Just my view from observing from the sidelines in many aspects of life.
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Monday, July 27, 2009
Well you can see by this pic that Im trying to get into the Odd shot monday mode again. Its where I try and post a very odd pic i find and then join other bloggers and we post together all the odd shots on monday. Ok this one was found during our last Moss St. Paint-in. No it wasn't part of an exhibit just someone had some fun with this shirt and fire hydrant. enjoy. check out the other odd shots at Katney's Kaboodle
Summer brings busy times. I have been busy with work and things here with the construction of our new front deck. And with horseshoes and this weekend we had our grandson over for the weekend. So updates to the blog were put on the back burner.
Well the weekend brought a fun filled time. Friday nite we just had dinner at home and watched a movie with our grandson. But it heated up for Saturday. Up early and breakfast then up Mill Hill my grandson and I went. Its close to our house and as with our sons and our other grandson they all take their seat on the big boulder at the summit.
Then back home for lunch. A quick power nap and then out to Butchart Gardens for our yearly jaunt. Its fireworks nite ! We get our yearly pass and enjoy the fireworks that first nite. Well it was hot when we got there enjoyed walking around and had dinner.
Then started to watch the music entertainment then guess what the skies opened up. We thought it was a passing thing so made the best of it. It did stop for a 15 or so minutes but guess what it started again and then it pored. We tried to endure it but as the fireworks started the wind picked up and then it started to chill us to the bone so it was time to leave. Upon Leaving it was a few others idea then too and it took a while to walk slowly out. With the fireworks going off behind us and the slow march out it gave the feeling of leaving a war torn country with missiles banging behind. But with out the fear.
Back home and a quick tub for our grandson to warm up and then we all crashed in our beds.
Well Ill leave another update for what happened on Sunday. Ok till then
I watched the British Open today in Turnberry Scotland. Tom Watson held the lead most of the tournament. At the age of 59 almost sixty it came down to him sinking a short 4ft putt to win it all. But he hit a terrible putt and was forced into a 4 hole playoff against Stewart Cink. It all unravelled for Tom on these 4 holes and lost by 6 strokes. He was a classy loser and held his head high and the fans and broadcasters felt so sorry for him to come this close to winning the unimaginable . To win at age 59 against the young and strong guys of the tour. Man I could only wish to be on top of my sport at that age. To take on the best in the world and almost win. Hats off to you Tom you gave it a great run. Please if you can come back to it next year.
Well today was the Moss st. Paint-in. It is put on by the Greater Victoria Art Gallery and it has lots of well know artists and not so well know ones that put up stalls all the way along Moss st. As you see in the picture It has a great turn out with the street just teeming with people.
The art was very well done and almost all of was recognisable of what they were painting. But the odd one I have no idea what it was.
After that we went to one of our favorite places to get something to eat. The Willows Fish and Chips. We take it down to the edge of Willows beach and sit in the truck with the radio on and enjoy it.
Coming home watched the 3rd round of the British Open golf tournament on TV. I had recorded it from earlier today. What a story the leader with one round to go is 59 yr old Tom Watson. He will be 60 in 2 months. Also for most of the round a young 29 yr old son of Miami Dolphin fame Dan Marino. The son's name is Steve. Well all of golf I'm sure is cheering for Watson to win. What a good story.
Well have to wait for tomorrow to see who wins. But a exciting finish is in store and yes no Tiger Woods he missed the cut for a rare time.
It was hot, I was tired, and I hadn't had much sleep the night before. I was delivering mail and dragging my butt and had about 10 mins left before I finished and then home for lunch. The guys at the metal work shop I deliver to were having a bbq and offered me a burger. I said yes. Boy did that help alot. I was just barely able to finish I was so tired but with that burger and a couple mins rest i felt so much better. Thanks guys
Well we finished off the trip with our visit to Brantford to have lunch with a young couple who use to go to our church and now live in Brantford. They are getting married in 3 weeks and It being our 29th wedding anniversary we celebrated with a great feast at Red Lobster.
After that we drove back to Aylmer but not before trying to find a place in Scotland Ontario for tea and coffee. We could not find a restaurant or a coffee place there. (its such a small place). So I can proudly say you cant get a coffee in Scotland.
Arriving at Alymer to watch the last few games of the Men's A division and then the wind up banquet. A lovely banquet and the food was great. I had mentioned last year at Calgary when the lady was organising this years tournament not to do what others had for the banquet with paper plates and plastic forks. Well she listened to me and mentioned it to me when I first arrived that there was going to be plates and good cutlery at the banquet. Well sometimes people listen.
Now the last and most tiring leg of the journey was coming home. We left the banquet Saturday nite at 10:30pm. Drove to Toronto but not before feeling tired we stopped at a rest area for 15mins of eye rest and a bit of sleep. Then back on the road again and arrived at our hotel at 1:15AM. Dropped off the rental car at the same place as our hotel , climbed into bed and then up again at 600am (just around 4 hrs of sleep). Then a quick breakfast, shuttle to the airport, check in, security , and then boarding the flight for a 5 hr trip. It was so nice to see the mountains when we flew into BC and the ocean around the Airport.
Picked up by a friend to give us a ride home and there we are in our own place at 1pm Sunday. Remember we only arrived at the hotel at 1am the nite before for sleep. (gained 3 hrs traveling west). so in all took 15 hrs from arriving in Toronto, to get home.
I finished my last day at the Canadian Horseshoe pitching Championships and played 3 good games and one horrible game. ended up with 3wins and 1 loss for a final record of 6 wins 8 losses. A not too good showing for me but had a great time. Had a good bunch of guys in our group and looking forward to getting another crack at these guys another time.
After finishing today my wife and I drove to Port Stanley and did some more browsing, shopping and had dinner there. A drive to Port Bruce and then to Port Burwell then back to St. Thomas and our motel.
Tomorrow we are planning on meeting some friends in Brantford for lunch. ok later
This morning started out after a continental breakfast at the hotel then out to Clovermead Honey Bee farm. We saw a brochure of it and thought it would be something neat to see. Got to see quite a few hives up close from either behind a window or a screen.
Had a couple of kittens follow us around there alot and just looked at the old buildings and animals too. Its a great place to bring kids with along with the learning thing about bees there is a big sandbox to play in and some really neat ride on toys for all ages.
But the reason for Ontario was the Canadian Horseshoe championship and my second day of playing. Well I played worse with only shooting about 33% but I won 2 games not like yesterday when I won 1. so I sit in 7 th spot (boo) with only 4 games to play. Gonna have to finish strong with 4 straight wins tomorrow to hope to win anything. But having a great time and meeting many new friends.
Well had a not so good start at the Canadian Horseshoe pitching tournament. Started with the opening ceremonies at 9am then kill some time till 5pm when I played my first 5 games.
This picture is of the players that are From BC. The second picture is of whats next door , a cattle ranch. The facility is great but because of whats next door the smell outside is a bit to be desired. But its ok inside where we play. Went into the tournament with a 38% ringer average. I played 42.5 the first 47.5 the second and 40percent the third but still lost all 3 because the others shot over 50%. Won my next game just by one ringer but played poor in my last game today so ended up with a record of 1 win and 4 losses. Well the other guys like me they are playing red hot against me and playing there best games so far against me. Well hopefully its my turn to get hot tomorrow.
Well today another day with a bit of driving. We left the B&B in Stratford after a wonderful breakfast. Then loaded up the Beny (the rental car with the license plate (BENY-956)) with our luggage. Drove about a hour out of our way north to the cute town of Goderich. We were there 2 yrs ago and wanted to go back. It is only one of two towns in North America that the heart of the city is designed with a octagon shape park with streets going off in angles like spokes on a wheel. The other town is Washington DC.
It was quite cold and with our bags packed and feeling cold we literally wore clothes right of the rack. Bev got a magenta hoodie and I wearing shorts had to get some new pants. Got these in the Bargain Bargain bargains store. great deals too.
Did some browsing in the other stores then down for a short drive along the beach of Lake Huron and then up to the top of the hill at the pub for a much too big lunch.
Next a drive to St. Marys and had coffee and a short walk to see the river, falls , and a lifeguarded swimming beach in the quarry.
Finally we arrived in St. Thomas booked into our hotel and then checked out the facility for the tournament. In Aylmer we saw a few Amish folks heading for a tuesday night meeting. This last fellow was not walking but driving his horse drawn Carriage.
Well tomorrow is the Opening Ceremonies for the Canadian Horseshoe championships. And I play at 5pm. you can find it all listed here .
A full day today in Stratford Ont. We had a wonderful breakfast at the B&B, Then we went to town shopping. I wasn't planning on buying much but I did get 4 shirts and a small present for my sister for Christmas. Bev bought a Christmas ornament, A charm of a swan for her bracelet, some clothing and a couple other things. Well we had lunch in a spot called the Tango , reminded me of another Tango in Victoria years ago, but it was just a restaurant this one. One of the shops is really interesting as there are 4 cats that live in the store and yes I believe they own it. They just do as they please as you see in the pictures.
We went back to the B&B for a short rest after that day of shopping but I did take a few breaks while shopping as you see here.
The night was interesting as Stratford is a Theatre town and because it was monday nite there were no plays. Except one at the local highschool. It was put on by 6 young people while one guy was very talented and directed , changed sets, was in all the acts and even sold us our ticket at the beginning. It was 4 separate plays by Tennessee Williams and put together and called Death of a Fat man on a ferry to Paradise. It was very well acted but the subject matter was provocative. The only downside of the play was poor attendance as there were only about 10 people. With the young people putting in so much effort to put this on and no one to watch it.
Well tomorrow new towns Godrich , St.Mary's and St. Thomas.
Today we went to the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship church and then to the lone star restaurant for lunch with our son's fiances parents. Had a nice time and a good visit during lunch.
Then we drove to the town of Stratford. Checked into our bed and breakfast where we will call home for 2 nites.Its a very nice place Called the Birmingham Manor. After settling in we went for a walk along the river on one side crossed over the bridge and started to walk back he other side. We heard some music from up the hill in a park and went to investigate. We found a bandshell with a 70's rock band playing. Apparently its put on every sunday evening with different bands . The people we met are so friendly here in Stratford.
As a matter of fact a couple sitting next to us at our dinner restaurant. We got chatting and they discovered that we were walking back to our bed and breakfast about 8 blocks and it had started to rain, wind and thunder and lightning so they offered us a ride back. By the time we left the restaurant it had stopped but we took the ride anyway. Good thing it started to rain on the drive there.
We left them our name and phone number and told them if they ever make it to Victoria we would show them around.
Well enough for now . tomorrow we hit the shops and explore more of the town. nite.
Well we made it to the Centre of the Universe. Or that's what I'm told Toronto is called. Been here before and tonight we just checked into our hotel by the airport and went for dinner at Kelseys.
The flight was uneventful. the way i like it.
This is a very nice hotel with the car rental in the building so getting our rental car tomorrow will be no hassle. I hope.
Plan tomorrow is to meet our sons fiance's parents at their church and have lunch with them. Then its driving a hour and a half to the beautiful town of Stratford. spending 2 days there in a bed and breakfast before heading for the big tournament.
Just a few things today as we approach July 4th. This being a U.S. holiday and you think of baseball. Well I heard today that there was another way to get a runner out other than catching a fly or throwing to a base before the runner or tagging him out. you could as wickepidia states: Plugging (or Soaking) the Runner - throwing the ball at runner to put him out (illegal after 1845).
Now that would hurt.
Also on the baseball theme. 70 yrs ago on July 4th is the anniversary of the speech by Lou Gehrig. Here is a clip of it.
Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech
"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure I'm lucky. Who wouldn't consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball's greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure I'm lucky. When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift - that's something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies - that's something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter - that's something. When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body - it's a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed - that's the finest I know. So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for." The last thing is we are flying to Ontario on July 4th for a holiday and my competition at the Canadian Horseshoe pitching Championships. I will try and keep you posted as what we do and see and how I do at the tournament. Ok wish me to do my best.
Summer brings busy times. I have been busy with work and things here with the construction of our new front deck. And with horseshoes and this weekend we had our grandson over for the weekend. So updates to the blog were put on the back burner.
started the wind picked up and then it started to chill us to the bone so it was time to leave. Upon Leaving it was a few others idea then too and it took a while to walk slowly out. With the fireworks going off behind us and the slow march out it gave the feeling of leaving a war torn country with missiles banging behind. But with out the fear.
Well today was the Moss st. Paint-in. It is put on by the Greater Victoria Art Gallery and it has lots of well know artists and not so well know ones that put up stalls all the way along Moss st. As you see in the picture It has a great turn out with the street just teeming with people. 
these guys another time.
mas and our motel.
lks heading for a tuesday night meeting. This last fellow was not walking but driving his horse drawn Carriage.
