January 31, 2009- Churchill Church

Hello faithful reader.

My daughter and her fiance, are still looking for a church and hall, so they can get married.

I like this one.

Thanks for listening

DJB

January 11, 2009- I spent to much money

Hello faithful reader.

I went to an auction on Saturday.

I went by my self.

Bad idea.

I spent to much money.

I saw this cast iron, horse drawn fire wagon, and thought it would be neat to own. It is.
Thought I could buy it for $30-50 dollars.

I did not.

Spent way to much money, but it looks good in the house.

Now i need to buy some driver figures.

Bad idea, going to an auction with out a spotter.

Next time.

Thanks for listening

DJB

12-21-09-Some winter observations

This is my 56th winter on this, the 3rd planet from the sun. Some times it feels longer than that. I live in what is called, by those in the know, The Great White North.
Now you would think, with a title like that, 3-4 cm's of snow would not bother any one, right.

WRONG.

Up until 2000, I had spent 90% of my working career out doors, and in the Northern parts of Canada. I have spent the last eight years, either in an office environment, or motor vehicle of some sort, but still manage to get "out".

Some observations i have made over the last eight years, were i actually managed to to be home every day, winter wise.:

- -5 Celsius in Toronto feels like -40 in Thunder Bay.
- -5 Celsius in Thunder Bay, is a nice July afternoon.
- In Thunder Bay, it snows every other day from November to March.
- In Toronto, 2cm of snow paralyzes the city.
- In Toronto, any thing over 3 cm of snow is called a storm of the century, and has 24 hour media coverage.
- In Thunder Bay, unless it snows more than 3 feet, no one even mentions it. Even then only if asked about it.
- In Toronto, 300-600 vehicle crashes will occur each "storm".
- In Thunder Bay, there are 300-600 cars.
- In Toronto, at any given time, one of the big 400 series highways will be closed.
- In Thunder Bay, they only have one highway, and it stays open most times. If there is an accident and its closed, we drink.
- In Thunder Bay, they plow snow only if requested.
- In Toronto, you can't request, the power is out.
- In Toronto, they remove the plows from the trucks in April.
- In Thunder Bay, they stay on, just in case.
- In Toronto, they run out of shovels and snow blowers right after said first "storm of the century".
- In Thunder Bay, every other store sells blowers and shovels.
- In Toronto, you might get your ski-doo out 1-2 times a year.
- In Thunder Bay, they stay in the back of your pick up, all year round, just in case(see snow plows).
- In Toronto, no one adjusts their spend for winter driving.
- In Thunder Bay, you guessed it, its always winter driving, so no adjustment is needed.
- In Toronto, only York Region never cancels school buses.
- In Thunder Bay, the bus is kept pretty busy.
- In Toronto, Pearson Airport closes the day before a storm.
- In Thunder Bay, they put skis on the planes, and carry on.
- In Toronto, the trains run late or not at all, due to switches freezing etc.
- In Thunder Bay, the train is always late.

Basically what i'm trying to say is, i think its hilarious to watch the TV stations go nuts with storm coverage, or what they call a storm. They seem to be the only ones interested.:-)

Thanks for listening.

DJB

November 21, 2008-Our 15 minutes of fame.

Hello faithful reader.

Well, it took 13-14 years, but the rider in the family finally made it to the big show on Nov 16th. Daughter has been helping out by riding a friends new large pony, and attended several events over the summer in the Sport Pony classes to try and qualify for the Royal Winter Fair, in Toronto.
She managed to qualify in two events, Hunter/Jumper suitability and the same for Dressage. Only the first place winner at the qualifying shows can attend.

The team did very well in a field of a dozen ponies.
A 4th in the Hunter Jumper and a 2nd in the Dressage. Needless to say, rider, and owners are thrilled.

We may not have made it on our own horses, BUT, we made it.

Not terribly good photos, high ISO, low light and panned resulted in a lot of semi soft photos, but these three stand out.

Thanks for listening

DJB

October 20, 2008- Panning flight

Hello faithful reader.

Well it looks like summer is gone and fall has arrived. Dark and dreary day, and now some rain. Typical fall day in Hooterville.

The last few weeks have been nice, sunny and cool in the AM and nice in the PM. The SO and I like to spend time out back, and feed the jays and squirrels. I thought i would try some "In Flight" shots last week. Not so good. Panning these little buggers is tough. I settled on trap focusing and hope they flew into the zone.

So, here are a few shots that are close, but still no cigar i suppose.

Anyway, enjoy.

Thanks for listening.

DJB

September 29, 2008-Straw Art and The Royal

Hello faithful reader.

Couple of things to post today. Firstly, the 164th Markham Fair is running this weekend. My photos are all entered, and now await the judges verdicts. I hate that part, LOL.

What started out, i think, as some farmers having some fun, by making things from round and square straw bales, has now turned into a neat contest. Lots of different ides, and they are judged on the creativity.

I'm paratial to the tractors, but they have pumpkins, cows etc.

Good fun.

The past Saturday, we entered the last Sport Pony qualifing show at Twinholm, in Milton.

We had already qualified in the Hunter suitability and needed the Dressage. Well we know how to draw it out, and E qulified for the Dressage at this final show. This is the pony she is helping her young student train, and everyone is thrilled.

So we finally get to the Royal Winter Fair, but on some one elses horse. Thats ok, its a privelage in any degree.

Thanks for listening

DJB

September 19, 2008- One step out of the way

Hello faithful reader.

Well Sunday September 14, 2008 was the engagement party for daughter Erin and James. I guess this is the new fad, i don't remember this when we got married. Although dirt was just being invented about then, so,

Nice place, held at the Willow springs winery near here, and everything went fantastic. Good eats, good wine and i did not have to go past my bed time.

Now, the horse is sold, they have some money, set a date.LOL

No thats not her baby. Its James' brothers kid.:-)

Thanks for listening

DJB