Monday, August 03, 2009
New Site Location
Cooper Street Relic
Saturday, July 25, 2009
The Garden
Last weekend was the McLaughlin family's annual reunion and as always happens when family gets together in our advancing years, we talk about many things but the past is always prominent. A subject that a few of the cousins and i discussed was the "Garden". And as Joni wrote in her song "Woodstock" "We got to get back to the garden".
Now this garden sat beside the old family home on Cooper Street and during the 60's it was like a haven to many of us, and it seemed to go on forever and ever, and to everyone in the family it was paradise. There was everything in it,peas,beets, raspberry and strawberry bush's,potatoes, onions, tomatoes, rhubarb and just about anything else you could think of. And come August corn stalks so tall we little ones could hide in them, and we used to play constantly in the garden eating the fresh veggie and fruits much to our Grandmother's chagrin, and the big Cherry tree beside it was just the icing on the cake.
Sunday dinners always meant fresh veggies and plenty of fruit for desert, and i never thought that we were an ordinary working class family, i thought we were farmers, Gawd those were beautiful day's and during the summer the sun setting on the garden would have made a beautiful postcard.
Ah, but those day's are gone and as the Sixties came to an end so did the garden. First the far section was sold to build a house and for a few years the garden still survived and produced great product. But after Grandma McLaughlin's passing things rapidly changed and a few years later we moved out of the big house and built another one right beside it that took up most of what was left of the Garden, even though my Uncle Alex stayed in the big house and kept a little version going, it was never the same. Now as i walk or drive past the property and i see flowers growing in the property's i feel that we had a little something to do with that, even though Paradise has been paved over. Lord on day's like this i miss that garden!
----------------
Now playing: Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi
via FoxyTunes
Monday, July 13, 2009
From the Original Hespeler Herald
HESPELER HERALD-JAN. 27, 1922
Ed. Cutting had the misfortune to have two fingers of his right hand amputated while at work on a press at the Stamped and Enamelled Ware plant yesterday afternoon.
Ed Cutting had various jobs in Hespeler. He delivered coal by horse and wagon and he worked at the Stamped Enamel. His son Clarence recalled that during his employment at the "Stamp" Ed lost part of his finger. When the doctor arrived, he took the severed finger and through it out the window into the Speed River. Ed and Margaret lived across from the mill out by "Blackbridge". They also lived on Henderson Street in Hespeler. In later years, they lived in Puslinch , past the golf course.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Monday, July 06, 2009
Hot Potato #7
My Lawyer is an idiot, he got me into the Jehovah Witness protection program
4 out of 5 doctors recommend i go see another doctor
Virus is a Latin word meaning"your guess is as good as mine"
As i said before, i never repeat myself
There are no Stupid Questions, just inquisitive idiots
Honk if you like peace and quiet
There is no "Ctrl" button on Chuck Norris's computer...chuck Norris is always in control
Is a stolen Yam a Hot Potato?
I have a new pen name...i call myself BALLPOINT
My wife complains about how long it takes to water the plants..hey my bladder is only so big
I signed up for an Origami class, but it folded
Murphy was an optimist
My ex Mother in law buried 3 husbands and 2 were just taking a nap
Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names
The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life.
Well that is it for now but remember
I still have a full deck, i just shuffle a little slower now.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Throne Room has been invaded.
Cambridge Conversations
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
James Robert Hillis..June 25 1924-August18 1997
Last Month the Hillis family celebrated our Mothers 85th Birthday, and needless to say it was a happy time, even though my Father was only there in spirit as he had passed away in 1997. On Thursday June 25th he also would have turned 85 and i am sure a good party would have happened.
In a past story i wrote humorously about things my dad had taught me and while many were based in truth, obviously they were meant to bring a smile to everybody's face,however there were many things that i learned from my dad that were very important to who i am.
He taught me to admit when i was wrong, something that is very tough for many people to do. He taught me to drive, and to respect the road and others on it. He also made sure to let me know that you don't try to be somebody else, just be yourself. He taught me to be careful about what you say about other people, as it could come back to bite you. He taught me the importance of family, even though i didn't know it at the time. And while my Dad was big on involvement in sports, when he realized that i liked watching hockey but was not big on playing organized shinny, he was cool with it and told me to do what i liked. He tried to get me into hunting, but soon came to the conclusion that shooting animals was not in my blood and again was okay with it. But i think the most important thing that i learned from my dad was how to laugh and make people around me laugh as well. Oh, and if you have read the column on things my dad taught me, well, Flatulence and how to use it is still one thing he taught me that i still use well to this day. Happy Birthday Dad.
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Hespeler Communication Network.
In the day's before Ernie's the building was known as the Queens Hotel and was a regular spot for many of the locals, including my Dad and his cronies and since it sat at the main intersection in town they could sit and watch the town(and the Characters} go by. And that is how they got me. One warm summers evening i pulled up to the lights in my Dodge Coronet, the 8 track spitting out some raucous Zeppelin tunes, and as i was prone to do, i revved the engine a few times and when the lights turned green i spun out, squealing the tires and headed up Queen Street and headed home. Now this was no more than a two minute drive to my place and as i pulled into the driveway i saw my dad standing there with his arms folded and glaring at me like i had let in a game winning goal or something. Upon parking the Dodge and slipping out the door my Dad made it clear in no uncertain terms...don't ever squeal your tires in this town, go to Preston or Galt or even better Kitchener, but do not ever, ever do it in HIS town, and while i am at it turn the music down as nobody else downtown wants to hear that metal crap and wear a seatbelt goddamn it. I stood there stunned! How in the hell did he find out in 2 minutes what i had done? There was no such thing as cell phones in those days, he didn't have ESP, so how? As he explained it later, one of his chums was sitting at the bar and saw me there revving my engine and was on the phone to the old man when i peeled away from the corner, so by the time i got home the whole story was known. And you know what was worst? Later that day i went over to a friends house and his dad laughed at me for getting in trouble doing what i did. That Damn Hespeler Communication network had nailed me and their was nothing i could do about it.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Hespeler Hideout
It sat on what is now Holiday inn Drive across from Jacob Hespeler High School and back by Hwy 401. The beauty of it was the fact that back then Holiday inn Drive stopped at the Holiday Inn and past that all the way to Townline Road was nothing but Forest, Tress and brush, plenty of trees and brush. The only way in was by foot and that suited us just fine as the Police could not get in without us seeing them and by the time they did we could be long gone. As for the OPP coming up from behind on the 401 they would be as visible as my receding hairline is now. And besides, i think the local Constabulary's were quite happy knowing that we were not bothering the citizens of the village.
I don't remember who built it or how we found it, but it was there and on any giving Friday or Saturday night you could find us sitting around the fire and just carousing and enjoying the waning day's of our youth, and if it rained, so be it we had a good roof on it. One winter we even used it despite the danger of having a fire inside of it, of course trekking up there on a cold February night was a chore but the rewards were worth it. So what brings this story on, well let me tell you.
I drive past the spot almost every day and think about the good times that were held there but had not set foot up there in almost 35 years, until yesterday. With my wife working and myself having a day off, no yard worl to do i took my camera and went for a drive and for some reason i pulled into the little parking area and stood facing the hill that the fort was on, and i began the walk up there. And the walk was just as i remembered, arduous but enjoyable, and when i got to the hill and found the spot where it stood i felt peaceful. I thought of friends that had were no longer with us and friends that i never see but for some reason i saw them there. I saw the fort, even though it was long gone, i saw the fires and i saw the forest. I know it sounds corny but i enjoyed those 20 minutes i spent there like none that i have in a long time. And as i left, reality hit me as i looked around and saw an open field., industrial malls,factory's and a busy road that at one time was deep in trees and dirt and steeped in nostalgia. Why did we stop going to the fort? I guess we thought we outgrew it, but now i am not so sure.
Photos of the remains including some of the tin and rocks used for the structure are on the previous blog.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Smiles from Above
Baseball has been a big sport in my Dad's family as far back as i can trace. My Great-Grandfather, my Grandfather, my Father and his brother all played at one level or another. My brother myself and 4 of my cousins all played at the amateur level and reached the highest levels possible.My Younger Sister still plays on a regular basis as does her daughter, and the next generation now plays as well as my Grandson and one of my granddaughters play the game and enjoy it. And here is where i am leading up to.The sky was a little overcast as Ben and Monica's game began, and as i watched the game i lay in the grass and looked into the clouds and for a brief minute could have sworn that the clouds formed the faces of my Great-Grandfather, Grandfather and my Dad and they were smiling to see another generation of ball players in the family. After Ben singled in a run i looked again but the clouds were gone and the game went on.
Were they really looking down or was my imagination wanting them too? It really doesn't matter because i know in my heart they were there.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Monday, June 08, 2009
When i Was a Teen
Memory was something you lost with age
An application was for employment
A program was a television show
A cursor used profanity
A keyboard was a piano
A web was a spiders home
A virus was what you caught
A CD was a bank account
A hard drive was a long drive with my family
A mouse pad was where the mice lived
And if you had a 3 inch floppy, you just hoped nobody ever found out!
My how times have changed!
Powered by ScribeFire.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
What i hated as a kid, i still hate today.
Being Nagged
Cleaning my room and making my bed
Just getting started on a trip and having to go pee
My Mom yelling at me, now she just does it by phone.
Brussels Sprouts
The voices in my head telling me I'm a goat
Getting dressed up
Still not old enough to 'Know it all"
First my Mom and now my wife won't let me run with scissors
Being spanked because i am a bad boy.,.wait..sorry wrong list for that one.
That is just a few of the things i hated then and now.
Friday, May 29, 2009
You've lost that loving feeling
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Swinging Babes of my younger day's
legs, some like figure and some like personalities. No guy can agree on
anything, what i am putting forth here,is my list of the ten
swinginest woman of my youth. They all have a little something
different and some may not be what turns others on but, it's my list so
here it goes.
10.Marilyn Monroe--The ultimate pin up girl
9.Ann Margaret--oozed sexuality
8.Raquel Welch--Nobody could beat her in a bathing suit
7.Bridgett Bardot--Even Elton John thought she was sexy
6.Ursula Andress--Or as we used to call her Ursula Undressed
5.Aretha Franklin--Made big woman and gospel sexy
4.Barbara Eden.--rubbed many a bottle trying to find one like her
3.Nancy Sinatra--Those boots could have walked all over me
2. Goldie Hawn--Sock it to me, baby
1.Elizabeth Montgomery--Man did she make witchcraft sizzle.
So there you have it, now let the debates begin.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Some old relics
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
{Sort of} A Ghost Story
I
grew up in a big old house in Hespeler, that to me was haunted. And
this is one of those story’s that could have been a great Ghost
Story, but since that would spoil the ending i will start a the
beginning.
It was a warm spring Sunday evening in 1967 and i had just finished
watching my Television programs in the living room with my family,
Gentle Ben,Ed Sullivan and Bonanza were the programs of choice. Off to
bed i went for a relaxing sleep, or so i thought. At around 3 am i
awoke to take a whizz when i caught out of the corner of my eye the
rocking chair under the window in my room was moving and a white clad
figure was occupying the chair. Frozen in bed and now unable to pee i
pulled up the sheets on my bed over my head and shivered, hoping that
the ghost would leave soon. No such luck. Every 1/2 hour it seemed i
checked and that ghost was still there and rocking the chair back and
forth. Unable to scream or even mouth “HELP” i waited for
morning and eventually dozed off thankfully.
As dawn arrived and i
opened my eyes my fear of the ghost turned to embarrassment and then
shame at what i had gone through the night before.
You see, what had happened was this. Being that it was a warm evening
my Mother had opened the bedroom window before laying a freshly cleaned
white bed sheet over the rocking chair, that just happened to have an
arched back, that created a head like shape. That and the wind nicely
blowing in the window kept the chair moving and the newly dried sheet
flowing. So it was not a ghost at all and i made it clear to my Mother
that she should never do that again. Her only comment on the
situation…how did you hold your pee so long? And now that i
think about it..how did i? Amazing the things you can do at 10 years
old.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Monday, May 18, 2009
A Bad Family Reunion
With summer almost upon us it means one thing...Family get togethers.
Here are some signs that your family is perhaps a little dysfunctional.
Breakfast nook is now a Meth lab
Your vacations are now booked through AA instead of AAA
Your mom and sister are fighting again...over the last beer
During the family Reunion the FBI cut all power to your home
Hells Angels next door call the police to complain about you
Your son tells you he doesn't want to be your cell mate next time
You buy 4 mothers day cards, one for each of her personalities
Family Motto: Put the Gun Down
Instead of saying grace, Grandpa reads from the Penthouse Forum
No Roasted Turkey instead all you have is Wild Turkey
New government legislation to ban assault weapons specifically mentions your family.
If you recognize any of these you may be dysfunctional.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Butterflys and Headstones
little time today at the family grave plot and while planting some new
flowers at the sites of my Grandparents, my Aunt and Uncle and my
Father i watched in amazement as 4 monarch butterfly's appeared out of
nowhere and began to flutter around the graves. Eventually 3 of the
butterfly's settled on the gravestones of Dad, Grandma and grandpa and
my Aunt and Uncle while the 4th set down on my Mothers shoulder and
seemed to sit there forever. When my mother stood up after saying her
prayer the butterfly's started to stir and fly in a circle around her,
and followed us to the car where they turned around and went back to
the grave area. And as we drove away the butterfly's were all sitting
on the headstones again fluttering their wings.
The beauty of the butterfly. The spirits could not have chosen a more fitting way to appear.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Scissors, turtles and Davinci
Confucius say: Man who lives in glass houses should change in basement
I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers--Mahatma Gandhi
I have one question about the Kyoto accord, how many miles per gallon does it get.
Behind every successful man stands a surprised Mother in Law
A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies--Oscar Wilde
The snickers bar is now the best selling candy bar in the world
Golf is a good walk spoiled--Mark Twain
Mister dressup beats mister rogers any day
Sometimes i wonder if Angela Jolie wonders what i am wearing
Red haired men go bald sooner than any others
There are approximately 100 million acts of sexual intercourse every day
I nearly ran over a turtle today, i hate when they run out in traffic like that
Josef Stalin is buried in a Communist plot
Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of congress, but i repeat myself.
And remember the Founder of the Marlboro cigarette company died of Lung Cancer.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Jack Courtney- Super agent
He was my very first insurance agent, and walking into his little cramped office on Queen Street was always a pleasure. He knew his customers well and knew the history of your family also. He always had a story to tell and wanted to know the latest jokes that you could tell him. And as always his spittoon was sitting close by for his chewing tobacco to be spit in, and on one occasion he asked if i wanted to try to hit the spittoon, needless to say i declined. His interest in his clients went as far as looking at the vehicle and finding out what he was insuring and not just taking the money and running. I never had to file a claim with him, so i don't know how he was at that but i feel it was as comfortable as getting the insurance in the first place.
I miss customer service like that.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Some Friday Afternoon Timewasters
I have found the perfect bedtime story's to put my grandchildren to sleep, recycled "according to Jim" Television show scripts.
Iguanas,Koalas and Komodo Dragons all have 3 penis's.
I need tacos or i will explode.I do that sometimes.
If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased.
Good looking people turn me off, myself included---Patrik Swaze
God never gives us more than we can handle,luckily a local restaurant has a big boy all you can eat buffet.
Al Capone's business card stated that he was a used furniture dealer.
The only difference between Republicans and Democrats is that the Democrats allow poor people to be corrupt as well.
Actually you can beat City Hall. All you need is a bulldozer and a wrecking ball.
If you are feeling good don't worry, you will get over it.
Reality is a nice place to visit but i really would not want to live there.
If you can't beat 'em arrange to have them beating.
Slurm=The slime that exists under the soap bar when it sits in the dish too long.
A friend is someone who has the same enemy's as you.
And in closing remember
Woman are trouble and we Men are trouble seekers.
Powered by ScribeFire.
More forgotten oldies
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Fresh Air
[via FoxyTunes / Quicksilver Messenger Service]
One of the great 60's era bands that seem to have been lost by the so called Classic Rock stations
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
What my Mother Taught me
She taught me about death and cleanliness:
"If you're going to kill each other do it outside, i just finished cleaning"
She taught me religion:
"You had better pray that spill will come out of the carpet"
She taught me logic:
"Because i said so, that's why"
She taught me Contortionism:
"Will you look at the dirt on the back of your neck"
She taught me stamina:
"You will sit there until that spinach is finished"
She taught me about the circle of life:
""I brought you into this world, i can take you out"
She taught me about behavior modification:
"Stop acting like your father"
I owe a lot to my Mother, and i am sure so do you!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday Day Waste
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Blast from the Past.
(Sitting on a) Poor Man's Throne-Copperpenny
[via FoxyTunes / Copperpenny]
I remember seeing these guys at the Coronet. Wonder where they are now?
Monday, April 20, 2009
My Human gives me the blues
First let me introduce myself, my name is Sir Duke and i am a dog, a Shed Tzu to be exact and while i am waiting for one of my humans to come home from work i thought i would tell you a story. Now you may be wondering how i am writing this, well we dog's are not as stupid as some people think, i mean after all you humans do feed us and walk us when we need it and what is it with that baby talk,brrr that is scary. I am sitting here just waiting, i have rearranged the furniture twice and put it back, just slightly off so the humans will think they are seeing things. When i go for a walk it is a strange experience every time ,i mean there is always something new to see and smell. oh and pee on. I enjoy making the male human wait for me while i find the right place for a dump, and i always make sure it is far enough away from him so he has to walk to stoop and scoop. Chasing the ducks and geese on the water is fun, but i will let you in on a secret.they know i am coming and we play this game to just amuse you humans. And when another dog shows up we get to smell each other, at least that is what you think we are doing, in reality we are getting messages from the mothership,ahh got cha, no really we do like to smell each others butts, believe you me they are better smelling than my male humans gas in the morning after he has been out drinking the night before, ugggh. And do you wonder what we are doing digging holes? They are, no i think that is one secret i had better not tell. And of course the jumping up and down and seemingly happy to see you routine, well that is usually a distraction so the other dog's that are partying with us have a chance to slip out the window with out being seen. Now about naming us, how bad or hard is it to come up with real good names like stryker, the barkman,louscious,joaguin. No we get names like barky,lucky,ralph,scooter good god humans use your imagination i mean just look at my name, Sir Duke ,what the hell were they thinking, or smoking for that matter, i guess it could have been worse they could have called me poochie. By the way my dog only name is Star wanderer, that's right we have names that only other dogs know and our woofing as you hear it is really an advanced form of communication. If one of those two humans don't get home soon though i may have to leave a little present in the living room for them. Oh i hear the key in the door so i had better put this cigarette out finish this beer and get ready to drag him out into this cold and rain, and do you know what i am going to do? After dumping and peeing i am going to pretend to hurt my paw and make him carry me home, yuk yuk. O.K. i am going so i will talk to you all again when i have more storys to tell. Chow all. |
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Why i do this
To my Dad a good joke or story was as important to life as food or drink. He loved to tell story’s and to have a good time, and he had many a good time. Many people say i have a warped sense of humor and can pull a story out of anything, but in comparison to my old man i am just a novice. I saw him laugh at a John Wayne movie, i saw him bust a gut watching Harvey Korman and Tim Conway perform a routine on the Carol Burnett show. He could repeat jokes from the likes of Lenny Bruce to Richard Pryor and to him humor had no boundaries.
And the story’s and thoughts he would come out with were classics, but to me they were as new as the rain or snow that fell outside. Sure they were probably stolen from someone else or from a book he had read but the way he told them made them his. I have learned many one liners, jokes, groaners and weird thoughts on life from my Dad and while they are not always funny to everyone, they are at least interesting and would leave his party guests snickering under their breath. But is that not what life is about? Keeping your friends and acquaintances laughing and thinking all at the same time? Even as he was dying he kept a sense of humor, he pulled me over to his side and indicated that he needed to say something to me and as i got closer to his mouth he whispered” get off my air hose you arsehole”. I could only laugh and i am sure my family thought i was nuts, but i know that everytime i write a story or post a stream of weird thoughts he is laughing and telling anybody that is near him up above ” I taught him everything he knows, and he still doesn’t know anything”
Powered by ScribeFire.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Old Hits for new Times
Some of the artists of the 60's are
revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging
baby boomers.
They include:
Bobby
Darin ---
Splish, Splash,
I Was Havin' a Flash.
Herman's
Hermits ---
Mrs. Brown,
You've Got a Lovely Walker .
Ringo
Starr ---
I Get By With a
Little Help From Depends.
The Bee
Gees -- -
How Can You
Mend a Broken Hip.
Roberta
Flack---
The First Time
Ever I Forgot Your Face.
Johnny
Nash ---
I Can't
See Clearly Now.
Paul
Simon---
Fifty Ways to
Lose Your Liver.
The
Commodores ---
Once, Twice,
Three
Times to the Bathroom.
Marvin
Gaye ---
Heard It
Through the Grape Nuts.
Procol
Harem---
A Whiter Shade
of Hair.
Leo
Sayer ---
You Make Me
Feel Like Napping.
The
Temptations ---
Papa's Got a
Kidney Stone.
Abba---
Denture
Queen.
Tony
Orlando ---
Knock 3 Times
On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall.
Helen
Reddy --- I Am
Woman, Hear Me Snore.
Leslie Gore---
It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To.
And Last but NOT least:
Willie
Nelson --- On the Commode
Again
.
Interesting stuff i think.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
When Downtown was the place
Monday, April 06, 2009
Give me back my Klacker
In the spring of 1968 i fell in love. Not with a girl or a dog but with a toy. The KLACKER to be precise. What is a klacker you ask, well let me tell you, it was a magnificent piece of weaponry, 2 acrylic balls attached to a sturdy workman like piece of string that when banged together could drive a parent crazy, and i had to just have one. A light blue transparent one at that.
Some scrawny kid like me could own one of these, jump over a 6 foot high fence and smoke the local bully. Yeah, that was going to be me. Jack, the neighborhood tough guy wouldn’t get the best of me anymore. That psychopathic grin would get wiped off his face really quick and than i would dance over his fallen body like David over Goliath, oh yeah, that 11 year old 130 lb walking jelly bowl was going down. Or so i thought. As i gathered my nerve and as my friends waited timidly around the corner i approached the lug and started to stare him down, he didn’t flinch, i approached a little bit more slinging my klackers like like a gunslinger in the old west and then it happened, he pulled a giant slingshot out of his overalls and started to fire spitballs at me. One by one they stung me and drove me back to cover behind the closest garbage pail and there i waited for the cavalry to arrive but realized that the Cavalry had run for cover as well and vanished into the school and the safety of the Nuns leaving me alone to face Jack one on one. It seemed like i was there for over an hour[probably just about a minute] when i got my courage up, got the klackers swinging good and rose,ready to face my final moments, i came flying out from behind that garbage can and ran smack into the body of Sister Aloysius, all 6 feet and 150 lbs of her. I went down like a rock ,my klackers flying out of my hands and landing at her feet, her evil grin even made the bully Jack cringe, and she had me at her mercy, and Jack was standing behind her grinning that psychopathic grin of his. I was doomed.
I wound up with a detention and had my Klackers taken away for 3 days, a punishment that seemed worse than death, and while i eventually got over that moment, the tension between Jack and i never cleared up but we stayed away from each other from then on. For me A moral victory and 3 day’s later i got my klackers back. All was well again.
And i wonder, did anybody ever get Jack? Did they get away or did Jack get revenge? And i wonder where Jack went? Is he living now on a chain gang in Alabama somewhere breaking rocks with his fists and dancing with a good ole boy named Bubba? One can only dream.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Playfair Bowl
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The forgotten Music. First of many
David Ackles - Road to Cairo
[via FoxyTunes / David Ackles]
This is from one of the great American Singer/songwriters of the late 60's early 70's. David Ackles is unknown today but those who do know of his music he is still revered. His early 70's album American Gothic is considered a classic and while it may be hard to find it is well worth the search. David Ackles died in 1999.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Great Hespeler Moped Crash of 1973
While out walking the dog the other day i watched a kid wipe out on his dirt bike and that reminded me of an incident from my past. It was July of 1973 when the Great Hespeler Moped crash occurred. I was 15 going on 16 and as such did not have a drivers license, so my parents gave me the next best thing, they bought me a Moped for my upcoming birthday. Not that they really had a choice as 5 of my friends already had one or were getting one for the summer ahead,so on a mid June day they presented me with a fire engine red Moped, and that was the beginning of the summer of driving. I went everywhere on that thing. to Kitchener,Guelph and points in between. Hell even some of the girls loved them and that made us even more popular[not a bad side effect, Eh!]. But as in anything that Teenagers set their minds to we got more adventurous on the bikes and soon we were able to do wheelie’s like the big boy’s, we even named ourselves “Hespeler’s Rejects”, not a good name i admit but hey, we were Teenagers after all. So all of June and July we terrorized the streets of Hespeler, and even the local constabulary, “Flashlight Freddie” could not stop us, of course i don’t think he really tried that hard. And then July 26th came into play.
It was one of those warm summer rain kind of day’s, not hard enough to stop your fun but still damp enough for the average person to be careful while out on the road. And there was the problem, thought did not enter the equation. So off the 6 of us went that day driving down the hills and valleys of Hespeler without a care in the world and then Edward street appeared on the horizon and the challenge was made. I don’t know who made the call but it was there, drive as fast as we can down one of the steepest streets in town toward the valley and may the best man win. Everything was going good, i sat in a close third when suddenly just before the bottom of the hill someone went down and the rest of us followed. By the time we finished tumbling and sliding there were 6 mopeds and 6 bodies lying on Edward street, scuffed, bruised and bloody but we all managed to pull ourselves together, get our Mopeds off the street and survey the damage. There were no broken bones or even seriously damaged mopeds, somehow we had all survived the crash. As we sat at the side of the road we all just suddenly started laughing and realized what a funny sight we must of made, six bodies and bikes rolling and sliding down Edward Street. Needless to say that was the end of day for all of us as we slinked off to lick our wounds and get ready for another day. As for the rest of the summer, well let’s just say we rode a little more carefully…Ah who am i kidding, we did not learn our lesson and continued to drive them as recklessly as ever.
As for the mopeds, well they lasted one more year as many of us got our drivers licenses and moved on to bigger and better things, but probably still drove a little crazy. And that my friends is the story of the Great Hespeler Moped Crash of 1973….Drive safe everyone!
Powered by ScribeFire.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Spring Walk
Monday, March 16, 2009
Springs Coming
Sometimes i wonder, does Angela Jolie wonder what i am wearing?
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will make me go in a corner and cry!
People say i am psycho like it's a bad thing!
A lot has been said of politicians, some of it complimentary but most of it accurate.
What's it mean being a man:Making mistakes and not caring!
If at first you don't succeed have a scapegoat handy!
I may have never left my heart in San Fransisco, but i did leave some toe nail clippings at the Toronto bus depot.
"I am not an egomaniac, but i am the worlds best dancer"---Micheal Flatly
2 out of 3 North Americans men will develop hemorrhoids.
TEIAM, there problem solved!
9 out of 10 guy's prefer woman with big breasts, the 10th guy prefers the other 9 men
I wonder if General Custer wore shirts by the Arrow Company?
I can't remember the last time i did any serious running, but i have been jogging my memory.
Without evil, there could be no good, so it must be good to be evil sometimes
There are no stupid answers, just stupid people.
Enjoy the weather and i will talk to ya later!
Friday, March 13, 2009
A lovely Day for a Parade
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Questions of a Thousand Years
If someone owns a piece of land do they own it to the center of the Earth?
If you have a cold hot pocket, is it just a pocket?
If humans evolved from monkeys why are they still here?
Do penguins have knees?
Why do we say the alarm clock went off when it really comes on?
Why do we put our two cents in when it is only a penny for our thoughts?
Why do people return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new has materialised?
Why does the Easter Bunny carry eggs?Rabbits don't lay eggs!
Why when people ask what are the 3 things you would bring with you on a desert island, nobody says a Boat?
Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
And Finally!
Have you ever met a gruntled employee?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
My goldfish hates Me!
The dot above the i in the letter i is called a tittle
If i had a nickel for every paycheck I've blown on booze and wild woman, i could probably spend a whole weekend doing nothing but...well, you know where this is headed.
Bugs outnumber humans 200 million to one
Canada borders on three oceans, Pacific,Atlantic and Arctic
Art is making something out of nothing and selling it....Frank Zappa
Whenever i feel blue, i just start breathing again
People will believe anything if you whisper it.
If we are not supposed to eat animals how come they are made out of meat.
Why must all good things end while mediocre things last forever
I am so happy today,i found my friends, they are in my head...Kurt Cobain
The word Gullible is not in the English dictionary
In a family of psychotics, it is a relief to be the insomniac
The all time most nominated Grammy artist is Quincy Jones with 77
Laugh alone and the world thinks you're an idiot
What doesn't kill me doesn't make me stronger, it just pisses me off more.
While staring at my goldfish and making fun of him stuck in a little bowl, i imagined him making fun of me in this weird world, so i flushed him down the toilet, that will teach him.
The Oreo is the worlds best selling cookie.
And in closing, remember there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, of course sometimes it is attached to a Freight train.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Hespeler Rednecks?
Monday, March 02, 2009
The Original Wedding Crasher
Paul was an original, definitely playing in a different world with a different set of rules. He was wild, funny and completely off his rocker but that is why we all loved the guy. But the one thing he kept telling us was how he could get into any event like Weddings, family reunions etc. We never believed him, but hey if he told the story while we were sitting around having a few beers and what nots, that was good enough for us. But one day we got the chance to see him in action, and what a smoothie he was.
It was late summer[1977 I believe] and a bunch of us were at our local lake having a swim and enjoying ourselves, when low and behold we came across a family obviously in the midst of a get together and that is when Paul went to work. He walked around the outside of the get together so people would notice him and he paid attention to what was being said about who was there and who was not there and then he found out what he needed and he struck.
Some of the family did not show up including a Aunt and her family that many in the group had never seen or had not seen for years and Paul was in like Flint. He spent the next 2 hrs eating and drinking with this group who had no idea he was not who he said he was, he played a little volleyball and lawn darts while we all watched from a safe distance, laughing and just waiting for him to get caught, It never happened. Paul finally left the party and came over to join us and tell us how he did it. It seems that the Aunt that did not show up had re-married and had a son from her second husband that no one knew and Paul just assumed his identity. And it worked perfectly, no one suspected a thing he said and the beer and food were great and he even got a phone number from one of the cousins[whether he called her or not we don't know], and as we left the beach that night we just marvelled at the gut's he had and we finally knew his story's were true.
As for Paul unfortunately he passed away in September of 1979. But i would like to think that somehow he snuck into heaven and God still has not caught him!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Where is my Igloo?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Church's
Thursday, February 19, 2009
More from the juke box
Ian Dury and the Blockheads - Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
One of my favorite punk/pop stars of the 70's. His whole catalog is worth a listen.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Between Woodstock and Reagan{Here among the Cats}
While sitting in a little local bar last night with a few friends listening to a real crappy karaoke version of "Smoke on the Water" we began to reminisce about the bars and bands that used to play in the region. While the bars are now gone, to be replaced by little corner pubs and assorted other things the music is still there. Today try to find a top notch rock band in their prime or an incredible top flight show band that even comes close to the area, it is not going to happen.
The Matador Tavern,Leisure Lodge,Coronet,Highlands/Tudor Tavern,Waterloo Motor Inn and if you were in the Muskokas the Kee to Bala[the only one still going]. The bands that traveled through here are legendary now,some still touring and others relegated to the back pages of our minds.
Longneck quartz bottles at the Tudor, fancy show bands at the Matador, the funniest waiter I have ever encountered at the Leisure Lodge,trying to find our way home in a drunken stupor from the Coronet and crawling out of Lake Muskoka to see a live Saturday night show at the Kee.
Myles and Lenny
Zon
Prism--a unknown band called the cars opened for them
A foot in cold water
Moxy
Major Hooples Boarding House
McLean and McLean
Jack the Bear
Jason--Steve Smith introduced his "Red Green " character in this show band
Triumph--Rik Emmett once threatened to beat me up at the Tudor
Max Webster
Rush
Fludd
April Wine
The madcats
Doucette--he may have had only one song, but what a song
Mashmakan
Copper Penny
Goddo.............These were just some of the acts that played these bars. Kind of beats a drunk woman singing a Janis Joplin tune now don't it. Well I think Iwill go put on a Max Webster album and chill. Till next time,RAP IS CRAP
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Paybacks a bitch or how a Hespeler Dad gets his revenge!
Like all teenagers i managed to steal some beer and liquor off my dad on weekends, i mean who didn't. The thing was he never really said a word about and i was able to do it for a number of years and never thought of the consequences until years later. I had recently separated from my wife and had moved back to my Parents home to re-group and try to start all over and my father got his revenge. One Saturday i had picked up a 24 of Heineken and put it in my basement refrigerator and went out to do some things and about 3 hours later returned home and went to grab a beer, well guess what? Yep, most were gone, now i was used to my Dad grabbing one or two but 20? It seems a couple of his buddies had come over and my Dad had only 2 of his beer left so he felt now was the time to raid my fridge and raid it they did, leaving me with 4 and a trip to the beer store to replenish my stock[this was before Sunday beer store hours] for the weekend. When i returned I looked at my Dad and the grin on his face said it all...This is how a Hespeler Dad get's his revenge!
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Scout house repairs
CAMBRIDGE
The
Hespeler Scout House meeting hall is in line for $5,000 in repairs this
year, even as city staff plan to replace it. The money almost doubles
the annual city budget to run the small meeting hall in Forbes Park,
which city staff hope to replace with a bigger community centre in
north Hespeler in 2015. The city has set aside $2.2 million in the
capital budget that year for the project. A location hasn't been chosen.
Nice to see that old building being fixed up but even nicer when the do build a new center. That is definitely something we need in Hespeler
Powered by ScribeFire.
The Sunny Side Of life
Watching your kids grow up and taking their first steps, saying their first words. Walking with your Wife and the dog and relaxing by the waterfalls that we have in Cambridge. Sitting in the backyard, the BBQ cooking the steaks, a cold beer in your hands and good friends and family with you. Being able to communicate with your family anytime you feel like it. Watching the snow fall or viewing a thunder and lightning storm. Smelling the warm spring rain. Watching a hockey game. Coming home and knowing your Wife understands your moods. Smelling the laundry when it first comes out of the dryer. Sitting in the stands at a ballgame soaking up the sun. going thru old pictures and remembering the good old day's. Running into a long lost friend and releiazing he has aged more than you. Finnaly finishing painting the room you have always left un-painted. Watching an old Bogart movie. Having your Grandkids giving you a hug for no other reason than you are you. Being able to see your grand-children grow up. Knowing that your kids are going to be allright. Finding a $10 bill in last summers shorts. Fitting into last summers shorts. Knowing that canada is still the worlds best place to live. Watching wildlife in it's natural habitat. Seeing the sunrise and watching a sunset that knocks your socks off. Knowing that you have put in a good day's work and lived your life the best you can.
See! It is not all bad, there are many good things about your world so enjoy them ll and feel free to add your own. AWEN my friends AWEN
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Wild oats and Shredded Wheat
The inventor of Vaseline ate a spoonful of the stuff every morning.
"I really didn't say everything i said"---Yogi Berra
"Ive had a perfectly good evening, but this wasn't it"--Groucho Marx
Expressholes=People who try to sneak more than the eight items or less into the express lane
I believe in luck, how else do you explain the success of those i don't like
Mike Tyson's guide to dating etiquette--a book that will never be written
My wild oats have turned to shredded wheat
I have a photographic memory,unfortunately i am out of film
The invisible man married the invisible woman, their kids ain't much to look at either
Why don't more people wear capes?
4 billion years of evolution and i still can't stop drooling on myself.
"I think woman should be armed but not allowed to vote"--Ann Coulter 2001
A bad web address, PEN ISLAND---http://www.penisland.net
"Keep using my name in vain and I'll make rush hour even longer"---GOD
I don't trust my stockbroker, he is married to a travel agent
There is nothing like the love of a good woman, but the love of a bad woman is not too shabby either.
My friends say i live in my own little world, but that's okay, everyone likes me there
And in parting remember--if the shoe fits, it's probably expensive
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
What became of?
February 3rd 1959
Don mclean - American pie (live)
[via FoxyTunes / Don McLean]
The Day the music died. 50 years ago the plane carrying Ritchie Valens,The Big Bopper[J.P. Richardson] and Buddy Holly went down near Clear lake Iowa.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Hespeler way to Shovel your Driveway
With another snowfall upon us, and more shoveling required i feel it is my
civic duty to explain the Hespeler way of snow-shoveling. This has been
handed down to me from my father who got it from his father who got
it..well you get the point. Now in this system of snow shoveling you
need some very important ingredients, so here they are.
Winter Boots..I use Sorel Caribou as they are lightweight and keep my feet warm.
Gloves..I use Isotoner Ultra Dry Hybrid Gloves. Again they are lightweight and they keep a nice fresh smell to them.
Headwear…North end make some very nice toques for Canadian Winters.
Coat….I wear a Far West Goretex coat in a bright red colour, which comes in handy if you happen to fall in a snowbank.
Beer[6 bottles]..This one is very important, and so i recommend a good
sturdy Canadian Brew, i myself use Creemore Springs. Good flavour and
robust body.[ endorsement cheques can be sent to me care of the
Cambridge Voice]
Okay now that you have assembled all the necessary ingredients, here is what you do.
Get your gear on and make sure everything is comfy. Take your 6 Beers
and put them strategically around your driveway. 2 on both sides of the
road area of your driveway,2 on both sides of the driveway, halfway up
and 2 more at the beginning of your driveway close to your door. You
then survey your area, break the driveway down into squares that will
lead you to each beer in orderly fashion. You can now begin shoveling
in each square, rewarding yourself with a beer each time a square is
finished. And by the time you get to the last beer, your driveway is
done and you feel pride in a good job well done, as well as having nice
little buzz going which will help you if you plan to sit down and watch
the Toronto Maple leafs on TV after finishing the driveway. Your
Welcome. Of course the other way to do it is to sit in the house
drinking the 6 beers while your Son-in-law brings his snowblower over
and does your driveway.[thanks Alan..burb]
And that is the Hespeler way of shoveling your driveway.
Powered by ScribeFire.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Swinging 60 chicks
10. Ann Margaret--oozed sexuality
9. Marilyn Monroe--the ultimate pin up girl.
8. Raquel welch--no one looked as good as her in a bathing suit
7. Bridgett Bardot--Even Elton John thought she was sexy.
6. Goldie Hawn--she could have socked it too me anytime
5. Ursala Andress--or as we called her Ursala undressed
4. Aretha Franklin--She made bigger woman and Gospel music sexy
3. Barbara Eden--I rubbed many a bottle trying to find one as sexy as her.
2. Nancy Sinatra--Her boots could of walked all over me
1. Elizabeth Montgomery---Who didn't want to become bewitched by her?
Lindsay Lohan,Paris Hilton and the rest of you posers can eat your heart out. These were real woman!!!!!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Another story from the Dodge Coronet
Sunday, January 18, 2009
My Juke Box
Don't Go/Hothouse Flowers
[via FoxyTunes / Hothouse Flowers]
The first of many videos to come. My favourite songs from every generation. Enjoy. This is the Hothouse flowers and Don't Go.
Signs i am getting older[part 1]
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Guelph Ave 1900
Monday, January 12, 2009
More crap that bugs me
People that i run into at a movie or event and ask me "what are you doing here" simple idiot, i am either stalking you or doing my taxes, what the hell do you think.
New and Improved on packaging...what you were giving us crap before that, trust me i have tried the new and improved Special k and it sucks, nothing improved about that.
You can't have your cake and eat it too..want to bet? If i buy a cake i am damn well going to eat it.
Able -bodied people on welfare---put them to work and they can be just as incompetent as the rest of us, and they will feel better about it.
Donald Trump---I think he is Satan.
Can i ask you a Question?---you have started, you might as well finish
Anyone else have problems getting the wrappers off CD cases?-drives me nuts
People that point at their arms when asking for the time.
The sound of people eating
Cornball News Anchor names-Wolf Blitzer,Stone Phillips Willow Bay---please where is Harvey Kirk when you need him
Guys over 40 with ponytails, really. But not that guy up in the right hand corner.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
What the Hell does that mean[chapter 1]
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush......Makes no sense two birds are better than one. Plus the one in my hand would probably crap in it.
A bitter pill....Anytime I am sick a pill is not bitter to me
A chip off the old block.....A chip off of anything and my wife makes me throw it out.
A diamond in the rough....I don't care where you find a diamond it's all worth the same.
A feather in his cap....o.k., if any guy in my neighborhood growing up put a feather in his cap we would have beat him up.
The hair of the dog...This one has never made sense to me. Iknow what it means but really, this and A dogs breakfast, totally stupid.
A happy camper...Any time I can get camping is a happy time, I don't know any unhappy campers.
A Mexican standoff....Is it different than a Swedish standoff, and what do they call it in Mexico? A Washington standoff?
Ain't just whistling Dixie.....Don't get it and don't care about this one
Apple of my eye....I don't like apples that much and apples go bad real quick after you peel them
Bump in the night....Bump in the day is just as bad I think...
That is all for now, there are plenty more and when I have time I will post some that really bug me.
Monday, January 05, 2009
New Years Ramblings
Bees have 3 eye lids
"BOB" was the first hurricane named after a male in 1979
I owe a lot to my parents--especially my mom and dad
My mind works like lightning- one brilliant flash and then it's gone
There are 2 types of pedestrians..the quick and the dead
Disco still sucks
I think feminists are cute
Impotence is natures way of saying no hard feelings
If
every person in the world would help just one other person, what a
beautiful world this would be..especially if that person they helped
was me!
The thing i like best about fantasy is that i can afford it
Matspur--the one wheel on a shopping cart that goes opposite the other 3
In Belgium there is a museum dedicated to just Strawberry's
Don't mess with the dead, boy do they have weird powers
"If i can't dance i don't want to be part of your revolution"--Emma Goldberg
Good Grief--An oxymoron
Man who run behind car get exhausted
Sharks cannot swim backwards, but goldfish can
"Love may be the answer but sex brings up some pretty good questions"--Woody Allen
And remember Don't hit your kids..no really they have guns now!!!