Winter is Coming!

16 Nov 20

06:00 hrs

     The weather has certainly turned here on the Left Coast. The temperature has dropped, the winds have picked up and the volume of precipitation has increased ad well. Most of the decidous trees have lost their leaves,  of course the non-native trees that the developer had planted throughout the neighborhood are still clinging to their foliage. This particular species of tree buds out it leaves in late spring and discards them in late fall early winter. It's not a big deal really except that we can get an early snowfall, which is usually wet and heavy and any tree that is still hang in on to its leaves could soon be losing limbs.

18:00 hrs

     We have snow! 

     Wet slushy snow! In fact, by the time morning rolls around it will be plus 9C and the rain will have washed the snow away.

18  Nov 20

14:45 hrs

     As I had predicted by the time my Lobster and I had departed for the Salt Mines the snow was pretty much gone. But this didn't mean the weather was any better. The rain continued to fall and the winds increased. At times it was gusting to 75 knots. It didn't take long before the contractors decided to pull the pin. I was at work for almost three hours. Got paid for four. 

     Last night our Sr. Loin Fruit made a parsnip and mustard soup. The recipe came from the Souplology cookbook we gave him for his birthday. He followed the recipe and it turned out pretty good. I liked it, my Better Half tried it (which saying something) and the Oma-nator wanted to try it but couldn't as she was suspicious of the ingredients - there could have been an onion in it.

     The election in the Hugh-ess carried out two weeks ago today and eventhough the number clearly show that the former VP won both the popular vote and the electoral college the Tangerine Tyrant has refused to concede. Instead Putin's Norte Americano representative is carrying out his own scorched earth policy by firing all dissenters and creating as much chaos for the incoming administration. Never fear, as entertaining as the election was the troubles facing the Tangerine Tyrant after he has been escorted out of the White House will be the icing on the cake. I can't wait.

     I just caught something on the box that Chef Blaine will have to try to duplicate. Banana Habanero sauce. The ultimate heat and sweet. Maybe on chicken wings?

     I am hoping that the weather this weekend is going to be half decent. I have asked my Friend From Over the Hump to accompany me to retrieve the trail cameras we put out a month ago. It will be interesting to see how long the batteries lasted and if anything interesting was caught on the camera. There is also an extra area that I would like to check out. Of course this is all subject to the road conditions. The area is at a higher elevation and if there is too much snow we'll turn around and come home. Wish us luck.

It's Finally OVER!...sort of

07 Nov 20

08:45 hrs 

     Well, it's all over but the crying. Its been four days since the general election in the Hugh-ess and finally, after doing a whole shitload of higher math number crunching one of the major news outlets determined that there is not enough votes for the Tangerine Tyrant to catch and surpass the former VP. As such, the former VP is going to be the 46th President Elect. And now for the crying.... The first person that I saw crying over this was an African American political commentator who was so overjoyed that a rational person of truth and decency has been elected to replace the vindictive poisonous self serving puss bag who has occupied the WH for the past four years. Oh, there will be a large number of blind bars who will believe the false rhetoric pushed forward by the Tangerine Tyrant and his Sycophants. My only concern is that in the days to come these Right Wing Radicals will unload their weapons and leave them at home. For some reason I think the new Prez had better get a handle on things pretty quick because the Tangerine Tyrant's has been pushing the notion that his loss would indicate that the election was rigged and stolen out from under him. For the RW militia groups this is like a call to arms! I do know of some individuals in the Hugh-ess and in the Great White North who, for some unknown reason, fervently suppory the Tangerine Tyrant. From what I have learned the Tangerine Tyrant is currently playing Whackdammit! Go figure.

08 Nov 20

08:00 hrs

     It hasn't even been twenty-four hours and already the new President Elect, who hasn't even been sworn into office, is putting together a group of scientists and medical professionals to formulate a series of directives that will lead the Hugh-ess out of the Beer Flu. Good on him!

13:45 hrs

     If you have check any Hugh-ess national news outlets they have reported that countries around the world have stated that the removal of the Tangerine Tyrant is akin to an awakening from a four year coma and people from India to Europe to Africa to the Great White North are rejoicing over the election results. Only in the Hugh-ess are there individuals who are angry about the loss. Well, that's enough of that shit.

     My Lobster baked some cheddar and jalapeno scones, I baked some peanut butter cereal cookies and together we reboxed the Halloween decorations. Over by our local grocery store there has been a partially developed lot that has sat partially developed for the past eight years. It was supposed to be more housing - patio homes or something  - but finally construction has finally restarted. I believe it will be a multi-storey mixed purpose - commercial and residential  - kind of set up. All I know is things will be a lot busier at the grocery store. 

     The weather here in the Valley has been cold and windy for most of the past week with the wind blowing out of the north making it quite nippy out. Not anywhere near as nippy as it got out on the tarmac in Winterpeg where it often dropped to below -40°C. When I hear people griping about the cold here on the Left Coast I smile and remember how cold I would get loxing a couple of aircraft in the middle of a prairie winter.

     One last note. The host of the Hugh-ess tv game show Jeopardy has passed away from the Big C. He had hosted the show since 1984 and was a originally from the Great White North. 

Spots!

30 Oct 20

06:15 hrs

     Spots! You got any? I've got three.

     My neighbor in The 'Peg would shout this at me over the noise of the lawn mower. It was a means to throw me off my guard. He was just a harmless retired schoolteacher who looked at the world from a different perspective. He passed away from cancer some years after we had moved. Since we got married my Better Half has always cut my hair and she does a great job. After my last hair cut I looked in the mirror and noted a couple of changes. On a close inspection I think that my forehead may be growing longer, which is not too bad since a large number of my peers are now sporting a chrome dome. I'm far from that stage but interestingly enough my shaved pate has revealed a brown spot (an age spot?) near my left temple. Don't worry Dear Readers there's no hair sprouting from it and it is not an irregular shape.

     Are you ready for Halloween? It will certainly be different this year with the Beer Flu still going around. In the Golden Horseshoe the Spooky Celebration has been put on hold this year and kids are being told to stay at home in an effort to prevent further spreading of the infection. Every little bit helps. Over in the Big Pearl the City Council has declared that this will be the final year for the sale of pyrotechnics within the city limits. This may not be such a bad idea because just about every night some local yokels have been launching rockets near the Wayward Inn. They may think it's all fun and games but its scaring the crap out of dogs and old people. 

     If you have been keeping count there is only a few more days left before the citizenry of the Hugh-ess casts their ballots in the biggest decision in their lifetime. So far the voting prior to next Tuesday has already been taking place in earnest with millions of ballots being cast. Although the all polls clearly show that the reign of the Tangerine Tyrant will soon come to an end he has continued his rhetoric on refusing any election results that point to his loss. Unless he wins it will be all Fake News. The biggest issue with this is the fact that the armed faction of his Sycophants is already looking for an excuse to "Secure thie rights and freedoms from those who would curtail them". I've said it before and I'll say it again the outcome of this election could easily result in the Hugh-ess Civil War 2.0 and the Great White North will have a ring side seat from our side of the 49th Parallel. 

13:00 hrs

     We're watching the L'il Shop of Horrors. I'm not one for musicals. At least it's funny.

     I spotted some new digs in The City. Someone developed two lots and placed four duplex townhouses, so eight new residences. They're not finished quite yet and I figure they'll fetch half a mill each.

31 Oct 20

06:15 hrs

     Happy Halloween Kidlettes!

     The Ram has to go in to the shop this morning. The headlight switch is screwing up and if I wasn't paying attention I could set it in the off position and the lights would still be on resulting in a long term battery test.

     Due to the Beer Flu we have no idea how many costumed yard apes we will have begging for candy tonight at the Wayward Inn. The littlest ones normally show up at about 17:00 and by 21:00 we are out of treats. Last year we had about two hundred kids. At least that's what my Better Half says. I don't really keep track of these things because when the candy bowl is empty the lights get turned off.

     I recently purchase a "Lest We Forget" poppy flag from the Legion's online kit shop. There was a neighbour down the street from us who had one and I thought that it would be a gentle reminder to those who drove past the Wayward Inn to maybe reflect on where this country came from and where it is going. Did you know that membership to the Legion is open to everyone and not just ex-service members? Membership to the local Airforce Association is limited to past and current airforce personnel. My Lobster had suggested that we join but after attending several functions as guests I soon learned that the majority of the members were all aircrew. I had been welcomed in as a potential candidate until it was discovered that I had been just a technician. That's it, I'm done!

The Battle is almost over.

22 Oct 20

05:00 hrs

     A huge Happy Birthday to my L'il Sis. She was born on our Grandpa's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is but i will tell you that she's two years younger than me and according to the Couch Monkeys I'm old. You figure it out. She's still living in Cowtown, where I heard they have snow but that's okay because she says it hides the dirt.

     The Beer Flu is still cycling through the Great White North. In many provinces the number of infections has risen daily and much more so in those provinces that tried to open their economies too quickly or allowed a greater number of people to gather together and most certainly in places where morons refused to wear masks and practice social distancing. But when you look at the numbers we are no where near the insanity south of the 49th Parallel. As of this writing we have had 206,000 cases and 9,829 deaths and in the Hugh-ess they have had 8,338,413 cases and 222,220 deaths. The numbers are truly staggering. The Hugh-ess has ten times our population but 40x the number of infections and 22x the number of deaths. What is even more staggering is that this First World country which claims to have the best medical system in the world has roughly 1/5 of the global infections and deaths.

     For your entertainment this evening I offer you the final presidential debate between the Tangerine Tyrant and an Olde Boot. I'm pretty sure that this one won't be such the shit show the first one was because the moderator has a mute button to squelch out anyone who doesn't have the common decency to keep his gums from flapping when it's not his turn to talk, Mr. President. I may not get to watch it live but I'm recording it just for a giggle.

     The other day my friend The Big Swede was out for a drive in The Weeds with his friends The Kirks. They were enjoying all the Nature Porn some 12 klicks off pavement when they spotted a domestic house cat. There was no good reason for Miss Kitty being this far from civilization so they rescued and routed her to the nearest SPCA. 

23 Oct 20

20:00 hrs

     The week is done and tomorrow is the grand adventure. When we're out driving around the Oma-nator will spot some house that may be 40 yards off the highway surrounded by trees. Inevitably her comment is "How can someone live all the way out in the bush like that!" For Heaven's sake you could throw a beer bottle from the front porch and hit the road of it wasn't for the trees! So tomorrow my Friend from over The Hump and his Lobster are going Out in the Weeds with me, my Better Half and with the Oma-nator riding shotgun. We're heading out to the expedition area to set up three trail cameras. I'll leave them for a month to take one photo every 30 seconds during daylight hours. They'll be placed on the perimeter of a big field so if something big, upright  and hairy amble across the field of view we'll see it.

Happy Turkey Day from the Sage's Place!

12 Oct 20

07:30 hrs

     Hello Dear Readers!

     Last Thursday I departed from the Wayward Inn at 0h Dark 30 and headed for the boat in Hub City. I landed on the other side at 0800 and headed for the Interior. When I stopped in Faith to top off the Ram I had only used a quarter of a tank and then I headed through the Coke to the Sage's. The driving distance on The Rock and on the mainland is about 610 km. Whe I arrived at the Sage's I checked the Ram's on board trip 'puter and I was surprised to learn my fuel consumption was 11.2 Lt/100km. That's 25 mpg. Outstanding!

     Since my arrival I have completed a plethora of chores around the Homestead. Sharpen knives, clear water lines, fix doors and latches, retrieve and install stuff.  

     Yesterday guests, the local Aunt and Uncle along with my L'il Sis (from another mother) and her husband Two-Bob, came for the holiday feast. Turkey with all the trimmings, cabbage rolls, smashed potatoes, salad, veggies and a butternut squash casserole. An amazing meal. 

15 Oct 20

00:05 hrs

     One chore left for tomorrow and then I pack for the trip back to The Rock. More to come.

08:15 hrs

     I have a game plan as to loading the Ram for the trip back to The Rock. Later this afternoon my books and odds will be stowed on the back seat. A lunch for the road will be made. The Road Tar and the regular coffee for the thermos will be prepped as well. I'll shower, change into fresh clothes this evening and then those bags can be packed as well. All of this work falls under the axiom - Fail to plan. Plan to fail! 

     Yesterday, my Lobster shared a picture of some new bottle our Sr. Couch Monkey purchased. Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey. Sounds like something that has been squirted out of the north end of a south bound basset hound. And you just know that when I get back to the Wayward Inn he will be insisting that I try it. If he asks I will take one just for you Dear Readers. May God have pity on me.

A Side Note!

03 Oct 20

19:45 hrs

     If you have been following the goings on at the Wayward Inn you will recall that we had a foreign student, The Onion, who resided with us for some time. This past spring she went back to India at her mother's request. We found out today that her mom  her dad and her brother all have the Beer Flu. We are worried about her as Indian households are usually multi-generational on their make-up which means no matter how hard you try this virus will spread. We wish The Onion is safe and secure in this time of crisis.

Adventure Day!

03 Oct 20

07:15 hrs

     It has been a long week for me. Eleven hour plus days for the entire week. Great for the paycheck but it wears the hell out of you. Especially when you're old as I am.

10:15 hrs

     We are taking the Oma-nator on an adventure. There are four of us in the Ram. My Lobster and the Jr. Loin Fruit are in the back seat while the Oma-nator is riding shotgun. We are on the Salish Eagle making our way over the salt chuck to the Left Coast Highway Trailhead. You can actually start at that point and drive all the way down the left Coast of North America from the Great White North through the Hugh-ess and down through Sleepy Sombrero. When get to the other side we will race farther north to a bakery that has sticky buns the size of a babies head!.

14:00 hrs

     We have already travelled to Nancy's Bakery at the End of the Road where everybody indulged their sweet tooth. While noshing a couple walked by with a pair of odd looking dogs. I asked our group if they knew what kind dogs they were. The Jr. Loin Fruit said that they were called Domesticated Western Land Otters. On the way back to our Landing Point we cruised through the original streets and marvelled at the wide streets and old trees. We are at a museum at the Landing Point. 

16:15 hrs

     We're waiting for the vessel to carry us back across the strait. We had gone for a short walkabout in this struggling metropolis. Bookstores, tea shops and local charcuterie were all targets. My Lobster and the Jr. Loin Fruit hit up two book stores. I was later informed that the first was a death trap waiting to happen. Everything stacked in piles on the floor and sideways on shelves and in no semblance of order. The other was the standard organized bookstore and was therapeutic - found a hard copy first edition of Serpico by Peter Maas. I took a long walk to a meat shop only to find that it had closed ten minutes before I had arrived. Oh well, the walk did me good. While I was gone the Oma-nator and my Better Half witnessed an impaired individual stagger down the sidewalk and commit reverse peristalsis three times. Shortly thereafter, I came strolling along without a care in the world and spotted the ochre coloured splashes at the last second which was just enough time moon shuffle waltz through the mine field.