VON Caregiver Education & Information Series ~ Last Session

Yesterday was another very rewarding day, as I had attended the last VON Caregiver Education & Information Series out of four.  Where do I possibly begin....um, the Certificate maybe?

"You Make a Difference to the Lives of Others".  How strong is that statement, and how much I needed to have that reinforced in my life.  Another such statement is, "The need to be needed is perhaps the greatest human need of all".  What a bond these two statements have with each other.

There was a quest speaker in attendance from Bruce Peninsula Hospice, who provided not only information about how Hospice provides service to palliative care persons, but words of encouragement for the caregiver.  I found the time this lady took to speak to each of us, in attendance, individually, was to be most personal and caring.

After our Hospice speaker had spent her time with us and took her leave, the remainder of the session focused on HOPE.  Being Hopeful and taking a look at the concept of Hope.

Hope is:  "A process of anticipation that involves the interaction of thinking, acting, feeling and relating, and is directed toward a future fulfillment that is personally meaningful." (Charlotte Stephenson).

Just a couple of pointers that were relayed to us on the Concept of Hope:

~  Hope is crucial to recovery for our despair disables us more than disease every could;

~  Hope speaks to the future;

~  One cannot give hope to another if he/she does not possess it in himself;

~  Hope influences the healing response and is necessary to prevent physical and mental   

    deterioration that comes with despair brought on by illness

~  Hope springs from different sources for each person

As I stated, just a few pointers from a list of many.  We can not live without HOPE.

I would highly recommend the VON Caregiver Education & Information Series to anyone that is giving care to a person, whether they be elderly, have a chronic illness/situation, or anything that is requiring time on a daily basis whereas the person being cared for has to rely greatly on the person giving the care.

I cannot stress enough how much, as a Caregiver myself, we need to look after ourselves and seek the support of others to give us more tools and reinforcements to look after one's self that we may go on in a healthy role as a Caregiver.  The first start I would recommend as direction, now that I know myself, is to contact your local VON office and seek direction through their most "wonderful" service they provide for us at the following website link:

http://www.von.ca/en/home/default.aspx

If not for one's self, there might be a friend or acquaintance that might need this service, so pass it on, and remember, "Knowledge is the Best Medication" !!!!

Special thanks to two special VON ladies.....thank you from my heart, Diane and Jessica !!!

Now to lighten up the last day of June 2011, I thought I would put something out there this morning....can you tell the difference between the two following pictures?

Picture No. 1:

Picture No 2:  "Can anyone find Pete in this picture?"



Ha,ha,ha,ha.....our baby chicks arrived yesterday !!!!  Aren't they the sweetest?  No naming names now, as you might be invited for supper this Winter and be served your namesake !  LOL.

Since I just received more puppy picture updates, once again, yesterday, I will be trying to figure out a program to unzip the pictures, then there will be a couple of the "Magnificent Seven's" pictures tomorrow to be checking out.  Like I said yesterday, lol, stay tuned......eventually I will have figured it out somehow.

....and the Wiarton Airport Weatherman has to say:

Today:

Sunny. High 22. UV index 9 or very high.

Tonight:

Clear. Low 10.

Bring on the sun....my garden needs it and the upcoming Canada Celebrations need it!!!!

*Sigh*  Since Friday is a Holiday, I have my scheduled weekly allergy shot this morning.  I had better get that second cup of Java into me and get on with my day, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Having Some Fun With My Girl, "Lexus" .

That was most certainly quite the wind going on outside my bedroom window last evening......

"Whoosh....poor little Ash tree."

.......going to check right now, what today is going to be like, right off the bat !

Today:

Cloudy. 30 percent chance of showers early this morning. Clearing near noon. Wind becoming northwest 20 km/h late this morning. High 19. UV index 9 or very high.

Tonight:

Clear. Low 8.

That isn't looking too bad.  I just came in from having Lexus and Bandit out, it is a little cool, but not cold, and the wind has died.  Hopefully the week improves as we head towards the July 1st Canada Day Weekend.

I really didn't have a very productive day at all here yesterday, as I was having a "day", and just couldn't get myself motivated.  I did make my bed though, as my bed seldom is left unmade, unless the "Crabby Cabbie" has had a long work night and needs to be in it throughout the day.  I did a few other little tidy up items, read some paperwork that needed reading, a couple of phone calls that had to be made, and paid those dreaded "bills" online.  Oh yes, I dropped off a recipe to a friend downtown, which took time, as there is always talking involved and not just the "dropping off" of something, lol.

One very important phone I did receive back was the one from Pastor Pamela of the Baptist Church.  The Church is having a Summer Activity Week for children from ages 5 to 12, I believe, from 9 to 12 a.m..  It just happens to be the week of Aiden's visit here with Grandma and Poppa, so I registered him to go since it will break the week up for him and give him lots of interaction with new children.

I also had a very pleasant discussion with Pastor Pamela, as well.  I am looking forward to actually being able to meet her in person, as I have already seen her picture, and her mine, since we exchanged "Blog" locations with each other.

After having a barbecued hamburger for supper, hot of the grill in the pouring rain last night, I took my girl, Lexus, out for some one on one time, as I usually do periodically throughout our days.

"Faithfully bringing the dumbbell back for another throw."

 "Mom, if I give it back to you, will you throw it again?"

"Much more interested in a smell then being bothered to continue with playing catch."

I have just recently received a couple of "Magnificent Seven" updates and pictures by email, however it has been taking me forever to upload pictures to my blog this morning, so I will have to leave it for another day.  I have things to do and places to be today, since I was such a "slacker" yesterday.  LOL .... so stay tuned for the updates at a later date !

I am really running behind this morning, so I had better get a "dangle on" and get to the tasks at hand for another day ahead, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Sunshine & Warmth Please Before My Garden Rots In The Ground !

I am getting quite concerned with our vegetable garden, as it is still a mucky mess from all the rain we had last week, right up to Saturday morning, and then again last night!

Upon yesterday's inspection, the tomatoes don't appear to have a good colour, not sure if the potatoes will rot into the ground or not, however the pepper and zucchini plants are still green with flowers on them, the lettuce has shown itself (what lettuce wouldn't like lots of wet), radishes are showing themselves, but no sign of the beets.  Oops forgot to notice if the yellow beans have begun to sprout or not....will have to check that out today, as well as the onions.

How can I convince the Wiarton Airport Weatherman how imperative it is to have rain only in moderation, and preferably in the evening when most people are then sleeping?  Guess I don't, because there are days he never hears me, and here I go slipping into a "bad" marriage scene with him once again, lol.

Today:

Cloudy with sunny periods and 60 percent chance of showers. Risk of a thunderstorm early this morning. Wind becoming west 20 km/h this afternoon. High 20. UV index 6 or high.

Tonight:

Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Wind west 20 km/h becoming light late this evening. Low 12

*Sigh*, but I have to keep reminding myself, I am so happy it is not snow and that I can now buy new crop potatoes at the grocery store for a sale price of $3.97 this week before the price is jacked up to $5.99 for the same 10 pound bag.  I best be running in for that second bag before the sale is over!

I must have hope the sun will soon shine for the vegetable gardens to flourish, so the grocery store prices have no further reason to have sky high prices caused by another poor growing season.....hope, hope, hope !

Not to dwell further on my "bad" marriage with the Wiarton Weatherman, onto a couple of interesting articles I have came across.  I have included the website link under each respective heading as follows:

How Diet Can Cause and Improve Menopause Symptoms ~ Certain foods can worsen menopause symptoms like fatigue and hot flashes. Discover some menopause diet no-nos and find out what to eat instead.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause-pictures/how-diet-can-cause-and-improve-symptoms-of-menopause.aspx

I found this article to have a lot of good common sense reminders in it.  However, now I am confused as to whether I put on 8 to 15 pounds because of menopause or from when I quit smoking?  LOL, there are so many similar factors to so many different things......I have lost  thirteen of those pounds in the past year, but I still have another, at least 15 to go....*sigh* the constant battle of being a woman, oh man !!!!

Your Mother's Health & You ~ Like mother, like daughter? That can be great in many ways, but not when it comes to inherited women's health conditions.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/your-mothers-health-and-you.aspx

This article was more interesting, or I at least found it to be, as we always wonder what is genetically passed down, and what isn't.  Whether it is all factual or not for everyone, I did find it to be of great interest in my own comparisions between my Mother, my sisters and myself.

Going through my photos earlier this morning, I realized I had forgotten a very important picture of my little "Birthday Ham" !

"Connor all decked out with his Spiderman raincoat and umbrella!"

He has a look of "caution" for some reason in this picture, and I can't remember if someone on the sidelines was giving him a hard time or not, lol......regardless he is equipped for the rainy days, with only the boots missing, which I know he does have a pair at home.

Some other pictures I managed to capture over this past weekend:

"Windy-Lee kicking up her heels."

"Lacey, Break-dancing."

"Jazz kicking up the dirt."

"Bandit trying to put a stop to all the fun and frolicking."

"Yeah buddy, what do you think you are going to do about it?"

"No pictures, Mom,  as I am ticked right now cause those girls just get under my skin some days !"

I am sure Bandit does get some frustrated with those three, especially when they do stand there and just give him the "look" !  LOL

Yesterday was just a day of tidying up from the boys being here for the weekend, nothing too serious.  I suppose I should try and be a little more productive today inside, since it is going to be raining out anyway !!!

I believe another cup of Java would be in order before I get off my duff and even begin to think what I am going to do with my day ahead, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard."

What A Whirlwind Ending To a Rip-Tail Snorter Weekend!

The three rip-tail snorters took their leave for home around 6:00 p.m. yesterday, after a full day.....some fun and some not so fun, but with all ending well.

After breakfast, Paul, Aiden, Connor and I got ourselves all ready to go over to Roth's Park (lol, no relation by the way) private beach for a little fun in the sun.

"Some serious transporting of water going on here."

"These big dump trucks have done some pretty heavy duty work over the years, I would think."

"Lot of treasures were found to take home for Show & Tell at school."

"More serious hard work being accomplished."

Once we had arrived at the beach, Paul was having an allergic reaction to something, with hives breaking out and nose running.  I told him to go back home where I had some antihistamines. 

After maybe an hour had passed by, Rob showed up to collect us, as by the time Paul had gotten home, his body was swelling and throat closing, so Rob had rushed him down to the hospital.  We collected Aiden and Connor to go back home, where I left them with Rob to get down to the hospital to see my Paul. 

Yes there he was in Emergency, hooked up to IV and a monitor.  He had been given an epi-pen, as well as Benedryl to take away the hives and settle the reaction.  Once I made sure he was stable I headed back home to be with the boys. 

I certainly had no need to be concerned with the boys.  Poppa Rob had it all under control, as there they were having a lunch of chicken, potatoes and hard boiled eggs.  Wow, I was impressed !!!  After making sure they, as well as everything else, was cleaned up, I went back to the Hospital to be with Paul.

Upon my return, they had moved Paul from the Trauma room to another bed.  Apparently after they had moved him, he had another break-out and the Doctor had to give him Prednisone to get it under control.  Finally Paul's colour returned to normal after about 5 hours, and he was released.

We got him back home with him thinking about having to pack and feed the boys before they went back home.....well Poppa came through once again, as they were all at the dining room table have a supper of Kraft Dinner.  All the toys had been cleaned up, and earlier I had already packed up all the clothes and whatnot.

After dinner Paul got all their stuff collected to ready themselves for their trip back home.

"Poppa Rob couldn't have been, once again, more helpful by getting Connor buckled in as fast as he could.  LOL."

They all arrived safe and sound at home when I received their phone call at about 7:00 p.m., last night.

What a "whirlwind" ending to a Rip-Tail Snorter Weekend !!!

After a light supper of a bagel and cream cheese, and a warm shower, it wasn't long until my head hit the pillow and let me tell you, about "what a sleep" I had last night.  I think I was beyond tired with all the weekend action we had going on around here, and instantly passed right out!

Upon waking this morning at 5:00 a.m., I noticed we had a little visitor at our pond.

"By the looks of this "look", I believe I had been spotted."

Just another neighbour dropping by for a drink of something wet and cool.  LOL.

I most certainly have lots to do today dealing with the aftermath left over by my three Rip-tail Snorters, but that is alright, as I enjoyed every minute they were here with us, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard."

A "Fun" Day Was Had By All !

Despite the early morning rain and wet, Paul, Aiden, Connor, and I had fun out and about shopping in Owen Sound yesterday morning.  We managed to go to Deals, Mark's Men's Warehouse, Walmart, Giant Tiger, and Staples all before the noon hour! 

Oh yes, we even managed to check out the downtown Owen Sound Farmer's Market !

"This table of veggies do look home grown & fresh."

"Always time for a little tenderness and loving."

"Couldn't miss out on a free sample of the Kettle Corn."

As we were heading out of Owen Sound up the Sunset Drive, Paul pulled over for us to take a walk into the Falls off the Bruce Trail.

"Demonstrating a little Gorilla tactics to the boys?"

"Really boys it is sturdy (more gorilla tactics by the looks of it to me)."

"This bridge even had a plate stating its name and how it came to be."

"Settled all down for the time being so Grandma could take a group shot on the "safe" bridge."

"The Falls."

We all had a great time on our little excursion into a "wee" part of the Bruce Trail.

Once we got home the rain had completely stopped, and the boys were able to play outside until almost suppertime.

"Rob fired up the BBQ so we could get our steaks and chicken grilled to go along with fresh Ontario asparagus, green beans and new red boiled potatoes".

"If anyone was thinking on dropping by for Chocolate Birthday Cake, you might think twice about doing so."

....as I am sure there might be a couple crumbs still around.

After supper, Paul, took on the cutting of the lawn which you could hear growing with all the rain we have been having.

"Paul takes his lawn cutting quite seriously."

"Obviously the Peanut Gallery takes it quite seriously as well."

The mosquitoes got so bad, Paul had to give up cutting some of the lawn.

The boys had their baths and were all tucked and sound asleep by 9:00 p.m., and Grandma wasn't too long after.

Up and at it again early this morning.

"Some of us are early risers......"

"....and then some of us aren't."



LOL, everyone is up now, except the "Crabby Cabbie", as he didn't get in from work until the wee hours of the morning.

The weather forecast for the day is:

Today:

Clearing this morning. High 22. UV index 9 or very high.

Tonight:

Clear. Fog patches developing overnight. Low 13.

There are two little boys hoping to go to the beach before they head back home today, so come on sunshine !!!

I am thinking I will be having another busy day ahead of me, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard."

The "Rip-Tail Snorters" Have Taken Over My Life !

Never a "dull" moment when my three Rip-tail Snorters arrive on our doorstep, that is for sure.  They made their grand entry around 6:30 p.m. last night.

I had a supper of venison sausage, green beans, boiled new red potatoes, and homemade Cottage Cheese biscuits all ready for them.  After everyone of my "four" boys (four boys, meaning, Rob, Paul, Aiden & Connor) fueled themselves with their meal, we went on to the grand final of the Birthday Celebrations.

"What would any birthday be without a Layered Chocolate Cake?"

"Okay guys, you can both blow them out."

"Not sure if there was time to make wishes by the time these two Rip-tail Snorters got to blowing."

"Yep, Grandma, that was really good Birthday Cake."

"Thinking Aiden was in pretty deep "chocolate cake" thought here."

I most certainly had a busy day leading up to the "boys" arrival.  First thing was the drive North of the Checkerboard to my weekly Doctor's appointment, then home to make homemade Cottage Cheese Biscuits and Chocolate Cake.

"Um mm, first time I had made these biscuits, and they were so good I will be making them again."

Cottage Cheese Biscuits

2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp margarine or butter
Mix until crumby & set aside

In separate bowl....

1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup cubed old cheddar cheese
1 egg
1/4 cup milk

Add cheese mixture to flour mixture, just until blended. If to wet add a little flour. Pat onto floured board and cut into biscuits 1/2 in thickness. bake at 425F for 10-12 min.....don't crowd on cookie sheet.

This recipe was submitted to Facebook's, "Cindy's Recipe Exchange", by my niece, Joanne Spence.  Thanks for the recipe, Joanne,  it passed the Rip-Tail Snorter's taste test !

"....and of course, then there was the Chocolate Birthday Cake, with sparkles."

Right now, I hear the sounds of rain outside the window, so I am thinking this will be how it will be for this morning, and the rest of the day?

Today:

Cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers. Wind west 20 km/h. High 19. UV index 5 or moderate.

Tonight:

Cloudy periods. Wind west 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low 12.

*Sigh* only 30 percent chance.   My three boys and I are off to Owen Sound this morning anyway to make a couple of Birthday purchases, since it was just Connor's 4th birthday this past Tuesday, and the "big" guy, Paul, has one coming up on July 6th.  So we will make the best of a rainy morning, and hope for the day to clear for this afternoon......

I have been playing around with the thoughts of a name for a Kennel.  Upon mentioning this last Sunday when my cousins Brad & Paula, were here, Brad came up with the name "Checkerboard Aussies".  I am thinking that is pretty catchy.  I just wanted to put that out there to see if anyone else had the same thoughts on that?  I would appreciate hearing from anyone either through my Facebook page, or at justnorthofwiarton.@live.ca

Off and running, as I just "know" with my Rip-tail Snorters here, there isn't going to be a dull moment in my day ahead, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard."

Not Going To Let The Rain Dampen My Spirits For The Weekend Ahead !

Arose to one very damp, wet and drizzly morning here, with another headache on the way and a stiffness that I am sure will take me into tomorrow to get worked out, LOL. 

Today:

Showers. High 17. UV index 3 or moderate.

Tonight:

Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Low 12.

There it is, in black and white, more showers.  I am just now reminding myself, once again, how happy I am it is not snow flurries, so I am feeling much better about the showers now.

I am not letting the weather get the best of me and dampen my spirits for the upcoming weekend, as my "Rip-tail Snorters" are arriving today !!!  All three of them !!!  Paul, Aiden & Connor.  I do look forward to my son's visits, along with his boys, as it puts a tickle in my tummy, and a visit with them has been long past due.

I had a very busy day yesterday, by first off having my mammogram done, which obviously I survived with a only a little discomfort.  I am sure the amount of discomfort comes with whoever the person is that is operating the machinery, as two years ago I had tears teaming down my face.  Oh well, it is necessary and over with for another year !  Thank Goodness !

Since I was in Owen Sound, I took advantage by picking up a few items at Giant Tiger and the No Frills Store.  Also my Aunt Gladys happened to be over there as well for an appointment, so it just happened to work out we were able to "hook up" to have a coffee together.

We actually went to McDonald's for coffee, who have any size of drink for $1.00 all summer.  To be quite honest I preferred their coffee over a Tim Horton's coffee at a price of $1.80 or so?  I can remember when my boys were small, living close by to a McDonald's in Kitchener, they used to have the worse coffee ever !  What a difference from then to now!  More then likely one of their best improvements, ha, ha, ha, as I certainly have never cared for their food too much.

By the time I got home and got the groceries put away it was going on to 1:30 p.m..  I had strawberries in the fridge that most certainly were calling my name to be used up, so IKE and I got right on that.

"Um mm, nothing like fresh Strawberry Yogurt Muffins right out of the oven."

Rob was in and out with work all day, with the one time calling up to me to come see the flowers that had just bloomed that day.

"The first Clematis of the season appeared on our vines, much to both our delight".

Later in the day, as I was looking out our bedroom window, which looks toward the south out towards the pond and vegetable gardens, I then noticed a couple more displays of  beauty.

"The beginning of a Chinese Poppy flower that is going to be soon presenting her beauty."

"Beauty in my eyes by seeing the flowers started on the Zucchini plants, as they are one of my most favorite veggies."

I must admit I am so glad nobody was around when I ventured out into the garden to take this picture, as with all the rain we have been having lately, I sunk 2 inches into the muck, and surely would not have gotten back out if I hadn't been wearing sandals.  What a visual that must have been, and thank goodness my sandals wash off so well, lol !

Much later in my day, more around the time after we had our supper of Roast Beef, tomato and cucumber sandwiches, I sat down to read and answer a few emails.  In answering one email, I was giving a suggestion to, I thought, "what the heck, a picture is worth a thousand words", so I sent along these pictures with an explanation (but not exactly this explantion I am sure, lol).

"This new clematis that was planted last year was top heavy; my sister, Donna, suggested I use the clips she bought for me to remedy this matter."

"Clips placed around vine and attached to the trellis."

"Clips, in two different sizes, can be purchased at a Dollar Store for probably $2.00 or less."

Wow, what would we ever do without Dollar Stores, or for that matter what would I ever do without my sister, Donna, and her fantastic purchases and suggestions !  I also got to share it all with someone else that hopefully will benefit from this little bit of knowledge.

 Wouldn't it be nice to have a "Crop Harvest Calander" that we can browse at anytime to remind us when a local fruit or vegetable comes into season?  I thought so and just happened to find one.  There is everything from canning, to recipes, to dates of local Ontario events.......check it out, I found it to be very informative and interesting.

http://www.pickyourown.org/CAONharvestcalendar.htm

A website well worth pinning to your favorites.

Since I am on topic about vegetables and fruits, the Eat Right Ontario website provides lots of informative topics from Digestive Health to Menu Planning.  Another worthwhile website to have pinned to your favorites.

http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Default.aspx

Eat Right Ontario can provide answers to any questions we might have on Nutrition and Healthy Living.  As I have said, well worth the "browse".

Since I have my one rather large, and two smaller versions of rip-tail snorters landing in here around suppertime today, as well as a trip North of the Checkerboard this morning to get my weekly allergy shot, I best be getting a dangle on here.

Here I go, once again, off and running, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

VON Caregiver Educations & Information Series ~ Session 2 & 3

For some odd reason yesterday, Blogger.com's "insert image" was not working, and I was unable to show off the prize winning pie I had made Tuesday.  It is working today and here it is !

"1st Prize goes to, Ms. Cindy Masterson-Roth for her Prize Winning Lemon Meringue Pie, which 3/4's of it was consumed by her husband Rob within 24 hours of  it being made !"

LOL, and let me tell you I was lucky I got two pieces, let alone one, as this is Rob's most favorite kind of pie.  Thanks to my niece, Joanne, for somehow providing Rob with this 1st Prize Ribbon while visiting this past Sunday, lol.

I had a very busy day yesterday by the time I went to my Dentist to have a chipped tooth filled, getting back home for only 1/2 hour only to go back out to attend the VON's Caregiver Education & Information Series.

Before I touch down on some of, what I found to be, highlights of the Caregiver Education & Information Series~ Sessions 2 & 3, I would like to provide a very important link that is packed with information and tools for the Caregiver.  This link is not only for the caregiver providing care to an elderly parent, but for any person providing care for many types of different health conditions. 

http://www.von.ca/en/caregiver-connect/home/default.aspx

I was reinforced with the statement, "Knowledge is the Best Medication".  How true is that statement ?

The Caregiver Education & Information Series

Session #2 dealt with "Gaining a Sense of Control" :

By the end of this session you should be able to:

~ State one situation this week where you will able to practice taking control;
~ Call on one person for some help;
~ Name one situation that turned out better then expected.

Session # 3 dealt with "Tackling Emotions" :

~  There are no right or wrong emotions, they just are;
~  They exist and need to be acknowledged;
~  Just as we sense our world around us when we touch something, we feel emotions in response to our
    environment and surroundings.

We also learned how to make Guilt Muffins.

Recipe for Guilt Muffins

1.  Grab a large mixing bowl & wooden spoon;
2.  Add 1 cup of cow's cream;
3.  Sprinkle heavily with Self-Esteem;
4.  Drop in large amounts of Felt guilt;
5.  Beat ingredients like _____ !!!!!!
6.  Roll out 3 or 4 balls of the dough, squeezing very hard;
7.  Shape each ball creatively;
8.  Toss into the air or wherever you desire;
9.  Congratulate yourself by saying, "I regret my action but I will toss this guilt muffin away & get on   
     with life.";
10.Repeat this until all of your guilt muffins are tossed.

At the end of the day, each of us that were in attendance were given a miniature rose bush:

I found these sessions to be very helpful and knowledgeable, however what I found I gained the most was the compassion and non-judging mannerism I was treated with by the VON staff, as well as the other fellow caregivers in attendance.  Once again, thank you VON (Victorian Order of Nurses).

I look forward to attending the final Caregiver Education & Information Series final session next Wednesday.  Remember "Knowledge is the Best Medication".

I don't know about the rest of Bruce County, but we certainly had one wicked storm go by our place twice last night.  High winds and pelting rain.  I was surprised the Hydro didn't go out it was that bad.

"After the 1st downpour around 8:00 p.m."

"After the 2nd downpour around 9:00 p.m.."

I know there is glare on the second picture from it being taken through our bedroom window, however it was still raining, so I wasn't about to venture out there into it.

The weather report for the day ahead, provided by our very own local Wiarton Airport is:

Today:

Showers. Risk of a thunderstorm this afternoon. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h this afternoon. High 18. UV index 3 or moderate.

Tonight:

Showers. Risk of a thunderstorm this evening. Low 14.

There you go folks, another balmy summer day with the usual Risk of Thunderstorms looming over it.  I have to admit it is nice the garden and newly planted Yuccas have gotten a good soaking, but enough with the rain already!  Moderation is suppose to be good for all aspects of our lifestyles, so could we have it mixed up a little bit please......

Rob, Bandit and Lexus will be on their own again today, as I have to head into the big City of Owen Sound for my annual Mammogram.  As much as I hate having this procedure done, I am grateful there is such a procedure, as it has saved lives, my own Mother`s five years ago when one detected she had an aggressive breast cancer tumor.  So I will button my lip and have done what I know will be a benefit to me.

I am going to take advantage of my trip into Owen Sound by stopping in at a couple of the big box stores, like No Frills and Giant Tiger, to pick up a few items that are at a lesser ticket price then at our own local Foodland store.  With the rising prices of fuel and food, we need to take advantage of any savings we are able to now a days.

I have things to do before I take leave for my scheduled appointment, so here I go, once again, off and running, ``Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard``.