Western Road

This is a, Folk,Ballad with a hint of East Coast Folk/Celtic influences. This is an original composition written by Don Girard. This was inspired by the a visit to the Stan Rodger's Festival at Canso. Looking around the town and seeing the Homes boarded up and the Business's closed.
With the East Coast Fisheries closed and dying. The Town's people have no other option but to head out west to the Oil Sands to get work. It is the same for most of the Atlantic and Maritime Provinces. It is the reason for this song dedicated to the hard working Men and Women of the Out Ports and the resilience of life here in the East Coast.

In Honor of EK's -Fo"Ray" into the Fish Jokes

Here is a cartoon to see us off into the Weekend. Have a great one guys. It must be five O'clock somewhere. I can be baited really easy.

Wandering Thoughts no Rhyme or Reason

Laughing Stock: cattle with a sense of humor.

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at Math.

Love maybe Blind but marriage is a real eye opener.

Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.

Mulitasking means screwing up several things at once.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

No one is listening until you make a mistake.

Some days you are the bug, somedays you are the windshield.

Support Bacteria, they're the only culture some people have.

The more you complain the longer God makes you live.

The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.

Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

There are 3 kinds of people; those who can count and those who can't.

I Can Still Remember the First Day We Met

We were out one evening and this song idea came into existence due to a comment from the love of my life.

About; how,where,when we first met and life's journey so far.

This song is about love at first sight and the remembrance of that magic moment.

Even though we have been together for 25 years, everyday seems like a first day and every date like a first date.

I composed and wrote this in 20 minutes, the fastest, I think. I have ever written a song before in my life.

the very first song I wrote for G. took me almost 20+ years to complete due to the everyday distractions of Life, Work and Family.

I hope you enjoy/tolerate my first foray into the Country/Blue Grass style of genre.

I tend to usually stay close to my Funky Folk Roots.

Actual Ceremony Valentine's Day- Kool 96.5 Fm

Griff conducting the service. The saying of vows again for all the 96 couples. This was done live on the Radio.

Ginny looking resplendent on the right in the dark blouse with the white and red flowers very chic. I sound like one of the red carpet Journalist's commenting on one of the award shows.


Ginny with her cupcake as part of the toast to the Bride and Groom. We also had our First dance again but with 96 other couples the dance floor was a bit crowed but great fun.



This is a picture of the two of us at our Pre-Renupital Breakfast at the Holiday Inn , Dartmouth, NS.

This is the Master of Ceremonies Griff Henderson and Caroline Parker from Kool 96.5fm. The Weather here was raining and cool. The place was done up very elegant. Flowers a red rose was handed out to each of the ladies. I guess to remind them of the Thorn they married. Well we just had a one way conversation with family out in Cambodia. They could see and hear us but all we could see was a black blob.

They sent an email to Kool 96.5 to be read out and although they did mention the world wide connection of people listening in. Just want to say a big Thank you to KOOL 96.5FM for adding a little more Romance into our lives for doing the" Happily Ever After Again." We know you were thinking about us Merms. and I was glad I had a chance to talk with you last night in London. The Radio does bring a lot of friends and family closer.

The Last Saskatchewan Pirate of the Caribbean

Hey ,Ho,- Look out me Hear-tees. I am off to Loot and Plunder. But I press and clean my clothes first and get permission from Mrs. Tarf.

Valentine's Day- Kool 96.5fm Hfx Nova Scotia

This will be the first year that we have actually bothered to do something different or special on Valentine's Day. Not that we are not romantic. Just after the first year. When I bought a skimpy outfit for someone to wear. Thought I was smooth found out I only bought it for me and not the love of my life. Who bye the way never wore it. ( and neither did I).

You tend to learn by mistakes. I am still in the learning process. Well, it has been 25 years this Valentine Day since we first met.

Further update, we just got a call from the radio station and they will be talking to us live on wednesday at 7:50 am our time. I wonder how I will put my foot in it then. As I will be half a sleep and really do not have much in the way of Tact and Diplomacy.

We have been very happily married for over 20 years.

So thanks to Kool96.5fm radio here in Halifax. We will be renewing our vows along with 95 other couples. Live on the airways on Valentine's Day at 9.00 am our time; and 1pm in the UK and 8pm in Cambodia. So listen in and give us your thoughts. Wish you were here Merms; both G. and myself would love to have you here with us, it will not be the same without you.

Their link is url : http://www.planetkool.ca/

Now if I could figure out how to actually put the link so when you press it you get transferred to the proper page. Perhaps someone can explain how this works?

Cuba-Canadon Farming Community Holguin Province Photos

Picture of a local Elementary School. Where we always bring treats for all the children in the school. they always make sure that you have something for everyone as the teachers do not want to leave anyone out.
Local Fast food that is running around and when you visit it disappears and ends up on your plate.
Showing some of the local Transportation and the lookout that goes up between several homes in the area. The Tree shown that has a lot of pods hanging down is called "Noise tree" or "Womens tongue" because when the wind blows the tree rattles away and makes a lot of noise.
Close up of the Town Square. From about halfway up the lookout.
Over looking the Town Square, where dances and other events are held. Also the Movie Theatre in the background with about 50 seats and a old 27 inch Telly that is used for the screen. You can see the theatre better in the above picture on the back side of the square.
Picture of some of the Hills in the area looking north towards the Atlantic Ocean.





Here are some Photo's of the small community of Canadon. There is a large lookout on top of the hill in the area and a lot of the photo's show the scenery to great effect.

Cuba- Photo's of the Real Guardalavaca

One of the many well looked after Automobiles you find in Cuba. The people are real ingenious at keeping them running and in such good condition. Something we definitely could learn from them. We, who tend to throw everything away after a few months or years simply because styles change or bigger models come out.


One of the many privately owned small business's in the area. This is a local Hair Dresser, she does a great hair cut, highly recommend. Off the city centre in Guardalavaca.

Local Fisherman mending his nets. He has his nets strung up between Sea Grape trees.


Showing some of the Housing in Guardalavaca. There is a Doctors Office for every 150 People in Cuba. We counted 3 Medical Clinics on this street alone. In the afternoon's the Doctor and Nurse go and do visits to the sick, elderly and provide both pre and post Natal Care. How many of us have home visits from our local GP?

These are some Photos of the Town of Guardalavaca . Which shows the vibrant colours and diverse lives of the ordinary people. You can see the zest for life in their faces. They open their homes to you, complete strangers and make you feel one of the family in no time.

Stupid is as Stupid Does- Electric Wires in a Pool

This is a real picture of several Yahoo's. Notice the electric cord and electric wires and etc. in the middle of the Pool.

I do hope they are not Electricians as they are not even bright Sparks. Hope they haven't decided to donate to any Sperm Banks.

Cuba the land of Sun and Surf

Picture of Mrs. Old Tarf and Myself on top of the Hill in Canadon, taken last April in Cuba.



This is a picture of Marg and myself in Santa Lucia, Cuba (Friend of ours from England and the local Taxi cab).

Well, We have been going to Cuba to the Holguin area to be exact for several years now. Always to the same resort the Blau Costa Verde. We were planning on going again this year around the 21st of April but the stars have not lined up. So we will not be going this year.

Our English friends , who we met there will be back for the the 9th or 10th time. The place is great the service is very good and the staff are wonderful. Lots to do and see, great beach and pool.

Perhaps another year.

Nova Scotia Rodney MacDonald Top 10 to David Letterman

Nova Scotia Gas Regulation Song

As the Citizens of Nova Scotia were complaining of the volitile gas prices ( petrol prices). For every two weeks our price at the Pump would jump to the whims of the Big Oil Companies. So the tory gov. under the Leadership of our own "Fiddle" Playing Premier Rodney MacDonald. Decided that we should know what our Prices should be so the flucations didn't occur unexpected, So they brought in Gas Regulation. Now we get lambasted every week now.

So I wrote this diddy. It is sung to the tune " My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean."

" Gas Regulation Protest Song"


Chorus:- Government and the Oil Companies tell us that Gas Regulation is our very best Friend.
They should just cut out all the Malarkey, and tell us to bend over, We are being shafted again.

Bend over, Bend Over, Just bend over you are being shafted again. (x2 last line)

!. We were drivng down the bumpy old Hwy., when the gas light came on in my car.
You can only go so many places, on just empty with vapours and fumes.
Higher prices are now a reality, Welcome to the days of more misery and gloom.
So when the Politicians come a vote knocking, I always show them the Moon.

Chorus:

2. The Ecomonists and Oil experts tell us it's good for the Province and not to fret.
The Weather, unstable politics and lack of supply are the real threats,
Governments have their hands in our pockets and our wallets now slowly bleed,
They both are only really interested in higher Taxes and Corporate Greed.

Chorus:

3. So now to begin to economize, I guess it's time now to start,
Anyone know where I can buy cheap a horse and cart.
After you pay for a fill up, You shed a lot of tears
It's getting to a point now, I have no more money for Beer.


Chorus: ( 2x)