Stupid Cat

It is difficult to reconcile myself to the fact that while I love my cats to be free as they are... this boy-cat of mine, "Smoke", is just not the brightest cookies on the block. He manages to get on the roof despite everything we do to restrict access. He then becomes a sitting duck for the eagles that tend to fly by every day. I sure hope the 9-lives legend is more than just that. He has already used one.

In and Around the Pond

March 27th may seem a bit early to be wading around in a pond, but today I decided to clean up the dead pond plants. My friend Elisabeth lent me her leaky hip-waders and I ventured into the icy pond to clean out last years dead water plants. It was indeed cold, and once I was into the pond over my knees, the water started to leak into to waders. It was cold and sloshy but I did get the job done. It was worth the wet and cold. I climbed out of the pond and changed to dryer clothes, and then I taackeld the pond banks cleaning out all the dead plants and grasses from last year and raked and tidied everything to be ready for the season. I even managed to get the water fountain going, but the water is still to deep to get the proper water effect from the fountain. It is basically bubbling. After 5 hours, I retired to a hot bath and a glass of red wine.

A Very Scruffy Moggie

Gypsy is loosing her winter coat already, and fast. The downside is that she is looking particularly scruffy these days. She is not the best self grooming kitty, but she does her best, and her best is all we can ask for.

Veggi Garden 2011

Today I took a stroll over to the veggi garden and had a look inside the gates. Thinking it was too early to see anything exciting, I was pleasantly surprised. The Rhubarb has poked its way up and is starting to come to life. And the Raspberries...oh yes.. the raspberries are all sprouting their leaves. It is very uplifting. Now we can't wait for enough time to pass so we can plant some more.

England Here We Come

Flights are booked, arrangements are made on this end for the critters (thanks Kel), and April 17th we are Air Canada bound to England. Last year our plans were interrupted when the volcano in Iceland spewed out all its ash and canceled flights. This year we are ready! Stay tuned.

Spring 2011

Ok... I am 1 day early, but all the bulb plants are up and almost all are flowering. It is a sign of hope, really. That just around the corner, spring is here and that means summer is just waiting to make its appearance. These little crocuses are lining the driveway outside the gates. We sure can learn a lot from these plants - patience, as they wait all winter for the first warming of the ground; perseverance as they try so hard to poke their heads through the soil, or sometimes snow, and in this case bark nuggets; optimism for sure, because they believe once they poke through the ground the world and climate will be ready for them. I also heard the bard owls hooting this evening and frogs croaking. Perhaps it was the special moon last night. Happy spring!

Strong Yet Sweet

Funny thing about our Jake. I am not sure if dichotomy is the right word to use, but he really is 2 species in one. We have the strong Jake, as we try to capture on our fence post: And then we have the cuddly pup who has just decided to claim the sheepskin for his new stuffy: How do you describe something like this?

A Rainforest Walk

Today it really rained. We donned our wellies and hellies and investigated a new rain forest trail. Chris me and Jake, and the rain.

A Little Sad at Wildflower Hollow

For three years we have been able to keep the herons from the pond with fishing line barriers and have felt quite clever at outsmarting them. Who would have thought we would get a Smew duck in the pond. Chris actually saw it diving in and eating the poor fish. It was a bit too late though when he chased it away. We had about 60 gold fish in there from our original 5, plus 2 koi. We have counted only 4 goldies left and 1 koi. Thank goodness it is out large koi that has been spared. I suspect he is too big for the Smew. I guess we need to net it. I am quite bummed by this, but it is nature I guess. A heron would do far less damage.