Goldfinches & Grandies

The goldfinch is putting on its summer coat! 

January

November

How quickly the years pass! Jordan was home briefly (24 hours) for a trivia event. It makes sense for him to participate in these. I remember how often we'd be sitting at the dining room table and the question was posed, "Gramma, did you know...?"

Aster is tallest despite being younger!

A fun time at Ikea!

On my way out to feed deer I walked right by Good Bunny Labbit! I didn't notice her. I came back to get a bird feeder filled, spotted her, and thought I'd just let her be. The birds would have to wait.

She hung around until I went out to fill feeders and put up March decor. More on that later. 

Here she was the day before. She scared me!

   

 Butch Raccoon is awake!

   

 deer selfies

 

Spring is in the air. I put garbage out and did not need my winter mitts. This is progress. Have a good week everyone.

Me, the Moon, Snowfleas, and Deer

 I gave myself some down time after a hectic week. My PA is still working on his 100-day cough. The meds are helping him sleep and clear his lungs. Praise be. Thanks for your kind words about the man. He's been very good about taking his meds.

I watched a TV piece about a spa in Toronto which uses *ASMR techniques. They said that it is a place where you can "unwind, feel cared for, relax in a safe place." That's just what I needed. I knew where to find it! It was a regular ManiPedi and it was as soothing. 

I decided on a manicure just now since I can wreck a good one in no time during gardening season. This is the in-between times. Snow and no bugs.

I suppose that is wrong. There are bugs. Outside in the snow the snow fleas are working up to mating season! They aren't truly snow fleas, properly called Springtails. They don't bite. I researched it some once. 

Springtails on snow Jan. 2012

snow flea in the macro lens
This photography is harder than it looks!

I traded in my macro lens back in the day. Here I am using my iPhone 11↓ on Friday. Not so bad photos. I was out feeding them. There were 9 Saturday around 6:30, but they disappeared by the time I'd had coffee.

I attempted the snap the moon. Through the window. 

I've taken moon photos before. 

The moon was hiding behind clouds.

Look at the snow we've lost. March 1st

This morning you can see the pumpkin from the fall.

Bala, Muskoka back when we lived there.

*ASMR - Wikipedia

An autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a tingling sensation and pleasant form of paresthesia, that usually begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and spine.

Saturday's Critters

We had 5 mm rain last night, more to come. Such is the way of March. 

This is a panoramic of the forest and deer.

 

I managed to splice together some images. It shows the snow melt on the driveway! 

The red fox quickly ran across the driveway. I caught its image on the other trailcam and spliced them together.

 

There is lots of day time action. I fed them and watched them. Volume up for the turkey chatter.

  When turkeys fly!  

 One can see how hard it is for the coyotes managing to find dinner while navigating the snow.

 

Saturday's Critters # 638 <= visit more critters at Eileen's blog.

Queens University

Blind Date is set in Kingston, familiar territory. This is the Hunter and Tate Mystery Series. It includes characters studying at Queens University. It's a lovely, old school in an old city on Lake Ontario.

These are Jordan's photos. 

I've been reading the series of books by Brenda Chapman. She is an Ottawa writer. I've been going through the other series as they come available in the library, 'Stonechild and Rouleau.' They take place in Ottawa. It is also familiar territory. 

If you permit me a rant. Some idiot has been suing a pencil while they read. Firstly, they are nit picking. Secondly they are not always correct. You can't correct dialogue. Thirdly it slows me down. Who sits with a pencil and does this? It is not fair to other readers. As a retired teacher I spent a lot of time teaching kids standard written English. This is not the place for it. 

 

Back to Queens.  Joe Brian went to Queens back in the day. We've visited Kingston many times.

Jordan posted photos. He is at Queens University. The students are getting info on courses for next year! He is studying Astrophysics. Things are going well for him, so I've heard! 

 🌍 There is chaos around the world. I don't have to tell you. Queens University students have been in Sri Lanka studying biology. These are amazing field trips where they learn about biodiversity, conservation and the relationship between humans and nature! They have a great blog which show their work and has lots of photos. CBC wrote a piece on their situation. This is an in-depth piece from Queen's Journal.

 Unfortunately they were headed home, having just left Doha, Qatar, and the plane was turned around. The felon running the US began a war. Air traffic was shut down.

Flight Radar

War in Iran

Let's hope the prof and his students get home soon. Apparently they have assignments due from other courses. Not a great way to end the school year. 

Embrace the snow!

I am celebrating the snow because soon it will be gone! Embracing the last of winter since March 20 will bring us official Spring. In the meantime we are in Meteorological Spring. The sun is warmer. I noticed two of the turkeys huddling on the fence. I didn't know if there was one or two until I zoomed in!

The wood soaks up the warmth of the sun. Better than sitting on the cold snow.

 

 The trio waddle along. They really are funny.

   

 This makes me think of children. It is far easier walking on the driveway, but turkey #3 tromps through snow.

   

Out west, our family goes to the mountains to enjoy the snow. Jesse, Cluny, and Bryony had races. Jesse went 15 km in his race. Great fun. Thanks to my DIL for photos. The scenery is amazing.

 

 

I had to go into town since my P.A., AKA personal shopper, has the 100-day cough. I even gassed up the car. I should have done it before WW III began, since gas prices are going up, but we are really only driving the 5 km into town these days.

Another benefit from COVID is online grocery orders. 

This is what town looked like! The snow has melted some thankfully.

 I picked up two orders of Jambalaya Pasta for us. We'll keep our germs at home. Tuesdays are half-price pasta day, and this gives us two meals each. Tonight it is home made meatloaf.