A Christmas Surprise for Joe!

 Sunday, November 24

We had a seamless, propane-powered generator in Bala, as power went out much more regularly. We were subject to hurricanes on a regular basis. It was huge, and costly.

Muskoka, 2008

We now have a back up battery! This was a Christmas surprise for Joseph Brian. After our power was out for 8 hours during Joe's birthday party...  Caitlin did some research for me while they were here. I talked to her. Grampa talked to Jean-Luc, and Joe and I discussed it. We were going back and forth about it. Joe brought the discussion up at bed time, but I shut down the discussion, said we could talk later. I'd ordered it! 

It came on Friday, while he was in town shopping. Our UPS man, Kevin, brought it to the door. 

It was hidden in the bedroom until I could get it installed. I was figuring out what to do about that. JL was confident he could install it for us. Saturday morning, Caitlin texted and asked if we were busy Sunday. JL wanted to install it then. Wow! The sign said KEE POUT! It worked.

Sunday morning saw about 4 cm snow. Thankfully, JL has snow tires.

 

We can plus the well pump in, and any electronics. It charges as needed, and when a power outage occurs, we just plug the well pump into it.

There is a solar powered side piece they sent for free. Its only 45 W, so may or may not be helpful.

This will store power for us. In the event of an outage, our worst problem is having well water and flulshing. The septic system works through gravity, that isn't an issue. We usually keep the freezer shut, and things stay frozen. We won't have hot water, but in a pinch we could heat some water in the kettle for a wash up. We can take the coffee dripolator downstairs and plug that in. 

I wisely cleaned the closet out. There was a dead mouse, mouse poop, and insulation to clean up. It must have gotten stuck in there. 

JL borrowed slippers as the cement floor is cold in the well pump closet.

Success! JL gave us a tutorial. 

JL put in a new outlet, the well pump was plugged in directly. He was really pleased to find a cord that lights up when power is going through it. Easy peasy to figure out if it is working.

JL showed us the breaker, as well. 

JL drove home safely in the slushy, melting snow. A job well done. We can't thank him enough!

I actually spotted the beaver I wrote about yesterday. More on that later!

Busy as a beaver

 I could believe it! I had to go to the shed, and spotted some more chopped down trees. This is why my chores take so long. I get distracted! 

I saw some signs in September, but action had stopped. The wetland was dry, and not suitable habitat. I thought it had moved on. You can see only frogbit in the bottom of the deepest part of the wetland.

The wetland has come back. Well, it has refilled! It was down there, slapped its tail and scared me. You could see where it had opened up the ice. Well, I could. The photo isn't great. 

I used to see them in Bala when we lived there from 2005 - 2010, but in much deeper water.

It is fascinating how hard they work. I'm going to have to move the trailcam from watching rutting bucks. I'd like another one, but can't seem to find one I like.

These are reminders for me, and show and tell for Joseph Brian! 

Perseverance:

This is a 'widow maker!' It didn't persevere.

I hope it survives, but it has to be in the wrong place. We've not much water, the wetland is only ever a couple feet deep. 

 

🪵 🪵 🪵 🪵 🪵 🪵 🪵 🪵 🪵 🪵

 We visited the Bala cramberry bog in 2010 or so, and found some beavers messing with the irrigation system! There were several beavers in this lodge. They were smashing their tails in a warning. Normally they go under the water and swim away. I was threatening their dam and two left, swimming away, these stayed put swimming back and forth.

 

Lights, frost, air traffic, action!

The light levels change it all, with early dark. After a summer drought, we've had snowfall and lots of clouds. This is why putting up lights is so delightful. I put them up while Joseph Brian was shopping. It was a surprise for him when they came on at dusk. 

I bought these from an online estate auction. I've enjoyed them.

I had to wrestle with the bears, a gift for Joe from the kids. Momma bear's lights are working for her head. I improvised and used a light string as an extension cord. 

November isn't this cold, usually. 

The Yucca plant had hoar frost. We've no more since these few days. 

The rhododendron's leaves just folded in the sudden cold.

I broke off the top of my outdoor basil plant, thinking I'd use some when I cooked. Lo, and behold, they rooted. Now what?!

A friend is down sizing, and gave me three bird feeders, and a new pole. The brass-coloured one on the right is wonderful and new to us! I'll switch them out over the season. 

😷 💉 😳 💉 😷 💉 😳 💉 😷 💉 😳 💉 

I'm reading lots about bloggers who are getting outdoors, and getting fresh air. That's a good thing. It's flu season! The flu shot scientists weren't 100% right at predicting the strains, but they still recommend getting it. Just to be as safe as you can.

🛩 🛫 🛬 🛩 🛫 🛬 🛩 🛫 🛬

In the meantime, I've been watching the skies. Flight Aware told of three incidents. 1) First, a plane lost its tail in a Hong Kong incident. 2) The 2nd was a private business jet where the owner chose not to hire test pilots after a retrofit, as they are supposed to do. The plane crashed in Lansing, Michigan. It's happened before and there were at least 3 other fatal incidents.  3) Also, another incident: a weather balloon shattered an airplane windshield. It was an interesting discussion. 

Someone mentioned a website that 🎈 tracks weather balloons!

Saturday's critters

It is an interesting time of year, with deer in mating season, other critters working hard to fatten up for winter. The bears seem to have found dens. Our birds, the ones that haven't migrated, have been enjoying the feeders. The biting insects have done their time, and now sleep under the leaves. Or so I thought!

Some critters move indoors! Thankfully, I was almost done my first coffee! The odd mosquito lasts a couple months indoors. 

"Waiter, there's a mosquito in my coffee!"

Fun fact, people on our nearby lake have reported a moose out and about, both the south and north shores. We spotted moose in Muskoka all the time, ambling through our small town of Bala. These are from our trip to Algonquin Park! 

🐸  Moving the Frogs

I had a question from Barb about our goldfish pond frogs. She asked if I was moving them this year. I think with the drought, they hibernated early and they didn't gather in the pond. This is my theory. That said, I found two leopard frogs on the pond Friday, Nov., 21st. 

Leopard frog on a log. It was on the ice and so cold. The pond had melted around the edges and it cam up. As you know reptiles can't control their body temperature. (Like the iguanas who fell off the trees in Florida in that cold snap!)

 

There was ice on the pond. I thought it was open near the dock. I had to whack it open and poke the one frog in. The other escaped under the dock. We'll hope for the best, and consider 50% of the job done. 

Our biggest bucks are still much smaller than moose, but impressive, for sure.

   

 Here he is at the other trailcam at the scrape site. He's leaving his mark!

   

 The doe just wandered through the scrape.

 

Visit more critters at Eileen's blog: Saturday's Critters # 623.