Good morning all. Scotty doing better. Doc gave him a breathing machine to try and it is helping already. They gave me a shot for my poison. Scotty is going to take Emodium AD to regulate his system and we both go next Wed for blood work. Maybe someday we can go out and eat,WOOOHOOO!!! HUGS BEV
OH Bev, that is such good news! Amazing what a new doctor who will actually listen can do!
Keeping you both in our prayers
Debbie and I love that flower!
Thank you!!
Bev, sounds as though this new doctor is just what you both need...I'm glad that Scotty will breath easier...
Debbie rain found us, thought the gates of heaven had opened up, but not to worry, I was with Elvis...lol
Hard to see the rain but holy smooooley it rained hard..
Called Cathy and a few friend, but only Cathy had no plans so off we went..I've got to be the luckies, drove into town, the 740 radio bus was parked and wow left a little spot which I fit right into..
Not knowing exactly where to go we got out of the car and there not 20 feet away was a sign...'Biggest Elvis Venue tent' so we simply walked in and there were a few seats up front and there we sat for 5 1/2 hrs. listening to some of the best Elvis impersonators one can find..a few didn't look a lot like Elvis but I tell you, if you closed your eyes you'd have thought he was singing..each doing 1 non stop 1 hr. set...
Got Cathy to take my photo with 2 of the Elvis's but she's not much of a picture taker..too funny!
OMG I met a live wire, they were all the way from London, she was hell bent to election..lol.. so funny and entertaining..you'd have thought I was her oldest best friend..she took such a shine to me...
There was a little dance floor next to us, 1,000 people and Inga and I started to dance, not opposed to hamming it up...
another great photo taken by Cathy..lol
Now for some Elvis...
This young Elvis came from Australia for the competition
His wife and 4 month old child were also in attendance...enjoying the day..
Lordy this Elvis was tall...but entertaining
What a good sport this Elvis was, and, omg could he sing and dance like Elvis...he was A+
Takes a good sport and entertainer to work these old gals into the routine...omg/hillarious...you can see my newly met friend, but lordy I behaved..thank goodness I didn't have a drink or I might have been there with them..lol
What a fantastic singer this Elvis was, he was from the Maritimes...
Young and old Elvis entertained..this gentleman was from England..
This young Elvis came from Switzerland...amazing voice
Sure didn't look like Elvis but got to tell you he had such a powerful voice..did sound like him..
He was from Windsor (neighbor to Detroit Mi) and I'll post a photo of his brother who also could sing like Elvis
Other brother
This mc had to be the best I've heard..not only entertaining but what a singer
The Elvis's I've shown are but a few, there were hundreds all singing at different locations..some venues in major hotels..seeing as we parked right in front of this door, why not enjoy what there was....
Oh the Elvis festival wouldn't be a festival without having
Elvis sideburns...
And that's been my day...
Best...all around fun day..lots of laughs, I've danced, I've entertained and just enjoyed...
Worse..earache..got to go find something to ease the pain..
What did I learn. I sould so easily have stayed home today and just relaxed, not done much, but I had wanted to go to the festival and now that I did..will go the 2 days and perhaps stay for the finale which would have been tonight..next year, well let's just say I've scheduled it on my calendar..a must to see...hey why not plan on visiting me then?????
Here's Cathy...
so glad you had such a good time!!! Looks like a lot of fun. You do really need to teach Cathy the ins and outs of the camera!!! LOL Tell her heads are more important than feet!!!
Well Debbie, was that enough of Elvis for today????
OoooHHH almost forgot Jeff's day 10/11
Sure hope I'm not boring you all...
Jeff's Day 10/11 - defining moments
If ever there was a day that tested every ounce of energy and determination I could muster, yesterday would have been it. I am writting this email sitting on a picknic table in Hastings. Yeah, I said it "HASTINGS". 12 hours 45 minutes and 60.5km after setting off from Peterborough at 9am.
It did come at a price though, my right hand is now pretty much useless, it's 10am and the first time I can actually hold my blackberry to type. Has been sore since day 1 cause I probably didn't know how to paddle correctly yet and now it's telling me enough already. Shut up hand, we are not stopping now, will tape up with duct tape today though, maybe that will help. I also sprained my middle finger days ago on the same hand and that isn't making matters any better, I can barely bend it but no swelling, last night I cut my ring fnger on the same hand getting kayak out of water (it hates me now) "does this look infected?" Other than that I'm in great shape, yes tired of course but no issues other than the hands and wrists.
I can almost see the finish line, it's about 100km 17 locks thatta way --» and 5 days to do it. All major lakes have been conquered and it's basically canal paddling until the bay of quinte and lake ontario, childs play at this point. It's funny, I have this foldout pamplet which shows the entire trent waterway, it folds open to a 7 by 2 section map, I no longer have to open it as the rest of the trip is on that last little page, amazing to look across the entire map and say, oh yeah, I did that.
My nephew may join me for the last 3 days and that would be cool, glad I'm a day ahead now, I won't have to push him and he can relax and enjoy, gives me company for the last leg of my journey.
I've also estimated that over the entire trip I will have made well in excess of a quarter millon paddle strokes, somewhere north of 350,000. 32,000 of those puppies were yesterday. Here is how it went down.
At about 1:30 am the thunderstorm hit, was insane, wind howling and dropping buckets, I lie in my tent wondering if it's going over, felt like it, my tent holds up perfect and I stay completely dry, good tent worth the money, every last cent. I can hear the thunder clearly and the lightning makes it like daylight each time it goes off, I'm counting the time between and getting closer, perfect. Gets closer and all of a sudden a thunder crack like I've never heard, the hair on my arms and neck shoot straight up and my whole body shakes, now I'm nervous. Another half hour and the storm moves on, thankfully I get to sleep quickly. Next morning lock master says oh yeah we get hit by lightning all the time, thanks for warning, not sure if it did but that big one sounded and felt really close.
I wake up at 6 and it's overcast with dark cloudsw in the direction I'm paddling, have breakfast and take my time packing up, I set off around 9. This time I'm prepared for rain. Wearing wet shorts and a lifejacket, rain jacket stored beside seat just in case.
About half an hour in all the rain clouds are now behind me and it's a gorgeous day for the the rest of the trip, couple of quick sun showers but nothing crazy and was refreshing.
I make my way down the otanabee river which is about 30k as it goes into rice lake, My intended destination for the end of day 10. The river is a nice paddle and I see the most wildlife than any other day, I have family of ducks who paddled right up to kayak and folled for awhile. didn't want to scare em off by getting camera out, did get a picture as they left.
Oh and I came across the most elusive creature you will find on the trent, to the best of my knowledge this can only be found in this specific region. The "island goat" ok island offshore with two goats, first, who put them there? Second, why would you want to? They walk along and follow me down the island and I'm about 5 feet away, goats are cool but don't want them jumping on my kayak, that's all I need. I don't get out to go for a ride. Fyi, to ride a goat you have to lie backwards, hold the tail and wrap legs around their neck, don't ask me how I know that, it's like the whole cow tipping thing.
Paddling down the otanabee I can hear that "deliverance" theme song again pretty much everywhere. Wish I would have brought my guitar but now I'm thinking banjo all the way.
I almost into rice lake at 3:30, 30km and 6 and 1/2 hours later. I pull up on shore and make some lunch/dinner, been paddling straight and now hungry. Plus I have to now find a place to sleep for the night, nearest lock is hastings 30km away. I set off and hit rice lake at 4, slight favorable breeze, clear skies and calm water. Rice lake can be the worst lake if the weather sucks and want to make it as far as I can down, it's still early, keeping eye out for camping spot.
I make it down the first half in good time and now thinking to myself, hmm could I make hastings? It might just be possible, but still a long way to go, it's about 6ish now. I see the end of rice lake in the distance, now the wind starts to pick up and with 20km of lake to gain speed it gets rough, helps my speed though. Only problem is that I notice sky getting dark and the wind/waves have come up quickly, I don't have time to get the paddle skirt back on and not about to take hands off the paddle. Waves are crashing over the back and taking on water. I've learned that when adrenaline kicks in and storm coming, it doesn't matter how tired or sore you are, paddle hard and fast.
I get through the end of rice lake in record time and stop at mckraken landing. The rain never comes and clear again. Can barely move and literally have to pry the fingers of my right hand off the paddle and struggle out onto dock. Once on the dock I almost can't stand on my feet, they have been in wet shoes with sand for about four hours and they look like they've been soaked in water for a month, they just don't look right. After about half hour everything but hands are back to normal, I put on birkenstocks now.
Pump out cockpit, water was up to bottom of my legs, get my headlamp out as I know I'm going to be paddling in the dark tonight, it's 7:30 and still 3 hours to hastings, thankfully in calm water. I'm pretty tired at this point but already done almost 50k, what's another 10 or so, about an hour and a half from hastings the sun goes down, probably my favorite moment of the trip, water like glass, not a sound and just enough light to see. I wanted to paddle at night at some point and going to get my chance. The view of hastings at night as I come into the harbor is pretty nice.
As I paddle under the bridge, I'm not sure where to go, my light isn't strong enough to reflect the buoy unless I'm almost on top of it, and I see sheet lightning in the sky. Thankfully, my co-pilot kicks in and directs me in the right direction, thanks Andrew. I'm exhausted at this point and can't wait to setup camp and sleep, it's about 9:45.
Now the lowest point of my trip, nowhere really to camp, weirdest lock in the trent, camp is on other side of lock, which is a long par 5 away and over a road, I'm not carrying my stuff that far. I eventually find a little patch of grass literally behind the macs milk store and it's only a par 3 away. Unpack and carry all my gear to my site and will tell you, 35pound kayak on your shoulder after you just paddled 60.5km and carried 250 pounds of gear 200 yards is not a pleasant reward for a hard days work. Andrew googles camping at this lock for me and can't find any info saying no
I get 2 double cheeseburgers and a coffee from macs and devour. I finally get the energy to tak off life jacket and put on a shirt. Got a little too much sun during the day and prob should have put more sun screen on, arms and shoulders are a little tender. Ouch.
I crawl into tent and didn't even get to counting the 2 goats from earlier, I pass right out around 11:30. Storm never came or if it did I slept through it.
Woke up at 8 this morning which is sleeping in and was very stiff, took couple of hours to loosen up, hand not so much but better than last night.
There is a big carver yatch here who left the same area I did in georgian bayan we talk for awhile, they say they keep looking out for me cause the pretty much see me every day, it's like a game she said, where we going to find the kayaker today, she didn't expect to see me here though. Lol.
The lcbo is on the other side and they let the old folks from the legion next door use the grass for horseshoe tournaments. Watching them as I type, they say they are just waiting for 11 to start drinking. Old people are funny.
Going to start packing up now and head to heally falls for the night. Want something better to look at than the back of a macs store and if going to pack just to move to bottom of lock, might as well go to the next one. Only 20k away so should be a quick day, wind behind me too I think and sun is out.
Everybody I pass has had nothing but rain, I've had only one day so far and sunny every other day, amazing that the weather has been following me. Very thankful for that and has make the trip so much more pleasant. I guess it travels at 5kph too.
I will Barb..lol..
It truly was a lot of fun..great entertainment..no charge..had we stayed for this evenings venue it was $35.00 and I would have gladly paid it..should have made arrangements for someone to come and let the furries out...
Oh Betty, what a day! A wonderful one! Put me down for next year. I was just telling DH....and he was laughing. My Mom so loved Elvis...and I got that love for him from a very young age also. It gave me lots of smiles to see you and the Elvis impersonators. I hope I do better with pictures than poor Cathy did! LOL
We have had horrible weather....and a tornado. Not here butabout 20 miles south east of here. They said more storms tonight.
I am on DH's laptop and not typing well....so going to call it quits for now. I am fine, but feet/ankels are pretty swollen from being on them too much today. Ugh. And tothink I stayed home and cleaned!
waving hello to all.....
Debbie
Hello To All;
From last night lurking.... Tubby - I think what you have is a Mallow Hibiscus...do you not want to keep it? Because you can grow it there like your others...but I will dmail you my email.... (that sounds funny!)
Debbie - My Twin/Triplet....I do not like what I read...sounds as if you had an abusive SF....Gosh if so - you have been through a LOT....I hope I read that wrong...but if that is the case you have certainly moved on and up....so (((HUGS))) !!!!!
That's horrible to not take a child to the DR when they have a poison rash all over them...no reason for that...
Betty - loved your ELVIS DAY! Cathy looks as sweet as I know she is...I am so glad you have her there ...she is a special friend!
Well - I had a melt down today...
You all know what I have been through this week....First new job in 11 years...getting there 1 hour early every day...meeting new people...being "watched" and "judged".....being the last one to leave every night....I was a nervous wreck...so I needed a Nice Relaxing Weekend right?
Well - DH allowed DD16 to have a GARAGE SALE today....they were up ALL last night preparing... I woke up today to TOTAL CHAOS throughout my house...NO chores done....the House A WRECK....10 Teenagers running around 1/2 of them I didn't know....
Then DH's EX shows up (she's crazy) with DD2/15 and of course she's up in my carport looking through DD's garage sale stuff... I LEFT!
God must have been with me because somehow ....all by myself...I did find some peace and some help (Mother in law) with the situation...and all is better now ...but GEEZ...what a DAY !
Hugs to all,
I'll try to attach the 'deformed' but beautiful tropical hibiscus I tried to attach a few days ago.....
Mary
Hi All company this weekend...Shirley's DS & DB & SIL... They all went to bed...Now I can Get on computer..
I skip read pretty quick...
Rock & rool Betty..Sounds like you hed a blast..Good for you..
Mary the seeds will be comeing to you..
Debbie No problem with knee..It's the legs..WEAK
Shirley & I dug into the potato's in mulched leaves & grass clippings.. 4.06 lbs under thrre plants.
Fried chicken..New potatos..Sweet corn..From our garden..OMG it was Deeeeelicous..
Been a hot day here and more to come.....was my day to do flowers for Church, plus had several errands to run. Had to borrow mom's car as mine is still in the shop.
It finally started to cool down about nine so we took the dog for a walk.....a beautiful night out...
Betty....loved all the Elvis Pictures!
Oh Tubby....that sounds soooo good...I want to have dinner at your house!!
Hope everyone has a good night....
edited for bad spelling....
This message was edited Jul 25, 2009 10:15 PM
Our doors are always open to our friends..
Nite All
Tubby
Morning All
I fell kinda lonely here (Last one on first one on)..LOL
Got to show you this..Pic of gooseberry tomamto..Never seen blue tomato bloosum...Not the best pic..Will have to try again..Pretty thing..
Smile
John was on his deathbed and gasped pitifully.
'Give me one last request, dear,' he said.
'Of course, John,' his wife said softly.
'Six months after I die,' he said, 'I want you to marry Bob..'
'But I thought you hated Bob,' she said.
With his last breath John said, 'I do!'
Morning, not only did I sleep in but not too ambitious today..trying to plan my day..
Might give MIL a call, take my sewing machine to her house and get those slacks all shortened, remember now, I did them once before as she told me she was a 27 leg..nope..had to unhem and now redo..
Rained all night and it looks as though we're in for a rainy day if not rain then heavily overcast ..might as well take the time as there is no sunshine to make the old lady happy..lol..
Mary, am sure even though you are the new employee you are quickly settling in..how did the garage sale go?
Debby, sorry to hear about your legs..perhaps a lot has to do with the weather as well...know I heated up a neck/shoulder bag filled with wheatgrain and put it on my knees last night..maybe it's the pain killer that worked or could be it helped..
Trisha did they say what the problem with the car is? Awful to have no wheels..car can sit in the driveway for what seems forever, but not have one, lordy every five minutes or so you need one...
Mary, Cathy is my DIL's girlfriend..she lives with her parents and does not drive...she does house cleaning to earn a living and I've had her come everytime I travel to look after the animals...
During the day either she or her mother drop in to let Sailor out...I'm blessed with that as Sailor is much too old to hold her bladder content in for any length of time....
I keep telling her I enjoy cutting grass but she does my yard every week, says it gives me more time to enjoy, so usually if I'm doing something on my own, I'll invite her as without a car and depending on her parents she doesn't get to do some of what she'd like to do..so I was thrilled with having company yesterday and she was thrilled at getting to see the Elvis venue..works well for both of us...
She was telling me though her mom is going away same week as I'm gone and she'd be looking after her dad making sure he's eating well, oops forgot to ask her if she could look after the animals...told her not to worry about staying here, if she could just come and let Sailor out a few times and feed her..Greg/Melanie and the boys are on vacation this week and spending next weekend up north diving, lots of sunken ships and clear water, but they should be home on the Tuesday so I'll ask both Kyle and Noah to drop in from time to time as well...sure between them all the animals will be fine..
Guess I'll go check to see if Jeff has posted anything, might give him a call...have breakfast/wash the floors and decide what I shall do...
Tubby, omg now wouldn't I love to have some of your potato's cooke din dill with yellow beans....yummy/yummy...forgot to ask what you have planned for today with company..just mellow?
Hate to leave Elvis's behind but thought I'd move us over....
Hope it will be sunshine in your neck of the woods today for those who need it, and rain for those who are praying for it....
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