Tuesday 29 December 2009

Lotsa movin' and shakin' goin' on!


The birds and squirrels are frantically raiding the bird feeders.

The woodpeckers, especially, like the new Lee Valley bird feeder. (A present from my daughter!) It collapses and has a wire outer edge.

I'm sure, once the 'coons arise from slumber, I shall be forced to retrieve it nocturnally, during last call for cats in the spring!

My favourite squirrel posed for me. His ear tufts are so adorable! But he is a bit skittish and runs when I open the door. I could clean the sliding glass doors, but it is so cold!

Margy write of Boats, Floats and Mountain Goats.  None here, I am afraid.


Carolyn responding to a previous post, reminds us of snowmobiles and avalanches out west. (She is visiting Ottawa, where I lived for 25 years!) My darling granddaughter was baking cookies with her other grandma. We had great summer visits!


It being the anniversary (is there a better word?) of the deaths of snowmobilers I scan our frozen lake with dubious confidence. The Globe celebrated the B.C. event by catching up on the small town ravaged by the horrific loss of 8 snowmobile riders. Another, who survived the tragedy, appears to have suffered PTSD and will never be the same.

Dec 26, 2009 ... After eight snowmobilers died in a back country avalanche three days after Christmas, 2008, survivors still feel guilt but ride on.


It is sad that many horrible things happened on Dec. 26th; Boxing Day to Canadians, my birthday to me and my family! The tsunami was written about, as well as this horrible event.


In the meantime, I took the cats down to the lake for a bit of walkies. They are so grouchy and play fight indoors, whinging in the sunlight in the window, whining to come back in shaking snow off frozen paws. You can see the fox prints at Sady's feet. Animals continue their fight for food.

Hubby, doing errands, and walking our client's dog, usually does this. I figured it was my turn.

The ice was nice and solid close to the shore, after night-time double-digit negative temperatures.

I noticed that large snowflakes had fallen, and were shining and sparkling like beacons, drawing me and my camera. They were hard to capture. But they caught my eye.
I was somewhat frozen and the cats weren't up to a full walk. I may not see them again, as the wind has covered them since with snow. Carpe Diem!!!!

This one looked like a maple leaf! Isn't that a hoot?

I trod on through the snow, feeling akin to Good King Wenceslas, but not inclined to sing. I deigned to wear socks, and was grateful for lined boots.

My scarf I was too cold to wrestle with. Hastening my trip I trod on, camera in hand. The sun, out for a time, has since been hidden by Lake Effect Snow Clouds.

Yes, they deserve capitals letters. They are an entity in and of themselves. Well worthy of respect and salutation. We seem to be christened with a several cm a day by these winds. Once Georgian Bay freezes up a bit more they will lessen. In the meantime we simply dress for it. I, for one, am grateful not to have yard duty any more.  Stupidvising intermediate teens (hormones on legs!) wearing little clothing, and not much sense, made me feel the cold in my heart, when I was not cold in my body.


The grasses I bought have survived a 2nd year, and true to their claims in my gardening magazines, they look as spectacular in winter as in summer. As long as I prop them with a collar!

The beautiful wine-coloured sumac berries have been shed, their red and orange leaves gone to death and decay beneath the snow. Their buds are ready for spring. A sign of hope.

The seasons, they change.

On that we can depend.

13 comments:

eileeninmd said...

I loved all your photos, and the new bird feeder looks nice. Do you use the Black Oiled Sunflowers seeds?

Lucy said...

Nice to have the sunshine today. We didn't get any down here, but it's your turn for sure! You're brave letting your cats out. We're terrified of our Suzie getting out because my mom had her front claws removed and the bald eagles hunt over our house!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great pictures.

How do you take a cat for a walk. We have a 20 pound maine coon who needs a little exercise.

Jenn Jilks said...

Ours have their claws, Lucy. They need them as they are outdoor cats. (Well, 2/3 ain't bad!)
With all this property, and spending so much time outdoors, we take them out. At least, it was Sady, the tabby, who would meow to go out, then come back to the door, asking for company.
Then, when Oliver came along, 'walkies' became our daily routine. We have video of them on the ice. They chase each other. I do think, Yogi, that you have to start in nice weather, though. I go out on the deck and shovel, and they come up to see what I am doing.
The other thing, Yogi, is a stick with a string on the end. Oliver will chase this for miles!!! He'll steal the stick (3' long!) and run with it!

Cloudia said...

Brrrr!
Thanks for taking this waikiki gal for walksies in the snow, Jenn


Aloha, Friend!


Comfort Spiral

Judy said...

Lovely sunshine always makes the snow seem less forbidding! I wonder whether the blue moon will be visible tonight?

Carolyn said...

Great post Jenn, I love to read your day to day journey through life...and what a wonderful life! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings and smiles
Enjoy the torch relay.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Jenn: Sorry to hear of the loss of life on the snowmobiles. Love your new feeder. I need to show you how the big girls eat. I will send you a photo later.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Why is it that you can be having the WORST day and then, BAM, something cool happens and, even if you try, you cannot wipe that stupid grin off your face! That was me, today, when I realized that Jenn Jilks, THE GREAT MUSKOKA BLOGGER HERSELF, the Queen of Local Bloggers, The Great One, (I am starting to run out of adjectives, but you get the picture) had discovered my blog! I am honoured and tiddly to be mentioned on your roll. I've been following your work for some time and have admired it greatly. Your enthusiasm and affection for this area is downright contagious – you're like a cheerleader for all things piney, snowy and mosquito-ey. (Eegads, making up words for a former schoolteacher.) Thank you, Jenn! As always, looking forward to more of your happy thoughts.

Unknown said...

The grasses are truly lovely in the snow. How clever of you to figure out a way to keep them standing this time of year!

Your new bird feeder sounds interesting. I'll be interested in knowing how well it works...and then maybe purchase one like it for myself. :)

Jenn Jilks said...

Cathy, you are so much fun! Thank you for your kind words!

Stine, I think it works, but those raccoons ARE sleeping! It came in a flat box, the size of a plate as it folds up for storage. I just love it, as do the birds; chickadees, woodpeckers and nuthatches. The blue jays usually try to steal the squirrel's peanuts, but they may latch onto the sunflower seeds. We shall see!

Tracey said...

Hey Jenn....saw your comment on Card Patterns :) What a wonderful site you have here!! I live on Lake Muskoka...in the town of Gravenhurst...where are you? If you are not crafty, how did you come across the Card Patterns blog?? Will be adding your blog to my faves!!!
Have a wonderful evening,
TRace

Jenn Jilks said...

Hi, Tracey. I have no way of contacting you, but the card patterns blog is fun. I'm thinking of incorporating this into my (volunteer!) creative writing class. Maybe I'll come to you for some ideas. Can you e-mail me? You'll find it on my 'complete profile' page!