Dave Bailey

A lot of those towns are in a situation that is totally new to them. They don't want or need people bringing an infection, but they also rely heavily on tourism. There are some who make all their money in the summer and spend the winter in Florida. They're really going to get squeezed.

When my car got stolen last year, with all my fishing gear inside, my Pleasure Craft Operators Card was with it. Anybody else had to replace one? I can write the test again, but I'm just lazy. (Lazy should have been my middle name😋)

Rarely 1/1 scale. 😆

Out of season fish? Believe me, with my fishing knowledge, or lack thereof, almost everything I catch could be classed as 'incidental'. I have my biggest success pike fishing when I target bass. Politics? I already have CSIS, the CIA, Interpol, and Hooterville Volunteer Fire Department keeping a watch on my house, the neighbours are getting tired of the attention.

Couple of years ago my Chrome browser stopped accessing this board (I've now switched over to Firefox and it works fine), but I figured I needed a break from the interwebbies anyway. (He says, after causing trouble on facebook every day, getting suspended from Twitter three times, and hanging out on half a dozen plastic modeling sites...) Plus, I had all my fishing gear stolen last October. I kept it in my car because with my job (more about that later) I am all over the place, and often get a chance to wash some lures. Too much trouble to take everything out of the car every night, and then put it back in the morning. And it was out of sight, so no snoopers would grab it just out of opportunity. And they didn't. They stole the car. A 2007 Mazda 6 wagon, with rust around the rear wheel wells, over 500,000km on it, tires due for replacement, and someone stole it. By the time the police recovered it in February it had been cleaned out. And I do mean cleaned. The interior was in better shape than I left it, almost as if someone was cleaning it up to sell it. Nothing left, nothing at all. Even wrappers off the floor, everything in the glove compartment, spare wheel well, cubby holes in the rear, compartment between the seats, everything. And my fishing gear. Not expensive stuff, but all I had. An inexpensive Shimano combo for light work, and a Pflueger President combo for tougher conditions. They can be replaced. So can all the tackle I had in my fishing vest, but the vest itself was a present from my children, a lot of sentimental value there. And a couple of things in it belonged to my late father, also sentimental value. And my boating card. Good pair of binoculars, good spotting scope with tripod, a Tilley photographers vest with a couple of field guides and a notebook. Planned on replacing the Pflueger combo first, and then amassing some tackle, and a new vest just like the old one; a Bushline with pockets everywhere. There may be better vests, don't know, but I want another. Sentimental value... Then this pandemic starts, and it looks like there won't be any fishing opportunities for a while. Social distancing is one reason, but I've also put my job on hold. I'm a courier, handling parts supply to industry in emergency situations. Important work right now, as we deliver things to hospitals, places that supply hospitals, drug manufacturers, people that supply them, etc. But I can't take the risk. I'll be 67 in May, and getting into the age group that could be easily killed by this thing. And my family also has to be protected. I deal with a lot of people in a lot of places, and it wouldn't be easy to avoid. So now I'm back to causing trouble on facebook, trying to see what I can get away with on Twitter without being suspended, and modeling like crazy. The glue fumes are therapeutic. Not much chance of getting the canoe in the water without a long drive, Frenchman Bay access is closed, as would be most of the Lake Ontario waterfront parks. I might try a few areas I know where parking is only one or two cars, but nothing more: I believe in the social distancing practice. The more we practice it, the less time we'll need to. But DAMN!, I miss that gear.

When I first heard about the diagnosis, I made a promise to myself: on the first clear night after Gord's death, I would drive to Bobcaygeon, and see the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time. I did that tonight. Here's what I put on facebook: Lovely evening in Bobcaygeon, and I'm betting they will still be there, and long into the night. We saw the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time. The first was Aquila, the eagle. Very appropriate, given Gord's concern for the First Nations people's, and the importance their culture places on the eagle. And directly above our heads was Lyra, the lyre. It's the only constellation that represents a musical instrument, so again, fitting. I will always remember tonight. People begin to gather at the waterfront The Sun goes down Candlelight on the footbridge Local musician Richard Kyle entertains Richard is part of a Tragically Hip tribute band, and knows the members personally. When I left the crowd had grown considerably, and I'm sure they're still having a wonderful time.

Don't know what to say. In this day of instant communication you can easily feel like you know someone you've never met, but when they're gone you wish you really had met them. She will be missed.

Hit me like a kick in the gut. I thought he was going to beat it.

Bears have also been seen in the area.

I survived that. Too many did not.

I have an internet buddy who lives on Nosbonsing, and doesn't fish! Builds model aircraft instead. One of these days I'll convince him that it's possible to do both.

Operation Toy Store, model and story by Dave Bailey “Can’t see anything skipper, not a thing!” The Co-pilot’s voice was taut and strained, like the eyes that were searching for any visual clues. Darkness and blowing snow, a nasty combination when you’re walking, but even worse when you’re trying to land over 700,000 pounds of aircraft on a temporary runway made of ice. The word ‘dangerous’ was invented for this highly secret mission, and it would take all his skills, and then some, for the pilot to accomplish it. “THERE!” he shouted, and he pointed about ten degrees to starboard. Two lines of twinkling lights stretched out toward the darkness, and a gentle turned lined the huge aircraft up between them. Throttles were reduced, and flaps extended… Very few people were privy to what was transpiring, and the general public would never have believed it. But here was a C-5 Galaxy loaded with toys. Various logistical problems had created a shortage at a secret location near the North Pole, and the Air Force had stepped up with the amount needed. “Can’t disappoint all the children”, the President had said, “They’re future voters!” For this flight the aircraft had been ceremoniously repainted in brown overall, with a large red nose. The maintenance crews may have been sworn to secrecy, but there were no orders saying that they couldn’t have fun. The tires impacted with a thud, instead of the normal screech, and four powerful thrust reversers were brought to bear. Once stopped, many small and gaily dressed individuals swarmed into the cargo deck, grabbing items and scurrying back out to the waiting reindeer that were to carry them back to the distribution point a short distance away. The Loadmaster and his crew chuckled as the little people, barely up to his waist, scurried back and forth with lightning speed. Sipping a mug of steaming hot chocolate as he watched, a smile crept across the pilot's face. The most difficult part was over, and he would soon be taking his aircraft and crew back home. 'Christmas dinner later', he thought, 'and I can be proud to have helped make the day a success.' Colonel Rudolph Deere was pleased. ++++++ This is the tiny Lockheed C-5A Galaxy in the Academy Sky Giants series, molded in the beloved [/sarcasm] 1/480th scale. Good overall shape, and what little detail they can get away with is finely done. The major problem is the complete lack of anhedral in the wings, which I corrected by just using some thin plastic sheet as a shim, forcing them down at what looks, at least to me, to be a convincing angle. Decals are problematic, but trying to apply decals to anything this small is rarely an easy task. Can't recall what paints I used, but they seem to have worked okay. The story was thrown together in a few minutes, and the pilot's name, well, that was just obvious. I understand his brother John supplied some of the toys. Enjoy. And a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

They're available: https://www.google.ca/search?q=deathstar+firepit&num=100&newwindow=1&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=638&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZgNOBiIbQAhXoz4MKHSbIB40Q_AUICCgB

Got a facebook update from the Town of Gravenhurst today; and they had the colossal audacity and unmitigated gall to use the phrase 'winter wonderland'. It's only October 27. I usually only get sick of that phrase by mid-December.

Would have been nice, but we had to take stuff out to #2 son who just moved out there. Car was packed so tight the windows popped every time I farted.

Thanks all! Now, iffen I were smart, I woulda called the NB Government and asked directly from the source.

Do they have a boundary extending out from shore? Or would it end at the mouth of a tributary?

I build 'What if?' aircraft models, instructions are for wimps.

Took a whirlwind weekend trip out to Shediac, N.B., and saw a number of people fishing from the pier. I asked one of a person fishing there needed a license, but he wasn't sure. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard that saltwater is considered federal property, and a provincial license is not needed. If that's the case, next time the gear is getting packed!

Nice. When I first went up there, almost 60 years ago, that bridge was still in operation.

What's next, will he try to buy an extension cord for his outboard? https://www.facebook.com/IdiotAwards/videos/949262831778064/

If it isn't enough that too many inconsiderate slobs leave litter all over the shore, or trespass, it seems we have another problem cropping up. This was posted minutes ago on the message board of the Ontario Field Ornithologists: I am both an angler and a birder, and am quite familiar with Reesor Pond. It is a small but significant local staging area for migratory waterfowl, and to have twenty people in there, especially during the peak migration period, is ridiculous. I realise that it is (probably) completely legal, but 'legal' does not necessarily mean 'sensible'. Can people please exercise a little common sense, or am I asking too much?

Another few days spent in paradise. If you want to avoid the canoeing and the scenery, go directly to 3:30 for a not-bad smallmouth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzBKVQ7cEkc

Glad to help!