KELLY'S IN LONDON'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

 WAITING OUTSIDE LONDON EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WAITING FOR KELLY'S CALL....THE SUN WAS BEAMING IN THE WIDOW SO I HAD A SMALL TOWEL HUNG UP BLOCKING IT....PROPPED UP ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS MY KINDLE

Kelly was up at 2 a.m. this morning throwing up blood and things didn't really get much better after that but Kelly wanted to hang on and see if things got any better.  They didn't and by early afternoon we were faced with the decision of calling an ambulance.  We've been through this half a dozen times before over these past few years and knew if we called an ambulance she would be kept in Goderich until transportation could be arranged to take her to London's University Hospital and that could be hours and hours later.  Although feeling like she was going to be sick again we knew the right decision was simply to quickly head straight for London's Emergency Department ourselves.  And, that is what we did, and as it turned out it was the right decision.  I dropped Kelly off at Emergency and as it turned out, that was the last time I saw her today.  I parked the car nearby in a vacant loading zone and waited for Kelly to call.  I later walked over to Emergency and headed inside, but Kelly was nowhere to be found.  She later called and said she had been admitted and tests were already ongoing.  She suggested I might as well go home because she was going to be busy.  Blood tests, intravenous lines, etc. etc. and more etc's.  So, I headed for home.  Within minutes of arriving home, she called saying she was about to undergo a blood transfusion.  At this point, we have no idea how long she will be in the hospital.

 THAT'S THE SUBARU AND THAT'S THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ON THE LEFT

 KELLY SENT THIS PHOTO TONIGHT  OF THE VIEW FROM HER HOSPITAL ROOM

I talked to Aunt Jean Friday night and she said they took the boards off all the windows last Wednesday morning and the Plymouth Harbor special needs folks returned to their residence on on Sarasota's Lido Key the same day.  And, she said that she finally managed to get outside and have a look at her car for the first time since the hurricane.  Basically, it was undamaged but a lot of wind-blown tree debris had been blown into the driver's side of the car and she thinks the paint may have been damaged.  Despite taking her car to a carwash, the dirt on the driver's side did not wash off and may be imbedded in the paint.  She also said crews at Sunnyside Village were still busy outside cleaning up the storm damage.  She said a lot of the big beautiful trees were completely stripped of their leaves and many branches had already been cut down.  Aunt Jean said she has weathered many Florida hurricanes over the decades but she feels Hurricane Milton was the worst.  

 I ONLY TOOK FIVE PHOTOS TODAY

Al's Music Box Are You Lonesome Tonight by Elvis Presley is a song written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926.  April 1960, after Elvis Presely's two-year service in the United States Army, he recorded the song at the suggestion of manager Colonel Tom Parker.   Its release was delayed by RCA Victor executives, who thought the song did not fit Presley's new (and publicized) style. When "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" was released in November 1960, it was an immediate success in the U.S., topping Billboard's Pop Singles chart and reaching number three on the R&B chart.  A month after the song's release, it topped the UK Singles Chart. Presley's version was certified by the Recording Industry Association of America for a Gold Record Award for 1,000,000 copies sold in the United States in 1983. It was upgraded by the RIAA to a 2x Platinum Record Award for 2,000,000 sales in 1992.  Billboard ranked "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" number 81 on its "Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs" list in 2008.  In the final months of his service in the United States Army, Elvis Presley began experimenting with new material in anticipation of his return to recording.  His first recording session was scheduled for March 20, 1960, and RCA's Studio B had recently been equipped with a new three-track recorder.  To improve the recording of Presley's voice, engineer Bill Porter had Telefunken U-47 microphones installed.  A follow-up session was scheduled for April.  During the selection of material for the sessions, Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, suggested "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" The favorite song of Parker's wife, Marie Mott (who knew the song from Gene Ausitn's act, since he was also managed at the time by her husband.  It was the only time the Colonel intervened in Presley's choice of repertoire. Presley returned to the studio with his band, consisting of Scotty Moore, drummer D.J. Fontana, pianist Floyd Cramer, guitarist Hank Garland, bassist Bob Moore, percussionist Buddy Harman, and backing vocalists the Jordanaires, on April 3.  After the eight songs Parker needed for Elvis Is Back were recorded, Presley moved on to his manager's request. At 4 a.m. on April 4, the singer began recording "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", accompanied by acoustic guitar, drums, bass, and the backup group. He asked everyone else in the studio to leave the session, told Chet Atkins to turn the lights out, and performed the song with the spoken bridge. After the second take, Presley said to producer Steve Sholes, "Throw that tune out; I can't do it justice." Sholes told engineer Bill Porter to ignore Presley's order and asked the singer to do a new take, explaining that the Jordanaires had bumped into their microphone stand while recording in the dark. As a result, Presley performed the song once more, and that take became the master for the single.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( In a terrible accident at a railroad crossing, a train smashed into a car and pushed it nearly four hundred yards down the track. Though no one was killed, the driver took the train company to court.  At the trial, the engineer insisted that he had given the driver ample warning by waving his lantern back and forth for nearly a minute. He even stood and convincingly demonstrated how he'd done it. The court believed his story, and the suit was dismissed.  "Congratulations," the lawyer said to the engineer when it was over. "You did superbly under cross-examination."  "Thanks," he said, "but he sure had me worried."  "How's that?" the lawyer asked.  "I was afraid he was going to ask if the damned lantern was lit!"

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- What do you get if you cross a bell with a skunk?
 Jingle Smells!

= What's green, covered in tinsel and goes ribbet ribbet?
 Mistle-toad!

- Did a little mechanical work today...
I put a rear end in a recliner.

- Instead of Drew, I'm going to name my kid Driew.  Now I know what you're thinking, but it's only weird if you read it backwards.

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An Aussie pirate walks into a bar with a wooden leg, a hook, and an eye patch.
The Barman says 'Sheesh - How'd you lose the leg?'  The Pirate says 'Arrrrr - A shark took it off at the knee'.  The Barman says 'That's no good, what about the hand?'
The Pirate says 'Arrrr - Lost it in a bloody bar brawl'.  The Barman says 'Jeez - Well what about the eye then?'  The Pirate says 'That's easy, a seagull crapped in it'.  The Barman says 'What?!?!' The Pirate says 'Arrrrrrr...I'd only had the hook one day...'
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Al's Art Gallery:))

OCTOBER 19TH 1979 WAS A SPECIAL DAY FOR ME

AUTUMN LEAVES REFLECTING IN A BLUE SKY CREEK WITH FLOATING  WILLOW LEAVES ON THE SURFACE

Another gorgeous Autumn morning found Pheebs and I cruising a few country roads keeping a sharp eye out for any corn spills or corn cobs.  The corn harvest has begun but it isn't in full swing quite yet so I'm hopeful we'll find enough corn for the Squirrels, Birds, and Bunnies before the cold nasty winter weather sets in.  Our travels this morning took us southeast of Bayfield to the Kerr Campground area where we have a favorite walking spot.

 EARLY MORNING SUNSHINE TICKLES THE TOPS OF A FOREST'S TREES

 FARM WAGONS AWAIT THE DAY'S CORN HARVEST

 A COMBINE HEADS FOR THE CORNFIELD

 CAUGHT THIS FARM WAGON BEING TOWED BY A TRACTOR IN MY SIDEVIEW MIRROR

 A COMBINE WAITS FOR ITS OPERATOR TO GET ANOTHER DAY'S WORK UNDERWAY

 I STOPPED AND WALKED OUT INTO THIS CORNFIELD LOOKING FOR CORN COBS BUT NO LUCK

 A FARM LANE

With such a nice morning going on it was ideal for a walk, so Pheebs headed to the southernmost end of the Bannockburn Line and parked the car.  We were just here a few weeks ago and oh my how the leaves have changed.  We were surrounded with yellows, golds, burgundy, red, green, and orange colors.  And the Autumn smell in the air was priceless.  Despite some aging medical things, Pheebs was bouncing around like a little puppy dog.  Beyond a doubt, the most beautiful time of the year.  

 PARKED THE CAR AND AWAY WE WENT OFF DOWN THAT FARM LANE

 A LOOK BACK AT THE CAR

 I COULD TELL PHEEBS WAS HAPPY TO BE OUT WALKING AND EXPLORING

Although I haven't heard the words 'Indian Summer' used yet, I'm thinking this warmer weather we are experiencing now just might be it.  I've heard it said that an Indian Summer doesn't occur until after a frost.  Well, the ground sure looked frosty to me Thursday morning. But, what do I know eh, I'm just another Canadian weather complainer.

 HEADING HOME ON A BEAUTIFUL OCTOBER MORN

Back in our RV Travel years (2006-2019) this is the week-end we would often leave for the Great American Southwest.  By this time on a Friday we would have the RV loaded up and pretty much ready to go.  Friday afternoon I would move our rig from its spot near the carport, park it on the road out front, and proceed to hitch up the Jeep.  I would then take the rig with the Jeep behind for a short test run to make sure the Jeep didn't fall off.  It was also a double-check to make sure I all lights and signals were working.  Saturday morning we would be up early and the Bayfield Bunch would all pile into the rig.  I always liked to leave on a Saturday to avoid big city morning and afternoon rushes for the next two days.  I could never figure out why anyone would leave on a weekday and slam right into the heavy commuter traffic.  We generally reached the Sarnia/Port Huron border crossing around 9 a.m. and if there were no hassles (yes we did have hassles sometimes) we would well be on our way on I-69 with our first stop of the day at a Cracker Barrel in either Flint or Lansing Michigan.  We had the choice of two routes each year and depending on our destination or weather we would have already predetermined which route to take.  At the end of that first long driving day we would either be just east of Chicago Illinois or north of Indianapolis Indiana with the plan that we could blow through either of those cities early Sunday morning when everyone was in bed.  Well, sometimes they were and sometimes they weren't!!  And, sometimes we would slip problem-free right through the cities like a hot knife through butter and a few times we got lost and ended up in the suburbs:((

 THIS IS AN EXPANDED VIEW OF THIS POST'S FIRST PHOTO AND YOU CAN SEE TREE BRANCHES BACKING UP THE WATER WITH A BUNCH OF WILLOW LEAVES FLOATING ON THE SURFACE

 WHENEVER I STEP OUT OF THE CAR TO TAKE A PHOTO PHEEBS CLIMBS INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO SECURE THE CAR FROM ANY ROBBERS

Spent some very enjoyable time outside this afternoon raking pine needles and chopping away at a couple old stumps with an axe.  The Subaru also needed a good vacuuming and interior cleanup. I also put a few more things into storage for the winter.  I am already looking forward to those first nice Spring days when I can get myself out there and haul everything back out again in the crisp fresh air and April sunshine.

 I CHECKED OUT A SECOND CORNFIELD ON THE WAY HOME....NOTHING

Kelly had a bone density test at the Clinton Hospital this afternoon.  She had trouble getting up off the stone-hard flat table and now her back is bothering her.  A few hours after she got home this afternoon the phone rang and it was her Nurse Practitioner calling with the bone density results.  It showed continuing bone density loss.  Kelly just can't seem to win for losing some days.........  

WHEN I HEARD THE SOUND OF A JET THIS MORNING I LOOKED UP AND COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING BUT THEN I HEARD A SECOND JET ENGINE

 I CAUGHT A FLASH HIGH UP AND THEN ANOTHER FLASH AND REALI IT WAS TWO JETS IN A WIDE TURNING CIRCLE...I COULD ONLY SEE ONE JET AT A TIME AND ONLY A FEW SECONDS WHEN THE MORNING SUN REFLECTED OFF THEM IN THE TURN

 MY PHOTOS AREN'T THE BEST BUT I WAS HAND HOLDING AT 2000mm AND TRYING TO PAN WITH THE PLANE WHICH I COULD HARDLY SEE WITH THE NAKED EYE....I THINK THESE TWO PLANES ARE BASED IN LONDON ONTARIO AND HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH PILOT TRAINING

Every year on this date I try to remember to post something I wrote years ago about a day that changed my life.  Many readers have read this before but maybe there are a few out there who haven't and maybe there is someone it could possibly help.  It is entitled, One Day At A Time.  Keep in mind I wrote this post in October of 2009 so to bring my sobriety up to date I have now been happily sober for 45 years.  And, as I always like to add, I've been free of cigarettes for about 43 years.  I was never into drugs so that never presented a problem for me.

Al's Music Box:)) The Wah Wahtusi by the Orlons is a solo dance that enjoyed brief popularity during the early 1960s.  It was one of the most popular dance crazes of the 1960s in the United States.  "Watusi" is a former name for the Tutsi people of Africa, whose traditions include spectacular dances.  The naming of the American dance may have been inspired, in particular, by a scene in the 1950 film King Solomon's Mines which featured Tutsi dancers, or by its sequel Watusi.  The Orlons, a vocal quartet from Philadelphia, had the biggest hit of their career as recording artists with their recording of "The Wah-Watusi", which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on June 9, 1962, and remained on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks; it peaked at #2 and held the position for two weeks. 

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The telephone rings in the principal's office at a school.  "Hello, this is Dunn Elementary," answers the principal.  "Hi. Jimmy won't be able to come to school all next week," replies the voice.  "Well, what seems to be the problem with him?"  "We are all going on a family vacation," says the voice. "I hope it is alright."  "I guess that would be fine," says the principal. "May I ask who is calling?"  "Sure. This is my father!"

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- What invention was more popular than the first telephone??  The second telephone.

- A man rushed into the doctor's office and shouted, "Doctor! I think I'm shrinking!"
The doctor calmly responded, "Now, settle down. You'll just have to be a little patient."

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

- I don't believe in astrology...I'm a Sagittarian and we're skeptical.

Doctor: You're in good health. You'll live to be eighty.
Patient: But, doctor, I am 80 right now.
Doctor: See, what did I tell you.
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Two nudists were discussing politics.
One says, “Have you read Marx?”
The other nods, “It’s these blasted wicker chairs."
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Al's Art Gallery:))