Sunday in the Big City

Posted on November 15, 2009 by Bob

Went out shopping today for Christmas stuff. Got a few things, still much to be found. Assisted Mo with her decorations outside and took Riley out for her constitutional. Solidified a few more details for the trip south, and began to look for a “netbook” computer, to allow me to communicate while I am there.

Met a guy today at Chapters who was riding a BMW 800 M/C. Asked him all kinds of questions, and he advised that he was “more than happy” with the bike as a “get around” cycle. Beee-utiful machine!

Great weather the last few days, nice if it would last into the New Year, but not likely.

Got the roof done (cedar)…..and the outside work finished prior to snowfall. Looking forward to the 2009 “Chili Cookoff” at the Byron Legion this month. Entering a crock of chili (actually Mo is) for the first time. See what happens. Should be fun.

Went over to Michigan shopping last weekend….

Port Huron, then Shelbyville, and finally Birch Run. had a nice night over, and came back with a bunch of stuff for Christmas. Had to pay sales tax at the Canadian border for the first time in a long while….

Hard to fathom the differences between Canada and the U.S. just a couple hours away….language differences, food, lifestyles….

Stopped at “Tonys” restaurant in Birch Run. All I can say is….”ridiculous!”

Check out the “you tube” vids on the place. 😉

Wednesday

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Bob

Kind of a busy day, had a good Crown with me, and we got through the list in good time. The right people were “kept in” as it were. Bike still not home….maybe tomorrow. Love to go riding this weekend. Dream about it, really.

Lovely weather these last few days….should go right through the weekend. I hope so.

Out with the “bench” and a lawyer friend tomorrow for a pint…good friends, both of them.

Still not “right” these last few days….don’t know what’s up, but feeling “off”…. seasonal stuff…..

Talked to Amanda, she is already wanting to go back to Toronto… 🙂

Two more days til Labour day weekend. looking forward to that.

Sickness

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Bob

Everyone around me is sick of some description… cold, flu, whatever. Went to ‘Dover yesterday and stayed overnight. Mo was “under the weather” with the grippe, still, it was nice for us to get out of town for a bit. Better to be there than here, any day! I have just about finalized my work regarding the new bike and such…..should be riding a “new mount” soon! (you only live once, so they say). Thinking of several friends today….the Fields, Doug and Aileen, Jon and Vicci….all great people, miss them each day. Saw a nice calendar of the “Norfolk Volunteer Firefighters” today when at Roulston’s pharmacy. good photos, and a friend of Mo’s is pictured with the truck and others in a tobacco field. (great composition of picture)…

Pete (Mo’s bro-in law) is also under the weather with pneumonia, and after 3 weeks STILL isn’t right. Makes you feel good with being healthy. Hope he gets better soon, back to normal and active.

This month brings my annual “clean out” as it were… everything (and I mean everything) not used in the last year is going to the curb….recycled. Curbside recycling is the best….people that come along get to take what they need, no more, no less, and it all goes quite rapidly.

‘nough said.

What’s New?

Posted on September 16, 2009 by Bob

Got the bike back, and have been thinking of getting a new one. Ok, Ok….they said this would happen! 🙂 Had the “beater’ for a couple months, did some repairs, learned a few things….and now want to “graduate” to a new machine…

PTOOEY to Geoff Beasley! 🙂

I’ve been thinking of a couple bikes. Thought I might like a “Harley”. Talked to some friends, and they say that the ride is “not comfortable”. Given my age…..and the years are not going backwards….this is not good. Then I layed eyes on the Honda “Veradero”….. but the reviews nix this one.

images

Sooo….tonight I trekked to the BMW dealer. OK, OK….”upper end”, I know. BUT…..if I am gonna get a bike to do some travelling with, then maybe this is an option. I really think that for my size, skill and funds…..the 800 ST might be the “one”.

Another thing….I was gonna have to buy a vehicle in March after my lease runs out, and thought I might get a Ford “Ranger” pick up. (new). But after being “hooked” on the M/C thing……..maybe I should look at getting a new M/C, and a used truck. ??.

Dont know…

Also playing on my mind is the fact that there is a nice farm in CR for sale at a good price. Close to my friends in Monterrey. Do I go out on a limb and buy both? LOL…..

All I know….is that in the next year, things will change DRAMATICALLY!

This week has been a revelation for me. Each night without walking the dog is “killing” me, as we are all off doing other things. ( as I need the exercise) ….making me re-evaluate my situation. Looking at doing some house repairs, and cleaning up the yard, etc., renovating some rooms, reading a bit, (work…ugh) …filling my time” as it were.

…met an old friend the last couple nights at the coffee shop, and after talking with him, it becomes apparent that “life is short” …..and that I should take advantage of opportunities and capitalize on things as they present.

Sure hope the weather holds out for the next month…so I can ride!

A few steps closer to staying in CR in February for 6 weeks…just gotta find the right place to rent.

That would do me good…..clean out my head, let me find out if living there in the winter is gonna be good. Fishing, birding, horse back riding….maybe rent a M/C….

Anyway, to work in the A.M. Stopped on my route this morning by “crime scene tape”…due to a stabbing on the Queens Ave bridge. Had to ride the bike through a detour in a historic area on the way to work. NICE! have not gone that way before….hard to believe that a criminal act would lead me to a nice place like that. Hope the guy in hospital gets better, and that we catch the real bad guy.

Enough said.

On My Own

Posted on August 30, 2009 by Bob

Went to Leamington on Saturday. Saw workers harvesting Burley tobacco near Erieau. Looked like Cuba for a minute. Almost a lost farming practice in this country. Smoke barns all stoked up with sawdust and wood to cure the leaf. I wonder if the product is still sent to Montreal to manufacture cigars……or sent overseas. Had to marvel at the expansion of the glass houses in “Tomato Town”. The south coastline was calm, and almost always in view along route # 3.

I feel kind of “lost” this weekend, as everyone I know is “somewhere else”…..I hope they are safe and sound….

Currently making plans for my “13 weeks off” next year. (in the last year of work, you get 13 weeks all together as sort of a pre-retirement holiday). Several options are becoming apparent, just gotta figure out which one to take. My vehicle will be up for a change, as well….maybe a new Ford Ranger pickup, don’t know yet. (and possibly a Harley Davidson “nightster”)….

Amanda is moving back to London for a few months to save some money and will commute to Toronto to finish up her schooling. It will be nice to be able to see her more often, and “hang out”.

Thinking of Joe Mustos today for some reason. Been a couple of years since he died.

Friday was Hogies last day at work. I will miss that guy. Good sense of humour, and an honest and reliable friend. We took him to lunch at the Church Key, and the Honourable Skow paid for everything. I feel guilty on that account as he seems to constantly do that. Good people all around.

M/C is in the shop getting the brakes done and a tune up, so I hope to ride again after Monday. I suggested to Mo that we go to Point Pelee in the fall for a jaunt. The Monarch butterflies gather at the point in October prior to the flight to Mexico. Something to see, I am told.

Paul Marrinan got a new job, and will be leaving the office next week. Another guy I will miss. I was feeling “down” this week as a result of these guys going, both of them are great guys. the guys replacing them are reputed to be ok as well, so I guess a change occurs inevitably…..got to see the bright side.

The last few weeks have been somewhat anxious for me, and I don’t know why. I guess the fact that next year brings a massive change in my life might be partly the answer.

Life is so short…. and full of trepidation. I try to pull the “ripe leafs”, and make the best of each day as it comes to me. Always will.

The Weekend

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Bob

went to ‘Dover this weekend. Got there “late”… LOL.

Had a great time,……. if, in life, each day was like Sat and Sun, that would be GREAT! Saturday morning was the best….to the market, and back. Swimming, fishing, berry picking….

I think this town has a lot to offer….

The water was warm, swam with the few on the beach.

Tonight, went biking to Chris and Mary’s place to see the horses, and “show off” my ancient bike to Chris ( who has an Aprillia and a BMW)….

Contacted my friends in CR to see what’s up.

The pics shown are from last weekend in Port Dover….A hot day, therefore the packed beach…

Summertime Stuff

Posted on August 13, 2009 by Bob

Spending most every weekend in Port Dover at Mo’s cottage this summer…..fishing, biking, walking Riley……and motorcycling! I took the course (and passed) from Fanshawe college, got my M2 licence and bought a “learner” bike.

Been out all last week taking lessons from “the pro” 🙂

Caught a Northern Pike while fishing, and a bunch of perch and bass as well. Mo is learning to fish and is doing quite well at it. The pike was about 28″ long, not huge, but big enough for lunch.

“The Bike “

One weekend about three weeks ago, there was a large number of “mud puppy” amphibians dead on the beach. The best idea as to why is “avian botulism”, as there had been past die offs in Dover from this cause. I didn’t even know they were present in the lake, let alone in such numbers ( perhaps a hundred all along the beach).

Spending each nite riding to build confidence with the bike, and have put on almost 750 km since buying it.

Saturday

Posted on April 26, 2009 by Bob

Brings a trip to the BMW dealer, and perhaps a “test ride”. Also a coffee outing with my dad, as I haven’t seen him in a while.

I am “crazy” happy right now….Can’t say why. 🙂 A phone call can do wonders!

Mike’s birthday today in Ottawa, sent him some coin…..just “yesterday” I can remember him about 5 yrs old….. sure miss that time in my life, kinda sorry I was working shifts, and missed a lot of his “growing up”. Water under the bridge…..

Planning my trip to Costa Rica in February. The plane fares are incredibly low right now. Should book in the next few days. then, just a matter of getting a place, and the other things like a vehicle and stuff….

My friend Peter Downing and his family will be in Costa Rica in February as well, so I will be sure to connect with him when I am there. He and I are “in a race” to see who gets to their “place in the sun” first! LOL….

We both have been bitten by the “bug” that is CR…..hard to describe to someone that has not been there.

I think that I will also try to connect with a “blog buddy” when I get there. Jen from “a new life in costa rica” puts out a quality blog for sure! I would like to meet her and her family, and “trade stories” as it were.

Read a story today where a lady was killed in Mexico. She had a blog, and recently met a young man and blogged about it. Apparently, police there arrested a young man and charged him with murder. Just goes to show that the internet….although neat and vast, can also be a magnet for weird people as well. Gotta keep vigilant, and always “go with your gut” when you meet people. That’s the cop in me coming out….. 🙂

Amanda should be back in town tomorrow….would like to get together with her for a bit. Miss that kid!

Thank God for my friends in life….specifically Matt and John S. today. they are both good guys!

Sent my info off to the MTO via Fanshawe College yesterday, as the “Drive Centers” are on strike. Should get my licence updated to the M2 level…..

Also, ran into a friend who applied to “Westjet” and got a part time job, and she advised me that there are jobs available for guys like me after retirement….with free and/or cheap flights as a bonus. Will look into that. Thanks, Maria!

Anyway….enough said.

Fresh air & Solitude

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Bob

I went to the swamp recently, as I always do each year on a late winter day, to get some air and “think space”. Took my fishing bag with supplies for a camp fire and lunch, and struck out with Riley into the forest.

After a while on the trail, we encountered a flock of wild turkeys, but as they are sooo skittish, no pics….and unable to get within several hundred yards of them. Eventually found a nice spot in the depths of the swamp, and started a small cook fire. The dog played around, and I made lunch for the both of us….

It was a nice day, warm…..but overcast. A good time to think, and “wash out” the old grey matter. Not too much moving in the bush, the odd squirrel, and a group of crows that had singled us out, and were broadcasting our location throughout the forest.

Lunch..

The bread was blackened, but the smell and taste reminded me of camping when I was a young kid….

Shared the beans with Dopey Dog, and sat contemplating the location.

Riley was having fun climbing about, and I think that I really could watch her for hours, as she brings pure joy to the heart…

More beans please! 🙂

Tried to catch a pic of both me and the dog, but as she wouldn’t sit still, no such luck. Can’t say I am the same kid that started this tradition in the mid 1970’s !

On the way back, we found a large flock of geese, and Riley thought she had suddenly become a pointer instead of a retriever….

The geese stayed absolutely quiet, focused on the dog and vice versa….they sort of looked like inverted golf clubs in the corn stubble…

Until Riley got brave and made them all jump into the air.

Each day like this since I started doing it “way back when “has been different. Different locations, for example (when I had my farm), but no matter what the weather, snow or no, the outcome is ALWAYS the same. Something I will have to do until I expire. Spend a few hours a year in the late winter in a quiet place surrounded by nature, enjoying the solitude and quiet. This year with a friend….

Will winter ever end?

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Bob

Wednesday brought a very nice surprise to all that work at the courts. A judge’s position was filled by one of the most capable people that I know. A refreshing change from the usual political patronage and plum position handouts. I commend the Attorney General Chris Bentley for making the bold and correct decision to appoint John Skowronski to the post. In the few years that I have been friends with John, I have witnessed time and again good judgement, compassion and genuine interest in people that cross his path each and every day. He is one GENUINE person, true to his word, and a man of solid work ethic and integrity. I trust him completely in every facet of his work. Now, with him in a judicial position, I know that the bench just became a little richer. A little more civil, and perhaps a little less stoic. A HUGE loss for the Crown’s office. Nothing but congratulations for his achievement from anyone I have spoken to…

Friday brought Peter Downing back from Costa Rica. Seems he had a nice trip, and saw places that I haven’t. Just got to talk with him briefly, but except for a few bats in the bedroom…..all was well. Silly bugger got himself married on the beach while he was there. Congrats, Pete! ( and Stephanie).

Mo and I went to Port Dover and stayed at her sister’s place on the weekend. Went to a performance at the Lighthouse Theatre which was a scream. It was a performance by “lookalike” artists….Ray Charles, Rod Stewart and Neil Diamond. Fantastic sounds, and a lot of fun. A bunch of the “old gals” in the town were up on stage with “Rod Stewart”, bringing fits of laughter from the audience. Really a neat theatre, and only a block from where we stayed. Lotsa fun…..

What’s with all the extra snow? I was hoping that it was over, and now more yet…

My dad came back from Cuba and is in the middle of getting a new apartment set up here as a base, busy indeed. Soon gladys will be here as well and back to working for the summer. Time seems to be flying by…

Getting ready to take the M/C course at Fanshawe College in May. Something I thought I would never do…more on that later.

Sojourn in Paradise

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