I'M STILL WAY MORE FORTUNATE THAN MANY OTHERS

 A DRAGONFLY CONFRONTS A SNAIL

Not wanting to simply hop into the Jeep and take a short drive with Pheebs around the same old couple country roads we usually do and then head for home right away, we went a little further this morning.  Hadn't been out around the Hullett Marsh for a month or more so we slipped through Clinton, picked up a Hortons coffee to go, and headed for our destination.

 ON OUR WAY TO THE HULLETT MARSH

 THIS APTLY DEPICTS THE RURAL COUNTRYSIDE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

 MOODY SKIES THIS MORNING

 'ARE WE THERE YET DAD'

Hoping to find a Dragonfly or two we headed for our favorite spot at the northern edge of the Marsh.  Skies were threatening rain so we didn't stray too far from the Jeep.  We did see a few Dragonflies but not the bigger blue-banded ones I was looking for.  Pheebs did her usual exploring and I didn't have any problems with my right leg.  Had we ambled further along, I might have.

 OUR FAVORITE 'GO-TO' SPOT IN THE MARSH

 WILD PHLOX

 ONE OF THREE DRAGONFLIES WE SAW

 RAIN DROPS ON A BLADE OF GRASS

 WITH A FEW DROPS OF RAIN IN THE AIR WE HEAD BACK TO THE JEEP

Leaving the Marsh, we did have enough rain falling upon on us to swoosh the windshield wipers maybe a dozen times and then the shower was over.

 HEADING HOME TO GET SOME WEENIE SNACKS GOING

 WHEN I TOOK THIS LONG TELEPHOTO SHOT I DIDN'T SEE THE SECOND HORSE

 BUT, WHEN I EDITED THE PHOTO....THERE IT WAS

Home again, it wasn't long before Kelly and I piled into the Subaru and headed for Goderich's Maitland Valley Medical Center whereupon she got the results of a T.B. Test she had undergone on Monday.  She tested A-OK and was good to go.  The T.B. test is a requirement for her liver transplant committee.  Tuesday, Kelly had a Dentist appointment in Exeter at which time she had one tooth extracted, two fillings done, and a root canal.  Kelly has two additional dental appointments in the next couple of weeks.  She just can't seem to catch a break:((

NO, DESPITE A FEW SIMILARITIES, THIS IS NOT KELLY AND I ON OUR WAY TO GODERICH

 'HOW'S ABOUT A LITTLE SMOOCH BIG GUY'

A word of thanks to all the nice comments on my 'flowers' post a few days ago.  If I could just get myself slowed down a bit and take my time and think about what I'm doing, I'm sure I could come with some better quality photos more often.  I am going to make a conscious effort to do that.  I had recently sent an ill-thought-out email to a friend in which I lamented about 'if only had this' (a better photo editing program) and 'if only I could do that'. (take the time to use my camera and tripod together to improve my photos)  I think of it now as my regrettable 'if only' email.  Never mind the 'if only's Al, just get on with what you should do!!  Easy Peazy.

I finished the first book in the Emily Of New Moon trilogy by author, Lucy Maude Montgomery.  Anyone liking Anne Of Green Gables would for sure like Emily Of New Moon.  It is LMM's rapturously descriptive writing that keeps drawing me back to her wonderful writing style.  

 A FEW PHOTOS FROM AROUND OUR PARK THIS MORNING

Sorry about these blogging slumps I get myself into.  Sometimes things just build up and the weight of everything gets me down.  When that happens, I don't feel like writing or taking photos, or to be honest, doing much of anything.  My only defense against these times is to simply wait it out, try to latch onto something positive and pull myself out of the rut.  It generally always works but sometimes it just takes longer than other times.

 IF READER'S SOMETIMES WONDER WHAT WE ALL KINDA LOOK LIKE HERE IN THE PARK, THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE:))

My Blogger program is still unstable and if the problem is Blogger then it's obvious they have no intentions or interest in fixing it.  Kelly has tried her best to find the problem.  The bottom line is this....the blog is not as easy for me to put together anymore and I don't like the fact that I can't change the font colors in Al's Music Box or Groaner's Corner.  I know it might not mean as much to readers but it means a lot to me to have my blog look the way I want it to look!!      

It's about three and a half months out from my right hip replacement surgery.  Although I have no pain in the hip area, I am having problems with my right knee and leg.  I recently read that it is not unusual to experience knee pain after hip surgery.  It has to do with the muscles that are cut during the surgery itself.  Those leg muscles and nerves run through that hip area and down the leg.  Sometimes the pain is in my knee area and other times down through the large front muscle above the knee.  And occasionally below the knee.  Sometimes all three of those areas can be sore and painful.  So, as a result of this, I still can't walk very far.  I don't know if this is a temporary or permanent thing.  And, I am still bothered by a lot of stiffness immediately after I stand up from sitting.  Sometimes, like this afternoon's walk with Pheebs, I can walk with no stiffness or pain at all, but it generally doesn't last long.  Frustrating? Yes!  Discouraging, Yes!  But it is what it is and I'm still way more fortunate than many others who can't walk at all, and are in wheelchairs.

Al's Music Box:)) By The Time I Get To Phoenix is a song written by Jimmy Webb. Originally recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965, it was reinterpreted by American country music singer Glen Campbell on his album of the same name.    Released on Capitol Records in 1967, Campbell's version topped RPM's Canada Country Tracks, reached number two on Billboards's Hot Country Singles chart, and won two awards at the 10th Annual Grammys Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) named it the third most performed song from 1940 to 1990.  Frank Sinatra called it "the greatest torch ever written."  It was No. 450 on Rolling Stone magazine's Top 500 Songs of All Time.  The inspiration for "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" originated in Jimmy Webb's breakup with Susan Horton.  They remained friends after her marriage to Bobby Ronstadt, a cousin of singer Linda Ronstadt.  Webb did not intend the song to be geographically literal. "A guy approached me one night after a concert and he showed me how it was impossible for me to drive from L.A. to Phoenix, and then how far it was to Albuquerque. In short, he told me, 'This song is impossible.' And so it is. It's a kind of fantasy about something I wish I would have done, and it sort of takes place in a twilight zone of reality."

 THE RESIDENT PUSSY CAT LOOKING THROUGH A DOOR ACROSS FROM OUR MAIL ROOM

GROANER'S CORNER:((  I saw a contractor's truck that offered free quotes.  So I asked for one.  He said, "To be or not to be, that is the question."

- I wanted to marry my English teacher when she got out of jail but apparently, you can't end a sentence with a proposition.

- A young boy asked his father if he could try coffee.  The dad said “sure son! Have a sip.  ”The boy took a sip and immediately spit it out. “Yuck!” he said, “this tastes like dirt!”  “We’ll of course it does, son. It was ground this morning!”

Q: What do porcupines say after they kiss?
A: "Ouch."

- Told my wife I was going to start smoking pot.
She said if I did she was going to leave me.
That's proof that smoking pot gets rid of aches and pains!
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BLOGGING MOJO

I'm hoping to have my blogging mojo back soon. 

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Al's Music Box:)) Harbor Lights is a popular song by the Platters with music by Hugh Williams (the pseudonym of exiled Austrian composer Will Grosz) and lyrics by Northern Irish songwriter Jimmy Kennedy.  The melody of the song is done in a Hawaiian style, 18 years before this island became a state.  Several versions featured a ukulele and a steel guitar.  Kennedy's lyrics describe the sight of harbor lights in the darkness, which signal that the ship carrying the singer's sweetheart is sailing away. The lonely singer hopes that the lights will someday signal the sweetheart's return. Apparently, the lyricist Jimmy Kennedy was driving from London England down to Southampton on the South coast along the A3 road which led south to Portsmouth. As he neared the coast a fog descended and he was confused about the direction. He saw some lights on in a pub and decided to stop. The pub was called The Harbour Light.  Some time later he wrote the lyric and music was added. The song Harbour Lights was recorded by the Platters and many others. A blue plaque is today fixed to the wall of the pub.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( An Italian, an Irishman, and a Chinese fellow are hired at a construction site. The manager points out a huge pile of sand and says to the Italian, "You're in charge of sweeping". To the Irishman, "You're in charge of shoveling" To the Chinese guy, "And you're in charge of supplies". "Now, I have to leave for a little while. I expect you guys to make a dent in that pile."  So the manager goes away for a couple of hours. And when he returns, the pile of sand is untouched. He says to the Italian, "Why didn't you sweep any of it?  The Italian guy replies, "I didn't have a broom. You said the Chinese guy was in charge of the supplies, but he disappeared and I couldn't find him" So then the manager turns to the Irishman and asks why he didn't shovel.  The Irishman replies, "I couldn't get myself a shovel. You left the Chinese guy in charge of supplies and I couldn't find him." The manager is really mad now, and storms off toward the pile of sand looking for the Chinese guy.  Just then, the Chinese guy springs out from behind the pile of sand and yells, "SUPPLIES!"

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IT WAS SUNDAY ALL DAY

Al's Music Box:(( Blue Velvet is a popular song written and composed in 1950 by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. A top 20 hit for Tony Bennett in its original 1951 version, the song has since been re-recorded many times, with a 1963 version by Bobby Vinton reaching No. 1.  Songwriter Bernie Wayne was inspired to begin writing "Blue Velvet" on a 1951 visit to Richmond, Virginia where he stayed at the Jefferson Hotel. At a party at the hotel, Wayne continually caught sight of a female guest dressed in blue velvet with whom he would have a holiday romance.  The most successful recording of "Blue Velvet" was recorded (on May 27, 1963) and released by Bobby Vinton in August 1963, backed by Burt Bacharach and his Orchestra.  Bobby Vinton's version reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 21 September 1963 and remained at No. 1 for the subsequent two weeks.  Bobby Vinton's No. 3 hit in the summer of 1963, with "Blue on Blue", prompted the recording of the Blue on Blue album comprising songs featuring the word "blue" in the title. Although songwriter Bernie Wayne would recall being told by Vinton that the singer had wanted to record the song since hearing the Tony Bennett version in 1951 it was reportedly Vinton's friend, music publisher Al Gallico, who suggested "Blue Velvet" as a Blue on Blue album track and sent his secretary with a dollar to a music store to purchase the song's sheet music; an hour later, Vinton had recorded "Blue Velvet" in two takes. Vinton did not expect the song to be a hit, and believed that his remake of "Am I Blue?"had more sales potential.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  When you do squats are your knees supposed to sound like a goat chewing on an aluminum can stuffed with celery?

- “I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them.”

 

- “I wake up every morning at nine and grab for the morning paper. Then I look at the obituary page. If my name is not on it, I get up.”

 

- “By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day.” 

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AND THERE WENT ANOTHER DAY

 COW ON A HILL

Rather a sour-looking morning I thought to myself as I peered out the window listening to rain pattering on our roof.  With a Walmart prescription to drop off and one to pick up, Pheebs and were soon on our way.  And it was cool enough that we had to put a touch of heat on in the Jeep.  Our usual harbor run and a quick stop at Wallyworld and the Canadian Tire store for a new weed whacker and pedestal fan before heading home in pouring rain.  Skies began clearing in the early afternoon.  And, there went another day......... 

 POPPIES SEEN IN GODERICH

 I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE POLSTEAM DABIE STILL DOCKED AT THE GODERICH GRAIN ELEVATORS

 A CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IDEA OF 'THE BOBBSEY TWINS'

Al's Music Box:)) I Fall To Pieces is a song written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard that was originally recorded by Patsy Cline. Released as a single in 1961 via Decca Records, it topped the country charts, crossed over onto the pop charts, and became among Cline's biggest hits. Cline was initially reluctant to record "I Fall to Pieces" and believed its production (produced by Owen Bradley) lacked enough country instrumentation for her liking. Eventually, Cline recorded the song with the encouragement of her producer.  After being released, "I Fall to Pieces" did not receive initial airplay. However, through targeted promotional efforts, the song was brought to the attention of several disc jockeys who began playing the track. As the song ascended to the top of the country charts, Cline was injured in a near-fatal car accident. When the song reached its peak position, she was recovering from her injuries in the hospital and was unable to perform the track for several months. "I Fall to Pieces" was later released on Cline's second studio album, Showcase (1961).  "I Fall to Pieces" has since been considered a country music standard. It has received recognition from several major music associations, including the Recording Industry Association of America, Country Music Television, and Rolling Stone. Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard met in California and became songwriting partners. One night, Cochran was mulling over song ideas, when he thought of a title, "I Fall to Pieces". Cochran met with Howard at his house the next day, where they finished writing the song. The demonstration version of the song was recorded at Pamper Music in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, by Howard's wife, Country singer Jan Howard. Harlan Howard pitched the song to Decca producer Bradley, who tried to find the right artist to record it. The song was turned down numerous times, first by Brenda Lee, who found the song "Too Country" for her pop style. Bradley then asked rising Country star Roy Drusky to record it, but he turned it down, stating that it was not a man's song.  Patsy Cline was in the hallway and overheard his argument with Bradley, and asked if she could record it, instead. Bradley then accepted her offer.  However, when Cline began recording the song a few weeks later in November 1960, she had second thoughts about it, especially after she discovered that the popular Nashville background singer group, The Jordanaires, would serve as the support vocalists. Cline was afraid The Jordanaires would drown out her sound, and as a result, she was not very friendly upon meeting them for the first time, according to Jordanaire member Gordon Stoker, Cline also felt that the Pop ballad style Bradley wanted it recorded in did not suit her own style, but Bradley was trying to make the song appeal to the Pop market, an idea that Cline rejected.  The session musicians were also having trouble in the studio with the song. Composer Harlan Howard related,  On the night of the session, we absolutely did NOT want to do the standard 4:4 shuffle that had by then been done to death. We were trying all kinds of other (basic rhythm) combinations, but they all just laid there and bled all over the floor. So, it had to be the shuffle then, like it or not. But the amazing thing was, once Patsy got into the groove, she just caressed those lyrics and that melody so tenderly that it was just like satin. We knew we had magic in the can when, on the fourth take, every grown man in that studio was bawling like a baby and Bradley said `That's the one'.  After listening to the playback afterward, Cline realized that Bradley was right about the torch songs and she ended up liking the track, stating that she finally found her own identity.  Subsequently, The Jordanaires became fast friends and part of Cline's inner circle.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  On the Listening Tour, a prominent politician was pleased and proud that the local sandwich shop in a town he was visiting had named a sandwich after him.  He was somewhat less pleased after he found out what was in it.  "Mostly baloney," said the proprietor.

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While creating wives, God promised man that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the world.  Unfortunately, he then made the earth round.

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A pig and a chicken were walking by a church where a charity event was taking place. Getting caught up in the atmosphere, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make an offering.  “Great idea!” the chicken replied. “Let's offer them ham and eggs!”  “Not so fast,” said the pig. “For you, that's an offering. For me, it's a sacrifice.”

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Q: How many country & western singers does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Four. One to change it, one to sing about how heartbroken he is at the loss of the old one, one to sing about how madly in love she is with the new one, and one to go "Yeeeee-Hah !" and throw his hat in the air.

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An airline stewardess was giving the standard safety briefing to the passengers. She had just finished saying 'In the event of a water landing, your seat cushion may be used as a flotation device,' when a man remarked, "Hey! If the plane can't fly, why should I believe the seat can float?"
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I HOPE I CAN HOLD YOUR INTEREST WITH A FEW PHOTOS

It was another perfect weather morning as my good buddy Richard picked me up at 9:30 for our semi-monthly country road coffee tour.  Blueberry muffins and coffees to go from Bayfield's Tim Hortons and we were off out into the gorgeous Spring countryside southeast of the Village.  Bright sunny skies above and lush green fields and forests all around as we slowly cruised around half a dozen scenic gravel roads.

 THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS ARE FROM THIS BEGONIA 

Gathering together some hard-to-find (for me) patience, I spent a little time this afternoon with my camera on a tripod out in our front yard so I'll leave you once again with a smattering of pics and not a lot of words.  I've been a little stuck for things to say these past couple of days, so until I get myself sorted out and can gather together a few words of mutual interest, I hope I can hold your interest with a few photos.   

 THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS ARE OF THESE RHODODENDRON FLOWERS IN FRONT OF OUR SUNROOM PLUS A CANADIAN TIGER SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY THAT JUST HAPPENED BY

Al's Music Box:(( Here, There And Everywhere is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1966 album Revolver. A love ballad, it was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lenno-McCartney. McCartney includes it among his personal favorites of the songs he has written.  McCartney began writing "Here, There and Everywhere" at Lennon's house in Weybridge, in early June, while waiting for Lennon to wake up. McCartney recalled: "I sat out by the pool on one of the sun chairs with my guitar and started strumming in E. And soon [I] had a few chords, and I think by the time he'd woken up, I had pretty much written the song, so we took it indoors and finished it up." When discussing his song "Here, There and Everywhere", McCartney has often cited the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows", his favorite pop song of all time, as a source of inspiration.  In 1990, McCartney told Beach Boys biographer David Leaf that it was "just the introduction that's influenced [by the Beach Boys]", referring to the harmonies he and Lennon devised for the opening lines of "Here, There and Everywhere". McCartney added that, with this style of introduction, they wanted to capture the "old-fashioned" idea of a preamble to the song. 

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A man was driving home from work one evening when he suddenly realized that it was his daughter's birthday and he hadn't yet bought her a gift.  So, the man rushed off to the nearest toy store and asked the sales clerk, "How much is that Barbie in the window?"  The sales clerk replied in a condescending tone, "Which Barbie? We have Barbie Goes to the Gym for $19.95, Barbie Goes to the Ball for $19.95, Barbie Goes Shopping for $19.95, Barbie Goes to the Beach for $19.95, Barbie Goes Nightclubbing for $19.95, and Divorce Barbie for $265.00."  The overwhelmed man asked, "Why is the Divorced Barbie $265.00 and all the others are only $19.95?"  "That's obvious!" said the sales clerk. "Divorce Barbie comes with Ken's house, Ken's car, Ken's boat, Ken's furniture..."

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Q: What do you call a dog wearing ear muffs?
A: Anything you want -- he can't hear you.

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Matt's dad picked him up from school one afternoon. Knowing the parts for the school play were supposed to be posted today, he asked his son if he got a part. Matt enthusiastically announced that he'd gotten a part. "I play a man who's been married for twenty years."
"That's great, son. Keep up the good work and before you know it they'll be giving you a speaking part."

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