Like others in our little Comeback group, I was raised very religiously. We were Pentecostals, so we were different: in the world but not of the world (see John 17 and Titus 3). We didn't do a lot of things; smoking and drinking, for example, were verboten. Movies too. And fun parks. Dancing was probably the worst.
For the most part, I didn't mind the restrictions, and speaking of minds, I made up my own on most issues as I grew up. I went to a movie and decided that it wasn't really evil. Same with fun parks although I was chastised for that in particular. But for the most part, I liked and still like the basic values of my evangelical upbringing.
I am quite honest and truthful. And sober of course. I have tried pot — just a few times for something to do — but wouldn't think of making it a habit, for I value sobriety.
Good Christians don't drink, however. Or at least that's what I thought.
I still think that to some degree: that good people drink only moderately.
Therefore, when I went to uni, I did bible study and evangelism instead of boozing and partying. So I never developed much of a taste for beer. I do have it every now and then with a salty snack or pizza or some such, and I can like it that way, but I don't have much of a taste for just beer on its own and probably only consume about two 12-packs a year and with some help from my friends at that.
Wine? Well that was another beverage that I tried as an adult and still a devout Christian one at that. I drink it — a little bit. Usually before or during dinner two or three times per week. Small glasses of red. It's good for me, but I could easily do without it in my life.
Then there's that ubiquitous drink — coffee. Although not against my religious convictions, I didn't start drinking it until I was in my fifties. I recall trying it as a teenager when my sainted mother made me a cup. Instant coffee. Blech! So bad that I eschewed it for the next three and a half decades.
Then, at age 53, I decided to finally be an adult. I began with loads of cream and sugar but soon settled into a sugarless version, still with plenty of cream. I have one in the morning, usually within about 5 minutes of awaking, thanks to the Tassimo machine which we keep in my upstairs den. I don't even have to go to the kitchen: just walk across the hall and start it up. On some nights, I even remember to pre-fill it with water and get the pod and mug ready to brew, which may bring my morning wait time down to three or four minutes instead of five or six.
But that's it. One mug unless we go out for breakfast, which we do about once a month.
My real weakness is Coke. Diet Coke. Almost ice cold coke. It just feels very good on my throat, which I swear almost always seems to be low grade sore.
Sore throat. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Introversion
Facebook introverts sometimes post this graphic, and it always brings a smile, at least a mental smile because ...
... because it kind of strikes a chord.
I have written about introversion before, so shan't go on at length this time because I want you to get to the TED video, below. It's a humorous but insightful look at introversion.
Before you do that, if indeed you do have the 15' to watch, let me recount one incident, which paints a bit of a picture of the difference between intros and extros.
Sue and I were on a walk when I spied a body near the sidewalk. I was taken aback, but I quickly looked about and realized that he was a worker on a house project taking a break in the shade. I processed this silently.
I had just finished my inward thoughts when Sue gasped audibly about the body and then also audibly concluded that he was just a worker taking a shady break
For the most part things go on in our introverted little heads before we take them public. One problem with that is that conversations tend to move on before we ever get to contribute our thoughts.
Anyway, if you have the time, have a look at the TED Talk and see why the bathroom can be a special place for introverts.
I have written about introversion before, so shan't go on at length this time because I want you to get to the TED video, below. It's a humorous but insightful look at introversion.
Before you do that, if indeed you do have the 15' to watch, let me recount one incident, which paints a bit of a picture of the difference between intros and extros.
Sue and I were on a walk when I spied a body near the sidewalk. I was taken aback, but I quickly looked about and realized that he was a worker on a house project taking a break in the shade. I processed this silently.
I had just finished my inward thoughts when Sue gasped audibly about the body and then also audibly concluded that he was just a worker taking a shady break
For the most part things go on in our introverted little heads before we take them public. One problem with that is that conversations tend to move on before we ever get to contribute our thoughts.
Anyway, if you have the time, have a look at the TED Talk and see why the bathroom can be a special place for introverts.
Introversion
Facebook introverts sometimes post this graphic, and it always brings a smile, at least a mental smile because ...
... because it kind of strikes a chord.
I have written about introversion before, so shan't go on at length this time because I want you to get to the TED video, below. It's a humorous but insightful look at introversion.
Before you do that, if indeed you do have the 15' to watch, let me recount one incident, which paints a bit of a picture of the difference between intros and extros.
Sue and I were on a walk when I spied a body near the sidewalk. I was taken aback, but I quickly looked about and realized that he was a worker on a house project taking a break in the shade. I processed this silently.
I had just finished my inward thoughts when Sue gasped audibly about the body and then also audibly concluded that he was just a worker taking a shady break
For the most part things go on in our introverted little heads before we take them public. One problem with that is that conversations tend to move on before we ever get to contribute our thoughts.
Anyway, if you have the time, have a look at the TED Talk and see why the bathroom can be a special place for introverts.
I have written about introversion before, so shan't go on at length this time because I want you to get to the TED video, below. It's a humorous but insightful look at introversion.
Before you do that, if indeed you do have the 15' to watch, let me recount one incident, which paints a bit of a picture of the difference between intros and extros.
Sue and I were on a walk when I spied a body near the sidewalk. I was taken aback, but I quickly looked about and realized that he was a worker on a house project taking a break in the shade. I processed this silently.
I had just finished my inward thoughts when Sue gasped audibly about the body and then also audibly concluded that he was just a worker taking a shady break
For the most part things go on in our introverted little heads before we take them public. One problem with that is that conversations tend to move on before we ever get to contribute our thoughts.
Anyway, if you have the time, have a look at the TED Talk and see why the bathroom can be a special place for introverts.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Wine, Women and Song
Wine, Women and Song was the name of a walking tour sponsored by our town's museum.
We gathered at the original Moore House on Bridge (Main) Street.
From there, we wandered down Bridge Street where our esteemed leader, Linda, told us various stories. Of course, I forget all of the stories now, so I will concentrate on the pictures.
After the tour, we repaired to the new micro brewery, the Stalwart Brewing Co., where we were served samples and given a tour and talk.
We did some mingling both before and after the brewery tour before heading home for the night.
I think we'll be in town for the next walking tour in August, so we'll see you then.
We gathered at the original Moore House on Bridge (Main) Street.
From there, we wandered down Bridge Street where our esteemed leader, Linda, told us various stories. Of course, I forget all of the stories now, so I will concentrate on the pictures.
After the tour, we repaired to the new micro brewery, the Stalwart Brewing Co., where we were served samples and given a tour and talk.
We did some mingling both before and after the brewery tour before heading home for the night.
I think we'll be in town for the next walking tour in August, so we'll see you then.
A Unfortunately Memorable Daytrip to Bon Echo
Our next daytrip was to Bon Echo Provincial Park near Kaladar. It was on my list anyway, but when they had a free entrance day to all provincial parks in Ontario, we made haste.
It was a more developed park than I had been expecting with loads of visitors and campsites. Arriving in the early afternoon, we found a spot on Main Beach for yet another picnic lunch.
We were cheek by jowl with other visitors with the same intention, but that didn't bother Sue, who actually likes people — which I find very strange. You can see the empty chair on her right where I sat as far away from the crowd as I could. Which side would you prefer?
Back in my chair, I studied the map trying to figure out in what direction we were looking. It seemed to be west if I had the map oriented correctly, which is a very iffy proposition.
The beach is on Mazinaw Lake, which seemed pretty scenic, except it was an overcast day. Once again, this would probably be a good spot to return to at better time of day in autumn.
This photo was taken from our picnic spot. It is a compilation of 5 handheld, vertical shots, which shows what a nice setting it is if not exactly bathed in nice light at that moment.
Then, we made a big mistake when we decided to walk to the Visitors Centre, which was, supposedly, only a 10 minute stroll. Well perhaps that was all that it was, but, with a dearth of signage, it turned out to be quite a bit more for us, and as it eventuated we never got there.
This was a photo of another portion of the lake taken on this miserable march. Do you notice that it was sunny? Yes, as soon as we started our walk in the coolish, cloudy day, the sun came out, and we began to sweat miserably.
After several wrong turns with me getting hotter and wearier by the millisecond, the Visitors Centre was finally in sight. But we never quite got there because there was yet another weather change and the threat of rain began to loom large.
And so, we began to hurry back toward the car, but with a bad foot, I can't hurry. There was a time in my life when I might have made it back in time and avoided a near drowning, but this is not that time of my life.
It soon began to pour (I am not exaggerating) and even cast some hail (I am not exaggerating). Eventually, we found a wee bit of shelter but it was a wee bit (I am not exaggerating) and a little too late (I am not exaggerating).
We took a few photos when the downpour began to let up a little. In the first, you can see the modest roof that we were under, which actually looks larger in the photo that it seemed to be at the time. Sadly, our car was in a parking lot beyond this one.
When the rain had mostly let up, I went for the car and come back to pick up Sue. We were soaked, and I was not happy. At all.
And then there was the joy of 1.5 hour drive back home. I don't mind driving really, but when one is wet and tired ...
What with the overcast skies (at first), the crowdedness, followed by the heat and lostness, followed by the storm and wetness along with my general weariness (for whatever reason) that day, it was not the best of daytrips. However, Bon Echo is a place that I would return to at the right time now that I have an idea of what it's like in terms of crowd and layout.
It was a more developed park than I had been expecting with loads of visitors and campsites. Arriving in the early afternoon, we found a spot on Main Beach for yet another picnic lunch.
We were cheek by jowl with other visitors with the same intention, but that didn't bother Sue, who actually likes people — which I find very strange. You can see the empty chair on her right where I sat as far away from the crowd as I could. Which side would you prefer?
Back in my chair, I studied the map trying to figure out in what direction we were looking. It seemed to be west if I had the map oriented correctly, which is a very iffy proposition.
The beach is on Mazinaw Lake, which seemed pretty scenic, except it was an overcast day. Once again, this would probably be a good spot to return to at better time of day in autumn.
This photo was taken from our picnic spot. It is a compilation of 5 handheld, vertical shots, which shows what a nice setting it is if not exactly bathed in nice light at that moment.
Then, we made a big mistake when we decided to walk to the Visitors Centre, which was, supposedly, only a 10 minute stroll. Well perhaps that was all that it was, but, with a dearth of signage, it turned out to be quite a bit more for us, and as it eventuated we never got there.
This was a photo of another portion of the lake taken on this miserable march. Do you notice that it was sunny? Yes, as soon as we started our walk in the coolish, cloudy day, the sun came out, and we began to sweat miserably.
After several wrong turns with me getting hotter and wearier by the millisecond, the Visitors Centre was finally in sight. But we never quite got there because there was yet another weather change and the threat of rain began to loom large.
And so, we began to hurry back toward the car, but with a bad foot, I can't hurry. There was a time in my life when I might have made it back in time and avoided a near drowning, but this is not that time of my life.
It soon began to pour (I am not exaggerating) and even cast some hail (I am not exaggerating). Eventually, we found a wee bit of shelter but it was a wee bit (I am not exaggerating) and a little too late (I am not exaggerating).
We took a few photos when the downpour began to let up a little. In the first, you can see the modest roof that we were under, which actually looks larger in the photo that it seemed to be at the time. Sadly, our car was in a parking lot beyond this one.
When the rain had mostly let up, I went for the car and come back to pick up Sue. We were soaked, and I was not happy. At all.
And then there was the joy of 1.5 hour drive back home. I don't mind driving really, but when one is wet and tired ...
What with the overcast skies (at first), the crowdedness, followed by the heat and lostness, followed by the storm and wetness along with my general weariness (for whatever reason) that day, it was not the best of daytrips. However, Bon Echo is a place that I would return to at the right time now that I have an idea of what it's like in terms of crowd and layout.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Ottawa River Sunset
Eleven years here, and we hadn't yet really been to Arnprior. In a sense, I still haven't really been to Arnprior, but I have now visited the town's Robert Simpson Park on the Ottawa River. I could seen the park on Google Maps and speculated that it might have a good sunset view. As it turns out, it was okay but not the best.
We arrived well before sunset, but I could see that the angle wasn't the best as the sun was going to pretty much set behind the trees to the left in the photo below.
While we were up there, however, the universe beamed down on Sue.
But you can also see a little spit protruding into the river way down there (in the first photo that I showed), so that's where we eventually headed.
But the spit wasn't very big, and the sightlines weren't great. What I mean by that is that it was difficult to find decent foreground elements. Although there were some boulders, they were low, and there wasn't much of an angle once I got the camera down there although I tried (below).
I ended up taking most of my shots from a small beach area adjacent to the spit. It wasn't perfect, but it gave me a little more to work with. ↓
Well, after all of that preamble, let's look at some pics.
This ↓ was an early one, taken at 8:11. I like the contrast between the blue and yellow/orange. However, on this occasion, I wanted to try long exposures to smooth out the water.
So, I put on my neutral density filter and went to long exposures. The next one below was taken 11 minutes later. The light was already very different; the blue is gone although that may also be due partly to the filter and the processing as well as the time. It was taken at 5 seconds.
But at 5 seconds, there are still ripples in the water that I wanted to smooth out, so I dialled in for a 10 second exposure, and the water went smooth. This ↓ was shot at 8:45, 23 minutes after the previous photo and 34 minutes after the first.
I like something about each photo: the blue in the first (I don't mind the ripples); the slight ripples of the second; and, the glassiness of the third, which I also think has the best composition. However, I don't think any of them truly nailed it from that position.
Here are a few more before I go. They are more zoomed it and ignoring the effort for close foreground elements.
Arnprior is only a half hour from us, so I think it was worth making the effort although I don't think it was good enough for a return trip — not for that specific reason anyway.
We arrived well before sunset, but I could see that the angle wasn't the best as the sun was going to pretty much set behind the trees to the left in the photo below.
While we were up there, however, the universe beamed down on Sue.
But you can also see a little spit protruding into the river way down there (in the first photo that I showed), so that's where we eventually headed.
But the spit wasn't very big, and the sightlines weren't great. What I mean by that is that it was difficult to find decent foreground elements. Although there were some boulders, they were low, and there wasn't much of an angle once I got the camera down there although I tried (below).
I ended up taking most of my shots from a small beach area adjacent to the spit. It wasn't perfect, but it gave me a little more to work with. ↓
Well, after all of that preamble, let's look at some pics.
This ↓ was an early one, taken at 8:11. I like the contrast between the blue and yellow/orange. However, on this occasion, I wanted to try long exposures to smooth out the water.
So, I put on my neutral density filter and went to long exposures. The next one below was taken 11 minutes later. The light was already very different; the blue is gone although that may also be due partly to the filter and the processing as well as the time. It was taken at 5 seconds.
But at 5 seconds, there are still ripples in the water that I wanted to smooth out, so I dialled in for a 10 second exposure, and the water went smooth. This ↓ was shot at 8:45, 23 minutes after the previous photo and 34 minutes after the first.
I like something about each photo: the blue in the first (I don't mind the ripples); the slight ripples of the second; and, the glassiness of the third, which I also think has the best composition. However, I don't think any of them truly nailed it from that position.
Here are a few more before I go. They are more zoomed it and ignoring the effort for close foreground elements.
Arnprior is only a half hour from us, so I think it was worth making the effort although I don't think it was good enough for a return trip — not for that specific reason anyway.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Westport and Narrows Lock
Seeing the kids less this summer, we are more able to take a few daytrips, some of which we haven't get around to in 11 years in this place.
The first one was to Foley Mountain near Westport, Actually, I didn't even know of this place until a Flickr friend posted of it a year or two ago. The highlight seems to be the outlook from Spirit Rock. The view is pretty good, and I think it would be good to return here in autumn.
That's the western endge of Upper Rideau Lake on the left and the Westport Sand Pond on the right. Of course, the town is Westport.
We didn't stay too long as the bugs were a little overpowering, and once we had seen the view ... well, we had seen the view.
From there we headed to the Narrows Lock at the eastern edge of Upper Rideau Lake, where we had a picnic supper and took a few pictures. We picnicked facing Upper Rideau with Big Rideau to our backs and the lock to the right. The second photo shows a boat docked at the lock for the night with Big Rideau in the background.
I did take a few photos looking toward Upper Rideau Lake. I got a few decent sunset photos here once before but with few clouds in the sky we didn't wait for sunset this time.
I was going to scrunch another daytrip into this blog, but it's long enough, so stay tuned this this station for breaking developments.
The first one was to Foley Mountain near Westport, Actually, I didn't even know of this place until a Flickr friend posted of it a year or two ago. The highlight seems to be the outlook from Spirit Rock. The view is pretty good, and I think it would be good to return here in autumn.
That's the western endge of Upper Rideau Lake on the left and the Westport Sand Pond on the right. Of course, the town is Westport.
We didn't stay too long as the bugs were a little overpowering, and once we had seen the view ... well, we had seen the view.
From there we headed to the Narrows Lock at the eastern edge of Upper Rideau Lake, where we had a picnic supper and took a few pictures. We picnicked facing Upper Rideau with Big Rideau to our backs and the lock to the right. The second photo shows a boat docked at the lock for the night with Big Rideau in the background.
I did take a few photos looking toward Upper Rideau Lake. I got a few decent sunset photos here once before but with few clouds in the sky we didn't wait for sunset this time.
I was going to scrunch another daytrip into this blog, but it's long enough, so stay tuned this this station for breaking developments.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
The Joy and Unjoy of Early Risings
One of the unjoys of my older life is my proclivity to awaken early. Twice in the past week, I have awaken ~4ish, and after hoping against hope to fall back asleep, I gave up the battle in both instances.
The good part of that is that it is before sunrise, and if I get my mojo going, I can get out for a few photos. These were taken on a trail just around a few corners from our place. Ideally, you want to be out before the sun comes up or just as it's coming up because the light soon turns for the worst after sunrise.
The first three photos were from my first early morning, and the last two from the second morning. I like the first, third and final photos best although the first, especially, loses something in the transfer from the computer to Blogger. Well, I suppose they all do, but the first seems to suffer most from the transition.
So yeah, some nights I don't get much more than 4 hours sleep; this is despite taking a mild sleeping pill. I sometimes leave the pill container out on the counter for a second pill in the middle of the night if I think that it's warranted. In that case, I may get 6-7 hours. The need for a second pill is fairly recent; until the last few months, a single pill usually resulted in 6 hours, give or take.
The good part of that is that it is before sunrise, and if I get my mojo going, I can get out for a few photos. These were taken on a trail just around a few corners from our place. Ideally, you want to be out before the sun comes up or just as it's coming up because the light soon turns for the worst after sunrise.
The first three photos were from my first early morning, and the last two from the second morning. I like the first, third and final photos best although the first, especially, loses something in the transfer from the computer to Blogger. Well, I suppose they all do, but the first seems to suffer most from the transition.
So yeah, some nights I don't get much more than 4 hours sleep; this is despite taking a mild sleeping pill. I sometimes leave the pill container out on the counter for a second pill in the middle of the night if I think that it's warranted. In that case, I may get 6-7 hours. The need for a second pill is fairly recent; until the last few months, a single pill usually resulted in 6 hours, give or take.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
An Unscheduled Visit
We had an odd but satisfactory morning last week when we had the kids unexpectedly. At first, Dad brought them to our place thinking that it was our week to babysit. It wasn't, so I shooed him across the street.
Grandma had her help to arrange a few things while she was up there.
They were soon all back because the paid babysitter wasn't home. It turned out that she had the wrong week too. Although she soon returned, we enjoyed the kids for the morning.
For some reason, Danica was looking up something on our county roadmap, and she chose to do so in the back of our car. She kind of likes to look at maps; her geography teacher grandfather approves.
Meanwhile, JJ decided that we should play hide & seek. I am okay with this as long as he does all of the hiding. He is pretty inventive and can squish himself into some small spaces.
But then grandma colluded with him to make it tougher on old grandpa.
Yes, she helped into the wheelbarrow and covered him up.
Then, they really teamed up to bamboozle me. She got out the ladder to help him into the rafters in the garage and then took the ladder away. Sneaky says I.
So of course, Danica had to climb to the rafters as well.
Grandma had her help to arrange a few things while she was up there.
We are not seeing them as much as we have in some other summers. This is both good and bad, but it was really good to spend time with them on that morning.
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