MY EMPHATIC ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS ''NO'!!

IN OUR PARK EARLIER TODAY

I remember the days when the initials T.G.I.F. really meant something.  It was a day of the week that was really looked forward to and longed for.  It was the last day of a week-long grind, and the first day leading towards a two-day relaxing or party break from that grind.  It was the lead-in to a couple of happier days, a change of pace, a short temporary lifestyle change, and a couple of let-your-hair-down days.  Fridays start out with great weekend anticipation, and by late afternoon, if all goes well, slides the T.G.I.F. dreamer into the blissful reality of another much anticipated and much looked forward to weekend.  And, oh my, then there are the extra special long weekends.  For me, when Friday arrives now, I might be thinking it's Tuesday.  Or wait, isn't tomorrow Sunday?  Can't be, because Sunday was last week, I think.  Seems I have to be somewhere Thursday, but that's probably not until the day before Monday, I think.  Friday?? When is that, and what's so special about the day after Sunday anyway!!  Oh, and what is T.G.I.F?? (Thank Goodness It's Friday:))

 AN OVERCAST MORNING DRIVE THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE

A windy, cool, and cloudy morning didn't do much for my walking enthusiasm, so I just cruised by my walking road and kept on going, keeping an eye out for a few photos along the way.  Some mornings are just like that, and I'm okay with that.

 NO, I WASN'T DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY....I WAS CROSSING IT

 OH OH, GRAIN BIN FALL OVER

Woodsy (Lorraine) headed off back to Stratford this afternoon.  She has things to tend to and do there, and she likes to get her walks in around Stratford's Avon River and scenic Park system.  This is where the world-famous Stratford Festival Theatre is located.  I spent a lot of time in Stratford years ago, and with my hometown of Tavistock, Ontario, being only ten miles away, Stratford is in some of my earliest boyhood memories.  I also called Stratford my home between the years 1975 and 1995, working at T.B. Woods Industries for six years.  Managed a one-hour photo lab for three years, drove part-time with Purolator for a while, and spent the best part of 13 years running the 401 between Goderich, Stratford, and Toronto's Pearson International Airport, taking passengers to and from the airport for a company called The Stratford Airporter.  Also spent a year at the Stratford Art Gallery setting up displays, etc.  Also, somewhere in there, I delivered rural newspapers for the Stratford Beacon Herald.  I should add that in the early 90's I also drove back and forth to a sign company job in Cambridge, and that is where I first met Kelly in 1993.  I also had my own little photo business redoing old black and white photographs in my own self-built darkroom.  I should add that I did not work all these jobs separately.  At one point, I had four of them all going at the same time.  But that's a story for another day. Maybe one of those long, cold, and boring winter ones.  Oh, and would I ever consider moving back to Stratford, or any other city the size of Stratford?  My emphatic answer to that question is, NO!!  Seven years in the countryside at the old farmhouse and twenty-four years here in the countryside just outside of Bayfield, Ontario, have spoiled me forever, and that too is quite okay with me:)) 

 I OFTEN WONDER WHAT CROPS ARE BEING PLANTED IN WHAT FIELDS FOR NEXT YEAR

With Halloween being Saturday night, I am again reminded of Halloween night in 2002.  That was the dark and cold, rainy night that Kelly and I along with our dog Max, moved from the old farmhouse near Fullarton, Ontario to my present digs here at the Bayfield Pines Park, just a couple miles from downtown Bayfield.  Twenty-four years ago.  This is by far the longest I have ever lived in one single location.  We were 7 years at the farmhouse I commonly refer to as the old, Weenie Roast Ranch.

A COUPLE MORE PICS IN OUR PARK THIS MORNING

Memories Music Box:: Sister Golden Hair by America.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A man goes to see his doctor. The doctor asks what is wrong? The man says, "Doctor, I think I'm a moth." To this the doctor responds, "You think you're a moth? Well I don't think you need a doctor. Sounds like what you need is a therapist." "Yeah I know," replies the patient. "I was on my way to see a therapist, but I came in here because I saw your light was on."

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- I just found out I'm colorblind. The diagnosis came completely out of the purple

- What do you call roasted vegetables that run from the kitchen to the table? Hustle Sprouts!

- If the Mayflower brought the Pilgrims, what brought their dogs? The Collie-flower!

- How did the turkey get to Thanksgiving?
He rode the gravy train!

- Why did the turkey’s dad make him eat nothing but stale bread? To stuffin’ him up!

- Why did the turkey cross the road before Thanksgiving? He was trying to convince people he was a chicken!

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Al's Doggy World

Meanings::

Today's Art Gallery

AND THEN IT RAINED

 GATHERING A FEW CLIPPINGS FOR A WREATH

Some photos in today's post are from a walk Lorraine and I did mid-afternoon Wednesday, at the northern edge of the Maitland Cemetery in Goderich.  It was a perfect late October day to be out and about. 

 AN OLD FOREST STUMP

 WE CLIMBED UP THIS STEEP INCLINE

Wednesday evening, we slipped into Bayfield to catch the sunset, followed by a slow cruise around town before heading home.  Tis a quiet little village Bayfield is, and I like it better now without a multitude of tourists flying around upside down all over the place.

 LORRAINE CAPTURES THE SUNSET WITH HER iPHONE

'I DUB THEE SIR NIGHT OF THE EVENING SUNSET'

 'IS THERE REALLY AN OKOPOGO MONSTER IN THE LAKE, DAD'?

 'GO NOW FROM THIS PLACE AND BEHAVE YOURSELF'

 THERE ARE SEAGULLS IN THIS PHOTO

 AT THE RIGHT, LORRAINE CATCHES THE LAST OF THE SUNSET ON HER PHONE

On my drive this windy but slightly warm Thursday morning, I never saw a single cornfield left standing.  Farmers have been very busy.  Didn't see any corn spills either.

 THE BUSH I SAY HELLO TO MOST EVERY MORNING TO THE WEST OF MY WALKING ROAD

 THE FOREST NEXT TO  MY WALKING ROAD ON THE EAST SIDE AT THE SOUTHERN END

YES, THAT'S A SQUIRREL'S NEST THERE

 THESE TWO MAPLE TREES ARE LOSING THEIR LEAVES FROM THE TOP DOWN

Home again, I raked up more leaves.  Like I've said many times, I much prefer raking pine needles instead of leaves.  But, of course, there is a reason for that.  Pine needles are like men, easily manageable.  Leaves are like women, unpredictable, unmanageable; each leaf has a mind of its own, and you never know what they are thinking, where they are going, when they are going, or why.  And they are most unpredictable on windy days!!  And today was a windy day, and I should have let them be.  And then it rained.

 A FEW WEDNESDAY MORNING CORN HARVEST PICS

Memories Music Box:: As Tears Go By sung by Marianne Faithfull.

GODERICH'S MAITLAND CEMETERY

GROANER'S CORNER:(( How Do You Decide Who To Marry (written by kids)

- You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10

- No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. -- Kristen, age 10

What Is The Right Age To Get Married? Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. -- Camille, age 10

How Can A Stranger Tell If Two People Are Married? You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. -- Derrick, age 8

What Do You Think Your Mom and Dad Have In Common? Both don't want any more kids. -- Lori, age 8

What Do Most People Do Onn A Date? Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. -- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)

- On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. -- Martin, age 10

What Would You Do On A First Date That Is Turning Sour? I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns. -- Craig, age 9

When Is It Okay To Kiss Someone? When they're rich. -- Pam, age 7 - The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. - - Curt, age 7

- The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. -- Howard, age 8

Is It Better To Be Single Or Married? It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. -- Anita, age 9 (

How Would The World Be Different If People Didn't Get Married? There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? -- Kelvin, age 8.

How Would You Make A Marriage Work? Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck. -- Ricky, age 10

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Q. Why are married women heavier than single women?
A. Single women come home, see what's in the fridge and go to bed. Married women come home, see what's in bed and go to the fridge.

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- An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have...The older she gets, the more interested he is in her.

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Two old men are sitting on a bench. A truck passes on the road. It is pulling a trailer loaded with turf. One of the men says, "See, that's what I will do when I win the lottery."

"What?" asks the other one confused. "I will send my grass away for cutting!"

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Teacher: "Children, there will be only a half-day of school this morning." 

Johnny (in back seat): "Whoopee! Hurray!"
Teacher: "Silence. We'll have the other half this afternoon."

- A baby camel was born at the zoo last week and the poor thing had no hump...So they named him Humphrey.

- Your veterinarian won't tell you this but if your dog is running a fever, go to the store and buy some mustard. It's the best thing for a hot dog.

After a rough day spent corralling my rowdy kids, I’d had enough. “I think I’m going to sell them,” I hissed to my sister.
“You’re crazy,” she said. “What, for thinking of selling them?” “No, for thinking someone would buy them.”

Al's Doggy World

Meanings::There’s a light inside of everyone. No matter what, someone is always going to come around and try to dim that light or shut it off. Whatever you do, you hold on to that light and you fight. You fight to not let that person tear you down, you fight for the right to define yourself, to not let anyone else tell you who you are. You gotta keep your head up, because people will always hang around waiting for you to fall, for the light to shut off. Don’t ever let someone fade the light that makes you beautiful. Because in the end, you’re the one who controls how brightly you shine.

Today's Art Gallery