Penguins, Pot & Other Stuff

Was cruising around the other day with the lovely Trish.  Asked if she wouldn’t mind driving me out to the cemetery to visit Dad.  Hadn’t been there for a while.  Trish was good enough to trim back some of the plants that had overgrown a bit.  Was nice to see that the Malta flag sticker I put on Dad’s headstone was still there.  While we were there, Trish noticed that her friend’s mother is buried just two spots over from Dad!

 

Was nice to remember those good things involving Dad while I was there.  They are still so fresh in my mind!  May he rest in peace.

Now, for some reason that I just can’t figure out, people often put the tag of "cheap" on yours truly.  Oh, the injustice of life!  But, had a very interesting conversation with a friend of mine who tends to be what I consider an overzealous tipper.  15% she says, that’s what it’s supposed to be!  I was at a meal with her (Trish darling, it was delicious) and a friend of hers.  Her friend decided to take care of the tip.  The meal was $68.  The tip: $30!  Trish could see by the look on my face that I was stunned.  "That’s because you are so cheap" she responded.

So I ask you, and please be honest.  Let’s say you were at a nice restaurant with a friend and paying for the meal.  The bill came to $100.  What kind of tip would you leave?  I told Trish I would put down $10 and feel quite comfortable with that. She just laughed & rolled her eyes.  So again, I ask: what kind of tip would you have left?

Yes, took place yesterday at a lovely banquet hall in Hamilton: Michelangelo’s.  I think this was the fifth one and I have been to all of them.  Brought Jeannine & Paulo along.  We were met there by Brother Joseph & Lady Kathryn and Sister Dianne & Jim.  A lovely table of seven-which was good for us because most tables had eight people so with that one opening, there was more food for the rest of us.  And excellent food it was!

 

Hors d’oeuvres were served before the meal.  Then, some fresh buns with creamy butter.  Antepaste (not sure of the spelling) was brought out as a premeal appetizer-cold cuts with cheese & pickled vegetables.  Then, a healthy portion of lasagna which was followed by a roast beef dinner that included vegetables & potato.  There was also enough wine to keep everyone happy.  Simply delicious!  Then came dessert: sherbet & fruit with, of course, hot coffee.  I actually skipped on the desert because I was feeling a bit chilled.  The hot coffee though helped with that.

 

As usual, it was nice to see so much of the old Maltese crowd: friends of Mom and Dad.  There are still quite a few around.  Also good to see some of the kids I grew up with.  Lots of those!  There were even a couple of bottoms I had changed & diapered as a babysitter a long time ago.  The conversation was good and everyone enjoyed dancing to the DJ.  A great evening for all!

 

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Yes, the time has come.  Blog readers will remember that Brother Mike has been dealing with some major medical issues for almost a year now.  Hasn’t been able to work in all that time.  However, some major surgery & good healing power has him back in stride!  The lucky guy goes back to work tomorrow.  And it’s not a Mickey Mouse return; 12 hour shifts-days & nights.  He couldn’t be happier!

 

Anyone who has dealt with a major medical issue knows where I am coming from.  It’s not only a physical strain but it can also really mess up your thinking.  I’m sure Brother Mike had to deal with some pretty depressing thoughts but, he did!  Way to go!!!  Off to work for you tomorrow.  I’m so happy for you.  Problem is, this will seriously cut into our fishing time!

It was a spur of the moment thing.  The lovely Trish gave me a call and suggested we head out to Port Dover for some perch.  Was only there once before this year; with Brother Mike to check out some fishing possibilities.  We had footlongs at Arbors but that’s just not the same as a perch dinner!  Off we went.

 

Was a nice day although there wasn’t as much sunshine as I would have liked.  It wasn’t very crowded so we had lots of room to enjoy ourselves.  Trish insisted we split a footlong before the main event.  Who am I to argue?  After that, it was off to Knechtel’s for the perch.  Delicious!  Came with french fries & coleslaw.  We were both quite satisfied and figured it was time to head towards the pier.  The walk would do us both some good.  Trish found a bench to relax on while I tilted back and grabbed a quick catnap.  So relaxing!

 

Then, almost at the same time, we decided we both needed-ice cream!  I had a scoop of mocha chocolate almond ice cream while Trish went with a combination cone consisting of Funky Monkey & Birthday Ice Creams.  Looked delicious!  Eventually though it was time to go home.  A quick stop at Tim Horton’s for a cup of the good stuff and off we went.  All in all, a very enjoyable day!

Things have slowed down a bit in the fishing department.  Brother Mike has been busy putting down some new flooring in his home.  Have to keep the little lady happy!  He warned me he would be tied up for a couple of days.  Hopefully though, we’ll be able to get back out on the water within the next couple of days.  The weather has been so nice!

 

We did get out Friday of last week.  Headed to what is becoming our favorite spot; Binbrook Conservation Area.  Must have been there for 5 hours.  Had some luck but nothing big.  For those of you who are into fishing, Brother Mike caught a catfish while trolling!  Never heard of that before.

 

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I could tell there was something in the air.  Paulo started howling at the moon.  Trish started growing hair where people don’t grow hair.  Michael Jackson & Warren Zevon started to sing.  Lon Chaney Jr. made an appearance.  Where the hell is my silver bullet? 

 

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As mentioned in another thread, a very important event!  As soon as I got back from fishing with Brother Mike & Herb, I had to get ready for dinner at the Keg.  Terry, my neighbor & friend in the apartment above mine, had organized a gathering at the restaurant for friends to get together and eat some good food while enjoying each other’s company.  I was escorted by the lovely Trish the Dish.  Of course, Paulo and his crew were invited but he gracefully declined to attend.  Too bad, it was a great spread!

 

Started with a delicious salad & appetizer (bacon wrapped scallops).  Then the main course: a blue cheese fillet with garlic cloves, mashed potatoes & a baked tomato.  Just the thing for a hungry boy back from hard work on the fishing boat!  After that, a cup of hot coffee and some Billy Miner pie for dessert.  Truly sumptuous!  Thank goodness we don’t do this every weekend.  The old tummy is big enough as it is already!

 

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Headed out fishing today with Brother Mike & Herb.  Went to Waterford for a few hours.  This time we spent our fishing in relative luxury.  Brother Mike brought a propane barbecue and actually cooked up some hot dogs for lunch! Right on the boat! Yes, it’s true.  Everyone thought we were going to catch a few fish because we were in a huge pond with all kinds of weed/waterlily cover.  The weather was great and the water was calm.  After 4 hours of fishing-not one fish!

 

Even with that though we had a great time.  Herb offered a few suggestions, based on his vast boating knowledge & experience, on what I could do to improve the pontoon boat.  Guess what?  They actually made sense!  While out there on the water, we were able to use both the gas motor & the electric trolling motor.  Actually killed the battery on the electric.  She’s charging up right now on the $10 battery charger I bought on Kijiji.  We’ll see how that goes!

 

After 4 hours of fishing in luxury, it was time to head back.  After all, I had a very important event to get back for.  You’ll read all about it in my next thread.

 

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I’ve made every one.  Each Labor Day weekend the International Village sponsors the event. Did you know Hamilton is the home of the largest mustard processing facility in the world?  Dunn Mustard is another sponsor along with CHCH TV.

 Some good food: ribs/chicken, Chinese, Caribbean, Corn on the Cobb, chip wagon french fries & ice cream.  I met Paulo, Jeannine, Kaleb & Nana (Jeannine’s mother) for some chow.  I had the rib/chicken combo which was delicious.  Some nice Jazz being played in the background.  Dessert was a delicious strawberry sundae.  Good food, good weather & good people.  A very enjoyable evening.

 

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