🏪 and its octoberish the 3 rd

🏪  .... and a late session here. coffee  / breakfast / and cleaning neighbour is here

full sun and Eternal Blue

follow up. a cool start but the day brightened considerably

🛺 and it the second day

  🛺    ...october it is. view is limited to 50 yds. dark out htere at 5:40 amish.

2 day old coffee, and typing

re inventing the wheel. again. The topic is ' how to carry your cellphone ' or really - drop mitigation. Assuming the cellphone will get dropped.

Ideas. wear a lanyard w / phone attached. Ah, 2 short and the phone becomes a heavy necklace. 2 long and the phone be - comes a pendulum. 
next is the belt holster. yes, always there but cumbersome depending on length of time carried and also - what else is on the belt.
There is the pocket solution, pant pocket and the phone becomes a cushion ( shatter city there ). Shirt pocket and the phone launches over the concrete as you bend over. [ this last is my specialty ]

latest attempt. A lanyard. a plastic detachable clip. a cloth eyeglass case and drawstring. The options, a ) at length and tucked into a pocket. The cloth case prevents easy sliding.  AND the lanyard is still around your neck. If it is a ' kangaroo ' style pocket, the whole assembly can be pocketed.
On my jac shirt, the lanyard passes thru the pocket 's button hole for extra attaching.
Or detach the clip as needed and the lanyard is a light chain and the cloth bundle is free to move around

Like mentioned. another go at the wheel

We shall see said the Zen Master

Experimental dinner. Boxty or Irish potato pancakes. Mash + grated potato. Add flour, baking powder and buttermilk. Fry them up

Verdict. Good to very good. Criticism mild 

Served w / green peas and mixed meat leftovers. 

🛢 the first of October

🛢 ... the Halloweenie month and thanksgiving too !

dampish looking out there.  coffee was re heated and milked. and sleep is still here

Oops ! 

Currently, I'm watching the launch and deployment of James Webb Space Telescope 

Thousands of scientist s and technicians launching this beast from French guinea.

AND Donald Trump 

deliberately, screwing the World over.

Cosmic Justice awaits that  ............

🚆... and three 0 arrives

 🚆 ....and goes September
coffee is ' on ' the hob. the view is gray ish w / high cloud

the major adjustment is the new phone. getting used to the different actions

last night, was Leacock Let s Meet Up [ LLMU ]. Normally, we sit in the open food court. and we did but arbitrarily decided that three people can head to a restaurant. I offered to drive and we headed upstairs. However , just peeking over we saw two stand alone eateries. One was Sansotei Ramen.

Took a flyer and got surprised. Menu choices were reasoanbly priced and the ramen was close to terrific.
Very quiet and they let us sit a jabber. Turns out that KL had never had ' ramen ' that didn't come in a package

So, all round - great choice

Chores. Decided a week ago, that having a dash cam in the car is useless unless you know how to operate the gizmo. First, how to identify the model. Take a photo and let Google image find the model #. Not quite but Google narrowed the model down to two. And YouTube did the rest.
BUT the instructions were a 26 min video. OR / read a manual in Chinglish / good luck.

Finally, correlated the instructions w / my model, close, enough. THEN the dash cam started to lock on ' record ' which is alright but the time was wrong.
Thirty min of troubleshooting and maybe, maybe the dashcam is working

Next. I was trying to forestall ice up problems that occurred last year. Since May 2026, there is a new heating cable and gutter screen [ keep the leaves out ]. I wanted to have the run off un hampered as the water leaves the downpipe. I created a waterfall effect, except the bottom piping froze. This freeze up required dis assemblying the pipes. So, I built a open trough system [ using an old vacuum shoot form a Toro leaf blower ]. After much, mental gymnastics, I have a way to put up the open trough. Not beautiful but functional [ maybe ]

🚜 29 on the charge ..... into Sept and beyond ....

 🚜  .... coffee [ check ] and the view is gray w/ high cloud cover, as in a blanket

What they don't tell you. New phone, ' lets transfer data. Done. But not all your apps are there.

Thus, take the old phone [ sorry 6 a ..... really ] and c.f. the screens. --- Oh, security controls.Oh, healthcare app .... . So far, its 6 and a bunch more I can tell ....

Richest of all. I bought a transparent case, drop protection [ absolutely ] THEN, I actually considered not using the screen protector that I added to the phone bundle.
Are you kidding me   ... Dumbo ! 

Job 1, then this AM. Follow up, protector went on smoothly. Quite pleased, can be a finicky task
Follow up, the sun broke out again. Quite the day

Noon. meeting at the bank. Setting up a new account

6:30 P was the meeting of Leacock people. Only 4 tonight. We started the standard greeting in the food court then progressed to Sansotei Ramen. Terrific meal.

A full day, all told

🛸 on the two eight of nine

   🛸........ alrighty, coffee is finished making noise ...
the view is gray and traces of wet on  the ground. cloud cover is complete

and the sun broke out for the bulk of the day. 

NEWS of the house.
Consumerism rampage.
 I bought a new phone.
 Pixel 6a was the phone this morning. And by 4 PM a Pixel 9 a showed up at the door.

WHY ? a new phone. I dropped the 6 a [ too many times ] and replaced the screen. But I didn't check to make sure that the shop restored the screen sensitivity. 
One year of updates remained. 

However, the gossip was that the 9 a was the most reasonable priced unit [ at $ 500 , if it got there ] c.f. the Pixel 9 / 9 pro / 10 / 10 pro. For the year, Pixel 9 a has been $ 679, even after the Pixel 10 dropped. Last night, you got it .... $ 500.

Lets admit that the others have features not found on the 9 a. But in truth, the 9 a is more than I need [ as in, I won't use 30 % of the new stuff ]. 
Yet, it will be fast and complete. And updated for 7 years, security and software

And realize the 9 a cost less than the Pixel 6 a. 
So, $ 500. yes, time to move

🚚 27 th of Sep

  🚚 ..... blueberry tea and the view is Eternal Blue and sun. 

In the kitchen, another shot at Japanese curry. Carrots and potatoes were sliced thin. Added some cabbage sliced a tad thinner than in the package. Add chicken stock and microwave at least 6 min.
Meanwhile, onion and garlic are slow sauteed. Then add mostly cooked veg. Use some more chicken stock for liquid. Pepper and Old Bay spice. Simmer for ten minutes and withdraw some liquid. Use the paste cubes from Japanese curry package. Dissolve the paste and then remove pan from heat. Now, swirl in the dissolved paste. Return to heat, let bubble.
The rice is microwaved w/ stock and after 1 min, I added gravy and leftover green beans. one more minute and add curry blend to one side of the rice.
Lunch. Nicely done. Definitely a success. And there are leftovers here. 

I did organize the corner desk. Tidy upped and such

🚐 on the twenty sixth

 🚐 ..... typing and coffee and sun ... the Eternal Blue

this is cleaning day and we prep the house - any attempt to make it look like we are not total slobs.
Ah
the struggle is the Glory 

" I have a picture pinned to my wall ....
an image of you ......   [ the Thompson Twins , circa 1985 ] 

the agenda. cleaning Saturday by the neighbour. all the upper floors and bathrooms [ 3 ].

the help is psychogical as well as physical. " someone is there to help [ besides me "

🚟 25 days will out ....

  🚟 ... the view is Eternal Blue and light
... yes, coffee and typing

🚖 say the 24 th of Septembrinus

  🚖 .... the view is sunny, Eternal Blue slightly wispy up there
coffee is burbling ...... 

🎢 23 and me .... advert slogan

  🎢  .... genetics for the masses  ....
sitting, taking in the view ..... gray ish and a titch of hope .....
drinking drip coffee from a pouch. Instant coffee where you pour the water thru the pouch affair. A little out of date ... but its coffee not apples

slipped out to Giant Tiger for essentials such as ice cream sandwiches. Oh, coleslsaw and cookies [ I said essentials ]

As well, dropped in at Church s Chicken for the ten piece special [fries and lrg gravy ]. We've eaten 3 pieces and likely CC will last til the weekend

it was a fall day, w / warmth

🛬 on the 22 nd of the month

  🛬 ...... we have sun [ coffee is burbling ] yet the temperature is going for 61 F. Yes, the cool th of the Fall is here

Fishing yesterday [ from the dock ] was limited but there was activity. The premise was originally, M  .. at lunch in Bowmanville and then a hour run to the  Q ' and a touch of fishing. M .. opted out of the lunch and I went alone. Met WL ... there later and returned home by    9:30 P

Today was a planning day. I an trying to restructure the back downspout. Gutter guards now in place, heating cables [ for ice build up ] and now get the winter run off to flow even in the freezing cold

🚆 bringing on the XXI of IX

   🚆....... the view, sunny beams for sure but there is cloud cover and the day will not top 60 F. the cool th of the year begins.
Although, the talk of El Nino for us is delayed cooling in the fall

Today is roadtrip adventure. Bwmnvl for lunch then a skip up to the Q ' . An overnighter on the Bee ' w / a dollop of fishing

💒 ...XX of IX

  💒  ...much cooler nights as of late .... the view is gray tinged w / clouds up there

a solid sleep [ pee d once ] and struggled up at 8:30 A

coffee is almost done but blueberry tea for now

Coffee was perfectomundo ! Next, what for morning starters - bread / toast as yesterday - No way Jose !

Japanese curry - fast version. Roast beef ( Friday leftovers) slivered w / onion and garlic, sauted. Frozen veg and carrots plus potato ( slivered)   are microwaved using Chicken stock 

Blend all together. Saute further. Need some water. Using pan liquid dissolve the curry pieces and add to main pan. Simmer and rest 

Add toast. Brekkie s. Yepper, use up leftover s. And a complete meal in a bowl, what else! Could you want

And beef curry again for supper over hot rice. Bonus !

🚖 .. coming at you ... Sep 19

  🚖 ....... a hangover when you didn't drink. Yes ,slept in - mega. Still dopey.
the view is hazy or my eyesight is ' hazy ' . Haven't been out but the window breeze feels cool

Our cousins visited and what a neat time. Lots of nostalgia and guffaws .... great

The cousins. three sisters, very close. Their children grew up in each other 's pockets. Maternal Grandparents kept the family close. We lived across the street from Grand s and the Grands house was the focus of everything. Birthday s etc and weekends - all happened at Moutray.
So these were the folks, last night.

Change. For the first time in months, I will wear sweatpants to sleep vs short s. It s getting that cool indoors 

🚤 speeding into September .... 18

   🚤  🚤 later in the day then usual, sunny and Eternal Blue. Yes, coffee but there was an 8 AM errand run to Simit, the Bagel 

We entertain today. A BIG adventure.        [ and I mean it ]. Serving bagels and cold cuts to the cousins. And this will be a rare get together. Last one was likely a funeral. Next one, likely a funeral 

Lynn visiting from Hawaii 

Brian coming down from Collingwood 

Wendy popping over from Yonge / Eglinton 

Ray lives S and W a bit

We grew up together in the late 50 s and 60 s. 

⛵ Sept 17, for the record ....

  ⛵⛵ .....ah, yes, coffee is available and the view is .....  gray and shows clouds forming in the Eternal Blue

Progress, early afternoon, blue sky showing, sun and a stiff wind   ....  day is comfortable

lunch was noodles and won ton plus veg. A touch of shopping breads, cakes [ dessert for Fri ] and rice
plus some dinner fixings [ sushi and breaded chicken ]

🛻 sixteen it is ....

  🛻🛻 typing w / coffee brewing and looking out on .... High cloud and sun .... definitely, fall is seeping in. Cooler nights and slightly cooler days 

Report :sluggish day. Accomplished. Ventilated the first floor, M .. objected on waking. I tried to exchange the air. First floor windows cracked and the hall fan running.

Clearing out stuff. I had packed older / not useful shorts and sweat pants plus some outer clothes [ very old and not my size anymore ]
Psych wise hard to toss clothes, sentimental, yes but more cheapness or '  I'll wear it one day ] ignoring ten years of ' not wearing it '
Thus, 3 bags of clothes are ready to go at the door

💺 fifteen it is ....

  💺💺...... coffee and typing .... daily newspaper is retrieved and appreciating being indoors.
Cold is the word and windy. WL started by stating Tues or Thurs might be best for me for fishing. Except rain. Then he types ' we ' ll go tomorrow [ Mon ] - what clairvoyance !!! Capital day, Monday

One problem [ sort of ], remains COOK the fish. We shall see said the Zen Master 

gray is the world, 

fish adventure in grilling. Alright but the skin stuck on too much and some bones came thru [ M .. not a bi fan of either ]. a marginal success

🚖 one four and .... more

  🚖🚖 ... ah, the morning view included Canada geese and sea gulls and the sun coming over the hills - on the ' Bee. Wind was NW and the temperature, jacket type day.

fishing. hot and rewarding. Nothing big [ bass were < # 1 ] but feisty. Sunfish aggressive and fun
the company was excellent, WL is relaxing.

🚧 welcome to the one three

  🚧🚧 .. the view, white - ness above and dimmer than usual light

yes, coffee and typing ......

First order: the bathroom scale read 80.3 in big LED THEN died. OK. Mr Fixit time.This day is weigh in morning. And I am not 80 anything anymore. 

Well, replace the batteries except when I flipped the scale over, I noticed that the selector was switched to ' Kg '. Ah, 80.3 Kg then

Then the display died. On inspection, the terminals were green covered. Electronic cleaner and sanding swabs, blow dry and reassemble. Success!

And the scale read 177.2 ( lb s we hope )

⛲⛲ 12 / 09

  ⛲⛲........ the Eternal Blue .... a little haze off in the South or SE

blueberry tea ..... to hydrate but coffee is burbling

cloudiness built in over the last hours. sunny but way less blue

for a change, I put together a ' Japanese ' curry. the seasoning paste or cube is the Japanese part, ' medium hot ' but I reduced the size of the paste mould that got put in. so, just right
I used thin beef roll and onion to begin the stir fry. Slow. Next potato strips and carrots were microwaved fro 3 - 4 min. Add the veg in and let bubble, adding water for several minutes
I scooped out some hot water from the pan and dissolved the paste / mould carefully.

On adding the now liquid flavour, a good stir then simmer for some minutes. Flavour coats the veg and meat, all the while the whole mixture thickens
Rice was ready and curry rice bowl, it is. Quite well done
Exercise finished as well

💈💈 11 th of sept

   💈💈........ and the view w / coffee in hand

.... the Eternal Blue and green and growing ...

Report. the sand ' grout ' or mortar is firm but may crumble

🚆 sept 10 2026

    🚆......... rain has ended. not flood worthy but significant. Hopefully, we will clear out today. And temperatures are 70 ish

ran out for a few things .... cookies and ice cream treats ..... then .....

some beer, some lunch and some fruit ......  buy. buy. bye.

🚁 number 9 in septumber

    🚁  ...... coffee and typing. the view is gray and threatening - perhaps, 24 h of rain chance

I hemmed a bit and covered the new re gapping of the stone blocks. I figured that a slow wetting is better than a downpour. And I thought giivng the sand mix time to settle was good

Aha, a trip to Walmart. Big, big store. 

🚆 the eighth day

  🚆 ....... of septembrinus. Ah, Eternal Blue and green and growing ...... Coffee and typing

Looking out on the view. the implements and bags and buckets of gravel, sand etc are put away.
I mixed topping concrete patch and sand 3 / 1. Going for a mix that hardens a bit and prevents weeds from using the gaps as a nutrient medium and home. The mix should spread easily [ yes ]. Harden slightly too.

We shall see said the Zen Master

The de structure of a flower bed. The raised stonework is flat. Rough maybe but flat. The look is decorative holding a garden baby carriage. However, there are plastic flower pots and small orange cones delineating the corners. 
We wait for settling or hardening or shifting [ please , NO ]

In winter, I hope that shovelling will be more efficient for the crew [ not me ] The boys may bring in the snowblower now that the area is open. And push all the snow over the lawn and not leave a mound waist high in front of the window, here.
As well, there is a puddle that forms at the NE corner of the flower bed [ low spot ]. When I lifted some blocks, I dug down two feet and used large gravel and fine gravel to create a dry well [ I hope ] hoping that the water now has a place to go.

⛴ seven it is .....

  ⛴ ... for us, the end of the Long Weekend or Bank Holiday. The view .....
Eternal Blue. Green and growing down here

Coffee and typing .....  Jobs for the week. set up the Samsung Mini LED TV, 55 inch.

🚚 6 th of the IX

  🚚 ... the journey to here and now.  8 AM - awakening starts 
9 AM eggs, garlic toast, bacon and coffee at the Q ' 
10 AM quick farewell and off for home
11 AM somewhere on the # 401 heading E and to T.O. traffic medium busy and flowing

12 noon and some, returning MT s at the beer store  and ordering Church s chicken for EX meal sometime this aft

1 PM and some sharpening spade bits that had been used and abused. Very rough effort, and the wear was noticeable on the bevel. I can now see the unlikely possibility of resetting the blade. Ah, ' the struggle is the glory '

2:20 P, and exercise complete. sweat galore and purging of toxins [ yeah, sure ]

plenty of water and lemon - rehydrate in progress

Alright ! the view is sunny and green - Eternal Blue

💚💚 septembrinus 5

 💚💚 .... quite different being away -  no other sounds but the vent fan. Eternal blue and the lightest of wispy cloud. Wow, a sleep in for me and then shower.
There are eight sleepers here, I am trying to make no noise

later, gator 

Got out fishing - very conservation minded. caught nada

Road report

 The view. Eternal Blue and rolling hills as a backdrop to water sheet between the pines.All good. Coffee and waking

Lunchtime catch

🚙 sept 3

  🚙 ....... the clearing skies offer hope
flooding was the byword for the day
Typing and waiting for the brew

So nice 🙂 

. Managed to get out fishing at the Q on the Bee. Very good day.

 However fish were a little sparse. I got one bass and Dave got one bass plus little ones but great time.

 Sun was out fairly strong but the wind was Northwest swinging to West and quite pleasant out there. A good day !

🚕 septembering 2

  🚕 alrighty. another month. letting you know that the view is damp and gray. that was audible, notable rain.

Coffee is warmed from yesterday. Groggily doing my duty

realized, sometime yesterday. I was concerned re : filling the gaps in the stone re structure of the flower bed, some of the gaps are too small to squeeze in binder material. slight adjustment needed

well, the question of rain to settle in the stones in the re structured flower bed is moot. Dirt is settled and packed by now

On the TV front, we have a 55 inch Samsung Q - something but it has mini LED lighting
which means ' better ? '  [ we hope ]. The rationale is: prices are not going down amid tarriff controversy or tit for tat. 

Kaboom is the battle cry of the day - all day from 3 P on ...... swimming pools of rain, white flashings across the darkening sky

🚥 September the first

  🚥 ..... and the view is damp and will remain that way.
Liar ! starting around noon the sun broke out. Yes, a touch of haze but sun

In house activities incl., the arrival of the PSW for help. Registration for mail in voting. Just easier. Checking out holiday rentals [ pretty sure that we will go back to Wellington ]

And out front to the de structured flower bed. Certainly, not a work of art. But is it good enough for a fall and winter. Criteria, safe to walk on and level enough to allow snow clearing.

The plan is to create a centre piece form a baby carriage and flower pots [ ? ] to make a perimeter and that will do the fall into snowfall. Once the snow comes down, take away the     ' art ' and leave the area bare

Almost there, then. 

and yes, clouding over for the last hour or so.

🚄 thirty one and ... Augustinian is gone

  🚄 ... or will be.
" what I've got they used to call the blues  ... [ from Rainy Days and Mondays - Carpenters ]

shiny and glistening is the view ... rain overnight and dripping still

ochazuke in hand, coffee in the thermos or vacuum bottle

a slow morning, so you might ask - ' what comprises a fast morning '. Today, TV for 2 h, comprising ' Patience ' the Br crime drama and some YouTube Videos '
Hemmed and hawed [ that takes a lot of time, you know ]
Finally, figured exercise might break the doldrums

Exercised done and so am I !

Köstritzer Edel Pils - bonus.  currently, my beer of choice

💡 30 th aug

  💡... sitting and typing. view. is gray and threatening for sure. Tea is waiting

and it became, ochazuke ! bonus

OK. the house is mostly prepped for fall and winter. gutter guards. heating cables.
As well, two trees had started shedding leaves about a week ago. Thus, very timely preparation.
One task remaining. the downspout at the back needs re structuring. It is metal and freezes especially at the bends or elbows. A more efficient tubing is required.

Sunday is Giant Tiger shopping day. We bought english muffin, dark sour dough rye, choco rolls, generic shampoo and a ' free ' replay for lotto 6 / 49. And pretzel and chips

I am indulging in vitamin G therapy. Guinness for health. ' life by the throat when you drinking Coke ' or Guinness

Sun is blooming over the view. Rain was splatterings for two hours or so

🏎 on the twenty ninth of the 8 th

  🏎  .... as the month slips away.
Yes, coffee and typing but a rag tag kind of morning. I slept til 8:30 but the cleaning neighbour comes at 10 - a kind of rag tag 1 h and a bit

Sunny out there, clouds have that gray to blackish appearance. Rain ????

Pineapple chicken and rice as the entree

Our day, or morning. The neighbour helper is here doing bathrooms. And outside the Roofer dude is doing gutter guard and ice cables. And we of course, sit and watch
or. I can YouTube the morning away

AND. does it feel weird having people work around your house. ????? maybe, today b / c it is outside and inside - all at once that is overwhelming

🚑 on the twenty eighth of the month

  🚑 ... waking up to the stair lift chiming b / c the electrics are out [ again, after 2 nights ago ] Emergency procedure dictates ' make tea and coffee ' 
now we'll survive the day. Electrics came back in minutes. 

Sunny and the Eternal Blue. Predicted cooling today. Warming up over the weekend

a reprint from notes, Aug 18 - > 

* T.O. drive was hectic til Pt Hope. W bound traffic seemed more intense. STOP at En Route, couple of clicks before X 522 turn off. Convenient w / Access, Parking.
Gas up on Hwy 33 just after turn off at ' flying animal ' gas station *

we were in Wellington, PEC from the 18 to 21

the day was quiet. some phone calls. 

🚙 ... august closing out sale is now ... on

  🚙  XXVII of augusting The morning so far. Coffee [ yesterday s brew ]. Gather fishing gear and out the door.
Headed for Pt Union Waterfront Park, about 8 Km away. Access to the Lake, and free parking.
A well organized, general purpose layout,  walking etc + playground facilities and exercise area.

The water was scummy w / the wind bringing in debris. The wave action was deep and breaking near shore. I tired a bit and gave up.
For an exploratory mission, it went well

Typing and looking at the view. Sunny but clouds are thickening a bit from earlier

Breakfast is clearing out the fridge b / c it is get garbage ready day. Regular garbage and recycling [ wet ]

We got WhatsApp d from UK relatives, they are stout hearted but burdened by family court trauma

My afternoon was. Nap. WhatsApp and exercise

🎃 26 th of augusting

  🎃 .... sitting and typing green tea in hand - coffee is perked and waiting
the view, is hazy and undecided big time. Rain is due but in 29 h or so [ ? ]

have a good 'un

follow up. the front flower bed dismantling. The situation at present, has the loose assembly of pavers etc covered by garden fabric. The pavers need time to settle. Especially, in this case, where the bedding is inconsistent and the pavers [ split stone ] not flat faced either.
Thinking ahead, I envision sand filling the gaps and then adding resin sand [ polymer on sand particles ] that will harden.
Esthetically, the baby carriage is a distraction from the crap underneath.

🚜 augustinian 25

   🚜 ... coffee in hand and typing, looking out on ...... a clearing day. Some warmth will build in. Rain chance is small

follow up. maybe time is sobering, maybe reality is reality. the re construction on the flower bed structure, looks ragged. Now, I do intend to fill the gaps between the slabs. What with, well, its being considered. Options include aggregate [ varying sizes ], patio sand [ will harden slightly, polymeric sand which will set quite solid [ and cost $ 250 to 300 ] or mortar [ like in bricks or block construction ].
Cheapest is sand
Expensive is the polymeric sand [ easy to apply and sets ]
Aggregate can be a good choice but might need topping [ to limit air gaps ]

mortar is what they used to use and CURSE in big letters

I'm trying a garden baby carriage as a focal point or distraction, bought 15 years ago. Rusty and supposedly ornamental
- just a try for fit and suitability

" little by little, we meet in the middle .... "

For temporary or semi temporary cover, mulch loosely layered. Or garden fabric stretched over the opening [ anti - weed also ]

back from shopping at $ 170 [ way below are average of 220 ] at Metro

⛽ 24 th of augustinian

  ⛽ ... sitting and no coffee  - yet. Dreary day and dribbles fall. Somehow, there is a lawnmower humming

more, when I awake. Breakfast was tomato and smoked meat on a rye sauced w / mayo and mustard

the project out front. it is not a large area. Approx nine rectangular stones 8 inches in depth, roughly 20 - 25 inches in length and ten inches across.
After this morning, I had approx 18 stones but only 3 - 4 inches in depth. Basically, the stones were halved horizontally, where they were easiest to separate [ layered construction ]. 

The weakest portion closest to the puddling water was deepened and filled w / coarse stone and topped by smaller aggregate and then sand [hoping for better drainage ] The limestone screenings that I dug out was soaking wet.
Now, the whole 4 x 4 area is covered in sandstone slabs but there are large [ 1 - 1 1 / 2 inches ] gaps b / c the slabs are irregular in shape on the ends and slightly on the sides. 

The hope is that these slabs will settle [ and they will in the coming rain and time ]. Next, I perhaps can cover the area  w / fairly fine stone to level out the appearance. 
The area will be covered by 4 flower pots or containers so people will not walk on the area. In winter, I hope that I can remove the pots and the landscape service can shovel the area.

Now, I wait for gravity to do its job and settle the slabs.

🚇 August 23 in MMXXVI

  🚇 coming at you live, from the window seat. view, is gloomy and threatening 
of course, the sun streaks some light as we sit here [ w / tea ]

Being Sunday, a Giant Tiger run is planned for milk, cheese, coleslaw, and meat pies plus ?????
follow up. Well, $ 58 later and I was out of the Tiger. Xtra s include pretzels [ not the culprit ] and a flap steak [ last layer of a bottom round ] which can be tough and grainy. However, takes a marinade well
Obviously, flap is prime for experimenting.

And yes, the rain came. However, I went ahead w/ a little project in the walkway.

 There is a raised flower bed 4 x 4 ft bordered by slate or some layered rock slabs. This arrangement sticks up about 4 or 5 inches above ground. Very little grows in the bed and actually, the structure is an impediment to snow removal [ leaves too ] and gets in the way for walking 

My solution was to turn the stones on their sides and level the whole thing. 

On first try the rock split horizontally. Hence the slate call or its sandstone 

 So, split them all and take the tops and put them into the middle, sealing the hole.
It was raining but I split 4 stones, a third of the way done. But this job is doable.

I've been procrastinating b / c last year, I tried lifting the smallest stone. A manageable piece but the biggest stone was 4 x that one 

🍥 the 22 of 8

  🍥  oh kay, back in the window seat, coffee and typing and wondering if I am awake

the view is threatening but that s been the pattern - swirling rain fronts

is the holiday relaxing ? different and we didn't do a lot. Even ate - in one day. the major trauma was my bite wound [ horsefly ???? dragon or gila monster ]

further to the week that was : FISHING or rather my kind of fishing or what I actually did.
Dreaming of far flung oases w / hidden lakes and fly in fishing  NO
I was able to walk down to the dock in three minutes. Drop in a trout magnet [ lure type ] and haul out 3 and 4 inch sunfish at will. Coming along were Largemouth bass ranging from 6 to 8 inches and up to 12 or so. Perfect for me.
New. Actually, what I have always loved and been able to do. 

The reality. Going to a new place requires some prep and luck. Not knowing the actual water conditions depth / weed cover etc I packed a varied assortment of lures and hooks. Turns out that my first go to was the charm.
 A trout magnet kit is based on  1 / 32 weight jigs and 1 inch plastic tidbits. Really, tubes of plastic stuff and a split tail. Nothing super special.
The sunfish took runs at the offering and swallowed the trout magnet.
That was my fishing. Yes, tried other ideas but came back to the original every time

rain and thunder and white flashings as the day ends

 

🗼 21 days into the month of aug

  🗼and the day was superb. Full sun, wind and seasonably mild
We have been away. So, finally, back in the window seat, looking at the street.
Comments.
relaxing ..... yes, I would say
truth here, I got bit on Tuesday in the lower thigh, four inches above the knee. Wednesday thru today, itching but burning mostly. I have been icing the area [ night and day ]. I was up three times to ice in the night

This is hay fever season and my histamines are already engaged. I guess any irritation rises to inflammation level under the circumstances

🏰 on the 20 the of Auggie

 🏰 an alternate day, away, coffee, yes, view rustic and fishing [ see a real change ]. And no fish sacrificed themselves this morning

rain threat lingers

Follow up: 12 noon and gloomy overcast scene  Met a former student for breakfast and catch up 

Further contact,Margaret w / long time teacher friend.

Quite the day

👹 Road notes for 19 the of VIII

 👹Coffee and everything bagel w / light touch of PB and J. View is a bit more rustic than usual  Highlights are trees and drizzle verging on steady 

Managed to slip out between the drops and wet my line. I decided to go a tad heavier and bigger. Plenty of hits but the takers were small ish. Overconfident sod !

Another try. Official results 2 X my bass count 

Lost a 2 # Largemouth at the dock in the scum mat

Over 20 sunfish - Victory in the lily pads

🫘 on the 18 th of VIII

  🫘 ... beans you say. This morning check in. Watered the wild flowers. Coffee and typing outlook on a sunny, slightly humid feel

Much to do w / seemingly plenty of time - always dangerous that bit.

Sun is dominant under the Eternal Blue. The Swedish have a traditional saying ' you can't slide in here on a shrimp sandwich ' - meaning denying privilege 

Lunch today was a ' East coast Nordic Shrimp Roll '   - flavourful hot doggy bun filled w / baby crustaceans blended in mayo and crisp veg / seasoned by Old Bay ( just like at home )

🏞 XVII of the eighth

  🏞 sitting in the window seat at a gray world w / streaks of sun flickering and flashing thru

tea in hand, trying to wake up
more later

a slow rolling morning, ended at 11 AM. Breakfast call at the Magic Noodle. Oh, yea, won ton soup and gamo. A bit different, but very Asian. I met A ... for the purpose of transferring a fishing rod [ from the Q ' ] to the Subaru for possible fishing

Sorry. Sunny day w / built in humidity. The prospects certainly picked up from 7:30 A

🧑‍💻 airwoman of VIII

  🧑‍💻 ... what is the title ? I mis typed and the auto correct offered ' ........ ' you got it

I will look it up onAI

Slow start to the day. Rice, fish and cabbage for brekkies. Beer at 11:45 AM
Did manage a run to the Tiger, for $ 58 but ...... I bought a XL light tan cotton mix over shirt for summer as a cover up [ anti sun and anti bugs - b / c the bugs have been nailing me, especially, below the hat line ]

On fishing. Spring and into June brought work on the marine railway. An estimate for hiring out the job - started at $ 7 K, and that was lowball calculating. Real number more like $ 10 000.
Using friends and A ... as the erstwhile foreman, the cost came down to $ 3 000 and some hundreds { ? }. There is a problem of the used lighter rails and trolley [ might be of some value. That was always going to be an extra

I figure July 15 was my first fishing trip out. Since, maybe, 5 trips. All short - leave early / come home early. WL says August is always a tough month - I figure most months are tough

5 bass and shut out the last 4 trips.

💎 15 augustus

  💎 ...the Ides of Augustus, is upon us. Well, sitting and re  hydrating. Clouds are gray and threatening.

barely awake but should make tea ? n'est - ce pas ......

on sleeping culture or habit .... I was finding myself, alternately warm ish and then cool. Wearing a robe to bed seems to be the solution

revisio. sunny day / winds gusting. fine summer weather

exercise on schedule. hit the benchmarks

🍣 on the 14 th of the VIII

     🍣 ... is this part of the ' blogger-verse ' ? or more

Sitting and typing ..... casino app 201 and ochazuke
errands are Shoppers and oil change at Speedy

the morning report : Speedy. mechanic said that he was glad to see the car in good shape. Cost, all in, oil change and quick once over $ 120.

Shoppers was quiet and in and out accomplished. Detoured by the Liquor store. As a reward, naturally.

Thus, both vehicles are reliable and the Subaru hits the road soon 

Fishing. Dad took us fishing at 6 y.o. or so And three score and ten later, still doing it and looking forward as well 

🍑 13 th of the VIII

    🍑 .... sitting and sipping hot and sour soup. the view is sunny and still. Rain ? likely hanging round. As mentioned this is the El Nino pattern for the summer. 

Sleep was knockout city. Tired of what

follow up : the standard system for my Boat and ETec, does not connect the primer circuit to the engine. Thus, pushing in the key would not prime the engine. BUT, there is a note saying to pause before turning the key - aha, a pause, as in ' push twice ' 

🌀 ...Summer Wind ....

  🌀 .... came blowing in .....

August 12 mixed day. Up at 5:15 A On the road at 6 A. Coffee and BLT ( sad, w / egg and no mayo - dry and mediocre)

Bass boat launch was trouble free. Engine balked and caught. Fishing was meager. Not super hot. Breeze intermittent and refreshing.

Now. The hiccups. On the stairs down to the river, a shed size tangle of branches semi obscured - everything after a tree limb snapped! After fishing we cut a path. ( not me, b / c I was phone trapped explaining the mess to A ... )

Starting the ETec 1. Today, I turned the ignition key, waited for LED s to cycle and turned the key ' On ' .... pushed in the key in twice. Engine caught, purred )

The conundrum : the written instrxns  mention that the ETec is self starting. But IT doesn't! That move is called ' priming '

Instructions are not correct. The start up needs the prime action

Over the years, I have waffled back and forth ... but now, I think the engine needs the priming

Live and learn

🚙 XI of eight - imous

  🚙... dreary in the ' boro. Cuppa and looking out on gray, cloud cover high 90 %

predicted T storms, I believe. While I sit and wait for an oil change and check. This business, Speedy, is new but reputedly, reliable

We shall see said the Zen Master

How an oil change turns into $ 1 100. B / c the shop suggested, change the spark plug and drain and refill the transmission. Further, details, in fall 2025, I opted for 2 transmission fluid drain and fills. The math says that approx 1 / 3 of the transmission fluid is in the engine parts and doesn't exchange. I did 2 transmission exchanges to clean out approx 80 % of the transmission fluid.
When the shop today, said the transmission fluid needed an exchange, yes, good timing.PLUS, the hop suggested changing the spark plugs. And, since I cannot recall, changing the plugs .... well, likely time ? right !

there you go, $ 1 100

And the Subaru goes in Friday

Dinner was throw together but delish. Potatoes pan fired til golden. Scallops wrapped in bacon, mixed veg

🛺 X of eight MMXXVI

  🛺 .... shady out there [ no Eternal Blue showing ] Tea and typing .... looking out on the street

A day of errands. License and Health card renewal s. Easy and quick. Them. Lunch out at Tara Pub
Rare afternoon outing. Quite successful. Best of all, it helped build  M ... s confidence

🫘 IX of VIII

   🫘 .... sitting and typing, 2 day old coffee. Sun and the Eternal Blue. Still got that the humid feeling as we are in that loop or cycle [ storms etc ]

And I am getting bit [ as in insects ]. Watering the wild flowers this AM, right on the calf. Poof, just like that

Sunday rituals incl a trip to Giant Tiger. And coleslaw, breads and eggs

The day is sunny and humid. Breeze is essential

Exercise completed. Nothing outre to report

Dinner was  M ... s chili and garlic bread

🛵 eighth of the VIII

  🛵 or 26 / 08 - 08. Late getting to the blog. We were readying the house for the NCL and I was playing w / the ' new ' foyer light up lantern. Bigger and brighter, very deco

dreary outside. rain is around and about

sun popped out. still humid as all get out

House is cleaner. All floors on the first done plus the kitchen
Well done. I mean the house feels like someone cared, always a comfort. 
Yes, we need help maintaining the place.
c.f. moving out or seniors residence. easier but then you are paying someone to walk and do things

🚕 7 th augustus

  🚕..... sitting and typing. Tea and rice cooking

Long day, Wed. Up at 5:15 AM home at 8:30 PM
Hot and humid day, broken by clouds and sudden downpours BUT we were in the boathouse, each time. Plus, the work was all to make recovery of bassboat simpler

How are you feeling tired but up. Weren't you supposed to sleep, like - forever, guess not b / c I was up at 7 AM

Visited the Speedy garage not  " Muffler, anymore "  recommended by the neighbour. A competent advisor addressed the need for an oil change etc. Going in next Tuesday.

Walked in to Princess Auto, $ 48 late - I escaped. Some fishing jigs ( $ 6 for 10), re use  owels and gloves plus string lights.

the string lites are LED and programmable. In the front foyer, seasonally, there is a welcome to " Las Vegas " flashing sign. The sign is 7 inches tall. Soon to be replaced by a 30 inch tall lantern cage [ glass sided ] and yes, string lights - suspended in the glass sided enclosure.
Stay tuned for the latest pix

🀄 augustus 6 ieme

  🀄..... a day away. Fishing for two hours and a bit. Then we worked to make the bassboat dock in the cradle - more easily
success, the jury is out
 a long hot and humid day. not back breaking ,but tedious and relatively useful
We shall see said the Zen Master [ yeah, one of those

🚏 aug 5 in the ' boro

  🚏 sitting w / coffee but weak tea first. Sunny is the view, Eternal Blue. Wind seems fairly still.

A .. will come today and take  M ... to the hairdressers. And fish and chips for lunch [ ???? ]

Project projection screen ..... rating a dismal pass. WL ... gave me a full size projection screen. The frame sets up as 6 x 6 ft w / a base framework  that goes back 3 1 / 2 ft. Downstairs, in the fireplace room it looks like half the room is screen.
Thus, I used half the poles and no base. The frame could sit on a console. The screen needed to be cut down to size. 
I ended up using double sided tape [ very stick and a pain ] to fold the screen over the pole s and tack the free end down. There was a bit a looseness in the surface.
The trial projection was alright but likely 80 % of true appearance on the laptop. Further research verified that the brightness and reproduction would be limited. The projector is rated at 300 nits and for reference that 300 is barely adequate for a computer screen.
Well.
In summary, not a tragic loss. The screen came free and the abridged setup can still be used. The projector is fully portable and I do have ideas about uses

The plans fell thru/ I drove M ... to the hairdressers. 
After. I zipped up to Chartwell Plaza and Yogi s Noodles. A 35. Beef noodle and wonton plus Chinese greens and soya milk. There is Bak choy in the soup as well.
My new favourite. It is food court style eating but 13 dollars. { keep the soya milk please

Next was Bestco [ Asian food store ]. At the hot table area, I bought inari                         
 [ aka ' suitcases 'from our growing up ]. Chicken pot pies [ on the sweet side ]. Frozen corn and dessert

🫖 augustus IV MMXXVI

  🫖 .... truck is back. Woke up at looked out and Ridgeline was in the driveway. A .. back form the airport run.

Ahead ..... ????  Full sun and Eternal Blue. Sitting and ochazuke AND Mc D s coffee first in the driveway

Buy a new TV !!! says M ...
instead, I fiddled for two hrs to produce ' a wavy screen ' for the projector. Analysis : the bristol board was superior
YouTube videos did emphasize that screen irregularites was a big bug a boo. Even expensive screens show the waviness along the edges

So, off to Michael s or Staples for a type of board  that is slightly relective or maybe even matte

🧥 augustus 3

  🧥 ... dreary and sitting tea this morning ... hydration is key

yes. rain overnight. part of the cycle that we are in Ah, El Nino, as predicted, cooler and rainier

on retirement. how can you tell ? Firstly, A ... has my truck for  luggage portage to the airport. BUT air crew strike cancelled flights - with the chance of re- booking, ' tomorrow '. He left his sedan.
While waiting cor news this AM, we began watching ' Pan Am 103 ', the Lockerbie 747 crash [but becomes bombing after 20 minutes ]. Sat and watched
meanwhile, I was exploring screen setups for the projector project in the fireplace room

🥭 🥭 080226

  🥭 🥭 ... peeled my 2 nd mango in 76 yrs. This last was smaller at tangerine size.

sitting in the window seat, tea and watching the rain pelt down. Precipitation was expected      [ part of the swirl around pattern ]
TG, the view is dominated by silver leaf dogwoods, pine and maple

I accomplished the Giant T. run. Slippers and ice cream bars were the target and I spent $ 42 all in. Actually, more or less essentials.

Rain is alternating between threat and buckets - the crash of thunder too !

My latest project is an ' alternate to buying a new TV for downstairs '. That Sony wasn't hooked up to cable and I was using a laptop [ HDMI or Chromecast ]. So, using a projector would be the same. Indeed, the projector was purchased 2025, acknowledging the age of the 2 Sony TV s.
I purchased a 50 inch screen [ tabletop, ?? ] but in the meantime, WL .... offered a full size projection screen.
I spent time on Friday and Saturday, trying to jerry rig a setup. This afternoon, I taped a bristol board to a picture frame. The image produced is better than the screen.That s b / c I can take the flex out of the bristol board but the screen floats on the edges as assembled.

💬 080126

  💬 .... sitting in the window seat ..... at a gray world. we are in an up and down system, rain and such
still a pleasant view
... from ' Dr Strange ' [ the sorcerer ], the quote,   " the bill comes due, the bill always comes due ...."

Yep. feeling the fishing days, ooh, groggy this morning. Well, that was two mornings up at 4 or 5 .... ' ah, the struggle is the glory ... [ from, the Ghost and the Darkness ]

ncl [ neighbour cleaning lady and reconteur ], did the bathrooms and upstairs floors.

from WL .. a projection screen. Full size - half the room. I'm re jigging and using half the aluminum bars and connectors. Picture as projected,  80 % the quality of the TV.
I did move the console out of the way BUT now, I'm thinking suspend the screen from the ceiling [ less bars ] and bring the console back

🐟 073126 ... what you learn ...

  🐟 ..... or should know when you go fishing ..... like today. Full sun and Westerly wind [ began that way, swung S or SW ].

obviously, not in the window seat. However, friends came fishing to the ' bee.

Alright. boat launched w / little hiccups [ very small ]. Engine ran and purred. Even on a Friday, long weekend, out early w / light boat traffic. Friends daughter [ 6 yo ] likes fishing.

Not much doing so she read her book, fished ,read her book.

OK. lessons learned. good people are fun to be with.   Duh !!!!
Pleasant day up there. No pressure [ no fish ] laughing and getting sunburn [ not bad ]
Only out three hours, came home for noodles in N Scarborough. Fell fast asleep while on the computer. 

🛢073026

  🛢typing and ochazuke. summer morning. motorcycles and lawnmowers
Eternal Blue ....

slept thoroughly, feel groggy but can function

🥭 0729 2026

  🥭 getting the fruit out of a mango ... .

Sort of got it right ..... messy..... inelegant at least  .. best done over the sink 

fishing was excellent but shut out again [ sunfish hit a spinner, TY mr sunfish ]

yes. tiring. up at 4 ish AM. D  ... drive and then WL. No complaining.

🐂 ... the week of the .....0728

  🐂 ... if you cannot follow along w / the theme of the blog .... thats OK
serendipity comes to mind or .... worse

 a phone call this morning, informed me that again, I am a pack animal or the Ridgeline is.
" it won't fit in the car !, we'll load into your truck "
this is SOP [ standard operating practice ] for the Q '
... transportation central or ' gofor ' QMH [ go to ?? ]

typing and coffee w / the view which is not uplifting - gray and expectant. rain bucketed last night
I broke out the ladder and cleared the gutters or the downspout opening [ clogged w/ leaves ]

when you come to realize your value, it comes down to ...... THIS ? handy or useful or last gasp

bringing back, good stuff ... 0727

  a repeat .... b /c it looks good

we' ve been enjoying the new location and display

the view : hazy and large chance of rain .... Tea on hand and typing 

Apparently, the TV and Bell system don't sync or forget after some minutes. E Z peasy until, there is no sync. We'll keep trying. Annoying but fixable [ again ! ]

Co ordination between TV and Bell system better

🎢 jul-ly 26

  🎢 ...... Eternal Blue has scattered and fluffy cloud / sun is out.  a pleasant AM

coffee and typing viewing the world from the window seat

Morning goes smooth. M . ... s friend A ... Dropped by ( from Whitby ). Casual chat, re telling travel stories etc

THEN. No TV. Cable boxes light up. Front power lights go on - blink and go out 

After many un plugs/ power drain s and full power drain s. Nope

Advice says that the blink rate indicates a LED backlight strip that is faulty or the power module is toast. Either way, no fix'em, keemo sabe !

We ended up calling neighbours and bringing up the downstairs TV

Alright. After re sync, situation normal

Minus a TV

🇩🇬 julius is 25

  🇩🇬 ... sitting in the window seat, typing and ochazuke [ green tea version ].

cloudy Eternal not Blue. Rain ? nice and cool tho ' and not stuffy humid. Watered the wildflowers, or soaked them b/ c I got right down to the stalks and soil, not watering over the top

I was thinking [ always dangerous ] while talking to the neighbour cleaning lady [ ncl, from now, that you need to invent or create, constantly. To wit, we were looking at a cardboard drawer stand that I made. Not pretty or even all that useful but a cardboard box with slots for beer flats [ Eagle IPA, of course ] acting as a file structure. Now, I expanded the cut outs to open the storage up

Always be inventing.  follow up. this room, ' computer central ' is being tinkered with  .....

..... a small metal rack, originally was suspended below the shelf arm to the left of the desk on the upright post. Likely, for CD storage? It is now re positioned above the shelf [ tacked w / tape ].
... we shall see said the Zen Master. The rack can hang spare charging cords and pads etc

I brought out a cork bulletin board that was squirreled away [ hidden ? ] and might be a photo display board [ we shall ... .... ... ... Master ]

reporting : the day exploded into sunshine and patchy clouds

Besides re organizing the world, we got out grocery shopping and left $ 200 at Metro. All essentials, batch

Slept after a wedgie snack w/ my coleslaw    ( coleslaw green s, Mayo, fruit cocktail and raisins ) and vitamin G ( aka Guinness).

🏞 24 th of julius

  🏞  ,,,,,,, ochazuke in hand and typing. the view ; high Eternal Blue and sun. Prediction say mid to high 70

but ochazuke is green tea base today. for a switch. milder [ of course ] quite refreshing. Quickie meal Add 2 pork ribs, yep, the leftover s that were re BBQ ed and warmed by micro. Not everyone s choice but me, yes

A little change up today, the neighbour is doing Friday clean not Saturday 

🇦🇶 23 rd of Julius

  🇦🇶 .... in the window seat and the view is ... high Eternal Blue / full sun .... temperature likely mid 70 s today. Black tea and typing. Both coffee and rice brewing / bubbling

reporting.... night time adventure. Leave the house at 10 :10 PM bound up the street to gas station row [ approx 6 ] for gas price reduction time. Shell station was chock a block at $ 1.60 per L. Noope ! Further on the king of the low price, Pioneer, was $ 1.62 / L BUT 4 cars for 7 bays.
I settled for the 162. 52 L in all. Checking this AM, Pioneer is listed at $1.79. Calculating, gets me $8.50 savings. First time, last time ?

the tale of the fishing trip. enjoyed the day [ or half ]. Fishing from 7:30 to 12 something. 
The upside. We had time for sushi lunch, check. I got home in time for exercise. check. And tired but survivable. Slept extremely well. check

On tea. I find it more re - hydrating or refreshing. Now, hype or real, both coffee and tea are caffeine sources, one is better than the other ?

Anomoly, breakfast was rice ( fresh ), check, and re BBQ d pork ribs. From Bestco, the ribs were FATTY so I figured re heating would render out fat 

Not too healthy but good, satisfying 

sitting and typing w / a coffee. thinking about fishing. For two weeks, I tried to make the new cheapie baitcaster work, no dice. 

I am resolved to get back to basics, using the old dependable three rod carry in the boat. I was attempting to lessen the clobber in the boat. B / c two of the guys bring five rods apiece, nope, three

🐟 jul 22, anomaly in full ....

  🐟... the boro, but reporting,this AM at the Q '. Rain showers and sun w / wind at 12 MPH out of the West mostly and swinging to north in the 11 AM time slot/
I got skunked w/ one probable. Turns out that I have the best average but inconsistent effort 

great day. now, the weather. cloudy to gray skies that showed sun in gaps but allowed rain to sprinkle down

lunch was sushi. fair to good. Rice was soft and wet, fish very good

🌂 21 days in and ....

  🌂 ...... Kaboom ! summer T storms are here. copious rain and yes, the rumble and clash of ' gods bowling '.

tea is steeping and coffee from yesterday ... the morning begins

⛱ twenty days in .....

  ⛱ ... the ' boro from the window seat ...... high Eternal Blue and holding. does not appear hazy ... however we are still part of the cycle of winds carrying the particles

ochazuke and typing --- coffee on the brew

the outbound trip to N Scarborough. The Plaza is called Chartwell. 3 chunks, one is an indoor mall cum food court and 2 outdoor access pods. A long time favourite in the food court is a kiosk, Yogi s Noodles. 
Thus, lunch was at Yogi s. Beef noodle soup. Egg noodles, tasty broth and chunks of meat [ maybe beef ]. The bowl comes topped w / bak choy. The noodle are firmer than at Magic, less bulk and broth comparable for sure. OK. Compare. Yogi s suit me better. I can barely finish the amount at Magic [ and probably should stop ]

Across the parking lot is Bestco. A huge Asian market w / bakery and takeout food offered. I picked up sushi, roast pork ribs and bananas. Pork irbs are fatty and disappointing BUT I realized that I could cook them again and render out the fat [ lots of fat ]

🎌 Julius XIX

  🎌 ...... the view from the window seat. Eternal Blue has scattered clouds w / big sun and mild temperature.
woke late after a 6:30 A interruption for tea. And fell asleep til 10
Now

typing and ochazuke but already had a coffee and went to the Tiger. [Oopsy, forgot ice cream bars - bad, bad omission ]

Yesterday was a school track re union, for former people that we coached [ F .. and I ]

convivial and expansive

🍆 julius XVIII

  🍆.... or the eighteenth coming at you. the view from the window seat, Cloudy and overcast but I think the smoke is back. as in I can taste the aair

on tap is a track re - union for Leacock athletes most are in their 50 - 60 s

🪩 XVII of VII - much clearer .....

  🪩 .... the view from the window seat. Eternal Blue has patches [ rain is possible ]. I think the hope is that some rain may wash out the smoke particles  ... however, the supply of particulate is large and circulating.
might take some time for the air to return to previous quality

not much planned. so far, ochazuke and typing is the order of the day. sleepy.

above the bass from Wed fishing. enhanced by AI or Google photo edit [ I think, the bass looks good the guy not so }

 

All right, we're reporting

 accomplishments today include trimming the dogwood out front. It was running rampant, bushy long, obstructing the path so I thought I should do something about it. It felt good,to you know, just get something done

. I managed to take apart the $10 baitcaster reel that A ,,,  had bought for me and I managed to bird nest it up and render it useless in about 3 minutes last Wednesday out on the water.

 Well it turns out I could not have fixed it there because the line had actually gotten behind the spool onto the spindle and there had to be 20 wraps so it got wound up pretty tight.

 I managed to take the offside cover apart and put the spindle and spool back together again and .......  it still works which is kind of amazing

🕌 Jul 16

  🕌... air in the ' boro is much improved. not out of the woods yet. smoke and haze can cycle around and be on us. the Jet Stream has picked up this ' cloud ' of smoke and is porting the whole shebang - hither and yon

sleepy and doing the ochazuke thing, wake up and hydrate. coffee is brewed and sitting
it seems that my body and mind doesn't respond well to a 3AM start to the day

unfortunately, fishing was so successful - yes - we might do the early fishing shtick again

I can taste the air today

exercise completed

Lunch date at Magic Noodle. .... follow up, Shrimp Won Ton and noodles - excellent 

🧶 ...smoke on the water ... 15 / Jul

🧶.... or the scene, this day on the ' bee. Wildfires are sending their signals south to us. Hazy and slightly orange or reddish. sunlight muted and distant
.... fishing ' on fire ' sorry - bad pun. We began slow, [ for 5 minutes ] then WL .. got a 2 - 2 1/2 lb er. D... followed minute later. Me, nada ... .til a baby pike 20 inches grabbed my chicken rig.

w / , WL ... having success w / a plastic stick bait,  I switched to a pink Strike King stick.

For the next 20 minutes, I pulled in three largemouth, the biggest 3# +.
we managed some little stuff for fun

an hour later, I had two more hit, maybe a # er and another lm at 2 1/2 #

the new trolley arrangement balked twice and we had anxiety issues aligning the boat and trolley  . however, 3 guys got it done

lunch was at Starr Burger, not cheap, but ' oh, so tasty ' - thankyou Whitby !

🏪 14 th in VII

  🏪  .. yes, the month creeping along til, today, month half gone or half still to come
Last night, we picked up Kentucky Fried rat and french fries, in c.f. my air potatoes are good

in the window seat observing the ' boro, Eternal Blue and sun and hot

typing and ochazuke w/ coffee in the thermos

the heat peaks today

fiddling around. means creating a prop for the laptop. C 14+ is a larger baby than the others.  C 14+ is fanless and dissipates heat by radiation, therefore I figured if possible tilt the C14+ getting the bottom off the table [ better angle for the keyboard as well ]. Til this morning, I was using a thin flat strapping board to do this. But instead, I turned the board on its side and braced the board [ now the taller edge is raising the back of C 14+, even higher ]

As well, A .. gifted me w / a Chinese knock off baitcaster [ $ 10 Cdn ]. Well, to get it fit the lock mechanistic on the rod, I bent the cast lip of the reel. Yes, its cracked [ a bit ], so, this morning I gorilla taped the reel on further. Very Red neck sort of repair. BUT if it helps - good

🌋 hot time ..... Jul 13

  🌋... not today but coming to a region near you ....

... there'll be a hot time, Santiago tonight ..... [ re worked lyrics from, ' There 'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight ' for the Spanish American War ]
yes, we are on the cusp ....
 ' boro view, high Eternal Blue and sun, very humid as the heat preps for a three day run

our schedule shows an appointment this aft. OK. Typing and coffee [ M ... made it early ] however, rice is cooking, And ochazuke did not disappoint

we are in pending mode. awaiting this appt in the aft. A non exercise day and fiddling w / chores. The spare FOB for the truck failed to work, two weeks ago, yepper, finally, replaced the battery and tested fob.
Gathering clobber for the run up to the Q ' e.g. the towel that I borrowed, three weeks ago. Wisdom would say, take your own this time. Added the fillet glove [ steel mesh, anti cut] and new fishing line.

  

🌅 .... window on the ' boro

    🌅....... the Eternal Blue tinged w / white and full sun in the view
the window seat, ochazuke and typing

excitement was formed by England v Norway, and the Three Lions victorious. Not Easy but done

expecting raving heat in 36 h. thus, today should be a quick run to the Giant Tiger

follow up, did get coffee. but the tea / rice is so comforting, as hydration and easy to digest meal.

Tiger news. Cinammon buns, not on anyone s diet but M .. covets them. Plastic garbage bags, coleslaw, rinse aid for the dishwasher [ vinegar w/ food colour ] and bananas

Yes. hot and revving up for the week, it seems. In spite of that, we have a fishing run planned. The boat hasn't run yet, this year. Always, a question mark. And the boat euqipment is all over.
Safety especially.

exercise accomplished. AND I forgot my weight was # 174.4 on Saturday. Holding the line so to speak. Best part is that I am not suffering or deprived

🕯XI of VII Julius, n'est pas

  🕯' boro, now, Eternal Blue and sun. looking very crisp out there
typing ans coffee [ two days old ] the new stuff is burbling out there

the neighbour cleaning lady [ must be a nicer way of describing the arrangement - helper - yes, our neighbour helper ] is coming again.

On the pain control front. Using a cream on the knee. today, a massage and cream on the thigh - result is much lessened pain or discomfort. a tad of disbelief really but if it works . ....... Bonus !

our neighbourhood helper arrived and is on bathroom duty

follow up. we've dropped the monthly cleaning service and will go w / helper system. obviously, a trial and see process

🏭 tent of the VII

  🏭 ........ in the window seat, coffee and typing w / ochazuke steeping

patchy blue and sun. Thursday is getting the recycling out to the curb and Friday is waiting for the pick up process

ochazuke it is. satisfying.
I thought it best to note or mention, chores accomplished, to wit :
register the C14+ w / parent Co., Lenovo. Since I registered, the Duet [ laptop and Tablet ], I was in the Lenovo system.
As an ongoing preventative step, I sprayed Ant B Gon at the patio door entrance to the deck off the kitchen. 

exercise was scheduled, and despite some thoughts of problems, the numbers matched those of the Jul 6 session. Coughed a bit, otherwsise - all went smoothly

lunch was potato chips to finish the evil things - all gone. And soup from broth and leftover Chinese.

 

⛵ 26 / 07 - 9

  ⛵... hello in the  'boro on a sunny morn showing the Eternal Blue [ slight haze up there ]

typing and tea steeping [ soon to be ochazuke ] coffee is on as well
tummy warming start to the day, tea and rice

a lazy morning [ more than most ?  uhm, NO ]

on the agenda. a trip out for some needs, lean ground beef   [ smash burgers coming up, tonight ], Shoppers for M ... s scrips and gift bags from Dollarama and envelopes

shopping over amid the three downpours between 10:15 A and 11:30

reporting. the cold / cough episode seems to be waning. Phlegm in chest, for sure.

However, feel able to do things

🪃 eight and VII in the ....

  🪃 ..... ' boro. Ochazuke and typing.

sunny, going for fairly warm to hot. quiet out there. And I was late getting up.
fighting this cold / cough affliction.
Trying to lay off the cold / cough tablets, the stuff dries out my mucous membranes. Not particularly healthy to stay on the drying out meds too long.

I am feeling better w / the cough hanging on still.

I did take Robaxacet / Acetaminophen tablet, thru the day . And fairly sure, I will try the 12 h night tablet, so, I can sleep thru

🛋 seven / seven two six

  🛋.... in the ' boro, fighting a cold. I'm using the 12 h night and 12 h day cold / flu tablets

well, helped me sleep last night, knock out time

weather is damp and humid w / full sun

sleep time was a full 9 h or real close.

no plans for this day

coffee and typing replaced with , yes, ochazuke, again [ misspelled ocazuke and spell correct caught the error ]
why ? comfort, throat was dry and raspy 

Update: throat decidedly less irritated. However, sneezing a bit. Trying to relax and calm my system w / less food. Tea is soothing. Oh, had a beer ( w / lime slice )

dinner featured small chunk potatoes done in the air fryer. Peel, cut in chunks and soak in cold water. Dry thoroughly, douse in olive oil and sprinkle flavouring items as well. Aha, then bake for 10 minutes and finish w / the air fry setting to brown. getting quite practiced

on the sixth day of .....

  repeating the image

the ' boro from the window seat is
hazy and green. the rain has freshener the landscape

coffee and typing. welcome the day

and again, ochazuke [ tea and rice sans savory ] I enjoy the warmth and reminiscences that it brings
fighting a dry cough. solution stop post nasal drip. saltwater rinse at night

Been out for the Tiger 🐯 weekly trip. 1 st Monday is Seniors 15  % off . Very popular 

Skyland was all set out for takeout 

a disquieting afternoon. nap time. nope. couldn't settle in. read. wandered. filled in a rough area of wallpaper where anchor and screw failed to hold. Plaster was very shallow or the backing was close to the surface and hard. Other places had a rock like feel below the surface

🎋 the fifth of the seventh .....

  🎋....... or hello from the ' boro. Leacock peeps a shout out !

coffee , tea and typing ... from the window seat. we see gloom and rain is due. long bouts for 24 h. reporting a quiet Sunday

Breakfast was tea and rice, went to AL and asked for ' ochuskei ' and got corrected mega !!!!

" Ochazuke is a traditional Japanese comfort food consisting of cooked rice partially submerged in hot green tea, dashi, or broth, and topped with savory ingredients. It is an incredibly fast, customizable, and light meal commonly enjoyed as a late-night snack, a hangover remedy, or a quick breakfast "

all is good but the savory part - b /c not knowing any better ... I had rice / tea in fact, this morning, I used Irish Breakfast from Twinings c.f. Tetley s Orange Pekoe from Costco [ 1000 bags per container ] Irish is better, deeper flavour but not 1 000 bags for $ 20. 

I am experimenting w / lighting. In the upper hall, the ceiling pot lights are variable bulbs and some are on their last legs. We need light in the hall. BUT why or how important are the O / H lights. I recently, took down fake accent lighting from the living room. Basically, small spot lights like sconces [ slightly uglier ].
Hooked to a timer, I hoped, light aimed down the floor from a small table s platform would provide good visiblilty. The timer has an app and I can control the off / on via phone.

a good day weather wise. rain stayed away. sun came out

further updating. the wall hanging has migrated to a narrow wall adjacent to the bathroom 

might be the right place - fits nicely. colourful. previously, the purple hung on the wall going downstairs.
now, the location may be more of a focal point [ notice more ]
never can tell, we are experimenting. M ... approves
downside. the spot that was left vacant, now, has a small framed fish litho. Much too small  for the space, given that the purple sash is 3 1 / 2 ft

🛣 4 th of the VII

 🛣 ...in the ' boro. cloudy and gray. Heard the rain gushing down o / night. Some traces of wet

Coffee and typing. in the window seat

now, 8:44 AM and I've been on YouTube for 50 minutes. Mostly, the content was ' crabbing ' as in catching crabs or the dude that does crabbing and selling.
tiny bit of military from WW II. 
Off to breakfast.

the neighbour cleaning lady or ........ ????? ' K ...girl ' is doing kitchen counters and the floors from stem to stern on the first floor. This action is the result of the Monday get together here. B / c I didn't do anything really thru the week for clenup

🗺 III of VII

  🗺 ....sitting in the window seat, the view : green and white tinged Eternal Blue.
there is still the heat warning from Environment Canada. Now, yesterday, the day cooled off by 7 or so, quite pleasant. Apparently, tho ' the heat will build back in

very little planned. dinner is up in the air. a work in progress if thinking about it - is progress

Highlights so far : breakfast was tea and rice. Apple sauce and banana w / yoghurt 

Tea and rice. Growing up ochaske ( Japanese) was my main meal for months 

I'm reverting. As we all do. Home. Familiar. Safe

takeout tonight was roast beef dip / fries. quite a treat.

sadly. news is confirmed. a passenger in a recreational 17 ft boat [ approx ] fell overboard as a result of wake wash. the body was recovered approx 6 - 7 h after the incident was called in,
alcohol might have been a factor in the attitude and or / positioning of the passenger

this event was on the ' bee near Peterborough, quite a bit N of any water that I would travel on. the body was recovered at Bensfort bridge which is a locale that I might visit twice or so in a season.