ENCOURAGING NEWS FOR KELLY AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL TODAY

A FEW HAY BALES ON OUR WAY TO GODERICH THIS MORNING

It's not often you hear me say, 'I'm glad its cloudy' but today was one of those days.  Had skies been clear, the hot Sun would have turned our humid 84F (feeling like 98) into a steam bath.  It was off to Goderich Pheebs and I went this morning with our front windows down and the moonroof open.  We didn't have to switch on the A/C.  Coffee, Harbor, and Walmart, before heading home.

 TWO SHIPS IN THE GODERICH HARBOR....THIS IS THE FEDERAL KUSHIRO LOADING GRAIN

 AND THE ALGOMA INTREPID AT THE SALT MINE LOADING ROCK SALT

 WORK CONTINUES AT THE GODERICH GRAIN TERMINAL

 A FEW PASSING HAY BALES ON THE WAY HOME

With clouds providing top cover I hauled out my hose and bucket and washed the Subaru.  The interior will have to wait for a cooler day.  With the heat being bad it was decided that only Kelly and I would go to London this afternoon.  We'd leave the car in the parking garage and I would go into the hospital with her.  With our house being nice and cool we knew it was the best place for Pheebs to stay.  She's been sleeping a lot lately and would hardly know we were away for a few hours.  So, at 12:15 p.m. under still cloudy skies, we headed for London's University Hospital with Subie's A/C blowin' on us all the way.

 UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL LOBBY

 KELLY HOLDS A WAD OF KLEENEX ON HER ARM TO STOP THE BLEEDING AFTER HAVING BLOOD DRAWN AT THE LAB

 ME TAKING A SELFIE OF US WHILE KELLY IS TRYING TO TAKE A SELFIE OF US

 KELLY'S SELFIE OF US DIDN'T TURN OUT AND UNBEKNOWNST TO ME SHE HAD EARLIER SNAPPED THIS PHOTO OF ME CLUTCHING MY KINDLE READER

 SHE TRIED AGAIN BUT WAS UNSATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS

It was encouraging news Kelly received today not only from her liver liaison person but her two liver doctors as well.  Dr. Kahn and Dr. Yousif.  They all told her that she is now high on the liver transplant list and her name has been coming up.  A very recent liver was almost a match except it was too large.  With another near match, the size was compatible but the anti-body match numbers didn't line up.  They again told her to keep her 'overnight' bag packed and close at hand.  Both Kelly and I were very encouraged by this.  We could also tell that Kelly's liaison lady and the two doctors were encouraged by this as well.  I think it's a good team she has working on her behalf to make this liver transplant happen.

 HEADING HOME, KELLY IS ALREADY CHECKING THE RESULTS OF TODAY'S BLOOD WORK ON HER iPHONE

WE STOPPED AT A BRAND NEW MCDONALDS IN LUCAN ONTARIO ON OUR WAY HOME AND IT SURE LOOKED DIFFERENT FROM ANY MCDONALDS I'VE EVER BEEN IN....OF COURSE, I HAVEN'T BEEN INSIDE A MCDONALDS FOR YEARS

 WE ORDERED A COUPLE 'WRAPS' AND TWO COFFEES TO GO

 BECAUSE WE HAD TO WAIT SOOOOO LONG FOR MY CRISPY CHICKEN WRAP KELLY OPENED HER AVOCADO WRAP AND BEGAN EATING IT AT THE COUNTER.....WE WERE NOT IMPRESSED WITH LUCAN'S NEW MCDONALDS!!

 A QUICK SHOT OUT THE PASSENGER WINDOW REMINDED ME OF HOW LUCKY I WAS THAT I WASN'T THAT FELLOW OUT THERE STACKING HAY BALES ON THIS HOT AND HUMID NEARLY 90F DAY

Al's Music Box:)) Sugar Shack is a song written in 1962 by Keith McCormack. McCormack gave songwriting credit to his aunt, Beulah Faye Voss, after asking what are "those tight pants that girls wear" to which she replied "leotards". The song was recorded in 1963 by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs at Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, New Mexico. The unusual and distinctive instrument part was played by Norman Petty on a Hammond Solovox keyboard; to be precise it is a Model L, Series A.  On November 29, 1963, "Sugar Shack" received an RIAA certification for selling over a million copies, earning gold record status.The song is featured in the films Mermaids, Dogfight, Forrest Gump, Congo and Stealing Sinatra, and in the television show Supernatural.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The Mensa Test::

This is a test for Intelligent People. I have determined that you qualify. The following short quiz consists of 4 questions and will tell you if you are qualified to be a professional. Scroll down for each answer. The questions are NOT that difficult. But don't scroll down UNTIL you have answered the question!
1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?
The correct answer is: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and close the door. This question tested whether you tend to do simple things In an overly complicated way.
2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?
Did you say, Open the refrigerator, Put in the elephant, And close the Refrigerator?
Wrong Answer.
Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, Put in the elephant and close the door. This tested your ability to think through the repercussions of your previous actions.
3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. All the animals attend....except one. Which animal does not attend?
Correct Answer: The Elephant.
The elephant is in the refrigerator. You just put him in there.
This tested your memory.
Okay, even if you did not answer the first three questions correctly, You still have one more chance to show your true abilities.
4. There is a river you must cross but it is used by crocodiles, and you do not have a boat. How do you manage?

Correct Answer: You jump into the river and swim across.
Have you not been listening?
All the crocodiles are attending the animal conference.
This tested whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.  According to Anderson Consulting Worldwide, around 90% of the professionals they tested got all questions wrong, but many preschoolers got several correct answers.  Anderson Consulting says this conclusively disproves the theory that most professionals have the brains of a four-year-old.

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Why don't some couples go to the gym?
Because some relationships just don't work out.

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A group of four-year-olds were being questioned by their teacher in a Sunday School class. Looking across at those bright little faces, the teacher asked this question: "Does anyone know what today is?" A little girl held up her hand and said, "Yes, today is Palm Sunday." "That's fantastic!" the teacher said. "Now does anyone know what next Sunday is?" The sam little girl lifted her hand. "Yes," she said, "next Sunday is Easter Sunday."The teacher was all smiles. "Oh, very good. Now...does anyone know what makes next Sunday Easter?"On a roll the same little girl responded, "Yes, next Sunday is Easter because Jesus rose from the grave." Before the impressed teacher could congratulate her, however, the girl added, "but if He sees His shadow, He has to go back in for six more weeks."
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NOT GOING TO COMPLAIN - NOT GOING TO COMPLAIN

 MALE AND FEMALE DOWNIE WOODPECKERS I THINK

I am not going to complain about the heat and humidity.  I am not going to complain about the heat and humidity.  I am not going to complain about the heat and humidity.  There, now that I have that out of the way, maybe I can get on with things.  Only there isn't much to get on with today.  Kelly headed off in the Subaru this morning to another dental appointment in Exeter while Pheebs and I stayed home.  We offered to drive her there but she said 'nope' and that was that.  I think with this morning's 86F temp she was concerned about Pheebs and I having to sit in the car for a couple hours waiting for her.  Pheebs and I would have done that but she's the Big Kahoona here and us guys gotta do what we're told or else.  We're off to London's University Hospital tomorrow.

 "HEY MYRTLE, D'YA SEE THAT BIG PEANUT IN THERE"

 "D'YA WANT ME TO GET IT FOR YOU DEAR"

 "OH THAT IS SO SWEET OF YOU HENRY"

 MMMMM OOCHIE GOOCHIE SMOOCHIE

 "I THINK I SEE ANOTHER ONE DOWN HERE DEAR"

 A HEAT-STRESSED CROW (OPEN BEAK) LANDED IN OUR SUNBURST LOCUST TREE RIGHT OUTSIDE THE SUNROOM LATE THIS AFTERNOON

THE CROW SAT LIKE THIS FOR THE LONGEST TIME

 KELLY TOOK THIS PICTURE IN EXETER THIS AFTERNOON WHEN SHE STOPPED AT DAIRY QUEEN FOR A CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE....IN THE BACK YOU CAN SEE THE TIME SHE TOOK THE PHOTO AND THE TEMPERATURE...35 CELSIUS EQUATES TO 95 FAHRENHEIT

Al's Music Box:)) This Masquerade is a song written by American singer and musician Leon Russell and was recorded by American singer and jazz guitarist George Benson, who released it on his 1976 album, Breezin'.  Benson's version, featuring Jorge Dalto on piano, was released as a single and became the first big hit of his career.  It was a top-ten pop and R&B hit.  It was his first single release. Benson's rendition is the only charting version of the song in the U.S. It reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  In 1977, Benson's version won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year, while it was nominated for Song of the Year and for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male.

 NICE TO SEE DAY LILIES BLOOMING IN OUR YARD AGAIN

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The middle aged man was visibly shaken when his Doctor advised that he had only 6 month's to live because of the terminal disease that was detected during a recent physical check-up. The Doctor suggested that he should get his 'house in order' , make sure his Will was current and ensure all final arrangements were in place for the funeral. He should then make plans to enjoy what might be left of his life, to the fullest.  "What will you do for the last six months?" asked the Doctor.  His patient thought for a few minutes then replied, "I think I'll go and live with my Mother-in-law."  Surprised by the answer, the Doctor asked, "Of all people, why in the would you want to live with your Mother-in-law?"  "Because it'll be the longest six months of my Life!"

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A policeman brought four boys before a judge. "They were causing an awful lot of commotion at the zoo, your Honor," he said.  "Boys," said the judge sternly, "I never like to hear reports of juvenile delinquency.  Tell me your names!!  "My name is George," said the first boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen.""My name is   Pete," said the second boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."  "My name is Mike," said the third boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."  "My name is Peanuts," said the fourth boy.

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FROM 'THE DREAMWEAVERS' TO 'THE BAYFIELD BUNCH':))

Not a leaf stirring, not even the hint of a cooling breeze.  It was already 72F at 7 a.m. here in the Park under the tall pine trees.  I don't know who invented air conditioning years ago but I hope they have been lifted to Sainthood.  We topped out at 84F today and temps are predicted to climb higher for the remainder of the week. 

 AREA WHEAT FIELDS ARE BEGINNING TO TAKE ON THEIR GOLDEN COLOR

CORNS UP ABOUT TWENTY INCHES

 I'M GUESSING THOSE ARE ROWS OF BEANS GROWING OUT THERE

 LOCAL FARMERS ARE BALING HAY

 THIS FARMER IS MOVING A WAGONLOAD OF BALES FROM POINT A TO POINT B

With both front Subaru windows down and the moonroof wide open, Pheebs and I cruised out into the countryside thoroughly enjoying the morning's warm air wafting through the car.  72F is a nice temperature if only it would stay there.  Our wanderings this morning took us east and southeast of Bayfield.  We could have stopped at the Bannockburn Conservation Area for a walk, but I knew the blood-sucking mosquitos and biting Deer Flys would be bad there plus two cars were in the parking lot so we mosied on past, circled back around, and stopped at the nearby Bairds Cemetery.  It was here we had ourselves a nice bug-free walk in the open air.

 PHEEBS AND I SURE ENJOY OUR MORNINGS OUT CRUISING THE COUNTRY ROADS

 STORMY LOOKING SKIES TO THE SOUTH OF US THIS MORNING

 A RATHER DIFFERENT-LOOKING RURAL MAILBOX

 ANOTHER FINE OLD COUNTRY BARN IN THE LAST THROES OF ITS LIFE

Home again, skies clouded over, and aside from a walk around with my hand clippers trimming some more overgrown greenery back and later using my weed whacker to edge a few flowerbeds, I stayed within the cool confines of our house.  And luckily I got these done before the Sun made its afternoon appearance and immediately ramped up the heat and humidity.  Thought about a walk but it was too hot not only for me but the Pheebs too.  

 HEADING TOWARDS BAIRDS CEMETERY

 PHEEBS TOODLING THROUGH THE CEMETERY

 STOPPED TO PAY OUR RESPECTS TO A FORMER RV FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR FROM OUR PARK

 A BIG DRINK FOR PHEEBS AFTER OUR WALK

Years before we were the 'Bayfield Bunch' we called ourselves the 'Dreamweaver's'.  Ever since Kelly and I had met in the summer of 1993 it was apparent that we both had a lot in common.  A sense of adventure, a desire to do something different, and a yearning to travel and see places.  Kelly came from an RVing family and I had had several campervans previously.  So, both of us had something ingrained in us called, 'hitch-itch'. Simply put, hitch-itch is a desire to head out in an RV, keep on moving, and not stay in any one place too long.  Maybe a week or two and then pack up and move on down the road.  In other words, time to 'hitch up' and get going.  I recall back in the late nineties when living on the old farm (weenie roast ranch) near Fullarton Ontario we decided to call ourselves 'The Dreamweaver' after buying an old & aging  1979 17' Class C Dodge Centurion.  It was our second RV with the first one being a 24' Prowler Travel Trailer.  We began dreaming of traveling days ahead.  Maybe Full-timers, maybe Snowbirds escaping the cold winters, or maybe just Weekenders.  Dreams of mountains and deserts of the great American Southwest were floating around in my head. The more we dreamed about it the more we began weaving our dreams into reality.  And, it was at this point the 'Dreamweaver' name evolved.  At the time there was a song out called 'Dreamweaver' by Gary Wright.  We took our inspiration from the song and you can hear it in today's 'Al's Music Box'.  Little did we know that we would eventually go on, through a series of RV's to travel back and forth to the Great American Southwest (with a couple side trips to Florida) for 13 consecutive winter seasons as Snowbirds. We were very new to computers in those days but I do remember putting some kind of 'Dreamweaver' site together on Microsoft's 'My Space.' I recall having a few pics on the site along with some kind of blurb. It was probably 5 years or so before we even knew about Blogger. In fact I'm not even sure if we knew what a blog was back then.  I don't think anyone ever saw our Dreamweaver site except Kelly & I but at least it was a start to something we knew nothing about. Those were exciting days. But I did have a slight inkling even back then that maybe something just might come out of all that darn fancy new space-age computer stuff. Digital photography was new to me at that time.  I excitedly renewed my lapsed interest in photography that I had dropped years before.   And, another long-lost interest of mine from years gone by suddenly reared up and made it's presence known.....Writing:)) So, it was at this point that my photography, writing, and traveling hobbies all came together.  Kelly's son made up some lettering for us to put on the Class C & you can see our 'Dreamweaver' name & website on the back of our little rig in the photos below.  Many RVing things were new to us but we were eager to learn & get out there & be a part of that daring lifestyle. It wasn't long before large pieces of the giant RV puzzle began falling into place and we were able to tie all our interests together and make something enjoyable out of them.   Also, at this time there happened to be a song out called 'Dreamweaver' by Gary Wright.  We took our inspiration from the song and you can hear it in today's 'Al's Music Box'.  Little did we know that we would eventually go on, through a series of RV's to travel back and forth to The Great American Southwest (with a couple side trips to Florida) for 13 consecutive years as Snowbirds:))  

 THE FURRY SIDE OF THE ORIGINAL BAYFIELD BUNCH....MAX, CHECKERS, AND LITTLE CORA aka MOTORMOUSE

Al's Music Box:)) Dream Weaver is a song by the American singer Gary Wright, released as the first single from his third studio album 'The Dream Weaver' in December 1975.  The track features Wright on vocals and keyboards and Jim Keltner on drums. According to Wright, the song was inspired by an Autobiography of a Yogi, which was given to him by George Harrison.  Paramahansa Yogananda's poem "God! God! God!" made reference to "the idea of the mind weaving dreams". The expression "Dream Weaver" was popularized by John Lennon in 1970 in his song "God", taken from his solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. This song depicts Lennon's declaration that he was the dream weaver of the 1960s, breaking away from the influences and dogmas that influenced his life.  All instrumentation was created using keyboards except for Keltner's percussion. Gary Wright re-recorded "Dream Weaver" twice, first in 1986 (spelled "Dreamweaver" this time) for the Fire and Ice movie soundtrack, then a longer version for the Wayne's World movie soundtrack in 1992.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A businessman on his deathbed called his friend and said, "Bill, I want you to promise me that when I die you will have my remains cremated."  "And what," his friend asked, "do you want me to do with your ashes?"  The businessman said, "Just put them in an envelope and mail them to the Internal Revenue Service. Write on the envelope, "Now, you have everything."

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A man goes to the doctor complaining about stomach problems, and he asks him what he's been eating.  "I only eat billiard balls," he says. "Red ones for breakfast, orange and yellow ones for lunch, blue for afternoon snacks, and black and purple for dinner."  "I see the problem," says the doctor. "You're not getting enough greens."
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This woman rushed to see her doctor, looking very much worried and all strung out. She rattles off: Doctor, take a look at me. When I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my hair all wiry and frazzled, my skin was all wrinkled and pasty, my eyes were bloodshot and bugging out, and I had this corpse-like look on my face! What's WRONG with me, Doctor!?  The doctor looks her over for a couple of minutes, then calmly says: Well, I can tell you that there is nothing wrong with your eyesight.... 

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