tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862190608741174952024-03-12T18:11:44.065-07:00Wyndson FarmKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.comBlogger936125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-3452436396554995522021-01-29T20:30:00.001-08:002021-01-29T20:36:11.639-08:00Kayaking at White Rock<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I feel like it's been a depressing winter, overloaded with grey skies and rain, although since I first began this post, we have had some more encouraging weather. To cheer me up I'm going to do some posts from last summer. Posts I meant to do but didn't get around to. Posts where the sun was shining and it was warmer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This particular day we were going to head to Crescent Beach to recreate our favourite kayak adventure of the summer before. (we would have failed) Alas, it was not meant to be. We got to Crescent Beach before noon on a Saturday, and not a parking spot was to be found. We decided to head back to White Rock, and we'd paddle towards Crescent Beach!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meredith has this handy dandy little cart that comes apart and can be stored in her kayak. It is awesome, and her kayak is quite heavy and quite a bit longer than ours, so it works well. She pulls hers and Larry and I can carry one end of each of ours together in one trip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu_QDM_pN3k/X_-8svMVAdI/AAAAAAAAZUc/y82g_lZDViU0zAxOqrojMP1eMy3IcysewCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200718_122744248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu_QDM_pN3k/X_-8svMVAdI/AAAAAAAAZUc/y82g_lZDViU0zAxOqrojMP1eMy3IcysewCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200718_122744248.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a bit of a trip to the water's edge!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLuWQ5Qmuxs/X_-8shabC3I/AAAAAAAAZUc/Y8JbGg7T3hY9yl2EeBEvHsspGVQgtN-FACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200718_123404355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLuWQ5Qmuxs/X_-8shabC3I/AAAAAAAAZUc/Y8JbGg7T3hY9yl2EeBEvHsspGVQgtN-FACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200718_123404355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meredith is pretty good at bringing food, and I think I had brought something as well. We paddled to the point we had got to when we had paddled from Crescent Beach. We had quite a stiff headwind on the way there.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLmBi6KxXJo/X_-8stP_n7I/AAAAAAAAZUc/P9z7vk17mVgeJEO84op_xiVBIGTjn3WdACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200718_134645648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLmBi6KxXJo/X_-8stP_n7I/AAAAAAAAZUc/P9z7vk17mVgeJEO84op_xiVBIGTjn3WdACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20200718_134645648.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tide was coming in and despite us pulling the kayaks well out of the water, at one point I made a mad dash across the rocks to save one from floating away.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKHVnmrToAk/X_-8so0da4I/AAAAAAAAZUc/_-jjIhEnBFsM9BWVukcyYvhhK2QQ2NclACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200718_134705950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKHVnmrToAk/X_-8so0da4I/AAAAAAAAZUc/_-jjIhEnBFsM9BWVukcyYvhhK2QQ2NclACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200718_134705950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The paddle back went twice as fast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next time we were at White Rock we launched at the same place, but paddled east. It was one evening during the week. The tide was in and the water was calm. I spent quite a bit of my childhood at White Rock beach.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_HUAF2GqUk/X_-8suonqDI/AAAAAAAAZUc/TQi3uvMSSKAfvw4xSfzb7D-rWXUZb2yhACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_184935992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_HUAF2GqUk/X_-8suonqDI/AAAAAAAAZUc/TQi3uvMSSKAfvw4xSfzb7D-rWXUZb2yhACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_184935992.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCg0Dr5LvpI/X_-8sl2HqoI/AAAAAAAAZUc/lVPUpU4Rp_MHrnCLlgWJQPaC7ESyqwoNwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_185050466_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCg0Dr5LvpI/X_-8sl2HqoI/AAAAAAAAZUc/lVPUpU4Rp_MHrnCLlgWJQPaC7ESyqwoNwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_185050466_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Getting close to the pier. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The new section starts just over Meredith's head and goes to the right. Somewhere just behind Larry, on that long thin strip of land just visible under the pier, would be the Peace Arch and the Canada/US border.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSiPe6ZHvR8/X_-8snmBiMI/AAAAAAAAZUc/p4ebbWeR6rUYKg-mtzJAFaf3FOLnyp62ACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_191023007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSiPe6ZHvR8/X_-8snmBiMI/AAAAAAAAZUc/p4ebbWeR6rUYKg-mtzJAFaf3FOLnyp62ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_191023007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few years ago there was a huge windstorm. Boats broke free from the wharf at the end and were blown into the side of the pier. The huge waves and the wind kept smashing them into the pier, and a lot of damage was done to them both . Enough damage that a whole big section had to be replaced. I think it took over a year to get it done. The pier is a huge attraction at White Rock, it would have been a disastrous loss if it hadn't been repaired and made useable again.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eN2TrQaqfbY/X_-8ss-u5PI/AAAAAAAAZUc/cduMqMiXBtMKQj3tJvDsDYt3GSQMWAE0QCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_191144026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eN2TrQaqfbY/X_-8ss-u5PI/AAAAAAAAZUc/cduMqMiXBtMKQj3tJvDsDYt3GSQMWAE0QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_191144026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwxcM-KC2j4/YAuirm4zG2I/AAAAAAAAZlg/vboEWIgwIJcPIVfVXiP_hyK4G9giwrg9gCPcBGAsYHg/s720/FB_IMG_1596222561859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwxcM-KC2j4/YAuirm4zG2I/AAAAAAAAZlg/vboEWIgwIJcPIVfVXiP_hyK4G9giwrg9gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h640/FB_IMG_1596222561859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And there's the famous White Rock. It gets a coat of paint every once in a while to keep it white, and is slowly sinking into the sand.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NB7fge5vXuQ/X_-8sk5TXGI/AAAAAAAAZUc/LST7srauIwAQVZqDVMN3S4xXfikNsx7iwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_191555787.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NB7fge5vXuQ/X_-8sk5TXGI/AAAAAAAAZUc/LST7srauIwAQVZqDVMN3S4xXfikNsx7iwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_191555787.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><div><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-heXqo-SZ_g4/X_-8slTYlcI/AAAAAAAAZUc/QyMdpJrYHr4onZ9RJTVF1Ji4HiQbb0yxwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_193320252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-heXqo-SZ_g4/X_-8slTYlcI/AAAAAAAAZUc/QyMdpJrYHr4onZ9RJTVF1Ji4HiQbb0yxwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_193320252.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> The breakwater at the end of the pier. I used to go out fishing with my dad and we jigged for cod around this breakwater. Attached to the pier and close behind the breakwater there used to be a bunch of docks shaped into a rectangle with a square of ocean water in the middle. It was called the Tank, and there were swimming lessons there all summer. I took swimming lessons there. I hated it, well maybe </span><span style="text-align: center;">that is too strong of a term, but swimming was not my strong point. The weather had to be pretty miserable before we didn't get in the water. Sometimes a bunch of jellyfish came through....Lets just say I was thrilled when our summer sport was switched to tennis when I was 12. Tennis I enjoyed and was decent at.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dLXBwME9PYk/X_-8svY3GjI/AAAAAAAAZUc/YMOXgxcCTnkVwFk-kvQbiUbEw-AM8gsJwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_194110171%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dLXBwME9PYk/X_-8svY3GjI/AAAAAAAAZUc/YMOXgxcCTnkVwFk-kvQbiUbEw-AM8gsJwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_194110171%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Heading west towards the sunset. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IoHiXTi-Rm8/X_-8styxbzI/AAAAAAAAZUc/1kjxLeAan8kyR73VPZ_Dsml9fJI-IFiUwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_194501376_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IoHiXTi-Rm8/X_-8styxbzI/AAAAAAAAZUc/1kjxLeAan8kyR73VPZ_Dsml9fJI-IFiUwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_194501376_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking back east towards the pier and the white rock.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQCghhNeNng/X_-8slDOmEI/AAAAAAAAZUc/tE_292FFnzw4z_-x05Rvsau-bxb5VIWpQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_194827969_BURST000_COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQCghhNeNng/X_-8slDOmEI/AAAAAAAAZUc/tE_292FFnzw4z_-x05Rvsau-bxb5VIWpQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_194827969_BURST000_COVER.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-i5v0Aeip0/X_-8shTjC8I/AAAAAAAAZUc/OIklyCf5Y0k_ar3iqZFe6oVQDSKe7jevQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_194936885.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-i5v0Aeip0/X_-8shTjC8I/AAAAAAAAZUc/OIklyCf5Y0k_ar3iqZFe6oVQDSKe7jevQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_194936885.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So it's taken us three trips, but now we have kayaked the whole distance from the White Rock pier to Crescent beach, and back again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgbNwN0FOqE/X_-8shOq_hI/AAAAAAAAZUc/8rSfkrGX3-0wUPlsiVXJ_JPmyw9rtskzwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200730_202731356_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgbNwN0FOqE/X_-8shOq_hI/AAAAAAAAZUc/8rSfkrGX3-0wUPlsiVXJ_JPmyw9rtskzwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20200730_202731356_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I forgot that I had done something to my back that day, and it was kind of sore sitting in the kayak. Paddling didn't bother it, it was the back of the kayak seat that bothered it the most. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next morning though, I could barely get out of bed and couldn't hobble without supporting myself with a walker or cane. I managed to get an emergency appointment at the chiropractors, and got an adjustment and some exercises to do at home, and walked out of there feeling half way human again. What a relief.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-57802476481709723082021-01-21T21:26:00.000-08:002021-01-21T21:26:46.647-08:00Snippets<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A couple of years ago now, maybe, a bit of coffee got spilt on the back of my DSLR camera. It was in the spot where the LCD screen folds into, and as far as I could see, that area was sealed, so I didn't think it was a big deal. But it was, and my camera died. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lately I've been using my phone camera. My phone is a cheap one, so some pictures don't always come out well. I have been trying some pictures on the manual setting, and sometimes I can get some decent ones. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are from our morning walk one day earlier in the week. We have been lucky just lately, with no rain and sunshine. This picture doesn't do the scene justice, but all those little blobs of moss on an old apple tree were just glowing emerald with the sun shining through them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7GyTpO3JM0/YAdIas6nJyI/AAAAAAAAZhc/zWLXg02c_iEe47dVyBbuAeoWYU53Bj7mwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210118_105313161%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7GyTpO3JM0/YAdIas6nJyI/AAAAAAAAZhc/zWLXg02c_iEe47dVyBbuAeoWYU53Bj7mwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210118_105313161%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ferns and moss about 6' up on a Big Leaf Maple.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnVOe1SR8GU/YAdIaiT5NdI/AAAAAAAAZhc/ESm-whZBhcgAgvbgrsw0uqNJeCtQhJk-gCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210118_110510984.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnVOe1SR8GU/YAdIaiT5NdI/AAAAAAAAZhc/ESm-whZBhcgAgvbgrsw0uqNJeCtQhJk-gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210118_110510984.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This spot on our trail is called 'At the maples'. A clump of maples all growing from the same spot</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtM1q7RYPEg/YAdIahhFdkI/AAAAAAAAZhc/8DCFkcFEeLYWGjG7n811NAWKx_mD3z9YgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210118_110554415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtM1q7RYPEg/YAdIahhFdkI/AAAAAAAAZhc/8DCFkcFEeLYWGjG7n811NAWKx_mD3z9YgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210118_110554415.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the bokeh I got with this moss photo.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yN0zIMsdERg/YAdIarKPTQI/AAAAAAAAZhc/GZ_TVn87El0uO8c9gc6oiLJvIIse33mpgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210118_110634690.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yN0zIMsdERg/YAdIarKPTQI/AAAAAAAAZhc/GZ_TVn87El0uO8c9gc6oiLJvIIse33mpgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210118_110634690.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNB5Q_Qjwf8/YAdIaiCmkfI/AAAAAAAAZhc/uTgJXgbLb8EYd-MUxwH3DcPEREJfwnolACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210118_110700468.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNB5Q_Qjwf8/YAdIaiCmkfI/AAAAAAAAZhc/uTgJXgbLb8EYd-MUxwH3DcPEREJfwnolACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210118_110700468.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-woka-PhSVcY/YAdIanvSUlI/AAAAAAAAZhc/x7asslieLLsA_SetxZdR-Z481zuHcw6ZgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210118_111049867.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-woka-PhSVcY/YAdIanvSUlI/AAAAAAAAZhc/x7asslieLLsA_SetxZdR-Z481zuHcw6ZgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210118_111049867.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lWad08uQzA/YAdIanOH1dI/AAAAAAAAZhc/2NrwL8QTanEL91wncphDCgtryBMO6Dp8gCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210118_111118519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lWad08uQzA/YAdIanOH1dI/AAAAAAAAZhc/2NrwL8QTanEL91wncphDCgtryBMO6Dp8gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210118_111118519.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last week I picked up an ironing board for 50 cents at the thrift store. We took the legs off and I used double sided tape to stick some rubber mats on it. A ramp for the car. It weighs nothing and just fits in the trunk. It will mostly be used for Luna getting in the car. She can get out okay, but some days can't get in well. She has always been weird about getting in. She stands so far back and takes this flying leap, that lately results in slamming her belly into the edge of the seat. She doesn't like to be lifted, and sits down or backs away. Jake just waits to be lifted in and out, but he could use the ramp too.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zpqWRgMdf4/YAdIag7EsDI/AAAAAAAAZhc/P37GUXcptgs4mKgeoB_JfZTsCXvLe284wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210117_143340110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zpqWRgMdf4/YAdIag7EsDI/AAAAAAAAZhc/P37GUXcptgs4mKgeoB_JfZTsCXvLe284wCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210117_143340110.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have been meeting Meredith most weekends for a walk. She hasn't been coming over since the Covid restrictions were tightened. Last Sunday we walked around a wetlands not far from where we used to live. The parking lot was almost full and there seemed to be loads of people heading off around the trail. The trail was wide open with room to get well out of the way when other dogs were coming. Luna was a good girl, distance and liver treats made for a good dog.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3Y3-wjuiHY/YAdIauxWP6I/AAAAAAAAZhc/5lFsXXpsdSkEMXlGRw_E3_RCJU6_rQ2QACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210117_154855343%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3Y3-wjuiHY/YAdIauxWP6I/AAAAAAAAZhc/5lFsXXpsdSkEMXlGRw_E3_RCJU6_rQ2QACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210117_154855343%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTDviWoITig/YAdIatOAu7I/AAAAAAAAZhc/27MVnSZmuJ84LuKM7SHoA4S58dKpexeogCPcBGAsYHg/s3972/IMG_20210117_155058334%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2979" data-original-width="3972" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTDviWoITig/YAdIatOAu7I/AAAAAAAAZhc/27MVnSZmuJ84LuKM7SHoA4S58dKpexeogCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210117_155058334%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj9sleWO_Y8/YAdIaguI44I/AAAAAAAAZhc/gNywBITzvVcYyBnRwPms5LBxof1dUnDmgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210117_160911910%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj9sleWO_Y8/YAdIaguI44I/AAAAAAAAZhc/gNywBITzvVcYyBnRwPms5LBxof1dUnDmgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210117_160911910%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our usual afternoon walk around the block, we were really noticing the longer days. We can start at 4:30 now and still get home before dark. Mist rising from the field.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fclv-w23Uwg/YAdIattsD8I/AAAAAAAAZhc/23G_xezPvBUwTmfNNeBfEDFn_grxGXJPwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210115_165938261.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fclv-w23Uwg/YAdIattsD8I/AAAAAAAAZhc/23G_xezPvBUwTmfNNeBfEDFn_grxGXJPwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210115_165938261.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On New Years Eve the tree guys were working in our neighbourhood. I asked them if they would dump their loads at our place. We put a big tarp down at the top of the driveway and they backed up and dumped two loads. Yee Ha!!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1PrKfhbwqQ/YAdIau3eQ5I/AAAAAAAAZhc/WPsT7UlUSc0p2MgXgi04qKEV9wz78oVHwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210114_170203584.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1PrKfhbwqQ/YAdIau3eQ5I/AAAAAAAAZhc/WPsT7UlUSc0p2MgXgi04qKEV9wz78oVHwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210114_170203584.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every morning on our way out to the back bush we each push a wheelbarrow's worth out to the garden. I'm covering up a low area with cardboard, and then a few inches of wood chips on top. The cardboard is to stop the grass from growing through the chips. It will rot away over the summer. It's the area where I'm planning on having the squash vines sprawl. On the right where you see the thin white lines on the ground, well that's a long bed that has been spread with chicken manure and then mulched with leaves, and some old electronet fencing laid on top to stop the leaves from blowing away. That's where I'll plant the squash this summer, and then try to direct all the vines over the wood chips. Wish me luck!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qt9unB6wC2w/YAdIag2R7qI/AAAAAAAAZhc/9MUpEChiFc4QHL8NuYCDl9_RghXYQ6xJQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210115_123027044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qt9unB6wC2w/YAdIag2R7qI/AAAAAAAAZhc/9MUpEChiFc4QHL8NuYCDl9_RghXYQ6xJQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210115_123027044.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bella melted!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't talk about Bella much, but I couldn't resist these pictures. We've never seen her lay like this before! Talk about 'Does this position make me look fat?' </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes Bella, yes it does!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tD5r98fM9bM/YAdIagJl1kI/AAAAAAAAZhc/Z-wCj2ol1pkjHuQHU2CKTQ3pJ2kMLwBiwCPcBGAsYHg/s1589/IMG_20210114_130424826%257E3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1589" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tD5r98fM9bM/YAdIagJl1kI/AAAAAAAAZhc/Z-wCj2ol1pkjHuQHU2CKTQ3pJ2kMLwBiwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h452/IMG_20210114_130424826%257E3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> She is not a small cat and her weight is perfect for her size.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CU32sIR8P3A/YAdIapN633I/AAAAAAAAZhc/BsP1iMYKSNEY53YCo6uPBt_8XGT0GQFqgCPcBGAsYHg/s3257/IMG_20210114_130500455%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2482" data-original-width="3257" height="488" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CU32sIR8P3A/YAdIapN633I/AAAAAAAAZhc/BsP1iMYKSNEY53YCo6uPBt_8XGT0GQFqgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h488/IMG_20210114_130500455%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And last but not least, another day this week when we had a beautiful blue sky and clouds afternoon.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RaB9ob5vRoU/YAdIakO4xLI/AAAAAAAAZhc/IE7o-qAVTPgDRlOXUHvLV4BwuAA1TSGVgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210114_144855307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RaB9ob5vRoU/YAdIakO4xLI/AAAAAAAAZhc/IE7o-qAVTPgDRlOXUHvLV4BwuAA1TSGVgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20210114_144855307.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P46OpxJmwJk/YAdIarxXdZI/AAAAAAAAZhc/YVW33N93d70v-wM2tC8cQmRP-UqNA4anwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210114_152449118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P46OpxJmwJk/YAdIarxXdZI/AAAAAAAAZhc/YVW33N93d70v-wM2tC8cQmRP-UqNA4anwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210114_152449118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These last four were when we did the late afternoon walk, and make it appear darker than it really was.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GvQDz-jm2c/YAdIaq8PFUI/AAAAAAAAZhc/9utAhLqgRlUF4uD6UrWVQ4io1Mc_EWu3gCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210114_162712985.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GvQDz-jm2c/YAdIaq8PFUI/AAAAAAAAZhc/9utAhLqgRlUF4uD6UrWVQ4io1Mc_EWu3gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210114_162712985.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vnuubYqwPY/YAdIaqN_KZI/AAAAAAAAZhc/bfluSjU99uoAic2VURZXmJFy45VZBh0UgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210114_163725851_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vnuubYqwPY/YAdIaqN_KZI/AAAAAAAAZhc/bfluSjU99uoAic2VURZXmJFy45VZBh0UgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210114_163725851_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Li7Yg-moKeg/YAdIasFozuI/AAAAAAAAZhc/wgGnzxSsxFo-KI23pZdAxJPFy9SZ1yC9gCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20210114_165253623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Li7Yg-moKeg/YAdIasFozuI/AAAAAAAAZhc/wgGnzxSsxFo-KI23pZdAxJPFy9SZ1yC9gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20210114_165253623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kA9DN9llWBk/YAdIag7bRII/AAAAAAAAZhc/auQeualdaicBmaHzF9DFdZyFGLubSViZQCPcBGAsYHg/s3820/IMG_20210114_165921353%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2167" data-original-width="3820" height="364" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kA9DN9llWBk/YAdIag7bRII/AAAAAAAAZhc/auQeualdaicBmaHzF9DFdZyFGLubSViZQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h364/IMG_20210114_165921353%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-5936748172656514522021-01-12T21:05:00.001-08:002021-01-19T12:57:41.954-08:00The Wyndson Farm Gong Show.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have a seasonal creek in our back bush. It dries up in the summer and then is wet through the rainy season and winter, which are the same thing really. We cross it twice. One crossing has a few culverts put in so we can drive across with the tractor, but the upstream one hasn't leant itself to culverts, as it is a wide shallow crossing where the trail is. At times we've tried to make the crossing drier, but they were feeble attempts and didn't last long. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You may remember that I used to compete in dog agility with Jake and Luna, and for many years I was the equipment manager for our club. At some point we were upgrading some equipment, and we ended up with two 12' long, 1' wide, plywood covered aluminum frames. They were the up and down planks of the dogwalk, which had one plank leading up to a horizontal plank about 4.5' above the ground, and the third plank was the down ramp at the other end. The planks we had were the up and down planks, and had little wood slats across them for grip. Then it was determined that dogs were jamming their toes on the slats on the way down, and a better grippy rubber coating had been developed for the dogwalk, so our club replaced the whole thing and somehow we ended up storing the old planks in the rafters of the barn. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, that was probably more info than you wanted, but I'm very good at making a short story into a long story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At some point I decided to take the wood slats off, so that left bare wood. One day I had a eureka moment and suggested we use the planks for a bridge across the creek. But there was that bare wood, and that needed painting to protect it. And months later Larry finally painted them and we set them up and they worked well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was definitely a rainy season kind of day!<br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hgXnONAvLis/X5s2F518tEI/AAAAAAAAXbk/w-sU0_SI2A8vRhKbEFai3ZxH1ZmmsgYXwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201016_110249100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hgXnONAvLis/X5s2F518tEI/AAAAAAAAXbk/w-sU0_SI2A8vRhKbEFai3ZxH1ZmmsgYXwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201016_110249100.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since Jake is now well over 16, he certainly isn't the agility dog he once was. He could still manage to do stairs with some assistance, but one day Larry joked that it sure would be nice if we had a ramp from the back door down to the patio, which currently are 9 steps apart. And I said, well, those dogwalk planks that we are using for a bridge would be great for that. And Larry thought it was such a good idea and well worth trying, that he didn't waste any time putting it into action.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He decided he would pick up the planks the same way he had installed them. I was thinking that it was a lot dryer when he installed them, we had had an awful lot of rain since then. But I thought I wouldn't say anything, I do tend to nag, and sometimes I just try to keep my mouth shut. I regretted that! When he had taken the planks out there, there was no bucket on the tractor. Now the bucket was on, which makes the tractor that much longer, and more difficult to maneuver in tight places. So he went round the loop of the trail, loaded up the planks and was driving out across the creek. I didn't actually think to take any pictures while this was all happening, and just took these few here when it was over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See that tree trunk on the right. He had to avoid hitting that with the tractor bucket.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKrrNhwlB2w/X5s2FyyXAlI/AAAAAAAAXbk/ZmoYYJjsISEn9E-DPlk5-tgJn9rfB3UdQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201027_114455020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKrrNhwlB2w/X5s2FyyXAlI/AAAAAAAAXbk/ZmoYYJjsISEn9E-DPlk5-tgJn9rfB3UdQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201027_114455020.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And see that hole there on the left where the culvert is falling into the creek? He had to avoid that too. It was pretty mucky on the right side too. Too long of a vehicle, too many things to avoid, so the front left wheel ended up in that gap between culverts. The tractor doesn't have four wheel drive, so it was stuck. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oqgo1cI1i2Y/X5s2F8igkEI/AAAAAAAAXbk/qeAuug60qKUBGgR2HQzxY7ce-DbzXOclQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201027_114503704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oqgo1cI1i2Y/X5s2F8igkEI/AAAAAAAAXbk/qeAuug60qKUBGgR2HQzxY7ce-DbzXOclQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201027_114503704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Larry walked back to the house, got the truck, put some weight in the back and brought out some equipment. He backed into the trail, the idea being to attach a come-along to the tractor and the trailer hitch on the truck, and try winch it out of the hole. I was watching the passenger side of the truck as he backed it in, and he was supposed to be watching his side, but ended up putting the back wheel off the trail, and now the truck was stuck! No four wheel drive on the truck either. So we got the come-along attached to the front of the truck and a convenient tree and I started cranking the lever as he gave the truck a bit of gas. He had not realized that he had brought the wrong come-along though. One side of the drum had corroded away. I had cranked it and the cable slipped off the drum and got stuck down the side and there was no cranking it tighter or getting it to loosen off. At this point we are starting to think about embarrassing ourselves and going to a neighbour and asking for help. Sometimes you just feel so dumb!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NT7UiyzbT1I/X5s2F0l7UjI/AAAAAAAAXbk/CpeQmpnVBlE9jyr-VhpVOn5S_rcxl5gjQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201027_114541148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NT7UiyzbT1I/X5s2F0l7UjI/AAAAAAAAXbk/CpeQmpnVBlE9jyr-VhpVOn5S_rcxl5gjQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201027_114541148.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See those things on the back of the trailer with the holes? They are called sand ladders and you can put them down to drive over in soft ground. So we started digging in front of the back wheels of the truck and managed to get the sand ladders under the tires enough for them to grab and move ahead. Thank goodness, one vehicle unstuck!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taSaIKh3nN4/X5s2F3efXjI/AAAAAAAAXbk/QzMOze5X94g-S3ZPzY9fu4HdiRWKsPAhQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201027_114512522_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taSaIKh3nN4/X5s2F3efXjI/AAAAAAAAXbk/QzMOze5X94g-S3ZPzY9fu4HdiRWKsPAhQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201027_114512522_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So then I suggested that we use the bucket of the tractor to help us. You tip the bucket down and lower it to the ground and keep pushing on the lever. Since the bucket can't go down any more, something has to give and the front of the tractor lifts up. So with the front wheels of the tractor now off the ground, we where able to span that gap in the culverts with one of the sand ladders, and put the other one under the right wheel, and when the wheels where back on the ground the tractor moved ahead and all was well! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well what a relief! We had a good laugh at ourselves and felt good we didn't have to call on a neighbour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A lesson learned? One can only hope.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea6VfpQWg9s/X5s2F2jPDEI/AAAAAAAAXbk/pn3j4vi0mrky_sDVPJ_Wp_hgOJCQyLmBgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201027_114703815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea6VfpQWg9s/X5s2F2jPDEI/AAAAAAAAXbk/pn3j4vi0mrky_sDVPJ_Wp_hgOJCQyLmBgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201027_114703815.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So here's the planks back at the house. They are a success! We have wire on the the other side now at the bottom so Jake can't fall off the side. We took those rubber mats off because they are deadly if there is a bit of frost, and bought a couple of rolls of that nubbly rubber shelf liner stuff from the dollar store and stapled that down. It is better in the frost, but not perfect, so we have to check when we have had a clear night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_3pe7Ekf6Q/X6uAwm8RyMI/AAAAAAAAXv0/ct5fDnG8s9Q4a0Gn2Q_1vdESbITxQ04cACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201104_151934610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_3pe7Ekf6Q/X6uAwm8RyMI/AAAAAAAAXv0/ct5fDnG8s9Q4a0Gn2Q_1vdESbITxQ04cACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201104_151934610.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlAGuyTxdxU/X6uAwl5d2WI/AAAAAAAAXv0/yjrhpUgiQjwmxQI3RQ46an219m9hv7bHgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201103_162352327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlAGuyTxdxU/X6uAwl5d2WI/AAAAAAAAXv0/yjrhpUgiQjwmxQI3RQ46an219m9hv7bHgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201103_162352327.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luna has turned 13 and she is having some issues with her back legs, and sometimes crashes coming up the stairs, so the ramp is handy for her too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We only had 9 days without rain in December, and a foot of rain, and already 4 " of rain this month with one or two dry days. Very very few hours of sunshine. Kind of depressing really.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dreaming of nicer days</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJmB_OUUysU/X_5-xIYjXII/AAAAAAAAZS8/w7b7Fo-o-boGjzcezES5h2FPLI4MFtTSgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20200921_173954373.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJmB_OUUysU/X_5-xIYjXII/AAAAAAAAZS8/w7b7Fo-o-boGjzcezES5h2FPLI4MFtTSgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_20200921_173954373.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-30077636100670486142020-12-28T22:48:00.001-08:002020-12-28T22:48:34.122-08:00White Christmas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">About a week before Christmas there seemed like there was no hope of there being a white one. And then suddenly a blip appeared in the forecast. All of a sudden there was a chance of a wet system colliding with a cold system, right over us! Elevations over 200m were supposed to get snow, with places closer to sea level being mixed rain and snow. Well we are about 100m above sea level. Lots of times the forecast snow never materializes, so we didn't pay much attention.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monday morning, the 21st, dawned wet and grey. Very wet in fact. But, some of the rain drops were looking a little more obvious than others. When we went on our morning bush walk, water was everywhere, and the creek was flowing with more water than the culvert could handle, and was rushing across the trail. But as we walked, the snow flakes became more obvious mixed in with the rain, and during the day the snow took over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By the time we set off on our late afternoon walk around the block it was a winter wonderland!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB8TP99hoD4/X-rFOlFmkmI/AAAAAAAAZBY/EX75653Yhtwz5WY4hzKzr-Q4kuDLT5VlgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201221_163814377.jpg" width="480" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These bulbs looked so pretty glowing through the snow.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNz6lSmq-8c/X-rFOqJDpBI/AAAAAAAAZBY/9hjll2wekGsX30PYXB9ZeGTSTMZBYdEdQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201221_163917251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNz6lSmq-8c/X-rFOqJDpBI/AAAAAAAAZBY/9hjll2wekGsX30PYXB9ZeGTSTMZBYdEdQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_20201221_163917251.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our neighbour's house looked so pretty</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tG4xPSgB5fg/X-rFOu7ZAuI/AAAAAAAAZBY/fHyAd4rhugQ1iA9z9EQPZgiuNntiz4hhACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201221_164055604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tG4xPSgB5fg/X-rFOu7ZAuI/AAAAAAAAZBY/fHyAd4rhugQ1iA9z9EQPZgiuNntiz4hhACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201221_164055604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But across the road there was a mess to clean up. The snow was wet and heavy and branches brought down some powerlines. Ours went out the next morning. We made sure we didn't walk under any trees, and detoured out into another neighbour's field to avoid some.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdev3oS6lRk/X-rFOpqRsBI/AAAAAAAAZBY/9qFB8KYnSiwx0Wkrr6wib-UqVGmboqQHgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201221_164045212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdev3oS6lRk/X-rFOpqRsBI/AAAAAAAAZBY/9qFB8KYnSiwx0Wkrr6wib-UqVGmboqQHgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201221_164045212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My star made out of coathangers, on our gate. It didn't look like a star from a distance, I didn't have enough white lights.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qW_bZPqyHdk/X-rFOlpi0kI/AAAAAAAAZBY/JLFHrr9sQAU5X2_5vAFgLqtLnbbpu5VIwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201221_171007390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qW_bZPqyHdk/X-rFOlpi0kI/AAAAAAAAZBY/JLFHrr9sQAU5X2_5vAFgLqtLnbbpu5VIwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_20201221_171007390.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was some cracking and crashing during the night. One branch near the top of a large evergreen next to the house brought down a lot of other branches as it fell, and crushed the fence. We cleaned it up today. A few chickens were using the branches as a way to get out.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t12I1zEU5YQ/X-rFOuqostI/AAAAAAAAZBY/lBf8IQiypB008JQSJMkOhfZLFkMiYz7-wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201222_091230590_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t12I1zEU5YQ/X-rFOuqostI/AAAAAAAAZBY/lBf8IQiypB008JQSJMkOhfZLFkMiYz7-wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201222_091230590_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuesday morning the snow had stopped, and it was so pretty. 8" measured on the front lawn.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXgmAtSz5-s/X-rFOs9gHZI/AAAAAAAAZBY/CoPui7-EvEssRywchfPI4pD-8lCF8ti5gCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201222_093159848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXgmAtSz5-s/X-rFOs9gHZI/AAAAAAAAZBY/CoPui7-EvEssRywchfPI4pD-8lCF8ti5gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201222_093159848.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The setting sun and rising fog late that afternoon made for some pretty pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VuAyTr5KDOg/X-rFOoifElI/AAAAAAAAZBY/TeyFqVis-esYOui8LlAFyj3eER5TT-zWACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201222_155718353_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VuAyTr5KDOg/X-rFOoifElI/AAAAAAAAZBY/TeyFqVis-esYOui8LlAFyj3eER5TT-zWACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_20201222_155718353_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrsE50Jm1ww/X-rFOo71z3I/AAAAAAAAZBY/-QCSxOHS63YENBflCgV2UNaJeLOP_H8nwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201222_155748643_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrsE50Jm1ww/X-rFOo71z3I/AAAAAAAAZBY/-QCSxOHS63YENBflCgV2UNaJeLOP_H8nwCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_20201222_155748643_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLD_AnQt9Gs/X-rFOoHh5HI/AAAAAAAAZBY/suEle-jDdTQOXe56Q9bEjV23gfA-05tuQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201222_155839247_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLD_AnQt9Gs/X-rFOoHh5HI/AAAAAAAAZBY/suEle-jDdTQOXe56Q9bEjV23gfA-05tuQCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_20201222_155839247_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then back at home, the sun was down and the moon was up.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1ido4qf46U/X-rFOj4d7hI/AAAAAAAAZBY/yaKPmoSsR74YeKtQoIq0lA74QUN6LcFnACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201222_163159092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1ido4qf46U/X-rFOj4d7hI/AAAAAAAAZBY/yaKPmoSsR74YeKtQoIq0lA74QUN6LcFnACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201222_163159092.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ5FwLXmaGo/X-rFOtgYaOI/AAAAAAAAZBY/Y--AV5PAMGw-m8ziExGR3Jp5h13J3Ov_wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201222_163240712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ5FwLXmaGo/X-rFOtgYaOI/AAAAAAAAZBY/Y--AV5PAMGw-m8ziExGR3Jp5h13J3Ov_wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201222_163240712.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had missed the walk on Tuesday morning as I had a dentist appointment for two molars to be extracted. I joked that it was my Christmas diet plan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Larry told me that he had to crawl on his hands and knees on some parts of the trail that morning.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSSAp1DrVsg/X-rFOtfsSzI/AAAAAAAAZBY/kafnJ_Pb_foeBOIJzeWrf4XvoxbB1c_8wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201223_100813188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSSAp1DrVsg/X-rFOtfsSzI/AAAAAAAAZBY/kafnJ_Pb_foeBOIJzeWrf4XvoxbB1c_8wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201223_100813188.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had taken the little battery chainsaw out with us, so we used that until the battery ran out.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8rzKzgy86bk/X-rFOpn6lNI/AAAAAAAAZBY/Q98FmEAFmDg4iTunoKehMmMayGNLpOyBwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201223_101657751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8rzKzgy86bk/X-rFOpn6lNI/AAAAAAAAZBY/Q98FmEAFmDg4iTunoKehMmMayGNLpOyBwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201223_101657751.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLxc3CrRE60/X-rFOmiit2I/AAAAAAAAZBY/XdbosMuep9YvXLQiFqYSOJUsHiujnI1vwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201223_103035767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLxc3CrRE60/X-rFOmiit2I/AAAAAAAAZBY/XdbosMuep9YvXLQiFqYSOJUsHiujnI1vwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201223_103035767.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jake at 16 1/2. He just keeps plodding on💗</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IOsxz7opfY/X-rFOmsiYpI/AAAAAAAAZBY/P0HCMUN8_w0Po1UrE-NsGOm3b7_TZP8YACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201223_103124946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IOsxz7opfY/X-rFOmsiYpI/AAAAAAAAZBY/P0HCMUN8_w0Po1UrE-NsGOm3b7_TZP8YACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201223_103124946.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XfVYE8oUb24/X-rFOgV-7uI/AAAAAAAAZBY/RYK-OtZduWY9kRmsBZSS-moX66hKOCEIACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201223_103354422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XfVYE8oUb24/X-rFOgV-7uI/AAAAAAAAZBY/RYK-OtZduWY9kRmsBZSS-moX66hKOCEIACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201223_103354422.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That afternoon I spent far too much time trying to get chickens to cooperate in a photoshoot that in my head, worked out so well. Ha, ha, just the opposite in real life. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyeUNZ1za3I/X-rFOoxcBuI/AAAAAAAAZBY/G-37rJkaah8SL6EUg6PzABmpi7QPCxkjACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201223_143117620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyeUNZ1za3I/X-rFOoxcBuI/AAAAAAAAZBY/G-37rJkaah8SL6EUg6PzABmpi7QPCxkjACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_20201223_143117620.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iw4HPxvitCw/X-rFOoz22sI/AAAAAAAAZBY/kk5-O1rwt3IOpba_gHV0eezr4kudOa7IgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201223_144036346_BURST000_COVER_TOP%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iw4HPxvitCw/X-rFOoz22sI/AAAAAAAAZBY/kk5-O1rwt3IOpba_gHV0eezr4kudOa7IgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_20201223_144036346_BURST000_COVER_TOP%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wednesday night the fog and freezing temperatures had made for some sparkly hoar frost Thursday morning.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev0fZFc7B5E/X-rFOj81NsI/AAAAAAAAZBY/WOlsvcOf08krmFO0IbHaHFdchMciYHvpACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201224_105311449%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev0fZFc7B5E/X-rFOj81NsI/AAAAAAAAZBY/WOlsvcOf08krmFO0IbHaHFdchMciYHvpACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201224_105311449%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12CsXuazEsE/X-rFOkXJkgI/AAAAAAAAZBY/_9pLDgWlCTYc-yxwTzVS_gPx4YYQ4x-HgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201224_105321631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12CsXuazEsE/X-rFOkXJkgI/AAAAAAAAZBY/_9pLDgWlCTYc-yxwTzVS_gPx4YYQ4x-HgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201224_105321631.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crystals on the grass sticking through the ice.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7T10U77Xh1E/X-rFOvA7jBI/AAAAAAAAZBY/dYS0xeyiTB8hy3_20BCV3AXkeEc1n098ACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201224_105522586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7T10U77Xh1E/X-rFOvA7jBI/AAAAAAAAZBY/dYS0xeyiTB8hy3_20BCV3AXkeEc1n098ACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201224_105522586.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alder catkins</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BVsfPwf-Yo/X-rFOhWw59I/AAAAAAAAZBY/uRoWGJt4GiAdK6RL9nc1P0kr41Emc1VmQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201224_105749544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BVsfPwf-Yo/X-rFOhWw59I/AAAAAAAAZBY/uRoWGJt4GiAdK6RL9nc1P0kr41Emc1VmQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201224_105749544.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWKXk21xoCE/X-rFOjWaEgI/AAAAAAAAZBY/pxFfzvkDj8w_bzKf-6OEXSJcOD_kxsUIQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201224_110025480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWKXk21xoCE/X-rFOjWaEgI/AAAAAAAAZBY/pxFfzvkDj8w_bzKf-6OEXSJcOD_kxsUIQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201224_110025480.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The battery had been recharged, and that morning we got the rest of the trail cleared out enough to walk through .</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0j-Ioc3Z4FQ/X-rFOsRPikI/AAAAAAAAZBY/KSgKbg-45fY9E9shEVoJeg8TOJqHcc7dACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201224_110054787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0j-Ioc3Z4FQ/X-rFOsRPikI/AAAAAAAAZBY/KSgKbg-45fY9E9shEVoJeg8TOJqHcc7dACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201224_110054787.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blackberry leaves</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEhqtVFusBI/X-rFOtlXAII/AAAAAAAAZBY/ColA1fPJEL8CBWnTb4BZ1kU0mRLAbYZrwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201224_110215789%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEhqtVFusBI/X-rFOtlXAII/AAAAAAAAZBY/ColA1fPJEL8CBWnTb4BZ1kU0mRLAbYZrwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201224_110215789%257E2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Christmas day we went for a walk to the dyke. As a single, it was 'ok' for our daughter to come for Christmas. She has made up our bubble of three through this whole pandemic. Our son and girlfriend stayed in Alberta. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A white Christmas, although the day was gray and the snow was soggy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKHDDolldro/X-rFOuVpvGI/AAAAAAAAZBY/njznLrWufaIPK0l7vq_XgZhOQyO3hNvwQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201225_155239198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKHDDolldro/X-rFOuVpvGI/AAAAAAAAZBY/njznLrWufaIPK0l7vq_XgZhOQyO3hNvwQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201225_155239198.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0Om8-9Vg4Y/X-rFOusqaZI/AAAAAAAAZBY/fwQXF2Fn1cYfi2RbOVEeURM6XTdXtgNawCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201225_155326464%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0Om8-9Vg4Y/X-rFOusqaZI/AAAAAAAAZBY/fwQXF2Fn1cYfi2RbOVEeURM6XTdXtgNawCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201225_155326464%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V27puMUxlbI/X-rFOggv2BI/AAAAAAAAZBY/mlhcFMzhXDkHF_cpbmZx5PelfsL87IsSgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201225_155535934%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V27puMUxlbI/X-rFOggv2BI/AAAAAAAAZBY/mlhcFMzhXDkHF_cpbmZx5PelfsL87IsSgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201225_155535934%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Of17zfalxWM/X-rFOqJ9j-I/AAAAAAAAZBY/mp42aizVFbQ6J3L7-oizAL71tOXsfyZdgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201225_155545400%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Of17zfalxWM/X-rFOqJ9j-I/AAAAAAAAZBY/mp42aizVFbQ6J3L7-oizAL71tOXsfyZdgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_20201225_155545400%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were lots of other dogs and their people down there. Luna is not fond of strange dogs, so I took her down by the creek for her own photoshoot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkeGU5XnTQA/X-rFOkbHQPI/AAAAAAAAZBY/3nqgSB0cHH0k-KBEkG5uxPfXFRKYrz11wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201225_155652753%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OkeGU5XnTQA/X-rFOkbHQPI/AAAAAAAAZBY/3nqgSB0cHH0k-KBEkG5uxPfXFRKYrz11wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201225_155652753%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She's keeping an eye on brother Jake greeting those other dogs on the top of the dyke.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PNuSB_OuLs/X-rFOmYB0iI/AAAAAAAAZBY/LUhWMQxi3R4MAOJIvBHfi3zq86d7paCSACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201225_155746133%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PNuSB_OuLs/X-rFOmYB0iI/AAAAAAAAZBY/LUhWMQxi3R4MAOJIvBHfi3zq86d7paCSACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201225_155746133%257E2.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkPsyFGAgqY/X-rFOivoI1I/AAAAAAAAZBY/x_Q-B_2SHx88WTWXLyuMpCjmApbALVnhgCPcBGAsYHg/s1458/received_423655268802347.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1110" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkPsyFGAgqY/X-rFOivoI1I/AAAAAAAAZBY/x_Q-B_2SHx88WTWXLyuMpCjmApbALVnhgCPcBGAsYHg/w488-h640/received_423655268802347.jpeg" width="488" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We went back home and got the turkey cooking. It was small and I had brined it, which makes it cook faster it seems. The meat thermometer eventually showed it as easily cooked, no matter where I poked the probe in. I put it aside to rest, while the rest of the dishes finished cooking. Everything was ready to go, just the turkey needed carving. Larry started and then I noticed slightly pink juice. Ugh! Back in the oven it went, but everything else was ready, so we just ate dinner without the turkey. And to be honest, no one missed it. Now the leftovers have been eaten up as of today, with lots of turkey left still. Turkey soup coming up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLk6CGvtqOQ/X-rFOnXOjkI/AAAAAAAAZBY/d6FgDZgl2IcorSXSepvvtnyt35H_ixGvQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201225_084706001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLk6CGvtqOQ/X-rFOnXOjkI/AAAAAAAAZBY/d6FgDZgl2IcorSXSepvvtnyt35H_ixGvQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201225_084706001.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you had a decent Christmas this year, wonderful in it's own way, no matter how you celebrated it.💖</div></div><br /><br /> <p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-35344049534737998502020-12-03T23:03:00.000-08:002020-12-03T23:03:18.968-08:00An Ordinary Day<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A while back Larry bought himself a new toy. I think I've probably 'played' with it as much as he has. So this particular day last weekend, we took it to the bush with us when we took the dogs on their morning walk</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mSHgNhZRb50/X8nV6Cjw6JI/AAAAAAAAYRE/BMb3VmV6iRoJ4hUM7RdaB75n9dGsjFhJQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201128_105732939_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mSHgNhZRb50/X8nV6Cjw6JI/AAAAAAAAYRE/BMb3VmV6iRoJ4hUM7RdaB75n9dGsjFhJQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_20201128_105732939_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our bush consists of mostly alders with the occasional big leaf maple, cottonwood, birch and coniferous tree thrown in. We've lived there long enough now (34 years) that the alders are reaching the end of their life span. Of course many of them were big when we moved here, and i just googled that they live 60-100 years. Our house is about 60 years old. They are sort of a weed tree, but make great firewood, and since we depend on a wood stove for some of our heat, they are a good tree to have. But the last few years we have noticed that there are an awful lot of dead ones, and without their canopy throwing shade on the ground below, there is nothing to stop the blackberries from moving in. This tree volunteered itself for firewood just recently, so this day I had the 'toy' and sawed all the underbrush away along one side of the downed alder so that Larry had a decent space to work with the chainsaw. He will be sawing it up tomorrow. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Synnc-0ec08/X8nV6BdquAI/AAAAAAAAYRE/cihTmSm65z40do9EfOljJqlO8SzLo4YZwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201128_105747725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Synnc-0ec08/X8nV6BdquAI/AAAAAAAAYRE/cihTmSm65z40do9EfOljJqlO8SzLo4YZwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201128_105747725.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a relief that day to finally get some sun and blue sky. We seemed to have had endless grey days and rain for a long while.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h40fdSZdrDo/X8nV6A7Jt3I/AAAAAAAAYRE/CqRdq9nWIe4Y9FMNCLzZeW3uunITXExsACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201128_110004307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h40fdSZdrDo/X8nV6A7Jt3I/AAAAAAAAYRE/CqRdq9nWIe4Y9FMNCLzZeW3uunITXExsACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201128_110004307.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although the sky hadn't quite figured out which way to go at this point. Looking north</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzjWoIlQsIY/X8nV6Bvz2fI/AAAAAAAAYRE/DJmTxqgqEMw9wDk6a-r0rqRWFFgbV7agwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201128_110013929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzjWoIlQsIY/X8nV6Bvz2fI/AAAAAAAAYRE/DJmTxqgqEMw9wDk6a-r0rqRWFFgbV7agwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201128_110013929.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking west was more encouraging</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUy5mblBOXs/X8nV6HGcmaI/AAAAAAAAYRE/Ls-R1sugFqo1D0MaGITPV-hBFn3HzbbyACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201128_110025320_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUy5mblBOXs/X8nV6HGcmaI/AAAAAAAAYRE/Ls-R1sugFqo1D0MaGITPV-hBFn3HzbbyACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201128_110025320_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While I'd been playing with the mini chainsaw, Larry had cut up some bigger stuff . We decided to just bring back wheel barrows at a time. The ground is so wet the tractor will make big ruts out in the bush, and it is not four wheel drive so may get stuck. A little foreshadowing here for my next post, lol.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hGw81IzRU0/X8nV6Np6O_I/AAAAAAAAYRE/RqFGzveEzxIrEpBOkxCe92tbta7mos5OwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201128_111136329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hGw81IzRU0/X8nV6Np6O_I/AAAAAAAAYRE/RqFGzveEzxIrEpBOkxCe92tbta7mos5OwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201128_111136329.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We stopped at the garden on the way back. I asked Larry to help me get the bale of shavings off the top of the tomato scaffolding. It had been up there to make a sloping roof for the plastic I had thrown over the whole structure. We were laughing because it was so awkward for Larry up there and the bale is really heavy and the plastic had a few tears in it, so parts of the bale were wet, which made it even heavier. Finally he got it rolled off and it didn't split open when it hit the ground. I just made sure I was out of the way!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63iWAUqcIb4/X8nV6Dbvr0I/AAAAAAAAYRE/QjU5Ti7XJUw8N2KwAX5iwJDBCrW2JuvEACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201128_111400325_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63iWAUqcIb4/X8nV6Dbvr0I/AAAAAAAAYRE/QjU5Ti7XJUw8N2KwAX5iwJDBCrW2JuvEACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201128_111400325_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the afternoon I wandered down to the garden by the house and pulled out the dog x-pens that I had used to trellis the pickling cucumbers on and to keep the rabbits from the broccoli. It's a weedy jungle out there.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otHyUzqBytE/X8nV6G_M6AI/AAAAAAAAYRE/uYlWDsGoPYA5WPVr9MXKwHjZC4KLWzZigCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201128_114225668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otHyUzqBytE/X8nV6G_M6AI/AAAAAAAAYRE/uYlWDsGoPYA5WPVr9MXKwHjZC4KLWzZigCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201128_114225668.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were still a few tomatoes hanging on in the greenhouse, but they looked better from a distance than they really were. We need to start buying tomatoes again, how sad!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8N3AnPtmyRo/X8nV6H46FiI/AAAAAAAAYRE/4RlwluYzQpg10n_mRxfBcH7Xc3gg2K50wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201128_114947045_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8N3AnPtmyRo/X8nV6H46FiI/AAAAAAAAYRE/4RlwluYzQpg10n_mRxfBcH7Xc3gg2K50wCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201128_114947045_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later in the afternoon I went for a bike ride. It's been a few weeks I think. If I ride this way, I always stop at this viewpoint. Looks like a few people were burning brush piles Ft. Langley way. The sun was just about to set off to the left of the photo. Those reddish looking fields in the middle are cranberries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJC7xBMJ2-o/X8nV6HZjf4I/AAAAAAAAYRE/XPAADyUzvNo4CcfujYeJAIi43ON_jVMpgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201128_155221767_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJC7xBMJ2-o/X8nV6HZjf4I/AAAAAAAAYRE/XPAADyUzvNo4CcfujYeJAIi43ON_jVMpgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201128_155221767_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And on the way back, on the other side of the road, looking east. Barely visible in the middle far distance are Mt. Cheam and it's sister peaks. And that red field is blueberries.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB9wiDG_RHI/X8nV6Jcl0JI/AAAAAAAAYRE/3V3nUndVg9EQGzSoGM7IWXk_DK6T1mdjACPcBGAsYHg/s3958/IMG_20201128_155559563_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2333" data-original-width="3958" height="378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB9wiDG_RHI/X8nV6Jcl0JI/AAAAAAAAYRE/3V3nUndVg9EQGzSoGM7IWXk_DK6T1mdjACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h378/IMG_20201128_155559563_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just an ordinary but beautiful,<br /> late November day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOnk7QL_moE/X8neiT3AphI/AAAAAAAAYRg/lUty1Xjx3sYmjmf_DCQMB0irjg_WO4DlgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201130_142445144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOnk7QL_moE/X8neiT3AphI/AAAAAAAAYRg/lUty1Xjx3sYmjmf_DCQMB0irjg_WO4DlgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20201130_142445144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-67408342765334579002020-11-22T15:31:00.000-08:002020-11-22T15:31:35.128-08:00Oliver in November<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few customers asked us if we were going away after the farmers market was finished. By that they were meaning somewhere warm, lol! Well, no, we don't, we have two old dogs that can't easily be left, and a few other animal commitments as well. And then this year there is the added Covid pandemic, so who really wants to by flying anywhere right now. Not us, that's for sure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What we do have is a vacation spot in the South Okanagan, so that's our little escape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went there on November 6th, which just happens to be someone's 39th birthday, hahaha!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That person planned her own birthday meal and made this the morning we left. A simple but tasty dish made with a lot of eggs and some sausages and home grown tomatoes. The artist wishes she had put a bit more effort and used some kale or something to make a stem and leaves for that tomato flower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F5swBxL6Os/X7rt7QjuWmI/AAAAAAAAYCA/A8nvJoCItzEAszHCF8WixfwP-vF5aKsIQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201106_092738464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F5swBxL6Os/X7rt7QjuWmI/AAAAAAAAYCA/A8nvJoCItzEAszHCF8WixfwP-vF5aKsIQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20201106_092738464.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Home grown pickled beets, figs, fermented veggie mix, chow chow relish and one of our russet apples rounded out the plate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrwK5CQrD_8/X7rt7aY7VGI/AAAAAAAAYCA/jAYsnznVXjcat4q6kEq3AEiCBtig8aicQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201106_183321132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrwK5CQrD_8/X7rt7aY7VGI/AAAAAAAAYCA/jAYsnznVXjcat4q6kEq3AEiCBtig8aicQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_20201106_183321132.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Home grown baked Comice pears with homemade green tomato mincemeat for dessert! One of us likes coconut milk with theirs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wvm5yu91V-g/X7rt7U9YPNI/AAAAAAAAYCA/YWze4bqXsBg1ZDvQ4zyGZkbmG-Pocg0NgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201106_194613805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wvm5yu91V-g/X7rt7U9YPNI/AAAAAAAAYCA/YWze4bqXsBg1ZDvQ4zyGZkbmG-Pocg0NgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_20201106_194613805.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weather was mostly sunny when we were there, but not warm, and an icy wind at times. Just above freezing during the day and just below at night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dog walks and bike rides filled our days.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Walking south through a somewhat shaded area. Jake has trouble with the low sun shining in his eyes, so we did the shady side as we headed toward the sun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gr3tWJYjTfs/X6uBXscKADI/AAAAAAAAXwA/cMd3OgcnABcWwin7L3uT26HNsNoL5nMaQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201107_103609451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gr3tWJYjTfs/X6uBXscKADI/AAAAAAAAXwA/cMd3OgcnABcWwin7L3uT26HNsNoL5nMaQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201107_103609451.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNrVj6iZ3lw/X6uBXis4GkI/AAAAAAAAXwA/IEuLfhsSQlkHipABgNWA0Y5-7rq_OuNewCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201107_103932656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNrVj6iZ3lw/X6uBXis4GkI/AAAAAAAAXwA/IEuLfhsSQlkHipABgNWA0Y5-7rq_OuNewCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201107_103932656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So pretty with the sun shining on the yellow leaves</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTnFGP0_c30/X6uBXuoM1-I/AAAAAAAAXwA/Yij5FeVC9BAXhFgj5V1Jf4DpldYTZO9OwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201107_104849664_HDR%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTnFGP0_c30/X6uBXuoM1-I/AAAAAAAAXwA/Yij5FeVC9BAXhFgj5V1Jf4DpldYTZO9OwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201107_104849664_HDR%257E2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Okanagan River looking south.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdh0KQ_BLbY/X6uBXkfTlYI/AAAAAAAAXwA/GAhzWvdz_jwE8cCL8nmfozfXY6Wdv0KvwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201107_105350708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdh0KQ_BLbY/X6uBXkfTlYI/AAAAAAAAXwA/GAhzWvdz_jwE8cCL8nmfozfXY6Wdv0KvwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201107_105350708.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then looking north. There were spawning salmon heading upstream.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ME7bkEgcEAQ/X6uBXtyh3pI/AAAAAAAAXwA/46JRpuhQ0NofhkwAIfl1Zk3oDTVUOIXogCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201107_105358275.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ME7bkEgcEAQ/X6uBXtyh3pI/AAAAAAAAXwA/46JRpuhQ0NofhkwAIfl1Zk3oDTVUOIXogCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201107_105358275.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty leaves in the park on our bike ride in the afternoon.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4Z1L23a6LM/X6uBXpn5WpI/AAAAAAAAXwA/RFBkuqzuPcgNFBw7YPXHs0iez0iZUgr8ACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201107_151950745%257E3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4Z1L23a6LM/X6uBXpn5WpI/AAAAAAAAXwA/RFBkuqzuPcgNFBw7YPXHs0iez0iZUgr8ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201107_151950745%257E3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a really spectacular mountain ash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jX51rAPAXOs/X6uBXi_pWNI/AAAAAAAAXwA/Emk6OypJ_uwrWR8Ug5d4PuimOTEcjRJxQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201107_152221570%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jX51rAPAXOs/X6uBXi_pWNI/AAAAAAAAXwA/Emk6OypJ_uwrWR8Ug5d4PuimOTEcjRJxQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201107_152221570%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vu-pXaR_eIw/X6uBXj6sb3I/AAAAAAAAXwA/3eaJLm-NR_AdP4579A6JSAxadt6AuzwJwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201107_152239617%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vu-pXaR_eIw/X6uBXj6sb3I/AAAAAAAAXwA/3eaJLm-NR_AdP4579A6JSAxadt6AuzwJwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201107_152239617%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A sculpture in a little park along the road. In the area next to where there used to be a nice campsite along the river under the trees. Now it's a hotel. They asked for input for this little park. I said to please leave all the large shade trees. Oliver gets very hot in the summer, and shade is welcome. They cut down all the trees. I just shake my head, idiots.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVyceBjQWho/X6uBXgaB4BI/AAAAAAAAXwA/Tsq4hc-IE8gXBUpz1VKrMTieH3vaaxyMwCPcBGAsYHg/s3301/IMG_20201107_152827176_HDR%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3301" data-original-width="2527" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVyceBjQWho/X6uBXgaB4BI/AAAAAAAAXwA/Tsq4hc-IE8gXBUpz1VKrMTieH3vaaxyMwCPcBGAsYHg/w490-h640/IMG_20201107_152827176_HDR%257E2.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day we headed north up along the river. I forgot all about Jake and the sun in his eyes, oops.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mEXeCIk6HU/X6uBXlx0ZPI/AAAAAAAAXwA/UHwHTbejOtoO0EgqBlnsM8OrQM23qFhsQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_105804427_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mEXeCIk6HU/X6uBXlx0ZPI/AAAAAAAAXwA/UHwHTbejOtoO0EgqBlnsM8OrQM23qFhsQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201108_105804427_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHlvhwpVqUQ/X6uBXoFvFqI/AAAAAAAAXwA/1tXrM8zKRNAVrjKKSakeo200rVkvjQt_QCPcBGAsYHg/s3809/IMG_20201108_110533053%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2856" data-original-width="3809" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHlvhwpVqUQ/X6uBXoFvFqI/AAAAAAAAXwA/1tXrM8zKRNAVrjKKSakeo200rVkvjQt_QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201108_110533053%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hA2JgMjy-Y8/X6uBXkLdwEI/AAAAAAAAXwA/bC5TuhdnCysNcLm_10PIQePAGa813PfPACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_110637008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hA2JgMjy-Y8/X6uBXkLdwEI/AAAAAAAAXwA/bC5TuhdnCysNcLm_10PIQePAGa813PfPACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201108_110637008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beavers have been very active.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyC6y7oMuSk/X6uBXoSWYKI/AAAAAAAAXwA/k2cKT023CvwHLTXFWGOAjXwmnYoU228cQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_111046986.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyC6y7oMuSk/X6uBXoSWYKI/AAAAAAAAXwA/k2cKT023CvwHLTXFWGOAjXwmnYoU228cQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201108_111046986.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jake needed a little help. Then Larry caught his foot on something and almost fell while lifting Jake. Both old guys survived!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugmVTDrqESk/X6uBXrXMdzI/AAAAAAAAXwA/_YUpwvO-yVEETRBpsPhGUBAH5iqParR6gCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_111101437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugmVTDrqESk/X6uBXrXMdzI/AAAAAAAAXwA/_YUpwvO-yVEETRBpsPhGUBAH5iqParR6gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201108_111101437.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdMlchYvw4I/X6uBXgbTNwI/AAAAAAAAXwA/qP_aQ5regckUzMdDKWsGMYpq-9KA2TREgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_111158551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdMlchYvw4I/X6uBXgbTNwI/AAAAAAAAXwA/qP_aQ5regckUzMdDKWsGMYpq-9KA2TREgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201108_111158551.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More beaver architecture.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0J9aO2nR3EY/X6uBXujlaPI/AAAAAAAAXwA/RgDFyW7mfg4HhMXtXXEhO55dhnpXLosBgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_112714283.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0J9aO2nR3EY/X6uBXujlaPI/AAAAAAAAXwA/RgDFyW7mfg4HhMXtXXEhO55dhnpXLosBgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201108_112714283.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjosU6Q6lFg/X6uBXmhFW8I/AAAAAAAAXwA/TGiRJmnZhg8Fo_nKdaruukQxVK45TuWcQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_112742031_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjosU6Q6lFg/X6uBXmhFW8I/AAAAAAAAXwA/TGiRJmnZhg8Fo_nKdaruukQxVK45TuWcQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201108_112742031_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took a picture four years ago of Jake on this rock. It was better than this one, lol. He's heading towards 16 1/2 now, and doing decently, all things considered.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCpyT9ZLtjY/X6uBXoFHYWI/AAAAAAAAXwA/7eNSQUyCISUMHLlcjwhnCirJYEl_a7HVwCPcBGAsYHg/s3513/IMG_20201108_113102154%257E4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2229" data-original-width="3513" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCpyT9ZLtjY/X6uBXoFHYWI/AAAAAAAAXwA/7eNSQUyCISUMHLlcjwhnCirJYEl_a7HVwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h406/IMG_20201108_113102154%257E4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luna will be 13 at the beginning of December. Hard to believe.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cszaK3CXTiY/X6uBXn5-WaI/AAAAAAAAXwA/IlaOzFRaOOoJ9CGYfSjcxL4DX7X6VZPDwCPcBGAsYHg/s2590/IMG_20201108_113125517%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2590" data-original-width="1943" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cszaK3CXTiY/X6uBXn5-WaI/AAAAAAAAXwA/IlaOzFRaOOoJ9CGYfSjcxL4DX7X6VZPDwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201108_113125517%257E2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLiokKX3CTU/X6uBXk1JsEI/AAAAAAAAXwA/YGadopqvwLcVflj-fbEPL4FhgHxcTyNoQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_113337461.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLiokKX3CTU/X6uBXk1JsEI/AAAAAAAAXwA/YGadopqvwLcVflj-fbEPL4FhgHxcTyNoQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201108_113337461.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sasquatch on a log.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-5wc87QIo4/X6uBXmajzrI/AAAAAAAAXwA/OlvF3JIpNwgMd5A72fObpFANhWVSyeA1ACPcBGAsYHg/s2544/IMG_20201108_113454158%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2544" data-original-width="1985" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-5wc87QIo4/X6uBXmajzrI/AAAAAAAAXwA/OlvF3JIpNwgMd5A72fObpFANhWVSyeA1ACPcBGAsYHg/w500-h640/IMG_20201108_113454158%257E2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzd5qkGVusE/X6uBXjuIwlI/AAAAAAAAXwA/7Xeomg5hNm8uU8VdUgwyeG7M5xRQ-EYNQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_114842674%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzd5qkGVusE/X6uBXjuIwlI/AAAAAAAAXwA/7Xeomg5hNm8uU8VdUgwyeG7M5xRQ-EYNQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201108_114842674%257E2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Sr3sO0bPXQ/X6uBXqaks_I/AAAAAAAAXwA/tL4d_QuBFN0LDGz6F0xEJl2lB819wiZEQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_115747380.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Sr3sO0bPXQ/X6uBXqaks_I/AAAAAAAAXwA/tL4d_QuBFN0LDGz6F0xEJl2lB819wiZEQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201108_115747380.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our bike ride in the afternoon we met a horse!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjNQ4e5H-zI/X6uBXl9L5YI/AAAAAAAAXwA/ZhcIBKHfkIoso6-ODQXHn08DLfrcW8dVgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_142745992.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjNQ4e5H-zI/X6uBXl9L5YI/AAAAAAAAXwA/ZhcIBKHfkIoso6-ODQXHn08DLfrcW8dVgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201108_142745992.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBLM0xd7_x0/X6uBXm1bV5I/AAAAAAAAXwA/CD0Qrh9gLLsI0nyVhHoRgvIQkH1-mXPQACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_142927670_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBLM0xd7_x0/X6uBXm1bV5I/AAAAAAAAXwA/CD0Qrh9gLLsI0nyVhHoRgvIQkH1-mXPQACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201108_142927670_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Larry checked the sex, and the mare checked the saddle bags for treats.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhmUPcEdVwM/X6uBXgKl96I/AAAAAAAAXwA/Xp17nmdeXl0mbiWsiUr7dd7UOuXHgh_FgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201108_142946458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhmUPcEdVwM/X6uBXgKl96I/AAAAAAAAXwA/Xp17nmdeXl0mbiWsiUr7dd7UOuXHgh_FgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201108_142946458.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next morning we headed home, but snow was in the forecast and we had a few stops to make first.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After stopping in Summerland for a visit and to pick up walnuts, we came home a different way than usual. A bit of snow and a few slippery moments, so kind of stressful, but we were careful, and Larry heeded my 'can you just slow down a bit' as we were on the downhill side. A relief to get near Hope and a snow free hwy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who knows when we will get back there. Often we try to go in January, but we will have to wait and see. Right now we are being told not to travel out of our region.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-83682663530477985052020-11-18T12:28:00.000-08:002020-11-18T12:28:16.239-08:00Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few days ago we had to go to the Chilliwack area to pick up something, so as I often do in a situation like that, I try to combine it with something else. So time to visit a new place and give the dogs a walk in a new spot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had seen this Heron Reserve mentioned once or twice on a blog I follow, and was interested in going there myself. The map below is not exactly to scale, but gives you a good idea. Dogs are only allowed on one trail within the reserve and that is the green one up through the middle. We didn't see any herons while we were there, but I imagine in nesting season it would be quite busy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We parked on the purple dyke area just above the P (you are here) spot on the map. Then we walked to the left along the dyke. It was a very gray day, which didn't make for great pictures, but there were lots of people out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When the purple dyke connected with the black trail along the river, we turned left and then completed the loop by walking up the green trail back to the car. 3.75 km. Not bad for a 16+ year old dog. Jake enjoyed meeting a few dogs, and then told a young, large Great Pyrenees pup to get lost when he tried to put his feet on Jake's back. Luna is dog reactive so I just take her off to the side and reward her for looking at the dog but not reacting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSFKW1JQW-w/X7BjXXeo_dI/AAAAAAAAX3k/EQHIafGo8o4VVjKOFA9ah-0QUQPPU4j6ACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_123812750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSFKW1JQW-w/X7BjXXeo_dI/AAAAAAAAX3k/EQHIafGo8o4VVjKOFA9ah-0QUQPPU4j6ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201114_123812750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This slough was full of Canada geese and ducks, with more flocks circling and calling overhead.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQ92yvE5voo/X7BjXWCXKkI/AAAAAAAAX3k/z0mLR-sahUYwVoEuRZuzJ0PPcWJ_zTJ1ACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_112628256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQ92yvE5voo/X7BjXWCXKkI/AAAAAAAAX3k/z0mLR-sahUYwVoEuRZuzJ0PPcWJ_zTJ1ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201114_112628256.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some nests in the trees in one area.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQVnwkGO124/X7BjXW0CXcI/AAAAAAAAX3k/Kt0kIqiyRZchk-YcZeCxPeIWLpeh5ih4ACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_112635852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQVnwkGO124/X7BjXW0CXcI/AAAAAAAAX3k/Kt0kIqiyRZchk-YcZeCxPeIWLpeh5ih4ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201114_112635852.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sooo many waterfowl</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88WXMDcgBTc/X7BjXZcPtDI/AAAAAAAAX3k/vEV4Yolsui02vtbS45_4s4McK2CjtVYGACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_113151248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88WXMDcgBTc/X7BjXZcPtDI/AAAAAAAAX3k/vEV4Yolsui02vtbS45_4s4McK2CjtVYGACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201114_113151248.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnKivrczquQ/X7BjXdT8BII/AAAAAAAAX3k/tH7DZST8GoY5Sp7xalXFaM6JFKju2qvqgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_113256880.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnKivrczquQ/X7BjXdT8BII/AAAAAAAAX3k/tH7DZST8GoY5Sp7xalXFaM6JFKju2qvqgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201114_113256880.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Off the dyke now and into the river trail. Horses use these trails too, so slippery spots like the wood on the bridge had great footing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k15KOLQpIJQ/X7BjXRq5RBI/AAAAAAAAX3k/nj-SMXKU3w8FobIC9h_3va-eU5v32zu0wCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_115510325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k15KOLQpIJQ/X7BjXRq5RBI/AAAAAAAAX3k/nj-SMXKU3w8FobIC9h_3va-eU5v32zu0wCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201114_115510325.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On that bridge looking out down the creek to the Vedder River.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdkDjrH1C2I/X7BjXYqusmI/AAAAAAAAX3k/qL_JIEo4V14oNN8YX7ai57YsIfte0dbjQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_115723101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdkDjrH1C2I/X7BjXYqusmI/AAAAAAAAX3k/qL_JIEo4V14oNN8YX7ai57YsIfte0dbjQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201114_115723101.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loads of wild clematis climbing up the trees and over shrubbery.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_mVYHXoe0p8/X7BjXRAIkWI/AAAAAAAAX3k/ejr4dYs1ZrEhRaOO_ydwVuIU9Z1-IvkLACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_115913189_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_mVYHXoe0p8/X7BjXRAIkWI/AAAAAAAAX3k/ejr4dYs1ZrEhRaOO_ydwVuIU9Z1-IvkLACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201114_115913189_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salmon fisherman on the river</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8gGksPjYKA/X7BjXWTgKiI/AAAAAAAAX3k/YDvvqGhNYk0_kwn3hIcgan1hOapXqdGYQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_120313702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d8gGksPjYKA/X7BjXWTgKiI/AAAAAAAAX3k/YDvvqGhNYk0_kwn3hIcgan1hOapXqdGYQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201114_120313702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It doesn't even look like Jake is looking at him here, but he was quite interested in what that dark blob was out there in the water. His eyesight is not great, so I'm not sure what he could actually see.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uo_IBg38a6A/X7BjXZFgBHI/AAAAAAAAX3k/f4mJdooXFp4tyfjM2A5UEOVOkudl9yOhACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_120341542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uo_IBg38a6A/X7BjXZFgBHI/AAAAAAAAX3k/f4mJdooXFp4tyfjM2A5UEOVOkudl9yOhACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201114_120341542.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMccrTqBS0E/X7BjXXcGwrI/AAAAAAAAX3k/Wt0Qa5O5CYQWGIEc_iHRt4ceX47Q7_OQgCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_121235743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMccrTqBS0E/X7BjXXcGwrI/AAAAAAAAX3k/Wt0Qa5O5CYQWGIEc_iHRt4ceX47Q7_OQgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_20201114_121235743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwXeFSqN4WQ/X7BjXfwwgFI/AAAAAAAAX3k/iUoUMgILj6UHIvnpvvHnBwVATZo293OFwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_121909796.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwXeFSqN4WQ/X7BjXfwwgFI/AAAAAAAAX3k/iUoUMgILj6UHIvnpvvHnBwVATZo293OFwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201114_121909796.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This nest seemed bigger and I was thinking eagle nest. And that was an eagle at the top of the tree to the left of the nest.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4OvNfwx4Fo/X7BjXSivNqI/AAAAAAAAX3k/O87Mk4BP5jUFrN7EkdLj6_2jQVZb6wa6QCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_121933620_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4OvNfwx4Fo/X7BjXSivNqI/AAAAAAAAX3k/O87Mk4BP5jUFrN7EkdLj6_2jQVZb6wa6QCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201114_121933620_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A viewing tower. Larry chose not to go up. I said I was going to try run up. 48 steps later, I don't think I was running much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bna4-4zxBto/X7BjXeZzlFI/AAAAAAAAX3k/T3bXjr4gc-4KFZl5aLBkEXK5U5QGsIfYQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_123451414_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bna4-4zxBto/X7BjXeZzlFI/AAAAAAAAX3k/T3bXjr4gc-4KFZl5aLBkEXK5U5QGsIfYQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201114_123451414_HDR.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luna heading to the steps to try come up.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUFGpQhuytw/X7BjXe4t8CI/AAAAAAAAX3k/ucm_CFujOEoZ6MK5XD3Q7_3x655QsheVQCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_123301938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUFGpQhuytw/X7BjXe4t8CI/AAAAAAAAX3k/ucm_CFujOEoZ6MK5XD3Q7_3x655QsheVQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201114_123301938.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from the top was pretty good.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2OZaPT2KQs/X7BjXbqg10I/AAAAAAAAX3k/ZMZ5wO3-bPkMcHXCLTOSmXsA6MzvuRKEACPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_123331343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2OZaPT2KQs/X7BjXbqg10I/AAAAAAAAX3k/ZMZ5wO3-bPkMcHXCLTOSmXsA6MzvuRKEACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/IMG_20201114_123331343.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And over to the last bridge to the parking. The interpretive center is closed because of Covid. Too bad, it looked interesting. I had walked over to have a look.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1q9_0QtaSJQ/X7BjXT0jeVI/AAAAAAAAX3k/5CKjRloYIb00Mj51pOMd8EMwvJnBNoyRwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_123627130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2913" data-original-width="4160" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1q9_0QtaSJQ/X7BjXT0jeVI/AAAAAAAAX3k/5CKjRloYIb00Mj51pOMd8EMwvJnBNoyRwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h448/IMG_20201114_123627130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hopefully next year we can go back during nesting season and the building will be open. I'd like to take our bikes one day too and ride the dyke and river trail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ph309_cOaY/X7WDJyb4W2I/AAAAAAAAX70/f0wfipTomEg_bR852mrckGB-ua9K_grlwCPcBGAsYHg/s4160/IMG_20201114_134049161%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ph309_cOaY/X7WDJyb4W2I/AAAAAAAAX70/f0wfipTomEg_bR852mrckGB-ua9K_grlwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20201114_134049161%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-37074066873671292612020-10-27T20:58:00.000-07:002020-10-27T20:58:07.045-07:00I'm a Blogging Failure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Soooo....I was actually going to do another post, but then saw that I had started one three months ago, so I'll try to finish it it off....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">July 16/20</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well so much for me trying to keep up blogging this year. I guess I got off to a slightly decent start, and then fell off the cliff, never to be seen again. Almost, until now, and now I've dragged myself up and will attempt a post. A post I was actually going to do a week ago, oh well.</div>
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So with the Covid Crisis we've not done the usual amount of Oliver trips. It would have been safe for us to do so, but we were told to stay close to home, and we did. Larry did make a one night trip in late April or early May, to check up on things, and then we all went in June. By all I mean the two of us and the two dogs. And then we went again at the beginning of July. The photos are from the last trip. They are all taken with the phone, and I don't have an expensive phone, so quality is not the best on some.</div>
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Usually we stop at least once during the 4 hour trip, for our own comfort and that of the dogs. This trip we stopped at 'Rhododendron Flats', which is in Manning Park. There are wild rhododendrons growing there, and if you pick the right time of the year, you can see them in bloom. Not really spectacular, but interesting, and there is a nice trail around. The rhodos were mostly done when we stopped, but we did find a few blooms.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgV9hJU4ies/Xw8d8V15aSI/AAAAAAAAVJw/0omIhDeD0tIdhBklusWvmo1pTC_aG6ilwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200703_145449358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgV9hJU4ies/Xw8d8V15aSI/AAAAAAAAVJw/0omIhDeD0tIdhBklusWvmo1pTC_aG6ilwCPcBGAsYHg/w500-h375/IMG_20200703_145449358.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Such healthy looking foliage</div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PpJscWADV8/Xw8d8SxxH6I/AAAAAAAAVJw/fEqNYwUAKjAi_SHudfnU8QqF4cfjiMD2QCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200703_145520380.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PpJscWADV8/Xw8d8SxxH6I/AAAAAAAAVJw/fEqNYwUAKjAi_SHudfnU8QqF4cfjiMD2QCPcBGAsYHg/w500-h375/IMG_20200703_145520380.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MOHY3" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php%3Fid_plant%3DMOHY3&ved=2ahUKEwig7JjI3djqAhWgHDQIHWv8DcgQFjABegQIAhAB" style="background-color: white; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /><h3 class="LC20lb DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 4px 0px 0px;">Monotropa hypopitys (Pinesap) | Native Plants of North America</h3></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0KL46OmwtU/Xw8d8WZOUoI/AAAAAAAAVJw/_RPMpJd7SQcCw6HC-wdt7RAi7cTM3IMfgCPcBGAsYHg/w307-h410/IMG_20200703_145355268%257E2.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="307" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mossy rainforest</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esKFUh90uzI/Xw8d8V1WzWI/AAAAAAAAVJw/NqbXOFqdnW8_BkWmy4WsovR5GfScMZLHACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200703_145545405%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esKFUh90uzI/Xw8d8V1WzWI/AAAAAAAAVJw/NqbXOFqdnW8_BkWmy4WsovR5GfScMZLHACPcBGAsYHg/w500-h375/IMG_20200703_145545405%257E2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are Saskatoon berries, picked in the Oliver area. I picked more in August. And now they are languishing in the freezer, waiting to be made into jam at some point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rD2h2SyLYU/Xw8d8a2QyVI/AAAAAAAAVJw/8I_3wDvYndgnHqocgGk5d2YtcqE8734EgCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200704_103629047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rD2h2SyLYU/Xw8d8a2QyVI/AAAAAAAAVJw/8I_3wDvYndgnHqocgGk5d2YtcqE8734EgCPcBGAsYHg/w500-h375/IMG_20200704_103629047.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Along the hike and bike path next to the Okanagan River we see a lot of milkweed. The plants provide food for the larvae of the Monarch Butterfly. The are interesting plants, and not something we see at home</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Irvn1janvg/Xw8d8YS25lI/AAAAAAAAVJw/cpuOz6WpXv4n0H3l33l2ZhfgQHyXiM2TwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200704_105827102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Irvn1janvg/Xw8d8YS25lI/AAAAAAAAVJw/cpuOz6WpXv4n0H3l33l2ZhfgQHyXiM2TwCPcBGAsYHg/w375-h500/IMG_20200704_105827102.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have a few plants in the little garden at the house at Oliver, but it's hard to keep it nice because it gets so hot there and we aren't there often enough to keep it watered. The blue is Sea Holly I believe, and the plant below is a little succulent type that I took up there and does well.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEAtYGRFvHM/Xw8d8Y8QLwI/AAAAAAAAVJw/qlx6YrxiaywWhbLVqRIFNy3BaWTLB3NuwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200704_085940113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEAtYGRFvHM/Xw8d8Y8QLwI/AAAAAAAAVJw/qlx6YrxiaywWhbLVqRIFNy3BaWTLB3NuwCPcBGAsYHg/w375-h500/IMG_20200704_085940113.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITvvooN1Cx0/Xw8d8YmIGbI/AAAAAAAAVJw/ThEdmyFR6mkjDoy44YGyngDr6j8zlWw-gCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200704_114644430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITvvooN1Cx0/Xw8d8YmIGbI/AAAAAAAAVJw/ThEdmyFR6mkjDoy44YGyngDr6j8zlWw-gCPcBGAsYHg/w500-h375/IMG_20200704_114644430.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Saskatoons picked and on the dehydrator tray to be shaken around to get all the little bits of debris to drop through the holes. It works really well for blueberries too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3g92iGpwUw/Xw8d8T-b-xI/AAAAAAAAVJw/O3A30b-MlXk5V-Vj_i6VuWwkvRI1XP-RACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200704_115318205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3g92iGpwUw/Xw8d8T-b-xI/AAAAAAAAVJw/O3A30b-MlXk5V-Vj_i6VuWwkvRI1XP-RACPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_20200704_115318205.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nice and cleaned up now!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqIT9X_5ZSU/Xw8d8X6kUFI/AAAAAAAAVJw/urecQ25cVgA3qKkiOq6Pu88JBkSsJpQTQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200704_140237511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BqIT9X_5ZSU/Xw8d8X6kUFI/AAAAAAAAVJw/urecQ25cVgA3qKkiOq6Pu88JBkSsJpQTQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_20200704_140237511.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a visitor! We see signs that there have been deer in the yard over the winter, but this is the first time we had seen one in the summer. Jumping out of the neighbours backyard here.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Irupn5Ymmr8/Xw8d8XXwh5I/AAAAAAAAVJw/YnlSVZlIxUYB83AsSaw-h_62hisBoLmDACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200705_171156566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Irupn5Ymmr8/Xw8d8XXwh5I/AAAAAAAAVJw/YnlSVZlIxUYB83AsSaw-h_62hisBoLmDACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/IMG_20200705_171156566.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And later peering over our back gate from the laneway. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wVE7OAVkYQ/Xw8d8Ql1QjI/AAAAAAAAVJw/ItFYUOhYTTws8hfeAGxFi-u1Ia-BtUVowCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200705_175418274.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wVE7OAVkYQ/Xw8d8Ql1QjI/AAAAAAAAVJw/ItFYUOhYTTws8hfeAGxFi-u1Ia-BtUVowCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_20200705_175418274.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from the backyard has improved. The new neighbours let all the hedging cedars die off and then installed this lattice addition to the concrete and block wall that surrounds their sunken backyard. I'm not sure about that fence.....I showed the picture to David and he mentioned a Lacrosse Box, lol!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywRyXM9LB-o/Xw8d8Vw2RPI/AAAAAAAAVJw/XcAEA9KWvew3umg6QIy09lCV0LMMnqW4gCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200705_202302958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywRyXM9LB-o/Xw8d8Vw2RPI/AAAAAAAAVJw/XcAEA9KWvew3umg6QIy09lCV0LMMnqW4gCPcBGAsYHg/w500-h375/IMG_20200705_202302958.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One morning when we got there I set off on my bike about 7am and went along the river to where these golden currants were growing. I picked quite a bit, but I didn't get much juice from them, so ended up adding other bits of wild fruits to it and came up with a small batch of jam I called Wild Medley. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsxccsqE8y4/Xw8d8bylfsI/AAAAAAAAVJw/1sGSEN9QcYEnF3Btb23MGwg9K90x_lLDwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200706_072124793.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsxccsqE8y4/Xw8d8bylfsI/AAAAAAAAVJw/1sGSEN9QcYEnF3Btb23MGwg9K90x_lLDwCPcBGAsYHg/w500-h375/IMG_20200706_072124793.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The baby's breath has gone wild there, is considered invasive, but looks like fluffy clumps when it is in bloom.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gfwC5t-3gw/Xw8d8ZCZYZI/AAAAAAAAVJw/NhgjH63rO6cF8vlKzPdNBlhgiWAYcaVgACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200706_083338738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gfwC5t-3gw/Xw8d8ZCZYZI/AAAAAAAAVJw/NhgjH63rO6cF8vlKzPdNBlhgiWAYcaVgACPcBGAsYHg/w375-h500/IMG_20200706_083338738.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think on this trip I picked those Saskatoons shown above, notice my handy saddle bags. They were actually a pain the butt because my heels hit the front edge of them with every pedal, most annoying! I fiddled around with them a few times and eventually managed to move the bags back enough to miss my heels.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QYO-GHpep0/Xw8d8UKPM-I/AAAAAAAAVJw/7x7MbrchBf8LVLO4LYlCC-PELwgA4BLwwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200706_083436003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QYO-GHpep0/Xw8d8UKPM-I/AAAAAAAAVJw/7x7MbrchBf8LVLO4LYlCC-PELwgA4BLwwCPcBGAsYHg/w500-h375/IMG_20200706_083436003.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had kept my eye on this massive thistle, the photo does not do it justice.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EDUr5K_wRs/Xw8d8TKw_zI/AAAAAAAAVJw/aCY6f2F-cbMnNkbVQ86ZNlg8a2ral_mZACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200706_113906427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EDUr5K_wRs/Xw8d8TKw_zI/AAAAAAAAVJw/aCY6f2F-cbMnNkbVQ86ZNlg8a2ral_mZACPcBGAsYHg/w375-h500/IMG_20200706_113906427.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The stems and leaves so silvery, I had seen nothing like it before</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd307_5_TuQ/Xw8d8QsbsFI/AAAAAAAAVJw/d5pShlykOxozNY8r9aXVctKkrl-pHYjPwCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200706_114002997_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd307_5_TuQ/Xw8d8QsbsFI/AAAAAAAAVJw/d5pShlykOxozNY8r9aXVctKkrl-pHYjPwCPcBGAsYHg/w375-h500/IMG_20200706_114002997_HDR.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I got around to googling it, I was shocked that it was a Scotch Thistle. Well who hasn't heard of that, but obviously I had never seen one before. Another invasive plant.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UM8hmvl9Xjo/Xw8d8d-AeHI/AAAAAAAAVJw/EOWT0qx-vKgs-tQRHe-Jfxerv1rw-VEEQCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200706_113915673%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UM8hmvl9Xjo/Xw8d8d-AeHI/AAAAAAAAVJw/EOWT0qx-vKgs-tQRHe-Jfxerv1rw-VEEQCPcBGAsYHg/w375-h500/IMG_20200706_113915673%257E2.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And so there you go, I sort of finished this post. I had actually come to write another one, but didn't want to waste the first few paragraphs and all the pictures I had loaded for this unfinished one.</div>
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-5597586830964752242020-04-11T07:56:00.001-07:002020-04-11T07:56:53.483-07:00Moss and Other Woodsy Tales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Months ago now, I played around with a little camera, taking some moss pictures. It is a fascinating little world</div>
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It was raining that day, or had rained, so of course there are the rain drop pictures</div>
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A rustic wreath</div>
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Ferns growing 8 feet up the tree.</div>
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And then some more recent photos, that are quickly becoming dated. </div>
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My annual 'deer skull killed by a cougar/trillium' photo</div>
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Indian Plum or Osoberry. The fruit look like tiny little plums. They are edible, but not particularly tasty. I tried to make jelly one year, but wasn't successful.</div>
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Bleeding Hearts. We are large areas covered in them, so pretty this time of the year.</div>
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Skunk Cabbage in our little seasonal creek</div>
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I've read that bears love them.</div>
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Salmonberry</div>
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As well the False Lily of the Valley covers large swaths</div>
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Old dogs, old logs</div>
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Two old dogs😉</div>
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Later we went back out to cut that log up for firewood. It had fallen down in to the swamp. I do a lot of things, but chain sawing is not one of them. I carry and split. I got my boots stuck in that muck and more than once I had to drop my load to save myself!</div>
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We were dodging rain showers that day, and were successful. But could see a good one to the north as we were heading back to the house.</div>
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A tree on the ground always looks more than logs on the trailer, which look more than the split wood stacked. Every bit helps though!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-038REISE500/XoLMpqQbgII/AAAAAAAASe0/ZHHLT8_owfQLjlZz6HkVOYu4r7l-g-vtgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200330_163405253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-038REISE500/XoLMpqQbgII/AAAAAAAASe0/ZHHLT8_owfQLjlZz6HkVOYu4r7l-g-vtgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200330_163405253.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITGIYARjzcc/XpHY5D8dMkI/AAAAAAAASt8/kVDSgs37bvYgOdvi_js75d6-qATRpKBywCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200402_121752381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1600" height="176" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ITGIYARjzcc/XpHY5D8dMkI/AAAAAAAASt8/kVDSgs37bvYgOdvi_js75d6-qATRpKBywCKgBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200402_121752381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These logs are a reflective of the times, don't you think? Holes in our hearts.....</div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-27168471369111517812020-03-23T00:06:00.001-07:002020-03-23T00:32:34.443-07:00The Patio Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is what it looked like on our front lawn this morning. Like a garage sale. Other than the wheelbarrow and the tools in it, ALL of this stuff had been on the front patio. Actually there had been more than this. Lots of pots of dead plants. Probably my greatest success at gardening is buying plants, not getting them planted, and them dying of neglect. The patio collection also included a couple of wheelchairs.......don't ask. Thankfully probably the only people to have seen it were Meredith and David. Tidy people we are not. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ihsjmynj2LI/XnhQForsXhI/AAAAAAAASOY/-Rsk8oLXkvcAYQ9ntDgsB5BWlrSDUJ9hQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200322_111144287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ihsjmynj2LI/XnhQForsXhI/AAAAAAAASOY/-Rsk8oLXkvcAYQ9ntDgsB5BWlrSDUJ9hQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200322_111144287.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last week I had weeded the flower bed and rockery at the front of the house. I'm trying to keep it decent after I went to a lot of work last year to resuscitate it after years of neglect. So to keep up with the tidy garden, I started cleaning up the dead pots on the patio. Here's a few that were not dead. The blue pottery planter is a cheery little dose of Spring and Easter. The succulent planter is slated to be divided up.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4676vuY12vc/XnhC8gyE-jI/AAAAAAAASNI/hXxlHLGfxKcV2EGhvv3jgPbu75tCjLDbgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200318_184024787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4676vuY12vc/XnhC8gyE-jI/AAAAAAAASNI/hXxlHLGfxKcV2EGhvv3jgPbu75tCjLDbgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200318_184024787.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You know how you start what seems to be a simple job, and then one thing leads to another and you end up doing waaaay more work than you had planned on.</div>
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The little wall between the garden and the patio had originally been a landscape tie with a row of those scallop edged paving stones tucked in behind the tie, to hold the dirt back. The landscape tie had totally disappeared in one section, and the other piece was half rotted away, and the whole thing needed fixing because the dirt was flowing underneath and onto the patio. </div>
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So I built this little retaining wall. At one time I would have tackled this wall project with gusto, but I don't have the same enthusiasm these days, so it took a bit to get me going on it. In case you are wondering, Larry had his own project going, trying to fix part of the loader on the tractor. Anyway, thankfully we did have the landscape ties on hand, as well as rebar and spikes, so I got it done. Larry showed up near the end to help to hold the last tie in place, and did some of the pounding in of the spikes. Those ties were well dried and were hard as all get out, so pre drilling holes was a necessity.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNnfBxurcoc/XnhC8tqK2oI/AAAAAAAASNI/bDweJ32iP3UxQy-beF3oDgN7Vq2bBHTiwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200321_180137467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNnfBxurcoc/XnhC8tqK2oI/AAAAAAAASNI/bDweJ32iP3UxQy-beF3oDgN7Vq2bBHTiwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200321_180137467.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Eventually that end piece will have to be replaced as well, but seemed okay for now. The tie at the bottom and the scalloped paver was how the other wall used to look, except those pavers are still standing up fairly straight, where as the ones along the rotted section were leaning over at a very jaunty angle.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aA4Phz0EeHU/XnhC8r4LNuI/AAAAAAAASNI/lRrtOEfTaRICfPPl5hGYmU4hLcBpX8JmwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200321_180207687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aA4Phz0EeHU/XnhC8r4LNuI/AAAAAAAASNI/lRrtOEfTaRICfPPl5hGYmU4hLcBpX8JmwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200321_180207687.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here's a picture from last year, you can see the pavers leaning over</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBwL4qXxytg/XnhlZRLcqYI/AAAAAAAASPI/NRxQpSi_so41Wfnia9JWoqS5DYGZteOcwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20190322_175101181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBwL4qXxytg/XnhlZRLcqYI/AAAAAAAASPI/NRxQpSi_so41Wfnia9JWoqS5DYGZteOcwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20190322_175101181.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Sunday morning we moved all the pots and stuff onto the lawn.</div>
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I swept up the dirt and then did the pressure washing. There was still dirt there, so that blasted itself all over the side of the house, which I washed as well, about 6 times it seemed. I've just stepped out of my yellow rain pants and boots here.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01wQ6Gcvb6o/XnhC8hD2dTI/AAAAAAAASNI/aa6kcpiBA6cv9MdsOLpReq5XPYuVlc8oQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200322_153340755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01wQ6Gcvb6o/XnhC8hD2dTI/AAAAAAAASNI/aa6kcpiBA6cv9MdsOLpReq5XPYuVlc8oQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200322_153340755.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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So then comes the decisions as to where to put all the 'stuff'. I moved the $4 garage sale chiminea to the back corner. In the summer I plant something in the top (the hellebore is just there until I get it into the ground lol. Hopefully it won't become another victim), and something else in the fire hole.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0M4wsMfH1pM/XnhC8hjlfGI/AAAAAAAASNI/-aC5vHxFv4od0hl_x4menQw8sapUA7CYQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200322_182134209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0M4wsMfH1pM/XnhC8hjlfGI/AAAAAAAASNI/-aC5vHxFv4od0hl_x4menQw8sapUA7CYQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200322_182134209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I switched the bench around, although it will get some rain on it here. It used to be under the window to the right. More plants on it that need a home.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOYnIPwGKDM/XnhC8tmhNXI/AAAAAAAASNI/p43vixBk5rU6ladAQhcuChfUybRC1jiPQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200322_182152809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOYnIPwGKDM/XnhC8tmhNXI/AAAAAAAASNI/p43vixBk5rU6ladAQhcuChfUybRC1jiPQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200322_182152809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One day I WILL get some trim done around that front door. The little lemon cypress trees are going to have some succulents planted around them for now.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0eIsBGu8us/XnhC8ooMzAI/AAAAAAAASNI/MkMdlDyzy9Yiu0EioMIkICVTD6xf_ILcwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200322_182233470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0eIsBGu8us/XnhC8ooMzAI/AAAAAAAASNI/MkMdlDyzy9Yiu0EioMIkICVTD6xf_ILcwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200322_182233470.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Hoping to paint this an eye popping colour one day. Another garage sale find.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aj8pOpbelhI/XnhC8sQOrII/AAAAAAAASNI/qg68Hu4_v-8Lc9ga8vR4lrYnWsL6PaclACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200322_182244296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aj8pOpbelhI/XnhC8sQOrII/AAAAAAAASNI/qg68Hu4_v-8Lc9ga8vR4lrYnWsL6PaclACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200322_182244296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was happy to get the little fountain back up and running. It has been silent for too long. The rocks are ones I picked up when my sister and I spread my mum's ashes, as well as the ones I collected on our kayaking trip out of Crescent Beach last summer.</div>
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This is how things look now. A bit more minimalist, and one heck of a lot tidier. I have a feeling more will be added, but my aim is to keep it clean and tidy, at least for a while, LOL!</div>
<a aria-label="Photo - Portrait - Mar 22, 2020, 6:23:21 PM" class="p137Zd" href="https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNo_DkiH2StxOF_J5FSYKIEFtGcTkQFrN95F4H9" jsaction="click:eQuaEb;focus:AHmuwe; blur:O22p3e;" tabindex="0"></a><br />
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Two sweet dogs. Jake at 15 3/4 and Luna at 12 1/4. Jake had a <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vestibular-disease-in-dogs" target="_blank"><i>Vestibular </i></a>episode two and a half weeks ago. He's still a bit wobbly and has a bit of a head tilt to the right. Other wise he is pretty happy and perky and eating like a horse. That's okay with me as he had lost some weight and I'm working on getting it back on. So far he's up 1.5 lbs.</div>
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Unfortunately there's still all this stuff left on the lawn, LOL!</div>
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Sorting that out and getting it moved is the next job.</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-74181421345872654962020-02-23T13:00:00.003-08:002020-02-23T13:04:34.825-08:00The Great Blackberry Project. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm warning you now, that you are probably going to find this post kind of boring. At some point last Fall, I decided I was going to tackle the blackberries, which have been growing and spreading for years. We do cut them back, and Larry tries to mow along them at times, but we never get rid of them, and they are just spreading along more and more fence lines. I would justify their existence by saying that they give us some income with the fresh berries and the jam made from the those berries that I sell. But we have waaaaaaay more blackberries than I would ever want to pick. (Larry has mostly retired from blackberry picking). </div>
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People say how wonderful it is to have our own blackberries. I joke back that if we left them untouched for 5 years, we'd have 10 acres of nothing but blackberries. They are very invasive. Every year they send up new canes. The canes from the previous year bear fruit and then die. The three year old canes are dead but still there, and form a support for the new canes. Those canes can grow to 30' long and more, with side branches nearly as long. Then when the tip of that cane arches down and touches the ground, it starts to grow roots, and forms a whole new plant up to 10' out from the original root. Every year when we are picking the fruit on the canes from the previous year, we have to cut back the new canes that are overhanging and covering up the fruit. But still somehow those rows get wider and wider.</div>
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Larry mowed along the face of this row with the tractor. See that scraggly naked tree (Hawthorn) on the very right.</div>
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Here we are looking down the row from the end, with that Hawthorn at the front. The weight of all the canes have pulled the tree over. The row is about 10' wide here, and about as high. </div>
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I've already cut back the first 20'. Note the closest fence post.</div>
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I was lucky that when David was visiting at Christmas, he took an interest and cleared about 40' for me.</div>
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Nice to be able to hand the work over to someone younger for a while. You can see that same Hawthorn tree in all the pictures.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64F_d3tPOBw/XkDozv7E9GI/AAAAAAAARdg/Bgw0Ua-mvX0baPqPOUuaG0VThlHpNk5-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSCN3156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64F_d3tPOBw/XkDozv7E9GI/AAAAAAAARdg/Bgw0Ua-mvX0baPqPOUuaG0VThlHpNk5-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSCN3156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Larry came and raked some of the cuttings away from the fence for a while.</div>
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That section is all done. Looking from the west end</div>
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And looking west from the east end. That poor Hawthorn is going to stay. I'll be glad of the bit of shade that it will throw when I'm working in that garden.</div>
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Some of those canes are monsters. And those thorns..... I had a cane swing down from over head. It barely hit me, but one of those thorns poked into the vein on my right temple, and I ended up with a black eye.</div>
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Tucker, David's dog, had a good time hunting for voles.</div>
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Do you think he knows how dirty he is?</div>
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Time for a rinse off!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cZun5r9ccWQ/XkDp1Hzb4fI/AAAAAAAARes/_vLhHcQ6v7kFl6M_2KZHuFRAg4dNcIrqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSCN3170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cZun5r9ccWQ/XkDp1Hzb4fI/AAAAAAAARes/_vLhHcQ6v7kFl6M_2KZHuFRAg4dNcIrqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSCN3170.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The tools of my trade. Loppers, as well as some lovely light Fiskars hedge trimmers gifted to us when two of our customers moved, and some heavy duty leather mitts of Larry's. At first I was using some of my gardening gloves, but was constantly having to dig the tips of thorns out of my hands. The mitts are large and clumsy, but perfect for grabbing those thorny canes and not feeling a thing. I also added a pair of protective goggles.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqU1UU6IioM/XkDpqfrEpzI/AAAAAAAAReU/kJOfqgru28wwwBZQ0ZEFbwQtbrEq-RlRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200104_104947044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="517" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqU1UU6IioM/XkDpqfrEpzI/AAAAAAAAReU/kJOfqgru28wwwBZQ0ZEFbwQtbrEq-RlRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200104_104947044.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This photo below is about 18 years old. David on his bike (where the heck was his helmet?) Our riding ring is in the background. I think by this time I had stopped showing horses, and had started into the dog agility, so I used to have some of that equipment set up in it. Oh, but Meredith was in horse 4H, so I guess she used it for riding occasionally. Anyway, that ring is 150' x 70'. It used to be 200' long, and came to the fence post at the bottom/front of the picture. The hogfuel (chunks of cedar bark) that was the footing in the riding ring had all rotted, so we cleared it out, made the ring smaller, and added sand for the footing. David is riding on the pile of rotted hogfuel, which eventually became some of the base for the garden there, and is pretty well in the spot where the scaffolding tomato support is now. And that fence post is the one that I asked you to take note of earlier😉 The Hawthorn tree is out of the picture to the left down that fence line.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afAN4UmbAZc/XkDprRmBqoI/AAAAAAAAReY/K2zYt7rT8qsIpfn0O8sODLxw5BGYCN2tACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200122_124913522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="919" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afAN4UmbAZc/XkDprRmBqoI/AAAAAAAAReY/K2zYt7rT8qsIpfn0O8sODLxw5BGYCN2tACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200122_124913522.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The wood rail fence in the old photo is the west end of the ring, which is a big rectangle with a gate at each end. Notice that all the wood rail fences are clear of blackberries. When I started the blackberry project, 380' of the wood fence was covered in blackberries, with only 30' and the two gateways being clear.</div>
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Here I've cleared that west fence line</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-euESLzYeAGI/XkDqmO-kXGI/AAAAAAAARfQ/8LBSiIPo2hggTijUmKOwK7RbWyffU2c7wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200203_154605971_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-euESLzYeAGI/XkDqmO-kXGI/AAAAAAAARfQ/8LBSiIPo2hggTijUmKOwK7RbWyffU2c7wCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200203_154605971_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And uncovered the old hay rake that was buried in the corner.</div>
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Lawn ornament anyone?</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm5FamLhKds/XkDpvXND_NI/AAAAAAAARek/QbL1t-OJSG8tR55nPDiGc3XMKcMF4GeKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200202_112957098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="919" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm5FamLhKds/XkDpvXND_NI/AAAAAAAARek/QbL1t-OJSG8tR55nPDiGc3XMKcMF4GeKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200202_112957098.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A look down that west fence from the north end. You can just see the corner of the tomato support on the right.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjobuqM3qLA/XkDqmMpvzBI/AAAAAAAARfQ/VY7ACUYlT7grNKDjlxc0bcAF62p8PjIqQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200203_154439430_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjobuqM3qLA/XkDqmMpvzBI/AAAAAAAARfQ/VY7ACUYlT7grNKDjlxc0bcAF62p8PjIqQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200203_154439430_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here is a look at the north fence line of the riding ring, from the field side. Larry can try mow some of it back with the tractor, but I'm not tackling that.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTlft5hRO6s/XkDqmIx5h4I/AAAAAAAARfQ/E75MvXtidPwP0GuNgMcmWkkVmjYWk_MwwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200203_154452388_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTlft5hRO6s/XkDqmIx5h4I/AAAAAAAARfQ/E75MvXtidPwP0GuNgMcmWkkVmjYWk_MwwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200203_154452388_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've worked on this job in all sorts of weather, but this sunny day was stunning with the big dramatic clouds in the sky. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPQefF-G9Ho/XkDqmPaXrxI/AAAAAAAARfQ/1TlSUayiHn80Y-rMwzg2dZsQCQahtHiUQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200203_154224559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QPQefF-G9Ho/XkDqmPaXrxI/AAAAAAAARfQ/1TlSUayiHn80Y-rMwzg2dZsQCQahtHiUQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200203_154224559.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6sV0YkbvR4/XkDqmHeKa3I/AAAAAAAARfQ/pBS7v8lmUAYNYSZ3WYUcWxRVGB1rXwwTQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200203_154215182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6sV0YkbvR4/XkDqmHeKa3I/AAAAAAAARfQ/pBS7v8lmUAYNYSZ3WYUcWxRVGB1rXwwTQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200203_154215182.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's another boring picture when I finished the inside of the south riding ring fence.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fw5YuAKqqGw/XkDqmCsJ48I/AAAAAAAARfQ/wzI2RHJQs9cRhjJjVrZoNWneue3jJEuIwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200208_152653735_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fw5YuAKqqGw/XkDqmCsJ48I/AAAAAAAARfQ/wzI2RHJQs9cRhjJjVrZoNWneue3jJEuIwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200208_152653735_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this is where I'm at now. The south riding ring fence is all clear, the hayfield fence on the right is cleared on the outside, and just a little bit to remove from the inside of this fence line. Of course in the background going off to the right, the east fence of the hayfield is a mass of blackberries, as well as the back hayfield in the distance. This laneway below was a solid mass of blackberries, you could not see anything of the back field. The cattle didn't even push through it last summer. It's nice to be able to see a little bit of the back field again from the house. My goal is to finish off the fence line on the right, and then to clear off the far end of the riding ring in front of the shed. That will be it for now. I've made more work though, as now there are fences that need repairing. Blackberries make good fences, but they just keep getting bigger and wider and messier.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpD17mCd5N0/XlH7SgB2NII/AAAAAAAARlA/PaG5RxF775UNRAbswGm6XDiZiyJzOLTGACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200219_113643395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpD17mCd5N0/XlH7SgB2NII/AAAAAAAARlA/PaG5RxF775UNRAbswGm6XDiZiyJzOLTGACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200219_113643395.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To bring it into perspective, here's a map of our property. Approx 330 ft wide by 1320 long. The green squiggles are the fence lines I (and David) have cleared. Doesn't look like much does it? The red is blackberries basically untouched. The aim would be to bring them all under control, and push them back closer to the property line. We shall see. This year the plan is to keep mowing off the new shoots that will come up where I cut them back. That's Larry's job. </div>
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It may involve some nagging.😏</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAXacCUyWCQ/XlLkC5b1RkI/AAAAAAAARlM/LSZhFI6i4GIScZHTXCqpzXdNuOkiXvVpACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Wyndson%2BBlackberry%2BMap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAXacCUyWCQ/XlLkC5b1RkI/AAAAAAAARlM/LSZhFI6i4GIScZHTXCqpzXdNuOkiXvVpACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Wyndson%2BBlackberry%2BMap.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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People ask my what I'm going to do with all my spare time now that I'm semi retiring.</div>
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I just laugh😆</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-75084007925920607922020-01-17T20:34:00.000-08:002020-01-17T20:34:35.894-08:00Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have another blog post I've been struggling to finish. One of these days I hope it will be done, but really now it just seems like old news.</div>
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Anyway, after monsoon rains we morphed into winter. It's been a cold week, wind chills of -20 at times. We are situated such that we are wide open to the east, so when those arctic outflow winds come roaring across the Fraser Valley, we get hit pretty hard. It was such a relief yesterday when they had ended. We had some fresh snow yesterday, a bit of sunshine, more snow overnight, and then woke up to this, as seen from the bedroom window. Blue sky!!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHOlbM2Lsdg/XiJ3WiB-dHI/AAAAAAAARHE/wDMq0unB5NY4hAm64WZF4MKDKXAIhH1bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200117_083300945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="919" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHOlbM2Lsdg/XiJ3WiB-dHI/AAAAAAAARHE/wDMq0unB5NY4hAm64WZF4MKDKXAIhH1bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200117_083300945.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The sun coming up in the southeast. One of the hummingbird feeders. I like to leave it out overnight if possible, so that I don't have to get up early. Although I did exactly that two mornings, as I had brought it in because I wasn't sure that it wouldn't freeze. We have at least a couple of hummingbirds around.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_aFHVnU1Dk/XiJ3We1GqvI/AAAAAAAARG8/xzV4ZCGItkYM1RdGtMOJmSO81uGG0Le_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200117_083331559_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="919" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_aFHVnU1Dk/XiJ3We1GqvI/AAAAAAAARG8/xzV4ZCGItkYM1RdGtMOJmSO81uGG0Le_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200117_083331559_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So pretty this morning. I'm standing by the south chicken coop</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUIxqH8LE7c/XiJ3Wdbk0GI/AAAAAAAARHA/gdLH3j_OTtowZhTR-bmsA1AZbXDaiCvUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200117_090644740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="919" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUIxqH8LE7c/XiJ3Wdbk0GI/AAAAAAAARHA/gdLH3j_OTtowZhTR-bmsA1AZbXDaiCvUACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200117_090644740.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There's not a lot of protected out door space for them, although they can also go under the coop.</div>
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Up until today I'd had a windbreak set up along this east facing side. All the way along from their little chicken door so they were protected as they made their way to their little leanto on the south side. I had that all protected too so that they could stay out of the wind. I took it all down this morning as it wasn't needed, and I wanted them to be able to feel that sunshine. The ones by the door are pecking at a dish of cooked squash innards and skins. A little lure to get them to come out.</div>
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That's the rest of their field on the left, it extends to those farthest evergreens. No hens would be tromping down there today.</div>
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Larry was taking care of the hens at the north coop, along with Ramona the old sheep. Back in for breakfast and then the morning dog walk around the property.</div>
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Our bush/woodlot is reaching the end of it's life. Lots of dead and dying trees, well the alders at least, and a few of them have come down lately. I joked that they are so soaked with water and therefore heavy, and they just can't hold themselves up any longer.</div>
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Looking across the back hayfield. That's yesterday's and last night's new snow on that fence rail. At least that snow came straight down instead of creating drifts and bare spots.</div>
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Yesterday's snowed over snow angel!</div>
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I was worried about the rhubarb that was starting to show. I think it's pretty safe under it's two foot drift.</div>
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Today's snow angel. She has a pin head, lol. Yesterday I had tried to find a drift deep enough that I could hold myself stiff and just fall back into it. Couldn't do it, my sense of self preservation just wouldn't let me. </div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-59982036637749089282019-12-27T21:04:00.000-08:002019-12-27T21:04:21.840-08:00Christmas Day at the Brandson's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was a pretty low key Christmas in our household this year. Just the four of us. David made a rather treacherous drive from Edmonton, dividing it over late afternoon and evening of the first day, and all the daylight hours of the second. The second day was bad, blizzards, stuck for an hour and a half at the summit of the highway, waiting for the road to be plowed and the semi drivers to get the chains on their trucks, which were blocking the road. It was such a relief when he finally arrived at dusk on the Friday before Christmas. </div>
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Christmas morning I was the first one up and wandered around turning on Christmas lights and snapping a few pictures.</div>
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The outside animals are all taken care of first, and then the dogs are fed, and then us. We had some leftover chicken/bacon/sweet potato/onion/egg patties left over from supper the night before, and they made a nice brunch meal.</div>
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A few years ago we said we didn't want any more gifts. We do fun little stocking stuffers, and of course there are random things I find at the thrift stores for a dollar or two that I think *may* be useful.</div>
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In the afternoon we took the dogs for a walk down on the dyke. I thought that would be a good place to do our annual Christmas photo, and Larry insisted on taking the tripod, which in retrospect was a good idea. ( I was coming up with ways we could manage without it). By the time we got there the light was already fading. Everyone else and their dog seemed to be there, so it took us a bit to get along to the swimming hole. </div>
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These were the only three posed pictures taken, so I'm pretty happy they came out as good as they did.</div>
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Jake had had enough by this point.</div>
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Tucker even had an actual swim!</div>
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I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, full of love and laughter, with family and friends.</div>
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-47284854078965977322019-12-10T23:00:00.000-08:002019-12-11T09:52:11.553-08:00Big Holes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now that we are finished with the farmer's market for six months, we can get a few jobs done that have been waiting in the wings to be finished. Because we are rural, we have a septic tank. That said, we are on 'city' water though, so no well and pump to have to worry about. When we bought this place in 1986, (wow, that's a long time ago), a new septic field was being installed. We were good at getting the tank pumped out for the first while, and then it kind of got forgotten about. I pushed Larry to dig the lid clear so we could get it pumped out this summer. We did add to the height of the lawn in this area when we added on to the house. </div>
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Anyway, Larry had a pretty good idea where it was, and did manage to hit concrete without digging a lot of useless holes. I was shocked though, at how deep it now was, and how big the lid was, and how faulty my memory of it all was. I thought the top of the tank was much closer to the surface, an the lid much smaller! The hole was about 20 inches deep and 30 inches square. That was a lot of dirt to dig out, as seen by the three wheelbarrows full. And then the job came to a halt. We are both very good at letting things slide, and just ignoring the 'elephant' on the lawn, so to speak. I think I finally nagged again and the tank was pumped out. The Pumper Guy, yep that was what the company was called, told Larry that we could get a riser and lid to save ourselves all the digging the next time. We decided to do it ourselves to save a few dollars, and the 'elephant' was there even longer. Finally, yesterday, after much discussion over the size of the riser, exchanging the one Larry had first bought, overthinking the whole job, etc etc, we heaved the heavy concrete lid off for the last time, and installed the riser. </div>
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So much fun, working over an open, full septic tank. Yuk. The base was sealed to the concrete around the hole, the first riser was screwed to the base, the second riser screwed to the first, and the lid screwed on top. Happy to say that no tools or screws were dropped into the septic tank. That was a miracle in itself. At this point the hole still has to be partially filled in. Of course not all the dirt in the wheelbarrows will be used. I think the tires on two are flat, so we will have to bring the little compresser around to blow them up to move the heavy wheelbarrows, that are now filled up with rainwater. The lawnmower may have to be brought out to cut the grass that had grown up under the wheelbarrows. The lid will be pretty well level with the lawn, maybe a bit lower on one side. In a few years it will be much easier to get the tank pumped again.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIRxya_W8Xw/XfCHqdOEjMI/AAAAAAAAQaY/xkoHI_dhPzYgwWgVsmyG3CzMv_Js5JkegCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191209_152324923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIRxya_W8Xw/XfCHqdOEjMI/AAAAAAAAQaY/xkoHI_dhPzYgwWgVsmyG3CzMv_Js5JkegCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20191209_152324923.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was a relief to get out up to ground level and straighten up. And I looked up, and wow, the sky was so cool looking.</div>
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It was already getting to that feeling that dusk was coming, so we got the dogs into the car and headed down to the dyke. It was a beautiful evening with partially clear skies. Down at the bottom of the hill I noticed these clouds, although I didn't take the picture until we had gone a mile and a half west to the dyke. These are called Fallstreak Holes. Here's an <a href="https://www.weather.gov/arx/why_fallstreaks" target="_blank">explanation</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5vmq-TOkSE/XfCHqQL2BSI/AAAAAAAAQaY/kG7bmISDmhQB0FGMeNOj93O9POYlnfk1ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20191209_155209736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5vmq-TOkSE/XfCHqQL2BSI/AAAAAAAAQaY/kG7bmISDmhQB0FGMeNOj93O9POYlnfk1ACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20191209_155209736.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The nearly full moon was rising to the east</div>
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I love taking pictures of sky and clouds. It wasn't as dark as it seems, it was just the camera adjusting to the sky and making the trees appear dark. Looking south.</div>
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Looking east southeast. Mt. Baker is just visible above the tree tops in the right quarter.</div>
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The holes are falling apart, but another one is starting to form.</div>
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Looking southwest. I love reflections too!</div>
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South</div>
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Lovely sunset</div>
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Ground fog rolling in. Time to head home, shower the funky septic smell away, and get ready for square dancing.</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-45839803532157510862019-11-27T21:03:00.001-08:002019-11-27T21:03:45.957-08:00Kayaking at Crescent Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is old news, but since it was our favourite kayaking trip of the year, I want to share it. I think we did 6 or 7 kayaking outings this past summer. We picked a new spot every time, except for one time it was just Larry and I on Tuc-el-nuit Lake in Oliver, which we've kayaked around before.</div>
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Anyway, lets talk about this trip. It was the labour Day weekend. The Monday. Too busy with the market on Saturday and Sunday at that time of the year. We knew we needed to get off to an early start, as being a holiday the parking lot would fill up quickly, and we needed to be able to park along the ocean front so we didn't have to carry the kayaks too far. Meredith has a very cool little cart that comes apart and fits in her kayak, for her bigger, heavier boat. Larry and I can carry our shorter ones together, one holding a bow handle in each hand, and the other holding the two stern handles.</div>
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We set off and there was still some sea mist hanging over the water. That's the pier at Crescent Beach. The tide was in. That motor boat is following the marked channel out to the open strait.</div>
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Past the pier and paddling past the old summer cottages, many of which have been renovated into million dollar plus homes. The water is shallow here, you can see rocks on the bottom if you look closely.</div>
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Once were were past the village, we were able to get quite close into shore. We certainly didn't know that there was a clothing optional beach along that stretch. Just something inherently funny about a fellow walking along wearing nothing but a backpack!</div>
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The sea mist couldn't make up it's mind as to wether is should burn off or not. Herons on rocks were plentiful, but the zoom on my phone couldn't do them justice.</div>
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We kept saying 'just to that next point' and then of course there was another point, and another. We did get far enough around that we could see White Rock in the misty distance.</div>
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That hazy, low lying piece of land in the left background is Cherry Point in the USA, near the border town of Blaine</div>
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And then the mist was gone, and it was beautiful.</div>
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Look at that clear water, it was fascinating to paddle quietly over it, looking for fish and sea creatures.</div>
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We could even pretend we were in Hawaii, just so beautiful!</div>
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Me. I loved this so much.</div>
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Larry and Meredith</div>
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After we turned around we picked a spot to stop for lunch. Of course we waved at the train engineer, as you are supposed to, and as kids have done for years from these beaches.</div>
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Fascinating rocks abounded. Notice the big pumice type rock my collection is sitting on. Maybe it's a relic from the eruption of Mt. Baker in Washington State?</div>
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On the way back, as the tide was rapidly retreating, we ran into sandbars, many sandbars. I didn't take any pictures then, as we were too busy trying to push ourselves over the sand bars, often just a couple of inches below the surface. The challenge was to not have to actually get out of our kayaks and pull them, but none of us were successful at that. We did a lot of hysterical laughing as we pushed with our hands to try get past the sand and we kept heading out into the bay to find some deeper water. It was mind boggling how far we had to go out. We were almost at the dredged channel for the bigger boats.</div>
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Finally water deep enough to paddle in.</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5fCyCs01Ccg" width="560"></iframe><br />
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It was just the perfect day, honestly, I can't stop smiling when I think about it. We vowed to go again, but hopefully pick a day when the tide didn't keep trying to strand us on a sand bar.<br />
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-22967930434902808942019-11-19T22:41:00.001-08:002019-11-19T22:41:38.829-08:00Fifty Shades of Brown and Grey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At the end of last week we went to Oliver. It's been a long time since we have been able to go over a weekend, but since our farmer's markets are over the year, that option has been opened back up to us. I also thought it might be easier for our lovely housesitter Meredith to be there on a weekend, when she doesn't have to dash off to work.</div>
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Unlike our previous trip in early October, we did not run into any snow, at all. Just rain, and a fair bit of it until we got closer to Princeton, and into the drier climate of the Southern Interior of the province. The sky cleared for a little bit, and I think that was the only bit of sun we saw for the whole four days, and we saw the most beautiful of rainbows. I think you have to have a really good camera to pick up the rainbow colours well, and so my photos do not do it justice. Even though I played around a with them a bit to try make the rainbow glow with the vibrance we saw, I was mostly unsuccessful.</div>
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We were in Oliver for three nights. It was mostly an uneventful trip. The sky was gray the whole time, except for late one afternoon when it cleared off a bit, but the sun was behind the mountain by then. We did lots of dog walks, like usual. Maybe not as long as we used to, as Jake doesn't have the endurance now at 15+ years old, that he used to. He tends to lag behind before too long, and we have to keep turning around to check that he is still coming. And one time I turned around...no Jake! No point in calling him, as he can only hear you if you use the right pitch and is within a 100 feet or so. I started walking back, expecting to see him in the brush off to the side. And I didn't see him, and then panic starts to build and the walking gets faster and turns into a jog, and then finally I spotted him, down the bank, chowing down on a dead salmon. Bad dog Jake! Well hopefully he didn't get much, and at least he didn't roll in it which might have been Luna's first choice. </div>
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Even though the Fall colours had now just turned to fifty shades of grey and brown, the textures and lines were amazing. The vegetation is so different to what we have here down near the coast, in our rainforest type climate, and I find it fascinating.</div>
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Milkweed pods drying up.</div>
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These almost look like withered grapes, but as far as I know they are the drooping berry clusters of the Smooth Sumac <i>Rhus Glabra. </i>This spot must have got hit harder with some freezing weather than others.</div>
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I walked down the bank towards the river, and didn't even realized I picked up these travellers. Thankfully not ticks, but a small flattened burr. I left them until we were back at the car, and picked them off into the garbage.</div>
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Someone doing a little self promotion. I thought there might be some bird seed in it, but no evidence of any.</div>
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And Luna, dear Luna.....if there is a prickly pear cactus to be found, she will find it! She couldn't move, as she had the cactus stuck to two feet.</div>
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The remnants of a wasp nest</div>
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A grove of cottonwoods with wood pecker holes</div>
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Walking north, south of Road 14</div>
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Looking southwest</div>
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Looking northwest</div>
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The cottonwoods from the other side of the river</div>
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I had to look twice at this....and then realized that was the name of the winery at the bottom of the sign.</div>
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Looking north</div>
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Looking south. A couple of remnants of summer down there on the bank</div>
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Nearly 10 years ago, a small lake behind an crumbling earthen dam, broke free and roared down the creek bed (right in the centre of the picture, at the lowest spot of the foreground hills). It covered the highway and the orchards and roared toward the river. The grass covered berm right in front of me is some of that mud and rock debris piled up. There is really now no evidence that it ever happened, unless you know what to look for.</div>
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Well the close branch and the black berries were supposed to be in focus, not the other way around. The silver foliage in the background was lovely though. I don't know what kind of tree it was, but made me think of olives...</div>
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We had to wonder why these apples had been left. If there hadn't been an 8' fence between us and them, we would have had a sample.</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-29070520455617086992019-11-10T11:50:00.000-08:002019-11-10T11:50:14.691-08:00Leaves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've decided I want to get back into some blogging.....time will tell as to how that goes, lol! A while back I was looking for something that I knew I'd blogged about, and then I started reading some old posts, and I enjoyed reading them. After all, this blog is for me, it's just a lucky by-product that a few other people enjoy it as well, so I hope I can continue to keep you interested and amused.</div>
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This was part of our trail through the back bush, as we call it, about three weeks ago. So pretty! After what is sticking in my memory as a quite rainy September and most of October, we finally got some Indian summer. I did wonder if it was even politically correct to call it that, and went to the 'knower of all things', otherwise known as Google, and the jury seems to be out on that one.</div>
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And this is the same part of the trail, just this past week. </div>
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All the leaves are down, and they are very thick on the trail as they are in the underbrush around the trees, but you can't rake the leaves out of the underbrush. Besides, there is an eco system out there, and I didn't want to disturb it that much, so decided to gather only leaves in the really thick spots on the trail. I've always mulched our raspberries with leaves, it keeps the weeds down somewhat, as I gave up trying to keep them weed free, and the leaves are the only fertilizer they get. After we lost half of the big maple at the bottom of the driveway, and some big pieces at the one by the gate, the leaves on the driveway are much much less, and not enough to fully mulch the raspberries. As well as that, in the gardening group I belong to on Facebook, lots of info has appeared on the benefits of leaves as mulch, so I'm trying to get more on board with that.</div>
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Luna loves to attack the rake, which can actually be pretty darn annoying....</div>
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Nine bags of leaves collected from the back bush. Larry went out with the tractor and trailer and brought them back. I'll do some mulching at the upper garden, if I ever get it cleaned up.</div>
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Then Friday evening, just on the edge of dark and before the predicted rain I drove the car down the road. There I met Larry who had taken the dogs for a walk while I finished off some jam, and we raked 6 more bags full from where the leaves had piled up along the shoulder.</div>
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Some leaves mulching the kale, and in the background the raspberries.</div>
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And then just some random Fall shots, playing around with a little point and shoot Nikon that I had bought second hand. Unfortunately some coffee got spilled and ran down the back of LED screen of my DSLR (so little that I didn't even think it was an issue), but despite all my efforts, the camera died.</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-26173780885915854512019-01-26T15:15:00.001-08:002019-01-26T15:15:08.139-08:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Where has the time gone! I started this blog with great enthusiasm nine years ago. The enthusiasm has certainly waned over the last few years, and this year it was pretty pathetic. I thought I could do a brief recap of some of the things that happened in 2018, just to prove that we didn't actually fall off the edge of the earth.</div>
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Larry and I, Christmas Day 2018, during an afternoon walk around Mill Lake in Abbotsford. We had gone to lunch at Meredith's. Our Christmas dinner was on Boxing Day when we could be all together, as David and Melissa were at her parents on Chrismas Day. A very relaxing Christmas Day, we kind of liked it that way.</div>
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Our annual photo. I aim to take a different one each year. Last year we had the massive tree hanging over our driveway, courtesy of the ice storm. This year we had a bit of a post pounding party on Dec. 28. Might as well take advantage of the younger muscles to replace a few fence posts.</div>
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Left to right... Meredith, me, David, Larry and David's significant other, Melissa.</div>
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Our dogs Jake and Luna, and David and Melissa's dogs, Chy(ene) and Tucker. I had enough thrift store sourced rain gear to outfit the visitors! No ice storms this Christmas, it was mild and wet.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6U-bspMcFE/XCb7SVVHOvI/AAAAAAAANJ8/LVmTbiZJ4AIfd-GIrwgvScgU7skdJmCBwCLcBGAs/s1600/49196486_637537703315845_9199698301673275392_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="1548" height="600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6U-bspMcFE/XCb7SVVHOvI/AAAAAAAANJ8/LVmTbiZJ4AIfd-GIrwgvScgU7skdJmCBwCLcBGAs/s640/49196486_637537703315845_9199698301673275392_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our sweet Jake, at somewhere around 14 1/2 years old, is showing signs of some Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. We had some weird nighttime barking happening in the early Spring. We finally figured out that his night vision was not good, and once we left a lamp on and some night lights, he was okay. In August he had an odd event, and then some lesser similar ones a couple of months later. I did decide that they were probably some sort of seizures. He also has a perianal adenoma under his tail. He has been to the vet a couple of times about these things, but I don't think this vet is going to be a huge help with the doggy dementia. I've joined a group on Facebook and from what I see there, every dog is different, and a different cocktail of drugs and supplements may or may not work for each one. He also showed signs of anxiety in the evenings, and being unable to settle. One day I happened to read something in the Tumeric User Group on Facebook. Sundowner Syndrome was mentioned, I looked it up, and there were Jake's symptoms all laid out in front of me. He seems pretty stable right now. I've added an Omega 3 supplement, he was already getting turmeric Golden Paste. I've bumped that up and am giving it to him four times a day (when I remember) with a small add on of a curcumin supplement. I've added in a bit of CBD oil. He settles well in the evening, most days. One day at a time.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldyHxa42pGw/XBtKj3efn4I/AAAAAAAANIs/egYacNeDdv8hpBplzMtS1tHiYGCIFzS5gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181118_150925783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="548" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldyHxa42pGw/XBtKj3efn4I/AAAAAAAANIs/egYacNeDdv8hpBplzMtS1tHiYGCIFzS5gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20181118_150925783.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I grew lots of veggies again this year. Some successes, some failures. I failed to get a proper roof over my tomatoes, and they fell to the usual viruses that hit tomatoes here in the late summer. They need to be protected from the rains at that time of the year. This year was a bumper crop for fruit, so we had lots of pears and apples to sell, as well as plums and a few raspberries and blueberries.</div>
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Our winter has been very mild so far, so I'm still picking things from the garden. The carrots, broccoli and greens were picked just recently.</div>
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So, not long ago I had this post finished, all ready to hit publish. I was working on the old laptop and it was giving me a bit of trouble. I hit something wrong, after I thought it had saved the post, which hadn't happened. So everything from here on down was lost. I wanted to cry. So probably a couple of more weeks has passed since then....</div>
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This was the year of Larry getting a hear aid. I was probably happier about it than him. At least I didn't have to repeat myself so often! He was able to hear customers at the market much better, and he would definitely notice the difference if he didn't have it in. Thankfully he only needed one in his left ear. </div>
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This is one recurring problem though. The clear tube keeps turning red. No one seems to be able to tell us why. He is now on his third tube, and it is already 'pinking' up after just a week. The hearing place is stumped. Anyone have any ideas?</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kre6gttkVuU/XBtKkuVttPI/AAAAAAAANIw/9Ti-w9wGb3UH1ibqo2BHC8Eb3ELp1gJhACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181129_104019809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="548" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kre6gttkVuU/XBtKkuVttPI/AAAAAAAANIw/9Ti-w9wGb3UH1ibqo2BHC8Eb3ELp1gJhACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20181129_104019809.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We started two things in 2018. One of them was puzzles. It all started in the Spring when I picked up a free brand new puzzle at a garage sale. When we put all the leaves in our dining room table, there is enough room for the puzzle at one end, us to eat, and leftover horizontal surface at the other end for piles of papers, lol. We don't have a puzzle going all the time. One was finished over Christmas when David and Meredith really got gungho and spent a lot of time working on it. I just got another one out yesterday.</div>
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The other thing we started was square dancing. Oh my! Never ever thought we'd be square dancers. I remember my mum and dad going to square dancing when I was a kid, and we still have their square dancing badges. January 2018 we took advantage of the three free lessons offered by our local club, and we were hooked! So much fun, and quite a workout too. I swore I'd never wear one of those big poufy skirts (much more poufy than in my parent's era). I do like to wear a skirt, and I've got some pretty full skirts, but haven't taken the crinoline plunge just yet, although I'm close, very close, lol! It's funny, I've talked to quite a few women that also swore that they were never going to wear one of 'those' skirts, and now they do.</div>
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Here's Larry front and centre at a demo our club did at a Christmas festival. I'm there too, just a head visible between two other heads on the left.</div>
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And then, after much thought, I made a big decision. A huge decision, to mostly put an end to the market that has been a part of my life for 20 years. Add another 6 or so years before that, that I did other markets, fairs, events. I feel like I'm losing a part of myself to end it, but it's time to make time for other things. I have admitted that I might still go to the market randomly, maybe once a month. It's the pressure of having to keep up production enough to put on a good show every week that I want to get away from. I still don't know how this is all going to play out. We shall see.</div>
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I have a massive amount of fabric, so have been putting some effort into getting some things sewn up. </div>
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Aprons, bags, bibs, tea cosies maybe, lap blankets, all coming up I hope. I'm working on aprons at the moment. Thirty six so far. </div>
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Our winter has been so mild, we've been able to work on outside stuff. So much to do, not enough energy, or maybe not enough enthusiasm.</div>
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Better go out and clean out another chicken coop!</div>
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-92072506716818267992018-09-03T23:52:00.001-07:002018-09-04T08:12:08.934-07:00Paddling on the Pitt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I really should do a post on things around here, but sometimes a post just presents itself and it's just easier to take the path of least resistance, lol! </div>
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Meredith had some time off work, and no big plans for it, so we figured we could at least get one day of kayaking in there. I wanted to go to to Pitt Lake, which is what we did. The plan was to cross the lake and go into Widgeon slough and paddle up the creek from there. We weren't exactly sure where the entrance was, so went across the lake and up the shore to the north a bit, for some sight seeing.</div>
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Below is where we set off from, although the picture was taken when we got back. It was cloudy when we started out.</div>
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The entrance to the slough was just behind the boat to the right, we could tell that when we got out on the water, but still kept to the original plan of paddling to the right once we got across. It was quite breezy there, and I had read that it often gets windy, but just a light bit of chop on the lake at that point.</div>
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The sky was looking promising, and the forecast was for some sunshine, so we were hopeful. Meredith took most of these pictures, so that is me.</div>
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Heading back south down the lake. Depending where you read, Pitt Lake is either the largest or second largest tidal fresh water lake in the world. I couldn't find out which lake is considered larger, if there is one.</div>
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The water was very shallow along that grassy area, and at low tide is probably dry ground. There is a 2-3' tide change.</div>
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Look at that sky. The sky was amazing that day.</div>
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We found the slough and it was quite calm behind Siwash Island. Some very shallow bits there too, Meredith and I both ran aground, gently enough that we were able to push ourselves off with our paddle. Parts were a bit weedy in the slough. The sky was a bit ominous, coming over the mountains on the west side of the lake.</div>
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We found the entrance to the creek. </div>
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We were heading northwest and then north. The sky was looking pretty ominous now, and Meredith was sure she felt a drop of rain. </div>
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We had been paddling for an hour or more by this point, and shoulders and arms were aching. A sandy bank presented itself and that seemed like a good place to stop and stretch our legs and put on a long sleeved layer. It had gotten quite cool. We had taken some muffins and dried apples, so we called that lunch. </div>
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Those two mountains were interesting looking. We weren't quite sure where we were, we had passed a side channel that may have been the way to the actual creek, and we couldn't get any phone reception so no help from google. Since we were tired and knew we had quite a way to go to get to where we had started from, we called it good and headed back. We were paddling into the wind now, but it wasn't as hard as we thought it might be.</div>
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The tide was going out, so the water level was dropping. We kept to the deeper channel on the way out. When we got to the open lake the wind had definitely picked up. There were white caps and some big swells. We made out okay going across, at an angle to the wind. It was a bit exhilarating, not really scary, but you had to pay attention and there was no stopping paddling to take any pictures.</div>
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I think that dark double topped mountain over Larry and I is actually a sideways view of the two humps in the previous two photos.</div>
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The sun was shining on the east side of the lake, and we were happy to have made it back in one piece. None of us felt anywhere close to tipping coming across the lake, but we were glad that the wind wasn't blowing any harder.</div>
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The longest paddle we have done this summer, and but it was probably the most interesting one too.</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-25369590840785588142018-08-21T19:35:00.001-07:002018-08-21T19:35:27.811-07:00Happy Birthday Jake!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First of all I want to thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my last, long overdue post💖</div>
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Today is Jake's unofficial 14th birthday. </div>
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I don't know if I have ever shared the story of us acquiring Jake. Over 13 years ago one of the members of my dog club posted about a border collie looking for a new home. This woman's brother had found Jake on a popular dirt biking mountain, hiding under a bush. I don't know what kind of attempts he made to find Jake's owner, but hopefully he did some. Since the brother couldn't keep Jake because of the dogs he already had, he ended up giving him to a friend of his sister's, who had one big dog. Turns out he didn't really work out for her either, she said she wanted him to be an inside dog, and he didn't want to be, and that he kept pooping behind the couch when she did bring him in. </div>
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At this point we just had Calli the yellow Lab, and I was realizing that she really wasn't turning out to be the agility dog that I wanted, so I was on the lookout for another dog, and was considering a border collie or cross. I had enquired about a border collie at a local rescue and had also brought a border collie cross home from a local shelter, on a trial basis, for a few days. That one turned out to be a chicken killer, thank goodness wasn't successful, but he tried his darnedest. So the decision was made to take him back, and I did shed a tear or three when I handed him over.</div>
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So then Jake showed up. We went to see him and it was love at first sight. I did say though that I had to test him on the chickens. The woman brought him over a few days later. I put him on leash, we walked into the chicken field, he showed some interest, I made a negative sound in my throat, he sat by my side. Winner!! </div>
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And lo and behold, he didn't mind coming in the house at all. I think he had two accidents in the house in the first few days, and never a one since.</div>
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I took him to the vet and asked what age he thought Jake was. The vet guessed about 10 months, and a friend I had who worked for animal control guessed 6 months, so I decided to split the difference and call him 8 months old the day he came to stay here, which makes his unofficial birthday August 21st.</div>
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He honestly is the best dog. </div>
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His health is still pretty good. He is fed a raw food diet. His weight has remained the same over the years. He has a bit of stiffness, and certainly doesn't have the endurance he used to have, but I'm feeding him Golden Paste, which has amazing anecdotal evidence of being very helpful with the inflammation of arthritis. He hasn't had any vaccinations in years. No flea treatments, no heart worm (not an issue here anyway, but some vets used to push it), we don't use any chemicals here so his exposure to harmful 'stuff' would be minimal. Of course genetics also has a huge role to play, and since we know none of that, it's just a crap shoot in that department.</div>
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He did have one scary incident a few weeks ago. Larry got up in the early hours of the morning, and Jake was circling to the right. To make a long story short, when we got him outside and moving in a straight line, we determined that he had no sight in his left eye. I'm assuming that was causing the right circling. We brought him back into the house, and went back to bed, as he seemed okay other than the eyesight. A few hours later when I got up to feed him, I could tell right away that he was back to normal. When I tested his eyesight, yes, he was seeing out of that left eye. Very weird. I did take him to the vet who tested his eyes and said everything seemed as it should be. He had no explanation for what happened. He said the sudden loss of sight could be explained by a detached retina, but they don't just reattach themselves, so that didn't explain why he could suddenly see again. My first thought was a stroke, although the vet did say they are very rare in dogs. Maybe it was a small <a href="https://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke/what-tia" target="_blank">TIA</a>. Hopefully it won't happen again.</div>
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So here's some random photos, mostly from the last few years. </div>
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Jake has been the only dog to have his own chair. I love his eyes in this photo.</div>
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He has co-piloted a Land Rover</div>
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Posed on rocks by the Okanagan River. This has been the screen saver on the desktop for a long time</div>
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Posed in the snow</div>
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Brought us toys/balls to throw, billions of times</div>
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Modelled</div>
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Climbed to the tops of mountains</div>
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Laid on the lawn</div>
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Stood in the water waiting for the ball/toy to be thrown</div>
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Won lots of ribbons in agility</div>
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And was in the first place position on the podium twice, at the BC/Yukon agility championships, plus several other times in lower placings </div>
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Such a good boy!</div>
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Cuddled in a chair with a new toy</div>
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For a short while his doggy family increased.</div>
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And he had to unwillingly share his toys with a pesky puppy. He does not like puppies, but he does like to play with them when they grow up. He is particularly fond of extra large dogs.</div>
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Don't you dare give those scraps to anyone but ME!</div>
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Been on an unplanned walkabout when we had to wait for the car to be repaired on a road trip.</div>
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Climbed more mountains</div>
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It was windy on this one.</div>
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Checked out the beaver tree, which fell down this past winter.</div>
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Will you please open this gate?</div>
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Loved water as a medium to fetch toys out of.</div>
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Posed under THE tree down over our driveway from last winter's ice storm. </div>
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Checked for critters hiding in the hollow stump</div>
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And these days, he does an awful lot of this.</div>
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He has always been an 'enjoy the outside' kind of dog. He will hang out under the rhododendron bush when it's raining and sometimes has to be convinced it's nicer inside. Once he is in, he seems happy to be there.</div>
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💕💕💕 Happy Birthday dear red dog. 💕💕💕</div>
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-82727092473793673352018-08-16T23:44:00.000-07:002018-08-16T23:44:08.892-07:00It's All About the Journey...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I started this post three weeks ago.....good grief..... so what I'm writing about here took place three weeks ago.</div>
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Last Sunday at the Farmer's Market, one of our customers mentioned to me that she missed my blog. I know, I don't know what happened, the blogging break wasn't intentional, but it just seemed to become too much effort. When I thought of it I didn't even know where to start. I had lots of things I could blog about, but just thinking of what to blog about made me move on to something else.</div>
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So here I am, giving it another go.</div>
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We've still been continuing on with the Sunday Farmer's market. To retire, scale back, continue on as we are; all the options are going through my mind. I love the market, and at times I want to be done with it it, badly. I have pretty strong anti-market feelings sometimes, but that's usually on a Saturday evening when it's getting dark and I'm running out of time to get all done that needs to be done...... Then Sunday morning comes around and we are setting up our booth and it is all good.</div>
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We have been going to the White Rock Farmer's Market for 20 years now. We are the only vendor remaining from that first year. I bet we have only missed about a dozen markets in all those years, if that. I have decided this year that if I don't get done what I think I should have got done, it's all good, the world won't end, a few customers might be a bit disgruntled, but oh well....we'll all survive.</div>
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We went to Oliver this week. As usual just a two night stay. Since we leave on Tuesday morning, at a half decent hour (although in this hot spell there was an awful lot of plants to water and look after before we left), we feel like it isn't quite as much as a rush to get there, so let's enjoy the journey.</div>
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This time we decided to take a trip to the alpine meadows at Manning Park. We tried on the last trip, but the gate was closed part way up because the snow hadn't melted yet. The last time we were there was when the kids were little, in the early '90s.</div>
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I had been told that the end of July was the best time, and in my mind's eye was seeing meadows of flowers, maybe Julie Andrews running across it, or Heidi off in the distance😀</div>
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It was a bit disappointing in the flower department, but the hairy Western Anenome was pretty cool to look at.</div>
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A few patches of Indian Paintbrush</div>
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It was warm, almost hot up there, but lovely skies and vistas, and the bugs were bearable.</div>
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Luna spotted something on the trail. I don't think she could figure out what it was, as usually she doesn't pay too much attention to birds.</div>
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I think it was considering having a dust bath, but as we got closer, it headed for cover.</div>
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I tiptoed off the trail (we weren't supposed to leave it) and got this shot. Grouse or Ptarmigan, Google didn't really help me decide which.</div>
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Then Luna got the border collie crouch going, and the stare, and notice her right foot, she's got the pointer stance going too.</div>
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What to do, what to do, which one to go for, now there's four, do you see them. No worries, she wasn't allowed to do anything more than you see here.</div>
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On the drive up, there were some incredible views of snowy peaks all around. Oh, and washboardy roads, bad, very bad, and even worse going back down. It took us 15 minutes to travel 4.5 miles coming down. Thankfully after that, by the viewpoint, we were back on pavement.</div>
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A patch of Heather</div>
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A bit of an uphill slog back to the parking lot. It was hot and we had had enough, and it was time to continue on with the journey.</div>
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The next stop was about 10 minutes down the road close to the halfway mark of our drive. We pulled off where there are some rough campsites along the Similkameen River and stopped to let the dogs have a swim and play in the water. This really means that we throw sticks out into the water and they bring them back, over and over and over again.</div>
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On to Keremeos where we stopped to pick up some fruit. 80 lbs of peaches and apricots. Seconds, which are perfect for jam, for $.35 lb! We parked the car in the shade and sat next to it on a picnic table and the fruit stand owner brought us some samosas. A mid afternoon lunch. </div>
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Onward. </div>
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We took the northern route from Keremeos and stopped at Yellow Lake. It is a popular fishing lake. Oxygen is pumped into the lake to help the fish, as they would otherwise die off. As to why it is called Yellow Lake....well your guess is as good as mine. </div>
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I just about went for a dip, as those concrete squares were all slippery with algae in the lake, so I had to make sure I kept my feet on the gravelly bits in-between. </div>
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A funny story on this trip at this lake. Luna ran out on the dock and leapt into the water on the left side of the wide part at the end. The water was all thickly covered in that scummy algae you can see to the right. Underneath the algae was a bunch of rotting logs and crappy stuff. A bit of a dead water area between the dock and the shoreline which curved out there. Luna has never been on a dock before, that I can remember. Did she think she was jumping onto land? The algae did look pretty solid....Anyway she disappeared right under the algae, thankfully popped back up and then swam and scrambled to get to the shore. Well then lo and behold she ran out to the wide part of the dock again, and went off the other side into the clear water. She caught her foot a bit on a mooring cleat, so she ended up diving in like a human, head first straight down into the water. I've got to admit we sure had some laughs at her two dock diving attempts! I guess it put her off a bit because after that she ran just onto the first part of the dock and jumped off into the shallow water where she could touch the bottom.</div>
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This time our trip to Oliver took us twice as long as usual, but we enjoyed ourselves getting there.</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-16315430776543106862018-05-30T17:50:00.001-07:002018-05-30T17:50:22.210-07:00Paddling Down Memory River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A month or two ago Meredith acquired a kayak, a real kayak. No money was exchanged, but a few hours of work and a lot of good will made the kayak hers. Since it's 14' length was way too much to fit in the storage locker of her condo, it's snuggled up here in the barn/shop with our two. She was wanting company on her first trip in the kayak, so she asked us if we wanted to go on Victoria Day (Monday). We said sure and we had some discussion about where to go, but with it being a long weekend and a lot of people out camping and places being busy, and the water levels of the lakes and rivers being high, we couldn't decide. I came up with the Nicomekl river. About a 40 minute drive, and not a swimming or great boating spot, which meant not too many boats or bodies in the water, so that is where we ended up.</div>
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We put the kayaks in at Ward's Marina, which is part of Elgin Heritage Park, home of the historic Stewart Farm. Ward's Marina is the home of the Mud Bay Yacht Club, and is where my dad used to moor his 20' sailboat. My Dad passed away 31 years ago on that sailboat out in Mud Bay.</div>
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Anyway, I sort of thought of all this while we were there, but they were just memories and I didn't feel too emotional.</div>
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Now there should have been pictures of this first bit, but alas, there aren't. We unloaded the kayaks and Larry went to move the truck, so Meredith and I carried the two smaller ones down the concrete boat ramp. The tide was way out, the river at this point is very close to the ocean, so is greatly affected by the tides. The concrete ended, and it was mud....so off to the side was more mud and lots of oyster shells or something else maybe, but I seemed to think the ground would be firmer there, so I said I would check it out. Ha ha, I instantly sank to my ankles in goop, so glopped my way out of the shoe sucking stuff. In the meantime, a couple of other kayaks had pulled up to the dock, and were unloading there. Well duh, why hadn't we realized that was the way to go. Another guy was pushing a wheel barrow up the ramp from the dock and had a smirk on his face, probably silently laughing at me the idiot prancing around the muck. We hadn't boarded the kayaks from a dock before so we were hoping the other people would leave in case one us made a fool of ourselves and tipped our kayak. Fortunately, it all went okay, maybe some rocking kayaks, but kayaks and paddlers all remained the right way up.</div>
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We set off upriver and came to a bay with lots of boats moored. After my dad died, Larry and one of his brothers bought the sailboat from my mum. The frugal brother decided that he was not paying a monthly rent at the dock, he was going to put in a mooring in the bay where it was a free for all. That's probably a whole chapter in itself, the floating of some massive thing out there and then sinking it. I think the first one started to drag, so they had to do it again. Anyway for the rest of it's time in our family's possession, the sailboat was moored in that bay. </div>
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When we paddled through there it was like the marine version of a homeless camp. Sure there were some decent looking boats, but other moorings had all sorts of oddball things tied up and floating next to some sort of boat. Things like those white plastic clamshell car top carriers. Anyway, it was interesting to paddle by, to say the least!</div>
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I had my phone in one of those waterproof bags, hung around my neck, and took pictures from there. At first the edge of the bag was covering part of the lens, so those pictures were garbage. It was hard to see the phone and just very awkward, so I am going to look for a cheap point and shoot and use that. </div>
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We kept going upriver and went past some expensive houses with expensive boat houses and expensive boats. The property in the background here has a windmill. I've actually been to it once.</div>
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I took this picture because David lived at this property for a semester while he was going to UBC (University of British Columbia) It belonged to a lady he knew in the horse world, and made his commute to university half of what it would have been from home.</div>
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At this point we had reached the dam on the river and have turned back downstream. The tide was coming in so the paddling wasn't any easier. That black blob on the sand bar was a heron just about to take flight.</div>
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Wards Marina straight ahead!</div>
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Larry had had enough, but Meredith and I paddled downriver to the next bend.</div>
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She almost looks like she is levitating in this one!</div>
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One of the boats moored at the marina.</div>
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I took a photo of the kayaks in the back of the truck when we got home, so we could remember how we had strapped them in, which worked quite well.</div>
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Today I decided to look up some photos that I could remember. </div>
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So this is Meredith in 1986, in my Dad's sailboat, on the same river, with some young guy, who the heck is he, oh, that must be Larry!</div>
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And then were more pictures when Larry and my dad took a trip to Saturna Island. Here they are heading down the river to the ocean.</div>
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My mum and Meredith and I took the ferry over to Saturna Island and joined them for an afternoon of sailing.</div>
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I have to admit I did get emotional looking at these pictures. My dad loved kids, and Meredith was the only one of his 6 grandchildren that he got to meet. He passed away a few short months after this photo was taken, doing what he loved.</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-8675610439377508492018-05-14T12:32:00.000-07:002018-05-14T12:32:43.865-07:00Chicken Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think I post about this every year, so it is a story you have heard before, but it cracks me up every. single. time. So for my sake you have to read it once again (or not). </div>
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Every year when we buy new pullets (young hens just about ready to lay), I put an order in for the next year, March or April I say. Most years I never get a phone call back from them, and because it is now my responsibility to call them, like many things, I put it off. Anyway, I finally made the call near the end of April and was told it would be very soon, she would give me a call back, which she did in a week or two, and last Wednesday was declared chicken day. Because we had lots of customers who were able to take care of all the eggs during the winter, I said that we would put the new hens in the old coop, which has been empty since the beginning of last year. We put a temporary fence up so that they could have a grassy area to wander. Once they got laying I would get rid of the oldest flock, and the new hens would fill their spot. The old coop had some leaks in the roof, we had a bit of discussion on how to fix that, but the decision was made for us when I noticed a robin's nest built over the window of the coop, under the protection of an overhanging bit of tarp. Every time we went close, the mother flew off, so we had to figure out how to disturb her the least amount. I did have a quick peak and saw eggs, so knew she needed to be on that nest to keep the eggs warm. So our quick roof fix was to take a piece of that same plastic I used to repair the greenhouse, and cut it to length. The width was enough to go from the bottom edge of one side of the roof, over the peak and to the bottom edge of the other side. We got it up there, then a breeze picked up, so we had to get it up there again, but it didn't take long and we got some staples in along the edge and it was good. </div>
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I was the last person to pick up their pullets that Wednesday afternoon, (hey, might as well let the hatchery feed them as long as possible!). We used to take cages but now we empty out the back of the truck and throw a bit of hay in and the pullets are all put in there. It easier all round as far as I am concerned.</div>
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I pulled up to the gate when I get home, Jake was laid on the driveway, and then Luna appeared and ran down and then stopped, head in the air, sniff, sniff, sniff, I smell chickens!</div>
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Now generally, she isn't really that interested in the chickens. In her younger days she would follow one around if it got out into the back yard. She loves to go with me to the south coop, which is off the ground, and lays underneath it while I do what ever I am doing there, but generally she just ignores them now.</div>
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The camera doesn't capture the intensity, she really is like a coiled spring here, the excitement, oh the excitement....chickens in a truck!!</div>
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Oh, chickens in a truck, moving around in there!!</div>
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Does this photo make my butt look big?</div>
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Yes it does, but your butt is not big at all. </div>
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We backed the truck up to the coop door, we could get it close but there was still a bit of a gap with the tailgate down. The chickens don't want to leave the truck, so that involves me climbing in there, hoping I don't put my knee(s) on a nice fresh poop, and using my arms to sweep groups out. Some cooperate and jump to the coop, some do everything in their power to stay in the truck. Luna sat in the gap between the tailgate and coop, and I had to tell her to lay down, which she did, and then she had chickens fall on her as some didn't quite make the leap from truck to coop. Did she care or move, nope, she was such a good girl. </div>
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I let her go into the coop after, and here she is looking as border collieish as she ever does.</div>
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I got a peek in the nest while we were there. One had hatched the day before, and now there were one or two more!!</div>
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Ramona is giving me a reminder that shearing time is coming up.</div>
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And a couple of days later there were definitely three!</div>
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The pullets had already started to lay, and Thursday we got fifteen little eggs. On Sunday we were up to twenty five, so that is 50%! I think we might donate these little eggs to the food bank. The yolks are quite pale compared to our other eggs. Maybe another week of eating grass will colour them up a bit.</div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-63051582888128747572018-05-03T22:02:00.000-07:002018-05-03T22:02:29.216-07:00The Christmas Present<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kind of a funny title for this time of the year, but the last part finally got finished the other day, and I wanted to share the transformation.</div>
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When Meredith bought her condo, I seemed to be involved in the furniture she acquired. I either found it for her, did a makeover, helped her do a make over, was there when she bought it at a thrift store or garage sale, you get the idea. I always felt that she needed a little counter height table in her kitchen alcove. She had a little tea cart in there that was originally my mum's, and had a dining table and chairs from Larry's mum on the other side of the dividing wall. The tea cart wasn't the right scale, but at least it was a something that you could store a few things in or put something down on.</div>
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About a month or so before Christmas the table below, a 'bar' table they called it, came up on Bidding Wars. I sent this picture to Meredith, fully expecting like everything else that I sent her, she would say 'thanks, but no thanks'. </div>
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Well she proved me wrong, and said she was interested, maybe because I had added in that I would do a makeover on it for her as a Christmas present. So I managed to be the winning bidder of the set at $15.</div>
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The table how I pictured it from the photo, size wise, and the size it really was when we went to pick it up, were quite different. </div>
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Anyway, took it home, took it apart, and started sanding and painting. It dominated the utility room for quite a while. </div>
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The wood stove made made a handy horizontal surface for the stool legs. Obviously it wasn't in use at this moment!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEv1qQZG69Y/Wuvm3FasJ9I/AAAAAAAAM0I/BbvuEAzRug0_uCkfbarWpav3A8045Ai-wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEv1qQZG69Y/Wuvm3FasJ9I/AAAAAAAAM0I/BbvuEAzRug0_uCkfbarWpav3A8045Ai-wCLcBGAs/s640/DSC_0557.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I got excited when I started sanding the top and a nice wood grain appeared. I texted Meredith and said that maybe I should just stain the top. So I kept sanding and there were some flecks of the dark original paint buried in the wood grain. I sanded more and then the wood grain disappeared. See that medium brown round area on the left? The wood grain veneer was so microscopically thin that I had sanded it away! So back to the painting plan.</div>
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My mistake was not to continue sanding all of the dark paint off, as it took quite a few layers of the white to give an even finish to the table top</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N5RYxwXJaBg/WuakXY3idEI/AAAAAAAAMzE/jCaVn88RCzoxAW9H2chw8R5woPRJQQ0ngCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N5RYxwXJaBg/WuakXY3idEI/AAAAAAAAMzE/jCaVn88RCzoxAW9H2chw8R5woPRJQQ0ngCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9534.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The stools were covered in vinyl, and it was ripping around the edges. I came up with various options for reupholstering the stool tops. I even found these extra large linen cushion covers at the thrift store. They were a natural off white, and had a large pattern embroidered on them in a shimmery bluey grey colour. One cushion had the embroidery on both sides, so I just bought the one for 75 cents. When I got it home I was so taken with it, and my mind got working, and I thought it would look great on the seats of Meredith's dining room chairs. Many years ago I had recovered them for my mother-in-law in a 'fashionable' (at the time) blue green with coloured flecks. There had been two cushions at the thrift store, and luckily when I went back the next day, the other cushion was still there. I gathered together a few options that I had for recovering the stools, and showed them to Meredith the next time she was over. She picked a blue and white striped denim, like the overalls that guys working on the steam trains are pictured in. </div>
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This was Christmas morning. Doesn't Meredith look so excited? Haha, not!</div>
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The reveal</div>
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It's funny how the camera can't really 'read' the stripes, but they are all vertical around the edge of the seat, well matched at the seam, so that you can't even notice it, and run in a straight line across the top. The 'piece de resistance' was the piping that I took off the big cushions and used between the sides and the top. I loved how it turned out.</div>
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In postion at Meredith's.</div>
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Meredith went to visit David and Melissa in Edmonton this last weekend, so we made daily visits to her place to feed her cat. We took the seats off the chairs, brought them home, and I stapled the cushion sides on them. I've got to say I really loved how they turned out.</div>
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The seats aren't as white as they appear, and the design is a bit more blue. They don't get used much at all, so they should stay decent looking for a long while.</div>
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The table and chairs are a Duncan Phyfe style, a copy, not an antique. </div>
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I think Toast the cat approves too. </div>
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486219060874117495.post-33277491382061599202018-04-29T00:40:00.001-07:002018-04-29T00:40:49.901-07:00Still Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had a very wet Spring this year, cool too. Not as bad as some people, who had snow until past the middle of April. It's all relative though, I think everyone had a later, colder, wetter or snowier Spring.</div>
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The Trilliums in our bush have been blooming for quite a while. They have all reached the pinky purply colour now. One day I saw a clump of bigger looking Trilliums (not only do they have three petals, but most often seem to grow in clumps of three), so I crashed through the bush to get to them. On the way I came across the deer skull from the cougar kill of a few summers ago, so I carried it over to the Trilliums. There was something about the contrast, death and rebirth maybe, and I was so taken up with the skull next to the Trilliums that I didn't even get a decent picture of them.</div>
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Now I'm not really big on using dog coats, but with so many rainy days, sometimes you just want to have less 'dog' to dry off when you get back to the house. I found the nice red one for Jake at the thrift store just recently, it is a good fit and lots of coverage, and it only cost me $5. I think he looks like a red burrito!</div>
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Luna and Bella had some deep discussions about the endless rain.....</div>
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I took the ducks out for a paddle in the drainage canal I dug next to the new row of rhubarb I planted. I've already mentioned the local Bidding Wars group on Facebook that I'm active in. Well this time I was the winner of a whole bunch of rhubarb plants. Enough to plant a row of about 20, and another 20 or so that I potted up and will take to the market, which starts in a week!</div>
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Then I took the ducks for a visit with the chickens, who didn't give a hoot, or a quack! The wet hens have the same 'tail down' posture of the ducks.</div>
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I planted some kohlrabi and broccoli seedlings, and spread some of the ash from the wood stove around them. It's supposed to help prevent club root. The big plants are kale from last year, which are sending out nice tender leaves before they flower and go to seed.</div>
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There's a new man in the flock. The little rooster in the header photo passed away a few weeks ago, he was a good age, he lived at least nine years at our place. Just after that a free little rooster came up in a Facebook group I'm in, so I offered him a good home, and went and picked him up. I like to have a rooster to give a warning when predators are near. There was a great carry on the other day, I could hear the rooster's little voice shrieking 'danger, danger'. When we ran outside there was nothing to see, the hens were all hiding, so maybe an eagle had made a low pass.</div>
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Getting this new little guy, who is quite vocal, made me realize that our old one wasn't using his voice much in the last while. I like to hear a rooster crow!</div>
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All the rain meant there was lots of opportunities for getting stocked up with jam and marmalade. I didn't take all those opportunities, but did get some made. The fixings for Three Fruit marmalade in this picture</div>
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When you have two leaky boots that are opposite feet, the Fashion Forward Frugal Farmer puts the two good ones together and makes a statement! </div>
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And does something fun with the leaky two!</div>
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And then it seemed like we went from a wet cold Spring straight into Summer. Warm and sunny, shorts and t-shirt weather, and the dog's first official swimming session of the season!</div>
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The greenhouse is getting a bit of use, I've planted a few tomato plants and potted up some of the Red Russian kale that seeds itself in the vegetable garden each year.</div>
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The trees have all burst into full bloom. That's the ornamental cherry in front, the Bartlett pear in the centre, the Comice pear to the right of it by the barn, and to the left an unknown apple tree just coming into bloom. On the left of that, quite tall, is what's left of a cherry tree. We'll be lucky to get any of those cherries. That dark thing down the left side of the photo is the cover over the patio umbrella which I should have cropped out. It is hiding a clothesline of laundry, of the sort I wouldn't want to be in the photo😆</div>
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When you stood next to the fruit trees you could hear the wonderful roar of many many bees hard at work. Here on the Bartlett tree.</div>
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And another bee on an apple blossom</div>
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A few tulips whose days are just about done</div>
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And pansies, that I'm pretty sure were planted here in Spring of 2017!!</div>
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Even out in our bush, the wild cherries are just a mass of blooms, we have never noticed so many as this year. The pink is the salmonberries blooming. </div>
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And now, unfortunately, we are back into cold and rain.</div>
<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08938874724231860923noreply@blogger.com6