Frustrating Messages, Cool Ride, Grilling Spring Rolls and We’re No Angels.

Our Location today is at McGregor, Ontario, Canada.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge.

When I looked at the Clock this morning it read minutes before 8:00 so I knew that I had to get moving even though we really didn’t have anything planned. It felt comfortable enough when I got downstairs that I immediately started opening the Window Shades. That’s when I realized why I had slept so soundly, it appeared to have been drizzling most of the night and it doesn’t matter how hard the Rain we are getting it makes the both of us sleep soundly. I finished getting things ready for breakfast and got into reading on the Computer when Kathy came downstairs at 8:30. When she saw the Rain on the Windows Kathy said “That’s why I slept so Soundly!” It affects us both. 

After breakfast was over we made it a Two Cup morning at the Computers by getting into different forms of research. Kathy was back to researching places for our upcoming travels while mine was trying to pinpoint Grave Locations. I mentioned on Friday’s Blog that we were wanting to get recognition for Two Serviceman that we know served during WWII but seem to be Forgotten every Remembrance Day. I hoped to be able to mark the Grave Locations on the Cemetery Map I have. When I entered their names, the site came back with “Zero entries found”. Then I found a Sidebar Locator. When I entered Richard Adams over 9,000 entries showed up some dating back to the Seventeen-Hundreds in the UK. Trying to refine the search only led to the “Zero entries found” message again.

I’m not into finding my family heritage so I can only image how frustrated those that are must get when Computers that are supposed to make things easier only add to your frustration. I’ll do it the old-fashioned way. By walking up and down the aisles of cemetery until they are found. Hopefully by our actions they will not be forgotten.

With it still Raining outside another thing that was accomplished was mounting the Sign that Kathy painted last Wednesday. Since RVs are limited to Wall Space we mounted it over the Kitchen Slide above our Fridge right next a sign our daughter-in-law Jen gave us. It is amazing what you can do using Velcro. No Holes either. 

After a warm bowl of Chicken and Rice Soup along with a couple of Cheese Sticks we decided to get some exercise. It was a balmy 61 F (16 C) as we rode our Tandem Bicycle around the Park. With this being Sunday, many had already left the Transient Area but there were plenty of Seasonals waving and smiling as we went by. 

By 4:00 we were starting to feel a little hungry because of our earlier Lite Meals. We had purchased some Spring-Rolls during the Hot Weather to have with a meal but we didn’t want to heat up the inside of the Trailer. We cooked Two each from Frozen on a Grill Mat, ten minutes per side and they tasted wonderful. Those would definitely not hold us over so when they came off the Grill the Pizza Stone went on. In Fifteen Minutes, our Thin Crust Spinach Pizza was done perfectly giving a slight crunch to the crust. We ate the Pizza so fast that I didn't get a picture but we were very satisfied.

After supper we watched the movie “We’re No Angels” with Robert De Niro, Sean Penn and Demi Moore. It was a great Comedy that kept us laughing.

Tomorrow we’ll try to get things straightened away at the Legion and whatever else we can do. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

Words of Inspiration

Why not seize the pleasure at once?

How often is happiness destroyed by preparation,

foolish preparation.

Jane Austen, English Novelist

More Cool (Cold) Weather, Errands and Chores.

Our Location today is at McGregor, Ontario, Canada.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge.

With a Windchill that registered in the upper 30s last night we were comfortable having left the Blue Flame Heater on Pilot overnight as long as we kept our heavy Bedcover on. The first thing accomplished this morning was to turn the Heater on low where it immediately ignited. Kathy kept herself bundled up toasty undercover, so she didn’t wake until I gave her a morning Kiss.

Even though it was a late breakfast, Kathy also appreciated her Hot Cereal to start off the morning along with her Tea. Since I had already managed to complete most of my reading while she slept my first chore was to call our Pharmacy to have the Maxidex refilled. It was the Eyedrops that Dave my Optometrist suggested I use to take the Inflammation out of my Right Eye. Kathy commented how strange it was that we both had issues with the First Eye after we had the Cataract Surgeries performed on.

We were on our way to Amherstburg by 11:00 and did not realize that we had forgotten the Camera at Home until we arrived at our first stop. Pharma Choice had my Eyedrops ready when we arrived so it was a quick stop.

Next, we stopped at Dollarama where we walked around as well as picking up a few supplies.

From there we drove to the No-Frills grocery store to get our fresh Fruits and Vegetables. We like to shop there for their low prices and points we are able to collect which will convert to money saved later on.

Not having been able to get everything we wanted we went over to Walmart. It took some searching but we finally found what we were looking for.

We decided to make one more stop at Dollar Tree. We did find a couple of small things that we know will be useful in the next short while.

We were starting to get Lightheaded and even though we had eaten a late breakfast it was nearly 2:00 when we decided we wanted something different to eat so we headed over to Subway where we shared a 12” Sandwich. We always get strange looks when we tell them to cut it in half before starting. When it comes to the Condiments they finally understand why. Kathy orders hers with healthy vegetables that she enjoys eating. I order mine with HOT Peppers and Jalapenos that would take Kathy’s breath away. Making it a Meal we each had a Cookie but shared a Fountain Drink using our own straws. It still cost more the Wendy’s Value Meal but there is no Wendy’s in Amherstburg.

It was close to 3:00 when we got Home and even though it was 63 F (17 C) the cool breeze that was coming from the Southwest had us keeping the door closed. 

The only picture we did today.

Shortly after 6:00 Kathy checked inside the Fridge what Leftovers needed to be used. She served some Coleslaw, along with a Chicken and Salad Wrap, then topped it off with Strawberry covered Yogurt for dessert. It all tasted wonderful.

The forecast for the next week has really change and with Rain mentioned for nearly every day I decided to mow the Grass after supper.

Tomorrow we’ll just do what we can in an effort to get ready for our Southwest Trip. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

You Might Be a Redneck If

You carry more than two extra tires in the back of your truck.

Kathy’s Good, Me Not, Visiting Vera, On A Mission and Global Warming.

Our Location today is at McGregor, Ontario, Canada.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge.

As soon as I got out of bed this morning the first thing I did was to turn on our Blue Flame Heater. Normally we don’t have cold temperatures this early in the season but it seems that everything about our planet is changing. I didn’t even have things ready for breakfast when Kathy came downstairs to join me. Once we’d eaten we moved to the Computers only long enough to finish our Coffees because Kathy had an appointment today. 

Golfers on the Links this morning.

We were out the door by 10:15 figuring that would give us time to spare. We were only a couple miles up Walker Road when we were met with Detour Signs saying the Road would be closed for Two Weeks. It’s a main artery into the city what kind of planning is that? 

We took the North Town Line over to Howard Avenue and were making good time until we reached the new Highway #3 Roundabout. There was little traffic but Kathy had to tell me to slow down because the sensation makes her dizzy. Back on Howard we made it into Windsor only for the Traffic Light to stop us at the Pacific Railroad Tracks. That’s when the Barriers came down and a very slow-moving Freight Train appeared down the tracks. Having grown up in the area I turned up West Grand and we were soon on our way up Dougal Avenue. We were nearly at our destination when I turned up Eugene only to be staring at another Road Closed sign. Beyond the sign there was no longer any road. A turn around later we were back on Ouellette heading north to Tecumseh Road. Going east until we reached McDougal we soon reached the Medical Center a half block north of Eugene. After getting our Parking Permit we walked in with Three Minutes to spare.

Kathy had a Follow-Up Appointment with Dave our Optometrist. If you recall that after having Cataract Surgery she developed a Floater that could have cause serious Eye-Damage. It had to be treated with more Drops and monitored. After her eyes were dilated Dave did a very extensive examination to be certain her eyes were properly mending. She was given the Green Light that there was no longer any danger.

As we were about to leave Kathy mentioned that my Right Eye was not doing so well. Dave takes pride in making certain his patients are seeing properly, I was soon in the Examining Chair. What he found was that my Eye is quite Inflamed which is distorting my vision. Even though it was my First Eye to have the Cataract Surgery it is the one that now needs to have the Eyedrops to bring down the swelling. Before we left the Office, he moved my Follow-Up Appointment up by a week, hoping to see some improvement with my Eye. 

Beautiful clear skies just before noon.

We headed over to Guardian Storage where we collected our Mail before driving back to our Climate Controlled Storage Unit. Kathy had wanted me to make her a new Lazy Susan for her Spices. She also commented that her Cabinet where she keeps her Seasoning was too tight. Last night I remembered we had a Rotating Spice Rack from our apartment furnishings stored. When we opened the Unit, we had the Spice Rack and were on our way in less than Five Minutes.

With Construction causing a Maze for traffic in Windsor we took the E.C. Rowe Expressway over to the west-end Wendy’s location. Lunch was off the Value Menu where we could satisfy our appetites at a reasonable price. Two Chicken Wraps, Two Small Chocolate Frosties and Two Seniors Soft Drinks for only $9.22.

We walked into Vera’s room at the Windsor Rehabilitation Center at 1:00 and her face just lit up. Kathy and Vera have been friends for many years and have confided in One Another many times. This was one of those days that Vera needed to do that and was in tears as she said what was bothering her. Kathy soon had her smiling again and gave her ideas on how to resolve her issues. I interjected something that I had read on Nancy Kissack’s Adventures. If there is nothing you can do about something, it then becomes an “Oh Well” issue and you will just have wait until someone is able to deal with it.

Vera had been away this morning having an MRI done on her Knee that she injured the day she broke Wrist and Ankle, so she missed her Physio Therapy. The Therapists know how determined Vera is to get mobile again so they came and got her for her treatment at 1:30. We said we would wait because we want her to get well. We sat in a visiting room at the end of the hall so we could see when she returned. It made us proud when we saw her walking back to her room closely watched by the Therapist. We continued our visit until shortly after 4:00 when we said our Good-Byes but assuring Vera that we would be back. 

Clouds coming in at 4:00.

Heading up the New Herb Gray Parkway we were soon turning into Heavenly Rest Cemetery. We were on a mission and I had figured out how to do it.

Kathy’s Father was taken Prisoner of War and spent over a Year and a Half in a Nazi P.O.W. Camp. After returning Home to his family he was constantly haunted by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which back then was not recognized as an Injury. He passed tragically from the results of an Automobile Accident and was buried in a Family Plot. My late wife’s Grandfather Served at the end of the WWI and all of WWII. He also recalled the Horrors of War but survived a more normal existence until he died of a stroke and was also buried in a Family Plot. Every Remembrance Day on November 11^th we witness Flags on the graves of all that served but these two men have been forgotten. 

What the Sky looked like at 6:00.

After explaining our plight at the office, they were more then willing to give us the Plot Locations on the Cemetery Letterhead along with a couple of Canadian Flags. The information we received will be passed on to the Canadian Legion so that in the future these men will not be forgotten. The Cemetery is not responsible for this task but gave us the Flags so they would not be missed this year. 

We drove over to Legion 594 where I am a member only to find the office closed at 4:00 until Monday but since this was Friday we enjoyed a delicious Fish and Chip Dinner as another way of supporting our Canadian Legions.

When we got Home, Kathy started my Eyedrops again. All summer we watched what was called Humidex values near or above the Century Mark, tonight we’ll be dealing with Windchill close to the Freezing Mark. This is Global Warming, right? Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

The World's Great Proverbs

You can take the boy out of the country,

but you can't take the country out of the boy.

More Research and Organizing Along With Repairs.

Our Location today is at McGregor, Ontario, Canada.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge.

Having left the pilot light on our Blue Flame Heater last night it only took a few seconds to turn it up to heat this morning. I did that before even opening the Window Shades and getting things ready for breakfast.

By the time we finished breakfast and moved over to the Computers with our Coffee/Tea we were finally starting to feel comfortable. Outside temperatures were forecasted to rise from the 48 F (9 C) to a balmy 63 F (17 C) this afternoon.

As soon as Kathy had completed her reading and gotten changed she immediately started doing more research for our trip. She has found that most states that allow Free Camping, Boondocking, Dry Camping, or Primitive Camping don’t use the same names for them. Then there are other states that say none of it is allowed. Real Party Poopers.

Wanting something different Kathy asked me to grill up a Pizza for lunch. Being that it was a Store-Bought Ten Inch Thin Crust Hawaiian it only took Twenty Minutes from frozen to be ready to eat. It was tasty and didn’t leave us feeling weighed down.

When I had gotten the Pizza from the Freezer I had to take a nice Beef Roast out first. Since we have to use up a lot of frozen food before crossing the International Border Kathy suggested we would have that for supper. 

After eating lunch, we worked together to get things ready. Kathy pulled the Crock-Pot out of the Cupboard while I was chopping up the Vegetable Sides to go with the Roast.

Once the dishes were cleaned Kathy went back to researching while I went outside to get more organizing done in our Basement. I had done half last week now I was hoping to get the other side completed. It wasn’t as easy as I thought and I also wanted to repair our Camping Chair with the No.8 Grade bolts that I got at Fasten-Al. Being that it was a Socket Head Bolt it requires Allen Wrenches to tighten it up with. I have both Metric and Standard Sets but none would fit these Bolts. Having worked doing Maintenance Repair for over Thirty Years I managed to get it tightened with Pliers. Good thing it wasn’t in a recessed hole. 

When Kathy called me in for supper just before 6:00 you could smell the aroma wafting out the door. There was a Caesar Salad along with Potatoes and other Vegetables for sides. It all tasted wonderful.

As much as I wanted to just sit there and talk the sky was filling with Clouds and I still had things to put away. The cool breeze was increasing so I simply put things away and will finish it off another day.

We got early showers so we could calm down before we go to bed. We have a few errands to run tomorrow before getting other things done. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

You Might Be a Redneck If

Your wife has a Jell-O mold that looks like Elvis.

Getting Things Straightened Around, Rescheduling Appointments and Heading Our Separate Ways.

Our Location today is at McGregor, Ontario, Canada.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge.

Even though last night’s Alert had Kathy on edge when she finally got to bed her knowledge of the forecast for more severe weather throughout the night was the last thing she was thinking about. With the Heavy Bedcover off the bed we both slept quite soundly. As mentioned in yesterday’s Blog we don’t have many Tornado Warnings in our area but it seems they are increasing in frequency and Wildwood will have to consider making a Solid Shelter in the future.

I even slept past 8:00 this morning and before I had finished getting the Window Shades opened and Breakfast ready Kathy was already coming down stairs. When we finished eating we took our Coffees over to our Computers.

After checking The Weather Network and seeing that this was going to be a comfortable day I went on to check the local news. I was saddened to see a former Coworker as having passed. I told Kathy a few stories of things that had taken place when Armand and I worked together. When I read further I noticed the date was not yesterday and that Army had a Motorcycle. Lots of drivers don’t see Motorcycles these days especially at 5:00 in the morning when they are intoxicated. The driver that struck Armand was DRUNK! When will they learn?

I had to make a few phone calls before lunch. Two weeks ago I had gone On-Line to pay my Legion Dues for the upcoming year. When Kathy didn’t notice the Transaction on our account she told me to check it out. The person I spoke to said all my Information had been entered but it had not been processed like a number of other people that had been calling about their Dues. This is a new system and they are still working the Glitches out. 

I called Rose City Ford to add a service requirement when we bring our Escape in for its Oil Change. Because it would take longer then expected we had to move the Appointment to a different day and earlier in the morning. Darned Alarm Clock! 

After going outside to pick up our Potted Trees that were blown over from last night’s storm, I also noted that we had nearly Two Inches of Rain throughout the night. I was wondering why the ground was so spongy this morning. 

For lunch Kathy heated up a couple of Tourtieres she found at the grocery store. She found these early this summer and they are the closest we have found that our mothers used to make and they are made with very little salt. They tasted wonderful and were the perfect size. 

After lunch we worked together to create a Vegetable Tray that Kathy would be bringing with her later to a Party she was attending this evening.

There are some things when researching where we are going that only one person can do. Like the expression “Too many Cooks spoil the Broth”, too many planners spoil the trip. While Kathy was at the table with the Maps and her Magnifying Glass I washed the Dishes. 

For supper Kathy sliced a small Ham, grilled it then served it with the sliced Tomatoes and Greek Pasta Salad as a side. We tried the Homemade Cranberry Sauce and Honey Mustard on the Ham to see which tasted better. They each gave it a different taste but they were both winners in our books. 

It happens to all of us eventually and it can’t be helped but tonight was it for Kathy and I. The Party she was attending was a Sign Painting Party for Women Only being held at our daughter Karen’s house in Tecumseh. Kathy always had problems driving at night, but now that she’s had her Cataract Surgery she can see clearly. So with the Vegie Tray off she went in the Car to have a fun evening. 

Since this was Wednesday evening I took the Truck and headed off to visit with our son Kevin and daughter-in-law Melissa in Amherstburg. We had plenty to talk about and when Melissa went to check things in the other room Kevin and I were talking about his Street Rod. Even Cameron had a lot to say this evening plus he was modeling one of the T-Shirts that we had given him for his Birthday this year. He got a lot of compliments about it at school today. By the time I was about to leave the temperature had started dropping. Kevin who is normally comfortable in the cool weather was noticing the chill in the breeze. 

It was shortly after 9:00 when I got Home and was greeted by the Full Moon peering through the few clouds in the sky. I had barely gotten started on my Computer when Kathy got Home. 

She presented me with the sign that she had produced and was very proud of the way it turned out. We already have a spot for it on our wall.

With only Five Weeks left before we leave, we are going to be getting busy. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

Words of Inspiration

Love is stronger than violence.

Herman Hesse, German-Swiss Novelist

Running Errands, Visiting Vera, 113th Donation and Taking Shelter.

Our Location today is at McGregor, Ontario, Canada.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge.

After taking the time yesterday to put on our Winter Bedding we were ready for another cold night that was being forecasted. It turned out that the temperature never dropped below 70 F (21 C) the entire night. We ended up sleeping more on top of the covers then under them. 

Before leaving our Rain Gauge showed over an Inch.

We were up shortly after 8:00 because of our restless night. With a quick breakfast and a single Hot Drink at the Computers we only had time to check Forecasts and E-Mails.

By 9:30 we were on our way headed for Windsor. I was driving the Truck and Kathy was following with the Car. Our destination was Windsor Gas and Diesel to have the Truck checked One More Time. It’s hard finding Honest Mechanics especially when you’re on the road. The issue to check was the Regeneration of the Diesel Particulate Filer has not been engaging which could cause it to plug up and leave us stranded by the roadside. 

Guardian Storage yard flooding.

Our next stop was to collect our Mail at Guardian Storage. Both Carrol and Wendy know that we must be counting the days before we leave town and are excited for us. (With a countdown counter on our sidebar that isn’t necessary.) 

As we were heading away I recalled going to Fasten-al across the road. We bought brand new Camping Chairs at Camping World last year but because the desert stones are not always flat it has sheared the Crossbar Rivets. The only Machine Bolts I could find were only Case Hardened and they sheared as easy as the Rivets. Today I found the same bolts in a Number 8 Grade Bolt. These will never shear off again.

Since we had to drive by Rose City Ford where we purchased our Escape we stopped in to schedule its Oil Change before we leave. I also mentioned a few other things we were never explained about the Car. They sent Dan the Salesman that sold us the vehicle out in the Drizzling Rain to make the adjustments for us and to find out what the Keyless Entry Code was. That’s a handy feature if you happen to lock you keys in the car by accident.

Our next stop was the Credit Union to get coins for our Laundry. As I was leaving Ashley our Customer Services Representative asked how things were going. When I told her the Changes she had told us to do would not take on our Laptops she suggested bringing them in and the Credit Union’s own Techs would fix the problem. We have an appointment for that. 

Lot next to Wendy's flooded.

It was nearly 11:30 when we arrived at Wendy’s for our lunch. We ordered our usual Chicken Wraps off the Value Menu, Small Chocolate Frosties and Senior’s Soft Drinks all for $9.22. Tasty, Filling and Healthy.

It was just before noon that I dropped Kathy off at the front door of the Windsor Rehabilitation Center because it was still Raining. We walked in Vera’s room minutes before her lunch tray was delivered but she wasn’t hungry. The Doctor had changed her medication which aggravated her Ulcer causing her more discomfort. We talked about a number of different things and Vera appreciated every second we could stay to visit but we had to say our Good-Byes shortly after 2:00.

Just before we were about to leave my Cell Phone started ringing. It was Jim from Windsor Gas and Diesel telling me the Truck was ready to be picked up. They had found an Error that was not allowing it to go into Regeneration and once that was cleared it was working just fine. 

Hard to see that it is drizzling.

The Rain was still falling so it slowed traffic down as we crossed the city for the second time today. This time we had to wait until 3:00 when the Canadian Blood Services opened. With the new On-Line Questionnaires that I was able to do this morning on my own Computer it took less than Five Minutes to get processed. I was enjoying an OJ and Cookies by 3:30 after making my 113^th Blood Donation.

Our next stop was easy because we simply walked though the building because VitalAire and Canadian Blood Services share the same building. Tiara had all our CPAP Supplies ready for us so within a few minutes we went back through the building keeping dryer before getting out to the Car.

Back at Windsor Gas and Diesel Jim explained what the problem was and what the Fix was. Kathy had questions about a proposed Tuner Kit and what its benefits would be along with the Approximate Cost. That’s something we’ll look into in the spring.

We dropped the Truck off at the Zehrs Super Store before driving across the street to A&W. We don’t want to get tired of Wendy’s meals so we tried a change. We each had a Teen Burger and a Small Diet Root Beer for $12.04. Talk about inflation.

Back at the grocery store we picked up our supplies for a number of things and didn’t get Home until after 8:00. By the time everything was put away and we settled in at our Computers it was 9:00. Around 9:30 both our Cell Phones started going off Alerting us to “Take Cover” because a Funnel Cloud had been spotted heading our way. We don’t have an Emergency Escape Bag set up with the Important Necessities but that will change. Before we could get out the door our daughter Karen was calling to say the News Channel was showing a Funnel Cloud heading our way.

With no Designated Storm Shelter here at the Park we headed over to the Laundry/Shower Room. It is a Concrete Building but each Washroom has a Skylight and the Laundry Room has a wall of Windows. Within minutes it was packed with people. We closed the doors to the Washrooms and stayed in the Hallway. Spencer said he and his wife have lived here for 16 years and this is the first time they have ever been warned to seek shelter. It was over an Hour later when everyone started heading Home. That was when we all got soaking wet from the driving Rain that suddenly flared up.

Another day with over a dozen stops. Since these types of storms are becoming more frequent for our area, we’ll be re-examining our Emergency Preparedness. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

A fine line by Mark Twain:

What would men be without women?

Scarce, sir, mighty scarce.