Hello there...

25 Oct 22

06:45 hrs

     Good Morning Dear Readers, 

     It is is I, your faithful scribe, bringing you the news and views from the Left Coast. A bunch of stuff has happened in tbe past couple of weeks. So let's get to it, shall we?

     Last week my Lobster and I took a sojourn to the far side of The Rock for a much needed break. The two of us hadn't been away together, just the two of us, for several years and when the ability to do so appeared before us we jumped at the chance. My Better Half had learned that we could get respite care for the Oma-nator at a local facility where she had attended for a supper club and a day program. We, meaning she, talked it over with her and we, meaning the whole family, worked at alleviating her fears (primarily of what the menu would encompass). So, last Tuesday the Oma-nator was shown to her residence for the week and we boarded The Ram for our trip. First we drove Over the Hump, with a shopping stop at Goats on the Roof, to stay at our friends place. We stayed the night and late the following morning we wound our way through road construction and Sutton Pass to the far Left Coast. The trip was good with only a couple of minor delays due to the road construction. 

     Overall our trip was great. We walked trails, beaches and around the two towns that anchor the ends of the peninsula. The place we stayed at has a kitchen so we brought  some food and purchased some other stuff. And, we brought the crib board, naturally. Our trip home took just shy of three hours including a stop at the Port for some growlies. The following day we retrieved the Oma-nator and brought her home. She said her stay was enjoyable except for the food, which is not surprising but she was happy to be home.

26 Oct 22

23:00 hrs

     I'm back into work. Graveyards. Last night I did 11.5 hours and when I got back to the Wayward Inn it was time for a shower and bed. I got up at 19:00, ate supper, made a lunch, a pot of roof tar, played a game of crib with my Lobster,  got dressed and left at 22:00 to refuel the Ram and get into work. Two more nights. Tonight and tomorrow night. Friday I'm off. On Saturday my Friend from Over the Hump is joining my in attending the 1st Annual Bindercon. It is a sasquatch conference taking place here in the Valley to honor Dr. John Bindernagel, a biologist who had studied sasquatches for many many years who had passed away several years ago. He penned two books on the subject, the second of which was aimed directly at his peers who, like most scientists, refuse to give accreditation to the existence of such a creature. 

     John had attended the expedition I hosted in 2007. It was the first time I had met him. The expedition was successful with numerous Class B incidents. If you would like to learn what a Class A or B incident is you can go to www.bfro.net or read Wood Knocks and Tossed Rocks, available on Amazon. At the conference John's son will be bringing parts of his father's collection of footprint casts and there will be other guest speakers. I have not been invited to speak eventhough I have been an investigator since 2006. I believe the organizer does not know me. But,  I think there will be an open mic so I may have an opportunity to talk about the subject.

     Winter has arrived here in the Valley. While we were away the temperature dropped shocking the trees to start shedding their leaves. Now we are expecting not one but two atmospheric rivers to hit The Rock. We will receive a small amount of rain but other side of the Island is going to get 100+mm of the wet stuff. From the rain we have has over the past couple of nights the Beauforts have began gathering snow. The local ski hill, sitting at 5300 feet, has its first dusting but the glacier at 6430 feet is now covered in a brilliant white blanket. The word is this winter will be colder and wetter. I may have to invest in a snowblower because I'm not getting any younger and the Couch Monkeys will not be living with us forever and there goes my labour force. 

     Well Kidlettes, that's about all that have for you. If you have any comments or questions please drop me a line.

Spooky

16 Oct 22

09:30 hrs. 

     I don't know how many of you have ever seen the series "Dead Like Me". It was on in the early 2000's and starred Mandy Patinkin. The actors were portraying  people who had died and because they did not have enough "points" to get into Heaven they had to work as reapers - taking the soul of the newly dead and ensuring that it was on the right Path to the Pearly Gates. To perform this feat the Reaper mearly has to brush their hand on the soon to be departed arm or shoulder or body part that is convenient. Once the "accident" takes place the spirit arises and is directed in the right direction. It truly was an interesting series that unfortunately lasted only two seasons. 

     Anyways, when my Better Half and I play cribbage and I am cutting the deck for the turn card, she reaches across and runs her hand down my arm and over my hand that is cutting the deck. The question is twofold: Is she stroking my arm to impart some luck? Doubtful. Or, is she slowly reaping my soul one game of cribbage at a time?

Happy Thanksgiving!

08 Oct 22

13:45 hrs

     Happy Thanksgiving Dear Kidlettes!

     That's right it's that time to plan out your holiday feast. We are not having a whole turkey this year. We may be having some guests at the Wayward Inn but not enough to consume most of the bird and we really didn't want leftover turkey for the following fortnight. Instead we are having a small ham and a stuffed turkey breast. On the side there will be carrots, broccollini, two kinds of Schwartie hashbrowns (one of which was friendly to the Oma-nator), a casserole dish full of homemade stuffing and a pumpkin roll for dessert. The Sensei and his Lobster are attending as is the Jr. Loin Fruit's companion. It should be fun.

14 Oct 22

07:30 hrs.

     If you haven't been following the legal squeeze the Tangerine Tyrant is in? The Jan 6th Committee has reconvened and has issued a subpoena for the Orange Shit-gibbon to appear before the committee. If you think he's going to show up I've got a bridge to sell you. It will be cour challenge delays all the way to the Hugh-ess Supreme Court. I suppose they could issue a warrant for his arrest and drag his far ass in, which would be really nice to see but that would probably be the pre-emptive call to arms for all of his Sycophants. 

16:00 hrs.

     Well, the potatoes have been mashed and the onions have been sautéed avec ail. The beets have been peeled, diced and are waiting to be simmered. That's right! It's beet soup night. An acquired taste for sure but my family grew up with this. In fact, a couple of weeks ago my uncle posted a picture of the delicous bowl. It didn't take long for many family members to chime in saying that it has been far too long for them. What can I say, it's comfort food. Now normally there is bacon cooked with the onions but since the Jr. Couch Monkey is still a quasi-vegetarian the bacon was left out for his benefit. The Oma-nator will not be sampling the soup for two reasons. First, there are onions - so, she's out. Second, I don't think she has ever peeled, cooked or eaten a beet - either standard red or golden variety. My Lobster says beets taste like dirt. I actually enjoy eating beets. Washed, peeled, seasoned, wrapped in foil and roasted till soft on the Flame Pit....you can beat them.

     The weather on the Left Coast has been very dry. We have not had any appreciative precipitation for several months. There was some but it was up on the Beauforts which is good. The rain will be here soon enough.

16 Oct 22

07:31 hrs.

     The days are now much shorter and the nights are growing longer. The solar lights above the Flame Pit are no longer lit when I make coffee in the morning. And this morning the sky has an odd tinge to it. Not pink or red but a muted brown. There are forest fires over on the mainland. The cities there experiencing a spate of poor air quality rivaling Beijing or Delhi. That smoke may have been pushed over to The Rock causing the sky to look so weird.

     The leaves are changing colours now, as well. Here on the Left Coast we do not have the hardwoods like they do in Ontari-ari-ari-oh. Looking at the Beauforts there are splotches of colour showing the maples, aspens, alders and birches. Most of these also show where the rivers, creeks and lakes reside. It also shows where prior logging has occurred as these deciduous trees grow much more quickly than the replanted fir and spruce.

     The Jr. Couch Monkey has been writing his midterms and the results have been astounding. The Sr. Loin Fruit is still hopeful that he will find an apprenticeship. We are all hopeful because he needs to gain experience before he can attempt the next phase of his training. 

     My Lobster and I are taking a mini vay-cay. She has found a week of respite care for the Oma-nator who is concerned that they will be serving her onions with every meal. They won't, we have informed them of her dietary concerns. I'm sure that she is also worried that we will not retrieve her when we come home. Nothing is further from the truth.

     Have you seen Stanley Tucci's program on CNN Sunday evening? Food to die for. Basic food. Created in this manner for generations upon generations. It makes me think that we, North Americans, have forgotten what is good as we demand for all things, especially our food, to be over the top. Imagine a simple spaghetti dish made with only four components one of which is vegetable stock. Looks pretty damn good. And, one could easily substitute penne or spirals for the spaghetti eventhough those pasta shapes were designed to be accompanied with a type of sauce. This particular dish has no sauce. Just the four ingredients and some seasonings. Amazing. I'll have to get Chef Blaine give it a whirl. Come to think of it I should talk to my Better Half's Travelling Cuz'ns and see if they have had this dish before.

     I just say something on the news where in the Hugh-ess the food prices have risen so much over the past couple of years that a large number of people have been relying on food banks. In January 2020 one church in Atlanta they would aid thirty cars per week and now it's three thousand cars per week. And it's getting worse. Look after after your family and friends.