#2 "Can I help you tie string to your balls?"

As we pull out onto the hwy from our laneway going south, there is the little building on the right. I finally stopped this week and found lots of goodies inside. There were all kinds of different peppers and I was afraid to buy something that would stop breathing like those found in Mexico. I got a jar of canned peaches for $6 and a lovely old barn find, a very old glass jug for $2. No one came out to serve me and there was a money box which I didn't want to touch so I left my $8 on the counter beside the box. Many hours later I called the  woman who owned the stand and explained what I had purchased and where the money was. I was informed that there was a slit in the box to put the money into!!! Missed that. I said I hoped it would still be on the counter to which she responded, "Oh, it will still be there." How refreshing....

Someone had recommended that we checked out this second hand store in Leamington. Not only was it packed with goodies, it was also packed with people. I was looking for a card table to start a puzzle on and placemats which I couldn't find in the house. Ray found 4 nice Christmas quilted ones and I found 4 countryish ones. When I went to check them out, mine were $1.50 for 4 but on sale that day for 75% off so I got mine for 37 cents. Too funny. Oh, and when we got home, I found the placemats provided with the house.

Good grief!!! What a storm!!! We were sitting here at night watching Netflix and I said to Ray, "The last time I heard winds like this we were hunkered down during hurricane Nicole last November on Grand Bahama Island." Wind howling and waves crashing!!! The bird feeders were all dumped as you can see here...

This is where we did laundry two years ago when we stayed here. It was good. How times have changed!!! I walked in the door and said good morning to the two other patrons. From their response, it was like talking in an elevator. lol

I filled two machines, one with lights and one with darks and settled down to read the four local papers which is always a good way to spend time. The first machine had 7 minutes left when I realized that machine number 2 was running lots of water and not doing anything else and there was a semi digital signal saying the load needed rearranging. There was a sign right above the machine saying to open the door and rearrange when this happened so I started yanking on the door but found it to be locked. Then I started pushing buttons to get it open. Finally after exhausting all of the possibilities the door came open and the machine now indicated that I needed to add another $2.50. I haul the soaking laundry out and put it in the machine right to my left. As I complete the transfer this very nice lady comes over and says, " I guess you missed this." and points out an out of order sign on the machine I have just filled. Now I'm getting pissed. I ask Ray to get me a buggy, actually the only buggy in the joint to which he says, "It has holes in it." I'm not sure what he expected me to say but whatever was about to come out of my mouth was not going to be nice.

I load the clothes in soaking wet and move to yet another machine. Somewhat fuming. Put another $2.50 in and start machine number 3. The nice woman who actually came from Chatham, keeps saying that I can call a number and get my money back and all I'm thinking is that this is a pretty cheap life lesson. Lesson #3280 - Do not do laundry at the Wheatley Laundromat ever again!!!

Yes Ray, I know I have made a mess of the floor. Get me a mop and I'll clean it up. There is no mop? Am I surprised?

And this is when this story changes. After 28 minutes I go over to the machine and start putting the clothes into the buggy to get them to the dryer. "Ray, look what this washer has done to your shirt!!! It has completely changed the colour!!!" And then I hear the voice behind me say, "I think you are taking my clothes out of my washer." and I start laughing and laughing. Probably hysteria.....

We have spent all morning at the laundromat. I'm in no mood to go home and eat lunch. I need a survival reward. We had had lunch at Lil Hil's Coffee Shop before and it was on the way home. Wonderful soup. As we walk in, I notice many of the same men that were here before sitting in the same spots as last time. Do they live here???

We go to our "regular" table and that's when I see this guy sitting at the counter putting string on balls. I think I need some craft therapy to I ask him, "Can I help you put string on your balls?" Did I really just say that!!! He was more than willing to give me his job and I spent the next 30 minutes stringing and getting Zen. 

This was the water the day after the storm. It is amazing how it changes in relative short periods of time.

Wonderful sunrises daily but I don't see most of them....

Road trip on Friday to Harrow to the second hand store there where I got my card table. I also found some nice stuff for the barn. Always shopping....

Sake Sushi for lunch. The place looks like such a dump on the outside but it a pleasant surprise on the inside. The sushi is probably the best in the area. 7/10

This area is packed with Christmas sales just like at home but probably way more of them. I have to pick and choose where I can drag Ray to. He had no hesitation going to this one. I was hoping to find some great Indigenous crafts and was not disappointed. Lots of vendors and lots of variety.

I got talking to this lovely Indigenous woman who had some awesome stuff to sell. I chose these two books. I think I know about the Indian Act and that probably means I have lots to learn about it. She sold drums and a I told her about my drum quest of a drum with a turtle on it for the last 45 years. She said her daughter painted drums and she would get her to paint one for me when she got home from university for a month. Now, the interesting thing to me is that I have always felt that I would be gifted this drum. Let's see where this goes.... Oh, and the woman I spoke with teaches at a local college. 

I want you to squint your eyes and check out the birds in this pic. They are practising flying low. They have mustered flying high and this week ducks and Canada Geese have been flying this maneuver. 

We have been attending Wheatley United Church. Quite the sanctuary. It is an ellipse. Quite the organ and pipes. The choir sings once a month.....so we are signed up for December. 

Here is my angel from last weeks Christmas Sale here in Wheatley.

Can you see my new earrings from Saturday's sale? Love them!!!

Hope you have had a good week. Keep in touch. We have three bedrooms if you want to escape. No snow here yet.....

Wednesday I'm going to an acting class for seniors at the theatre in Leamington. That should be fun!!! Thursday there is a supper at the church. Life here is taking shape. Getting into routines etc. Oh, and we will be finding a new laundromat this week too!!!

See you next Monday.....blessings....