PERHAPS MY SECOND SHORTEST BLOG EVER

Wished I had something interesting to write about tonight but other than seeing my Nurse Practitioner person this afternoon not much has happened.  I had to leave another bucket of blood at the medical center for additional tests & had some chest x-rays done.  We'll see what eventually comes of all this.  In the meantime, I am still not cleared to return to my part time mobility van job.

COOL MORNING WALK

For anyone interested in spending some time on a south eastern Arizona ranch for the month of March 2011 be sure to read my post from this past Saturday.  A nice relaxing ranch experience for the right people.  Try it, you will probably like it:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((   How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

1. Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?

2. Border Collie: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.

3. Dachshund: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!

4. Rottweiler: Make me.

5. Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark.

6. Lab: Oh, me, me!!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pleeeeeeeeeze, please, please, please!

7. German Shepherd: I'll change it as soon as I've led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven't missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation.

8. Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture.

9. Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb!

10. Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

11. Chihuahua : Yo quiero Taco Bulb. Or 'We don't need no stinking light bulb.'

12. Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?

13. Australian Shepherd: First, I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle...

14. Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

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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/

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

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

GLOOMY START TO THE DAY BUT A SUNNY FINISH:))

AUTUMN'S PAINT BRUSH HAS TOUCHED OUR BACK YARD

I was hoping for one of those early Autumn warm sunny Sunday motorcycle touring mornings but it was not to be.  Rain in the night & the day started off with a heavy overcast.  Not really conducive to a leisurely bike ride through the countryside. 

A CASE OF MASTMANIA IN BAYFIELD'S HARBOR THIS MORNING

There are countless thousands of examples when it comes to deception in our market place these days. And it is not just limited to the market place.  I believe we the people are completely surrounded by lies & deceptions coming at us from all sectors of society but I'm not going to get into all that.  Instead, I have one simple example of our ever growing descent into the madness of greed. 

MAX & CHECKERS PLAYING 'STICKS'

I bought a plastic container of Soy powder yesterday & when I opened it the container was only half full of product.  What a total waste of plastic & what an insult to the environment.   This is nothing less than thievery.  A blatant slap in the face of common good.  Prime example of deceptive business practices which are sooooo commonplace these days.  Customer sees the big container on the shelf & naturally thinks the container will be filled to the top with the product.  Remember many years ago when that is the way it was.  Well, those days are long gone & it angers me to no end to be continually ripped off & insulted by these greed infested companies.  

THIS FIELD OF BEANS IS ABOUT READY TO BE HARVESTED

Guess I'm from the older generation when you could count on things being as they seemed!!  Whether it's the false bottom laundry detergents, narrow toilet paper rolls, shrinking coffee cups, skinnier cereal boxes or whatever.  Are there no honest people left in this world anymore.  Very, very, few I'm afraid!!

               

THESE PICS CLEARLY SHOW THE SOY CONTAINER HALF EMPTY

The gloomy clouds blew out of town about noon & along with them went my gloomy mood.  Considered taking the above rant out but no, that was how I felt, & that is exactly the reality of how things are in our society now!!

THE HULLET MARSH IS MAN MADE.  CREEKS WERE DAMMED TO CREATE THESE LARGE MARSH AREAS & BERMS WERE DOZED UP BETWEEN THEM.  THESE DOZER TRACKS ARE ALONG THE TOP OF A BERM

Worked on a little Jeep project this afternoon.  A friend had a similar air intake to the air breather that I have in the Jeep.  There is a round opening where air goes in & in his case, a rodent went in as well.  Bruce ended up with mice in his air filter box & that effectively shut him down one day on the road when his engine was starved for air.  He brought over a chunk of wire mesh a couple weeks ago & suggested I cover that hole up so today I cut it to fit & put it over the Jeep's air intake.  Don't need no critters crawling in there & making themselves at home in the air filter case. 

WIRE SCREEN ON RIGHT WILL PREVENT CRITTERS FROM CRAWLING IN & MAKING A NEST IN THE AIR FILTER BOX ON LEFT

LIGHT BULB ON LEFT IS A STANDARD BULB & THE ONE ON THE RIGHT IS WHAT CAME OUT OF MY UNCLE HARRY'S OLD 50'S LAMP.....QUITE A DIFFERENCE IN SIZE

Well, tomorrow afternoon I am off to see my Nurse Practitioner person for the test results from the bucket of blood I gave them a week or so ago.  I am hoping she is going to have some answers for me as to why I am still coughing & why I can still feel congestion in my lungs.  Why am I still getting sore throats off & on.  There is still something amiss inside my neck & chest & I hope we can get to the bottom of it!!

GROANER'S CORNER:((

Did you know Maxine has some new boyfriends!!  She is seeing 5 gentlemen every day.  She said, as soon as I wake up, Will Power helps me get out of bed.  Then I go to see John.  Then Charlie Horse comes along, & when he is here, he takes a lot of my time & attention. When he leaves, Arthur Ritis shows up & stays the rest of the day. He doesn't like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint.  After such a busy day, I'm really tired & glad to go to bed With Ben Gay.
What a life! Oh, yes, I'm also flirting with Al Zymer and thinking of calling JACK DANIELS or JOHNNY WALKER to come over and keep me company......Eeeeee Gads, will it ever stop!!

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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/

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

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

DO WE HAVE ANY 'RANCH SITTERS' OUT HERE IN RV BLOG LAND:))

FULL MOON RISING OVER THE SWISS HELM MOUNTAINS AT THE RANCH IN DEC. 09 (700mm telescope lens)

Anyone following our blog knows that we have spent the last 4 winters traveling around the American Southwest.  You will also know that we have spent some time 'ranch sitting' the past couple years as well.  When we leave Bayfield in late October we will once again head straight for the ranch which is located in Arizona's southeast corner near McNeal, Douglas & Bisbee.  Unlike last winter, we have decided to spend less time at the ranch this year & more time traveling.  We will be there from the beginning of November until mid December.

STORM CLOUDS OVER THE RANCH HOUSE

The owners of the ranch, J & R are also RV folks & again this year would like to spend the winter months doing some traveling of their own .  Another RV couple is going to take over the ranch sitting job from us from mid December to mid January.  A third RV couple & friends of ours will take over sometime in January & will stay for awhile but not sure how long yet.  That will leave part of February & all of March available.

OUR FULL HOOK-UP SITE AT THE RANCH

Workampers will probably not be interested in this because it is not a paying job. You do have full hook-ups & the security of a locked gate & a very large area with coyote proof fencing so it's a great safety factor if you have pets.  The ranch is an excellent home base for day trips in this historical southeast corner of Arizona.  Thousands of Sand Hill Cranes fly directly over the ranch every single day.  Their roosting area is only one mile south of the ranch at the, WHITEWATER DRAW WILDLIFE AREA

SUNSET ON THE PORCH

It is imperative that you understand, care for & love animals.  The ranch has about a dozen frisky chickens, 3 clever donkeys, 2 new cows, two lovable dogs (Pearce & Gleason) & Charlie the cat to look after.  The gang has to be fed twice a day & the 3 or 4 chicken eggs have to be gathered daily.  And, you will be required to milk the chickens every Saturday morning before breakfast:))

DRAGOON MOUNTAINS NORTHWEST OF THE RANCH

Douglas & Bisbee are only about a 20-25 minute drive away.  Tombstone is about a 40 minute drive & Sierra Vista is just another 15 minutes on the other side of Tombstone.  The ranch is located in the Sulphur Springs Valley & surrounded by the Dragoon, Chiricahua, Swiss Helm & Mule mountains.  And, if you haven't been to Bisbee Arizona yet, you are in for an alpine treat in an old mountain mining town.  For many photos of the ranch & surrounding area attractions just check our archives for Feb-March 2009 & again from November 09 to just about the end of January 2010.  Or, check our PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS for those same dates.

3 OF THE RANCH'S DESPERADOS'....SARAH, NELLIE & PONCHO

So, if anyone is interested in 'ranch sitting' for a spell in February & March, just let us know & we'll forward your interest to the folks at the ranch.  Preference will probably be given to anyone on our blog list that we know or have been in email contact with for awhile.  Just a little something for you Buckaroo RV'ers to think about:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED...................
1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats..
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food..
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair..
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandma's lap.

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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/

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

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

UNCLE HARRY GETS A NEW SET OF WHEELS:))

SPOTTED A GROUP OF WHITE EGRETS THIS MORNING (Officially called 'Great Egrets)

Picture perfect morning with blue sky's & big puffy white clouds.  Thoroughly enjoying these cooler temps & 60F first thing this morning made for a great start to the day. 

HULLET MARSH WITH A BIRD VIEWING STATION IN THE BACKGROUND

VIEW FROM THE BIRD LOOK-OUT

The Ritz Villa where my Uncle Harry lives phoned a few days ago saying his old 1950's style lamp plug was not up to code & the lamp should be replaced so that was my mission for this morning.  Rounded up a newer lamp we had here at home & headed for Mitchell.

THE HULLET MARSH IS MADE UP OF MANY CONNECTING PONDS & CREEKS

Because of the picturesque morning I took some extra back roads & made a few stops along the way at a large tract of land that had been set aside years ago as a wildlife nature area.  The HULLET MARSH covers hundreds of acres & before we moved to this area we would often drive here on a Sunday & hike all areas of this large Marsh.

I COULD SEE SOME WHITE OBJECTS ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE MARSH & WITH MY 300MM LENS I WAS ABLE TO GET THE FOLLOWING EGRET PHOTOS

                      

(click on photos to enlarge)

Harry's room was a bee hive of activity when I arrived about 11:30 this morning.  Awhile back Harry had been measured up & fitted for a custom wheelchair & this morning it arrived about the same time I did.  Lynette, the Occupational Therapist lady from VHA REHAB SOLUTIONS who had done the original measuring was back along with two fellows from the company that built Harry's wheelchair.  CUSTOM MOBILITY is a fairly new company based in Southwestern Ontario specializing in custom built wheelchairs designed for the maximum comfort of it's occupants.  Instead of people having to wait months for a measuring & then have to drive long distances to Parkwood Hospital in London for fittings, Custom Mobility comes right to a Seniors place of residence & does everything in the comfort of one's own surroundings.

LYNETTE CHECKS A MEASUREMENT

I was extremely impressed how Fred Geiger, the company's director of operations & his assistant Kevin, along with  therapist Lynette took the time, care, consideration & concern to help Harry adjust to his new chair.  Kevin is the fellow who actually built the chair.  Their warmth & friendliness was obvious as they had Harry take the chair for a test drive in the hall.  A few adjustments here & there & soon Harry was all smiles with his spiffy new set of wheels.  And, in his day, Harry always took great pride in is big, shiny & spiffy Detroit wheels:))

LYNETTE & FRED LOOK ON WHILE KEVIN MAKES SOME ADJUSTMENTS

In my line of part time work I see & handle a fair few wheelchairs & I can honestly say Harry's chair was the best built chair I have ever seen.  He will get a lot of pleasurable miles out it & I'll bet there isn't another chair within 40 miles that could outrun his sporty new set of wheels in the quarter mile:))

HARRY CHECKS OUT SOME TOOLS THE BOYS BROUGHT

IT WAS PLAIN TO SEE THE WARMTH & CARE THESE GOOD PEOPLE HAD FOR UNCLE HARRY

The LONDON TRAILER HITCH CENTER phoned today confirming they can indeed get the parts shipped in to turn our little Jeep into a towable Jeep toad:))  We'll set a date for that shortly then take the Santa Fe & Jeep to London & have them switch some of the towing gear from the Santa Fe to the Jeep.  Things are coming together:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  And remember, don't let aging get you down because it's just too darned hard to get up again!!

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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/

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

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

TIM HORTONS.....THE DUMBING DOWN OF CANADIAN COFFEE DRINKERS!!

MORNING POND

Eight weeks ago we had ordered a tire cover & front bra for the Jeep from a Jeep site in the States.  This morning Kelly finally called the company to see what the hold up was & of course the voice at the other end, "oh, it's just being shipped out today."  Ya right!!  Also phoned London Trailer Hitch this morning to make arrangements to have our toad towing package transferred from the Santa Fe to the Jeep.  Our Sterling Roadmaster tow bar part is transferrable but the base plate is not, so a new plate has to be ordered from Burnaby, British Columbia.  Hope we are not going to run into problems there!!

  

GOING TO HAVE TO DO A LITTLE PAINT TOUCH UP ON A WALL HERE

Tuesday got off to another slow start but the highlight of my day was meeting an old friend for coffee in the afternoon.  I don't do much of that sort of thing anymore so it was great to just sit down with my old buddy Jim & catch up with each other's lives again.  I have blogged about my good friend & our marathon coffee blow-outs several times before & our nearly 4 hour chin wag Wednesday was just like the old days when we hung out a lot together.  Distance & lifestyle changes have caused us to drift apart over the past 20 years but every time we get together we pick right up like a couple of mad magpies right from where our last conversation left off a year or so before.  We have always had that best buddy chemistry between us & I always like touching base with Jim every year.

Several weeks ago my Nurse Practitioner suggested reducing my coffee intake from 4 cups a day to two in order to help with my sleeping problem.  Figured that was a good suggestion so picked me up a can of decaffeinated coffee & slowly weaned myself off the regular stuff over the course of a week.  Reached a point where I was not bothered with headaches or scratchy eyes from the lack of caffeine so for the last 3 days have totally skipped my mid morning & evening coffee's with no side affects.  I'm at a point now where I could totally give up drinking coffee if I wished.  Hmmmm, interesting thought but I am wondering if it has had something to do with my low energy levels this week.

DON'T BUG ME DAD, I'M RESTING

And speaking of coffee, I have a big beef with Tim Hortons!!  My friend Jim had given up coffee quite a few years ago so doesn't frequent coffee shops anymore.  When he came into Tim Horton's coffee shop yesterday & saw the size of my coffee cup sitting on the table he couldn't believe how small the coffee cups have become.  I have been aware of Tim Hortons's sneaky way of slowly downsizing their cups over the last bunch of years & I have blogged about that sneakiness before.  Jim's comment yesterday reminded me once again of the dumbing down of Canada's Tim Horton coffee drinkers.  Their price for a cup of coffee slowly creeps up while the size of their coffee cups systematically become smaller.  So, I have a warning for you America!! 

CANADA GOOSE SQUADRON TAKING OFF

Tim Hortons has been expanding their operations into your country for the last few years & here is where the rub comes in.  When Kelly was in Spencerport last week she went to the new Tim Hortons coffee shop there & was surprised at how big their coffee cups were compared to Canada.  Tim Hortons has gradually dumbed down the Canadian population over the years but they knew they could not successfully branch into the States by setting down tiny sized cups of coffee in front of American people, charging the prices they do & get away with it.  They would have been out of business in a matter of weeks because you people would not have put up with that crap.  But America, I would bet dollars to doughnuts that they will work the same sneaky downsizing plan on you folks over the coming years that they have so successfully used on us Canadians.  I happen to think Tim Horton's coffee is the best but I have never liked their sneaky business ethics.  Tim Hortons is only one of many, many, deceptive companies out there now in this day & age but for today, it's Tim Hortons that's sticking in my craw.  So beware my friends south of the border.....your Tim Horton's coffee cups are destined to be sneakily & systematically downsized over the next few years....mark my words!!  Like I always say.......MINIMUM AMOUNT OF PRODUCT FOR MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF MONEY.  It has become the great (and accepted) North American way!!!!

GROANER'S CORNER:((  The following was developed as a mental age assessment by the School of Psychiatry at Harvard University. Take your time and see if you can read
each line aloud without a mistake.

The average person over 50 years of age cannot do it!
1. This is this cat.
2. This is is cat.
3. This is how cat.
4. This is to cat.
5. This is keep cat.
6. This is an cat.
7. This is old cat.
8. This is Geezer cat.
9. This is busy cat.
10. This is for cat.
11. This is forty cat..
12. This is seconds cat.
Now go back and read the third word in each line from the top down:))

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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/

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

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