OUR PARK'S 'FOR SALE' PRICE HAS DROPPED FROM 6 MILLION TO 4 MILLION

For the most part, we had clear dry roads this morning and any day without a snowy ice-packed slippery surface is a bonus.  A pinkish-orange thin line across the eastern horizon at sunrise showed promise for a nice morning but the day gradually clouded over and we were back to dull and gray.

WE HAD SOME MELTING GOING ON TODAY

NICE TO SEE THESE SOFT PASTEL MORNING COLORS 

Pheebs and I wandered our way up to Goderich.  Had a couple things I wanted in Walmart but upon entering the store I made a quick U-turn and walked right back out again.  People were stacked to the rafters with long waiting lines at the check-outs.  Slipped over to Food Basics.  Much better.  I noticed this morning that the TSC store has now changed to a Peavey Mart.  My first clue was when I walked in the door and got a great big over the top 'Good Morning'.  Quite a change from TSC alright.

LAST WEEK THERE WAS STILL A TSC SIGN UP THERE

SOME CHRISTMAS TREES ARE NOT AS EASY TO GET HOME AS OTHERS

Our usual coffee to go at McD's and down to Goderich's south harbor we went.  Work has resumed on the boardwalk and a couple large machines were busy along the shoreline positioning large boulders into place.  A quick stop at the dog walking area but with an icy wind blowing we didn't stay long.

TWO LARGE FREIGHTERS ON THE HORIZON OFF THE PORT OF GODERICH

A FISHING BOAT HEADS FOR HARBOR THROUGH CHOPPY WATERS

ONE OF THE TWO DISTANT FREIGHTERS HAS COME AROUND AND APPEARS TO BE INBOUND 

THE FISHING BOAT MAKES IT TO THE HARBORS CALMER WATERS

THE ALGOMA CONVEYER TAKES ON A LOAD OF SALT

THIS IS THE MACHINE THAT PICKS UP THE BIG BOULDERS AND PUTS THEM WHERE IT WANTS THEM

From the south harbor, we slipped over to the north side of the harbor for a drive around and look-see.  Just the usual stuff.  The big Salt Mine is always busy and two fishing boats came in while we were there.  A large freighter taking on a load of rock salt as well.  Salt from this mine is what is widely used on icy roads.

I THINK THIS TUGBOAT MAY SOON BE HEADING OUT TO ASSIST THAT BIG FREIGHTER POSSIBLY ON ITS WAY IN

LOOKS LIKE THE ALGOMA CONVEYER HAS HAD A FEW BUMPS AND SCRAPES ALONG THE WAY

A SECOND FISHING BOAT PULLS IN WITH AN EARLY MORNING CATCH

FISH WILL BE OFFLOADED INTO THOSE COLORED BINS

With the dullness of the day heavy upon us we soon headed home for warmer pastures and I once again safely ensconced myself in our sunroom for the day's duration except for a short later afternoon walk with Pheebs.

I'M THINKING THIS MAY BE A FEMALE DOWNIE WOODPECKER

According to the latest Real Estate ad the selling price of our 5 Seasons Estates Park here has dropped from its original 6 million dollar price tag to 4 million.  Maybe it's a Christmas Special eh??  Our future living arrangements continue to hang in the balance:((

Thank you to everyone for your kind comments recently on my photos and writings.  It is you and many other fine people out there who keep my blog going.

WHITE ORCHIDS IN OUR LIVING ROOM WINDOW

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A Retiree's Life::

Q. When is a retiree's bedtime?
A. Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch.
Q. How many retirees does it take to change a light bulb?
A. Only one, but it might take all day.
Q. What's the biggest gripe of retirees?
A. There is not enough time to get everything done.
Q. Why don't retirees mind being called senior citizens?
A. The term comes with a 10% discount.
Q. Among retirees what is considered formal attire?
A. Tied shoes.
Q. Why do retirees count pennies?
A. They are the only ones who have the time.
Q. What is the common term for someone who enjoys work and refuses to retire?
A. NUTS!
Q. Why are retirees so slow to clean out the basement, attic or garage?
A. They know that as soon as they do, one of their adult kids will want to store stuff there.
Q. What do retirees call a long lunch?
A. Normal
Q. What is the best way to describe retirement?
A. The never-ending Coffee Break.
Q. What's the biggest advantage of going back to school as a retiree?
A. If you cut classes, no one calls your parents.
Q. Why does a retiree often say he doesn't miss work, but misses the people he used to work with?
A. He is too polite to tell the whole truth.

================

 

AND I HAD NEVER BEEN THERE BEFORE

TOOK A FEW PICKS OF OUR FRONT YARD TUESDAY NIGHT

Temperatures dropped below freezing so everything froze overnight making for icy walking for Pheebs and Kelly first things this morning.  Yesterday's snowfall remained heavy on the branches until about mid-morning when the ice and snow began melting.

A SWING DOWN AROUND OUR PARK'S YARD WASTE AREA NETTED A COUPLE PHOTOS

PATIENTLY WAITING FOR SPRING

The Jeep's tires slowly crunched along over the snowy frozen roads as we leisurely made our way out of the Park turning east into the morning sunrise.  And yes, there was a sunrise:))

We were soon on the road to Clinton for a coffee to go at the Tim Horton coffee shop.  The drive-thru was backed up right onto the highway.  Busy place.  Heading east out of Clinton for a few miles we picked up the first sideroad heading south following it to the Morris Line where we slowly made our way further south.  I was purposely putting in time because I knew the Porter's Hill Wild Birdseed company back in Bayfield didn't open until 10 a.m.  And I had never been there before.

MAKING OUR WAY TO CLINTON VIA THE SLOWER SCENIC ROUTE

PHEEBS ENJOYS THE FRESH MORNING AIR

SNOW PATTERNS

BACK ON THE HIGHWAY WE FAST TRACKED IT FOR TIM HORTONS

An absolutely beautiful bright blue sky sunny morning and after a while as temperatures came up it reminded me of a mighty fine Spring day.  With both front windows down and the heater going I could hear Libby's tires sloshing their way along through the country road slush.

JUST A MARVELOUS MORNING FOR A RIDE THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE

WE JUST FOLLOWED THE BIG BLUE SKY AROUND

CATCHING A FEW DOGGY WINKS

STOPPING FOR A DRINK OF WATER

Looks like we have a reasonably good weather day coming up Thursday as well with a mixture of sun and clouds and temps near 40F.  Every good weather day between now and next Spring is very much appreciated.

MY FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE DAY

NO, NOT AN ARCTIC FOX....ITS ARCTIC PHEEBS

It was sometime not too long after 10 a.m. we rolled back into Bayfield's south end and popped into Porter's Hill Wild Birdseed. This was my first time there and I was impressed by the cozy little store with its well-stocked bird supplies and crafts.  Picked up a couple 20-pound bags of specially blended 'Deluxe' birdseed and headed for home.

HEADING HOME

JUST ONE OF MANY FINE OLD HOUSES IN BAYFIELD

YEP, LOOKS LIKE OUR PARK ALRIGHT

HEY THAT'S OUR RIG

The day remained sunny for the rest of the afternoon as our Monday/Tuesday snowfall continued to slowly melt.  I figure any time snow is melting it has to be a good thing.  I again enjoyed my time in the sunroom watching all the birds out in our front yard.  This sunroom is one of the best investments we ever made.

 MALE DOWNIE WOODPECKER

BLUE JAY

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE

MALE CARDINAL

FEMALE CARDINAL

ROSE BREASTED NUTHATCH

Pheebs and I did make it out for an afternoon walk around some of the partially snow-covered muddy new roads further back in the bush here in the Park.  Cold wind but the abundance of sunshine sure felt good and made everything look nice.  A welcome change from dull and gray.

I KEPT IT SIMPLE AND LET PHEEBS LEAD THE WAY

UP THERE JUST BEYOND PHEEBS IS WHERE MY FAVORITE TREE ONCE STOOD

ITS ANYBODY'S GUESS HOW MANY MORE TREES WILL BE BULLDOZED DOWN

Slipped out Tuesday night and took a few quick pics around our front yard.  With a cold drizzle in the air, I didn't stay out long.

YOU CAN SEE MY COZY RECLINER TUCKED AWAY IN THE CORNER

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The Lone Ranger and Tonto were riding across the desert when a line of mounted Indians appeared to the right of them. They looked to the left and saw another line of mounted Indians. Behind them they saw another line of mounted Indians.  The Lone Ranger said, "Looks like we're in trouble, Tonto."  Tonto replied, "What do you mean WE, white man?"

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

Mary and Jane are old friends. They have both been married to their husbands for a long time; Mary is upset because she thinks her husband doesn't find her attractive anymore.  "As I get older he doesn't bother to look at me!" Mary cries.  "I'm so sorry for you, as I get older my husband says I get more beautiful every day." replies Jane.  "Yes, but your husband's an antique dealer!"

============================