AND SO IT GOES EACH NEW YEAR'S MORNING

'Wowsers,' a pinky sunrise kicked off a blue sunshiny morning.  Now, how's that for starting the first day of the first week of a New Year off eh:)))))

JUST GOTTA LOVE THESE BLUE SUNSHINY DAYS

 YOU CAN MY EYES WERE DRAWN TO THE BIG BLUE SKY THIS MORNING

With temps sitting at 27F I knew the muddy road at our country road walking spot would be still frozen so Pheebs and I headed out there straight away to get a walk in.  Due to an icy north wind and slippery conditions underfoot we had to limit our walk to a quarter mile.  I knew the slightest slip could cause me a mountain of pain in my right hip even if I didn't fall.

 A FEW PHOTOS ON MY WAY OUT OF THE PARK EARLIER TODAY

 OFF WE GO UP THE ROAD HEADFIRST INTO AN ICY NORTH WIND

 FROZEN WATER PUDDLES ALONG THE WAY

LONG GRASS WITH A DUSTING OF CRISPY FROZEN SNOW

 THE FROZEN MUD IN THE FOREGROUND MADE FOR TRICKY WALKING

Continuing on, we jeeped ourselves around half a dozen country roads soaking up the rural scenery as we went.  A great way to start the new year off unlike a week ago on Christmas day when it was a miserably rainy cold day.  In all our travels this morning we only encountered two other cars. I like when that happens:))  

 WE DROVE ALONG SLOWLY FOLLOWING THE BIG BLUE SKY

 A LONG BUNDLE OF HAY BALES WRAPPED IN PROTECTIVE PLASTIC

It wasn't long after we got home that we lost the Sun to a thin cloud cover.  But, that was alright because we were able to be out earlier and get a few steps in while being a part of the morning's sunshine.  

 I WASN'T ABLE TO GET A CLEAR SHOT OF THIS LITTLE FELLOW'S HOOVES AGAIN

At midnight last night, lots of Seniors were driving wildly around our Park blaring their horns, flashing their lights, and yelling out the windows.  Some of them even had hats and horns and appeared to be quite tipsy.  Okay, okay, so that didn't really happen, but it could have.  You know what we Seniors can be like sometimes eh:)) 

 I THINK THAT LITTLE CLASS C RV LEANING AGAINST THE DRIVING SHED IS HOPING THAT SOME KIND SOUL WILL DRIVE HIM DOWN SOUTH FOR THE WINTER

WITH THOSE LARGE EXHAUST FAN TUBES I AM GUESSING THIS IS A PIG BARN

 WE'RE STILL CRUISING ALONG UNDER THE BIG BLUE SKY

It was nice to wake up this morning and see 2023 in the rearview mirror.  Looking ahead to 2024 and although it's a foggy outlook I'm mildly excited to get the year underway and deal with the challenges ahead whatever they may be.  And, next year I will probably wake up on this very same first day of the year and see 2024 In the same rearview mirror thinking to myself, well I'm sure glad that year is over!!  And so it goes each New Year's morning.

 THE SWEEPING SHORELINE OF LAKE HURON IS LESS THAT THREE MILES STRAIGHT AHEAD

 CANADA GEESE HANGING OUT ON A FARM POND

I finished my latest book called, Stories From The Messengers: Accounts of Owls, UFOs and a Deeper Reality by author Mike Clelland.  He is the author of the previous book I liked so well called, Unseen.  There is always a lot to think about in Mike Clellend's books and his non-fiction book 'Stories From The Messengers' was no exception.  I certainly will be more attentive to any Owls I encounter from now on.  Kelly and I did try to save several young Great Horned Owls right here in our own Park a number of years ago over near the Park's pond.  The first one was on June 14th, 2010.  Our Monday Morning Mission of Mercy and the second one was on June 12th, 2012.  An Unsuccessful Ending to a Rescue Attempt.  From around the house, I have today gathered together a collection of four little gray unassuming stone Owls and have them now sitting together ahead of me on our sunroom's computer desk.  It is those four little Owls that you see at the top of today's post.  With one of my Picasa photo-editing tools, I have given them a deservedly mysterious Neon look........... For my next book I have chosen Two Years Before The Mast by author, Richard Henry Dana Jr.  It is a thirteen-and-half hour read and that I should think will keep me quite entertained while I wile away these cold and gray Winter days..................

Al's Music Box:)) Up Up And Away  I thought we'd start the New Year off on an upbeat note:))  "Up, Up and Away" is a 1967 song written by Jimmy Webb and recorded (as "Up–Up and Away") by US soul-pop act the 5th Dimension with backing from members of The Wrecking Crew.^] A canonical example of sunshine pop themed around images of hot air ballooning, it cleaned up at the 10th annual Grammy Awards in 1968, winning for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, Best Performance by a Vocal Group, Best Performance by a Chorus and Best Contemporary Song.  

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A doctor of psychology was doing his normal morning rounds, and he entered a patient's room to find his patient sitting on the floor, sawing at a piece of wood with the side of his hand. Meanwhile, another patient was in the room, hanging from the ceiling by his feet.The doctor asked his patient what he was doing, sitting on the floor.  The patient replied in an irritated fashion, "Can't you see I'm sawing this piece of wood in half?"  The doctor inquired, "And what is the fellow hanging from the ceiling doing?"  "Oh. He's my friend, but he's a little crazy. He thinks he's a light bulb."  The doctor asks, "If he's your friend, don't you think you should get him down from there before he hurts himself?"  "What? And work in the dark?"

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Son: “Dad, did you get the results of the DNA test back?”
Dad: “Ya, call me George.”

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"Mr. Clark, I'm afraid I have bad news," the doctor told his anxious patient. "You only have six months to live."  The man sat in stunned silence for the next several minutes. Regaining his composure, he apologetically told his physician that he had no medical insurance. "I can't possibly pay you in that time."  "Okay," the doctor said, "let's make it nine months."
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HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WE'LL SEE Y'ALL ON THE FLIP SIDE:))

THIS IS THE STERN OF MY FAVORITE BAYIELD SAILBOAT

I am again thinking of upping my photo game a notch by switching to a different photo editing program.   Picasa, the free editing program I have been using for the past 17 years is not supported anymore and if it were to suddenly go ker-ploop one of these days I would be the proverbial fish out of water.  I don't consider Microsoft's photo editing tools to be a viable option.  I'm looking at Adobe's Photoshop Elements again because it appears that it would be the easiest one for me to learn.  'Easy' is the operative word here.  If I'm going to get into another photo editing program I have to get in at the entry level or I will become quickly discouraged.  Entry level will be challenging enough for me without thinking I could try an advanced version.  I'm wondering if any readers out here are using this or another comparable easy-to-understand photo editing program.

 PHEEBS AND I TOOK OURSELVES FOR A WALK IN THE BAYFIELD CEMETERY THIS MORNING

 A COLD FISHING MORNING ON BAYFIELD'S SOUTH PIER

 NOW THERE IS SOMETHING I COULD USE MORE OF ON THESE COLD GRAY DAYS

 IT JUST DON'T SEEM RIGHT TO SEE SANTA STANDING ON GREEN GRASS INSTEAD OF SNOW

For the last year of the day, it was a cold wet mixture of drizzly rain and snow.  Pheebs and I did take a walk in the field next to the Bayfield Cemetery before the yukky weather set in.  For something to do today, I dragged out all my camera gear, cleaned and dusted it off, and then put most of the stuff away again.  Hey, at least it gave me something constructive to do for an hour on this cold and damp yukky last day of the year.  I'm already dreading the 6 weeks following my hip replacement when I will be prohibited from driving as well as being confined to the house until my hip is well enough for me to get out and about again.  I haven't told Pheebs yet that we won't be able to get out for our morning Jeep rides for a while.  No sense in both of us feeling depressed about it.

So, here we are at the end of another year balancing on the cusp of another new year.  No point in me trying to sum up 2023.  We met all the challenges we faced and we're still here.  We'll continue to do the same in 2024.  So, with that, I say Happy New Year to everyone and I wish you all the best in 2024.  And thank you to all my blog readers who have stuck with me for another grinding year.  You people are truly made of tough stuff!!  Okay, see y'all on the flip side:))       

 MORE DREDGED-UP STEEL ON BAYFIELD'S NORTH PIER

Al's Music Box:)) Auld Lang Syne by Canadian-born Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra is a popular song, particularly in the English-speaking world. Traditionally, it is sung to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. The poem's Scots title may be translated into standard English as "old long since" or, less literally, "long long ago", "days gone by", "times long past" or "old times". Consequently, "For auld lang syne", as it appears in the first line of the chorus, might be loosely translated as "for the sake of old times".

GROANER'S CORNER:((  The teacher noticed that Johnny had been daydreaming for a long time. She decided to get his attention."Johnny," she said, "If the world is 25,000 miles around and eggs are sixty cents a dozen, how old am I? "Thirty-four," Johnny answered unhesitatingly.  The teacher replied "Well, that's not far from my actual age. Tell me...how did you guess?"  Oh, there's nothing to it," Johnny said. "My big sister is seventeen and she's only half-crazy."

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Guy: Haven’t I seen you someplace before?

Girl: Yes, that’s why I don’t go there anymore.

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A doctor, an engineer, and a politician were arguing as to which profession was older.
"Well," argued the doctor, "without a physician mankind could not have survived, so I am sure that mine is the oldest profession."  "No," said the engineer, "before life began there was complete chaos, and it took an engineer to create some semblance of order from this chaos. So engineering is older."  "But," chirped the triumphant politician, "who created the chaos?"

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DRIVING WITH LANTERN POWER

We had ourselves a cloudy but clear and cold rainless morning so Pheebs and I slipped out to our country road walking spot.  However, a farm tractor plowing up a harvested corn field had really chewed up the already muddy road so we didn't get a walk in.  Undaunted, we did do a little countryside drive around.

 HEADING EAST ON TELEPHONE ROAD WITH THE HENSALL CO-OP  VISIBLE ON THE HORIZON IN CLINTON ONTARIO's SOUTH END

Late Friday afternoon Kelly ordered us up a pizza, so at 5:30 in the darkness of early evening I piled into the Jeep and headed out the driveway for Bayfield to pick it up.  Well, it's lucky I even found Bayfield.  I can't even remember the last time I drove the Jeep at night but it has to be a couple of years at least.  I've also never paid much attention to the glaze forming on the plastic headlight cover.  When I pulled out of the Park and headed down the road it was like I was driving by candlepower.  And yes, my headlights were on.  One candle in each headlight.  No problem I thought so I switched on my high beams and 'oh wow' it was definitely better....I was now driving with lantern power.  One buggy lantern in each headlight.  Well, needless to say, I dimly made it into Bayfield and back with the Pizza and didn't bonk into anything along the way.  Next time I head out at night I'll be sure to take the Subaru with its much newer and more advanced lighting system and clear plastic headlight covers.  

 I DID TRY TO GET SOME MORE PICTURES OF THAT PONY ON THE LEFT WITH POSSIBLE HOOF PROBLEMS BUT DESPITE A DOZEN LONG TELEPHOTO SHOTS THIS IS THE BEST RESULT I GOT AND IT DOESN'T SHOW THE HOOVES....I WILL TRY AGAIN

Al's Music Box:)) It Never Rains In California is a 1972 song jointly written and composed by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and sung by Hammond, a British-born singer-songwriter.  The lyrics of "It Never Rains In Southern California" tell a first-person story of a showbiz aspirant whose attempts to break into entertainment were failures, but who wants to hide that fact from those he had left behind to pursue his dreams.  Instrumental backing was provided by L.A. session musicians from the Wrecking Crew. The song appears on Hammond's debut album of the same name. 

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A Jesuit was out for a drive and crashed into another car, only to discover that the other driver was a Franciscan.“It was my fault,” each insisted—as is only right and proper with religious men.Concerned, the Jesuit said, “You look badly shaken up, Father. You could probably use a good stiff drink right now to calm down.”He produced a flask and the Franciscan drank from it and said, “Thank you, Father; I feel much better now. But you’re probably shaken up too. Why don’t you have a drink as well?” “I will,” the Jesuit replied, “but I think I’ll wait until after the police have come.”

- I keep trying to lose weight...but it keeps finding me.

- Have you ever tried to eat a clock? It's very time-consuming.

- What do you call a small mother?  A minimum.

- Where do you learn to make ice cream?  Sundae school.

I work in a busy office, and when a computer goes down it causes quite an inconvenience. Recently one of our computers not only crashed, it made a noise that sounded like a heart monitor.
"This computer has flat-lined," a co-worker called out with mock horror.  "Does anyone here know how to do mouse-to-mouse?"

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CRAWLED UNDER MY SECURITY BLANKET

 BUNDLED UP AT THE BEACH ON A COLD RAINY DAY AT GODERICH'S ROTARY COVE

Needing to pick up a prescription at Walmart, Pheebs and I headed off to Goderich this morning in a spritzy rain.  A usual coffee to go at McDonalds' and down to the harbor and beach areas we went.  Snapped a few pics and headed for Walmart.  Lots of holiday shoppers in there milling about.  I was glad to not only get out of the store in one piece but out of the frantic Wallyworld parking lot without getting all smashed up as well.  Cars going every which-a-way.  From there we followed our windshield wipers all the way home, came into the house, locked the doors, pulled down the shades, and crawled under my security blanket in the closet.  The day was done.     

 A SLIGHTLY FOGGY COASTLINE

 THE ALGOMA COMPASS DOCKED AT THE GODERICH SALT MINE

A GREEN HOUSE PLANT CAN BE SEEN THROUGH A WINDOW UP THERE ON THE BRIDGE

 NOTICE THE CLEAR GREEN WATERS OF LAKE HURON IN GODERICH'S HARBOR

Al's Music Box:)) Can't Do A Thing To Stop Me  Chris Isaak (born June 26, 1956)^] is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and occasional actor. Noted for his reverb-laden rockabilly revivalist style and wide vocal range, he is popularly known for his breakthrough hit and signature song 'Wicked Game' as well as international hits such as "Blue Hotel", "'Baby Did a Bad Thing' and Somebody's Crying'.  With a career spanning four decades, Isaak has released a total of 13 studio albums, toured extensively with his band Silvertone, and received numerous award nominations. His sound and image are often compared to those of Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson and Duane Eddy.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( One day a man spotted a lamp by the roadside. He picked it up, rubbed it vigorously, and a genie appeared.  "I'll grant you your fondest wish," the genie said.  The man thought for a moment, then said, "I want a spectacular job, a job that no man has ever succeeded at or has ever even dared try."  "Poof!" said the genie. "You're a housewife."

Did anyone see the joke I posted recently about my spine?  It was about a weak back.

Hospital regulations require a wheel chair for patients being discharged. However, while working as a student aide, Sam found one elderly gentleman already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet, who insisted he didn't need Sam's help to leave the hospital. After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let Sam wheel him to the elevator. On the way down Sam asked him if his wife was meeting him. I don't know, he said. She is still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown.

Shut Up and Trouble were walking down a path. Trouble got lost. So, Shut Up went to a police officer. The police officer asked, "What's your name?"  He answered, "Shut Up."  He asked again "What's your name?"  "Shut Up."  The police officer asked, "Are you looking for trouble?!"  "Yeah, I lost him down a path about two miles back."

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MAYBE IT'S THE REMAINS OF AN OLD SHIPWRECK

 IF THIS LOG SHACK HAD A 'FOR SALE' SIGN ON IT I MIGHT HAVE WALKED OVER AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR:))

My turn to drive for our semi-monthly country road coffee tour so under cloudy damp skies I headed on over to Richard's this morning.   He had the Hyundai rental car to return so I followed him to Goderich.  That done, we grabbed a couple coffees and carrot muffins to go at McDonalds and headed south down Highway 21 stopping at a few mobile home Parks and properties along the way.  The reason for doing that??  Because we could and we were both feeling a little extra nosey this morning:))

 NOT SURE WHAT'S ON THIS FLATBED TRUCK IN THE HARBOR BUT I SAW ALL THIS STUFF SITTING ON THE DOCK A FEW DAYS AGO....I'M SPECULATING IT MIGHT BE THE REMAINS OF AN OLD SHIPWRECK

 YOU CAN SEE ALL THE TINY MUSSELS ON IT WHICH MEANS IT HAS BEEN UNDERWATER FOR QUITE SOME TIME

 IN BAYFIELD'S VERY OWN BAYFIELD BREEZE IT SAID ABOUT THIS WRECKAGE.....'THE FINAL CHAPTER IS BEING WRITTEN,  MORE IMAGES AND DETAILS TO FOLLOW IN ISSUE 756''

AND, THIS MACHINE BEING LOADED ONTO A BARGE THIS MORNING MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE MACHINE THAT BROUGHT THAT WRECKAGE UP FROM EITHER THE RIVER OR THE LAKE BOTTOM

Home again and with a light drizzle in the air, I contented myself with staying in the house for the rest of the day.  I thought to myself, hang in there Al, it's only 3 days to the beginning of a new year and then it's pedal to the metal with lengthening sunnier days to Spring:))   

 A LOT OF RAIN WATER LYING AROUND IN SOME AREA FIELDS

Al's Music Box:)) Our Winter Love  is an instrumental composition by Johnny Cowell, which was a hit single for Bill Pursell. Pursell's version was recorded in 1962, and was released as a single in January 1963. While the Bill Pursell version is largely an instrumental, primarily piano with strings, some riffs are vocalized by a chorus of female and male singers. While it wasn't intended to be a Christmas song, some easy listening and adult contemporary radio stations have the Bill Pursell version on their Christmas music playlists.

 REALLY?? I WONDER HOW THE COUPLE WHO OWN THIS SAILBOAT ACTUALLY GETS ALONG 

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A father and son are out shopping for Christmas presents for their family.  The son asks, "What presents are my sister and I going to get?"  The dad answers, "I got you guys an iPad and iPod."  "Wow, thanks," the son replies, "What will you give mom?"  The dad says, "Your mom is getting an iRon."

Q: Why was Adam a famous runner?
A: Because he was first in the human race.

A woman went into a busy cake shop and when it was her turn to be served she commented, "You know, I came into this shop 15 years ago when I was just a girl.  The harassed shop assistant snapped,  "I'm sorry about that but I'm serving as fast as I can."

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