New friends!

06:45 hrs
22 June 15

      We had guests at the WAYWARD INN and with guests the table is usually burdened with a spread of food. The difficulty is that two of the guests are professional chefs and Chef Blaine was concerned that his offerings would not be up to their standards.

     Enroute to their travels about the Valley my BETTER HALF's Travelling Relatives dropped off a Chinook salmon to be cooked on the Flame Pit. But prior that all other dishes had to be completed. Ribs to be smoked, chicken to be seared off, etc. The only issue was a signature dish that the two culanarists would had not had. My LOBSTER quickly suggested Beet Leaves and dough. The bread maker was on at 08:30 hrs and the tasty morsels had been assembled and were baking by 12:00 hrs. Final touches were done under the watchful but questioning gaze of the Seafaring Chefs.

     The meal was a hit. The salmon was great and all the other components fit in. In my opinion, the two Seafaring Chefs felt comfortable at the WAYWARD INN.  Maybe it was our open nature as one chef does not often turn over the keys to the  larder. Doing so bridged a huge chasm. Though personally, I think it was the Islay Caesar's that did the trick.

They're Done...Just Like Dinner

16:30 hrs.
20 June 15

     For those of you Dear Readers who have stayed at the WAYWARD INN recently I must say that if you slept on the Murphy bed you must have been pretty comfortable.  For the past few nights I have been crashing there as I have been coming home at O-Dark 30 and instead of disturbing my BETTER HALF I simply sought quiet refuge in the Finetti Guest Suite. Aren't I a nice guy?

     Yes, our two Loin Fruits are just about finished another year of education. It was, to say the least, an exercise in extreme patience. But they are finished. Loin Fruit #1 still has an exam to write so there is no idea of his placement. His sibling,  Loin Fruit #2,  was awarded a Silver placement for his 3.8 gpa and captured two awards of excellence in science francais and social studies francais. Well done.  They are giving up their jobs with the Local Cage Liner. The delivery routes were altered and they had taken on an additional route for the summer but after five years of dedicated service they have never seen a pay raise or a bonus or a pat on the back. Time to find greener pastures. I am happy to say that on Monday they both have an interview for general labour positions at HMCS QUADRA. Doing what? I don't know. But they will be employed on weekdays from 07:00 to 15:30 hrs. for the entire summer. Nice. Especially for me.

     My LOBSTER will be travelling to the south end of the Rock for a week long training session for her new employment position. That leaves the Couch Monkeys, plus yours truly, managing the WAYWARD INN. Meals will become a meat-fest as all veggies will be banned under the pain of extra yard work! And various whiskies will be sampled after the paper plates (avec scraps) have been tossed over the hedge. All those who wish to partake you know how to reach me.

    At the WAYWARD INN it is not uncommon for a wrench to be tossed in to sabotage the best laid plans. Tomorrow is no exception. My LOBSTER's Travelling Relatives from River City would like to pop by with their newly wed daughter and son-inlaw. This particular daughter is the Sous on the "if you have to ask the price you can't afford it" cruise ship and her new hubby is the Chef on the SS MONEYBAG.

     And so, these two are bringing a spring salmon to cook on the Flame Pit. I was planning on a rib-fest, in honor of Father's Day. I'll have to put it off. I suppose I will simply turn over my kitchen to these two. After all, they are professional culinary personnel and maybe I can learn a couple of tricks. However, my BETTER HALF has suggested that we make beet leaves and dough which is something they will have never tried. I will have cook something on the Flame Pit for my LOBSTER as she doesn't eat swimming creatures.

     There is talk in the provincial capital to build small cabin type shelters for the transient population now residing in many of the parks. Occupation will be limited to a number of days. If nothing else they'll be easy to police.

Finally...redux

10:45 hrs.
17 June 15

     Finally, the sun is hiding.
     Finally, the rain is trying to fall.
     Finally...well you can fill in the blank for yourself.

     The CVRD has begun a new project in Royston. I don't know what the final design will be but as I write this small tome I am guarding the concrete from any hooligans who may try to scratch their name in the finished surface. From what I was informed there will be a gazebo or two and a number of picnic tables. It's a popular place to watch the wildlife and boats coming out of the bay. The Royston Wrecks are here as is the Royston Trail head.

     And the view isn't bad either. Come check it out.

Shut it down!

08:25 hrs.
13 June 15

     By now you should be well aware of the BC premier's idea of doing yoga on a bridge in downtown Vancouver has been shut down. It would appear the Premier Crispy Crunch and her Out-to-Lunch advisory team has stepped in it again.

     I don't know who came up with the idea or who the numpty was who suggested it to Premier Crispy Crunch but both the suggestor and the suggestee should have realized that this was nuts on several points.

     Let me, Dear Reader, elaborate :

1) Nobody does yoga on concrete!
2) Spending tax dollars to shut down a bridge when public parks can be used for free!
3) Inconveniencing thousands of commuters, shoppers and business people just so people can relax on a mat placed on concrete!
4) Laying in a roadway is dumb! #1 BC Road Rule is the biggest truck wins!
5) A shout out to the Premier - Indians are not First Nations and telling people that "Doing yoga is a way to celebrate the Indian culture" is wrong when the Om on the Bridge is scheduled on Aboriginal First Nations Day.

     

     I seriously think that Premier Crunch has some not so bright advisors. Those individuals whose job is to come up with ideas and to research everything so the boss doesn't look like a first class schmuck. But it doesn't help when the schmuck doesnt have enough common dog to realize bad idea in the first place. Here's a thought, maybe the "not so bright" advisors are actually on the ball!  Maybe it's all a plot by the background low lifes to have the Premier fail. It shouldn't be too difficult because every time she opens her mouth her feet fall out.

     

     There is only one good point about the Premier is that she does gave a sense of humour. A local Valley radio host had called Crispy for a phone interview. He asked what she was doing for the Holiday Season and then he asked if she would respond to a couple of questions from the listeners. The first one or two were pretty generic and then he asks "Premier Clark, would you consider yourself to be a cougar?"

     

     After a monent of reflection the Premier replies, "It's better to be a cougar than a MILF."

     

     Now, I think this shows a sense of humour but the manager at the radio station did not. As this whole thing, questions and all was cooked up by the DJ, he was canned for his stunt. Too bad since there are those in the province who very much consider the Premier to be a MILF . And who knows, maybe in her off hours, she very well may be a cougar.

     Last night we were playing cards with the two Couch Monkeys. The elder one started poking at the younget who suddenly had his karate instincts kick in. The BETTER HALF calls him a cobra because his hand struck out like greased lightening striking the elder Yard Ape in the neck. Nicely done. 

You would expect better!

05:55 hrs.
09 June 15

     Well, Helloooo There!
     When we were out last weekend with the mobile WAYWARD INN, I discovered that one of the bench seats was literally coming apart at the seams. Was it from rough housing? Or someone's unruly Yard Ape jumping on the seat? Not a chance!

     Shoddy workmanship! I know that our towing vehicle looks as if it needs to be watered so it could grow up to be a full sized Ford. But, I assure you that it can legally tow this trailer. The trailer itself is maybe eight years old and I have been noticing some things that are getting worn out or need to be replaced a long time before the should have to be. The reason is that I continually consult with the Sages about things. They have trailered to Alaska and back twice. In fact, they couldn't make our wedding because they had booked a non-refundable ferry to Alaska. It wasn't their fault life just happens.

     The Wisdom of the Sages: Given that the mobile WAYWARD INN is a "lite" trailer it is built using more retention strips, glue and staples than proper bracing and screws. Its a case of "every ounce counts" in order to get under some official weight classification to be a "lite trailer". And another thing, many people don't keep the same travel trailer for more than five years. The family dynamic is fluid and as it changes the requirements for an RV also changes. Bigger, smaller or not at all. So a "lite" RV is almost planned obsolescence. Make it last until it is traded in then the RV dealer can spruce it up and re-sell it.

     Anyone seen the new hospital building lately? That is going to be a big place. I don't know if the contractors are ahead of the curve yet. Doubtful. I do question the lack of parking though. Again, if I had the shekels I would buy the empty lot across the road and put in a three storey pay parking lot with a covered overhead walkway right over Veteran's Memorial Parkway.

16:50 hrs.

     Ha!
     I fixed it. That shoddy bench seat in the mobile WAYWARD INN has been re-manufactured. It took a bit of engineering but it will be the last thing that falls apart on this unit. Now I'll just have to wait until the next thing goes kaput.

     We have heard some news through the grapevine.  It would seem that my BETTER HALF's Cuz'n in River City has been surprised with the wedding of one of their daughters. They have three girls and each are very different from each other. And they live at different ends of the earth. The lucky bride to be is a Sous on the very exclusive SS Moneybags. Rest assured that she is secure in her job because she's marrying the Chef of SS Moneybags. Congrats from us at the WAYWARD INN.

A much needed time out

09:10 hrs.
06 June 15
 

     Today is the D-Day anniversary.  If my calculations are correct it has been 71 years since the Allied Forces landed in Normandy. Something to think about, isn't it? That's three and almost four generations removed from today. Do you think those coming behind you, Dear Reader, will continue to honour the sacrifices of the fallen? I do not know who said it but the quote goes something like this: If you can't remember the PAST you are bound to REPEAT it! Personally,  I think it should be If you don't  or If you will not. Place the onus squarely on the individual and leave no excuse...can't remember the past? It's your duty to remember the past. Maybe that's what pisses me off about the new generations. The need for the instant gratification without the respect for what allows this to occur.

 

 

11:45 hrs.

07 June 15

 

     We took the mobile WAYWARD INN out to Elk Falls provincial Park. It's a great place. Quiet and yet you are only 5 minutes from River City. You would never know that you were so close to civilization. IT was quiet except for the dufus across the road who decided the world needed to harmonize with Elton John's GREATEST Hits at 08:30 hrs. Since we were leaving there was no need for yours truly to make a scene.

 

     My Cuz'n and her Hubby, from River City came out to see us. We spent the day yakking it up and went up to see the suspension bridge. I think my Better Half has already posted the pics on Facebook. The project was done by the local Rotary Club in conjunction with several First Nations bands. It started in 2009 and was finished this May. If you have a chance come out and take a look, ITs about a 1km walk through the woods. Its a nice path but if you bring your puppy keep it leashed.

 

 

 

Busy as a beaver...

13:10 hrs.
03 Jun 15

     Howdy Kidlettes!
     Its a bit of a grey day here at THE WAYWARD INN.  The clouds started moving in Sunday night and we have had some really nice drizzly weather for the past couple of days. Great stuff, especially for the forests. The bush had been getting far too dry. Almost to the point where you really wouldn't want to be OUT IN THE WEEDS. Speaking of which, my buddies over on the mainland have delivered a few copies of Wood Knocks and Tossed Rocks to the guys from Finding Bigfoot. My hope is that it will placed onto the BFRO website. All you can do is try.

     My LOBSTER and I picked up some really cool solar post type lamps at Costco. I put five across the back fence, a couple near the man gates and one on the front post. Loads of light coming them. Maybe I'll sit out back tonight and enjoy a fine single malt while waxing philosophically about...enjoying a fine single malt of course.

     Here's to the recent Grads of Highland Secondary School. I had the pleasure last Saturday of attending their function on Mt. Washington. I am happy to announce that there were no accidents, no injuries and everyone had a great time.

     I am hoping that the two Loin Fruits find something of interest to do this summer. If anyone has a job, preferably one that is monotonous, repetitious and requires a lot of manual labor, please let me know. You can text me at mykids@need_to_get_out_of_the_house.

     Anyone like the Beefs and Bouquets in the Local Cage Liner?  There is a similar online version called Comox Valley Rants and Raves. Its on Facebook and its pretty good.

     That's it for now. I'm outta here.