2 cup morning ☕☕

Another great Sunday morning, good they keep coming. Today we have a service to go to, a friend who passed we both got to know better camping at McLean's mill campground a few years ago. Oops, I screwed up, not today, was in July.. I thought 🤔 was today as came up on my phone. Bugger. Vicki and John pulled in with their motor home, setup as we were there already. We had a very good time getting to know each other just a little better. A friend Melody, was managing the mill site, and told us of the camping there, that we might want to try it, so we did. Was a really nice place to spend time that spring I think it was. 

I went for a drive Friday, visit with my nephew and niece in his shop, was a really good visit, he's got the car he's been working on on the hoist, getting the body ready for the summer, "just get it on the road" is his mission, so can find out the bugs I wanna get rid of, or at least find. 

After I went towards McLean's mill, thought be a nice day to take a walk around this extremely beautiful place. So much history here, so much beauty. 

Part of my checking it out is I heard when I went to a City of Port Alberni meeting they had at Echo Center that this place was on the chopping block, that the city thinks of it as a cost, a cost that we "Port Alberni" can't afford. I listened really well you could tell the people putting this on were not invested in our town, they have an agenda, and McLean's mill has an expiration date. The city I believe is going to sell the property! 

How could they? It was gifted I thought to be kept as a part of our history of our valley. A part of a time when things were much different, when we lived where we worked, in close with friends and neighbors, and worked with them too. I was shocked to learn this, but the way the presenter mentioned the mill site, and the historical society building, our old arena, all were considered a drag on our city. 

What to do? Well I went to the historical society, and got some info from the head guys there, they are fighting for their lives to keep their building, and that alone will be hard to do. I joined the historical society, that was easy $20.00 and I'm a member. But McLean's mill, I'm not sure that anyone is fighting for it, the city I believe has complete control of the whole place, and if ya take a look, nothing is being done to keep it up. 

Will it be another piece of our history that'll be pushed away piece by piece? A building here, a loader there, oops two loaders cut up for scrap. I walked around the mill site, past the small homes, the kitchen, the mill itself, past a couple families that came on this day to look. Then after I got to the mill pond I turned to take a few more photos, and I see this old guy walking towards me, he was doing similar, looking around, of course I say "Hi" then after a minute I realized I knew him, Doug McLellan a guy I've known for along time, met him at my brother in-law's years ago. 

Well we walked and talked, he was there just to check on this motor that was in a part of the logging display, in the loading machine that would load the truck to bring the logs to the mill pond. He used to work on the motor, volunteer here. We had a good chinwag, Doug and I, told him what I thought was going on with the mill site, and he was not surprised, we both thought was a shame, and said what do you do?

I'm not sure what I'll do, but I believe just talking about can help, but what really needs to happen is people have to get pissed about it and go to the council meeting that's happening this month. Tell the city that destroying our history here in Port Alberni isn't allowed, to let it be plowed into the ground is not an option, we need to somehow develop this place, as people not only in Port Alberni, but all of Canada need to see what our history here on Vancouver Island was, how we came to be where we are, what it was like in the "Old Day's".

I know, I'm only one person, but I believe there are many more like me, young and old that would like to have that Mill site preserved and possibly working. I feel fortunate to have seen the mill running, watching the logging display, then the trucking and dumping in the pond, then hauling the logs up to the mill, then loading onto the carriage to be sawn, the saws running, two one above the other for the bigger logs. I can't say enough about how that process shows us about our early history. 

Will it just be gone? Will this city council just plow it into the ground? What do you think? I believe the city has run it's course with over spending, and is trying to catch-up. Everything that they can dump they are about to, and our history is looking to be the first to Go. 

Well I'm going to go to the first council meeting, and ask the questions, what are your plans for our history in Port Alberni? 

Just looked it up 2pm council meeting January 12th, I remember now, who that's working can attend a council meeting at 2pm? Another on the 26th, 2pm. Hmm, I wonder if there is one in the Evening? When some working people could attend? I'll be asking that too. Guess I found something to do. Retirement is good, now I'm a home owner in Port Alberni, is it my responsibility to get after council? Well somebody has to, I guess I'm one of the someone. 

See what comes, for the time being I've got a bone to pick with the people that are trying to shore up our city on the ground of our past. Selling the mill site I believe be a dam shame, but I believe after the meeting I attended, that that what this council is up to. 

Sunday morning thoughts, LoL 🤣 well now I'm getting ready to help preserve our history here. Hope I can make a difference. 

My walk around the mill site was great, I'll go again and again, as is a real beauty. 

Love our life ❤️ anchored in Port Alberni 

Just like that it's a New Year 🎊

A few fireworks, a click of the clock ⏰, and there we have it, 2026 is here. Polly and I had plans to go out, but Polly wasn't up to it, so put on another movie and watched the fireworks outside, then bed and a very good sleep we had. I have to say that a good sleep is more important to us than partying, although I did feel like we missed out last night, was going be a fun night. Oh well, can't have it all. 

On to a new year 🎊, we all have some long range plans, something we either hope to do, or are sure we are going to do. We had the plan to travel, that's on hold now, and canceling flights is something I've never had to do before, not to hard if ya don't mind paying. I thought cancelation insurance was what it sounded like, but this experience shows me it's really not as it sounds. $400 more to cancel, and then ya don't get your $ back, you get a 16 month travel voucher. What a scam! 

This is the first time I'd ever bought travel insurance, and now I know the problem, buying a flight ✈️ too far ahead is not the best way to travel, as you could have something come up as I did, then your having to deal with business that doesn't want to give the $$ you've paid back. I really felt ripped off, as I thought travel insurance was what it said, but calling in and talking with the guy was like? What did I pay for? 

Well I haven't finished with it yet, I'll talk with him again, but it sure felt like we got ripped off, as getting a flight voucher for 16 months, I said "What if I can't travel again?" He said he'd go to bat for me with the airlines, but couldn't say for sure if I'd get my $ back. Bugger, that was my thoughts, maybe even more explicit! 

Anyway, I'm learning about another part of travel, every adventure there is a learning curve. Fine print is made so companies can keep your $$$ and you get a promise. No different that RV Parks, they really don't want to refund if you've paid, just a promise you can stay in the future, and Airbnb, some want and will refund, some not wanting to, but there i think we will get satisfaction, see how that goes. Just learning I chalk it up to. 

I'm on hold right now, Dr on January 5th, thinking probably more tests, then what? 

In the meantime Rambo still has a hickup I need to get fixed, and I have a few projects here I'll start on I'm thinking, but at this exact moment I find my ass kinda glued to the chair. 

I don't fight it, I've had this before, when I just don't feel like, "motivated". I'm in thinking mode I believe, mulling over what's next. I have a Murphy bed that we got a few weeks ago, in piece's, I'm going to put together, but unsure exactly how. I have a shed I want to move over, make room for another bathroom addition to our place, an en suite to our bedroom, that will be a bigger job for me, but I'm up for it, well at least in my mind 😂. 

Then another deck, replacement of the rotten one on the other side of our trailer, mobile home, always a head scratcher when going to say what our place is. Polly always searching for the right words to describe it, RV, Trailer, Mobile home, Modular home? ??  All can describe it, just which one do ya use?

I say mobile home, although it really doesn't seem mobile, no Wheels under anymore, but I'm sure it could have some installed and moved again. 

Anyway a few projects here, but no ambition yet! I'm sure it will come, I can't sit around too long before I get going. 

Today a walk, that's a start, tomorrow Friday, maybe I'll start then? The shed needs cleaning up, and organizing before I move it, that'll be nice to get that done. 

No big words of wisdom for this New Year, like usual, just watch the money, that is where all the effort will go in this world 🌍. Arms dealers, government's, and "AI" costing billions. I shake my head daily. While the average guy just keeps his head above water. 

So happy New Year 🎉 🥳 🥳 

Still loving our life ❤️ daily 

Sunday 😀 Christmas has come and gone.

The last Sunday of 2025 today, hmm. Looking ahead I wonder what this next year has for us? Will we travel? Will my health hold up? Get better? Will the world become a little more accessible, or will we see more restrictions everywhere? Will the war in Ukraine end? Hmm, who knows?

For now we will take it one moment at a time, first on my agenda is my swollen legs and seeing the specialist Dr on 5th of January, will go from there then. Every January I think of exercise, starting doing something that will be beneficial, the pool, the gym, just thinking doesn't help 😂🤣 but today I'm thinking will have to at the least continue walking. That's one thing I like, yet my knee has held me back, just because it'll hurt if I walk too far. 

Well let it hurt, I'm going to walk regardless, helps me stay fit, and helps me with thinking too. I like our neighborhood, close to much shopping as well as trails and just easy walking areas, so I'm going to continue with that. 

The pool I said to myself I'd enjoy here, in the close proximity to it. I've yet to go, that's something I can do seeing I'm not going to be traveling anytime soon. 

Project's, I have a few I'm thinking about here, move the shed, building another small deck, but really I'm looking forward to building some planters for the spring. Polly has developed a small memorial garden in our yard, I built a little white picket fence she wanted, will be finishing that off later in the spring. Funny how your mind switches from one season to the next, just goes "Christmas 🎄, New years 🎉 Spring 🌼 LoL 🤣, well it's still aways to go, but that's how it seems.

Yesterday we planned a card game with friends here for tonight, as well as friends coming for a visit this afternoon, busy schedule for a Sunday. This morning we sit Polly and I side by side pecking on our screens. Furnace goes on and off, I don't have to think of changing propane tanks, I'll go to the bathroom and never a thought of emptying the sewage. Nice to be in our mobile home, well doesn't feel mobile, just feels like a house. 

I'll enjoy the views of the Beaufort mountains, and the neighborhood out our bay window in the kitchen, and just thinking of how nice it is to be grounded here, in our home town again. 

I always loved Port Alberni, so when we had to leave for work we adapted, but really my heart ❤️ was always in Port, just feels so good here, home, with friends and family. Familiar roads, building's, people, Home! 

Going to be a really good year I believe, regardless what the world throws at us, adaptable is how we have to be. Also being able to ramble in my thoughts, that's entertaining for me 😁 too.

I have a walk planned for tomorrow with my friend that lives close, a trip to Parksville to shop for some 80's clothes to dress up for New Year's Eve 🎉🎉, and maybe a visit with friends in Parksville that I used to work with years ago that moved there. Always a plan, something that ya like, or have wanted to do for awhile. 

And life goes on, day to day, week to week, on and on, till a hickup changes things. We were at friends yesterday afternoon, talked about how so many people now getting hiccups, health hiccups. We all agreed, is our age now, just all our past mistreatment catching up with us. 

I see now we have graduated, Polly has the TV on now, I wonder what we'll watch?

Another thing, I don't have to think about how we'll get our Internet, it's always on now, don't have to think of where the satellite dish is, or if I've got a signal, or if it's well anchored. 

We now watch a movie that we started last night, I'd forgot, Polly remembers 😁.

Yep life goes on, sure is comfortable our new to us home, with all the befits we take for granted living in a more anchored to the ground, mobile home. I have a new appreciation for these basic comforts after living full time in our fifth wheel trailer for the last 10 years. 

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Thoughts

As I made coffee ☕ and looked out the window this morning early, I thought for just a minute, turned the light out, looking out the window at the dark street, thinking about how nice it is to be in our home, with plans for family at Christmas. Then I thought of the less fortunate, that are out  there? In what, a tent, cold, homeless. 

I really can't imagine, yet I know they are there, somewhere, as I see them walk by sometimes, with a bunch of cans in a bag, trading them in for more of what they need to survive. 

Yep, we are very fortunate to have what we have, and be where we are. 

Really looking forward to this evening, be a fun time, and so many coming over. Was nice to reflect a little this morning early, just think a bit about those that are out there without. Hmm. 

I played a few songs after while as I made up a little Instagram post, one I like is by John Lennon, started out "So this is Christmas" always gets me, as in his song "Imagine" does to, often talks about "no wars" yet every year if ya pay attention, there is always something going on where people are going to war. Not trying to be down, just thought how we are always so hopeful at this time of year, yet reality still bites! 

I'll brush this off as usual, and continue with our family time 🤗, and tomorrow I'll wake, make coffee ☕, and probably have a similar thought. 

And on our lives Go, fleeting thoughts as we go.

Well we have many things to do today, well really Polly has way more than I do, but I'll help where I can. 

I ask Polly what's her first to do today? "Well she said, Bake my Cupcakes 🧁, then cookies 🍪 then wash my floors, and put more toilet paper out" 😂, things I never think of. Then after she said "What time is it" then she looks to see. 

Plans develop, Polly already has her plan in place, me I'm just going to help, if she needs it. "Take that foam out of our room please" yep, I can do that, been putting it off awhile, thinking I might use it on our bed, but no. 

Yep today be going fast now, funny how that goes, plan, plan, then poof, done! 

I'm done my second cup of coffee ☕ ☕, Pollys on #2. Things going to get going now. It's light out now. 

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Merry Christmas 🤗 🎄⛄

Lucky me, another Sunday morning to enjoy.

Polly twice says she likes this, I'm thinking going to have to build at least One 

When I started this blogging I wasn't sure how to do it, but like many things in life I always found the best way was just start! So far it's working good, usually about once a week I take the time to peck something out that's interesting to me, today I'm thinking about my liver. 

A few years ago a Dr gave me the warning, ya better eat less potatoes and rice, loose a little weight. Ya got a fatty liver. And cut back on the drinks 🍷 🍺. Then next time I saw him he said getting worse, now, no drinking. So I quit for a year, then he said looking better my liver, so I thought 🤔 geezz, I can drink a little again, and eating, well that really hasn't changed, I like my food. 

Looking back I should have really been changing my ways, but here I am now, plans ahead, committed to a trip to Europe after Christmas, and my legs are swelling, my side hurts, and I've gone through a few tests, Dr appointment in the New Year, just before we supposed to go. Unsure, that's my way now, unsure of my condition, and unsure of our plans. 

I'm sure we will have a wonderful Christmas this year, family and friends will be here Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day we have dinner with my sister and her husband, then a week of visiting, so many we love to see. Then New Year's 🎉🎉🎉 we have an invite to a dance, be so much fun I'm sure, not sure we'll make it till 12pm, but be fun just the same🥳🥳

New Year's Day, we don't have a plan yet, at least I'm not aware of one lol, sometimes I'm last to know, so maybe there is a plan. 

Then a few days and will be Dr appt, then see if something can be done with this swollen legs, and pain in my side. Sure has made me feel older, I was painting the walls after we had a gyprock Guy in yesterday, getting down to tape the mouldings was extremely hard, but getting up even harder. Today I'll finish the painting, yesterday was just the base coat. 

Polly is looking towards the Baking she's got planned, and I'm loving the thought of the smells coming. Always wonderful when Polly is in her kitchen, so into it I really love watching her create. 

This morning I'm content to write, and think, we are so darn lucky to have landed on this new place, enjoying the moment's as we improve our new to us place. Things that might be nothing to many, are extremely enjoyed here by us. A plugin in the island, was Pollys request, (I hear her up now, I'm thinking she'll go back to bed though), patch the walls where the holes are, there were two big bangs in the wall, that'll be all fixed up now, (yup Polly back to bed) the sunroom was something I just saw on marketplace, it fit our deck perfectly, that kinda luck we have often. 

Furniture, lighting, TVs, dam it sure fell in place fast, so fortunate we are. I'm just hoping travel will be possible in the new year, although I could hangout here just fine, as we have a few things to do here yet, and is a very nice place to spend our time, close to friends and family. 

Nice to have this quiet time, before the world gets going on Sunday morning. 

Still have a Murphy bed on the deck I will put together for the spare room, I'm thinking that'll be next on my list. 

Sure do Love our life ❤️ 

December 14th, 10 days to Christmas Eve

     Got a new to us sign the other day 😁 

We have had many opportunities to celebrate with others already this year, we are now looking forward to Christmas Eve, when most of our family will come to our new place for a fun evening celebrating Christmas as a family again. It's been awhile since we've all got together at Christmas, we have been gone almost every Christmas for the last 10 years, only one time did we stay home, and that year it snowed enough that only Penny and our two grandchildren Jet and Dax came for Christmas to the place we were staying. 

This year we have our own place, so with little a help, and decent weather, we will enjoy Christmas Eve to the fullest this year. Food I'm sure be plentiful, and a gift 🎁 exchange is happening, but for me the best is just the time spent enjoying being with each other together. We all have great memories of past Christmas Eve's at Memeres, Pollys Mom's place, so to recreate this feeling with our families will be great. Not exactly same, but still be nice to get together again. 

We all have different memories around this time of year, but being together, sharing this time, is special. For Polly and I, the best as our life changed this year from traveling and living full time in our fifth wheel trailer and going south for the winter, to living full time in our mobile home anchored in one spot in our home town. So much room to host a big group, along with close to most all our families and friends. 

Plans are underway, Polly is the planner, along with Lyn, Georgina, and whomever else steps up to help. I'll help where needed, mostly packing stuff, move this move that, stock the outside fridge, pop, beer, wine. My two bits worth, and get a few presents 🎁 for family. 

Sunday morning now, no big plans today, but I'm sure something will be coming up, always something. I bought, or got a Murphy bed last week, it's all apart, and I'm in the process of learning how to put it together. YouTube helps, a full set of plans and demonstration video's are available, I'm learning 😁. Maybe today I'll attempt to fit it together. Be nice to have a decent queen bed for company. 

Well up too early again, back to bed again, my shift sleep, Polly just got up, and she's planning cooking something already. I laughed to myself, how lucky I am, I wonder what's going to be made now? I won't ask, I heard Polly talking about molasses, hmm sweet! 

Retirement says every day is Sunday, but really Sunday still a quieter time. 

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Waking early is a given for me, reading the news an option!

            Polly wanted Icicle light's 

Most mornings I wake early to a sore back, go pee, make coffee ☕ and a read of what's happening, or coming in the future. This morning I read about USA deregulation of trucking and how it's being done by the people that have the most to earn in the business. The quote was "This isn't the Fox in the henhouse, it's the Fox designing the henhouse." 

I read quite a bit of two articles, as in one article links to others in a blue 🔵 highlite that are part, or connect to each other. I like the way it's written, yet at some point I realized I've had enough of what I'm seeing before I read, that our world is controlled by people that have a desire to make more $$$ rather than making our highway's safer. 

I always respect trucker's, as I believe they in general are more in tune with what's going on on the highways, so reading what's happening in USA re-truckers and companies was interesting. Learning that regulation that is being forced isn't really being put in place, that in behind scenes the government has people that were lobbying for companies now de-regulating, people that have been appointed to the position they hold in government office. Henhouse designers I learned. 

I'm happy to be driving here in Port Alberni, and on Vancouver Island, yet when traveling even on our highways I'm still in tune with the truckers. I don't communicate with them directly, but I watch what they are doing, as they have a "finger on the pulse" another beauty description of how they know way ahead of me what's up, what's happening, or what's coming ahead. 

I know we are not traveling as we did before, so no big trailer behind us, but the lessons learned are set in my head. Listen to my copilot 😁 (Polly be happy to read that) and watch the truckers, two valuable bits of information that helps me when I'm driving. 

The article's were good to read, but I find myself kinda giving up on the read after awhile, as just the feeling of "What's the use!" I'm not going to do anything about it anyway.  I still have an opinion, but likely will not change anything, other that being informed helps me understand what's going on, even if I'm not going to do anything about it. 

I was all in favor of deregulation when I read about change that was possibly coming, yet reading this article has me thinking of how change comes. Do I really want to have changes that could cause more deaths, nope. So I'll keep reading, not anymore today, but tomorrow morning, then the next, and on and on. LoL

 Till my time is done, as being informed about what's happening in our world is like watching the trucker, they see ahead what's coming. 

Here's to hoping we see positive changes coming, cause the way it's looking right now, our world is in for a wreck! I'm not positive, but from this non truckers view, sure seems like,  hmm, 🤔  a wreck ahead.

Got the glass all in our sunroom now, decorated, Polly is excited, Christmas 🎄 🎁 is just around the corner now. Family and friends time 🤗 Going to be a really good Christmas ☃️

Sure do love our life ❤️