From the Desk of Murray Lincoln

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Saturday, September 28, 2013

I Hate Brockville – at least the west end

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I Hate Brockville – at least the west end

Most people have heard of the old horror story “The Nightmare on Elm Street”. It first appeared in 1984… and since that time it has surfaced again in other places and times. If you haven’t seen it, it is about some pretty gruesome murders committed by a nasty dude.

Well yesterday it wasn’t murder that being committed but rather a horrendous traffic problem in Eastern Ontario… namely Brockville!

I now hate that part of Brockville… beautiful Brockville… and the section where really well off people live in their beautiful houses. Maybe add the word despise as well. Adding to my list… of never to go there again – EVER! Even the thought of passing that way will almost make me cringe!!!

How could anything bring this kind of reaction in one person? What could be so bad about a small city in Ontario? Why?

Well it started this way… when we left Kingston heading east… the first warning was there on the portable signs along the Highway 401. “The 401 is closed at Brockville”… and they repeated the warning many times over… suggesting that there would be a detour around the area. My dismissal thought was easy and VERY STUPID as I look back now. Very stupid, very, very, very…. and hindsight hurts my wounded pride… as well as fueling the dislike for the Brockville area!

About one hour after leaving Kingston we arrived at the fatal spot where the entire 401 Highway was blocked off… and all of the busy traffic was channeled off at that exit. As the traffic had been ‘stop and go’ for well over 45 minutes before that exit, it told us that it was a very busy Friday afternoon – WEEKEND TRAFFIC!

The two fast moving lanes had been merging to one lane before going off on that exit… which then led us to a two lane of traffic heading on to the old highway that runs parallel to the water ways just south of it. Once on this old road there is no exit for 90% of the way as you are surrounded by rocks and trees and swamp and no possible escape – anywhere.

For the next one hour and a half we were creeping at a speed that made the turtles laugh as they passed us. Then we stopped all together… Arghhhh!

No traffic was coming to us in the west bound lanes… and then an emergency vehicle of some sort headed east in that west bound lanes. Oh no – an accident ahead!!!!

I don’t know the area at all… and didn’t know that these two lanes of super slow moving traffic were being channeled down to one lane over a very small bridge that appeared to have been under construction over this past year… as there were old, orange traffic control pylons forcing the one lane. BUT they may well have been there because the bridge was too small for the heavy semi-trailer trucks that were in our mass of slow moving traffic.

The small bridge was not far from a Graveyard… were our GPS suggested a possible escape route… which we took quickly after arriving at that spot two hours later.

As we inched along that part of Brockville… we passed the really nice houses that were situated not far from the water’s edge… where nice people were grooming beautiful lawns… where life was sweet and there was no sweat.

I couldn’t really care much for what these nice people were doing… for all I could think of was… “We should have been in the nice hotel in Ottawa one hour ago – instead of this idiot road!!!!”

My hat goes off to the semi-trailer operators. The kindness and the patience they showed the ram in and out cars being driven but nuts cases around us… was amazing. These guys and gals were super – Thank You truckers.

My heart went out to the van loads of Scouts that were many… heading from all over the eastern USA to a Scout Jamboree somewhere in Ontario. All dressed in their sharp looking outfits they sat in the hot vans through that slow traffic. What a great bunch of kids!

We should have been in Ottawa by 3 PM – so the GPS stated. It was 6:30 PM when we were given the room key.

DUH! I chose to go by way of the fast moving 401 instead of the slow paced Highway 7 to Ottawa… ARGHHHHHHH! I am now wearing the Super Dumb Award this weekend… I earned it and will have to wear it for three days.

Now which way do we choose to go home? 401 or 7?

~ Murray Lincoln ~

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Reacting to the Mall Bombing in Nairobi, Kenya

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Reacting to the Mall Bombing in Nairobi, Kenya

For the past few days my eyes have been glued to the TV reports and ears to the radio reports for anything being said about the horrific scene in the Westgate Mall of Nairobi, Kenya. With 61 people dead and many on top of that injured… I wonder if any were my friends.

I have many friends living in Nairobi. And when we visited them in 2007, my wife and I were in that same Mall to meet up with some of the friends. We also shopped in the grocery store and the market place where we found amazing African artisans selling their goods.

It seems like only yesterday we were there.

I have been in contact with a few friends – but no accurate update so far. The waiting has continued each agonizing day and even hour at first.

Just before we arrived in Kenya there had been an attack by Islamic extremists on one of the largest churches and their compound. The church has a radio station on its grounds which was the target of the armed extremists attacks. Some folk were killed in that skirmish and the Christian community was shocked.

Kenya has been impacted and moved forward by the help of the church over the years. The story is remarkable to read and hear about. But at the same time it has risen and it has become a great influence in Kenya – so has the efforts of the Islamic folk.

Consider this… most of the country of Kenya has been covered by Christians reaching out in love. However the east coast of Kenya has been solidly controlled by the Islamic folk. In fact most of the east coast of Africa is inhabited by people influenced by the extreme Islamic views. Added to that the lower set of society in education and ability in these places… Islam can pretty well manipulate the course these people.

When I saw what was happening and heard what the Church leadership were saying – about the need for protection… it certainly makes sense now.

For the extremists to strike at the heart of what is happening in Nairobi… the heart of where many of the support staff of the Church hangout on their days off… makes perfect sense.

The Somalia issues are mentioned in reports… however I doubt that this is the only reason. Hatred for Christians and attacks by the radical Islamic factions makes more sense.

The same weekend this happened in Nairobi a church with its 600 to 700 occupants was attacked with bombs in Pakistan… and many more Christians died. Is that a coincidence? I doubt it.

Today I am praying for these folks that are so far away from home… and in such a dangerous place to live. I also pray for their families back home that are agonizing over their kids being in that dangerous place.

God keep them safe…please.

~ Murray Lincoln ~

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Monday, September 23, 2013

Single Arghhhh! Double Arghhhh! Triple Arghhhh!

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“Misty Hollow Carving” was launched in October 2008

Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.

“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

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Single Arghhhh! Double Arghhhh! Triple Arghhhh!

What a dilemma! What a difficult time in my life. What a hard place to be!

It happened yesterday… in Port Hope, Ontario. It was Sunday. It was a beautiful afternoon. And I am dressed in my ‘Sunday best’ – meaning my ‘Sunday go to meeting’ outfit. Arghhh!

And there below the bridge were dozens upon dozens of lucky fishermen with their lines in the water.

Now normally it isn’t a problem because people fish in this Ganaraska River all the time. But yesterday.. .there in the river below me was the huge swirling pool of huge salmon fishing waiting to head up the river to spawn. And they were biting the hooks with bait presented to them.

I could only watch as they fished! Double Arghhh!!!!

There is absolutely no harder time for a fisherman to be in that Sunday afternoon in your ‘Sunday best’ – while others are pulling out fish as long as their legs!!!!!

All I could do was take photos.

So today I show you the evidence that I have – Big FISH swimming away from me. I didn’t sleep well last night as I heard the laughter of fish swimming away. Triple Arghhhhhh!

Enjoy…

~ Murray Lincoln ~

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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Grandpa Lincoln could not be more proud!

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“Misty Hollow Carving” was launched in October 2008

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Grandpa Lincoln could not be more proud!

Hokey Mokey – I nearly exploded yesterday. My chest came very close to ripping the zipper clean open on my sweatshirt… almost like the Hulk! Only I wasn’t angry… I was proud as punch with what I witnessed.

I am a Grandpa and I am about to Brag. Please forgive me… but I am now swelling to over size and about to explode again as I tell you about yesterday.

Yesterday I traveled to Fenelon Falls and to their High School. There was to be two football games, one after another. First the junior teams and then the senior teams were playing.

The Adam Scott was playing Fenelon Falls… for the first game of the season.

Well here goes… are you ready for this? Adam Scott’s junior team beat the Fenelon Falls junior team 54 to 24!

Wahoo!

Then the junior’s game was followed by the seniors playing.

Adam Scott again beat the Fenelon Falls team 42 – 7. Repeat Wahoo and throw in a few Unbelievables and Yipeees!!!

Why so excited… why burst my buttons?

Well on the Adam Scott junior team there is one girl playing. She is number 82 and below that sharp looking, new jersey is very cute young lady named Emma Lindsay – MY GRANDDAUGHTER!

And on the Adam Scott senior team, with jersey number 35 is my GRANDSON, Clifford Lindsay!!!

Imagine – how much fun can a football crazy Grandpa have in one afternoon? It is a good thing my heart is very healthy – in fact my whole body is so healthy – or I might have had a flipping “whatever” as I burst with pride all over!

Now some very funny stories flow from just yesterday’s game.

Sitting the stands with all the wiggly, sometimes loud and often rather stupid little girls that were not watching the game – but rather ogling the “hot guys” that were coming to the games… I bit my tongue a whole lot. It was so hard to not to tell them, “Watch the Game and stop looking for “Hot Guys”.

So instead of saying something that scolded these teenies… I popped in at the right time, “Hey girls take a look at #82 on the Adam Scott team.” They all turned their attention to the field where the potentially “hot guy” in #82 was standing… you know the one with the cute butt… or the one with the great legs… the one that was pushing their team player around with great confidence… They all looked. And then just at the right moment I said proudly… “That’s my Granddaughter Emma Lindsay. She is the only girl on the team. She has been playing football for 5 years and she is good!”

“Wow! Your kidding! No way… awesome!” Were some of the words that spilled out of these lip glossed, teenie weenies. Then they started telling other girls that sat nearby. Emma’s celebrity status was growing suddenly.

Another popular young lady that was a little older sat down right in front of me and they immediately told her about the girl playing football… and that the girl’s Grandpa was sitting right behind her. Oh boy did I get bigger or what!

As the afternoon went on, Adam Scott’s team won and the next team came on the field… play continued with the senior teams.

At that point some more “hot guys” came along. One “hot guy” that apparently hung out with the teenies… sat down right in front of me. A good looking young man, quiet, cool, and watching ever play that was progressing on the field.

The teenies rep turned to this “hot guy” and asked him… “How does it feel to be beaten by a team that had girl playing on it?” – then she giggled poking him. The poor, young, “hot guy” started to say something but the teenie told him the girl’s Grandpa was sitting behind him… yikes! How uncool was that… but it was funny.

I put my hand on his strong, young shoulder and reassured him that winning that game was a team effort – not one girl’s effort to beat his team. He nodded.

Too darn funny!

Now it was not over… after the game, one of the guys on Emma’s team asked her for a date. Arghhh! This is football guy… get a grip.

I know. I know. Emma told me to “Sit still Grandpa and don’t say anything!”

Clifford’s game was amazing too. None of the other football players asked him for date – thankfully! But as the Captain of the Team, he was able to choose the pump-up music for the bus ride. This year it is an upbeat rock and roll kind of music. Last year it was Country Music – which after “the dog died, the truck quit and the little lady left” the geezer writing the song… you were not ready for a football game… and definitely not pumped up!!!

This morning I am heading out to be proud again. Little Emma, my granddaughter, is now an assistant coach for the little guys just beginning football in the Kinsmen Minor Football League… and Grandpa Lincoln could not be more proud – All Over Again!

Wahooooooo!

~ Murray Lincoln ~

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Digital Image from Misty Hollow

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Thursday, September 19, 2013

I fear the Motor is dead or near that point… and I hate spending money

Misty Hollow Carving and Misty Hollow Digital Images

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.

“Misty Hollow Carving” was launched in October 2008

Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.

“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

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I fear the Motor is dead or near that point… and I hate spending money

Arghhh! A piece of my machinery came close to death last night! No. No. I didn’t die or get hurt… the machine did.

On May 25^th, 2012 I wrote a Blog Posting describe how my old Atlas Lathe motor had taken a turn for the worse… and I replaced it with a second hand motor for $50.

It was a second hand motor at that time… and last evening the possible defects in that second hand motor started to show. The motor was very hot and at one point it shut down right in the middle of when I needed it the most.

Now if you have read the post that I wrote on May 25^th, 2012, I did some wondering at the time. Wondering if my dad was watching over me from his heavenly reward…

Well today is the second round of my dad looking at what I am about to have to do… go back to the motor shop to see if anything can be done for the motor I bought so cheap.

Now maybe my dad thinks we should buy another motor – maybe even a new one to save the time and my sanity…?

Oops – can’t blame my dad for that one… but rather the bit of Scottish DNA that I have rolling around in my body. I am tight and hate to spend money on things that I don’t need to… or don’t want to… or…

But the motor was only $50 and that $50 has produced Hundreds of more dollars over this year and 4 months.

Today is a “Blood and Body test” day… off to the Lab shortly… then off to look for a new motor. No complaints here… I will meet some amazing people today… and some amazing benefits will come from all of this…

Wahoo – I am alive and well… and ready to go!

~ Murray Lincoln ~

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Digital Image from Misty Hollow

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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

The Amazing Work of the Salvage Crew of the Costa Concordia

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“Misty Hollow Carving” was launched in October 2008

Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.

“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

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The Amazing Work of the Salvage Crew of the Costa Concordia

A ‘Job of a Lifetime’ is the way that one diver described the righting of the big ship Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy. I am in awe of what they have accomplished with this amazing feat.

I watched the short video that has been prepared and shown on the BBC web site – Costa Concordia: Stricken ship set upright

From what I have read the Costa Concordia is much larger than the Titanic was. That is a bog WOW from my side of the table.

Here is another good account of what happened… read this

The thought I had today as I read all of this… you can do amazing things if you take your time, think it through and then work diligently to the final goal.

Lots to think about today.

Way to go salvage crew!! Way to go!

~ Murray Lincoln ~

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