The Latest

25 Feb 21

06:45 hrs

     I'm currently sitting at the worksite awaiting the contractors to arrive. Yesterday was the Oma-nator's eighty-eight birthday. Chef Blaine had prepped homemade Angus beef burgers on Tuesday so all he had to do was toss them on the Flame Pit. The Jr. Loin Fruit had his veggie patties. We dined, she opened her presents and we had three games of trouble. She won two and I took the last one. She must have thanked us a gazillion times for all that we have done for her. Trust me when I day that all that we do is nothing that we wouldn't do for anyone but I think that the Oma-nator is still not used to people looking after her or doing the little things that makes her life better. It's great when I can have her smile and laugh.

     We had an armed robbery her in the Valley. Some mook assaulted and robbed a lady working the night shift after she locked up. The good news is the Queens's Cowboys have a suspect in custody. Good on them.

     I was making my lunch for the day - in my opinion any guy who relies on his Better Half to make his lunch for work deserves to eat sardine and peanut butter sandwiches - and I was watching the comedian C. Rock. I had recorded it a while ago and since I have hearing aids I have a device that broadcasts the audio to my hearing aids and it doesn't disturb anyone's sleep. The program is about a dozen years old so some parts of his act are dated but overall it is some pretty funny stuff. 

     I just heard on the radio that the Great White North will be getting another Top Dog to run the military. Two months ago the Army Guy retired. No big deal as his time was done. A Wavey Navy guy was appointed - the Head Feds like to rotate the position between the three elements - and now he has announced that he is suddenly stepping down. It is know that the Army guy is now under investigation for possible sexual assault and it was hinted that the Wavey Navy guy may be under investigation by the military's investigative service for undisclosed crimes. Whatever they are the crimes must be sufficiently embarrassing or criminal in nature for him to step down. Our YESMAN, the MND, is now searching the upper ranks for the next CDS.

26 Feb 21

08:30 hrs

     I'm not out on the jobsite today. The contractors poured the concrete yesterday and is awaiting approval to push forward.  Monday will be the next start date. So, I'm home with the Oma-nator. I've been calling the Sages more often and it seems to have lifted their spirits. They had a dump of snow the other night and a neighbour came over to dig them out. He does the driveway and the Sages shovel the walkway to the back of the house. They've offered to pay the guy and he says he dies it for the exercise. 

     Do you have slow drivers in your neighborhood? Sometimes I think they are worse than speeders. What about the people who don't know or care if they have a headlight burned out? I've seen morons in the Valley driving around at night with just their daytime running lights on thinking that those are the headlights. The issue is when the daytime lights are on the vehicle's tail lights are not so what happens is a driver approaching from behind may not know that a vehicle is in front of him. Daytime running lights are standard in vehicles sold in the Great White North but not in the Hugh-ess.

21:00 hrs

     I learned today that one of my favourite comedy shows is returning after ending seventeen years ago. It is unclear if the main character, Frasier Crane, will be accompanied by any of his former actors. I always found the original show to be witty and fresh - it was nominated for 318 awards and received 112 including 37 Emmys. 

     I have successfully mounted the truck step in the tail gate. I did it while I was at work as all I was doing was watching the contractors dig holes in the ground. I did notice that the two rungs of the ladder portion should have angular supports to strengthen the center. I would really have it collapse when someone is on it, let alone me. I do know of a fabricator who does some pretty good work. His shop is up by the office we used when I was on Puppy Patrol.

27 Feb 21

13:15 hrs

     Where has the month gone? I know it's the shortest month of the year but bang zoom it's gone already. This morning I went to the Jam Lady and bought some jams for the Oma-nator who really likes her jams. It's all organic and its local and I'm proud to support her. When I got back to the Wayward Inn I grabbed the pruner and cleaned up the blueberry bushes, the variegated apple tree and the two Saskatoon berry bushes. I picked up some de-mossing stuff and fruit/berry plant fertilizer. I'll put that on next week. Maybe this year I'll get enough to make a Saskatoon berry pie. I know that I would enjoy it. L'il Sis says she can buy Saskatoon berries by the bagful in Cowtown and that there is a huge berry orchard just outside of town. That would be a sight to see. 

     Well Kidlettes,  this blurb is done. Enjoy and be safe. Things may get worse before they get better. So hang tough.

A little late to the Game!

20 Feb 21

08:00 hrs.

     Good Morning Dear Readers!

     And what should I write about today?

     There is still plenty of snow here in the Valley but the days are warm and it's slowly going away. The evenings are still cool enough that is freezes up and frosts your car but its nothing we haven't experienced before. If I wanted to to hear whining about the weather I would listen to the news out of the Lone Star State in the Hugh-ess. Man Oh Man! Did they get whacked by the polar vortex. The temperatures in that most southern state on the Taco Gulf dipped down to what be the normal winter temperature in such notable places as EdmonChuck, The Peg or Balzac. (I just made you say ball sack.)

      The big difference is that up in the Great White North we happen know that water gets to get a bit stiff in these conditions and therefore pipes that transport water must be insulated. Additionally, did you know that 50% of the heating in the Alamo State is from natural gas and the other 50% is from electricity and 50% of the electricity is derived from gas or coal fired power plants. Oh, they have been dabbling with solar and wind farms but it seems the State Guv didn't want to cough up the extra dough for the Storm of the Century Insulation Package so when the freezing wet stuff hit the wind turbines they ground to a halt. So many people - like the entire state population - reached for the thermostats at the same time causing some brown outs and a large number of black outs. Here's the kicker - this state - in it's most protectionist fashion - has a self contained power grid. This means it does not recieve nor does it share power with its neighbours in a time of crisis through a larger grid. Like everything else the have this pervasive attitude of - IF YOU'RE NOT ONE OF US YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN! 

     Well, fine then. Neighbouring states on their northern borders got hit with the same storm but since they remembered being walloped before they simply requested extra electrical power from their other neighbors. And they even had snow removal equipment that the Lone Star State did not. It's like the tale of the ant and the grasshopper. The ant slaved through the summer and into the fall storing food for the winter knowing that there would be nothing for future if he didn't prepare while the grasshopper ate everything in sight and saved nothing for later. Winter came and the grasshopper dragged his frozen starving carcass over to the ant hill begging for food and shelter. And the ants replied Nyet and Das Vedanya you Capitalist pig dog. Now, get of my front porch! 

     Another interesting aspect of their power trouble is the costs being incurred. In this particular state you can purchase your electricity at a flat rate or with a market fluctuation rate. A flat rate means you may more than others when the average rate drops below what you're paying. The benefit for following the market in an energy rich location is you would normally pay much less than anyone around you unless of course there is a crisis! 

16:15 hrs.

     My Lobster and I got out to do some shopping. A quick run to WallyWorld, a downtown deli, The Big Box Store and the Church Dispensary. All necessary stops. Last night Chef Blaine started a crockpot full of homemade baked beans. It's been quite some time. Unfortunately,  Chef Blaine added onions so the Oma-nator will not be having any. I said that was okay to put it in because she told me she had never eaten a baked bean in her life. He didn't add any meat though so our resident Veggie, the Jr. Couch Monkey, can eat some. Mind you, I convinced Chef Blaine to cook up some Brauts for on the side. The Oma-nator will have one with her patented cuc and tater salat. Fill your books. I'm having beans.

     You have heard me use the term Residentially Challenged to better describe the homeless population in the Valley. I read a new term was Housing Deficient. I suppose it's all up to your perspective. Regardless of the term something more substantial has to be done to assist these individuals. 

     The Oma-nator's birthday is fast approaching. She will be a big Double Snowman this year and that is pretty awesome. I think for her Birthday supper Chef Blaine will make some homemade cheese burgers, which just happen to be her favorite. The last time he made them the Jr. Couch Monkey made some homemade buns which were amazing.

21 Feb 21

07:30 hrs

     The sun was up before I was! Can you believe I actually slept in? Only after an entire shift of late nights servicing aircraft would i have slept in. But, this morning I slept in. 

     Speaking of the increased amount of solar light, the solar lights ringing the gazebo over the Flame Pit stay illuminated longer in the evening. Last year I had added some micro solar lights onto the trellis at the front of the Wayward Inn. My Better Half wants me to see if I can get some for the two planter boxes we picked up last fall. We still have to set them up for planting and I think well put some veggies in them. German fingerling potatoes would be nice and maybe some grape tomatoes. 

     If you live here in the Valley you should note that the Totem Riders Motorcycle Club, like a lot of others, do carry out charitable work. This particular group collects cans and bottles and after cashing them in at the Return It Centre the Totem Riders purchase Teddy Bears and the components to make comfort kits for hospital patients. These kits will have toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving tackle, feminine hygiene products, etc. I used to give all of my recycling to the Boy Scouts. I would gather them and take them to a scout leaders house for their bottle drives. However, after a while these leaders didn't even say thanks. The Couch Monkeys and I would sort the bottles but now they don't want to do it. The president of the club had told me that every penny of what is collected goes towards these hospital kits and if anyone wants to see the books they are welcome to take a look. For this reason I have no problems having them come to the Wayward Inn and pick up the bags of cans. If you are I interested in supporting their cause look for them on Facebook. If you have any doubts, drop me a line. I'll vouch for them.

Gifts and Trouble

12 Feb 21

14:30 hrs

     Yesterday was my Lobster's Birthday! and as Chef Blaine was working it was decided by the Queen For a Day that we would simply order some growlies for pick up. Not a bad idea really as we very rarely - as in maybe four or five times a month - have something from a restaurant. I think the Couch Monkeys have restaurant food more than we do! Last night it was Indian food from a local place. OUTSTANDING! Burned a hole in my colon! All of us really enjoyed it. Even the Oma-nator enjoyed her meal - which consisted of something other than Indian food. Gifts were given. Trouble was played. And an extremely rich chocolate cake from the Valley's Chocolatier was carved into. All was great.

     I have to give you a bit of an update. You remember from a previous blog that our friend in Hub City who had suddenly passed away and that his Lobster had been bravely fighting the Big C for the past three years. Now, she has passed away, Her son had arrived from the Lone Star State in Hub City three or four days prior to her passing. From what we were told she was in Hospice care so I'm sure that she was well cared for. We had no contact from the son - he wouldn't know us anyways. My Lobster had recieved an email from the deceased's sister. It wasn't personally addressed to us but was more of a notice that was pre-arranged to be sent out to all of their friends and relatives after she was gone. Their house will probably be sold in the coming months and the contents put into storage. As far as I know their remains - they were both cremated - were taken back to the Hugh-Ess as both of their Yard Apes live in the same City and State. 

     Driving through town I spotted another long ignored chunk of land that has finally been sold off. It's a large lot so I can imagine the developer will squeeze in four or six three storey homes into the property. More and more of the larger lots in the Valley, especially the ones with older houses on them are being bought, the house dozed and the lot carved up to maximize the profit margins. I'm pretty sure that this will likely happen with our Elderly Royal Subject when she passes. Her residence hasn't been updated it at least fifty years and the reno cost would probably be cost more than the value of the house. 

     Read any good books lately? I'm working on another Clancy. This one was written by one of the associate writers. He's actually the better of the two. Clancy had actually passed away a number of years ago and in fact I think that he was ill fro a time and it was during this illness that he trialed a couple of associate authors. Like I said one isn't too bad. But even he is not as good as Clancy because if you know the original authors works you will pick up subtle mistakes that the Kidlettes make in writing about the main characters. My Sr. Loin Fruit had given me this book as a gift. Once I am done reading it I will send it to the Bookhouse so someone else may enjoy it.

     The weather here has turned cold. About -5C, which for the Valley is like the South Pole. I know that the Prairie Boys are all laughing at us but in a couple of weeks I'll be looking forward to fishing and I don't mean through a hole on the ice.

A Wayward Inn Update

07 Feb 21

08:30 hrs

     I must apologize to you Dear Readers for my neglect at writing this ongoing tome. Its not that I have forgotten that you are there but I have forgotten that you are there. It's my fault and if I don't keep up my end please send me a message to prod me into action. Thanks in advance.

     First, it is official. My Better Half's Travelling Relatives have returned to the Golden Horseshoe. They have purchased a new residence near their Kidlettes. No word on whether their place in Capital City has been cleared out and sold as of yet. We didn't get to see them all that often but most certainly enjoyed their company and the conversation when we did.

     Our Senior Couch Monkey is looking to leave the nest but the fees charged for any apartment in the Valley is still out of his reach. He's a hard worker but the combination of hours worked and his current salary is not enough to get him his own place. We both told him that it will work out eventually. He may have to take on a roomie but the individual must be solvent as well. One thing I must say is that he is doing well in all concerns and I'm very proud of him.

     The Oma-nator has not been doing so well. She's moving a little slower these days. She hasn't had a cold or anything so we are just taking things one day at a time. 

     My Better Half is shopping for a new set of wheels. We had gone up to River City for a test drive and we checked out some Smile Cars here but she didn't like them. We took two for a test drive yesterday and I think she has settled on a hybrid. I preferred the other one but it's not my set of wheels. I'm sure she'll be posting photos next week. As for the old car, she is selling it to the Jr. Couch Monkey for a nominal fee. He'll insure it under his name and will be responsible for maintenance and repairs. Due to the Beer Flu he still has to take his final road test.

16:30 hrs

     Chef Blaine has made a batch of Moose Balls. Peanut butter, honey, oatmeal, dried fruit and nuts. There is no extra sugar added but it packs a punch. I think next time I'll get him to add some extra fine ground espresso to the batter. 

     Next week is the Senate Impeachment Trial of the Tangerine Tyrant. My Lobster doesn't believe the Senate will vote to convict. Constitutionally, the trial phase is to remove a sitting POTUS and he's no longer sitting so is it a moot point? The House of Reps, in their Articles  of Impeachment, included the 14th Amendment that would allow the government to ban the Tangerine Tyrant from ever running for any office position again. Deep down I think this is the Dems primary objective - to punish the Orange Shit Gibbon for the four years of hell he forced upon the Hugh-ess. If the Senate is going to convict him there will need to be sixty-seven senators to vote in favour. Right now there are fifty Dems and maybe ten Rebs. If they want to convict him they'll have to spell out their evidence using witnesses who believe the Trumpster told them to storm the Capital. Charts and videos won't cut it. At any rate...I'll get the popcorn.

     We've had a couple of nippy mornings. Nothing like the 'Peg or up in D. Creek where the temps have dropped to the mid minus thirties. Oh, and our daffodils are up four inches.