A new burrow!

 Tuesday was our big trip into Ottawa to visit with Joe Brian's urologist. More on that later. 

The miniFreds have opened up a new burrow. Truthfully, Momma Fred (RIP) began it and I filled it in a couple of years ago. They are on burrow #8, right under the wood pile. I've closed up #3, 7 and 6. 

Can you see it?! 

It looks like Big Fred, last year's remaining kit, has retaken the shed burrow (#2). Squirrel #75 seems to visit.

This is the flag garden, nestled in behind the lilac. It was an attempt to video miniFred, who was climbing the skinny elm tree to the right of the flag pole. 

This is the very best spot for munching on milkweed plants! I'll only need a few blossoms to have seeds for next year, I write hopefully!  They seem to be their favourite food.

There seems to be two that always stay together. At least there is often a pair of the 4 kits. They are voracious. Watch as this one climbs the stairs and has full access to the garden. My dippy little fence is useless. 

 

 We've critters on the move in the night. I haven't seen any coyotes in the day time, but they are sniffing around!

 

Kiwi Gardens Art Show

 Off we went. It is always a lovely show, whether we are in the market for new art or not. 

Driving through Tay Valley, with the creeks, is perfect.

We drove behind this Nash Metropolitan. 

Kiwi Gardens Art Tour

We made it early, and found some good parking.

Zimbabwi artist, Chaka Chikodzi. 

A lot of artisans use recycled materials!

Beautiful sculptures, small and big. 

Can you see us in the mirror?!

Home and safe!

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?!

I am. For sure. I taught gr. 5 for many years, from JK to gr. 8 all told. I am not smarter than Fred Groundhog, though. 

 What did I expect? Petunias are the flower of choice! This is a wooden planter, and Fred can climb. The flowers have been eaten, including the pansies. I put an upside down tomato cage, wrapped in chicken wire. Weighed down by rocks! Fingers crossed. I have to laugh. They provide much entertainment. 

 

I am hoping I've barricaded my zucchini plant. Fred has nibbled 3 blossoms. Don't tell them, but there is another plant on the other side of the sidewalk. Shhhhh! 

 

I have an antique school bell. I managed to refit it with a new stand. It's an old bed post. Perfect size to fit into the cement brick stand. I have a chain on it! The grandies used to ring it.

My hops vine has worn it self out. It used to host Eastern Comma and Question mark butterflies. This was July, 2023. Well, a lot of us are past our prime. As Joe said in the grocery store, to a fellow shopper, "The first 60 years were easy!"

July 2023

It's a shady spot. I'll have to figure out what to put here. The vine climbed up and it was pretty. I pulled it all out as it was rotten. There are lots of Bleeding Hearts self seeding. 

The frog pond! 

I ventured down to check out Barry Beaver's spot. I think he has moved back into the wetland, but still working here to deepen the little canals. I heard a Veery here. The trills were wonderful. 

Back out front, the Cedar Waxwings are eating bugs from the Spruce Tree! You can hear the goldfinch singing in the chestnut tree beside it. Our little Cedar Waxwing squadron is happily waiting for the Serviceberries to ripen.

Have a great week, all! You know what I'll be doing...