For Taller People - My Working Invention...

Snow blowers can save hours of back-breaking work shoveling snow in your driveway. If you are a tall person however, your back can still ache from stooping over a machine designed for shorter people. The video shows our son Tim jr at 6' 8" comfortably clearing our recent snowfall.

No More Bending Over - I added an extra set of handles which I bought on eBay.  This raised the height about a foot or so taller. You can see that the "coat hanger" linkage even actuates the clutch levers. The manufacturers could take the idea and offer adjustable height handles at very little increased cost.

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New Product for Cruise Ami

 On Holly's suggestion, I put my unusual mind to work on a new mask for our Cruise Ami  cruise-ship accessories line.

This concept allows the mask to not only filter the air but also helps, through the silicone rubber snot graphic, to easily maintain your social distance, at the same time the zipper provides all-important access to your favorite drink.

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Lilibet and Pat

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada (also the UK), in this "Just for fun" Photoshop exercise.  I can think of no one I'd consider more suited to be able to meet with royalty and carry on a good, stimulating and interesting conversation than my good friend Pat. (photo from 2009) The girls with their pearls!

Having Tea With Our Queen.

We know that the Queen’s nickname growing up was ‘Lilibet’, a name given to her by her father, King George VI, because she couldn’t pronounce her own name, and one that close family are said to still call her. Read more about her CLICK HERE.

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Happy Robbie Burns Day

Hey, that looks a bit like Patricia.

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Tyrone Shoelace Revisited

 Today I look back with nostalgia to over 50 years ago, at my short but memorable (for me) career in television.

One of my first jobs out of Art College in 1968 was with CFPL Channel 10 London, Ontario. The pay was no hell - a thirty seven and a half hour work week which included weekends and nights on a rotating schedule for the princely sum of $85. per week - but the amazing people (including both fellow crew and personalities) I met will dwell in my memory forever.

Tyrone (Shoelace)  the Talking Boot

 "Sunshine School, January 21 1969, see sched., 10 from now..." My voice preceded productions on video tape on almost every shift as I recited the tape cue-up, although these ubiquitous on-camera events were never seen/heard at home. I was 'Floor Manager', properties man and sometimes audio man. Of course I did run the puppet Tyrone The Talking Boot but I was off-camera for that. My on-camera roles were as The Ugly Old TrolI: "Who dat on my bridge?" and as "Mr. Tim" when I was called to show the children how to submerge their faces in a bowl of water and blow out through their mouth. (The on camera personalities could not do this because it would ruin their make-up.)  I started at CFPL the same day as my good friend Ted who went on to an extended career as a cameraman. I only worked there a couple years, later quitting my job, and seeking better pay. Those were the days!

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Line-Ups...

 

John as Kramer

 My 'artsy' pic for today shows my good friend John as the famous Seinfeild cast member Kramer.

"He's a loathsome offensive brute... yet I can't look away!"

I grafted in my head in this picture of the art salesman from the Seinfeld show.

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One More Year!

It's My Birthday

I've never felt so old, then again I've never been so old. Ha ha!

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Puffy Predator Pressing His Luck...

This white cat (black tail, one black spot and top of head) has been causing quite a stir in our household lately. We call him "Snowball". Benz, being an 'indoor cat' runs to all the windows like a junkyard watchdog when the huge fluffy white feline trespasses on our property. Yesterday ?he/she? perched down by the bird feeder, sitting perfectly still in anticipation of an unsuspecting bird or rodent. 

 We think the cat lives across the street, which can be very busy at times. Crossing it has spelled the demise of many animals who dare to challenge the speeding traffic. Passing coyotes have also taken a large toll on cats around here so we hope the owner will realize the danger and take steps to confine this pretty animal. Besides, it's driving Benz nuts!

 

Oh well! The novelty soon wore off and Benz went back to one of his favorite spots in front of Wendy's computer screen. So much for Snowball for today.

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The Distinguished Mr. Benz

 

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The Spoiled Little Brat!

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"Spoiled Brat"

Why Ontarians Want To Keep The Border Closed...

 

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Freezing Rain

We took a Sunday drive to Port Stanley yesterday. The sun caught the ice accretion from Saturday night's freezing rain and yielded a spectacular scene.

Click on a pic for higher resolution.

We had snow in London but there was freezing rain south in Glanworth area.

It's always dramatic when you shoot into the sun but careful you don't fry your camera.

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A Winter Wonderland This Morning.

 

Sticky snow made for a truly wondrous sight and persisted on the tree branches until noon.

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