Thanks MEC and Grundig!

I have no connection other than being a customer with either company.
I bought  a reconditioned Grundig Field Radio S450DLX from the source for much less than list - it worked OK, except it wouldn't get the upper part of the FM band - the source gave me the option of getting a refund, since they didn't have any more at that price, but it was sold with Grundig's warranty, so I emailed them, and sent them proof of purchase. Grundig sent me labels to courier it back for repairs - I got it back in about two weeks - either it was a new one or the old one fixed, can't tell, but I got a very nice radio for very little. 
I got a P-Tec Impulse LED Light from mec.ca that arrived with flat batteries - I asked for a dollar refund since that's all it would cost to buy new batteries - they gave me a 5 dollar gift card and a nice personal message from Mountain Equipment Co-op!

Random Flowers

Frogs singing on the first day of spring

Very odd - 28 C max and snow is still on the ground in patches. And frogs!

Beau's All Natural Brewing Company, Vankleek Hill, Ontario

Makes "Bog Water", a 'Gruit' out of Bog Myrtle grown locally - it can't be called "Beer" as it has no hops. It only makes the "Bog Water" in the fall, but they had some that was mixed with a lager that didn't really taste special - I think the hops would mask a lot. I tried taste some of the leaves but they had dessicated so I will try the fruit of the bog myrtle next time I find some.

Aurora Borealis

Intense Red Section near Zenith
(Images enhanced in gimp)

Aurora Borealis, IS0 6400

Randi in Montreal, September 29, 2011

Randi spoke at the Centre St-Pierre in downtown Montreal - I think the centre still  belongs to the parish! Sign that you are in downtown Montreal: Audience members said "Tabernacle!" when he did the levitating matchbook trick.

Randi cannot be photographed. When wearing his Borsalino hat. 

He'd been making jokes about not appearing on photographs like a vampire during the post talk autograph/photo session. He'd also flirted with girls who wanted to get their pictures with him, even though he's been out of the closet for a while! 

I'd unintentionally set the camera to a slow exposure! I complemented him on his hat, which is the same brand as Pierre-Elliot Trudeau used to wear. He brightened up immediately at the mention of Trudeau's name. "A wonderful prime minister! Great man" he said.

With flash and the famous flying pig pin.

 

One version of the dowsing device that doesn't work at all. Randi said that similar devices have been used in Afghanistan to detect explosives, with fatal results. 

http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/231-a-direct-specific-challenge-from-james-randi-and-the-jref.html

An interesting report on these specific models 

Friends for Life Bike Rally

Support Person Brian Lawrence hands out refreshments at Friends for Life Toronto-Montreal Rally (660km) - about 300 riders!

http://www.bikerally.org/