Crumbled Acres

Friday morning I spent sawing up some of the dead pine tree out front. I have two skilsaw batteries, but ran out of juice. Well *I* ran out of juice, too. I got dizzy in the sweat and heat. Covered in bug spray, a few tick bites, and only 3 deerfly bites. How is that for positivity?! 

Before I begin, we've two Freds left, as far as I can tell. At least I had two on camera at the same time. Maybe three, as we've spotted one in the vicinity of the far burrow, #4.

This was in the morning.  The poor pine tree.

I worked on it. This is what I had left to do. I cannot move this. Nor will my Skilsaw manage it. I took a walk down to lot #3, and realized we're going to have to hire someone. Pathways are blocked. I did do the lawn in this area. 

Bruce came and fixed our roof for us, to replace our lost shingles. They fixed us up, but pointed out that the shingles were badly done. They nailed them about 6" too high, missing a sweet spot. We'd hired Whyte's Maintenance for this when we first moved here. This is the third incident of shingles blown off in a wind. May, 2018: A massive windstorm; June, 2026 Shingle repairs, by our SIL.

I don't mind paying someone to do a good job. This will last until we get the whole thing done.

Cherry tomatoes!

Apple strawberry crisp:

Caitlin's still on her concert tour! The choir is giving performances. One in Tallinn, another at the Riga NATO base. This is the 'Green Room' they used at the Tallinn church, plus a relaxing moment with a friend. 

This is one of their venues. This sanctuary in Riga was built in 1234. They've since moved on to Klaipeda, Lithuania for more touristy stuff and concerts.

 

Our grandie, Jordan, got himself a job in Kingston. Everyone is so happy for him. He's doing a summer course at the same time. Aster just visited him, and they had great sibling time! Aster cut their hair at a school year-end party!

Ah, they grow up so soon! 

Saturday's Critters

It's been a bit of a time. Our shingles have been repaired. I've lots of debris to pick up. I am somewhat tired, working in the heat. Life carries on in the season. We hit 36℃ yesterday, while I was attempting to remove the pine branches. I need to do the 'lawn' at the front. I ran out of steam, and battery power for the reciprocal saw! After applying bug spray several times, I got tired of it all and stopped. 

The Freds have had some situations. I was in the dining room, and noticed a Fred on the back deck! Right beside the door. I wasn't fast enough to grab a photo. It wisely took off down the stair, while I scolded it.

Their burrow flooded, but I saw one back at it, taking fresh bedding material (leaves). I guess they are better architects than I thought. June 28:

They are working on a new burrow under the wood pile. I hope they know what they are doing! They keep rearranging the wood pile winter tarp. Who knew groundhogs would use tools?! 

They are climbers. Who knew?!

The pregnant doe wandered up until June 28th. It seems late to me.

It's tough to get upset with her! Although with the storms we've had, I've had to hammer the deer fence posts back in a number of times. She was smart enough to go around it. SIGH

It was great fun to see a fawn. Finally! Mating season is October/November, and we've been waiting.

Of course, there is no fawn with the bucks! He does a selfie, and you can see how horrid the deerflies are.

Crumbly Rainy Windy Acres

 There was a storm July 1st. I am really glad I cut the lawn before it all happened. Funny thing is, I wrote this the day before, and we had a similar storm on Thursday. 

We are grateful for all those who are helping with the results of the storm(s).  You feel so helpless.

The sunrise was deceiving. 

 It was terribly hot. 37℃ was its peak.

During the storm, it was horizontal rain and winds.

 

 

 The Gardepro showed the shingles flying off.

   

 I went out front and found where the shingles came from.

 

Ottawa had 118mm rain (4"). Here in Lanark County we only had 35 mm July 1st.  We've lost a few branches. That beautiful white pine tree out front. I found a couple of tick nymphs trying to move the branches. Just to add insult to injury.

I could see it coming...

And it hit. Lots of power outages.

Ottawa had 118 mm rain,
lots of flooding.

🌪️   ⛈️ 🌪️   ⛈️  🌪️   ⛈️  🌪️   ⛈️  🌪️   ⛈️ 

UPDATE: Another storm July 2nd. We had another 44 mm. Fred's lower deck burrow was flooded. I hope they weren't in there. Our power went out for a couple of hours. Joe went to Smiths Falls and fetched us some dinner. Good man. 

The tree damage is significant. There are branches to clean up. 

This tree's branches landed in the front yard. I got myself two ticks trying to cut branches up. Lesson learned. 

The wind blew over the deer fence. Lots of the milkweed plants are leaning over.

The shed: 

I went out to check Barry's Aspen trees. Not good. There were two uprooted.

A spot of colour in the chaos.

Fred's burrow

In between storms s/he looked a little wet. 

Then the burrow flooded. I will be anxious to count them today. 

Crumbly Acres

Cinnamon is keeping track of his Freds. I watched him on the deck railing. He's a good uncle, as uncles tend to be.

For some reason, they are running up and down the driveway. Cinnamon likes to watch them, like tennis, back and forth. In this heat, that is probably the best move. 

Nutmeg got into the act! She peeked into one of the burrow exits. Fred was at another opening. 

Walkies demands a deerfly sticky. They are merciless. They tend to land on the back of your head, finding a place to land and take a chunk out of you. This stuff really works.

🐍This is really fun. I noticed a shed snake skin in the front garden. I could not tell what kind it is, but it is 105cm long. 

Later I noticed Cinnamon watching something in the garden. It was a beautiful Garter Snake. Our cat, Dorah, used to bring them up on the back deck. Cinn is a little gentler and just sat down beside the snake. I encouraged Cinn to come with me.

 

I have a lovely hollyhock, new to the garden this year. They aren't as yummy as the hostas, apparently!

 The Freds, especially as teenagers, are amazing climbers. Don't know why the are 'groundhogs,' when they spend much time on the fence, on top of wood piles, generally climbing.  

 

 He seems to like the fence by the deck. More milkweed trimming! 

 

Lots of Hydro workers spent Canada Day fixing up the lines. 

Just for fun, another storm through on Canada Day. We're going to need to find a roofer to replace shingles.