What a busy Sunday!

Momma Fred continues to manage the kits. 

I think my fencing has worked. She tried!

This was a hoot! 

Momma Fred and the kits ended up at the burrow under the lower deck. Imagine two old farts fascinated enough to stand here for 20 minutes watching them. 

MiniFred on the right kept up little chirps, trying to scare us, or defend them.

Cinnamon was keen on the action, as well. He was on the top step watching them, he jumped down onto the deck, and little Fred was startled, which startled Cinn. They are wary of each other and that is a good thing. Mutual respect!

Fred began whistling, and I couldn't figure out what she was worried about.  

She was vigilant.

Hearing a sound in the garage, I figured it out. Butch Raccoon! They knocked over the seed can, and got into the bird peanuts. You know, the bench we just cleaned up!

It moved to the front deck after I chased it out of the garage

Monday it was only 7 ℃, my plants look good, though.

Shingle repairs

We had new shingles put on the roof the year after we moved in, in 2011. I'd lost some photos, but Google stored them somewhere when I searched. 

We had A massive windstorm in May, 2018. I managed to fix the shingles which flipped. Our eavestrough replacement was in June, 2022. 

When I was up cleaning out the gutters in May, I spotted this issue. You can see the nail holes as Jean-Luc, my SIL, pointed out. I asked if I should work from the top to the bottom to repair them. 

They had a window of time, and they offered to come and fix them. It's been crazy busy for them. I was profoundly grateful.

 

I put on my work shoes, old runners I've had for many years. JL hustled up on the roof. Caitlin has the same style of ancient work shoe/runner! I held the ladder and Caitlin ferried up supplies. 

We had a nice visit. They brought leftovers for lunch, and they ate a bite while we chatted. They had to get home to pick Aster up from their penultimate Driver's Ed in class session. Soon it'll be two-hour lessons in the instructor's car. It is hard to believe this little kid is growing up so fast. When Aster needs a drive to school, they will drive. Great practice!

Joe Brian had brought some scones, which we sent home. Aster had one for breakfast with tea, and sent a thank you! Isn't that sweet?! 

A new week begins, and I have to get garbage out at the road. Have a good one, all!

Water fountain repairs

Keeping up on Crumbly Acres has its challenges. 

This was fountain a gift for Joe Brian many years ago.

Eventually the second tier from the top wasn't sitting right. The cement was worn away. I stopped using it.

 

Getting at it is tricky. 

 This is the debris I found in the water fountain screen. Clever me 😏 I took off the screen, hoping the pump would send it through. Nope. I've turned the fountain off until the sun shines and I can do some water play again. (3rd time this month!) Apparently we've a warm, sunny day. I tackled it Thursday.

The pump nestles in the inner section. I cannot lift the bottom tier off, but can slide it to the side.

I moved the bird bath pump to the water fountain, just to keep the water moving. Otherwise the mosquitoes lay eggs in it.

I tackled it, soaked the pump in vinegar and water, still no success. I cannot open up the pump, as I have in the past. I ordered a new one. It arrived and was installed. We are working again.

As is the bird bath. 

I've much gardening to do. I putter at it. The weeds are getting the best of me. It is discouraging.

My jack-in-the-pulpit are doing well. 

We ended up watching tennis. I fell asleep watching Felix in the afternoon! I keep waking at dawn, and I have to convince my brain that I shouldn't. That time change is really ridiculous in this day and age. 

We have friends at night. This is a red fox. 

Fred continues her antics.

Saturday's Critters: more Freds

The siren seems to work to keep Fred out of the front garden. Maybe! For now. Plus extra barriers. 

 The big news is that Fred has given birth to FOUR kits again. We've only seen three at a time so far. Last year she had 4, as well. This is my first photo of the four plus Momma Fred. It was taken through the window, and a bit fuzzy. At first they were really spooked by seeing us on the deck. 

Eventually, they were content to let me take photos without hurtling themselves down the burrow hole. 

It is interesting seeing their personalities. One ventured further than the others. Which may be dangerous. The coyotes haven't been around so far. They will figure it out, I am sure.

One wanders off! There is always one that leads the pack! They are like toddlers who wander a bit away from mom, then come rushing back to safety.

If you want to see a precious family, watch this video! The kits are hoping for food or attention. They are eating grass around the burrow opening. 

Fred is continuing to wander to the lower deck. The kits watch her from the shed. 

I checked out the wood pile and one log fell off, and the while pile was leaning. I shoved it back up somewhat. For now. I think they've been climbing up there! There is a 2nd burrow entrance in the middle foreground.

I found a dock spider in there. I left it alone. Eat those bugs!

We had a massive wind storm come through. Our power went out around 2 a.m. but we were back up shortly. Still thousands without power this morning.