The Squamidian Report – March 29 / 08
Issue #305
Including:
A Message From Bobbie & Russ
From the Shores of Lake Huron
Income Tax Time From Vivyan
The Ontarion
Hi All,
I know I’ve written in past issues about the squawky little Stellar Jays that harass us but they warrant mentioning again. The mob of sassy dark blue critters still look inside our windows and still constantly subject us to a barrage of bird profanity. They have long since come to expect their handful of shelled peanuts each and every morning and don’t end their verbal attack until said peanuts are put out for their consumption. Or at least for their use, they fill their beaks and fly off with the nuts. I really don’t know if they actually consume them or just stash them somewhere.
Every once in a while I’ll put out a second helping of nuts, but these will be peanuts still in the shells. That drives the Jays wild. They go into a frenzy that would put a bunch of pre-school kids at a gift-getting contest to shame. Each bird is determined to get the biggest and best peanut. They will lift and inspect each one, all the while being under intense pressure from all the other birds that also want the biggest and best. Funniest part is when a bird will try in vane to fit two or more into its mouth and fail, dropping the outer nut. That drives the bird to even greater frustration. Then there are the ones that choose a nut and fly off with it, only to change their mind and come back for a better one. That in itself wouldn’t be all that strange, but when they come back they bring back the one they had taken and put it back. Then they try to find a better one from the already picked over pile. The nut they put back usually gets scooped up by another bird before the first bird realizes that it was the best nut all along. The frenzy only ends after all the nuts have been carted off.
*
Heated vests are a great invention. They keep wives warm while riding along on the motorcycle. Warm wives are happy wives. We had picked up a heated vest last Fall for Sue and it works very well. The vest has electrical wires running through it that heat up when a 12-volt electric current is applied. There is a cord running down out of the vest with an inline on-off switch and a 2-prong plug on the end. A wiring harness runs from the motorcycles battery and up through the seat so she can plug herself in and turn herself on. The heated vest then keeps her core warm and she stays comfortable when we are out riding in cool or cold weather.
I haven’t yet felt a need to get myself one but I’ll probably get one sometime in the future. Its easy to bundle up a bit for short runs, but on full day rides or longer it would be very worthwhile. Especially here where most longer rides take us up into the mountains. It can be nice and warm down near the coast but quite cold in the higher elevations of the mountain passes, so when you need the warmth, it is there just by flicking a switch. Guess I’ll just have to save up my allowance for a little while.
*
We had been out on the Harley last Saturday for a run into the city and a hot chocolate in Horseshoe Bay. Being it was the long weekend there were traffic cops everywhere manning radar guns. We weren’t in any hurry at all as we were out to enjoy the day, so we cruised through each radar trap right on the posted speed. Motorcycle cops manned several of the traps and they waved at us just as friendlily as any other biker would have. Kind of nice to know that they are normal everyday people out there doing their job.
Sunday was supposed to be the pits, but the sun came out and the temperature shot up into the lower teens. I decided to go out for a bike ride again, but this time I took the little Honda dirt bike. I’ve wanted to get some better pictures of Squamish and the valley from up at the lookout in Garibaldi Park. That’s were I tried to take my parents in the car a year ago when they were out but had to back down a kilometer or so when the snow got too deep and there was no where to turn around. Anyway, by the time I got to the turn-around spot where we had backed down to that time, the road was snow-covered with track bare sections. Keep in mind that as you climb up in elevation in the mountains, you climb up into winter. A sign declared that the road from there on up was closed so I went around it and headed on up to see how far I could get.
The road climbs steadily along there and within about half a click the slushy snow on the road was about 6 inches deep. A few years ago I might have kept going but I was riding alone and didn’t want to get myself into something I couldn’t get out of so I turned around. On a dirt bike it is fairly easy to ride up-hill in snow as the weight is over the drive wheel and the front wheel is running very light. But coming back down the weight distribution is reversed and riding can be quite tricky. So I headed back down to home without the pictures I’d hoped for, I can always try again in the near future.
doug
****
We thought this warning might be worthwhile sending on to our fellow Squamidians.
BEWARE: area code 809 (This was forwarded to Bobbie & Russ from someone else)
ABOUT AREA CODE.....809
We actually received a call last week from the 809 area code. The woman said 'Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed you--get back to us quickly. I Have something important to tell you.' Then she repeated a phone number beginning with 809 . 'We didn't respond'.
Then this week, we received the following e-mail:
Subject: DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809 , 284 AND 876
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T.
DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809
This one is being distributed all over the US. This is pretty scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call. Be sure you read this and pass it on. They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has-been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc. In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.
If you call from the US or Canada, you will apparently be charged $2425 per-minute.
Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges. Unfortunately, when you get your phone bill, you'll often be charged more than $24,100.00.
WHY IT WORKS:
The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin Islands (The Bahamas). The charges afterwards can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong. Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam
Sandi Van Handel
AT&T Field Service Manager
(920)687-904
Additional information on these area codes can be found from ATT at:
http://www.consumer.att.com/consumertips/areacode.html
****
Greetings everyone.
I don't know how everyone else feels but winter has gone on far to long. Last year on March 27, the temperature record of 23 degrees was hit a far cry form the 2 to 3 degrees we had for the last few days. In fact Friday nights temp is going to be minus eleven for the low. I was down to Kitchener today and was totally surprised at how many motorcycles were out and about today. I desperately want to get mine out but I can wait for a little warmer weather. Besides that there is still far to much salt residue on the streets, you hit an area where melting has taken place and the lower portion of the bike get all salted up. I think once we get a few good rains I will probably get it out for a short jaunt into town, unless it gets very warm then I might hit to highway.
Well the Rangers got the sweep against Plymouth and will now face Sarnia in the semi finals. This is the first Friday I am home to write this at a decent hour. I am having ranger withdrawal signs. They don't play the first game of this series until next Friday. It makes me laugh that these newspaper reporters have to drum up rumors to find something to write about. Mr. Hicks 9 (and I use the term Mr. very lightly) stated today that our head coach will probably be heading to the Atlanta Thrasher as their new head coach after the summer. First of all Atlanta hasn't spoke to him yet and secondly I think these kinds of rumors shouldn't be started until after the memorial cup is finished. Say levee!
Doug when you were back a few weeks ago you said something about a place in Calgary where you can buy motorcycle apparel. If you wouldn't mind I would like to get their website from you. I also am enjoying the CD you sent.
I missed sending a contribution last week as I was very sick with a cold and that crap and couldn’t muster up enough energy to get out to the office and contribute. but I have shook that now and am feeling 100% better. The snow mobile trails are almost bare now in the area so I beginning to think that the four wheeler may be coming out in another week I also became the proud grampa of a new bay granddaughter last Tuesday (25th) they missed my birthday by two days after. She was a healthy 7 lbs. 6 1/2 ounces. I saw her today and it's hard to believe your own kids were that tiny years ago. Her name is Paige and she is # 7 for grandchildren.
By the way Doug , Frank Connolly is in the hospital I’m not sure if they know what happened to him but from what I head for Rick Brune he was in the excavator with the bucket up and ended up slumped over and the guy he was working for ran over and when he came to asked him if he knew where he was and he didn't know. My son said he is in Toronto in a coma and they were draining fluid form his brain. Hopefully everything will be OK. I will keep you informed as I get information
Well, I must go for now so everyone have a great and safe week.
****
A few years ago when the government saw it in their wisdom to "simplify" the Income Tax form I decided it was time to go to an accountant as these "simple" forms were too easy for me.
Anyway last week we got a phone call to say our tax forms were ready to be signed. This morning, Thursday, Lorne wanted to go to Waterloo so since the accountant's office is in that area I went along and we got everything signed and our copies to bring home with us. I wasn't too happy with how they turned out. Although we did some income sharing my refund was going to be less then I thought it should be and Lorne was going to have to pay a lot more then other years. It didn't make sense to me so I got out last year's forms and started checking.. It paid off. We both have income tax taken off at source on both our Old Age Pension and our Canada Pension. The accountant had missed what was taken off on the Canada Pension. I phoned the office and told them what was missed, where and how much. A couple of hours later we got a call to tell me that my refund would be a lot more and Lorne will even get a little refund. The girl thanked me for calling and even telling them where and how much was missed.
Now we’ll have to make another trip to the office and take back the forms we have and sign new ones, at least this time it's in our favour. It does pay to check things out.
****
Hello
everyone!
It’s time
to get out the Popsicle sticks and float them for blocks along the curb in the
streams made by the melting snow. We are starting to see the front edge of
spring and that’s a good thing. Do you remember doing the Popsicle stick thing
when you were a kid, I do! It was always fun and good for a soaker or two when
you got to the deep water near the blocked sewer grate! With the snow so nice
and deep this year it’s just like it was back in the 50’s and 60’s. Today was a
bright sunny day and you could literally smell spring in the air. I know it’s
seemed like one heck of a long winter but I have a picture of me standing in
front of our house on the lawn on January 11th for my 59th
birthday and there isn’t a speck of snow to be seen. It was a day or two after
that picture was taken that it started to snow and I don’t think it stopped for
three weeks once it got going. We had a good old fashioned Canadian winter for
sure this year. I’m beginning to wonder if the global warming thing isn’t just
a ploy by money grubbers to line their pockets more than they already are with
environmental dollars! The snow along the street sides is slowly receding and
we’ve finally got a little more than a single lane for the traffic starting to
show. It won’t be long before I can call the dealer and have him assemble my
new motorcycle. I guess I’m not the only one in this boat either. Doug was
telling us that Sue’s sister and her husband have ordered a new Harley and are
looking forward to getting it on the road as well. I’m sure they’ll love it if
they get half the use out of theirs that Doug and Sue do! The whole world is
going motorcycle crazy judging by the number of bikes we’re seeing on the roads
in the good weather. This year will likely be a banner year for two wheel
riders with the cost of gas going up and up! Let’s hope for the motorcyclist’s
sake that the riding season is long and warm. I think I’ll be taking delivery
of my new bike soon, probably the early part of April. I have a couple of other
projects to get completed this spring but they should only be a couple of days
work each to do them right. I have a new 1hp pool pump and a large “Sand”
filter from a swimming pool that I bought last summer and I’m going to make a
system for our pond with it. Being it’s big enough to filter the water in a
18’x 32’ swimming pool, it should handle the work needed to keep the garden
pond out back in tip top shape quite easily this year. That’s the first project
before the gardens get growing and I can’t make enough space beside the pond
for a filter that size. The second project is to build a roof over our patio
with 2x6’s and 4x4 posts. We want it over the entire patio and that’s a 12’x24’
area. I think I’ll be putting a tin roof on the structure. I considered putting
that rippled fiberglass on it but somehow it just doesn’t seem like it would be
strong enough. The tin will give us a choice of colour and I can install a
couple of Plexiglas panels in the roof to allow more light in. This project
should only take a couple of days as well. I’m looking forward to having this done
so we don’t have to take down the temporary gazebo every fall like we’ve had to
for a few years now. There are always things to do around a house no matter how
long you live in the same place. If you’re not building or adding, you’re
re-building, refinishing or redecorating! It never seems to come to an end. Oh
well such are the joys and responsibilities of home ownership. I look at it
this way, at least you’re doing it for yourself and all that effort only serves
to keep the value of your investment on the rise. I’m sure the work we put into
the place will be worth it and we’ll have many years of enjoyment out of the
finished projects.
Gotta go
for now!
Thanks
for tuning in and I hope to talk to you all again next week in The Ontarion
Report!
Bye for now… Greg.
PS:
Something To Think About>
Spring
has sprung, the grass has riz, I wonder where the boidies is?
Could it
be the boid is on the wing? How absoid, the wing is on the boid!
(My
traditional Spring poem)
****
The Family Site:
http://members.shaw.ca/doug_b/
The Squamidian Site:
The Biking And Stuff Site:
Have a good one..
the
doug
The Fine Print!
The articles in these issues are the sole property of the persons writing them and should be respected as such.