Here's a Question!

02 Mar 21

07:30 hrs

     Good Morning Dear Readers!

     And what lovely morning it is. Mid level overcast and 1°C. We could get some precip here in the Valley as well but the winds have dropped to next to nothing. I hope your day is shaping up well. Anyways, let's get right to it shall we?

     Foibles! Call it what you will but everyone knows of someone who has a quirk, a foible or some idiosyncrasy that makes that person interesting, or unique, or odd, or a pain in the ass. Many times these acts are simply a display of the person's (un)diagnosed mental condition  - Knock Knock Knock Penny. I'm not going to point out out any specific individual's foibles I just wanted to highlight the fact that I think all of us have something that makes us human.

03 Mar 21

06:30 hrs

     The sun is starting to come up and I can see we have some high overcast clouds. Yesterday my Sr. Couch Monkey picked up the sheath for the filet knife I gave him for Christmas. He had contacted a local leather worker and had commissioned the work. It's pretty nice and moreover I'm proud that he sourced out a local artist to have the work done. 

     The massive destruction/reconstruction project at CFB Lompoc continues. I think the work is still on schedule. It's hard to tell with all the road being torn up. I've talked to the head contractor a couple of times and he has assured me that there is a method to the madness. The issue is that despite the roads being torn up they still have to be passable so people can get to work.

     Here's another question - When will the local transportation engineers pull their heads out of their ass? As seen in the local cage liner some moron in the anni g department has decided to put a pedestrian crosswalk across a three lane road. Normally, this isn't a bad thing as it would allow pedestrians to cross a road more directly than walking a half mile in one direction before crossing the road at a controlled intersection before returning a half mile on the opposite side of the road. The problem is that the selected crosdi g point is at the top of a very long hill where all drivers, myself included, tend to increase their speed when going uphill until they may be doing 20km or more over the posted speed limit. And now some bookworm engineer will expect all that traffic to come to a screaming halt when someone pushes the crosswalk button. Mark my words somebody is going to get killed! Do they need a safe way to cross the road at the point? Sure, but what they should be building is a ramped overhead walkway. I heard the idea was investigated but the cost would be close to $10 million. Well, I would rather see the money spent on an overhead walkway than some stupid bridge across the river for cyclists and our Residentially Challenged persons when one already exists one block over.

20:15 hrs

     I just finished a podcast with Sheldon. I think it went pretty good. Look for Nicola Valley Bigfoot on your favourite podcast site. He's had his own interactions when Out in the Weeds and I mentioned to him that maybe we could arrange something on the Rock or if I came through on my way to the Sages I might stay over a couple of days and check out his research area.

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.

They're gonna lose their shit!

30 Jan 21

08:00 hrs

     With the new administration in the Hugh-ess science and common sense (and common decency) now have the backing of the POTUS as opposed to The Other Guy whose understanding of science meant you should inject household cleaners into your body. That being said the CDC has stated that as of this Monday masks will be required by all operators and users of all mass transit, public transit, ride sharing services and those moving in about in public places to wear masks. Period!

     Now, you just know that all those right wingers who stand on the Hugh-ess Constitution (and Bill of Rights) will say that the feds are intruding on their FREEDOMS but what has to happen is all of the transit operators - whatever it may be - simply refuse any passengers on board without a mask. 

     "Uh, do you want to ride the bus? Then, put on your mask! No mask! No Uber!"

     My Better Half and I dragged the Oma-nator up to River City for a bubble tea. We were also looking at a new set of wheels, for her not for me. She had looked at an import here in the Valleyvbut didn't like it and decided to take a ride in one of Mr. Yamamoto's cars with yours truly at the wheel, which is kinda weird that she wanted me to test drive a vehicle for her. Oh well...off we go. Nice wheels. Losts of gadgets and safety devices. The cockpit was like a fighter aircraft and it handled like one too.

     Speaking of vehicles. My order for new saddle blanket seat covers for the Ram arrived at the house the other day. I have yet to install them, which I figure I'll have time to do when I'm at work and I'm bored and if it's not raining. I also bought a ladder that attaches to the tail gate so I can get in and out of the box without killing my knees. Gordo from work said he would give me a hand mounting it on. I have my new light switches, lights and all the stuff needed to have the Ram light up the world. My Friend from Over the Hump said we could do the work at his place so I'm waiting for when the weather is pleasant enough for me to lay on my back for a couple of hours at a time. I am also going to order a pair of tail light guards. These are like a metal cage that proects the the tail light by wrapping around the assembly and the look cool too. I saw a set for a Jeep that had a cut out of a Squatch. Way cool. Unfortunately,  I cannot get them for the Ram.

30 Jan 21

10:30 hrs

     There has been enty of rain here in the Valley and only enough snow to make one snow angel for my Lobster. That doesn't mean there isn't snow up on the Beauforts. On the contrary, the snow pack is pushing 110% of normal which is good for the summer.

     Did you know that if you were a weekly parishioner at a Catholic church and every week for thirty plus years you tossed five or ten bucks in the collection plate and after you passed away your relatives asked for a Mass to be held in your name you would have to pay the church to do it? Same thing with granting an annulment. Ya can't get a divorce but if you grease their palms they'll dissolve the marriage before God! Hypocrites!

22:00 hrs

     It would appear that my tailgate ladder has arrived. Now, I'll just have to tee up a time with Gordo.

     On a final note, if you thought the shit with the Tangerine Tyrant is over you are delusional. The upcoming impeachment trial starts in about seven days and his first group of lawyers - five of them - all bailed out because he - the Orange Shit Gibbon - wants to argue the point that the election was stolen from him. 

     H'mmm, the problem with that line of defence is everyone knows, and I do mean everyone, that there was no widespread conspiracy fraud during the election. Sixty lawsuits brought forward on behalf of the Tangerine Tyrant were tossed. Now, if any lawyer presents what is known to be a lie before the Senate they can be disbarred. As of this writing two more idiots have sign up to defend him. Get your popcorn. 

The Things you see!

23 Jan 21

17:45 hrs

     I had to make a trek to WallyWorld to pick up some items. I've been a bit under the weather lately. Chilled to the bones two days in a row. Chilled so bad that I dragged out my woolen campfire blanket - the one covered in badges - which my Better Half says is as itchy as a camel's scrotum (I'll never ask how she knows that). Anyways, my Lobster had ordered items for pickup as there has been three cases of the Beer Flu reported at WallyWorld and one a Timmies, which one I don't know. I also don't know if it was a customer or a staffer. Since neither places carry out contact tracing lists for customers I'm going with staffers. 

     While waiting for our stuff I saw this lady drag her shopping cart full of stuff out and cram it into her north foreign (Foreign manufacturers who have plants in North America) hatchback and then rolls her cart into the next parking spot rather than push it to the shopping cart corral that is only five parking spots away. Can you say Lazy Bitch?

     I'm already chomping - nee dreaming - about getting Out in the Weeds. K & K run their trail cameras all year and have some fine wildlife photos of elk, cougar and bear. A bear even bit through one of their cameras. That's why mine are in lock boxes and bolted to the trees. The other thing I am wanting to do , and I'm sure I've written this already, is to spend a couple of weeks basking on a sun soaked beach with my Better Half. Of course, we will have to wait until the Beer Flu is under control. I'm thinking next year as this year will be the year when the vaccinations will take place and the world will see how effective it is.

     Our Jr. Loin Fruit has gone to Capital City for the weekend. He's been so wrapped up doing his schooling through Distance Education that he needed to take a break. With masks and plenty of caution he headed south. He'll be back at the end of the weekend. 

     Sunday will be my mom's birthday. We all wish her well.

     I spotted another new apartment building going up in the Valley. Its across the river from us next to the government office. I have no idea where the residents are going to park and there is another building being built just down the road towards the bridge. At this point I have no idea what function will be but what I can say is with three or four new residential buildings all going up in close proximity will have an impact on the traffic in the Valley. If the town fathers believe that the residents will park their vehicles and rely on the horse and buggy mass transit system that is routed through the Valley. 

     My Lobster and I finished watching the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon tv. A great series, three seasons worth and we are hoping there will be more. I just finished watching most of a docu-series called Spycraft on Netflix. Some pretty cool stuff from the early days and the now. I would recommend it. 

     We were supposed to get some snow here in the Valley this weekend. Right now its 3°C and raining but the forecast is for snow to start in the next hour or so. If we do get snow in any substantial amount it would be best to stay off the Valley roads as the vast majority of the driving public do not have winter tires and have no clue on how to drive in true winter conditions. 

     If you thought that the Tangerine  Tyrant was gone from the public eye you are delusional. The Hugh-ess Speaker will be passing the Article of Impeachment - an Act of Incitement of Insurrection - on to the Senate. Supposedly, the Senate trial will take place in February. The Tangerine Tyrant is acting pretty nonchalant about the whole thing. Maybe he thinks that there are a bunch of senators still is his pocket and he won't be convicted. Maybe so but as I've said before the real trials will be with the Southern District of New York. 

Stay tuned.

     One last thing. The Onion phoned us from thirteen and a half time zones away just to say hi. She's taking courses through distance ed from the college in the Valley. She still plans on coming back to Canada to finish her studies but needs a student visa, which hasn't arrived yet. I'm deeply concerned that even if the visa arrives the Beer Flu will prevent her from coming to the Great White North.