IT WAS SO NICE TO SEE HER SPARKLE

 THE BURGUNDY COLORED TREES ARE SUMACS

Just to be on the super safe side and not wanting to get stranded if the Jeep fails to start again at some point, Pheebs and I in the Subaru, slipped up to Goderich's Canadian Tire Store this morning and I purchased a compact Motomaster Booster Pack/Jump Starter.  I will now carry this in the Jeep at all times until my confidence is restored and even when it is, I will still carry it in the Jeep at all times just in case.

 SEEN AT GODERICH'S ROTARY COVE

On our way to Goderich, and despite a few raindrops on the windshield, we stopped at our country road walking spot and did half of our half-mile walk.  Pheebs could have made the half mile, but I couldn't.  

After a 'not so good day' Wednesday, Kelly woke up this morning saying she had the best sleep in many months.  And, she continued to feel reasonably good for the rest of the day.  It was so nice to see her sparkle.  There have been a few comments about protein shakes.  Kelly has been drinking protein shakes almost daily for the past couple of months, ever since just before her initial liver assessment.  The ice cream and sweet treats are just an added bonus for her:))  I wish they were an added bonus for me too, but........:((

 THERE ARE STILL A FEW SUNFLOWERS AROUND

I don't know why it turned out to be another one of my lazy days, but it did.  I guess I'll just use my usual excuse and blame it on the cloudy days.      

 CAME ACROSS THIS BATCH OF CHICKENS ON THE WAY HOME

 AND BY GOLLY WE SPOTTED OLD LONESOME AGAIN ON OUR WAY HOME

Al's Music Box:)) You'll Never Find by Lou Rawls from his 1976 album, 'All Things In Time'.  I've always liked this song and I really like the cover version Michael Buble'did in 2003.  You'll Never Find by Michael Buble'.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A pastor, known for his lengthy sermons, noticed a man get up and leave during the middle of his message. The man returned just before the conclusion of the service. Afterwards the pastor asked the man where he had gone.  "I went to get a haircut," was the reply.  "But," said the pastor, "why didn't you do that before the service?"  "Because," the gentleman said, "I didn't need one then."

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"My uncle ran for Senate last year."  "Really? What does he do now?"  "Nothing. He got elected."

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Buckwheat of the Little Rascals fame grew up, became a Muslim, and changed his name. He now goes by Kareem of Wheat.

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ALL THREE OF US HEADED OUT IN THE SUBARU THIS MORNING

 YES, IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

Another cloudy start to the day but that's okay because there isn't any snow on the ground.  With fingers of my left hand crossed on the steering wheel and a new battery under the Jeep's hood I turned the ignition switch and 'Walla' the Jeep started.  Not wanting to push my luck we didn't stop for a walk this morning and instead kept the Jeep going until we got home again.  We'll see what happens tomorrow.

 I THINK THESE FELLERS ARE A LITTLE BIT SHORT ON GRASS

 NO SHORTAGE OF GRASS FOR THESE SHEEP GUYS

Kelly had a number of errands in Goderich so it was all three of us in the Subaru and off to Goderich we went.  First stop was to drop a few things off in Saltford and then it was into Goderich we went.  We stopped at two bakeries where Kelly loaded up on pastries.  Wendys was next so I could get my daily intake of vegetables and after that, it was two Goodwill stores where we dropped off one big bag of stuff at one of them.  Next stop was Pet Value for doggy treats and food and after that, it was the Walmart Pharmacy where Kelly picked up a prescription.  A quick stop at Zehrs Supermarket and a second stop at The Canadian Tire Store where Kelly picked up an exercise handgrip strength thing.  One of the physio tests for her next week in London will be a hand grip strength test.  We were home again sometime after 1 p.m.

 SAW THIS NORTH OF GODERICH

HERE'S KELLY HOPPING BETWEEN TWO BAKE SHOPS

 PHEEBS PATIENTLY WAITS FOR MOM

 JUST ME EATING MY VEGGIES:))

A week from today we go to London for Kelly's reassessment, but the lady on the phone yesterday told Kelly if she doesn't feel strong enough to undergo the physio test next week she will book the test for the following week.  Kelly has a few days to decide whether to wait an extra week or not.  I do know Kelly has been feeling very tired and fatigued these past few days.  

 A BUSY TIME FOR FARMERS COMING UP

Marilyn, over in the Shout Box also had a few questions.  What will you use the log pieces for? Do you catch a couple frogs in spring to put in you pond or do they happen on their own? The three logs in the utility trailer I will stand up in various flower beds around the yard.  I sprinkle birdseed on them.  And, slightly revising the line from the Field Of Dreams movie, 'If you build it, they will come', and that is what I did.  I built the frog pond about 19 years ago and the frogs came.  In fact, they keep coming year after year and I have never had to import a single one.   

WITH CORN STALK LEAVES TURNING BROWN WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF THE ANNUAL CORN HARVEST

 IN FACT, THE HARVEST HAS ALREADY BEGUN

SEAGULLS GLEANING A RECENTLY HARVESTED CORN FIELD

 CANADA GEESE CHOWING DOWN ON LEFTOVER KERNELS OF CORN

 AND, I SAW THE CONNING TOWER OF A RUSSIAN SUBMARINE EMERGING OUT OF A CORNFIELD THIS MORNING...YA DON'T SUPPOSE THOSE RASCALLY RUSSIANS WERE STEALING THIS FARMER'S BEANS DO YA!!

Al's Music Box:)) The Three Bells by The Browns from their 1959 album, 'Sweet Sounds Of The Browns.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Two gas company servicemen, a senior training supervisor and a young trainee, were out checking meters in a suburban neighborhood. They parked their truck the end of the alley and worked their way to the other end. At the last house, a woman looking out her kitchen window watched the two men as they checked her gas meter.  Finishing the meter check, the senior supervisor challenged his younger coworker to a foot race down the alley back to the truck to prove that an older guy could outrun a younger one.  As they came running up to the truck, they realized the lady from that last house was huffing and puffing right behind them. They stopped and asked her what was wrong.  Gasping for breath, she replied, “When I see two men from the gas company running as hard as you two were, I figured I'd better run too!”

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You might be a redneck if...

Your dad is also your favorite uncle.

During your senior year you and your mother had homeroom together.

On your first date you had to ask your Dad to borrow the keys to the tractor.

Your parakeet knows the phrase "Open up, Police!"

You saved lots of money on your honeymoon by going deer hunting.

In tough situations, you ask yourself, "What would Curly do?"

Taking your wife on a cruise means circling the Dairy Queen.

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ANOTHER LONDON PHONE CALL FOR KELLY THIS MORNING

We were on our way home from the Bayfield Garage about 9:15 this morning when Kelly's cell phone rang.  It was her liver transplant contact lady phoning from London's University Hospital.  The transplant committee wants Kelly to be at the hospital on October 4th at 1 p.m. for her second assessment.  It's not the full assessment all over again, it's just the physio strength test and one other regarding weight and probably some blood work.  Her doctor had indicated it would likely be a couple weeks before the hospital called her with the second assessment date but as it turns out it's only a week so the crunch is on for Kelly to whip herself into top shape.  We stopped at Foodland on the way home and Kelly picked up a big tub of ice cream that almost took two of us to carry out of the store:)) 

Second cloudy morning in a row.  Hmmmm, getting tense!!  Using the Subaru, I jump-started the Jeep, and with Kelly following, I drove it to the Bayfield Garage.  With that little task done and home again, Pheebs, Subie, and I headed off out into the countryside to stir up some gravel with our boots, tires, and paws.

Still energized by these cooler weather days, I did haul out our shop vac and suck a few pounds of doggy fur out of the Subaru.  Well, maybe not that much but it sure seemed like it.  Also, with fishing net in hand, I managed to catch another 3 frogs and take them over to our Park's pond.  That makes 15 now.  Despite our cloudy morning, we ended our day under sunny skies.

The Bayfield Garage called this afternoon saying the Jeep was done so we picked it up.  They said it needed a new battery.  I'm still not convinced but we'll see if the new battery holds it's charge over the next few days.  The first thing I did with the Jeep when I brought it home was to hook it up to the utility trailer and haul a load of branches to the Park's recycle area.  I shut the Jeep off to unload the branches and 'Wowzers' it started right up again when I was ready to go.  I hope my luck holds:))  

 A SPANKING BRAND-NEW BATTERY

 ANOTHER LOAD OF BRANCHES FOR THE RECYCLING AREA

 I DON'T OFTEN LEAVE THE RECYCLE AREA WITHOUT DRAGGING SOMETHING HOME

Al's Music Box:)) Love Potion Number Nine was a 1964 single release for The Searchers.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( I was on vacation, playing the slot machines. It was my first time in a casino, and I wasn't sure how the machines operated.  “Excuse me,” I said to a casino employee. “How does this work?”  The worker showed me how to insert a bill, hit the spin button, and operate the release handle.  “And where does the money come out?” I asked.  He smiled and motioned to a far wall before saying, “Usually at the ATM.”

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A few 'addicted' jokes::

- They say one in every seven friends has a gambling addiction.  My money's on Dave.

- I just got over my addiction to chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts.  I won't lie, it was a Rocky Road.

- I'm embarrassed to say I got addicted to shoplifting but only from the bottom shelves in the supermarket.  How could I stoop so low?

- I'm addicted to seaweed.  I must seek kelp.

- I've been reading a book on anti-gravity, and now I'm so addicted I can't put it down!

- A bunch of batteries were gathering around in a circle.  I guess they were having an AA meeting.

- I got home and someone had stolen all the carpets and mats.  Police think it was the work of rug addicts.

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A young and foolish pilot wanted to sound cool on the aviation frequencies. So, this was his first time approaching a field during the nighttime. Instead of making any official requests to the tower, he said: "Guess who?"  The controller reached over and switched the runway lights off and replied: "Guess where?"

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KELLY'S LIVER DOCTOR PHONED TO TALK TO HER THIS AFTERNOON

It was about 3:15 this afternoon when Kelly's cell phone rang and it was Dr. Teriyaki on the other end.  He had said a week ago today that he would re-submit Kelly's name to the liver transplant committee again and that is what he did.  He told Kelly the committee has agreed to do another assessment with two conditions.  If she can get her weight and strength levels up to their required stringent levels. Because she just got out of the hospital, they are giving her 2 weeks to regain some strength and weight. To say that we are a little 'over the Moon' here would be putting it mildly. We know it's not yet the final decision we hope to hear but it's the next best thing.  A second chance:))))) 

 THIS IS  MY LITTLE PAL 'OOKIE' WHO SITS AHEAD OF ME ON OUR SUNROOM'S COMPUTER DESK.....WHEN HIS SOLAR EYES WINK ON AT DUSK, I KNOW IT'S TIME TO SLIP OUTSIDE AND FILL UP THE BIRD FEEDERS FOR THE MORNING RUSH

An overcast morning found us on the plus side of 60F today.  An occasional cloudy day is quite alright with me but more than two cloudy days in a row can quickly become a problem.  Add in some winter temperatures and I go down the tubes pretty fast!!  Zippity Zoom!!

 OUR FRONT YARD FROG POND IS QUIET NOW THAT I HAVE TAKEN THE WATER PUMP OUT FOR THE SEASON. 
The first order of business this morning was to head into the village and stop at the Bayfield Garage. I made an appointment for the Jeep Tuesday morning.  I'm hoping they can track down and fix the Jeep's starting problem once and for all.  Thanks to readers who have sent in their opinions and suggestions about the Jeep's problem.  We'll see what the garage can come up with.  While in Bayfield, Pheebs and slipped around to the cemetery for a walk and luckily for me, it was a pain-free walk.

 HERE'S THE CREW AT THE PORTER'S HILL WILD BIRD SEED COMPANY IN BAYFIELD

Home again, I busied myself with some outside stuff.  Shut down our front yard frog pond pump, pulled it out of the water, cleaned it, and stored it away until next Spring when I am already looking forward to putting it back in the pond again.  Hauled out my tall step ladder and proceeded to trim more overgrown tree branches along the East side of our property.  I almost have the utility trailer full again.  Had I had enough energy left I would have vacuumed all the doggy fur out of the Subaru but alas, my energy levels had dropped to zero and I had to call it a day.  My front yard renovation project is still on hold but when the pine needles begin to drop soon, I will rake them up and spread them thickly on several areas that I roto-tilled up recently.  In the Spring I will top all those snow flattened pine needles with wood chips in an effort to prevent any growth from getting through.  I'm hoping to begin moving some hostas and ferns shortly.  Our weather is looking great for the next two weeks:))  

 ANOTHER ALMOST FULL LOAD OF BRANCHES IN OUR UTILITY TRAILER

Ellen's Groove:))  Check out Ellen's fretboard fingerwork on this Practice Run.  I think even Ellen was surprised she got through it and you can hear her Dad's approving laughter at the end. 

 HEY, THAT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE LITTLE ELLEN HER VERY SELF

 BUT, HERE'S A PHOTO OF THE REAL ELLEN: THAT HER MOM AND DAD POSTED FOR NATIONAL DAUGHTER'S DAY))

Al's Music Box:)) Lyin' Eyes by the Eagles from their 1975 album, 'One Of These Nights'.  The song was written by the band's founders Glen Frey and Don Henley with Glen Frey doing the lead vocal.

GROANER'S CORNER:))  The chief of staff of the US Air Force decided that he would personally intervene in the recruiting crisis affecting all our armed services.  So, he directed that a nearby Air Force base be opened and that all eligible young men and women be invited.  As he and his staff were standing near a brand new F-15 Fighter, a pair of twin brothers who looked like they had just stepped off a Marine Corps recruiting poster, walked up to them.  The chief of staff stuck out his hand and introduced himself. He looked at the first young man and asked, "Son, what skills can you bring to the Air Force?"  The young man looks at him and says, "I'm a pilot!"  The general gets all excited, turns to his aide and says, "Get him in today, all the paper work done, everything, do it!"  The aide hustles the young man off. The general looks at the second young man and asked, "What skills do you bring to the Air Force?"  The young man says, "I chop wood!"  "Son," the general replies, "we don't need wood choppers in the Air Force. What do you know how to do?"  Again the lad replies, "I chop wood!"  "Young man," huffs the general, "you are not listening to me. We don't need wood choppers, this is the 21st century!"  "Well," the young man says, "you hired my brother!"  "Of course we did," says the general, "he's a pilot!"  The young man rolls his eyes and says, "Dang it. I have to chop it before he can pile it.

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- We all know where the Big Apple is but does anyone know where the ...Minneapolis?

- Sink or swim?  The heck with it, I'm going in the pool. The dishes can wait!

--  My friend asked me to name two things that hold water.  "Well, Dam."

I think it is a good idea to wear two different deodorants, one under each armpit  But that's just my two scents

- So this kid comes home from school in panic and says Dad, they are all picking on me…are we pyromaniacs?  The dad looks down sadly and says. We arson.

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