Freds on the move

We enjoy watching Fred. They are so funny. May 31st: 

I thought the Fred's had settled in under the lower deck. I believe she is acquainting them to her other burrows. Now, I realize that they are virtually weaned, although they still beg. This was May 31st, the last time they were together as a group. I thought.

 

I moved the camera there. There was some fun action. Did you know groundhogs can climb a tree?

Fred on moving day <= in 2025 she moved them June 7th. This year she is a week earlier. 

The big event. Fred Groundhog was having terrible worries. I thought it a coyote or fox, but I think she was reacting to Butch Raccoon. 

I could tell, as two cats were sitting on the table looking out into the yard. Yes, we've only one rule, stay off counters and the table. Fat lot of good that does. 🤷

They were at the lower deck burrow for only a day.

  

Noticing Momma Fred going towards the gully Monday, I wondered what was up to. She didn't reappear until the end of the day, looking very concerned at the shed. I couldn't see any kits. She was sitting here whistling at a potential predator. Hard to know who or what. 

The cats were VERY concerned.

I don't think raccoons kill groundhogs, groundhog teeth and claws are too powerful. I know raccoons scavenge dead stuff, though.  

I could hear her whistling at the shed, burrow #2. Next she was whistling at burrow #4.

I donned a hoodie and long pants, and followed the sound. Sure enough, Momma Fred was at burrow #4. It is just off the septic bed. 

There was more commotion, and I realized it was only Butch Raccoon coming back. Tuesday morning Momma was over near the water fountain eating. I'll have to move the trailcam again. 

Two All of the 5 phoebes have fledged as of yesterday. 

Barry has disappeared for deeper water. The wetland is drying up. I wish I had a drone to explore. 

Joe Brian had his PSA test Wednesday. They actually had butterfly needles, and it only took one hand. His numbers haven't changed since Nov., 2017. This is good. The prostate cancer is still there, but not increasing. 

Can it get any better than this?!

 We made a dump run! After the big garage clean up, we had stuff to get rid of. Better we do it now than leaving it all to Caitlin! (She is our executor!)

As we left, I could see our tax dollars at work. I am happy paying taxes. We get all sorts of services. 

This is our county crew pulling up Wild Parsnip. They sprayed a number of years ago (Wild parsnip in ditches and herbicides, 2015), then spot sprayed. The plants thrived across the highway on an empty lot, thankfully this has made a dent. I have sprayed some stray plants on our side of the highway. Now they hand pull in bad spots. It is really effective. 

There was a storm through the area, and it hit the town. Some clean up was required.

On the drive to the dump we see a couple of sweet homes.

We made it!

Ontario has slowed down tire recycling
Our Premier doesn't believe in the environment,
workers, healthcare, etc.

Mission accomplished, the next plan was Smiths Falls for dinner. An actual patio dinner. It was nice and quiet, early for the dinner hour. We've been working hard. And I had leftovers! 

Our server was terrific.

A good day for us.

Whipper snippering and Fred

 I used the whipper snipper to get rid of the twitch grass in the garden. I am terribly frustrated with it. I've had nightmares about the weeds growing and squeezing out the other plants. It hurst my back to bend over all that time. I am not getting any younger. Can't tell you the relief I feel. 

This is an spot that has ticks, I have found. The ticks do what is called QUESTING, they climb tall weeds or wee saplings, and fling themselves onto any moving critter. Another solution to the problem. 

Despite heading into a drought (I think), the weeds are profuse. I whacked weed debris in the goldfish pond. Also, all over me and my clothes. I love it when I get ready for a shower and debris falls to the floor. A good day's work! 

A panoramic of the front garden. I've just taken town the feeder, after seeing a bear on the trailcam. I was bringing it in every night, but I'm done. Forage on, birdies.

Jeanie asked what a whipper snipper is, I am sure there are other names. But for a senior with memory issues, and problems retrieving nouns, that's the name I dredged up! Oh, 'weed wacker!' is another name.

Fred Groundhog

For those keeners who have come to enjoy Fred Groundhog, another saga in the tale. I was filming from the deck, and this will give you a giggle. Watch the kit in the background. It falls into the burrow opening!

Monday was the last day for the shed burrow. They followed her here, and stayed a day.  

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!