Fall chores

I am slowly progressing with fall chores... 

• Remove vines, wash rails, glass
• Shut down fountain
• Heater in bird bath
• Goldfish into the fish tank
• Move Muskoka chair to shed
• Bring battery in from lawn tractor (Dec. 19th)
• Burlap on bushes
• Rake middle deck
• Drain hoses, put them in the shed
• Fix the eavestrough downspout
• Cover fountain
• Clean up gardens

The goldfish are in, but I had to put a barrier in as Cinnamon likes them. We're down several, but no one seems to be able to get in new supplies. They are fancy goldfish, not Koi, but by July [Critters are all around us!], I was down to six. 

Soon, I will dead head all the plants. I still have petunias!

I washed all the glass and the railings, taking down the vines. It was excellent exercise! The vines grew right up to the roof. They are wilting in Autumn, having served their purpose, and hosted many critters.

UPDATE: downspout

I rejigged the support straps. I added one, moved another down and the other up. There was blood! Those straps are sharp. We really need larger downspouts, what with the dumps of rain.

I used a rivet gun to firmly attach two sets of pieces. I just don't have the arm strength, though.

Birdbath

One morning I awoke, and there was ice on the bird bath. I put in the heater. It's tricky, since the raccoons and deer like to disconnect it from the extension cord. 

This is what Nutmeg has been up to.  I am hoping she can't catch them. 

Nutmeg birding from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo. She usually grabs rodents, at 90% or her catch. Very few birds, and some snakes. 

Water fountain

Oct. 18 there looked like rain. We change up our days, well, I do, to plan my outdoor chores. I'm still waiting for the fountain to dry before I can cover it up. 

Not a drop of rain! Then, Oct. 16, we had 12 mm. I'm back to square one, waiting for it to dry! It's decent to have projects!

Rake middle deck & drain both hoses...you can see why.

Every morning I trek on down to the trailcams. It's good exercise for a senior, as it involves up and down hill, stepping over forest debris, which sharpen my balance. JB continue to walk 2 or 3 times around the property for exercise and stress relief. His rotator cuff is still giving him horrible pain. He is at physio as I write this. He has exercises, which he does faithfully several times a day.

We had winds, which took down the leaves. I did grab photos, though!

The clouds