Ye Ole' Nag

The horse of course:

Shelly, her mother, and Lucky struck a pose so fashionably on Thanksgiving Monday.  All three were knawing on fresh Macintosh apples, picked right off of the tree over yonder, and enjoying the seasonably warm autumn day.  The temp reached the mid 20s, centigrade, and all three were pretty darn happy about that.

There has been enough to write about, but just haven't got to it.  There is a few things to mention.....

I got in two so-so races in the past few weeks.  A 5km in 16:15 at Thames Valley Golf Course, and a 10km in Stratford in 32:39.  They were a bit off the mark which I was hoping, and thinking.  But there is nothing I can do about it now.....  I have a 10km this weekend in Grand Bend.  I am going after sub 32:10!  For sure sub 32:10.  That will set the tone for the next few races to finish off the fall.  I am almost positive I am cabable of that.  After that is settled - half marathon in Niagara Falls in 68 minutes.  Nothing great, but for an old guy it is okay.  That will be on the weekend of October 23rd.

And on the running note, my trusty Windsor Lancer XC Team donated $200.00 to the Town of Goderich and its Tornado Relief Fund.  Thanks guys and gals.

I started this blog highlighting my motorcycle trip last year, and I have been out ripping around quite a bit on it over the last while.  No epic pictures like last year, but a self portrait nonetheless.  A few more rides and it will be time to put it away until spring.

This past weekend was absolutely terrific.  The weather highlighted most of it...  However.....

1. Got in a great some great runs all weekend.
2. Played hockey on Sunday in Blyth
3. Went out to Joel's parents for a great scoff and visits on Sunday
4. Great family meals on Saturday and Sunday as well
5. Cut lots of grass and Lucky's hooves again
6. Out for a quick spin on the motorbike
7. Greased a few geese on Friday night with Larry - Turkey hunting starts this week!

Shelly and I posed for a few pictures:  Brown plaid appears to be an "it" colour for us.

So there is lots going on, I have reported little....  Shelly wanted to include a quick picture of her 3 favourite animals:  So in no particular order....



Lancer XC Trainning Camp

I wish I had some better pictures from the weekend.....

The semi-annual University of Windsor Lancer XC trainning camp was held once again in Goderich this weekend and hosted, partly, by yours truly.  Since 2002, the team has been up about 6 or 7 times.  Each time in September to get ready for the fall racing season.  They stay in Bayfield, but come into Goderich to train.  Accompanied by coach Malloy, Weston, and Patterson, 20 athletes came and it was a great weekend.

We all worked out on Saturday morning around the Water Treatment Plant.  It went really well; including for myself.  I got rolling completing an 8 minute tempo (going through the mile in about 5:20) and then 10x1k (in 3:12s with 2 mins rest).  I thought I would be able to average under 3:10, but maybe the loop was a bit long?  Or perhaps I am not as fit as I think/hope I am.....  Nevertheless I thought it was a great effort and it will be interesting to see how the races go for me over the next month. 

On Saturday afternoon we all traversed down in Grand Bend.  I organized a bird house making competition, a picture scavenger hunt and a Lancer XC Trivia Questionaire.  The kids seemed to have a great time completing these tasks.  The coaches and I had a pretty good time in the Legion having a cold pint.

It was a great weather weekend and Shelly and I just sort of hung out on Sunday enjoy the last weekend of the summer.  Next Saturday autumn starts I think.



Thresh'n

Back in the day I would have written Thrash'n, but today it was all Thresh'n in Blyth for the annual Thresher's Reunion.  It was a super terrific day with fantastic weather.  Shelly and I jumped on the bike to check out what it is all about.

The main event is the steam powered machines from the early 1900s.  They were obviously the first tractors, they produced about 30 horsepower, and it really started automated farming.  I guess they scaled down steam powered locomotives and adapted them to suit agricultural needs.  They didn't disappointed as there were about 25 of all shapes and sizes.

We sat in on a demonstration of a steam powered threshing machine in action with all of its belts and moving parts.  2 years ago I was in a play at the Livery in Goderich (mini Broadway actually...) and I played the part of a foreman of sorts, of a threshing with a crew of 3 other farmers.  I wish I could remember some of the lines I had; they had to do with keeping the chaf clear of the exit area of the thresher, being mindful of the belts, and I had this bit about how I had once worked with a feller who got caught up inside of a threshing machine and how we just kept pressing on - there was a real funny line in there somewhere.... I can't remember it now though.

Shelly and I had a terrific time and the day couldn't have been any nicer - that is for sure.

They also had a classic car show, plenty of live music, baler twine rope making, great vendors, and even a steam engine powered saw mill milling timber.  I'll go back again and I recommend it to anyone else.

After leaving Blyth we traversed north to Wingham, then east to Lucknow, then north again up to Shelly's folk's place.  There was a bit of drama with a few flat tires on a wagon so Barry, Ryan, and I changed those up.  We'd be no candidates for a NASCAR pit crew, that is for sure, as our beer consumption took priority over the speed in which the rim & rubber had to be switched.  We also went on a puff ball hunt and I scored 5 decent edibles to consume.  Barry noted he has found 28 this year.  That is his limit.

The first week of school went fine.  I usually try to take a picture of myself on the first day - But alas, I didn't.  I sort of thought at the time how stupid that would be this year, but now I am regretting it a bit.  But no worries with me and the 20 pupils.  I got back into my routine and I am pretty sure I can eek out the next 190 days of work.  And I know the kids will probably learn a lot and have a good time which is important too.

Ending August

Shelly and I have been quite busy and have had a few things, and places to be, on the go...  But we made it through the month - the only thing left is to get ready for school with a fresh shave, although no haircut yet.

Before:

After:

Shelly and I went out to a post wedding reception.  I suppose all receptions are post weddings, but this one was about 6 weeks post wedding.  The couple was married in Mexico during the first of July, and then celebrated back in Goderich last Saturday night.  It was a great time, and I had a terrific looking date for the event.

(Picture Credit = Brad Bauman)

The other day Shelly's dad, George McBride, and I finished tiling the last 3 acres or so of the property.  We put another 1,000 feet of tile in.  It was much, much dryer then when we laid the first 1,000 feet of tile, thus an easier task.  This won't, hopefully become my paregon.  The farm is looking okay.  There is still a few thousand tires kicking around.  But that doesn't really seem too difficult considering what we've done.  Ed says his beans are doing superb!  Next winter wheat goes in and now he has more land to sow.

School starts with kids on Tuesday.  We have to report to work this Thursday September, 1 for some pre-planning activities.  The class I am in is satisfactorily prepared to take pupils right now, and will be good for next week. 

Anyhow - I hope to report some good stories from the long weekend which is quickly coming up.  Plus I still have to get a foto of that wood chipper in town.... 

Tornado

So all in all Shelly and I have weathered Sunday's storm without any damage to the house or yard.  Neighbours down the street have a window out here and there, and there are a few big trees down, but we were all very lucky on Quebec Street.  I picked up one fallen limb from the property about 6 feet long and it had the diametre of my wrist....

The town is buzzing with the sounds of woodchippers, chainsaws, gas generators, and helicopters flying overhead.  One problem I notice is that people seem to be driving about, just being curious to see the damage.  On one hand, I can hardly blame them as it is really impressive to see.  But the added traffic on the roads is very congestive.  Police are firmly stationed at all major intersections and junctions to prevent people and cars from going into certain areas.

We are still without electricity, and hot water.  Our phone is working, but I don't have an answering machine hooked up to it.  I have had to throw out nearly everything from the fridge and freezer.  Not having hot water is probably the biggest inconvience.  Getting by without electricity isn't too terrible (in the summer at least).

So anyway - there are thousands of pictures out there, so a few more from me isn't going to tell any new story that hasn't been told. 

Although - I am just off to take a picture of a pretty impressive wood chipper that came to town.  1 million beavers wouldn't do what this sucker is capable of.  Check back.

But while all this was happening, like I said, Shelly and I were out fishing with Scott, Leanne, and their son Noah.  We caught and released plenty of fish and had a great time as usual.

And the biggest fish of the day went to....  you see it....  Yours Truly!

No Worries

Shelly and I were not even around town when all of the action happened.  We were up in Lucknow and didn't know about the storm.  By 6:00 pm or so people were calling Shelly's folks place and asking about if we were all right - and we didn't know what was going on.... 

At 8:00 pm or so Barry and I drove into Goderich, but were stopped at Saltford by the police.  I walked/ran into the house and sussed out the situation.  It was pretty bad with trees down and whatnot, but as soon as I got to my section of Quebec Street, it looked as if nothing really happened.  My patio furniture was here, there, and everywhere.  The cat was unaccounted for too.  I haven't been in town to take in photos. 

Broken, But We Ain't Beat!

We sailed through 80 to 90 tires in 90 minutes today.  Our confidence was at an all time high.  We hardly fought or wrestled with any of the castors.  So I thought we should try something big.  I put a 40 inch diametre truck tire in it and we broke the weld.  It was bound to happen I suppose....  It would not have broke if we just stayed the course and crunched away at the car wheels.  Oh well.  After 2,000 tires, this isn't the end of the world.  It'll be up and running in 48 hours, stronger then ever.  Our spirits are still high to finish our project by Labour Day. 

So in summary, I would say:

• we've crushed 2,000 tires
• removed about 3,000 tires from the property and they are in a recycling program
• about 6,000 minutes of work = 100 hours easily among everyone (Barry, Jeff, Joel, Shelly, Ambrose, myself, etc.)
• cashed out $2,600 of scrap steel
• paid out about $3,200 in costs

All figures are estimates, but I can't be too far off.  We are getting there though.  In the main pile, which this picture represents, there are about 700 tires remaining.  I realize you only see about 125 or so - but again, they are buried, they are behind, they are under, or they are a bit out of frame. 

So the rest of the day we just sort of hung out.  I went to work on the horse again - its hooves.  The poor thing is a bit banged up, sort of like me these days (although I have a dam sore right knee).  It stood at attention and let me trim up its nails.  As a reward - I shared my Bud Light with it. 

Shelly and Lucky struck a pose for me.  Ralph, the dog, also got camera friendly with my sweet baby.

Just a few more pictures to finish off the day:  I know I don't look like it, but I feel like I am getting ready to get back to my original occupation for another 4 years anyway....  Nice diaper bag A.J.!