JUST WALKING THE DOG

First my report on babysitting Choco for a while. Choco is a big, friendly chocalate lab. And I took him for a walk when ron and Mary were in the Sault. I used one of those leashes that extend on a long line but it is retractable. First time I ever used one of those things. Choco picked up a "tree" branch and carried it for the good part of our walk. Have you ever walked a dog carrying a tree? An adventure to say the least. We both enjoyed the walk.

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THE WEEKEND

Yesterday was dump day and I usually go myself. this time I made Rejean take back all the empties - beer cases and liquor bottles. We tend to put off this chore until I can't stand it anymore. We took back a total of 6 empty cases of beer and about 24 empty liquor and wine bottles. Under the bar they had been accumulating from last year. We have lots of empty space now. We also scheduled a haircut Saturday morning. We were both READY for a cut. I don't know why I let my hair grow longer - I like my hair short. And it is short again.

I also got my cross country skiis out and tried them out on the lake. I will have to work on my technique - I tried to go down a small hill onto the lake and, needles to say, it was not a pretty sight - I went down. But got right back up and out onto the lake. I got completely around the lake - it was quite a workout. I had to stop a few times to rest. I will check with a few of my friends up here if I am doing it correctly. I did glide a bit and found it got easier as I progressed around the lake.

Today I went out by myself - Rejean was out cleaning a trail with the guys - and I heard noises from the lake. I got a bit scared and cut my excursion short. The guys say it is just the lake making ice and there is a lot of ice out there and I should be fine. Yea - they didn't hear the noises. Better to be safe than sorry. I'll head out again tomorrow - after I make Rejean check the ice depth with the auger.

I also make pickled eggs today. Rejean got his mother's recipe and I made them today. It takes 2 weeks for them to be ready to eat. I'll let you know how they turn out. I personally don't like them but it's like liver - I'll cook it but I won't eat it.

Well, I have to go do my exercises then relax on the couch. Tomorrow I get to walk Choco, a big chocolate lab. Ron and Mary are babysitting him and they have to go to the Sault. So I'll head over at 1pm and let him out. Should be fun.

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BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

Last evening I was just getting ready to do my exercises and Rejean was "snoozing" on the couch. The phone rang at about 6:30 - it was our friend Ron and he had gotten his tractor in a ditch and needed our help in getting it out. Adventure!! We got dressed and were soon on our way. Ron and Mary accompanied us down the road - we were going to put a rope on the truck and pull the tractor out. We finally pulled him out but what a different way to spend an evening. It was nice and bright with the headlights all on. We got him out. Then we warmed up over some smoked fish, cheese, almonds and beer. Fun!!

Then today, it was nice enough to go out on the lake for the first time. I made Rejean venture out first because I was a sissy but I soon found out it WAS safe - about 9" safe. It was a nice sunny day and we zoomed up and down for a little while - all I need is a ramp and a ring of fire and I'm ready for the show. Tomorrow I am getting out my $2 cross country skiis and give it a go on the snowmachine tracks. It is supposed to be sunny but cold so I will prepare - I've got some snowboard sox that I got for a Christmas present from Jodie and Dave that I think will do just fine with my skiis. I'll let you know.

Well that is another report of my life - but I was thinking today about my friend Jim-Bob. I remember some good times up here with you and the gang. That is how I remember you - in the fresh air, sitting laughing with the guys after a hard day of fishing. I laugh when I remember how you tried to steal Rejean away from me because he was such a good cook. Yes he does make a good wife. Sitting around the camp fires sipping beverages and telling fish stories and stuff. The good times. Stay strong Jimmy!

See ya Bye

ONE LESS MOUSE ON THE PLANET TODAY

The other day when I went to turn on my heater fan in my car, I heard a noise and then the fan sounded bumpy. We thought it was ice or something had fallen into the fan. We put the car in the garage to thaw out and see if it made a difference - it didn't. It sounded worse. We opened the hood and checked around. At first inspection we could see nothing. Rejean pulled a panel from a place right below the windshield and he found a mouse nest. It was stuffed with a fluffy pile of stuff. It pretty much filled the space. Plus there was an abundance of bird seeds. On closer inspection we could see the mouse had chewed thru the screening. We would have to access that area from inside the car. He pulled the fan out and there was a freshly killed little mouse.

That mouse had it made before he got a little curious. He could have spent a nice warm winter in that space - there was enough fluff to keep him very warm and enough bird seed for the winter. But, curiosity killed the cat - er mouse. Too bad.

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THE OLYMPIC TORCH IN THESSALON - OF ALL PLACES

I have never seen so many people in downtown Thessalon, ever!! The Olympic torch was coming to our little town. Thessalon consists of one main street with one of everything. With a population of 1400 (give or take) it was a major event and I think everyone appreciated that fact. We first hit the Legion for their meat draw. You purchase a chip with a number on it - there are only 30 per draw. Then they spin a wheel and if your number comes up, you win meat!!!! Well, I finally won yesterday - actually everyone at our table won something. My prize was 4 strip loin steaks!! Yipee. I was not winning anything with my name - Janet S so the girl asked me what my last name was so I told her and I won - my first name is obviously not very lucky. The draw finished just in time to catch the torch. We bundled up tight because I think it was about -20C out there - my fur hat is being put to good use. We slipped inside the Sinton tavern once or twice to warm up. Finally it was time. We headed outside with our red mittens on and cheered along with everyone else. A few big trucks went by and we got a Coke Zero commemorative bottle - a treasure I'm sure. Then I saw the flame - I was trying to take pictures with my mittens on and I guess a missed a picture but did manage to get a good one as she was almost by me. When it was all over we went back to the legion for a couple of beers. Then we decided to crash the mayor's house (yes we did) We called ahead of time and Al, the mayor's husband, said he only had 1 beer so we stopped by the local LCBO and bought some to take. I guess you are not supposed to take photos inside an LCBO but they let it slide this one time. We were at Al's for about 1/2 hour and Donna, the mayor came home from the festivities - we talked a bit then we went to the Shoreview for dinner - we were hungry. All 7 of us had a great time Al, Donna, Linda, John, Lynn, Rejean and myself. Who said there is nothing to do up here??

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WHOOOOOO ARE YOU?

I just happened to be looking out the back window and saw this fluffy guy. I noticed a different color and I first thought it was a fat raccoon but then I saw that it was an owl - a barred owl to be exactly. I quickly grabbed the binoculars and tried to zoom in on him. Well with my tremor that is just about impossible. I had to steady my elbows on the table to get a good view of him. Rejean did me a favour and took a couple of pictures for me. He turned his head a number of times and was looking right at us I think a bit. After about 10 minutes of looking at him and seeing that he was in no hurry to move I lost interest. When I went back about 1 hour later, he was gone. I think he should have moved to the front of the house where all my little red squirrels feed. I am not missing any this morning so maybe he just flew away...

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WELCOME 2010

What a great night!!! A feast was prepared starting at about 2:30 - John, Bob and Davey got the briquettes going and bbq'd the ribs, chicken and sausages. Everyone brought something - it is usually pot luck up here for these special occasions. The newbys on the lake brought devilled eggs as well - I said it would be like Bobby Flay's TV show - which devilled eggs did everyone like the best - but they were all eaten up pretty fast. We were all standing outside enjoying the cold day - Bob was showing the new girls how to snow board down his driveway - they were pretty good. Once everyone was there we ate - there was tons of food. Linda had made - I swear - 50 pounds of potato salad and there was still 40 pounds left over. I took it into Bob's house to put in his fridge - I put it on the counter and - I don't know how it happened - but it fell on the floor up side down!!! Thank goodness the tin foil on top didn't come off and we were able to save the salad - no harm done. And I hadn't even started drinking yet!!! After dinner we all hung around outside around the fire - it was a good night - just a few snow flakes and it was cloudy - I was hoping for a clear evening because of the full moon but no such luck. A lot of people came on their sleds (snowmachines) Ron and Mary, Linda and Daniel and Linda's daughter and her boyfriend all came from Jobam on theirs - Linda got a new one for Christmas and it is quite the machine - very futuristic looking - she likes it.

Bob has a great party garage and some people were hanging around inside playing cards and pool and watching the jr hockey tournament - Canada and US - and Canada won in the shootout - great game. Daniel and Linda brought some champagne and we started drinking that at around 10pm - I think he brought a whole case of it!!! The bottles just kept on coming. It tasted good in my vodka and orange juice!!! Finally it was midnight and everyone started smooching (that's Rejean and Linda going at it) and hugging each other - there was about 18 of us so it took a while to make the rounds. Then the fireworks came out - Rejean had got some at the Trading Post earlier in the day - got a good deal from Keith on them - some weren't as good as we expected and some were great!!! I'd say at about 12:30 everyone was headed home. We took the snowmobile back to Joanne and Mitch's for our evening's accommodations - nice king size bed!! Then the next morning the first annual new year's day brunch at Linda and John's - I talked them into having it at their place because the water isn't turned on at Joanne's and I supplied the food - John cooked and Linda did the dishes as Rejean and I and John had out first annual new year's day sauna - niiiiice - got all the toxins out of our bodies. We packed everything up and headed back home - I got to drive the snowmobile back home - tried out my new helmet - it was fun. Time now to relax and get back to normal.

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Year's Eve. Tomorrow, January 2nd, 2010 the Olympic torch is coming to Thessalon!!!!! Yes, it even come to little towns like Thessalon. We will head into town tomorrow to the Legion Meat Draw from 3-4pm then the torch comes at around 4:30 - I expect the whole town to be out for that - I'll have my camera ready to document the event - I even have my Red Mittens (made in China!!)

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