the 6:00 AM

 ritual ?

Its fishing day. The ritual is : meet in my driveway, drive to McD s, head out on # 401. We change drivers halfway and I eat my sandwich

We launch , formerly called ' Lotto bass boat > and begin our day on the ' bee.

" lotto bass boat " doesn't seem to apply, now. I mean the rails have shifted, bent etc. The trolley has jumped the rails < trolley and usually boat on board > and needs jacking and shifting. The trolley has jammed to a halt. Oh. did I forgot something - likely. Right there in the boathouse are all the equipment needed to correct any or all of the above.

No more ! quoth the raven

The forecast indicated ' 8 hr of sun ' - oops, we got 40 minutes < and thats a stretch >, however, the wind was more or less as promised - 20 - 25 Kph. Out of the N that wind pushed us a good clip all day.

The creel was small. Say, 15 fish caught most - small. I lucked out and caught the 2 biggest crappie but that was it for me. Same old - same old, trying but barely succeeding.

From yesteryear, a memory - 

Snap Back

or I replaced M s watch battery < again ? > Last night, M hands me her watch and says ' fix it, please '. The battery had died. Then she follows w/ ' just like before '

I replied w/ some incredulity ' really, I did '. She remembered and I couldn't. I said that I could believe that I repalced the battery but ' you mean it actually worked after '.
Some searching resulted in 3 batteries in a plastic box that holds button battery spares. So far, M is right. 15 minutes of scrying yields the chance that there is a tab barely visible to insert a case knife.

I didn't have a ' case knife ' but I do have spatulas for fine work. Well, 5 minutes later and ' pop ' the back lid is off. And quicker yet the new battery is in. A satisfying ' snap ' and the back lid was on

I told M that we should film the procedure for next time. Thus, she could say ' see, thats what I mean '.

Yes. That passes for excitement around here.

What ! Its 3 AM

 and I'm awake.

And awake again at 6 AM when the alarm blared out for a mis - communicating sensor < an old problems - well, maybe a year >.         I managed then to fall asleep til 9.

The day is bright and shiny w/ the leaves fairly still. Today is a try a restaurant day. Our first together w/ a friend. We are ready w/ our proof of vaccination < required as of 2 days ago > The chosen venue is called ' the Pickle Barrel '. The PB has a long reputation as a gathering place. Once, their trademark was a Happy Hour special but that was short lived. Their menu was very extensive once. Now, the menu is pure deli - pastrami, smoked brisket etc.

We shall see said the Zen Master

Afterward. Pickle Barrel was a gi-normous hit. Clean and modern, well staffed w/ deli food that was tasty and well presented.

Dreary, Dreary .....

 quite contrary - we expect this, its our fall season

Post #3162

Going to the DarkSide
This title sounds ' StarWars ' ish. However, the idea is that less light from the screen of your laptop etc < esp in dim light > is easier on your eye. Thus, my Chromebooks now are in Dark Theme. I'm trying out the ' app ', I say app b/c it seems that it is.
The screen is in 'dark ' mode for all pages that are Chrome OS related. Thus, some pages from other sites stay in  original light mode.

And then I'm dealing w/ a reminder that says { you have not used ' Google account ' in Chrome OS for 270 days ' }
Problem. I thought Google was ' Chrome ' or triggered when I used Chrome OS. Thats b/c my mail box is ' gmail ' etc.
Apparently, NOT. My browser is Chrome OS and Google appears as my homepage. I work from Google < I thought > daily. BUT 270 days not using Google < it did say ' device ' > Unbelievable !

I'll be aksing friends for help.
Plus, Chrome Play Store is not ' offering ' Chrome Apps ' 
Huh ? That s all that I thought that I used < I mean Chrome Apps >. Guess not b/c they stopped supporting Chrome Apps and I didn't notice.

Alright, over and out from the ' dark theme '

The Long Range via Brett Anderson from Accuweather

Sep 30 - Oc 6 mild on the border of drier for the Grt Lks basin

Oc7 - 13 dry and mild for the Grt Lks basin

Oc 14 - 20 balmy for the Grt Lks Basin

Now, do you trust this guy b/c Brett seems to say that I can delay winterizing the boat for another week, say Oc 20 or so

P.S. I decided to remove whatever Google account in Chrome OS that hadn't been used for 270 days. I reasoned that if I didn't miss it yesterday then I'm not going to miss it tomorrow etc

MMXXI - IX - XXVI

 or today s date

I know, not creative but I'm sleepy still. Coffee and typing is it

Stole the icon from Lehman s :  pretty neat

I think its an alert beacon or somesuch

The sun is out and the day looks full of promise and fall is the season. No colour yet in the trees. And we do see ' reds and oranges ' quite early in our backyard view.

Our dinner was ' homemade ', we had perogies, w/mushrooms,tomato, bacon as sides plus a spinach salad. Quite satisfying and the process cleared out the fridge of many items - like a potpourri dinner. Its good to try different ways of eating common items

Patio Dining Available

 and we did. Exschoolmate and current lawyer, L, had a breezy but fine time on the patio at Susnet Grill

Temperature was 70 s even in the shade in full sun. BTW, inside was full. 3 eggs, english muffin and Hollandaise - side of home fries AND coffee to make your bladder burst - it didn't, but close.

The day has clouded over and rain was possible in the forecast for late afternoon

As Promised

 we got rain and will get rain. Apparently, we are on the boundary of a warm front and cold front - thus rain.

The grass is growing but the farmers need dry to harvest.

We watched a series on Prime which highlights the life of Jeremy Clarkson < car expert ? > who decides to farm for a living in Egland.
The year he starts is the driest growing season in the last 70 years. Plus, in 2020, Covid hits. And the wettest spring in England in years. OMG, the farming life is crazy. But JC buys a Lambourghini tractor < really >

Homemade dinner < of course, its homemade - we're home > was pancakes and sausage < not home made >. The recipe is my brother s or mother s, I'm not sure. True ! Probably, mom but K made them some many times, you could never be sure.
The recipe is mine, now, I suppose.

I'm watching Netflix, to get my money s worth Tonight, its Startrek ' Enterprise. " Enterprise " the name is the most revered in the U.S. armed forces. There has been an ' Enterprise ' for almost the complete history of the U.S.

' When the rain is blowing

 ... in your face ' Its Sep 23...... and Sep 24 etc < sorry BD, we stole your song

Noisy rain. Our skylights magnify the pitter - patter to a drum solo that you can hear throughout the first floor. Everyone asks about our steel roof and the possible sound amplification. They never asked about the skylights

And the sun popped out - brilliant sun, really.

I re -cleaned the eavestrough, not much debris but twigs were crossways in the trough - a disaster waiting for a chance to dam( n) the gutter

The A/C is off and w/ cooler temperatures we can open windows for fresh air. Lately, I've been wondering about how fresh the ' fresh air ' really is. In fact, there are those folks in Toronto < and elsewhere > that only breathe A/C air e.g. condos downtown where they can ' commute ' via the " PATH " or walkways between subway stations. I mean its a city down there, all on its own

And speaking of that. I asked A who is a realtor that when people buy condos what do they own - the space ? where their condo is. I mean that I bought property when we bought this house. Does that mean that I don't know what value is OR Am I so old fashion  < blame my father > that I can only see value in land.

Boy, that got a little philosophical - quick

Aussi Il Pleut

 and will ' pleut  'for days. We are on tap to get a month's worth of rain accumulation in 5 days.

Our election 36 days long is finished - nothing changed w/ a Liberal minority gov't. BTW, there were 5 political parties running. More mail in ballots were cast than ever before plus advanced polls proved popular.

A mild day w/ bouts of rain. I cleared out the eavestough. Timely, b/c there was a beaver dam in the downspout back and front. Rain is due for days off and on.

Lunch / dinner was a veal cutlet sandwich w/ fries from California sandwiches. It s a bit of an indulgence but its been awhile. Besides, it was a great choice.

And, lo, it is bucketing down, maybe - 2 or 3 hours

" In the early morning rain "

 sang Gordon Lightfoot

He travels somewhere ' w/ a dollar in my hand '

Me. I went to Superstore and spent $ 108 on 7 items on the shopping list. BUT potatoes were $4.50 a ten # bag. Toilet wiping paper was 30 % off..... yada, yada  Thus, I saved money < ******* >

And some danish pastry fell into the buggy ... really !

The store was 10 % full and no wait for checkout - bonus

M feels that I over reached w/ the spuds. She predicts ' potato peel pie ' for dinner quite often. < Oh, the potato peel pie reference is to the movie ' the Guernsey Potato Peel Pie and Literary Society '. 

Now, the danish got listed under ' necessity ' and proved the ' treat of the week '. One of the fishing guys used to use that line when he caught a good steelhead on the river < or Kentucky fried rat, our name for KFC >

Thus, our cottages have been lately < since 1983 > 2 miles from Kentucky Fried Chicken store or 3 miles from the Old Railroad restaurant. Many have argued that cottage doesn't describe the situation that we've had re : food at our away places.

Monday s Child

 is ............

a fisherman. The catch was 3 1/2 rock bass. However, if the pike that had that rock bass had hung on 2 minutes more...

Well, I guess a 4 # pike was a possibility. Wind kicked up out of the S - SE < east wind is reputedly not good for fishing, Ha Ha ! > but lovely day.

Obviously, Monday s child is as bad at fishing as me

Simply Living, Sunday

 stolen from Lehman s usual theme ' Simple Living Sunday '. I often pose the question ' could anyone live more simply than us, here. Of course, the answer is ' Yes. Stupid '.

Our A/C doesn't go off for the summer, closely akin to condo living. Or apartment living.

The day looks to be fine. I'll update if conditions change. I did sweep through the CBC online. I'll summarize        ' trouble '. CV 19 and vaccine related hiccups, wildfires and Chinese economists are sounding the warnings.

A Chinese developer is about to default on loans. The company is a massive conglomerate and could disrupt the whole Chinese business world.

As advertised - brilliant day < English expression, for everything, instead of ' great ' etc >. We are doing the usual sit and banter about the day or week, mostly dinner. The menu is marinated pork roast for Tues. Everything else is up in the air - as usual. The expression is ' its organic ' which means ' you adjust on the fly b/c the situation is changing as you move '.
Actually, I would say, my whole life is that way. Maybe, it should be. Do you think that you're life is always predictable ? I want it to be. Seldom goes that way.
In fact, my father would comment on a situation ' I'm glad that you got a chance to experience that '. My brother and I were coming home from fishing and the car gave out < steering was gone >. We got to a garage and discovered that a part would take 2 days to arrive. We bussed it home. Thats when dad, goes ' good, experience '.
Right, we've had a lot of ' experiences ' - see, its organic.

We Have a Grand Sept

 shaping up. The warmth has held, not too atypical for us. The long range has the temperature in the warmer than usual range.

Of course, when is CV 19 or related problem not a headline or               ' breaking news '
To me breaking new would be ' Covid 19 downgraded to tropical storm '. Kinda ' Man Bites Dog ' scenario.

Job for the day. I screwed down the ' new ' deck boards. Actually, new and re - purposed boards were fastened down. Then I got ambitious and stained over the boards. Thus, the patchwork mess is done. Aha, will this patch hold for - one or two or dare I say 3 years ????
We shall see said the Zen Master ! Really, dude.

We Fished in Pants

this is obscene for a banner

But the weather has changed and we were dressed in long sleeves and pants. Sun for 75 % of the day and no fish for 75 % of the day.
We did manage 4 - 6 crappie that were plate sized and keepers. I did catch bass but those ' small fry ' were aquarium sized.
September is a notariously poor fishing month for me. Thus, a bonus is catching edible fish at all. I should mention the crappie were caught using a light action rod making them more fun for sure.

In reality, 2021 qualifies as a poor year for fishing. What ! Don't ell me that I'm going for a poor decade of fishing.

Unfortunately, my thoughts hav already turned to prepping supplies for the fall winterizing of the boat. Probably, the boat will be out of the water by Oct 20 th.
I'll do a calendar check and see.
 

" Lord, Thunder and Lightning

 .... I guess when the conditions are unsettled  - like last night           < # 3151 >

Thor throws his hammer or somesuch.

The problem w/ getting old is that you can recall so many more errors and missteps. Ah, but to get this far - thats an achievement of sorts

Rectify. The password for the day. Again. I was out on the deck replacing damaged boards. Doing what I should have done the first time. Much faster and efficient today. Practice makes ice tea. ?????
While watching YouTube - Svalbard Life, the construction guy used a nail puller. I said ' I've got one of those < from Dad >. Last time I punched boards from under the deck using a sledge hammer and wedge. Sore arms !

The nail puller wasn't magic but lots easier than the sledge. The nail heads broke off - rusted but I managed to get them out. I re-sized boards < re - used some and scavenged > and set the boards in. I need a whack of screws. but more or less set.
I got to re - prove that I can use a Skil Saw - barely. However, the cuts managed to fit.
I cannot say that I'm getting better at sawing BUT at least the pieces fit

More than the Sprinkles

fell / are falling. Temperature is on the warm side but dreary for now 

Success ! I lined up for my Health card < renewal >. And got it.

Months ago, I got my drivers license renewed online. I went to do the Health card renewal at the same time. Nope. 
" You have already applied for Govt issuing cards " Then M, applies for her Health card and gets "  do you want to renew yor drivers license also ". Say what ?

Today, the clerk said that he'd heard all versions of this story. " It depends on how the machine is feeling. Its glitchy ! "
How the machine is feeling ? Really.

Oh well, its done after 40 minutes in line, on a lovely day.

Ah, the dreariness hangs on.

Brief bouts of sun, w/ steady gusting of wind. M had her firends from the first school that she taught at, back in 1972. One is the co-habiter of my dentist who has been my dentist since 1974.
Oh, yes the twists and turns of life. Something about degrees of separation.

' mr Blue Sky

 is living here today ' ala " ELO "

Short sleeve and shorts kinda day, breezy and fine

A mild day. A working day but I didn't.

A little shopping got accomplished and the bank.

Rain Will Feature

 in our weekly weather. However, we expect 70 - 80 all week as well.

Whine, moan bitch - sounds normal to me

Typical human reactions to everything and anything - and I mean me

One of those days or ' dayssssss '

Sep XI

 I thought in Roman numerals - the date doesn't look as bad in regular numeracy.
Its also M s birthday. She really doesn't like celebrating on the day < since 2001 >

Definitely, a cool ish ness to our weather. Now, it doesn't help that its still dark to 7 ish.

Sun and cool breezes are the day.
Move over ' moo ', the next trend is potato milk. In ' udder ' frustration potato farmers tout the benefits of milk from herds of potatoes. Yes, you can go too far w/ this one

Quite a solemn day, or should be. One program was titled ' the Day That Changed America '. But further programs are debating if that change was good or bad.

I hand-made M s birthday card. I've done the homemade card thing for years now. The cards are not getting better but the crap at the store isn't improving either.

And we finished off the largemouth bass that wasn't cooked yesterday. M did a great job- yes, her largemouth bass was better than the rock bass. She used breadcrumbs and egg wash and butter - like lots. valuable lesson there for me.

" You are the Wind Beneath

 my wings " sang Bette Middler

In the news, "In the wake of higher prices for poultry, chicken feed and canola oil — not to mention the vagaries of international shipping — restaurants say dishing out this pub favourite is becoming more expensive.

As restaurants have reopened, a tight market has developed for wings and had some businesses hustling to make sure they can get all the supply they need. " CHICKEN WING prices soar.

And of course, the irony of this uptick in chick wing costs - is the history, the story reputes the ' Anchor ' Bar in Buffalo started the fad < or phenomena >
The owner's son dropped by late w/ friends and Mommy used leftover chicken pieces < read wings > and fried them up. A star was born < or hatched > And now the prices are comparable w/ other chicken parts

We have fall here < I think ? > cool autumnal conditions w/ sun.

And rain, too !

We are planing fish for dinner - as in largemouth bass and rock bass. Sort of the plat du jour

Only one peron for dinner

Fisherman Catches Fish

 there s a banner headline

Yes. I caught fish / and brought some home. M has been hinting that she'd like a bass dinner , smallmouth, I think. But I figure ' go w/ what you got '. 
My first fish was a rock bass < good eating > I saved it.

I had some smaller fish and released them. Moving upriver a goodly sized crappie hit and I thought ' 2 fish for dinner '. The wind was gusting upriver and I was anchoring the boat < hate anchoring ! >.
Near noon, I figured one more try at a spot closer to home. Anchor up and and within minutes, I was getting these whacks on the line and crappie were coming to the boat. I estimate 20 crappie, some rock bass and 2 largemouth < one was a good eating size >. I was trying to make 2P before the diner closed at Old Railroad.

Well, by the time I put the boat up and cleaned those fish an hour had gone by. Thus, I got gas bought instant noodles in the convenience store and headed back to the Q.

Slept. Planted grass seed. Tarped the boat and came home.

The tough life for sure

Long range from Brett Anderson at Accuweather

Grt Lakes especially L Ont and Erie

Sep 13 - 19 - warm < all Grt Lks >

Sep 20 - 26 - warm all Grt Lk and surround

Sep 27 - Oc 2 - warm

the Tuesday Edition

 ' ceptin' its like all the others. OK, we got sun and lovely conditons.

The days doin' s. I had my teeth cleaned and innocently asked about dental implants. A glowing report followed about the new principals at the dental office. I asked the hygenist ' are there problems w/ dental implants ' ? She quickly reported that the new dentists are surgeons. Apparently, very above board about the whole procedure of evaluation and preparatory processes.
Thus, I'm considering the possibility.

Next, shopping at the SuperStore was up. The SuperStore is big. Also, clean and offers some deals. To be fair, I don't shop at ' No Frills ' or ' Food Basics ' which get presented as economical by friends. I escaped under a $ 100 which is rare. Although, I bought no clothes < didn't even check the reduced rack > which lops off a cool $ 25.

I made pancakes for dinner. This choice is often not fall back but a favourite w/ suasage. I use fried apples on the side. Now, the leftovers are a snack or treat over the next few days.
The bad. I stockpiled some flour and was at one time baking a lot. Today, I found 3 unopen bags of flour. The expiration is November this year.

I better start baking - a  lot. A lot ! I can see bread coming out in mega loaves.

Complicated Monday

?

No, but for karmic balance - simple Sunday and complicated Monday, a pair
Ying and Yang
To and Fro
Bossie and Flossie < really ? not Mopsie and Flopsie >

River otters are making a comeback on Prince Edward Island < after 100 years >. Canada welcomes international 2 Vaxx visitors beginning tomorrow. From CBC online

We are masked up in public except for the vax protestors appearing at vax clinics 

Sunshine is streaming through the windows. Grass growing weather is upon us - if the rain still comes. AND the dandelions will go bananas too !

I propose an all dandelion lawn. Did you know that the term ' lawn ' orignally meant having a pasture in front of your manse. You grzed sheep etc out front
I'd do that - small sheep, tho'

Brett Anderson < Accuweather > has the fall outlook posted < as at Aug 20 >

Much of eastern Canada is expected to have a mild fall, but there may be late-season cold shots that may be directed into Ontario and northern Quebec. 

Above-normal water temperatures throughout the Great Lakes will likely persist through the season, which will have its biggest influence on nighttime temperatures (being milder) across the region. 

Severe thunderstorm season may also be prolonged a bit across Ontario and Quebec and linger into September. 

See. Burnt the apples for applesauce tonight - forgot them for 10 minutes. Crikey. Where is the Fire Dept when you need them
BTW, we watced a 9/11 special filmed by a team following the rookie year of a NY fireman that caught ground and inside < World Trade Centre > footage of 9/11.
Trust me. Those FDNY poeple were there when needed. And they paid the price. God bless

Lehman s Has " Sinple Living Sunday "

 #3142

got'em beat. I am simple

Rain came as promised. how much ? Dunno but things are wet out there.

BTW - I poly taped the damaged parts of the deck boards and YouTubed quick fixes. Fine. But the quick fixes will cost as much as the new boards. Yep. Looks like some more boards may come out.

But not for days when the rain is supposed to end.

The sun is vsiting for the afternoon.

Late. Brett Anderson s predictin from Acuweather

Done and not Done

 well, you're finishing up the clean up on the deck boards getting ready for the staining. I scraped down w/ wire brush and blade. THEN notice that two more boards were dodgy and soft. NOW, he finds it. !!!!
So, what to do. In the end, I painted over the re - done part. I'll try to patch the bad parts or wait til next year and replace more boards.
If the weather were more promising but in reality there is rain for 4 - 5 days off and on.

The plan is to cover the deck and look at the boards post - rain

Thus, that fleeting thought that goes ' replace all the exposed boards was probably the best way to go.' BUT -- I'd already replaced 2 last year. CRAP ! foiled again

Deck the Halls

 or haul the deck ? Yesterday, I took out the skill saw < you know that that is the name of the tool > b/c I have no skill w/ the beast.

Knowing that I have some lack of expertise w/ the ' arm and leg ' remover tool - I thought that I should practice.

I got the old deck boards and adjusted the blade height and went to cutting or not cutting. Lousy cut, in fact not a cut at all. 'Aha, I said this is the skill saw that I remember '. You see, some time ago, I needed to cut vinyl siding. The fast way is to turn the blade around and cut w/ the back of the teeth. The cuts are pretty smooth vs the grab and chip of the front side teeth.
Thus, I turned the blade around < that was another learning experience > and, yes great cutting.
I decided to chop off the weak or rotting ends of the deck boards that I'd removed.

I was left w/ 3 pieces of decking in not bad shape. I figured to re - use the old boards < if possible >. I cut the first new board - learning all the way w/ every step. First cut, left the board a little long. Skim off an 1/8 inch to fit the board. Second board was an old board, yep, skim off an 1/8 in again.
I know your thinking - next one is too short. Not ! The third board dropped in - perfectamundo < I must have made a mistake >. This    3 rd board was a re - used board.

All right. 2 new boards left to go and one hole to fill. I moved the shortest board to the edge to measure for length. I looked and said ' no way ' - I pushed the board and it fell into place - no cutting. "What " my mind is screaming - ' how ? ' it answers.

You have to know that the gap was 8 ft. The board was 96 in but you need some space to fit the board. B/c the new board isn't 96 " < thats the name >in fact, it was 95 and 5/8 inches - the perfect length.

Today, I screw in the boards w/ proper spacing. I stain the boards w/ the first coat of colour.

Yes. All went well w/ the screwing. A minor glitch but that got solved. And even had screws left over < as opposed to running out > I got to staining and all worked out. BTW, while blowing off the deck, I notice that the stain flakes were blowing off where the boards get exposed to the weather more < the stain isn't sticking well there > 

OK job done. Now, wait a week and re - stain the whole deck

2 nd September

of 2021. The date ? Thats it ?
Some intro there, Bub. 

I'm tired. I slept in til 9 or so.

Live w/ it 

Great day, popped outside - cool and sunny. Wind is steady and running at 10 - 15 KPH

Yesterdays catch

I guess hiding my identity is out of the question w/ pix like this. Thus, 4 people in the world may know who I am < as blog author >

Please note. Fish isn't wearing a lifejacket. But I am. That  vest is always on.
On TV,  pro bassers wear their auto-inflates while running the boat. The bass pro takes off his vest to fish. I don't have a cameraman to pull me out if I fall in.

The rig that I used / have been using is called 'chicken rig or tiny child rig '. My friend A. really loves the description that goes w/ this name - this is a rig that requires no skill. Right, he laughs when he thinks about that tag line.
For those, who have skill or knowledge - the tiny child is a bottom weighted ned rig - bethca that really helped ?

And w/ regret the season is running down, to the last hurrah. 
" seasons come and season go ". For the boat its around October 20 and not much later. I bravely < stupidly > waited one year til Nov 5 or 6. The temperature was 30 - 40 F and the LGC oil ran like treacle. Now, I've never had or seen treacle but apparently, its thick to start and thicker as it cools. I opened the lower attaching screw nd went for lunch. On return, the LGC was still draining.
" quote the raven, ' Nevermore " ala Poe.
And last year, a beautiful warm day. The LGC drained like a champ. And of course, I mused - maybe wait a week or two.

Nope. Not that dumb

Sadly, Sadly

the internet was out for an hour - I had to make up things to do

And our phones ! I used to say ' what are they doing on their cell phone ?  ' 

Oops ! Last night, my workout ' cannot sync w/ Wahoo Central  '< app owner > . Heavens, no syncing. I don't use the record keeper at Wahoo Central. Old school, pencil and graph paper. Still

Last night b/c of the deck ' take apart ' job, I cut back to 70 minutes and 894 cal instead of 1000 and some as usual. You know its hard to cut back. It feels like cheating. 

Ah,  a fishing day. Sun and cloud and gusty winds. 1 largemouth bass about 2 1/2 #. An easy going day, peaceful ? A real treat for me