Had a friend of mine drop by today driving his 1940 Oldsmobile.  So thought I would take a few pictures to show ya how things were back in my early days.  No problem working on this motor.  To bad they couldn’t make one like it today.  Click On Pictures To Enlarge.

You know there is outhouses and then there are outhouses.  A really good friend of mine here in Port Loring that owns a resort took an old outhouse and you could say gave it a face lift.  He did leave the bit of a tilt to it which is a good thing, as I never ever really seen a true outhouse perfectly straight.    I gotta’ tell ya it sure looks mighty fine to me and a touch better than what I had growing up.  Click Image to enlarge.

Wife got done making up some fresh buns and bread so thought I would take a picture to show ya what one can do on his or her own, without going to the corner store. Notice the old bread box off to the left. Was the wifes Mothers many years ago.    And so much better for ya.  Click Picture to enlarge..

Now I know you all have heard of Charlotte’s Web.  This morning I was sittin’ having my tea with my lovely wife on our front porch, when looking up I spotted what is in the pictures below.  Yep….. Charlotte’s Web, wasn’t there yesterday or last night but was this morning, so as you can see she has been pretty busy.  I guess it is a bit to early for her to be up as she was no where to be seen.  But I am sure she isn’t to far off.   It never ceases to amaze me how much work they put into their webs.  Something just taken for granted by us humans and most of the time just goes unnoticed.  Click Pictures to enlarge.

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THis here is an old write up we had here and kind of thought we would share. Take a look. Click Image to enlarge

Well just thought I would take a minute here and thank all those that dropped by our Book Signing At Coles last Saturday. It was a great day for sure and made my day to see so many taking the time to drop by. I enjoyed meeting each an every one of you as it is folks like you that keeps me writing. Also would like to thank the staff at Coles and the Nugget for their help an support in making this event successful. Thanks again folks.

Hmm now that we are getting older, it seems that the old mind sends me signals that kind of make me sit up and take notice every so often.  This here poem kind of says it all.  A good  friend of ours, Donna sent it to me.  Take a look

Forgetter Be Forgotten?
My forgetter’s getting better,
But my rememberer is broke
To you that may seem funny
But, to me, that is no joke

For when I’m ‘here’ I’m wondering
If I really should be ‘there’
And, when I try to think it through,
I haven’t got a prayer!

Oft times I walk into a room,
Say ‘what am I here for?’
I wrack my brain, but all in vain!
A zero, is my score.

At times I put something away
Where it is safe, but, Gee!
The person it is safest from
Is, generally, me!

When shopping I may see someone,
Say ‘Hi’ and have a chat,
Then, when the person walks away
I ask myself, ‘who the heck was that?

Yes, my forgetter’s getting better
While my rememberer is broke,
And it’s driving me plumb crazy
And that isn’t any joke.

Below is a link that will take you to an article that is in the News Paper today about my upcoming book signing at Coles at the Northgate Mall in North Bay Ontario.   Hope to see you all there.  Click Link, North Bay Nugget, below for article.  Then click on page to enlarge.  Have a great day.

North Bay Nugget

Now New. For those that want to order my books on line you can now do so.  Either click the link below or scroll down and on the left of your screen you will see a link that says;  Buy George’s Books On Line. Click that and your on your way to some good reading.  Oh and should mention we have a very secure set up too for paying on line.  My High Tech son Karl has worked that out for me and you.  Thanks.

http://www.theoldcraftsman.com/book.phtml

Well Folks, my third book, “Moments In Time” is now out.  It will be in the book stores with in two weeks.  You will be able to purchase them at Cole’s In North Bay…. or at Cole’s in Sudbury and also at Gulliver’s there in the Bay.  Coles in North Bay at the Mall is holding a book signing for me on June 19th from 1 PM To 3 PM Fathers Day weekend, what a great gift.  Sure would be nice of you all to drop by, say hello and pick up your signed copy of Moments In Time.  Also will be handing out free book marks to those that purchase one of my books.  Had them made up special for you all at Beatty Printing there in the Bay.  Great outfit to deal with and should say they do the printing of all my books.  Just ask for Ian.  Will keep you up to date on other signings as time goes by.

Thought I would share my last weeks Column, which comes out every Saturday in the North Bay Nugget.  Enjoy.

A Bit On Sports

Sports throughout my life wasn’t to high up on the list of priorities as for most parts we just never had time to watch them. As we were usually up before the sun and in bed at dusk. Later on in life in the 60s I did get into watching hockey a bit and have to say I enjoyed it a lot. The reason I enjoyed it so much was because there was only six teams, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadians, Chicago Black hawks, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and the Detroit Red Wings. With six teams it was easy for a feller to remember each and every player. My favourite team back then was the,  Chicago Black hawks but I did have an eye on the Boston Bruins too. If the Black hawks were out of the series, my second choice would be Boston. Not sure why I didn’t get into liking the Canadian teams that much for my home team, maybe it was because most of my hockey watching was looked at in Florida, as my wife and I usually went south for the winter. Seemed I could become part of the team back then, with just so many players, if one got hurt you hurt, if one played bad you felt bad, but no matter what happened in a game you never lost faith in your team.  Hull and Mikita, bar none were my most favourite players and when they were on the ice there was never a dull moment. Might say they kept folks on the edge of their seats. Did for me anyways. In Boston my favourite players were, Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield and I suppose the reason for that was because they were all former Black hawks and back then a fellow was loyal to the players he or she liked.

I watched almost every game back then and looked forward to them. I did manage to get to a couple games in Chicago over the years as my brother-in-law worked in a place that had the means of getting tickets for free. Sure had a good time let me tell ya.  Still can smell them hot dogs that they brought around to the spectators while the game was being played. The games were exciting back then, more so than today in my eyes and a fellow knew exactly at all times what was going on, as things were done with ease. Later on another sport got my attention which was golf. I never played much of it myself, maybe a few games here and there, but my boys liked it and to help them out I got them some lessons. Today they both are good golfers and enjoy what ever time they can on the course. For myself I enjoyed being out there with the boys but to make it a regular thing, well lets just say it wasn’t in me. I do watch one game a year though and never miss it. That game is the Masters in Augusta Georgia.

The Masters is one place that I have put on my wish list before I meet my creator and if the opportunity ever arises, my two sons and wife will be there.

Some players that I got to know and respect over the years was, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, and not to forget, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo. Later on and into today they were, Mike Weir, Chris DiMarco , Ben Crenshaw, Fred Couples, Nick Price, and David Duval. But my most favourite of them all, other than Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer would be, Phil Mickelson.

In 2004 Phil Mickelson won his first Masters and here in Canada there was no one more happy than I was. Then again in 2006 he put all his talents together and came up with another win, again we were right there with him throughout the whole four days. He is a great family man, along with that he enjoys what he does which is golf of course and each and every game he gives his all to his fans.

The Masters this year in 2010 was one of the best and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Just to name a few highlights, Mickelson made back-to-back birdies from the par-three 12th and went on to miss an eagle from only three feet at the par-five 13th.  ended the hole with a birdie. The other spectacular shot was when he made a 20-foot downhill putt at the par-three 12th, amazing. There was many more but after them two eagles both in a row, I knew as he probably did, his third green jacket wasn’t to far off.

Watching him hug his wife and children at the 18th hole was sure a sight to see. The gleam in his wife and daughters eyes and their smiles was enough to melt anyone s heart, yes it was a great game, a game that gave everyone such an emotional ride, one that will go down in the history books.

The Masters.

Finally, for those that have called, E-Mailed and sent letters asking about my third book. Well … ‘Moments In Time’ which is what it is called, is in the printers hands and should be done shortly. Soon as it comes available I will let you all know right here at the Nugget at the bottom of my column.

Good afternoon.   Just thought I would let you all know my third book Moments In Time is almost compete.  If things go to plan we should have it in the stores around the middle of May.  I also plan to announce when it is available in with my column in Saturdays paper at the Nugget.  Also in month or so we will be starting our book signing events.  We will be at Gulliver’s in North Bay and also at Cole’s at the Mall in North Bay.  There again I will let you know dates and time soon as I know.  The way things are heading it looks like a very busy year, with our small store ready to go, three books on the market, speaking engagements, attending different events and book signings.  I also would like to meet you folks, so if you see one of my book-signings, or in our area, just drop in, open invitation.

Here is the old ice house today at our home here in Port Loring.  Still standing and looking good. Well………maybe a bit for wear, but after fifty years I am thinking it is in pretty good shape.  Imagine the stories it could tell. Click to enlarge.

So hows every one been doing?  Myself I have been steadily working on the third book which will be coming out this spring, say around first of June or end of May.   Things are going as planned and I got a feeling it is going to be an exceptional book, with a whole new cover look, more stories, longer stories, fantastic sketches by my wife and a few surprises thrown it to boot.   Cold here this morning down to around 5 below old scale/. Still don’t like that metric no matter what folks get to tellin’ me.  Old wood furnace here is earning its keep in-spite of all the huff over global warming.  Burned six cords so far this year but looking at things nature, the rest of this month it is going to be a bit above normal I am thinking so….that is a good thing.   Well guess it’s time to have a cup of that fresh perked coffee that my lovely wife put on and get to doing things around here.  Take Care and have a great day.

For years now I have tried to portrait what it was like years ago through words and pictures. In this picture here is an old feller in the fields working with out a care.  Enjoying life to the fullest, without any of the modern day equipment of today.  Amazing picture. Click on it to enlarge.

Well had a buddy send me these photos the other day and figured it would bring back a few memories of years gone by, for some of you too.  First one is the old A & W Restaurant, where you drove in and they came out to serve you.  The second needs no explaining, as many a nights us older folks seen this before retiring for bed. Click On Pictures To Enlarge.  Enjoy!