Saturday, June 10, 2017

KELLY MAKES IT SAFELY HOME AND WE’RE SURE GLAD SHE DID:))

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Pheebs and I didn’t venture too far this morning.  Did the morning trail around 7:30 and even then I could feel the humidity beginning to build.  An email from Kelly said she was just leaving Spencerport NY to head home.  It’s generally a five and a half hour drive so figured she would be arriving home around 1:30 if not sooner due to lighter traffic on a Saturday morning.  That gave me a bit of time to help friend and neighbor Bruce put up an aluminum garden shed at his daughter Shannon’s place next door to Bruce and Wendys.  I was there at 10:15 as work was just beginning.

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GEORGE AND BRUCE THERE ON THE LEFT AND THAT BE SHANNON ON THE RIGHT….WENDY SAID IF I TOOK HER PICTURE SHE WAS GONNA DROP-KICK ME

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Now I use the word ‘help’ loosely and along with Shannon and Wendy the extent of my help was to hold and steady the shed walls while Bruce and his neighbor George did the actual assembly.  Now had they needed a hole dug or something then I could have made myself front and center useful but no digging was required.  Therefore it was holding up walls that Shannon, Wendy, and myself were able to excel ourselves at.  They are a good natured bunch and I always enjoy the kibitzing.

IMG_2681PHEEBS AND OLLIE THE OLIPHANT WERE GLAD TO SEE ME HOME AGAIN >>>

Wanting to be sure to be home when Kelly arrived I excused myself about 12:30 and two minutes later pulled into our driveway.  Most of the aluminum shed was up and the hard part was over so didn’t feel bad about leaving before it was finished.  Well not too bad anyway.

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Zipped around tidying things up a bit.  I’m not a neat freak but neither am I on the other end of that scale either so I really didn’t have much tidying up to do.  I am one of those odd ball men who like to keep things neat and organized whether I’m home alone or otherwise.  No stacks of dirty dishes pile up because I only use 1 fork, 1 spoon, 1 knife, 1 plate, 1 glass, and 1 bowl.  After using each item I rinse them off in hot water and put them in the tray until next time.  Kitchen counter is clear and clean, floors swept, and anything that needs folding is folded.  I keep the washroom sparkling and being in the habit of always doing my own laundry there’s nothing piled up waiting for Kelly to do.  I’ve kinda always been like that and I am very glad I am:))DSC_8184

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It was 1:30 when Pheebs and I sitting on our front porch saw the 2004 white Pontiac Sunbird turn into our driveway.  I had told Pheebs earlier Mom was on her way home but kept it kinda low key.  I hollered to Pheebs, ‘Mom’s home’ and Pheebs shot off the porch like a bullet and went totally bonkers.

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KELLY ROLLS INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND BELOW PHEEBS RACES ALONGSIDE THE CAR

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As a rule Kelly always brings a lot of stuff back with her so we were busy unloading the car for a bit.  So nice to have the whole Bayfield Bunch back together again.  She always brings a doggy treat home for Pheebs and in the photo above you can see Pheebs digging right into it.  Took us awhile to get everything put away and being very tired from her five and a half hour drive Kelly wasn’t long in settling herself down for an afternoon Siesta and I sure wasn’t long in digging into all my ‘new to me’ Nikon and Sony camera gear.  Holy Smokes I thought to myself how am I going to ever figure all this stuff out. 

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With the Nikon D7200 in one hand and the manual in the other hand I plopped myself into my recliner and started reading, pressing buttons, and turning dials.  Luckily for me I have been using Nikon cameras for over 10 years now so I already new my way around the camera a wee bit.  Some buttons and switches were in the same place and I was already familiar with the menu stuff but I wasn’t fooled into thinking this D7200 was identical to my D3100 and D3400 cameras.  No Sireeee, this camera has much more to offer and that is where my learning curve is going to be for the next little while.  Haven’t looked at the Sony yet but will get to that shortly.  Nice quality lenses came with these cameras as well.  But first things first and I will probably take that D7200 for a test drive in the morning.  And another great big ‘Thank You’ to my generous blog reader south of the border.  I’m sure the excitement I felt this afternoon would have brought a happy knowing smile to you:))

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A FEW TEST PHOTOS TO SEE IF I WAS IN THE BALL PARK WITH THE CAMERA….AND I WAS

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Well we had a real supper tonight with mashed potatoes and gravy, meat loaf, and green beans.  Now how about that eh.  That’s the end of Al’s gourmet kitchen antics for another year methinks.  Sure is nice to have Kelly home:))

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GROANER’S CORNER:(( A contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had reached the final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the 32,000 milestone money. And as she suspected it would be, the million-dollar question was no pushover. It was, "Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds?Is it A) the condor; B) the buzzard; C) the cuckoo; or D) the vulture?"  The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. And she was doubly on the spot because she had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Audience Poll Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend! Lifeline. The woman hoped she would not have to use it because ... her friend was, well .. blond. She had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and the four choices. The blonde responded unhesitatingly: "That's easy. The answer is C: The cuckoo."  The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Regis any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering that her friend was a blonde, that would seem to be the logical thing to do. On the other hand - the blonde had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but be persuaded.
I need an answer," said Regis.  Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo."
"Is that your final answer?" asked Regis. "Yes, that is my final answer."  Two minutes later, Regis said, "That answer is ... absolutely correct! You are now a millionaire!"  Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends including the blonde who had helped her win the million dollars. "Jenny, I just do not know how to thank you! ," said the contestant. "How did you happen to know the right answer?"  "Oh, come on," said the blonde. "Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks."

Friday, June 09, 2017

GUESS WHO’S COMING HOME TOMORROW:)))))

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IF THIS MALE ROBIN IS LOOKING A BIT BEDRAGGLED THERE IS A VERY GOOD REASON

Noticed Pheebe’s dog food was getting low so it was off to Goderich for another bag.  Guess I been eating a little more than my share these past couple weeks.  Took a swing down around the north harbor to see if anything was going on with the work barges.  Saw the name ‘Scow’ on one of them which means, ‘a flat-bottomed boat with sloping ends used as a lighter and in dredging and other harbor services’.  So it could be they are going to dredge the harbor.

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I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, HOW DO THEY GET THOSE HEAVY EQUIPMENT MACHINES ON AND OFF THE BARGE WITHOUT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE FALLING OFF?

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WITH ALL THOSE ‘OUTHOUSES’ ONBOARD THEY MUST BE PLANNING ONE HECK OF A WORK ‘PARTY’

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NOTICED BARS ON THE WINDOWS OF THAT ORANGE SHED

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HEAVY WOOD PLANKS BELOW ARE FOR THE CRANE TO DRIVE ON AND NOT THE BARE METAL SURFACE OF THE BARGE-SCOW

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DSC_0005<<< THOSE 2 VERTICAL POSTS ARE WHAT DESCEND BELOW THE SCOW TO THE BOTTOM AND STEADY THE PLATFORM WHILE MACHINES ARE WORKING ON IT

Cloudy skies early on with a slight drizzle but we did manage a walk on a ‘new to us’ trail at Goderich’s eastern limits.  Hope to return to that trail later on and see where it goes.  We were home about 10:30 and that was about it for our day.  A couple bun-less hot dogs for lunch and for supper it was turkey with all the fixins including dressing.  The second of two Hungry-Man dinners I bought last week.  Looks like the Boss will be home sometime Saturday or Sunday and I know she will make me start to eat good stuff again.  Oh well at least I had a couple weeks doing it my way.

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HADN’T NOTICED THIS CANADIAN COAST GUARD VESSEL IN THE HARBOR BEFORE

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SOME SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT AT THE STERN

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A COUPLE WHITE FISHING BOATS

The Shout Box Kelly had installed earlier in the week had problems so she took it out again.  When she gets home she’ll have a look at a different one.  And speaking of Kelly, she phoned late this afternoon saying she will be home tomorrow (Saturday) shortly after noon sometime.  Yea team now me and Pheebs can start eating good stuff again:)))))))))))))))))

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THIS MALE ROBIN WAS SURE HAVING A GREAT TIME IN OUR BIRD BATH THIS AFTERNOON

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COULDN’T DECIDE WHICH TWO OR THREE OF THESE ROBIN PHOTOS TO PUT IN SO I PUT THEM ALL IN

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‘OH BOY I HOPE NOBODY’S TAKING ANY PICTURES OF ME WHILE I’M HAVING MY FRIDAY NIGHT BATH

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ALL DONE AND HEADED FOR HOME

GROANER’S CORNER:(( A woman from New York was getting her affairs in order. She prepared her will and made her final arrangements. As part of these arrangements she met with her pastor to talk about what type of funeral service she wanted, etc.  She told her pastor she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Bloomingdale's.  'Bloomingdale's!' the pastor said. 'Why Bloomingdale's?'  'That way, I know my daughters will visit me twice a week.'

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“The gunslinger woke up in the drunk tank, locked and loaded.”

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Q: What is the definition of an accountant?
A: Someone who solves a problem, you didn't know you had, in a way you don't understand.

Thursday, June 08, 2017

MORNING COFFEE TOUR WITH ME IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FOR A CHANGE

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It was Richard’s turn to drive this morning as we headed out not knowing where we were going on another one of our manic magpie country road coffee tours.  With coffee and banana muffins in hand our travels led us over to the area in and around the Hullett Marsh whereupon we got ourselves out for a walk in the Marsh.  Another beautiful sunny morning here in Southwestern Ontario’s Huron County.

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HERE RICHARD SKILFULLY PLACES A BLADE OF GRASS BETWEEN HIS FINGERS THEN BLOWS THROUGH IT MAKING A SOUND AKIN TO AN AUSTRALIAN WALLABY AS IT ROMANTICALLY APPROACHES A TASMANIAN WATER BUFFALO

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ONLY WILDLIFE SPOTTED THIS MORNING BESIDES OURSELVES WERE THESE TWO CHICKENS

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CAN YOU SEE THE LARGE ‘WOOD PYTHON’ SLITHERING THROUGH THE WATER TOWARDS US??

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NOW REMEMBER, I SAID IT WAS A ‘WOOD’ PYTHON RIGHT:))

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IT IS EASY TO SEE WHY IT IS CALLED A MARSH

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HERE RICHARD IS ON THE TRAIL OF AN ELUSIVE DRAGONFLY

Guess I should have saved some of Wednesday’s photos for today’s post then I wouldn’t be short of photos tonight but I have this habit of trying to keep my blog as current as possible.  If I take a photo or write something today I feel I need to get it into today’s post and not tomorrow’s post.  Having an interest in news reporting years ago I had a few months of basic journalism training way back in about 1969 and I think my daily blogging habit now is based on a few things I may have taken away from that short period of time.  To write about something that happened yesterday or a week from yesterday seems to hold no interest for me for the most part.  If I can think about something today then it is today I must write about.  Same bit of juggled reasoning seems to apply to my taking of photos as well.  My thoughts and photos interest me today but maybe not so much tomorrow.  So for me today it is and always seems to be……….

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AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT CHIPPY THE CHIPMUNK CAME TO MY PHOTO RESCUE LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND POSED FOR A FEW PICS OUTSIDE THE SUNROOM WINDOW AGAIN

Silly me has allowed myself to be dragged back into televisions coverage of the political firestorm raging south of the border once again.  Started out occasionally checking the headlines at the top of the hour and now here I am sitting and listening to all the ‘talking heads’ again.  I find all that stuff way to upsetting and would be far better served watching old black and white ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ episodes.  I will have to concentrate harder on keeping myself away from all that political news stuff again.   Just cannot believe the absolute and sheer madness still going on in our much treasured ‘second home’ away from home south of the border!!

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Growing weary from all the cooking I have doing lately I decided to take Pheebs out for lunch today so off we headed into Bayfield.  We were both feeling the need for a 6” Tuna Sub so headed directly to the Subway Sandwich shop.  I never even made it through the front door.  In fact had I checked my watch before leaving the house we would never have left the house in the first place.  It was noon and as soon as I opened Subways door I knew in a flash the mistake I had made.  There must have been about 642 people in there lined up at the counter.  I instantly reversed my course of direction and reversed myself back to the Jeep.  We were home 5 minutes later whereupon I whooped us up a 3 egg cheese, onion, and ham omelet which of course was just as good as any old Tuna Sub anyway.  And cheaper too:))

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No exact word yet when Kelly is coming home but I do suspect it could very well be sometime over the next few days.  Pressure has been on for her to stay longer which is understandable seeing’s how she only gets to Spencerport NY once or twice a year to see her family.  I think Pheebs and I can hold out for a few more days.  Lots of peanut butter and honey left.  In fact I think I will go slather me up one right now.

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GROANER’S CORNER:(( Bob was sitting at the table one morning, reading the paper after breakfast. He came across an article about a beautiful actress who was about to marry a football player known for his lack of IQ. He turned to his wife and said, "I'll never understand why the biggest jerks get the most attractive wives." She replied, "Why, thank you, Dear!"

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My aunt gave me a walkie-talkie for my birthday. She says if I'm good, she'll give me the other one next year.

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A man went to his lawyer and told him, "My neighbor owes me $500 and he doesn't want to pay up. What should I do?" "Do you have any proof?" asked the lawyer. "Nope," replied the man. "Okay, then write him a letter asking him for the $1000 he owed you," said the lawyer. "But it's only $500," replied the man. "Precisely. That's what he will reply and we will have the proof we need to nail him."

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