Grandsitting March Madness Day 2

Day 2, Tuesday of March Break!
Isabelle wanted breakfast, so we turned off Knapkin Man (Yannick Bisson, stud muffin), and had a kitchen breakfast. She explained that in a few years, when the new carpet is old, we will be able to have TV breakfasts again! Maybe when Josee is in high school, she thought! She is 6, Jos is 9!

What a day! Tuesday was a howling, windy, snowy blowy day.

We tried to watch Night at the Museum 3, but couldn't find it. Then we tried Night of the Museum 2, and it was too scratchy. It was from a video store rental sale. Boo hoo. Next choice: Lord of the Rings: The Twin Towers, was our next choice. Two girls got dressed, had a pit stop, did their teeth, and we began. We'll do pit stops every hour , sort of 7th inning stretches (it is 179 minutes long)!  Happily, they've seen it before at home, and they could warn me about the scary bits. In fact, they natter during most of it, which is really funny! That way I don't get scared!

I asked if Shadowfax is a relative of Nebuchadnezzar. Jos immediately says, Nnnooo! (As if to say am I nuts?) Isabelle said, "Well, he could be! " She's not too old for that fantasy!

Daisy is fussing about, but Issy managed a pet. Daisy's not happy with the snow.

The storm roils outside, it is -11, the wind is howling, and the snow plows are on the road. Poor Grampa is out dispatching, then delivering Meals on Wheels! The wind blows the snow off of the roof.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the cardinal has been highly entertaining. The junco were chasing him. We paused for bird watching! The Mourning Doves were hunkered down on the feeder. I explained that they should be afternoon doves, and the difference between morning and mourning! You see, spelling counts!


We managed some crafts. With supervision! Jos made a Mouse House,'Isabelle, an airport and airplanes.
Grampa arrived home from delivering Meals on Wheels, having phones from the rental movie shop and asked for video suggestions. We gave two, and he brought them home.

Dinner: roast turkey, roast potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas and broccoli.
Then: dessert!

Bedtime stories: fittingly: Sir Cumference, son Radius, is the Great Knight of Angleland! (It's Pi day: 3:14!) Sir Cumference, and his wife, is Lady Di of 'Ameter,  explains how they figured out right angles, straight and obtuse and a cute angle (smaller than a Knightly right), in Angleland.

Papa having just visited London, England, it was fun!

Radius' neighbour, King Lell, has disappeared. Radius is trained by Sir D'Grees.
They have a pair of dragons, a Pair of Lell, who fall down together to make a drawbridge across the moat.

Jos watched Jeopardy with us, again. Then, The Voice.  Bedtime for all of us!!!

Grandsitting March Madness Day 1

Driving at the speed of stupid

Good Samaritan recalls Hwy 69 crash

PARRY SOUND – Doug Clark felt helping those injured at in the multi-vehicle accident on Highway 69 earlier this month was something he had to do. To his disappointment, he said others drove... 

The news is full of horrific incidents. In the first few weeks of January traffic incidents have more than doubled in the same short period of time as last year:

from 8 in 2011, to 17 traffic deaths this year, 2012. 

I am not surprised. For those in a hurry, or those with a fine sense of entitlement: feeling free to drive beyond the speed limit, or to pass drivers doing the speed limit, they risk the lives of loved ones.

I know I write for the converted. Who among us has not known someone who has faced grief due to traffic incidents?
The cost to all of us is dear: social, psychological, emotional, financial.
I heard an interview of a woman involved in the awful Jan. 21, 2011 40-car pileup on Ontario. She suffered PTSD as a result of watching the young woman who was pinned between her car and the next.
A fatal 40-vehicle pileup during snow squalls and harsh winds near Orillia left the 22-year-old woman dead. It is not just you, but the people around you who are impacted.

Two die in Sarnia chain reaction crash; OPP say highway fatalities ...
Guelph Mercury
The province's police watchdog is investigating the deaths on Highway 402, ... enforcement following a spike in fatal collisions on Ontario highways.


Four tractor trailers, 2012-01-12;  Five people injured in QEW multi-vehicle collision, Oct., 2011;

Renfrew mourns deaths of three teens killed in crash near Sudbury.

Snow tires are essential!

Safe-driving habits

What do you think the cause of these tragic numbers? 


I believe the reckless passing and the speed many individuals use to get from point A to B.

How about clearing that roof? Snomageddon, 2010

Look out!

In front of our driveway, they whip out and pass without looking.
The last time, they passed a slower truck,
 he honked to let them know about an oncoming car.

head up!

Giant intake of breath!

Vacation, hurry up!
Let's pass two cars at once, with a trailer!

Let's pass two cars at once!

My husband and I like to take Daycations, tripping around southern and central Ontario viewing our world. I cannot tell you the number of times we see those driving dangerously, endangering the lives of those around them.

Many pass unsafely. Many speed unnecessarily.

Winter in Ontario!

OPP Set to Increase Enforcement on Ontario Highways
Response to Recent Fatal Collisions
AURORA, ON, Jan. 18, 2012 /CNW/ - Less than one month into 2012 and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) statistics indicate the number of people that have lost their lives on OPP patrolled highways has more than doubled over the same period last year.

Love those snowplows!

Two die in fatal crash on Hwy. 17 near Alfred | CTV Ottawa
►►	3 Jan 2012 Alfred fatal crash, Orleans man dies ...killed in a head- on crash.

Visit the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Winter Driving - Be Prepared be Safe website.

Construction zone, garbage truck,
someone had to pass it!
This is the only through road in Bala, Ontario!

There is much information there for those who drive our roads.

For Ontario provincial highway information, call: Traveller Information Service @ 511 OR on the Internet.

This Winter Driving brochure can be found online. It is excellent, and includes recommended items for a safety kit.