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.