HOME AT LAST

It has been a hectic couple of weeks with all my travelling.  My latest journey was to Windsor for a surprise 25th Wedding Anniversary dinner for Rejean's sister Anne and husband James.  But first we celebrated Matthew's 23rd birthday on the Saturday nite.  He has been accepted at medical school so it was a dual celebration.  Wed got to eat pizza!!  I admit I ate one too many pieces and swore off pizza for the rest of my life (as if that will happen).
I got to see more wildlife in Windsor than up here (slight exaggeration).  The skunk I saw in the middle of the afternoon in a residential area and the Canada Geese held up traffic on the EC Row expressway until they got safely to the other side.
Getting back to the surprise party, true to form, the guests of honor were late - 40 minutes late!!  Lise and Matthew and Lisa are shown checking their watches.  When they finally got there they skyped their daughter in Ottawa so she could join the party - that's Sara on the I-phone.  I finally got the happy couple to pose for a nice pic.
It was also a perfect time for family photos as you can see in the last picture.  From the left - Rejean, Claire, Pierre, Lise, Anne, Michel and Rick.

It is always better to get together for happy occasions

REST IN PEACE TOBY

You can now chase that ball again ... forever.

I will miss you...

SHOW AND SHINE - WHARNCLIFFE STYLE

Who says that nothing exciting ever happens around here - today was the Second Annual Show and Shine.  I really had to think about what cars I pictured here - there were so many to choose from.  Someone said over 50 cars!!  They started their trek in Thessalon - up Highway 129 to the Wharncliffe Hall where they stopped for lunch and to show off their babies.  After they finished lunch, they again travelled north to Lafoe then turned around and headed back to Thessalon.  It was quite a sight - all those brightly colored cars among the brightly colored leaves.  And it was a beautiful bright sunny day - perfect cruising weather.

I don't think they could have picked a  better day...

BEAUTIFUL COLORS

The leaves are at their peak again this weekend - From Wharncliffe to just this side of Lafoe they are stunning.  If you want to see the colours, better get up here this weekend - just saying...

ANOTHER ROAD TRIP

It was a trip Linda and I had talked about for a long time and we finally set a date and went.  Traverse City was the destination - and we had a great time.  We headed out on Tuesday morning at 8:30am and arrived in Traverse City 7 1/2 hours later - we stopped at a few (read lots) of places on the way like the first picture - a thrift store.  I saw some bamboo ski poles that I picked up on the way home - we use them for walking sticks for the river when we fish - they float when not in use and are light enough that they are easy to use.  It was a great 3 days and a great place to spend some time.  their downtown was full of all sorts of quaint little stores with a lot of unique items - a lot of it was very pricey for my taste but nice to look at.
The last picture is of one of Linda's purchases for John - it is a talking skull - it sings "I ain't got no body" - get it?    We played it for all the cars we passed and who passed us.  We did not play it for the customs agent who gave us no trouble at all when we explained we had been over in the States for 54 hours.  The colors were not as vibrant as ours are this week but they are further south so their time is coming.
We hit the Turtle Creek casino - I walked in with my $40 ready to play and I walked out with $40 from a great machine.  Linda played $42 and lost it all.  I think we were in there for all of 1/2 hour.  Big gamblers we are.
It is a trip I would do again in a heartbeat.  We had fun.

A BRAVE LITTLE SOUL

I was on my way home from Blind River on Thursday nite (long story) when I had to slow down for this little guy.  I quickly looked in my rear view mirror and saw that it was safe to stop so I did and grabbed my camera.  He just stood there and watched me - then he gave me a couple of foot stomps!!  Imagine that.  I slowly moved forward and he stood his ground.  I finally had to roll down my window and let him hear my music before he took off into the bush.
Sorry it is not  clearer but I was rushing to get the shot.  It was a fun encounter.
Wonder where he'll be on November 5th?????

GOT COLOR?

We do!!  And are they gorgeous.  I would say they are peaking this weekend and maybe into next week as well.  With all the dry weather we had this summer, I was worried the colors wouldn't be as vibrant, but they are.  And it seemed to happen just this past week.
I am in awe of nature at this time  -  my favourite season is now upon us.

We are having another dinner tomorrow - chicken and fish again.  The last one of the year but we will be baking our world famous meat pies - so if you are interested...there will be fruit pies available for sale tomorrow at the meal.  The pies for the dinner were made today and I have been appointed the meringue maker - and I was taught by the best so I am very proud of my meringue - it is piled high...

See Ya Bye