IT'S NO WONDER I SOMETIMES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY WEIGHT

A LONE DANDELION ALONGSIDE THE ROAD

The last time I had taken a drive out into the countryside to have a look at the starry night sky was probably late last year sometime.  Sunday night, as soon it was dark enough, the Jeep and I headed out to have a look at the stars.  It was a beautiful night with an unusually warm late April wind blowing as I stood beside the Jeep looking up.  I immediately noticed the Big Dipper was straight overhead.  And then something a little odd.  I had noticed a few faint flashes out of the corner of my eye on my way out to the country road. (our morning walking spot) and while standing there.  I quickly tracked the source of those flashes to the northeast.  On the horizon, with a few periodic flicks of dull orange, I could see what appeared to be a thunderstorm going on maybe in the Wingham Ontario area or beyond.  The strange thing was that when I got home about 20 minutes later and checked our live weather radar there were no storm cells in this whole area for hundreds of miles around.  Odd, I again thought.  My time standing on the country road didn't last too long because at home earlier I hadn't noticed the cloud cover moving in and blotting out the stars.  No matter, it was just so nice to get out and do and see something different for a change.  For me, any time outside on a warm night under a starry night sky is always a very special time.

 OUR FRONT YARD CHIPMUNKS MAKE THEIR HOME IN THE ROCKS SURROUNDING THE FROG POND

 IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE SOME EXTRA HELP AROUND THE YARD SOME DAYS

Despite a few raindrops on the windshield this morning, Pheebs and I headed off to our country road walking spot.  With heavier rain imminent I hesitated before getting out of the Jeep when we got there but then thought 'what the heck, let's go for it'  And, that's what we did and for the first time since my mid-February hip surgery, we did our full half mile walk with not even a squeak or tweak of soreness or pain in my hip.  Now I know half a mile isn't much compared to other daily walkers who routinely do 5 miles or more but it's good enough for Pheebs and I at the moment.  We'll soon be out for longer Conservation area walks now that we have warmer temperatures moving into the area. 

 A FEW PICS FROM ALONG OUR WALKING SPOT ROAD AND I'M THINKING THIS FIELD HAS ALREADY BEEN PLANTED WITH SOMETHING

EITHER APPLE OR CHERRY BLOSSOMS BUT I THINK IT MIGHT BE A FEW WEEKS EARLY FOR APPLE BLOSSOMS

A SLIGHT TINGE OF GREEN IS BEGINNING TO APPEAR IN THE FOREST

The only different happening for today occurred early this afternoon.  With a Swiss Chalet coupon Kelly and I headed to Goderich's Harveys where they do Swiss Chalet chicken.  While in Goderich we picked up a few things at Pet Value and Walmart before heading home.  Exciting stuff eh.    

 A BURGANDY TRILLIUM IN OUR YARD

 A WHITE TRILLIUM IN ANOTHER FLOWER BED

 OUR BUSH FERNS ARE UP OUT OF THE GROUND AND BEGINNING TO UNFOLD

It's no wonder I sometimes have problems with my weight.  I come from the late 1940's and 50's era when food was not to be wasted no matter what and that upbringing has stayed with me all these years.  Now,  fast forward to 2024 an last week.  Kelly, needing all the weight-gaining ideas she can come up with, made a chocolate pudding from scratch.  Somewhere along the line, a little something must have gone amiss and the pudding didn't end up being thick enough for her.  Other than that, there was nothing wrong with the pudding.  But here comes the rub.  If Kelly isn't going to eat it, who is??  Well, I think we already know the answer to that don't we.  But here's where the chocolate pudding problem doubles itself for me.  Still feeling the need for chocolate pudding, Kelly pulls out an instant chocolate pudding mix from the cupboard and whips it up.  As sometimes expected, she takes a spoonful of pudding and decides she doesn't like the taste of it either.  Now we have two pots of perfectly great-tasting chocolate pudding sitting on the counter that I cannot just stand by and see thrown out.  I am not from this current throw-away food society (eat everything on your plate Mister or you are not going out to play) and as I said in the first line of this paragraph, 'It's no wonder I sometimes have a problem with my weight.  All my fault of course because I do have the option of saying 'NO'...... or do I:((

 OUR RHODODENDRON CONTINUES TO BLOOM

Al's Music Box:)) Lotta Love is a song written and recorded by Neil Young and released on his 1978 'Comes a Time' album. "Lotta Love" was also covered by Nicolette Larson in 1978.  Larson recalled the suggestion she record "Lotta Love" originated with Neil Young, with whom she had formed a personal relationship while backing him vocally on American Stars 'n Bars. The publishers of Neil Young News quoted Larson as saying:  "I got that song off a tape I found lying on the floor of Neil's car. I popped it in the tape player and commented on what a great song it was. Neil said: 'You want it? It's yours.'

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Only in America: We work hard on a farm so we can move into town, where we can make more money… so we can move back to the farm.  

The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this:  You cannot post "Thou Shalt Not Steal," "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery," and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges, and politicians....It creates a hostile work environment.

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- I finally got eight hours of sleep.  It took me three day, but whatever.

- I run like the the winded.

- When someone asks what I did over the weekend, I squint and ask "Why, what did you hear?"

An office technician got a call from a user. The user told the tech that her computer was not working. She described the problem and the tech concluded that the computer needed to be brought in and serviced.  He told her to "Unplug the power cord and bring it up here and I will fix it."  About fifteen minutes later she shows up at his door with the power cord in her hand.

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BUT WHEN I SNEAKED A PEEK IT WAS 'POOF' 'POOF' 'POOF' AND 'POOF' 'POOF' 'POOF' AGAIN

 GRACKLE

Rain came in the night knocking out our power just long enough to have to reprogram all the timers yet again this morning but at least it brought slightly warmer temperatures along with it.  About time!!  A rainy drive into Bayfield for Pheebs and I to pick up a couple more bags of birdseed at the Porter's Hill Wild Birdseed Company  I thought the Grackles would have backed off our bird feeders by now, but no....the feeders are still being Grackleized.  The problem also is, the Grackles scare away all the smaller songbirds that are here now and it's the songbirds I would like to have at the feeders.  I get so frustrated with the Grackles that I sometimes go storming out the door, grab the three birdfeeders, and bring them all back into the house.  It's a poor solution that doesn't last long because I feel sorry for all the smaller birds.  Thankfully, I have not had any squirrel problems for quite a while to add to my birdbrain woes.

A WEST START TO OUR DAY

Skies began clearing around noon and we soon had sunshine overhead to boot.  And with those clear skies and sunshine came two things, 73F temps and humidity.  Not enough humidity to set me off yet and it was sure nice to finally feel some slightly moist warmth in the air again.  So, without further ado, Pheebs and I were off for our afternoon walk down to the south end of the Park and back.  Before we left I was determined to give readers a break and not take any more turtle, frogs, or Canada Geese photos.  So, walking past the pond I saw a pair of Canada Geese and 'poof' 'poof' 'poof' 'poof' 'poof' 'poof'.  Then I saw some turtles and thought oh no, 'poof' 'poof' 'poof'.  When we got home I tried to slip around our front yard frog pond with my eyes closed but when I sneaked a peek it was 'poof' 'poof' 'poof' and 'poof' 'poof' 'poof' again.  Sorry folks, some days I just can't seem to help myself.  I'll try to get through tomorrow's post without one single frog, turtle or goose.     

 I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE COUPLE THAT HAD THE TWO GOSLINGS OR NOT BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANY LITTLE PUFFS OF YELLOW

A BIT OF TURTLE CROWDING HERE AT A FAVORITE TURTLE SUNNING SPOT

IT LOOKS LIKE A THREE-WAY FROG MEETING TO ME

SOME FROGS ARE DARKER THAN OTHERS AT TIMES AND IT HAS TO DO WITH BOTH TEMPERATURE AND THE COLOR OF THEIR PROTECTIVE SURROUNDINGS

 I CALL THIS GUY 'OLD GATOR JAWS'

Early Friday evening found Kelly and I at our Park's recycling area.  Kelly was on her cell phone dialing a number while I was about ten feet away near a pile of old bamboo grass I had dumped there the previous day.  I listened intently with my ears focused around that pile of grass.  But, all was silent and there was no response to the number Kelly had just dialed.  In other words, my cell phone did not ring.  So why were we there and why was I listening for my cell phone to ring??   I had realized earlier in the day I had lost/misplaced my cell phone and thought maybe it had slipped out of my shirt pocket when I was unloading all that bamboo grass from the utility trailer.  To make a short story shorter, I later found my phone in the pocket of a different shirt I had been wearing on Thursday.  'Walla', another one of life's daily mysteries solved.

A GRACKLE DRINKING AT THE PARK POND'S EDGE

 I SAW THE BUNNY AND THE BUNNY SAW ME....PHEEBS DIDN'T SEE THE BUNNY HEE HEE HEE

Ellen's Groove It's amazing how fast Ellen is progressing with her bass guitar.  Check out this short practice video on Dream Theater.  And, check out this short video of Ellen in a bass battle with Davie 504.  I don't think I've mentioned this before but Ellen is also quite an artist when it comes to drawing and painting as well.  So much fine talent all wrapped up in just one little person. 

Al's Music Box:)) Whispering Pines by Johnny Horton.  John LaGale Horton (April 30, 1925 – November 5, 1960) was an American country, honky tonk and rockabilly musician during the 1950s. He is best known for a series of history-inspired narrative country saga songs that became international hits.  Horton died in November 1960 at the peak of his fame in a traffic accident. On the night of November 4–5, 1960, Horton and two other band members, Tommy Tomlinson, and Tillman Franks, were traveling from the Skyline Club in Austin, Texas to Shreveport when they collided with an oncoming truck on a bridge near Milano in Milam County, Texas.  Horton died en route to the hospital, and Tomlinson (1930–1982) was seriously injured; his leg was later amputated. Franks (1920–2006) suffered head injuries, and James Davis, the driver of the truck, sustained a broken ankle and other minor injuries.

 MUSHROOMS IN THE GRASS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE PARK'S POND

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A man observed a woman in the grocery store with a three-year-old girl in her basket. As they passed the cookie section, the child asked for cookies and her mother told her "No." The little girl immediately began to whine and fuss, and the mother said quietly, "Now Ellen, we just have half of the aisles left to go through; don't be upset. It won't be long."  He passed the Mother again in the candy aisle. Of course, the little girl began to shout for candy. When she was told she couldn't have any, she began to cry. The mother said, "There, there, Ellen, don't cry. Only two more aisles to go, and then we'll be checking out."  The man again happened to be behind the pair at the check-out, where the little girl immediately began to clamor for gum and burst into a terrible tantrum upon discovering there would be no gum purchased today. The mother patiently said, "Ellen, we'll be through this checkout stand in five minutes, and then you can go home and have a nice nap."  The man followed them out to the parking lot and stopped the woman to compliment her. "I couldn't help noticing how patient you were with little Ellen..."  The mother broke in, "My little girl's name is Tammy... I'm Ellen."

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A guy who had forgotten the dates for a number of his friends and relatives' birthdays and anniversaries, decided to compile a list on the computer and have the dates highlighted on screen when the machine was turned on.  He went to a number of computer stores to find a software program that would do the job but had no luck at the first few. Finally, he found one where the clerk seemed experienced.  "Can you recommend something that will remind me of birthdays and anniversaries?" the guy asked.  "Have you tried a wife?" the clerk responded.

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READING SOMETHING MORE CHALLENGING

Another bright sunny day and another cold windy morning with below freezing temps overnight.  A short Jeep ride for Pheebs and I and we were home again.  With the wind blocked from getting into our Park by the pine trees, I spent an hour or so raking up a couple wheelbarrow loads of small branches and pine needles in our backyard.  I also raked another couple of wheelbarrow loads of pine needles and leaves on the little path across the road leading through of copse of trees to the Park's pond.  

 SPRING IS TAKING ITS TIME THIS YEAR BUT IT'S COMING

 PERIWINKLE

 THIS MIGHT BE COLTSFOOT FLOWERS

 A SINGLE DANDILION

With temperatures finally warming up this afternoon, Pheebs and I took a longer walk down to the southern end of our park around a loop road.  It's the farthest I have walked since my hip replacement and my hip didn't give me any trouble.  I'm still wobbly on my feet though and I can tell I am not walking right, and I chalk that up to the weakness of my leg muscles.  I wished we had room here for a static bicycle thingy or some kind of leg exerciser, but we don't.

 AFTERNOON WALK

I didn't get too far in my latest free book, 'Forgotten Fairytales' before realizing there was probably a reason they were forgotten fairytales.  I read maybe six of them and bailed out thinking to myself, maybe it's time I again get my head back into something more mind-challenging.  So, I am currently reading, The True Meaning Of Life by author Judith Hindle.  And yes, it is certainly challenging my mind alright.  I like when that happens:))

HANGING OUT AT OUR FRONT YARD FROG POND

Al's Music Box:)) At Seventeen is a song by American singer-songwriter Janis Ian from her seventh studio album Between the Lines. Columbia released it in July 1975 as the album's second single. Ian wrote the lyrics on the basis of a New York Times article and used a samba instrumental, and Brooks Arthur produced the final version.  A pop and soft rock ballad, the song is about a social outcast in high school. Critics have regarded "At Seventeen" as a type of anthem. Critics praised "At Seventeen", which earned Ian the Gramy Award for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and Grammy nominations for Record and Song of the Year.   She was inspired to write the single after reading a New York Times article about a young woman who thought her life would improve after a debutante ball and her subsequent disappointment when it did not.  In the article, the girl was 18, but Ian changed it to 17 to fit with her samba guitar instrumental.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  An elderly couple were killed in an accident and found themselves being given a tour of heaven by Saint Peter. "Here is your oceanside condo, over there are the tennis courts, swimming pool, and two golf courses. If you need any refreshments, just stop by any of the many bars located throughout the area."  "Heck, Gloria," the old man hissed when Saint Peter walked off, "we could have been here ten years ago if you hadn't heard about all that stupid oat bran, wheat germ, and low-fat diets!"

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The farmer met his nephew at the railroad station. “Uncle, I’m mighty glad to see you. “That crate of chickens you sent me bust open just as I was going to take ‘em out and they ran all over the place. I chase them through my neighbor’s yard and only got back eleven.” “You did okay,” said uncle. “I only sent you six.”

- What do you call a man who has suddenly lost 98 percent of his brain?  Divorced.

A Mexican was attempting to cross into America when the border guard stopped him and asked if he was an American.  The Mexican replied, "Si Senor."  The border guard told him, "If you're an American, then use these three words in a sentance:'green', 'pink',and'yellow'."  The Mexican thought about it for a while and replied,"The phone go green-green, I pink it up, and I say yellow?"

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