Ranty July – A Changing Seasons Post #monthlyphotochallenge #thechangingseasons

July started off with a bang. Canada Day (July 1) is also my daughter’s (Mizz J) birthday. I made a fabulous trifle, using local berries and sherry, and of course plenty of local, growth-hormone free, high quality dairy.

Uh-oh, here comes a rant:

Fuck you Trump. I support Canadian Dairy and Canadian Dairy supports me, literally. It’s my day job, to work for a company that supports this industry, which I love. So yeah, fuck you, Trump. As a dairy insider, I can tell you your milk is not up to Canadian quality standards. Most of it would not be allowed in this country even if the borders were wide open. And you can thank the Canadian supply management system for making sure Canadians get the highest quality milk for their money. Rant over. (Aren’t you relieved?)

Canada Day dessert
Strawberry Trifle. It was delicious. Note to self: next time don’t be afraid to add more sherry. Yes, that’s real whipped cream on top, people. Thank goddess for my Kitchen Aid mixer. The berries are spectacular this year.

I got out for a Beach Day this month. To my usual haunt: Bayfield.

Stairs to Lake Huron shore
I usually park at the Marina but this year I went to Pioneer Park instead and took the stairs down to the Lake Huron shore.

There was plenty of beauty to see at home, as well.

Mill Pond and day lilies in July
Day Lilies in bloom down at the Mill Pond.
Heron as seen from kayak
I usually can’t get even this close to these wary birds. But this one was intent on fishing so wasn’t focusing on me in the kayak so much.
Another heron fishing.
Could be the same heron. Dunno. There are quite a few of them on the Mill Pond.
Swans on the Mill Pond
There are a few swans as well, peacefully cohabiting with the herons, ducks, geese, and egrets on the Mill Pond.
Sunset clouds reflected on the water
I love capturing the reflections on the Mill Pond throughout the day, and especially the approaching evening.
Sunset reflected on the water
The end of another beautiful July day on the Mill Pond. Taken from the village dock. Which shall forever more be known as The Sex Dock. I was trying to show it off to a visitor and we happened upon a couple banging away under a blanket…ON THE DOCK…IN EARLY EVENING AKA BROAD DAYLIGHT. Needless to say, we turned around immediately and left visiting the dock for another day. #VillageLife
Black caps and raspberries for breakfast
A lovely weekend breakfast including the bountiful berries of July. The berries are spectacular this year, did I mention that? Banana oatmeal pancakes, Greek Yogurt, black caps, raspberries, maple syrup and back bacon. Nespresso latte macchiato – forget which flavour but probably Roma.

And finally, I haven’t mentioned this on the blog yet I don’t think, but I did purchase a new car. On May 25th I picked up a new plug-in hybrid vehicle, a Prius Prime. Forever to be known as Edward the Third, for being my third white Prius that sparkles in the sunlight. I got a full tank of gas with the car. Today, July 25th, I decided it was time to put more gas in since I am anticipating some long drives coming up over the next few days. I still had a little less than a quarter of the original tank left. Behold my dashboard, prior to today’s fill-up:

gas mileage of Prius Prime after 2 months driving
That’s right – 3043 km driven and I still have a bit of gas left. Today was my first ever fill-up of the car I picked up on May 25!

I’m very pleased with my new car. The range of electric driving for me is around 56 km. I was told the car had a range of 40 km, however the car learns how you drive trains you how to drive more efficiently and rewards you with more range. It takes into account the amount of energy you save with regenerative braking and also coasting and using the engine brake to slow down. So I’ve “earned” a range of 56 km by giving up my lead foot. 😉

Which means during  the week I drive solely on electric power on any given day. I only seem to dip into gas power on weekends, when I take longer drives for Beach Days and such.

Uh-oh, I’m feeling ranty again…

I was planning on trading in Edward II later on this year, but decided to take advantage of the government incentive to buy a plug-in hybrid. And I’m glad I did when I did because the provincial government has changed hands and now this rebate has been terminated.

Ironically, the party now in power campaigned that they are for the little guy, yet they take away a rebate that could actually benefit the common person. They’ve told their base that electric cars are only for the elite and cost $$$$. Which is blatantly untrue. Clearly they are taking a page from the Trump playbook and the sheeple believe their gaslighting, as I’ve seen on Twitter.

Follow the money, people. Follow the money, to learn the truth.

It’s been 2 months of daily driving and all I’ve spent on gas is $32. Only just today. Just sayin’…

Fuck you too, Ford. Rant over, and out.

(OMG, do I ever need that Spa Day.)

The Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge hosted by Su Leslie of Zimmerbitch.

Rock on,

The WB

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38 thoughts on “Ranty July – A Changing Seasons Post #monthlyphotochallenge #thechangingseasons

  1. Hey Deb,
    I hoped the rants helped 🙂 I love Bayfield. I’ve stayed at the Little Angel Inn a couple of times. Great spot. But you know what I like even more? The spa! Can’t wait for tomorrow.

    Oh and congrats on Edward the Third. As someone with an SUV with a 6 cylinder engine, I can only sigh with envy at how little gas Edward III uses.

    1. Thank you Karen! I stayed at the Little Inn on my honeymoon, if that’s the same one? The Inn was great but the meal at the restaurant was…uh…weird. The chef was big on molecular cuisine so instead of recognizable food we were given little piles of dust and foam 😂. Before I descend into another rant, I’d better stop and GO PACK!!!!!! 😁

      1. You’re right. No idea where I got ‘angel’ from. Maybe because one of the times I stayed in the room with the widow’s walk? Dunno.
        Hmm, very weird menu. I suspect my time predated yours by a lot of years so not the same chef. Molecular and cuisine do not belong in the same phrase.
        Yes, go pack. Don’t forget your bathing suit. Anything else you forget though – matters not.

  2. Right after I purchased my hybrid, our Republican Governor thought we needed to add an extra tax on hybrids, because we weren’t spending our share at the pumps! What?! Anyway, we got rid of him and got rid of the tax, so I happily drive around saving gas and money. Enjoy the spa! Sounds like you may need it.

  3. AJ Blythe

    Oh my gosh. I *love* that you called your car(s) Edward. I’ve always named my cars (actually, I name lots of things). There was a black Jeep I saw often in Brisbane with the number plate “Baa Baa” (black jeep…). Thought that was brilliant as well.

    1. Thanks, AJ! Love that Jeep name – a friend of mine just got a beautiful black Jeep. I will mention this to her!!! Yeah, I name a lot of things too. My purple Kitchen Aid mixer is called Bettie Page, for instance… 😉 ‘Cos she’s so sexy!

  4. Jean R.

    Congratulations on the new car. That’s always a great experience.

    I am deeply embarrassed to have Trump as the president of the United States. And a little afraid for our country and the world if he can’t be reined in at some point SOON. I really hope rants help because we sure have plenty of reasons to rant. But now I’m off to have a glass of chocolate milk. Reading your rant made me crave it. I’m a bit of a milkaholic.

    1. Thanks, Jean! If rants helped, Trump would be long gone. You and most of America are fed up with that man, it seems to me. Keep drinking milk, my friend. It does a body good, and helps out a farmer too!

  5. At least there was a blanket!
    Now I’ve got that out of the way, congratulations on the new car and for your timing. Rants are good; as Joanne says, all I have to do is nod and mouth “way-to-go-sister.”

  6. Hi Deb, yes you do need a Day Spa, but we really don’t need a reason do we? I lost myself in your gorgeous photos and the trifle looked delicious. My daughter always named her cars and after a while it was just so natural to call the car by it’s given name 🙂 Have a great week and I hope you get to the spa.

  7. The triffle looks delicious. The beach looks delightful. And your new car sounds determined. [I was a “D” roll in honor of you, Deb.]

    I need a new car, but haven’t really looked into any of them seriously. I wouldn’t mind not spending money on gas, so when the time comes I’ll see if any of Edward III’s relatives would work for me.

  8. I can think of so many reasons to say “fuck you trump” but I have to admit I had not thought of the dairy reason ahaha.

    Ooh your birthday creation looks so yummy as does the weekend breakfast.

    Beautiful wildlife and flower shots too.

    Peta

  9. Oh how I love a good rant that includes a liberal sprinkling of fuck seasoning. Delightful! I was in Bayfield earlier this week and it was pouring rain. Still, it was beautiful and we walked down those same stairs to wander along the water’s edge.

    Way to support Canadian dairy!

  10. Wow! A shiny/sparkly new car – lucky you. Today we bought an almost shiny/not too old second hand car for my husband to replace the European car that looked great and cost a fortune every time something broke (which happened on a regular basis!) Loved all your beautiful photos – although I missed seeing the bonking under the blanket one – I guess you’re saving that for a different post 😛

    1. Hehehehe! Sorry to disappoint Leanne – I did not take any bonking photos. I was in too much much of a hurry to give privacy to a couple who didn’t seem to want to make privacy a priority!

  11. Omgosh. Your photos are AH-MAZING!!! And you have beautiful surroundings… As an American what you say about Trump is what the majority of people are saying over here as well. He’s just such an ass.. I’m sorry his dick brained ways may have rubbed off on some of your politicians. He’s so embarrassing… – Omgosh, and not to leave out the dynamic duo on the sex dock, I would’ve sooooooooo made my presence known! That would’ve been hysterical! – Congratulations on your new vehicle! I can’t believe there’s still gas in it. What a great ride. Enjoy! 😀

    1. Thank you Mimi! Yeah, we have a mini-Trump here in Ontario, all right. Sometimes I wonder about the human race. I think hope we’re evolving, but in reality it is such a thin veneer that can be scratched to reveal the mean, power-mad brutes we’ve always been. At least the couple on the sex dock were making love, not war! 😉 (It appeared consensual, so YAY? I guess)

  12. We’ve been thinking about getting a Prius for my wife. However, she is VERY technologically challenged. She even gets intimidated by door locks and toasters. Think she could handle a Prius?

    Now I just have to go to Canada and try the milk. Great photos. Love your Trump rant. Sorry you have your own mini-Trump running your province now.

    1. This is my 3rd Prius so I have gotten very comfortable with the technology. You don’t have to pay attention to it all in order to drive the car. However, upon first entering a Prius the car does look a bit different inside and that can be intimidating. I’ve had people tell me they were scared to drive it but when I let them, they got used to it very quickly. Take one on a test drive with your wife, TG, and let me know how it goes!

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