Happy Hogmanay!!!

Hogmanay = Last day of the year celebrations in Scotland
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But Wait! There's More...

With my old Chinese gas grill literally standing on its last legs (bricks) last summer, I seriously doubted that I could find a replacement that would last any better. The main feature of my old one was the rotisserie and to get another barbecue with an infra-red back burner with any semblance of quality could run a thousand dollars or more. I checked on eBay and found there were rotisseries from the inventor of 'Spray-On-Hair' himself, seventy-five year old Ron Popeil. The picture above shows the smaller 'Standard' model. I determined I had to have the bigger 'Pro' model but they seemed pricey at $250 plus. I wasn't sure they even worked so I didn't feel confident forking over that kind of dough.  I watched eBay every day or so for four months. At a few weeks before Christmas I managed to successfully win on a 'Pro' for $55. plus $15. freight from Nikomis FL to my box in Port Huron MI. Seventy bucks is worth a gamble.

I wrapped it up as a gift 'to the family' and put it under the tree. I was a little worried that this machine would be less than represented as of course it was (and still is) the centerpiece of the late night infomercials. I'm sure Tim and Wendy shared my apprehension as they tore open the well packed box at Christmas. How can you trust someone who markets 'Spray-On-Hair'? After all, somebody liked it so well they put it on eBay! My family never knows what to expect from me and since I hadn't even opened the package myself, I didn't really know what to expect either.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that the oven was in great shape, like new, and I was thrilled to see it perform beyond all our expectations.

Click on the pic to enlarge.

We invited Erin over and we all enjoyed this 17 lb turkey, roasted to perfection. (we had ham on Christmas and I was craving turkey)  It was juicy and flavorful with nice browned skin all the way around. Ron Popeil was right. You just 'set it and forget it' for delectable roasts right on the kitchen counter-top. I would recommend it to anyone! I'm not alone. He now claims to have sold over 7 million of them.

Major Bonus: Well it looks like I just need to buy a regular gas Bbq without a rotisserie back burner so I guess I've saved big-time!

Does Spray-On-Hair work as well as the rotisserie? I'll let you know if I buy any.

Click the button below only if you want to see part of the rather corny infomercial.

A Note About Popeil: As a bit of a designer/inventor/enterpreneur myself I was always fascinated by the Ronco pitches. The first time I remember this company with its showman-like repetitive commercials was back in 1969 when I worked as a prop man at our local TV station. One of the directors, Jerry Hancock, did the 'voice-over' for 'the Pocket Fisherman' and the 'Hair-Wiz' by Popeil for all of Canada (and US?). I never owned one of these miniature fishing rods, which I figured was nothing more than a toy but Ronco sold millions of them. I was very surprised one day when my father (always an ardent angler) showed me his pocket fisherman. As a salesman on the road, he would use it when he traveled and had time to kill waiting to see a prospective customer. I only saw it once, so I'm not sure it was his favorite purchase.

There's an interesting history of Ron and Ronco on their company web page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Popeil

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A New Meaning to 'Bed Spread'

The spread is actually laid out on a Carroll bed.

Since the head nurse at McCormick Home suggested that it would be too difficult for Gene to travel this year, we decided to go over there. There was eleven of us all together if you count me the cameraman.  I'm not in any of the pictures. (but trust me - I look the same as always)

Wendy's brother Doug's family, ( Left Doug, Dougie, Daphne and Sarah)

My son Tim and wife Wendy. Greg (Tricia's) Daphne and Doug again.

Grandma Gene presents a crystal bowl to Sarah. The bowl was originally at Grandma's house and had never been used. It was still in the original box in the background. Click the picture to enlarge.

Greg reaches a shortbread Christmas cookie for Grandma.

Dougie and Sarah pose with Grandma Gene.

Sarah is flying to Africa on Tuesday to get married there. She's been very quiet about the details but we wish her well and hope to meet her new husband Calvin soon.

Grandma and Sarah share a cracker.

Tricia has been Wendy's friend since they were babies.

Our 'Circle of Friends' good friend Pat also came to the party with Tricia and Greg.

 Somebody always gets Turtles at Christmas. Grandma loves chocolate.

Erin and Jake could not make it since they were spending Christmas Day with Jake's relatives.

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Wishing You A...

Wendy's 'Perfect' tree

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The Bird Feeder

Here's my 'Rockwell-esque' Photoshop composite. Click on the picture to enlarge. I shot the scene from our dining room window.
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Deeper and Deeper

What else can I say? White Christmas, guaranteed!
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State of Emergency in Sarnia. Military Helicopters Aid Stranded Drivers.

 Zero Visibility

1:38 am Tuesday Dec. 14
"Lambton County has declared a state of emergency as police mobilize resources to try to get to hundreds of motorists stranded in their vehicles along the 402 highway.  OPP Constable Chrystal Jones say they estimate over 360 vehicles are stranded on the 402 between the London Line overpass(County Rd 22) and the city of Sarnia.  As many as 300 people were still waiting for help late Monday.  Police, using 4 x 4 vehicles and snow mobiles, have been struggling to get to motorists stranded in dangerous winter blizzard conditions.  Warden Steve Arnold says the emergency declaration allows the County to apply for Federal Government resources through the military.  In the meantime motorists near other drivers are being asked to conserve fuel by sharing vehicles if it's safe to do so  Those who feel they are getting into a life threatening situation should call 9-1-1.  Police urge stranded motorists to stay calm, keep warm and conserve fuel. City Police have also been dealing with stranded motorists along London Line.  Many have found shelter in nearby homes."

2:17 pm Tuesday Dec. 14
"A rescue operation is now unfolding along the snowbound 402 highway where over 300 vehicles and drivers have been stuck since early yesterday morning.  OPP Constable  Dennis Harwood says they're being assisted by armed forces' Griffin helicopters from Trenton, as well as OPP snowmobiles and four by fours.  Defence Minister Peter MacKay says the choppers have taken several people to warmth and safety.  Petrolia Deputy Fire Chief Dave Connors and volunteers from several communities have been using snowmobiles and tractors to get to dozens of others stranded on Petrolia Line.  They're being taken to a warming center at the Oil Heritage District Community Centre."

My Photoshop "watercolour" of Grand Bend web cam from the lighthouse at the yacht club. (artsy pic) Click on the pic. Click Here to see the Web Cam where I captured the picture.

Just like last week - classic streamers off the lake
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The Metrodome Collaspes From the Snow

Now that's gotta cost a buck or two to fix but Imagine the panic if the place was packed with fans! Now I feel better knowing son Tim pulled most of the snow off our roof.

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Nowadays you can readily buy a device called a "Snow Rake" to pull snow off your roof but back in 1988 no-one had ever heard of such a thing. That is until I came up with an idea to use up some left over plastic that we were using to clad the mattress decks of our hospital beds. After cutting the decks to size we had small pieces left that we would send back to the plastic maker for re-grind but for which we received a pittance. I welded a "T" shape out of tubing and screwed to it a large half round shape of this scrap plastic. 

I remember driving to a swimming pool store in the winter to buy all their telescoping handles. They really wondered what I was up to I'm sure. I had a drinking buddy from The Hermitage Club -  Nick Litke, who had a weekly radio show sponsored by Copp's Buildall (a local building materials store) that gave phone callers advice on home repairs and problems.  My plan was to split the profits on this revolutionary device with "Nick Buildall" (stage name) in return for some well placed plugs on the radio. 

It worked... The "Snow Hoe" was born. The orders started to come in as Nick Buildall advised his radio audience to remove snow from their roofs to lighten the load and also to help prevent "ice dams" that can lead to roof leaks. " There's a man here in town that makes just what you need.  Call and get a Snow Hoe." he would say.

I never had time to pursue the thing any further and after selling off my supply of handles, the project unceremoniously ended. The Snow Hoe paid for a winter of bar tabs for Nick and I and helped fund our local brewery.  (Labatt's) That advice of twenty-two years ago is still good. You should get a Snow Rake if you have a lot of snow on your roof. Pay particular attention to the valleys where ice dams are common.

I suppose they'll be paying more attention to snow loads at the Metrodome from now on if they get it fixed in time.
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Somewhere My Love...

The picture is 'clickable'.

More snow fell overnight and the weather-man says there's more on the way. I guess we just lucked out location-wise. There is no snow at our condo sixty miles away, in fact there is not much just a few miles on either side of our winter wonderland. The relatively warm lake adds unlimited moisture to the persistent streamer so the precipitation continues. Its like a free trip to ski country without the slopes. Do you remember Dr. Zhivago? Parts of it could have been filmed here.

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The Snowfall Has Ended... For Now!

Our son Tim worked all morning pulling snow down off the roof. He was worried that if the weather turned warmer with rain, the weight could collapse the house.  It sure is pretty though.
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Victoria Park All Lit Up

We drove downtown last night to see Victoria Park in the snow. At the main intersection of Dundas and Richmond it was totally deserted so we had no trouble finding a parking spot at the park. This is when 'all wheel' drive comes in handy. The beauty of the park is evident as the pictures speak for themselves. Click a pic to enlarge.

Aptly named, Joe Kool's bar had a few customers being right across from the park but generally the core was a ghost town.

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More Snow All Day and Maybe Tomorrow Too!

 Three feet and counting
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The Snow Continues to Fall

We arrived home around seven last evening from the Circle of Friends party at Patricia's place. Murray and Joyce live in Aymer and decided they had better stay at home. Wendy and I had a lovely visit with Anne, Barb and Barry, Tom, Patricia and Greg and Pat C.  Joan called from Whistler B.C. and we passed the phone around so everyone could say hi. The snow continued to fall through the night and this morning we awoke to a 'winter wonderland'. Fortunately the snowblower started and functioned perfectly as the snow continues to fall. The weatherman predicts that it will be Tuesday night before it ends. Click a pic to view.

Its been a while since we've had this much snow on the roof. And it's not over yet! (Picture taken noon on Monday with more snow to come)

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The Weather Outside Is Frightful...

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Click pic to enlarge

A prolonged 'streamer' off Lake Huron is expected to dump a foot or so of snow here today through Tuesday. We will be going this afternoon to Patricia's place where she is hosting the 'Circle of Friends' Christmas party. I hope the snow doesn't get so deep that it jeopardizes the party. Circle of friends member Tom has to get to Toronto later this week to fly to Australia so we hope it eases up for him. I've included a picture from our back door and as you can see it verifies that it is snowing here. This is really the first snow this year that has stuck. It has been quite beautiful here all fall. I went out to the garage earlier and got the snow blower ready. 

 Above is a radar map of the streamer off Lake Huron. This stationary system causes snow to fall in very isolated areas. Luck plays a large part of how the streamer positions itself, but once it starts, it seems to stay put. You can see that London is right in the path of the snow.
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A Sure Sign of Winter

You can tell it's getting cold when Wendy plugs in her heated toilet seat!  See my blog entry from last Valentine's Day. Click here.

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Countdown to Christmas

This year again we bundled up for the colder weather and headed off to Rona's 'Big Box' store to find a tree. Click on any picture to enlarge.

I don't know if it was  the chilly north wind or a stroke of pure luck that helped Wendy to immediately decide and find 'the perfect tree'.

'The Perfect Tree' doesn't look too impressive leaning against a pillar.

Rona doesn't undo the trees for display so, other than the height and weight and maybe the trunk diameter at the stump, there is nothing to indicate and judge the shape or ultimate appearance. For $19.99 it 's a grab-bag but we've had excellent trees for the past couple of years so hopefully this year the tree will be just as nice.  Having it all tied up makes it a snap to slide into my Buick Rendezvous for the trip home.

Loblaws was our next stop and they always have nice Christmas stuff. Below, Wendy admires the phony trees and they certainly do look real these days...  but not only is this one $250, you have to find a place to store it for the rest of the year and our storage is, how would I say, already occupied. 

Anyway, we already have a tree in the car, so let's get home and set it up.

I chainsawed one inch off the stump end as per the instructions. This is like cutting a flower stem to allow better water uptake. Hint: Bring it in the house with the stand already attached. It's easier to get the stand positioned and do up the adjusting screws outside with the tree lying down.  As Wendy unwrapped the string that confined it for travel, the branches literally burst out to its final shape.

I could tell before she was finished it was going to be a good one.

Looks pretty good don't you think? I wish you could smell this Balsam Fir.

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