Getting Ready For His 6th Birthday

Next weekend my family will gather at my sister's apt. (conveniently located two floors up from my place) to celebrate my nephew Graham's 6th Birthday. [Seen above with his mom and dad, Jane and Ken].

"Sister Jane" tells us he's into Scooby Doo and who could blame him? I'm still a fan at a much larger age number than "Little Man" :)

Can't wait for your big birthday buddy! Timmi might pop by to say hello too!

Some days, you just want to curl up

and make the world go away.

But don't forget to reach out

to the special people that make up your life.

They are there for you in good and bad,

so don't choose to leave them.

-Ken Leavoy

CLICK HERE to visit IT GET'S BETTER website

Changes

We've rearranged our sidebars and we hope you agree, it's easier to find what you're looking for now.

Our left sidebar now features COMING EVENTS immediately followed by YOUR BUSINESS section (which are now closer to the top of our page.)

Following Your Business, check out CLASSIC SCRIBBLES features and fan pages.

Our rightbar is jammed with great features. Our reformatted TV SHOWS page link is up top. When you click on TV Show Links, you'll now see TV programs listed by the network they air on. Find your favourite, go to the network's link and find your show on their site.

SCRIBBLES ORIGINAL VIDEOS links follow. MAN, scribbles sure has alot of cool video clips for you to check out.

Our MEMORIAM links join our right sidebar after scribbles Video Clips and further down the page is where you'll now find VIDEO CLIP LINKS, featuring a few new ones! These are links to clips that scribbles didn't create, mostly forwarded to our attention by our readers.

We hope you like the new sidebar line-up as we continue to make scribbles more user-friendly than ever before.

Shut Up and Drive

See her up close - click pix for larger version

They grow up so quickly! She can't even walk yet, and already 9 month old Alina Dennis loves to drive! I took this cute photo on Thanksgiving Monday, while joining Rob and his family at the home of his twin brother Rodney and his wife Heather.  We enjoyed a great turkey dinner with all the trimmings and Rob's mom Merry made delicious tarts as part of our dessert (Chocolate Cherry cheesecake was also on the menu, thanks to Heather.)

We ate early at 2 pm in order to accomodate Rob who had to work later in the afternoon and it was nice to see everyone again. Same time next year Rodney and Heather?

Trains, "Plains" and Automobiles...
...Marsha's Amazing Northern Getaway Included All of Them

Marsha's mom Yvonne enjoys the view from her son Brian's cottage deck

Her usual holiday destination is Ireland, but this Fall, Marsha Scott stayed on Canadian soil for her vacation. Marsha's travelling companions were her sister Brenda and her very spry 93 year old mother Yvonne.

The game plan was to visit Marsha's brother Brian at his cottage near Kirkland Lake, then leave her mom there to visit with Brian, while Marsha and Brenda ventured further north to Moosonee.

After an overnight stopover in North Bay, it was off to Kirkland Lake, to visit brother Brian, his family and their serene cottage on Lake Kapaketa. From the photos Marsha sent us, it is obvious why Brian loves this place. His nearest neighbour is miles away and it is so peaceful and picture perfect there.

Marsha and Brenda were off bright and early the following day, destination: Cochrane Ontario. In order to make their way to Moosonee, Marsha and Brenda would then travel by train for the next 5 hours as there are no roads to get there.

Moosonee and Moose Factory Island are Cree reserves as was evident by many of the signs, posted first in Cree, then English and third French.

One of the most astonishing things Marsha and Brenda would discover while visiting Moosonee and Moose Factory would be just how expensive every day household items cost. Because everything is shipped there by train, you pay dearly for these items, as you will discover below.

Old dog wanders the streets of Moose Factory

Life in Moose Factory is very laid back. One of the residents of the rural town was a stray dog. He was often seen on the streets and even sitting in the middle of the road, oblivious to the traffic around him. Of course when we say traffic, we're not talking rush hour in Toronto. There's not many cars in Moose Factory, which is evident by the dirt roads that travel through the community.

Marsha told us she often had to remind herself that she was indeed still in Ontario, as her surroundings were so unlike what she was used to. The girls had a great time seeing how people live, in such a remote location.

Before they knew it, it was time to take a train back, eventually returning to Marsha's brother's cottage in Kirkland Lake to pick up her mom and make their way back to the big city of St Catharines. Another amazing destination to check off her "bucket list". Where in the world will Marsha go next Autumn? We don't know yet, but you can bet we'll be the first to tell you all about it, as only scribbles can do.

I'm not sure if I'd ever go to Moose Factory, it's a bit too remote for my liking, but it sure was nice to visit it vicariously through your photos and stories, Marsha. Thanks for sharing with scribbles!

Holy High Prices Batman!

Kitty litter, Windex and microwave popcorn,

Think you know what they cost?

Think again, when you're in

Moosonee or Moose Factory.

As we mentioned above, when Marsha Scott and her sister Brenda were vacationing in Moosonee and Moose Factory, they soon discovered that things cost a lot more in these Northern communities than in Southern Ontario.

Let's take a look, shall we?  Above we have Cedric the Entertainer, host of the game show "It's Worth What?" Below Cedric are three ordinary everyday items; Maxx Scoop Kitty Litter, a bottle of Windex and Orville Redenbacher's Microwave Popcorn. What's not so ordinary about them is how much these items cost.

How much do you think they cost in Moosonee and Moose Factory?  Check out the price tags below...NO, I did not Photoshop these prices...these are the real thing!

in case you can't believe your eyes, click on pix to view larger version

WOW! These prices are insane!  If I had a cat, he would shit outside, I'd use vinegar and water as window cleaner and I'd skip the pre-packaged microwavable popcorn and go for the old fashioned pop it yourself kind (which would probably still cost an arm and a leg).

Becoming One with Nature

click on pix to view larger version

During a recent weekend away, our shutterbug buddy Bob Miller captured some pretty amazing photos. In addition to being surrounded by the great outdoors, trout were swimming up river (spawning season) and Bob was in the thick on it all!

Bob, I think you've taken "being in your element" to a whole new level.

Brown and Speckled Lake Trout travel up river, right before Bob's eyes.

Click on pix to view larger version.

The Official Claudia Silva* Fan Club

EXCERPT FROM THE OFFICIAL CLAUDIA SILVA* FAN CLUB FACEBOOK PAGE:

Claudia Silva* is a female impersonator, pageant co-ordinator, entertainer and active charity fundraiser, operating out of the St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Thorold region, who has a popularity that spans two countries due to her extensive travelling within the International Court System.

This group is not a cult, it is a meeting place for all ...those who admire Claudia for all the hard work and dedication she brings to her charity work, the laughter she brings to her audiences and the joy she brings to her friends. We love you Claudia.

To join the group and read what Claudia's* fans are saying, CLICK HERE.

Two Types of Turkey's Missing at this year's Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanks to a flu bug, I was unable to join my sister Kim Papple and her husband Don for their annual Thanksgiving dinner. Fortunately for us, Bob Miller was there with camera in hand and captured these great pix. 

Once again Kim and Don outdid themselves with very festive decor and a table set for royalty.  They served ham, meaning including myself, there were two turkeys missing this year. LOL!

In addition to a great meal, everyone enjoyed a little violin recital courtesy of my niece Erin and a relaxing walk along the shore of Lake Ontario, where Bob snapped a great shot of the sun setting. 

Sorry I missed out on a great day Kim and gang, What can I say?? "Shit happens"...LOL!

Erin plays sweet music on the violin during Thanksgiving gathering

photo courtesy Bob Miller

BEAUTY, eh? The sunsets behind Lake Ontario on Thanksgiving Sunday.

photo courtesy Bob Miller

BOB'S photos are also featured beside our scribbles logo today

Humour

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this article

F***!

That Pisses Me Off!

In scribbles second readers poll, we asked you to tell us your Pet Peeves. Turns out you have quite a few!  Those annoying things that just send you around the bend.

Find out what our readers Pet Peeves are (including Ken's peeves) by CLICKING HERE.

The Happy Couple

Congratulations to our pal Dave Webber's daughter Tanya, who recently wed her sweetheart Hakim Ausi (pictured above).  Proud papa Dave tells us it was a beautiful ceremony -with couple as stunning as Tanya and Hakim, how could it possibly have been anything but beautiful??

click pix for larger view 

Truly Amazing

Northern Lights Over Superior -a rare sight to see and well captured by the lucky photographer. Thanks to our pal Rich for forwarding it to us.

AY CARUMBA!

Could this be the end for The Simpsons?

Is this the last season of The Simpsons? It could very well be, if money issues between Fox and the voice cast aren’t hammered out fast.

The Daily Beast reports a standoff between the network and the six lead actors who provide the voices for the Simpson family and a plethora of Springfield townspeople.

At issue is Fox’s demands that production costs be slashed and actors salaries be reduced. The salary reduction would be offset by money from syndication and merchandise.

“Fox is taking the position that, unless they can cut the production costs really drastically, they’ll pull the plug on new shows,” an insider told the website.

“They show has made billions in profits over the years and will continue to do so as far as the eye can see down the road. The actors are willing to take a pay cut of roughly a third, but that’s not good enough for Fox.”

Now, before you get upset on behalf of the actors, they’re not on the brink of bankruptcy either. Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Hank Azaria, Yeardley Smith and Harry Shearer earn approximately $8 million every year for their work on the longtime sitcom.

The new deal would trim that to a measly $4 million per year.

The insider explains that if the cast doesn’t accept the new deal, The Simpsons would end, only living on in repeats.

"Simpsons" Voice Actor Speaks Out

NEW YORK - “Simpsons” voice actor Harry Shearer says he’s willing to take a 70 percent pay cut in exchange for profit participation in the show.

Shearer [who provides the voice of Mr Burns and others] is the first “Simpsons” actor to publicly address the studio’s request that actor’s take pay cuts of up to 45 percent to allow the show to continue beyond its current, 23rd season. The studio has asked them to agree to have their salaries of $440,000 per episode cut to $250,000 per episode.

In a statement Friday, Shearer said he was willing to go even lower — in exchange for back end payments for the show, like those received by its producers. He also expressed willingness to walk away from the show if no deal with Fox can be reached.

“As a member of the “Simpsons” cast for 23 years, I think it’s fair to say that we’ve had a great run and no one should feel sorry for any of us,” he said. “But given how much joy the show has given so many people over the years — and given how many billions of dollars in profits News Corp. has earned and will earn from it — I find it hard to believe that this is Fox’s final word on the subject. At least I certainly hope it isn’t, because the alternative is to cancel the show or fire me for having the gall to try to save the show by helping Fox with its new business model.”

 

Amusing Video Clip

Mother's Embrace

 

Fable of the Porcupine

It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold.

The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions.

After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.

Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.

The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.

The moral of the story is: Learn to live with the pricks in your life!

Woman charged after she snaps neck of boy’s Chihuahua

HAMILTON SPECTATOR

Cody Hogg was scared of dogs until Finnegan came into his life.

From the day his mother brought the friendly Chihuahua home, the dog was a member of Cody’s family.

In fact, Finnegan was like “a really, really close brother,” the 11-year-old Hamiltonian said.

But his one-year-old “brother” was killed over the Thanksgiving weekend when a woman was upset that the dog had apparently nipped at her pant legs and yanked at Finnegan’s leash, snapping his neck.

Cody was walking Finnegan eastbound on Delaware Avenue near Main and Wentworth streets Saturday morning, just about a block away from his home, and passed by a woman going in the opposite direction.

Finnegan went over to the woman to say “Hi, I want to be your friend,” but the passerby was not very pleased with the dog approaching her, Cody said.

The five-pound dog started biting at the stranger’s pant legs, so she grabbed the retractable leash and tossed the animal, Cody’s mother, Janis, said. “Being so tiny, he just flew … up in air and landed on road beside them,” Janis, 45, said.

A family in a nearby car witnessed the incident, called police and kept the woman on the scene. A 34-year-old woman was charged with animal cruelty.

Staff Sergeant Deb Wilkie said the cruelty charge was a rare one, as these charges are usually for owners mistreating their own pets. “It takes a lot to snap (the neck). It’s a fairly significant jerk on a leash,” she said.

When police arrived at about 9:20 a.m., the dog was dead and the boy was crying, Wilkie said. “(He) was inconsolable.”

After Cody told her the news, Janis ran to the spot on Delaware with her two sons, and the older one, 15-year-old Kyle, ran up ahead. When she got closer, she saw Kyle “crumpled” on the sidewalk in grief as he realized Finnegan, lying in a witness’s arms, was gone.

Throughout the incident, the woman did not say anything at all, Cody said. If she had told him Finnegan was bothering her, he would have reined in his leash, the boy said. “Apparently she didn’t feel like using her words; she felt like using her actions.”

As the 11-year-old got ready to have Thanksgiving dinner Monday with his mother and Kyle, he still said he felt a mix of emotions. “I’m sort of really, really confused. Really, really angry at the same time. Really, really sad too.”

“He was just so happy all the time to see whoever was there,” Janis said. “He wanted affection.” Every morning, Finnegan would leap from Kyle’s bed and go to her room, jump onto her head and lick her face, she added.

Before Finnegan, Cody was afraid of dogs but now he loves all kinds of canines, she said. “This was part of the reason I wanted to get dogs … I got Finnegan and taught them that they’re dog people.”

Janis said she only wants the woman who was charged to realize what an effect her actions had on her children. “I don’t know what her story is; I just want her to realize that she traumatized my boys … Finnegan is their baby.”

Cody also just wanted the woman to learn a lesson more than anything else.

“I wouldn’t (want to see) her sentenced to anything, even though she did take my dog,” he said. “I would say … make her work at a dog shelter to let her know that dogs and cats and animals aren’t such a bad thing after all.

[KEN COMMENTS: People like this should be banished from the planet. To kill a tiny dog in front of its young owner and show no remorse whatsoever, well this woman in pure evil. She's lucky they have not released her name, that's all I can say. And this little boy shows wisdom beyond his years, if she did that to my dog I'd want to put her on a leash and snap her neck, what a bitch]

"Bee"-autiful Quilting Supplies (and much more)

Recently I ran into my former neighbour Kelly Corfe, who I discovered owns The Quilting Bee in Fonthill, ON. Here's a description of the store as featured on The Quilting Bee's website:

"We are a brick and mortar store located in a beautiful log cabin in Fonthill, Ontario. Our store is growing ... in November we will be moving to our new location at the rear of the log cabin. Our store space will increase to 3,800 square feet. Our shelves are always full of the latest, best quality quilting cottons. We have patterns, notions, many kinds of threads and classes for all skill levels.

The Quilting Bee is a dealer for Janome Sewing Machines.

The Quilting Bee is also a two-time award winning Handi Quilter dealer. HQ machines are always in stock plus a large selection of thread (including Superior), stencils, pantographs and classes for longarm quilting.

Please browse our website and stop by the store soon. We would love to see you!"

 

CLICK HERE to visit THE QUILTING BEE'S website

"Thank-you Ken for the free ad on your website...and what a website it is!

 Lots to look at and well done. I always enjoy Y&R news.

Thanks again."

-Kelly Corfe

Humour 

Two 90-year-old women, Rose and Barb had been friends all of their lives.

When it was clear that Rose was dying, Barb visited her every day.

One day Barb said, 'Rose, we both loved playing women's softball all our lives, and we played all through High School.

Please do me one favor: when you get to Heaven, somehow you must let me know if there's women's softball there.'

Rose looked up at Barb from her deathbed and said, 'Barb, you've been my best friend for many years. If it's at all possible, I'll do this favor for you.'

Shortly after that, Rose passed on.

A few nights later, Barb was awakened from a sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to her, 'Barb, Barb.'

'Who is it?', asked Barb, sitting up suddenly. 'Who is it?'

'Barb -- it's me, Rose.'

'Rose! Where are you?'

'In Heaven,' replied Rose. 'I have some really good news and a little bad news.'

'The good news,' Rose said, 'is that there's softball in Heaven. Better yet all of our old buddies who died before us are here, too. Better than that, were all young again. Better still, it's always springtime, and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play softball all we want, and we never get tired.'

'That's fantastic,' said Barb. 'It's beyond my wildest dreams! So what's the bad news?

'You're pitching Tuesday.'