What a full and crazy day.
All three of us, the wife, the boy, and I, were out all day for appointments. We did have a nice lunch though.
We got back at about a quarter of four (or is it a quarter to four?), and I had to go to do some bank paperwork in Kemptville for half past four.
However, I also had to get ready for a potluck that evening.
Meatballs to the rescue.
I threw in three pounds of meatballs in to the slow cooker with a honey-garlic sauce, coarsely chopped two onions, and julienned twelve cloves of garlic.
Voilà!
Just like two Saturdays ago. Except that was a garlic sauce. The basic recipe is in the link just past.
It was all in the cooker and on high in less than half an hour.
Off to the bank and back in about three quarters of an hour. It was only really a quick signing of a couple of papers.
So, now I had less than two hours to finish the meatballs and have them ready to go.
No worries. Just before I packed it up to go, I thickened it with some flour. Superb.
It was a small gathering at the potluck, but just over two-thirds went.
Just so you know, nothing was left from the previous batch. No balls, no onions, no garlic, no sauce, but it was a much larger crowd.
Now, supper is set for tomorrow!
Meatball subs.
Friday, I have another potluck with some Karate people I previously mentioned. But before that, the boy has a training session at Ray's Reptiles, so meatballs again. I do not need to keep a close eye on them while they cook.
This next one though, will be done sweet and sour style. I am going to add pineapple as well (and maybe papaya). Should be pretty damn tasty! I also know none will be left. There never is with this crowd! blbbl
Monday, December 11, 2017
Sunday, December 10, 2017
k-troop completes the 150 challenge
I am so proud of these guys. Our Scout Troop did three hikes since September on the Rideau Trail. Not only have they completed the Canada 150 Challenge, almost three times over, twenty-eight unique people have participated in these hikes. This includes Scouts, Scouters, parents, and a Cub Scout from the Kemptville Pack.
I will break it down for you. Over these three hikes, the total mileage of every participant was: 427.20 km. Today alone, they have 162.74 km. The other two hikes were 189 km (that was the Rideau Challenge Journey) and 75.46 km. These totals actually exclude the mileage of the boy and myself. I have already completed the 150 Challenge and the boy only needs 5.66 km and he wants to complete it on his own. He can do that on our little stretch of trail. Probably next weekend. Now, if you add the mileage from the boy and myself the total moves up to: 504.14 km. Pretty cool.
Anyway, today we had a staged hike. A small group started out for the roughly 20 km hike. Then, at a designated point we met another group which would hike 10 km. Finally, we picked up our last group for the last 5 km. Everyone was great. Especially our two Scouts who did the whole 20 kliks.
Anyway, I did the, just over, 20 kliks as well. My dogs are barking and I have a full, busy day tomorrow. I just wanted to spread the joy. And hey, if you have a Scout Group, or any other organisation, youth or otherwise, and are near the Rideau Trail, it is not too late to participate in the 150 Challenge and even complete it. Three weeks is plenty of time. Go to the 150 Challenge page and take a look. You will have a blast.
Nighty-night rabbits. blbbl
I will break it down for you. Over these three hikes, the total mileage of every participant was: 427.20 km. Today alone, they have 162.74 km. The other two hikes were 189 km (that was the Rideau Challenge Journey) and 75.46 km. These totals actually exclude the mileage of the boy and myself. I have already completed the 150 Challenge and the boy only needs 5.66 km and he wants to complete it on his own. He can do that on our little stretch of trail. Probably next weekend. Now, if you add the mileage from the boy and myself the total moves up to: 504.14 km. Pretty cool.
Anyway, today we had a staged hike. A small group started out for the roughly 20 km hike. Then, at a designated point we met another group which would hike 10 km. Finally, we picked up our last group for the last 5 km. Everyone was great. Especially our two Scouts who did the whole 20 kliks.
Anyway, I did the, just over, 20 kliks as well. My dogs are barking and I have a full, busy day tomorrow. I just wanted to spread the joy. And hey, if you have a Scout Group, or any other organisation, youth or otherwise, and are near the Rideau Trail, it is not too late to participate in the 150 Challenge and even complete it. Three weeks is plenty of time. Go to the 150 Challenge page and take a look. You will have a blast.
Nighty-night rabbits. blbbl
Saturday, December 09, 2017
a bad day? no!! a bad week for keys!
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, haaaaa.....
Before I get in to why I am laughing, I will set the scene.
The wife drove off to Kemptville to get her hair done and run some errands that were Christmas related.
I drove off to Stittsville to get a therapeutic massage, then run some non-Christmas related errands.
My massage was fantastic.
Before I left, I checked my phone, as I leave it in my truck so I do not get distracted or have to mute it or turn it off.
There were a bunch of text messages from the wife and I answered them. No worries.
A few minutes later the phone rings, with the wife's unique ringtone.
I pull over. Yes, I pulled over. I answer. Where are you? I just left the massage. I locked my keys in the car. Okay. Do you have the other set. Yes. How long to get here. Thirty minutes. Okay, meet you in the shop.
Off I go. Stuck behind Sunday drivers a day early. I still actually get there in 28 minutes.
I do not see the wife, she is obviously in the store. Wise move, it is cold and damp.
I get my keys and as I open her car door I hear: beep, beep, beep....
At least I do not have to search the car.
I grab her key and lock the door and go in to the shop. I did not recognise her through the two sets of glass doors. Remember, her hair was just done. Somewhat different from the last time. I like it!
She tells me that she was all done and checked her receipts. A wise move for everyone. She was overcharged for one item. So, she went back inside to get her difference. However, as she had several newly purchased items she locked the doors. A few minutes later, she realised that the keys were in the ignition. At least she did not start the engine like my mum used to do.
I give her her keys and I go off to buy a sleeping bag on sale and with bonus points. Score!
This morning was so very funny to me. Especially after yesterday.
Going to wrap it up here, it is Saturday. I just think this is too much wily karma. Not bad karma, but I think a prepaid for perhaps a discouraging word, yet to come? Anyway, all great humour. To me.
However, the boy and I, and the Scout Troop, are going on a hike tomorrow about an hour or so away. I think I will pack the extra truck keys in his pack. You know, just in case. I have been known to utter more than the odd discouraging word!?! blbbl
Before I get in to why I am laughing, I will set the scene.
The wife drove off to Kemptville to get her hair done and run some errands that were Christmas related.
I drove off to Stittsville to get a therapeutic massage, then run some non-Christmas related errands.
My massage was fantastic.
Before I left, I checked my phone, as I leave it in my truck so I do not get distracted or have to mute it or turn it off.
There were a bunch of text messages from the wife and I answered them. No worries.
A few minutes later the phone rings, with the wife's unique ringtone.
I pull over. Yes, I pulled over. I answer. Where are you? I just left the massage. I locked my keys in the car. Okay. Do you have the other set. Yes. How long to get here. Thirty minutes. Okay, meet you in the shop.
Off I go. Stuck behind Sunday drivers a day early. I still actually get there in 28 minutes.
I do not see the wife, she is obviously in the store. Wise move, it is cold and damp.
I get my keys and as I open her car door I hear: beep, beep, beep....
At least I do not have to search the car.
I grab her key and lock the door and go in to the shop. I did not recognise her through the two sets of glass doors. Remember, her hair was just done. Somewhat different from the last time. I like it!
She tells me that she was all done and checked her receipts. A wise move for everyone. She was overcharged for one item. So, she went back inside to get her difference. However, as she had several newly purchased items she locked the doors. A few minutes later, she realised that the keys were in the ignition. At least she did not start the engine like my mum used to do.
I give her her keys and I go off to buy a sleeping bag on sale and with bonus points. Score!
This morning was so very funny to me. Especially after yesterday.
Going to wrap it up here, it is Saturday. I just think this is too much wily karma. Not bad karma, but I think a prepaid for perhaps a discouraging word, yet to come? Anyway, all great humour. To me.
However, the boy and I, and the Scout Troop, are going on a hike tomorrow about an hour or so away. I think I will pack the extra truck keys in his pack. You know, just in case. I have been known to utter more than the odd discouraging word!?! blbbl
Friday, December 08, 2017
a bad day for keys
Early this morning I get a text from a friend that was supposed to pick me up saying she could not find her keys. Her only set of key for her car! She was still looking for them. No worries. The day will just start later.
Twenty-nine minutes later, the boy texts me to say he locked his locker key in his locker. Okay. I text back not to worry. His combination lock had gotten damaged earlier in the week so we sent him with a key lock as that was all we had at home. Incidentally, he has had several locks go kaput on him in the last two years. His second replacement was my old secondary school lock. That one got ruined as well. I am pretty certain there is an assclown at his school that likes wrecking other students' locks. Hopefully they catch this jerk soon.
I told the boy he had to wait until Monday to open it with another key or cut it off. Well, he cut it off, no worries. We will get yet another combination lock this weekend. Hopefully, he makes it to the end of the year with this one!?
In the meantime, my friend is texting about her car keys. Nowhere to be found. That expedition is now postponed until she can get a new key from the dealer. I went about going through camping and hiking gear and packing for a 20 klik hike on Sunday with the Scout Troop.
I do love hiking and I really enjoy taking these guys out so they can get out on the trail and enjoy and learn. The downside, for me, is that I need to take extra gear. Gear I would only take if I were hiking in truly unknown territory or remote or over an extended period. However, I need to cover all the bases. These lads and lasses are young and still learning what they need for gear and, as a Scouter, I am responsible for their well being and safety. No worries. The extra weight gives me more of a workout.
In the meantime, my friend texts again. It will be some time before a new key is cut. Okay. The day is cancelled. Okay, no worries. I continued to muck with my gear. When the boy came home, he sorted his gear as well.
This double key tragedy put me in mind of previous key losses and lockouts. The wife and the boy, once, got locked out of our current home. She broke in. Problem solved.
Another friend had stepped outside briefly from her home and her son closed and locked the door. He was very young and thought it was mildly funny. Unfortunately, no matter what pleading or cajoling the friend tried, he would not open the door for his mum. She had to call the fire department. They got her in the door. Shortly after, her husband installed a door lock that also had a keypad. Problem solved.
The best though. The very best. My mum. She, so many times, would lock the car keys in the car, various cars, my truck. It is a along list. It was usually no biggie. Someone else had a key and would unlock it it and retrieve the keys. However, more than once, she would lock the keys in when she was out somewhere. Okay, so now someone had to drive to where she was and unlock it. Not such a big deal. Well, not always. My mum, on more than one occasion would lock the keys in the vehicle with the engine running. Awesome.
So, it was more of a rush to sort on those occasions. This was all in the days before mobile phones too! Once, she had my truck for some reason and I was out somewhere with friends. I do not remember specifically where, what, or who. Well, she, of course, locked the keys inside with the engine running. At one time, that would have been no big deal. I had a rear sliding window and the locking clasp was broken. Someone just had to climb in. Well, I had replaced it a few weeks before that particular lockout.
I, of course, had the other set of keys. It was on the same ring as my house key. Besides, it was my truck. Well, she called home and I was not there. My dad tried to track me down. No luck. My brother tried to track me down. No luck. When I got home I got a blast of crap. Hey, I did not lock the keys in with the engine running! Well, too bad for me. They actually called the auto club and they jimmied the lock and got her in. The truck burned up somewhere between a quarter and a half a tank. Wow! Slow service for sure!!
Anyway, shortly after that, my dad made a slim jim. It worked really well. Good thing for mum, she used it a lot! How my dad figured how to make it, I will never know. He had no interweb to search. He certainly did not go to the library or consult with anyone. My dad was like that. He could figure things out. He more than once repaired unrepairable appliances, taught himself woodworking, fruit tree grafting, made knives from scratch. Oh, the list is endless.
Yeah, keys and locks, seems simple, but not really. I do hope my friend got an extra key cut. Maybe I should get two locks for the boy? Gee, I wish I knew what happened to dad's slim jim. It just vanished one day.....like a key. blbbl
Twenty-nine minutes later, the boy texts me to say he locked his locker key in his locker. Okay. I text back not to worry. His combination lock had gotten damaged earlier in the week so we sent him with a key lock as that was all we had at home. Incidentally, he has had several locks go kaput on him in the last two years. His second replacement was my old secondary school lock. That one got ruined as well. I am pretty certain there is an assclown at his school that likes wrecking other students' locks. Hopefully they catch this jerk soon.
I told the boy he had to wait until Monday to open it with another key or cut it off. Well, he cut it off, no worries. We will get yet another combination lock this weekend. Hopefully, he makes it to the end of the year with this one!?
In the meantime, my friend is texting about her car keys. Nowhere to be found. That expedition is now postponed until she can get a new key from the dealer. I went about going through camping and hiking gear and packing for a 20 klik hike on Sunday with the Scout Troop.
I do love hiking and I really enjoy taking these guys out so they can get out on the trail and enjoy and learn. The downside, for me, is that I need to take extra gear. Gear I would only take if I were hiking in truly unknown territory or remote or over an extended period. However, I need to cover all the bases. These lads and lasses are young and still learning what they need for gear and, as a Scouter, I am responsible for their well being and safety. No worries. The extra weight gives me more of a workout.
In the meantime, my friend texts again. It will be some time before a new key is cut. Okay. The day is cancelled. Okay, no worries. I continued to muck with my gear. When the boy came home, he sorted his gear as well.
This double key tragedy put me in mind of previous key losses and lockouts. The wife and the boy, once, got locked out of our current home. She broke in. Problem solved.
Another friend had stepped outside briefly from her home and her son closed and locked the door. He was very young and thought it was mildly funny. Unfortunately, no matter what pleading or cajoling the friend tried, he would not open the door for his mum. She had to call the fire department. They got her in the door. Shortly after, her husband installed a door lock that also had a keypad. Problem solved.
The best though. The very best. My mum. She, so many times, would lock the car keys in the car, various cars, my truck. It is a along list. It was usually no biggie. Someone else had a key and would unlock it it and retrieve the keys. However, more than once, she would lock the keys in when she was out somewhere. Okay, so now someone had to drive to where she was and unlock it. Not such a big deal. Well, not always. My mum, on more than one occasion would lock the keys in the vehicle with the engine running. Awesome.
So, it was more of a rush to sort on those occasions. This was all in the days before mobile phones too! Once, she had my truck for some reason and I was out somewhere with friends. I do not remember specifically where, what, or who. Well, she, of course, locked the keys inside with the engine running. At one time, that would have been no big deal. I had a rear sliding window and the locking clasp was broken. Someone just had to climb in. Well, I had replaced it a few weeks before that particular lockout.
I, of course, had the other set of keys. It was on the same ring as my house key. Besides, it was my truck. Well, she called home and I was not there. My dad tried to track me down. No luck. My brother tried to track me down. No luck. When I got home I got a blast of crap. Hey, I did not lock the keys in with the engine running! Well, too bad for me. They actually called the auto club and they jimmied the lock and got her in. The truck burned up somewhere between a quarter and a half a tank. Wow! Slow service for sure!!
Anyway, shortly after that, my dad made a slim jim. It worked really well. Good thing for mum, she used it a lot! How my dad figured how to make it, I will never know. He had no interweb to search. He certainly did not go to the library or consult with anyone. My dad was like that. He could figure things out. He more than once repaired unrepairable appliances, taught himself woodworking, fruit tree grafting, made knives from scratch. Oh, the list is endless.
Yeah, keys and locks, seems simple, but not really. I do hope my friend got an extra key cut. Maybe I should get two locks for the boy? Gee, I wish I knew what happened to dad's slim jim. It just vanished one day.....like a key. blbbl
Thursday, December 07, 2017
kim jong-unbelievable?
So, every day there is something in the media about North Korea and the US. Or more appropriately, something about Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump.
It is like a card game that no one really wants to win. Or lose for that matter. Yet, a draw is inconceivable.
After seeing the North Korean leader's name over and over in the news, it almost appears incomplete to me. Then the wheels began turning and I saw possible endings:
Kim Jong-unhinged?
Kim Jong-uncaring?
Kim Jong-unfathomable?
Kim Jong-unmitigated?
Kim Jong-uncompromising?
Kim Jong-unapproachable?
Kim Jong-unforgettable?
Kim Jong-unbelievable?
Kim Jong-unquenchable?
Kim Jong-unrelenting?
Kim Jong-unremitting?
Kim Jong-untroubled?
Kim Jong-unceasing?
Kim Jong-unsettling?
This is the edited list.
However, my mind returns to the concept of an unwanted (ha, more un) card game.
What happens when "Trump" is finally let loose?
blbbl
It is like a card game that no one really wants to win. Or lose for that matter. Yet, a draw is inconceivable.
After seeing the North Korean leader's name over and over in the news, it almost appears incomplete to me. Then the wheels began turning and I saw possible endings:
Kim Jong-unhinged?
Kim Jong-uncaring?
Kim Jong-unfathomable?
Kim Jong-unmitigated?
Kim Jong-uncompromising?
Kim Jong-unapproachable?
Kim Jong-unforgettable?
Kim Jong-unbelievable?
Kim Jong-unquenchable?
Kim Jong-unrelenting?
Kim Jong-unremitting?
Kim Jong-untroubled?
Kim Jong-unceasing?
Kim Jong-unsettling?
This is the edited list.
However, my mind returns to the concept of an unwanted (ha, more un) card game.
What happens when "Trump" is finally let loose?
blbbl
Wednesday, December 06, 2017
tibetan prayer flags
For a long time I have wanted to get some Tibetan prayer flags. I have always liked the concept of them, but never managed to follow through.
Well, today, they boy and I had some appointments and we had some time in between. So, we popped in to 3 Trees. It is a store owned by friend of mine whom I used to train Karate with. I actually ran in to her there as well and will be seeing her and a bunch of Karate people next week.
Anyway, I picked some out. A small set, a less small set, and a tiny set. The first two I will string up out back of the house and the tiny one I will take camping. Plus, we got some other little things for ourselves and some gifts for others. So, I think a good karma-type day.
One is supposed to put the flags up on an auspicious astrological date. The best apparently is the Tibetan New Year, Losar. This coming year it begins on Friday 16 February 2018 and concludes on Sunday 18 February 2018. Now, I do not think I can wait that long. One site lists inauspicious dates. It also states Mondays and sunny, windy days, in the morning, are best for non-specifically über-auspicious dates.
This site, gets more complicated and has further instruction. However, from what I can gather from these two sites, the next best dates for me are:
Monday 11 December 2017
Monday 18 December 2017
Monday 08 January 2018
Monday 15 January 2018
Monday 05 February 2018
Monday 12 February 2018
Friday 16 - Sunday 18 February 2018 (Losar)
So, I will be hoping for a sunny and windy morning on those dates and hopefully get the flags up soon. I like the idea of spreading and promoting "peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom."
As to the tiny ones for camping. I will make a crib sheet to ensure they are not put up on a particularly bad day. However, to me, any time I am out camping, hiking, canoeing, or in the outdoors in general, is pretty auspicious to me. I will seek more information about the propriety of doing this, but it should be all good I would think.
I feel all fuzzy and warm just thinking about it. blbbl
Well, today, they boy and I had some appointments and we had some time in between. So, we popped in to 3 Trees. It is a store owned by friend of mine whom I used to train Karate with. I actually ran in to her there as well and will be seeing her and a bunch of Karate people next week.
Anyway, I picked some out. A small set, a less small set, and a tiny set. The first two I will string up out back of the house and the tiny one I will take camping. Plus, we got some other little things for ourselves and some gifts for others. So, I think a good karma-type day.
One is supposed to put the flags up on an auspicious astrological date. The best apparently is the Tibetan New Year, Losar. This coming year it begins on Friday 16 February 2018 and concludes on Sunday 18 February 2018. Now, I do not think I can wait that long. One site lists inauspicious dates. It also states Mondays and sunny, windy days, in the morning, are best for non-specifically über-auspicious dates.
This site, gets more complicated and has further instruction. However, from what I can gather from these two sites, the next best dates for me are:
Monday 11 December 2017
Monday 18 December 2017
Monday 08 January 2018
Monday 15 January 2018
Monday 05 February 2018
Monday 12 February 2018
Friday 16 - Sunday 18 February 2018 (Losar)
So, I will be hoping for a sunny and windy morning on those dates and hopefully get the flags up soon. I like the idea of spreading and promoting "peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom."
As to the tiny ones for camping. I will make a crib sheet to ensure they are not put up on a particularly bad day. However, to me, any time I am out camping, hiking, canoeing, or in the outdoors in general, is pretty auspicious to me. I will seek more information about the propriety of doing this, but it should be all good I would think.
I feel all fuzzy and warm just thinking about it. blbbl
Tuesday, December 05, 2017
a shameless plug for kids to get outdoors
Someone put me on to a great book: On Trails, by Robert Moor.
While reading the book, which I still am, I came across a passage:
"Naturally, he gravitated to the Boy Scouts, where he learned to hike, canoe, and camp out."
p171, On Trails, Robert Moor writing about Lamar Marshall in his youth, a conservationist and Cherokee trail mapper. It goes on to mention that he built a raft out of 55 gallon drums and sailed it down the Alabama River from Selma, Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico. Over 160 miles via road and about double that on the actual river.
I emailed this to the friend who put me on to the book as she is also a fellow Scouter with our Troop.
Another Scouter wants the Scouts to build rafts and hit the water in Kemptville. How serendipitous. (Is that the right word? Not sure. Maybe coincidental?)
It is very fortuitous, nonetheless. I was having several conversations on the weekend where I mentioned the crux of Scouting is outdoor pursuits and the crux of that is hiking, canoeing, and camping. Then I read that passage. I am not alone in my views! Of course there are other components to Scouting, but this is what most people associate with Scouting. For good reason, many a youngster begins to learn their outdoor skills in Scouting, Guiding, Cadets, or other youth oriented organisations. Often these young people carry on learning (and teaching) as Scouters, Soldiers (Sailors, Marines, and Airman too), Camp Councillors, and the like.
Personally, for me, my time in the Army Cadets and Army Reserve gave me the grounding in skills and confidence to pursue some of the adventures I have had in my life. Hiking up Mt. Fuji (at the wrong time of year and wrong time of day, but the skills and confidence I had saw me through). Taking an ancient tugboat in Russia to a remote camping ground to have a traditional Georgian barbecue and not losing my head when on the return trip the "Captain" and his "Mates" were not in the proper state to return, at night, but to continually assess the situation and keep everyone safe. Being on trails and in the back-country more than once with people who claimed they knew the area and possessed the skills necessary, but did not.
The outdoors makes us happier and healthier. We should encourage our youth to join organisations that help foster the skills and confidence to go out in the wild (safely). At the least, if we have those skills and can pass them on, we should be taking our kids out. For their own good, and ours. Who knows what that can lead too and what they can accomplish?
Food for thought? blbbl
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