I AM SURE GLAD THEY GOT UP AND WENT WHEN THEY DID

 NICE TO SEE OUR RESIDENT CHIPMUNKS OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN 

First thing I saw upon awakening this morning was orangy curtains again so I knew we had a sunrise going on out there.  It didn't last and the morning turned cloudy.  Not letting that put a grump in our day, Pheebs and I were soon out the door and headed for the Jeep.  I figured if I could get my right leg in we would be ready to go.  I first assisted Pheebs up into the passenger seat and then taking it slow at the driver's door and with a little help from my right arm guiding my leg I was soon seated squarely behind the steering wheel.  Everything felt perfectly normal and within a minute we were heading out the driveway for a cruise around our Park's road.  It was our first time back in the Jeep and on the road again in nearly 3 weeks.  Took a few pics along the way and even stopped to talk to a couple people out for a walk.  We didn't stop for a walk because the roads at the uninhabited south end of our Park were still muddy.  Soon, we were home again and chalked up our short little jaunt as a complete success.  Back in our driveway I took it slow and eased myself out of the Jeep with everything being A-OK.  After letting Pheebs out I cleaned the Subarus outside front windows, side mirrors, and back window.  Subie is in desperate need of a good wash.

 HERE'S PHEEBS AND I ROLLING OUT OF OUR CARPORT THIS MORNING

 THE BACK OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S HOUSE ACROSS THE ROAD TAKEN FROM AN ACCESS ROAD AT THE SOUTH END OF THE PARK'S POND

 A PAIR OF CANADA GEESE HEADING FOR OUR PARK'S POND

Saw my first Red Wing Blackbird of the year and it was on our bird feeding station earlier today.  Another sure sign of an early Spring and can you believe that in just a couple weeks we will be turning our clocks ahead already:)))))))  I don't know where the past 5 months went but I am sure glad that they got up and went when they did!!

 OUR WINTER'S SINGLE RESIDENT GRACKLE GRABS A SNACK THIS MORNING

I'm not sure where the rest of Sunday slipped away to but Kelly put a movie on that I really enjoyed called, Love and Mercy  It is the story about the 'Beach Boys' co-founder and leader Brian Wilson and his struggles with mental Illness during the 1960s and 1980s.....I enjoyed this movie simply because it dealt with the realities and realism of an individual's life.  And, in this case, it was of special interest to me because it involved a well-known musician's life whose music I grew up in the 60's and beyond listening to.    

A Blast From Our Past With a Difference::  There is a couple right now traveling around an area of our beloved southeastern Arizona that, with the help of our blog from years ago have been visiting some of our favorite places.  How thrilling it was for us this morning to see that Marlene and Benno from Marlene and Benno's Odysseys On Land And Water  actually headed into the Chiricahua Mountains retracing our tracks to find an elusive place we have been to on three separate occasions.  You can find my blogs on this place by typing into our search bar in the right-hand column, 'Mary Kidder Rak' or 'Old Fort Rucker' but it is Marlene and Benno's post I will leave you with here.....In Search Of Camp Rucker.  Marlene does a great job with the writing of this post and their photos brought back so many memories of an area that we loved so well.  And, on one of our 3 trips there, we took Aunt Jean who was visiting from Florida along as well.  There is a lot of history with Camp Rucker and the Mary Kidder Rak house right beside the camp.  Mary Kidder Rak wrote a great book about her and her husband's life at the ranch there.  Her excellent book is entitled, A Cowman's Wife.  So, if you are ever in the area, read the book first and then go see where it all happened.  It's all still there:))  

 THAT'S A CAMERA STRAP HANGING AROUND MY NECK

Al's Music Box:((A Beautiful Morning is a song written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati and recorded by the Rascals. Coming out in early 1968, it was the group's first track released after shortening their name from the Young Rascals. The single was one of the earliest released in stereo, as 7-inch singles generally were in mono. Together with the Doors "Hello, I Love You," it's credited with changing the industry standard of singles.  The song continued the theme of carefree optimism that had distinguished the previous year's "Groovin". It was written one morning in Honolulu, Hawaii when the band was invited to perform there by promoter Tom Moffatt. 

 THIS LITTLE DICKENS IS SCOOPING THE BIRDSEED RIGHT OUT OF THE FEEDER!!

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned at Sunday school.  "Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  "When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely.  "Then he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved."  "Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked.  "Well, no. But if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"

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What do you call it when your mother's sisters all gather at a funeral to avenge your death?  Vigil Aunties

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A friend of mine told her husband they had a Catholic bird in their yard.  "A what? How do you know it's a Catholic bird?"  "Because it's a Cardinal."

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Be with someone who brings out the best in you… Not the stress in you.

CHOP, SNIP, GRIND, HAMMER, YANK, AND MORE HAMMER

 (FILE PHOTO)

Weighing myself after my first allowable shower in over two weeks I was glad to see when I stepped on the scale this morning that my weight had come back down to my pre-op weight of 185.

Last week I had made reference to something involving me, my health, and maybe a chainsaw that would take place this Saturday morning.  Well, that time came and no chainsaw was required much to the relief of my toenails.  Yes, for the first time ever I had to reluctantly relent to someone else cutting my toenails and no it wasn't Kelly.  At the advice of my diabetes person at Goderich's Maitland Valley Health Care Center, Kelly unbeknownst to me had set up an appointment with a Podiatrist.  Now if this isn't yet another sign of aging I don't know what is.  The lady, a nurse by the name of Laura drove to our house at 10:30 this morning from Lucknow, Ontario.  I didn't know what to expect except 'this is probably going to hurt'!! (reference chainsaw)  Bracing for 'chop-chop, snip-snip, grind-grind, hammer-hammer, yank-yank, and more hammer-hammer, I was a quivering mess.....although I hid it well.  Well, it turned out to be quite a pleasant experience.  Oh, a few little squeaks along the way but hardly anything to mention.  She spent well over an hour on getting my toenails looking civilized again.  Good job, and something I will have done again in about 8 weeks.  Next time won't take as long because it is simple maintenance from now on.  Laura did a great job and next time I will simply drive myself to the clinic in Lucknow and have it done.  Easy-Peasy:))

With gray skies overhead it was a dull-looking uninspiring day and the afternoon kind of slipped into nothingness.  Kelly put a movie in called 'Interstellar' but it was way too Hollywoody for me and I bailed out.  Had a few zzzzz's in my sunroom recliner and 'Bang-Zoom' there went another day.  I never took a single photo.    

Al's Music Box:)) One Fine Morning is the second single released off of Lighthouse's 1971 album, One Fine Morning. The song is one of the band's most successful singles, making the top of the charts in Canada, and becoming their most popular single released in the United States.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  This girl needed some money, so she is doing odd jobs around her neighborhood. She decides she's not making enough money, so she goes to a rich neighborhood. She walks up to this house and rings the doorbell. The guy answers and tells her she can paint the porch. He gives her a can of paint and $25. When he goes inside, his wife says, "$25! Does she know that the porch wraps all the way around the house?"  "Oh, she'll do fine." the guy says.  An hour later, the doorbell rings. It's the girl. She says, "I'm finished. I even had some extra paint, so I put another coat on."  The guy is surprised. Then the girl says, "Oh, and by the way, that's not a Porsche, that's a Ferrari."

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"My ancestry goes back all the way to Alexander the Great," said Christine. She then turned to Miriam and asked, "How far back does your family go?"  "I don't know," replied Miriam, "all of our records were lost in the flood."

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Getting away from their high-stress jobs, a couple spends relaxing weekends in their motor home. When they found their peace and quiet disturbed by well-meaning, but unwelcome, visits from other campers, they devised a plan to assure themselves some privacy.  Now, when they set up camp, they place this sign on the door of their RV: "Insurance agent. Ask about our term-life package."

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I SUDDENLY REALIZED I DIDN'T HAVE MY CANE WITH ME

 IT WAS A NICE MORNING FOR A COFFEE AND MUFFINS TOUR ON HURON COUNTIES BACK COUNTRY ROADS

I could tell by the slight orange tinge on our closed living room curtains that we had a nice sunrise going on outside this morning.  It was a clear blue sunny sky that lasted for the rest of the day:))

IT WAS SO NASTY COLD OUT THURSDAY MORNING KELLY AND PHEEBS ONLY MADE IT TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY BEFORE MAKING A U-TURN AND HEADING BACK INSIDE

 LONG MORNING SHADOWS AND WAITING FOR MY BURGANDY VAN RIDE TO ROLL AROUND THE CORNER

With the assistance of my cane, I toddled out to the end of our driveway and took a few pics while waiting for Richard to pick me up.  Minutes later here came Richard's burgundy van.  Although a little slower than usual I didn't have much of a problem in getting myself aboard.  Off we went with our next stop being Bayfield's Tim Hortons for two coffees and two blueberry muffins to go.  What a beautiful looking morning it was as we slowly cruised along through the picturesque rural countryside.  Another couple of quality hours well spent.

WITH COFFEE AND MUFFINS IN HAND RICHARD AND I STOPPED ALONG THE BLUFFS OVERLOOKING LAKE HURON....BY THE WAY, THERE ARE 83 STEPS DOWN TO THE BEACH FROM HERE

THIS HANDSOME FELLOW DASHED OUT OF THE LANEWAY TO CHALLENGE OUR SLOW APPROACH

COUNTRY ROADS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF THAWING OUT

 WHEN WILLOW BRANCHES TURN YELLOW. SPRING IS NOT FAR BEHIND

Kelly headed off to Goderich this morning to run a few errands and pick up a few groceries.  Returning home about 2 this afternoon I swear each one of her four bags of groceries felt like they were about 400 pounds apiece.  She also picked up a prescription of Tylenol 3 for me which I will phase in as I begin phasing out the stronger Percocets.  With one pain pill at a time I am getting through this and hope to be pill-free in maybe a couple of weeks.

 THE WATER IN OUR FRONT YARD BIRD BATH IS THAWING OUT AGAIN FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME THIS WINTER

I accidentally made a little mistake this morning which actually indicated another degree of progress with my replaced hip.  With my mind not on what I was doing I headed out of the washroom and nearly made it to our living room before I suddenly realized that I didn't have my cane with me.  I immediately turned around and limped back to retrieve it with no damage done.  That was an unexpected but good sign of my progress.  I don't want to get ahead of myself but I'm thinking I might be able to walk without a cane before too long.  Now, I may be way out in left field on this one but we'll see.

 WITH TEMPS REACHING 50F THIS AFTERNOON I EVEN LEFT THE SUNROOM'S PATIO DOOR OPEN FOR A WHILE

With it being nice out and feeling more mobile with each passing day Pheebs and I headed outside where I fired up our leaf blower and blew off all the gunk on our carport's cement floor.  Also blew off a lot of birdseed husks on our front porch and deck.  With that done I slipped around behind the house, retrieved one of our deck chairs, and dragged it around to the front and up onto our deck.  My reason for doing that is that I want to get myself out there on these upcoming sunny days and soak up some sunshine.  I also got a load of laundry done today plus my necessary hip exercises.    

 I DRAGGED THIS DECK CHAIR UP ONTO THE DECK TO PLANT MYSELF IN MAYBE TOMORROW TO MAYBE SOAK US SOME HEALING RAYS AND YES THAT'S THE PHEEBS PEEKING OUT THE DOOR

 THE LEAF BLOWER IS OUT EARLY THIS YEAR

A Blast From Our Past::  Facebook threw us a few RV memories from this time years ago....On March 1st in Arizona's Cochise Country....Today We Met Two Incredible People And Their 106 Legged Family on February 28th, 2009 and also Sergeant John And His Hudson Hornets on March 1st a day later.

 ONE MEMBER OF THE 106 LEGGED FAMILY

 NO THAT'S NOT JOHN IN  ONE OF HIS HUDSON HORNETS.....BUT CLOSE:))

Al's Music Bix:)) "Wonderful!" "Wonderful!" is a popular music song written by Sherman Edwards, with lyrics by Ben Raleigh.  The song was first published in 1956. In the United States, a recording by Johnny Mathis reached number 14 on the Billboard charts.  It was Mathis' debut single. 

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TEETERING AROUND ON THE END OF MY CANE THIS MORNING I MANAGED THIS  SHAKY SHOT OF PERIWINKLE EMERGING FROM OUR LATEST DUSTING OF SNOW

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A Texan was taking a taxi tour of London and was in a hurry. As they went by the Tower of London the cab driver explained what it was and that construction on it started in 1346 and was completed in 1412.  The Texan replied, "Shoot, a little old tower like that? In Houston, we'd have that thing up in two weeks!"  Next, they passed the House of Parliament - started in 1544 and completed in 1618.  "Well boy, we put up a bigger one than that in Dallas and it only took a year!"  As they passed Westminster Abbey the cab driver was silent.  "Whoah! What's that over there?" asked the Texan.  The driver replied, "I don't know, it wasn't there yesterday."

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- “If climate change is causing the sea level to rise, does that mean that the oceans are getting too big for their beaches?”

- Look at the bright side at least Mondays only happen once a week!

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There's quite an art to falling apart as the years go by,  And life doesn't begin at 40. That's a big fat lie.  My hair's getting thinner, my body is not;  The few teeth I have are beginning to rot.
I smell of Vick's-Vapo-Rub, not Chanel #5;
My new pacemaker's all that keeps me alive.  When asked of my past, every detail I'll know, But what was I doing 10 minutes ago?Well, you get the idea, what more can I say?  I'm off to read the obit, like I do every day;  If my name's not there, I'll once again start  Perfecting the art of falling apart!

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JUST THINK, IN LESS THAN A MONTH WE WILL HAVE CROCUS FLOWERS BLOOMING

 I WAS IN DESPERATE NEED TO FIND SOME COLOR FOR MY CAMERA TODAY

Despite all the dire weather warnings Wednesday, we got off relatively lucky in our area, and aside from big winds, the predicted storm either missed us and went inland or didn't much happen at all.  In William Shakespeare's words, 'It Was Much Ado About Nothing'.

 WE HAD A LITE DUSTING OF SNOW OVERNIGHT

 HERE'S KELLY THIS MORNING OUT IN THE FEEZING COLD TOPPING UP THE BIRD FEEDERS

Before going to bed last night I felt like The Wreck Of The Old 97. (Hank Snow) and when I woke up this morning I felt like The Wabash Cannonball. (Boxcar Willie) It always amazes me what a good night's sleep can do for a feller.

 LOW ON PHOTOS AGAIN I SAT IN MY SUNROOM RECLINER AND SNAPPED A FEW PICS AROUND ME AND THIS IS THE CHAP WHO USED TO TRAVEL IN OUR RV WITH US

 FROM MY RECLINER I CAN REACH OUT AND TOUCH THIS FELLOW'S CHIN

It was way too cold and windy outside today with a temperature of 21F and and a wind chill factor of 7F.  Had it not been that severe I would have been outside for a walk in our driveway.  With additional exercises to do from Russett Physio a couple days ago and my hospital physio exercises from a couple weeks ago it is quite a little exercise program I have for myself.  I am determined to get myself back onto my own two feet just as quickly as I can.

It's 16 days out from my surgery now and I am at the point I no longer need my 'grabber pick-up stick' to assist with putting my underwear or pants on but still have to use a plastic sock device to get a sock on my right foot.  (whenever I wear socks that is)  And, I can 'carefully' bend over far enough now to finally tickle Pheebs tummy.  That takes place about half a dozen times a day.  Leaning and bending forward far enough in a chair to give her hugs, snuggles, and nose smooches is no longer a problem either.  And, here's how I had the 'walking with a cane' thing all wrong.  With my right leg being the compromised one I always walked with the cane in my right hand.  Physio said no, it's the other way around.  Cane in left hand and lead with your right foot.  By golly, she was right but it takes me a bit of getting used to.  So, it's right foot and left cane forward at the same time, and then swing your good left leg through and plant your foot ahead of the cane and repeat.  I've been doing this for a couple days now and it works fine except I can feel it in my left arm and with my 'duck walk' I keep stubbing my left foot toes into the cane.  Until the muscles adjust and strengthen in my left arm I will probably remain a tad on the wobbly side while walking.  Have I had any falls since hip surgery??  No, but I did have a couple short but quickly recovered stumbles.  Both stumbles were my own fault and no damage was done except to my pride of course.

 I SEE WE HAVE A LITTLE SPRING CLEAN UP JOB HERE

 BELIEVE IT OR NOT BUT THIS IS AN AMBER GLASS BEAVER SITTING ON A WINDOW SILL

My good buddy Richard phoned today and he is picking me up in the morning for one of our good old country road coffee and muffins tour.  Good stuff:)) 

 WE HAVE A FEW GREEN PLANTS IN THE SUNROOM BUT NOTHING LIKE THE TROPICAL JUNGLE WE HAD GROWING WHEN WE LIVED IN THE OLD WEENIE ROAST RANCH NEAR FULLARTON ONTARIO

 SUNSHINE ON PHEEBS AND THE SUNROOM FLOOR LATE THIS AFTERNOON

Much nicer weather with sunshine and warmer temperatures are due to roll into our area tomorrow. (Friday) And looking ahead at the 14 day forecast I see no daytime temperatures below or near freezing.  And, a number of those 14 days are showing sunshine.  Just think, in less than a month we should have Crocus flowers blooming and if it wasn't for a leap day this year it would already be March 1st today.  Ahhhh, something to look forward to next year already eh.  Oh, and we ended our day under partially sunny skies and slowly rising temperatures this afternoon.  Yep, I'm feeling good.

 SUNSHINE THIS AFTERNOON

 BLUE SKIES:)))))))

A Blast From Our Past:: A kind of another enjoyable ordinary day at our Congress Arizona house eleven years ago at this time......Wheelbarrow Fixed & I Am Back In Business

Al's Music Box:)) Our Winter Love by the Letterman.  The song was an instrumental composition by Johnny Cowell, which was a hit single for Bill Pursell. Pursell's version was recorded in 1966.  The Lettermen released their version, with lyrics written by Bob Tubert.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of an enormous forest fire. Smoke at the scene was too thick to get any good shots, so he frantically called his home office to hire a plane.  "It will be waiting for you at the airport!" he was assured by his editor.  As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane was warming up near the runway. He jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let's go! Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air.  "Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make three or four low-level passes."  "Why?" asked the pilot.  "Because I'm going to take pictures! I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures!" said the photographer with great exasperation and impatience.  After a long pause, the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?" 

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One Sunday a pastor told the congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.
After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he'd like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.  A very quiet, elderly and saintly lady all the way in the back shyly raised her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns.  Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, "I'll take him and him and him."
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