More snow photos!

This is how it began! If you watch to the end, you'll see Fred Grounhog's burrow, she's sound asleep.

Nutmeg didn't last long!

 

It was a lovely snowfall. Until it warmed up! A lot of it has melted.

As it snowed, the weight of the snow sent the branches to touch the ground. I shook them off, and they rose up. It's a miracle!

Before bedtime, I went out on the back deck. I actually remembered to look for the aurora borealis.  The iPhone caught the colours. I was surprised! We don't usually see the Northern Lights. 

It all came together!

1) I had to remember it was there.

2) No clouds

3) Phone was charged. `

            = success!

Snow day(s)

We knew a storm was coming. I was counselled to bring the shovels up from the shed, while I was bringing the snowblower up to the garage. MEMORY FAILED! I didn't think of it until there was 10 cm on the ground in the afternoon. You may think that 4 shovels is excessive, but I keep on on the front deck, another on the back deck. The third and fourth in the garage. (The blue one died a horrible death last year. The handle kept detaching from the shovel.)

 

It began slowly...

It was -4 ℃ and the goldfish pond was frozen, with snow beginning to accumulate on top.

The garbage was put out at 7 a.m., the roads weren't great.

There was a lovely layer of slush under the snow. 

One deer track across the driveway. 

The birds were slow to start.

I went back out to use the snowblower. It only took 3 tries to start it. Not so bad after sitting in the shed all summer. It managed the slushy snow pretty well. I was worried. 

Of course, it is all melting, since we're above zero, again. We had rain yesterday.  Maybe again today. 

Deer mating season has begun!

I wrote this a few days ago, but since then we've had snow. I'm anxious to go down and see if they've uncovered it. 

This buck scrape is being monitored. Three scrapes in a row!

I put the trailcam on it. 

There is another scrape, at a bush with branches hanging down. (Non-mental note!) 

It was a nice walk. 

Last flower for awhile!

Here he is: football, curling, control over the TV clicker, a cat, and a warm fire! What else could a man want?! 

Nutmeg (AKA Killer) watching her more passive brother hunting for mice. 

I came across this photo from 2013. That teeny evergreen! 

↑2013, and now↓ look at that tree!

The branches are burdened by snow.

I created a puzzle, now that the snow covers all the lovely leaves. 

Nov. 11 is Remembrance Day

I shovelled after breakfast on Monday, after our 10+ cm of snow. It is still snowing! More on that in another post.

 Nov. 11 is Remembrance Day in Canada. I worked so hard, during  my 25 years teaching, to help my students understand history. We wrote about it, created moments, wrote and put on plays during assemblies, we interviewed and honoured relatives. 

 This year we shall watch the ceremony on TV. It is always quite moving. That will mean front row seats, and an ability to hear the ceremony. It is -4 ℃, and a chilly one. 

🇳🇱 I've been following a story in the Netherlands. It is the location of the Netherlands American Cemetery (wiki).  I hadn't heard of it, although I know there are many sites overseas from WW II, and people who have not forgotten how humans stepped up for one another. 

There is a terrific project to reveal the carvings from the tunnels under Vimy Ridge. New technology has helped with that. 

In recent news regarding wars and history:

I read a thread on BlueSky about the fact that Trump's people have removed references and honours for Black Soldiers who worked in this burial site, burying thousands of fallen comrades. The site commemorates African-American soldiers who helped liberate Europeans from the grip of the Nazis. These soldiers fought both the Germans and racism. It is shameful, what is going on with these people in power. A familiar story.

a thread on BlueSky

• Official Netherlands American Cemetery Website

follow-up post, part 2

We have to remember and tell their stories. The battle against racism, injustice, and abuse of power, must continue. Sadly. Thanks to all who served in the past, present and future. The black and white photos are from my late mother's collection. They wrote to servicemen during WW II. 

Eastern Gray Squirrel (black morph) AKA #75

We had some snow yesterday. I've been watching from the front window. I must go and put out the garbage, though. I'll shovel later! The temperature dropped over the weekend. 

In the meantime... 

As many of you know, we released a rehabbed squirrel this past year. He was given a case number: #75, so we've kept that name. Even with the zoom lens and the tripod, I'm having issues focusing! 

We saw him infrequently during summer. These days, he is hanging out closer and closer to his nest box. I watched him run to the end of the tree branch and leap to the next tree No photo, as I wasn't prepared! This is our broad-winged hawk checking out the nest box in the summer. 

Aug. 3rd, 8:30 a.m.

'

This is a bit of info about our Eastern Gray Squirrel (black morph). 

Eastern Gray Squirrel (wiki)
(black morph)

I spotted one of them on the railing.

   

 It seems that #75 has a friend. The two of them were running up and down the horse chestnut tree.

   

 I was out fetching trailcam cards, and spotted #75.2 up in the trees near the meadow. These are the Five Sisters, although one tree has crashed to the ground in old age. I know another black morph squirrel nested in the saw-whet nest box. That's where it may have come from.