HAVE YOU NOTICED THESE PAST FEW DAYS GETTING LONGER??

Surprisingly, for this time of year, we had a 45F day.  If this is the new Winter I then say, bring it on.  A touch of sunshine today would have been the icing on the cake.  However, it was under a heavy overcast of drizzling rain that Pheebs and I turned east onto Bayfield River Road after leaving our Park and drove to the T-intersection 3 miles away, made a U-turn, and came home.  Not much in the way of photos today so I've included a few pics from the last three days that didn't make it into my previous daily posts.

 THE QUESTION HERE IS WHETHER THE SHED IS TOO SMALL FOR THE BOAT OR THE BOAT IS TOO BIG FOR THE SHED

A BAYFIELD FISHING BOAT UP ON BLOCKS FOR THE WINTER

A COLD RAINY CHRISTMAS MORNING ON BAYFIELDS SOUTH PIER

Hey, have you noticed these past few days getting longer??  I have:))   

Being my usual forgetful self, I forgot to add something to my post a couple days ago. Kelly's brother Peter, posted this to Facebook on December 23rd......'My mom and dad shared the same birthday on December 23rd. This was a wedding picture taken at the family home in Manchester, NY. Dad was in the Marines and home on furlough before shipping out to Hawaii and then on to Iwo Jima. They did not see each other for 3 years after this.'  

Al's Music Box:)) Travelin' On is one of my favorite songs by Hagood Hardy.   He played mainly jazz and easy-listening music. He is best known for the 1975 single, "The Homecoming" from his album of the same name, and for his soundtrack to the Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea films.  Hardy was born in Angola, Indiana. His mother was an American citizen. He came to Canada as an infant settling in Brantford Ontario and grew up in Oakville, Ontario. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College, Toronto and studied music privately in Toronto with Gordon Delamont. As a young man, he participated in bebop jam sessions on Gerrard Street in Toronto. In the 1960s he played vibraphone in the bands of Martin Denny, Gigi Gryce, Herbie Mann, and George Shearing.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  “The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat. So people who don’t know what they’re doing, or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self.” 

- “Common sense is like deodorant. The people who need it most never use it.” 

- “You know you’ve reached middle age when you’re cautioned to slow down by your doctor, instead of by the police.” 

  

Murphy and his wife, a middle-aged couple, went for a stroll in the park. They sat down on a bench to rest. They overheard voices coming from a secluded spot several benches away. Suddenly Mrs. Murphy realized that a young man was about to propose.  Not wanting to eavesdrop at such an intimate moment, she nudged her husband and whispered, "Whistle and let that young couple know that someone can hear them."  Murphy said, "Whistle? Why should I whistle? Nobody whistled to warn me."
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SOON IT WILL BE THE END OF ANOTHER YEAR

LATE AFTERNOON'S TWILIGHT HAS MADE FOR OUR PARK'S VERY OWN GOLDEN POND

Christmas Days have become quiet days for us now in these latter years and both Kelly and I are quite alright with that.  However, Santa did drop off a little green squeaker toy for Pheebs.  With her hearing impaired, she couldn't hear it squeak but we did have ourselves a little game of squeak and catch.

 'NO MOM, THAT LITTLE GREEN GUY IS TOO SCARY FOR ME'

 'OKAY, I'LL GIVE HIM A SNIFF'

 'I'M TELLIN YA MOM HE'S JUST TOO SCARY'

 'OH COME ON PHEEBS, I'M JUST A FRIENDLY LITTLE LITTLE GREENY MCWEENIE'

 'WELL OKAY THEN GREENY, LET'S BE PALS'

With a faint touch of sunshine outside and almost a windless 40F Pheebs and I headed into Bayfield to make our usual rounds with the only difference being we stopped at the Bayfield Cemetery for a walk through the hardwood forest at the cemetery's east side.  I liked the rustle of leaves underfoot rather than the sound of crunching snow.  

 ENTRANCEWAY TO THE HARDWOOD FOREST

WE SAW A FURRY LITTLE GNOME SCURRY IN HERE

 'I KNOW HE'S IN THERE DAD'

HEADING BACK TO THE JEEP

 DRIVING HOME ON THIS SNOWLESS CHRISTMAS MORNING

We were home well before noon and I enjoyed the afternoon's sunshine beaming through our sunroom's windows.  With the low angle of the Sun on the horizon this time of year I tipped back in my recliner swathed in the warm and soothing rays of old Sol himself.  With my latest book securely in hand, I immersed my mind in the latest telling of mysterious true and fabled tales.

 WE HAVE A FRIENDLY LITTLE FRONT YARD BUNNY THAT LIKES TO SIT MOTIONLESS STARING AT OUR SUNROOM WINDOW.....I ALWAYS PUT OUT CORN AND BIRDSEED FOR HIM

It was about mid-afternoon when I put my book down, put my hat on, grabbed a camera, and out the door Pheebs and went for a walk over around the Park's pond and beyond.  I also put up a lamp post along the Fairy path at the southwest corner of our house,

 NICE AFTERNOON FOR A WALK AROUND THE PARK'S POND....I THINK WE GOT UP TO 50F OR MORE TODAY

 INSTEAD OF ICE AND SNOW ALONG THE POND'S EDGE, IT'S LOOKING MORE LIKE SPRING

A few days ago I finished a book called, The Unseen by Mike McClelland.  It's a work of fiction coming from an unusual man.  I wavered on choosing this book until I read the line, 'This is a work of fiction that could only be written by someone who deeply knows the reality of the phenomena'.  (Owls) It was a long riveting 12-hour read but the author had me hooked all the way through from start to finish.  My search for elusive answers continue.  

SHIMMERING REFLECTIONS

Soon, it will be the end of another year on our arduous journey through the decades.  I feel a tiredness at times now that differs from the tiredness of youth.  And, I am beginning to think it is knowingly okay.....................               

Al's Music Box:)) Winter Time is a song from Canadian composer, pianist, and vibraphonist Hagood Hardy's 1975 album 'The Homecoming'.  In 1976, based on the music in this album's collection, Hardy was named Composer of the Year at the annual Juno Awards.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Things Not To Say During Childbirth

-- Gosh, you're lucky. I sure wish men could experience the miracle of childbirth.
-- Do you think the baby will come before Monday Night Football starts?
-- I hope you are ready. The Glamour Shot photographer will be here in fifteen minutes.
-- If you think this hurts, I should tell you about the time I twisted my ankle playing basketball.
-- That was the kids on the phone. Did you have anything planned for dinner?
-- When you lay on your back, you look like a python that swallowed a wild boar.
-- You don't need an epidural. Just relax and enjoy the moment.
-- This whole experience kind of reminds me of an episode from I Love Lucy.
-- Oops! Which cord was I supposed to cut?
-- Stop your swearing and just breathe.
-- Remember what we learned in Lamaze class! HEE HEE HOO HOO. You're not using the right words.
-- Your stomach still looks like there's another one in there

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Two inexperienced hunters are out in the woods, and after a while, they come upon some tracks.  "These are bear tracks!" the first hunter exclaims.  "No, idiot, they're deer tracks!" the second one retorts.  "No, moron ..."  And they go on like this for hours, until a train hits them.

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As we were putting out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, I accidentally dropped one. "No problem," I said, picking it up and dusting it off before placing it back on the plate.  "You can't do that," argued my four-year-old.  "Don't worry. Santa will never know."  He shot me a look. "So he knows if I've been bad or good, but he doesn't know you dropped a cookie on the floor?"

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A NICE MORNING WALK FOR PHEEBS AND I BEFORE CHRISTMAS

With mid-morning temps at 40F and a slight mist in the calm air, Pheebs and I set off east down Bayfield Road.  We didn't have a destination until I thought of one, so without further ado, we headed ourselves in the direction of the Bannockburn Conservation Area.  I had my fingers crossed that nobody would be there and there wasn't.

 A TOUCH OF MIST IN THE MORNING'S COOL AIR

 STILL A FEW SWATCHES OF SNOW LEFT IN A FEW FARMER'S FIELDS

 WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO HAVE A GREEN CHRISTMAS

  MIST HANGING LOW IN A ROADSIDE FOREST

 A FAVORITE TREE THAT I HAVE TAKEN MANY PICTURES OF OVER THE YEARS

 AREA CREEKS AND STREAMS ARE FLOWING FREELY

 ENJOYING HER MORNING JEEP RIDE

With recent rains, the river and tributaries through the Conservation area were running strong and we could hear the water rushing along before we came into view of it from the boardwalk.  

 THIS IS THE PARKING LOT TRAIL HEAD

With her nose to the ground, Pheebs thoroughly enjoyed all the new morning smells along the trail.  I thought if only we could get a few bursts of morning sunshine to brighten and cheer things up.  But, it's okay because it was just nice to be out with Pheebs seeing her happily having such a great time.

 LOTS OF WONDERFUL NEW SMELLS ALONG THE WAY

 LOVE THE SOUNDS OF A BABBLING BROOK

Despite the wooden boardwalk being wet and very slippery, neither one of us took a tumble.  We made it back to the Jeep and were home by 11 a.m.

HEADING BACK TO THE JEEP

I would like to thank all my blog readers,  as well as our friends, and family for all the Christmas cards and best wishes this year.  So many of those Christmas cards came from all the good people right here in our very own Park.  This year of 2023 has been a difficult one for us and it looks like 2024 is going to be a very challenging year as well.  Thank you to everyone for your kind words, concern, and support all these years.     

Over our RVing years, we were fortunate enough to spend a number of Christmas Eves and Christmas days in different locations in the Great American Southwest.  Without snow on the ground, it never did seem quite like Christmas to us but that was okay.  We were always so happy to be somewhere warmer surrounded by enchanting desert vistas rimmed by beautiful mountain ranges all around, fiery sunrises, and sunsets on either end of big starry night skies with diamonds shimmering from mountain top to mountain top.  Below are a few Christmas Eve or Christmas Day photos from each year of our travels.

 CHRISTMAS DAY 2007 FOUND US IN BORREGO SPRINGS CALIFORNIA DOING LAUNDRY

 SITTING ON SANTA'S KNEE IN COLUMBAS NEW MEXICO 2006

 CHRISTMAS EVE DESERT CAMPFIRE BETWEEN OGILBY ROAD AND THE MUCHACHO MOUNTAINS WEST OF YUMA ARIZONA IN 2008

 CHRISTMAS DAY 2009 WITH RV BLOGGER FRIENDS JERRY AND SUZY  IN BENSON, ARIZONA

 CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER IN OUR RIG SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ELFRIDA ARIZONA AND THE SWISS HELM MOUNTAINS 2010

CHRISTMAS DAY AT THE RANCH CLEANING CORRALS NEAR MCNEIL ARIZONA 2011.... IT WAS PHEEBS FIRST CHRISTMAS IN THE SOUTHWEST

 CHRISTMAS DAY AT OUR HOUSE IN CONGRESS ARIZONA 2012

 CHRISTMAS DAY 2013 WE WERE BOONDOCKED WEST OF THE KOFA MOUNTAINS SOUTHEAST OF QUARTZSITE ARIZONA AND SPENT THE DAY ON A ROUGH AND TUMBLE JEEP DRIVE INTO THE KOFA'S QUEEN CANYON....BOTH KELLY AND PHEEBS CAN BE SEEN IN THIS PHOTO

ON CHRISTMAS MORNING 2014 WE HIKED UP GHOST MOUNTAIN TO THE OLD MARSHAL SOUTH HOMESTEAD IN THE BLAIR VALLEY SOUTHWEST OF BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

 STRIKING MY MARSHAL SOUTH POSE ATOP GHOST MOUNTAIN AT YAQUITEPEC

 CHRISTMAS DAY 2015 FOUND US IN WENDEN ARIZONA HEADING HOME TO CONGRESS AFTER THE DESERT WINDS BLEW US OUT OF BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

 CHRISTMAS 2016 AGAIN FOUND US BOONDOCKED AT THE CLARK DRY LAKE BED NORTH OF BORREGO SPRINGS AND ON CHRISTMAS DAY WE DID A COUPLE BIG DESERT HIKES....HERE IS KELLY BETWEEN HIKES IN OCOTILLO WELLS ON THE PHONE TO HER MOTHER IN SPENCERPORT, NEW YORK

 CHRISTMAS DAY 2017 FOUND US MAKING OUR WAY TO THE SOUTHWEST THROUGH DALLAS TEXAS

 CHRISTMAS DAY 2018 FOUND US STILL IN BAYFIELD ONLY DAYS AWAY FROM HEADING OFF TO THE SOUTHWEST FOR WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE OUR LAST RV TRAVELING YEAR

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

 Al's Music Box:)) The Old Lamplighter is a popular song written by Nat Simon, with lyrics by Charles Tobias. The song was published in 1946.  The lyrics sentimentalize and memorialize the profession of lamplighters, who walked city streets at dusk turning on the gas-powered streetlamps and turning them off again at dawn.  In 1960, the song was a major country-pop hit for The Browns, released as a single early that year. It went on to become a major top-ten hit. 

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A Few Points To Ponder::

- Tell me what you need, and I'll tell you how to get along without it.

- On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key.

- Never trust an electrician with no eyebrows.

- I want to be 14 again & ruin my life differently. I have new ideas.

- Apparently RSVP'ing to a wedding invitation with "Maybe next time" isn't the correct response.

- You are slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter.

- Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.

- I'd love to live life in the fast lane, but I'm married to a speed bump.

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On the way to preschool, a doctor had left his stethoscope on the car seat, and his little girl picked it up and began playing with it.  "Be still, my heart," thought the doctor. "My daughter wants to follow in my footsteps!"  Then the child spoke into the instrument, "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?"

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