Beating random customers since 2017"
- "If our staff needs a seat, we’ll drag you out by your feet"
- "A bloody good airline"

SO NICE TO SEE SOME VERY MUCH MOST WELCOME SUNSHINE:))

SPOTTED THIS SOLITARY FELLOW IN A FIELD THIS MORNING

Our temps were sitting at about 35F this morning and with a stiff northwest wind our chill factor was down around the freezing mark.  Kelly reminded me that since being home she has had to wear her winter coat every single morning when taking Pheebs for a walk.

WITH ALL THE RECENT RAIN THERE IS A LOT OF FLOODING AND THE LITTLE CREEK THAT NORMALLY FLOWS THROUGH THOSE TREES JUST RIGHT OF CENTER IS TOTALLY OVER IT’S BANKS AND THEN SOME

NO THAT’S NOT A LAKE OR POND OUT THERE IT’S A FARMER’S FLOODED FIELD

GOING TO BE AWHILE BEFORE THIS LAND IS DRY ENOUGH FOR ANY FARM EQUIPMENT

I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED SATURDAY NIGHT BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THESE TWO ARE NOT TALKING SUNDAY MORNING

With morning sunshine tickling the tops of our tall pine trees Pheebs and I weren’t long in getting ourselves out of our pine forest and into the sunshine.  A very welcome dose of Spring tonic for sure.  Again we had to crank up Libby’s heater and keep ourselves inside the Jeep out of the icy winds but nevertheless it was just nice being outside under sunny skies cruising a few country roads on a quiet Sunday morning in rural southwestern Ontario.

CANADA GEESE IN THE KEY OF GREEN AND OH MY HOW NICE TO SEE BLUE SKIES AGAIN

CAN YOU SPOT THE SANDHILL CRANE?? 

‘AHA’ THERE IT IS NOW……….IN THE SECOND PHOTO THIS LONE FELLOW IS THAT LITTLE DARK DOT AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THE FIELD

Not a long ride this morning with only one quick stop at the Hullett Marsh where Pheebs got out for a run.  I stood on the lee side of the Jeep out of the cold wind.  Half an hour later we were home again and aside from a few things around the yard I mainly stayed inside where it was toasty warm.

MOURNING DOVE

NESTING SWALLOWS

One of the big advantages to having a sunroom with lots of windows and a view is that it’s the closest thing to being outside without actually being outside.  I comfortably slipped into my cozy little warm corner with my Kindle in hand and read for awhile while also keeping an eye on the Blue Jays, Cardinals, Black Cap Chickadees and Mourning Doves dropping in for some seeds at the feeder.  We have a skylight in our sunroom and the warm sun beaming in on me wasn’t long in sending me off for a short afternoon snooze.  Yep, we sure do like our sunroom alright.  For years and years I had often thought if I was ever fortunate enough to have a house someday one of my main priorities would be to have a sunroom.  And here I are:)))))))

VIEW FROM MY LITTLE CORNER

  

SKYLIGHT

VIEW TO MY RIGHT AND IF YOU LOOK CLOSE YOU CAN SEE THE BIRD STATION

GROANER’S CORNER:((  How come wrong numbers are never busy?

Do people in Australia call the rest of the world 'up over'?

Does killing time damage eternity?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why is it called lipstick if you can still move your lips?

Why is it that night falls but day breaks?

Why is the third hand on the watch called a second hand?

Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the radio?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Can you buy an entire chess set in a pawn-shop?

Day light savings time - why are they saving it and where do they keep it?

Do Roman paramedics refer to IV's as '4's'?

Do you think that when they asked George Washington for ID that he just whipped out a quarter?

Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?

How can there be self-help 'groups'?

A SATURDAY MULCH MORNING AND CHOPPY LAKE HURON WATERS BRING OUT THE COAST GUARD

A COLD CHOPPY DAY ON LAKE HURON FOR THIS COAST GUARD VESSEL

Upside of this morning was finally no rain.  Downside though was still a heavy cloud overcast and cold.   But no matter with my lined winter pants on yet again Pheebs and I were out the door and down the road anyway.

BECAUSE OF SO MUCH RAIN THE BIRDSEED WAS GETTING WET SO I SET UP A TEMPORARY SHELTER TO KEEP IT DRYER

TOOK THIS CONFUSED BLUE JAY A FEW MINUTES TO DETERMINE IF THAT MOSSMAGATOR OF A SHELTER WAS AN OK THING

‘WHAT THE HECK IS THIS ANYWAY’

Needed some brown cedar mulch for the flower beds and I noticed in Canadian Tire’s flyer they had mulch on sale this week so our destination was locked in and it was off to Goderich we headed first thing.  Kinda hard getting in the spirit of buying things at a garden center when the weather’s so crappy but it is what it is and so it was what it was.  Eight bags of Scott’s brown cedar mulch.

BEEN AWHILE SINCE I GRABBED ME A FEW OLD BARN PHOTOS….THESE WERE TAKEN THIS PAST WEDNESDAY WHEN WE HAD A RARE SUNNY DAY

No point in heading off somewhere for a walk this morning simply because it was too cold and windy.  In the Jeep we cranked up the heat and headed off in search of a photo or two which of course was a major challenge again with the countryside looking so dull and uninspiring.  Oh well at least we were out doing something and going somewhere. 

COAST GUARD VESSELS LIKE THIS ARE IN THEIR ELEMENT IN STORMY WEATHER AND I SUSPECT THE CREW WAS OUT THIS MORNING TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF GETTING SOME HANDS ON TRAINING

A stop at Goderich’s Solo gas bar for fuel and a treat for Pheebs then over to McD’s for our coffee and muffin to go.  We have got ourselves into quite a habit so it was down to the harbor again with us.  Fierce winds off the lake so there was no point in heading for the dog walking area.  Lake Huron waters were rough this morning and scanning the lake’s horizon I spotted a boat knifing it’s way through white capped waves.  Knew right away by it’s shape it was a Coast Guard Vessel.  It made a couple turns in the heavy waves then headed for the harbor mouth.  I quickly headed back towards the harbor because I wanted to catch the name on the bow of this boat.

A week ago last Thursday while down at the harbor I saw a coast guard vessel in the harbor I wrongly assumed was the Cape Discovery.  Wanting to make sure I had the right boat this time I made sure to get a clear shot of her bow as she came in.  ‘Thunder Cape’.  I’m ‘assuming’ the Coast Guard may have replaced the Cape Discovery with the Thunder Cape but I’m not sure.  The two boats look identical to my untrained eye.  Anyway I did take a few photos of the Thunder Cape and a large accompanying pontoon boat in the harbor seemingly working together at something.

LOOKS LIKE THE FELLAS ARE DRESSED GOOD AND WARM

I FIGURE THEY ARE WORKING ON SOME TRAINING EXERCISES HERE IN THE HARBOR

IT’S GOTTA BE COLD OUT THERE

LIGHTS ARE ON IN THIS BIG OLD LAKE FREIGHTER BUT I DON’T THINK ANYONE IS HOME….IT HAS BEEN DOCKED HERE FOR MANY MONTHS

A stop at the Canadian Tire store saw us leave there 20 minutes later with 8 bags of brown cedar mulch.  Up until late last summer we hadn’t bothered much with mulch in our flower beds but with the ever continuing battle of weeds we figured we needed a little help with that and maybe a heavier layer of mulch in the beds might be the answer.  We’ll see.

I MANAGED TO GET 2 OF THE 8 BAGS SPREAD BEFORE I GOT RAINED OUT

THOSE WHITE FLOWERS ARE TRILLIUMS

STILL TOO COLD FOR TULIPS TO OPEN

A cold day coming up Sunday with a chance of frost Sunday night but the weather forecast is for a few sunny breaks in the morning so needless to say Pheebs and I will likely be out somewhere looking for those warming welcome sun splashes.  Maybe if we find one we will chase it across the land soaking up all its energy and healing rays.  Looking ahead to next week we see rising temperatures and clearing skies.  Now wouldn’t that be nice for everyone.  And I did say everyone and not just me:))

GROANER’S CORNER:(( 10 Commandment’s Of Marriage::

Commandment 1. Marriages are made in heaven. But so again are thunder and lightning.
Commandment 2. If you want your wife to listen and pay strict attention to every word you say, talk in your sleep.
Commandment 3. Marriage is grand -- and divorce is at least 100 grand!
Commandment 4. Married life is very frustrating. In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens. In the third year, they both speak and the neighbors listen.
Commandment 5. When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: Either the car is new or the wife is.
Commandment 6. Marriage is when a man and woman become as one; The trouble starts when they try to decide which one.
Commandment 7. Before marriage, a man will lie awake all night thinking about something you say. After marriage, he will fall asleep before you finish.
Commandment 8. Every man wants a wife who is beautiful, understanding, economical, and a good cook. But the law allows only one wife.
Commandment 9. Marriage and love are purely matter of chemistry. That is why wife treats husband like toxic waste.
Commandment 10. A man is incomplete until he is married. After that, he is finished..