KELLY MAKES PREPARATIONS FOR THE DAYS AHEAD

A FIELD OF SOY OR WHITE BEANS RIPENING IN THE SUN

Even with the tall pine trees around us there were long shafts of moonlight spilling onto our living room floor early this morning.  Opened the patio door to let the sounds of the unseen crickets flood in with their calming chirping sounds.  I was in my recliner all toasty warm in my flannelette PJ's with my big green security blanket stretched over me.  Ambient music on the stereo & my laptop on my lap.  Max was asleep on the couch, Checkers beside my chair & the little Motormouse was upside down sawing logs over on her little doggy bed under the window.  A few sounds down the hall told me Kelly was up & about & soon the sweet smell of coffee was permeating the early morning air.  Pretty darn nice way to begin another day I'd say.

CHECKERS ISN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO LIKES GOING FOR RIDES IN THE JEEP

It had been over a month since I last had the motorcycle out for a run so figured Sunday morning was a perfect time for a nice leisurely ride in the country.  Well, it was not to be.  When I hit the starter switch the battery put up a gallant but brief effort to start the engine before dying.  Didn't feel like pulling the battery out, recharging it, etc so just threw my camera gear into the Jeep & headed out on a 4 hour relaxing country drive.  Would have liked to stop in to see my Uncle Harry in Mitchell but I can't take a chance on going into any Nursing Homes yet with this 'Superbug' still in me.  Called him tonight & despite a tumble this morning he is doing pretty good. 

BY GOLLY, JUST ABOUT THE WHOLE HERD WAS IN THE RIVER TODAY

My drive was very reflective as my mind kept turning to the future & what is to be.  It wasn't until I got home later around 3 that I learned Kelly's Dad had died.  Sunday night was a flurry of phone calls & here it is Monday already.  Thank you to the many folks for their thoughts & concerns regarding the passing of Kelly's Dad.  Very much appreciated & I'm sure the folks in Spencerport will be reading all those comments as well.  I had forgot to mention in the blog that Kelly's Mom & Dad had just celebrated 66 years of marriage not long ago & when Frank died, his wife Gene & son, Peter were at his bedside. (I have since added that to Sunday's blog)

A FEW GREEN WEEDS IN THE OLD BEAN FIELD

Well, it's another Monday & the start of another new week & almost the start of another new month.  I think this has been the fastest summer on record......and of course the hottest!!  Another heat & humidity weather front has muscled it's way in to our area so we are once again sweltering in high daytime temps.  Kelly was busy at work today making preparations for being away for a few days.  I stayed close to home fielding a few phone calls & forwarding incoming emails to Kelly over at Deer Park Lodge.

NOTICE THE SACS OF SUNFLOWER POLLEN THIS LITTLE BEE IS CARRYING

Earlier this summer I had come across a website from a real working ranch in Southern Arizona.  I had meant to add THE GRAPEVINE CANYON RANCH to our blog roll at the time but must have forgot.  I rediscovered this ladies fine writings this morning & promptly added her site to our 'Blogs We Follow.'  The ranch is located not too far from where we have spent time these past couple of winters on the ranch near McNeal Az. Grapevine Canyon Ranch is located in the foothills of the Dragoon Mountains north of McNeal near the old ghost town of Pearce & near the current town of Sunsites.  This is also the area where the Cochise Stronghold is located & you can read about our hike through this rugged Indian land here.....KELLY & AL'S HIKE TO THE COCHISE STRONGHOLD

A BORDER OF SUNFLOWERS ALONG THE LANE APPEARS TO HOLD BACK A WANDERING FIELD OF BEANS

Slipped into town for a few groceries & my spirits were lifted when I spied something in one of the frozen food isles.  I see High Liner is still making one of my all time favorite sea foods.  Fish Sticks.  How nice that is to know for the next time I get the urge for some fine dining from the sea.  A big wallop of mashed potatoes topped with butter on a plate swimming in creamed corn with a big humongous stack of Fish Sticks.  And you folks thought I didn't know anything about fine dining eh!!  I'm quite the little food connoisseur you know:))

Don't need no Muscles or Schmuscles, Lobsters or Clams,

Don't need no Scallops & Crabs or Flounders on Slabs.

Just make mine Fish O Sticks from Captain High Liner

And my cuisine for the day just couldn't be finer:))

AWWWWW NUTS, I GOT MOONED BY A HERD OF COWS TODAY!!

Once again, thanks to all you folks for your kind comments regarding Kelly's Dad.  She leaves first thing in the morning for Spencerport, NY.

<<< THIS LITTLE SPIDER IS HIDING WELL IN THIS OLD DRIED OUT PLANT

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Blessed are the cracked, for they are the ones who let in the light!!

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, part of their soul remains un-awakened

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/ (a work in progress)

It is not the concept of God I have a problem with.....it is his fan club that causes me grievous concern:((

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

'HE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT' KELLY'S DAD DIED THIS MORNING AT 11:30 A.M.

SPENCERPORT NEW YORK......2006
After a long & difficult struggle, Kelly's Dad, Frank Knapp, passed away this morning at the Hildabrandt Hospice House in Rochester, New York at the age of 91.  His loving wife of 66 years, Gene, was at his bedside as was his son Peter.  Frank was a U.S. Marine who fought his way across the beaches of Iwo Jima until being slightly injured there & returned to the States.  He spent all his working years in Spencerport New York as a dedicated U.S. postal worker delivering mail for many, many, years. In his retirement he & Kelly's Mom spent their years RVing & wintering in Florida.

FRANK & GENE WITH THEIR CLASS A MOTOR HOME VISITING US AT THE OLD FARM
 
AUGUST IN SPENCERPORT NY.....2006
I remember when we lived in the old farm house near Fullarton years ago & Frank & Gene came over from New York to spend a few days at the farm with us.  When the big Class A pulled into our long driveway I could hardly see Frank behind the steering wheel.  He was not a big man & I remember thinking, how could such a slim little guy handle such a big dinosaur of a vehicle.  But handle it he did & for many winters they would be on the road with the big Motor Home heading for their spot in Clearwater, Florida.  Despite having their toad come off the hitch one time on the Interstate & ice sliding off the Motor Home roof & smashing their Honda's windshield, nothing ever deterred Frank.  Even when he was sooooo sick the last few years, he would still pull himself up on his riding lawn mower determined to cut his own lawn.  He would take his walker & a hoe back to the garden to get rid of pesky weeds.  Sometimes he would collapse & lay on the lawn until he had enough strength back to get himself on his feet again & continue to chase after those pesky weeds.  Frank was one of those non stop hard working guys who preferred to do things himself....his way.

FRANK TENDING TO HIS BELOVED GARDEN

<<< A TRUE MARINE TO THE END
The last time I saw Frank was 3 years ago at Kelly's surprise Birthday Party at Deer Park Lodge here in Bayfield.  At the end of the surprise week-end which began on a Friday night we all met for breakfast at a country restaurant nearby on Sunday morning.   I remember as everyone was leaving, shaking Frank's hand that morning wondering if I would ever see him again.  I didn't.


FRANK AT DEER PARK LODGE
   
WE CALLED HIM, 'MR. COOL' THIS DAY:))
Kelly is so thankful she made the decision to drive over to Spencerport last Sunday morning.  She got to spend 5 full days with her Dad helping in all aspects of his care.  They had some serious moments together & they had some laughs.  Frank never lost his sense of humor, even in the final days.


FRANK STRIKES A DAPPER POSE IN HIS DRIVEWAY
Funeral arrangements are not yet complete but Kelly will be heading back to Spencerport first thing Tuesday morning.  It is a comforting feeling for everyone to know that Frank's long period of pain & suffering has finally come to a peaceful end & knowing Frank, he's probably already in the process of figuring out how he can get back home & get after those pesky weeds in his garden..............10-4


GROANER'S CORNER:((  I knew I was going bald when it took longer & longer to wash my face!!
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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
"UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL, PART OF THEIR SOUL REMAINS UN-AWAKENED"

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/
OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/
AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/ (a work in progress)
The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

THANKS TO ALL FOR HELPING ME GET MY BLOG FOCUS BACK ON TRACK.......AGAIN!!

IF I WAS A FISH I THINK I MIGHT LIKE TO LIVE HERE

Another in a series of perfect weather days had me & the furry guys on the trail early this morning.  Two big blue Herons at one end of the pond & two small Green Back Herons at the other.  Definitely not a good place to be a frog!!

EARLY MORNING MOON IN THE FOREST

The trail through the forest has always been on the narrow side & for nearly 8 years now I always carry a hand clippers with me trimming back the wild Raspberries, vines, Goldenrod & Dogwood branches.  Earlier in the summer I noticed someone had taken the time & made the effort to go around the entire trail with a riding lawn mower & they have been doing that ever since.  I have no idea who it is & I'm sure the fella on the mower has no idea who does the branch trimming along the trail either.  We've never met.  I'm an early morning person on the trail & the mower rider may be an afternoon person but because of our love for nature each one of us has taken it upon ourselves to maintain the trail.  It is very rare for us to meet anyone on the trail in the early morning but I'm sure some Park residents do use it for strolls later in the day or early evening.  I did leave a message on our mailroom chalkboard to say 'Thanks' to whoever has been mowing the trail.

A WIDER TRAIL LEADS INTO THE PINE FOREST

I can tell I'm feeling better with each day because my energy levels are coming back up & I spent part of the morning cleaning the front driving area of the Motor Home.  Checked all four of the house batteries & found some low levels.  Time to pick up some distilled water so loaded up Checkers in the Jeep (the other guys were sleeping) & headed into town for a jug of distilled water.  Checkers is an excellent traveler & loves to go for rides anywhere, anytime.  We still have our dog loading ramp from our truck & fifth wheel days & it works really slick for loading the guys into & out of the Jeep.

   

CHECKERS WAS JEEPING IT TODAY

The afternoon was spent cleaning Motor Home bins & getting a few odd jobs taken care of.  Needed a few short power naps between jobs & the afternoon went smoothly.  Even did a little clean up on the Jeep's engine.  Years ago I used to keep the engines in some of my vehicles all sparkled up as well as the vehicle itself & it was always a sign that I especially liked that particular vehicle.  So, I guess it's safe to say me & the Jeep are big Pals:))

One of the blog sites that mysteriously vanished off our 'Blogs We Follow' list was that of a fellow we have been following for a couple years now & actually met at the Ranch last winter.  I have put Ivan's ROADTRIP 2010 back on the list again.  I may have Ivan's title wrong but I think he is a Park/Forest Ranger.  Check out Ivan's site for some great photos of his horseback trek into back country a week & a half ago in search of Grizzly Bear activity in the area after a tack shed & some horse feed storage buildings had been mauled.  Check out the scenery Ivan works in & the horses & people he works with.  Is this not one of those jobs we have all dreamt about as a kid.

HAD SOME HELP CLEANING THE BINS THIS AFTERNOON

I appreciate all the positive & caring comments & emails people sent in regarding my blog concerns in last night's post.  As some of you long time readers know, I seem to get a bad case of the blog wobbles every 5 or 6 months or so.  Nobody to blame but myself again for my insecurities from time to time.  I have blogged about this confidence problem I have before so I won't go back over all that.  Just want to say thank you to everyone who took a few minutes out of their day to help me get my de-railed blog train back on the tracks again. There was some very good advice in the comments from last night's blog & the insight in some of those comments is well worth going back to read.  Sometime in the future I will write a post about the type of confidence problem I struggle with in hopes that it may be of help to other folks with the same or similar problems.  But, I can tell you now that this blog has been instrumental in helping me overcome many of my past confidence problems & I hope to explain all that sometime in a future post.  Thanks again to all my known & unknown friends out there, you are all very special people:))  And a special thanks to Guy C for his encouraging email.

KELLY & HER DAD THIS PAST WEEK

Kelly's Dad is resting comfortably in a Rochester Hospice center for now & his condition has settled down a bit.  Kelly feels it was a good thing she managed to spend 5 days with him when she did.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( 

When U Black, U Black
When I was born, I was BLACK ,
When I grew up, I was BLACK ,
When I went in the sun, I stayed BLACK,
When I got cold, I was BLACK ,
When I was scared, I was BLACK ,
When I was sick, I was BLACK ,
And when I die, I'll still be BLACK .
              NOW, You 'white' folks....
When you're born, you're PINK,
When you grow-up, you're WHITE ,
When you go in the sun, you get RED,
When you're cold, you turn BLUE,
When you're scared, you're YELLOW,
When you get sick, you're GREEN
When you bruise, you turn PURPLE ,
And when you die, you look GRAY.
So who y'all be callin'
COLORED Folks?

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

"UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL, PART OF THEIR SOUL REMAINS UN-AWAKENED"

OUR BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

AL'S SMUG MUG PHOTO GALLERY http://stargeezer.smugmug.com/ (a work in progress)

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.