Tuesday 30 July 2024

Celebrate summer!

🔥The fires out west are horrific. The last two Alberta premiers cut firefighting budgets, specifically the elite Wildland Firefighter Rappel Team. The current premier said Jasper, as a federal park, wasn't her responsibility. She's changed her tune. Provinces have to request help from the federal government. This is the chain of command. She's asked for help. 


Current fires: July 30th
right down to the US

Fire danger in Canada
About 1000 km from Albert to Saskatchewan
in that big blob of red

I am looking for the helpers. Thank you to people who care for one another. Who show kindness. The politics and lies around Climate Change, health, and all the other issues, is appalling. Politics can't trump science. Canada, again, will rely on other countries for firefighting help. Even New Zealand, so far away, Jean! Happy birthday, young lady!


🌪 Our tornado

Do you remember our tornado? The Tornado path was confirmed by WesternU scientists.  It was 4km to the south of us. 😧😬😳 There are lots of trees down. One smucked a cottage, so I heard, on the nearby lake. No one was hurt during the storm. Many people hunkered down in basements. 

Back to flora and fauna...

The frog pond is doing well. Our big storm filled it up via the water barrel. There should be 3 goldfish in there, but I am not healthy enough to look for them. They are the least of my worries. 🐠


He's holding his own, Mr. Bullfrog. It is a male, as the ear doohickey (drum?) is larger that his eye. (My poor brain!) Do you remember Jeremiah and Geraldine?! <= They froze in my shallow goldfish pond one year. 😥 I'll have to take him down to the frog pond in the fall. Silly git. Meantime, he is happy.


Water lilies! It seems like two different species. One has a scent, the other does not. Don't ask which. I don't remember.


The Asiatic Lilies! I wish you could smell them. The deer fences works really well! I am over the moon about that. You can barely see it. The flowers flourish. Heaven knows there is enough foliage for the deer to eat out there.


Don't gardens give you joy? My garden is a bit wild. When we first moved here, Joe has always said that 90% of gardening is weeding. Now, I won't say that 90% of my garden is weeds, but that twitch grass!



😷COVID
Still coughing. My cough has lessened, however. Joe is less tired, he has sniffles, but not as bad as last week. Thank you for your kind wishes. We appreciate it. I have tested negative. I wish the symptoms would go away. I feel for those suffering from long COVID.

I went out front to check on the cherry tomatoes, which have required twice daily watering. I began to cough. Suddenly, our buck, in the forest just off the driveway, chuffed and took off into the forest. I laughed. Me scaring a big buck! They sure aren't tame. 
My long time elementary school friend, who lives 500km away and I haven't seen since high school, said this on Facebook:
"The big guy was on Covid alert! 🤣"

She asked if it was 'too soon' but, no, if I take all my meds (Ventolin, Advil, Symbacort), I can find humour in the odd moment.  That is progress.


I tested negative for COVID on July 24. On Day 15 of lung issues, I am coughing less frequently. I cannot imagine what people went through before the vaccines. All those deaths. 

I do wake up (4 a.m. today, again) with what feels like bronchitis. Ventolin is my friend. The side effects of Ventolin is one of the least of my worries, or this is the Symbacort (steroid for my lungs to reduce swelling). That said, I'd give my eye teeth for a bidet! Thank goodness for Always. I think it is the meds, which I can live with. I've lost 3.5 kg, that is not a bad thing! 

Both of us are truly grateful for having the Olympics to watch. 

9 comments:

eileeninmd said...

I hope you are back to normal soon. The wildfires are devastating and scary. Love the frog, deer and your flowers. Take care, enjoy your day!

Anvilcloud said...

Glad you guys are on the mend.

Barbara Rogers said...

So sad about the wildfires, and that politics has interfered (mmm, when do they really ever help?) and so many are suffering. Yikes, that tornado was really close to you! Hope that you both continue to improve. Your hubby is really strong to be able to combat so many things at once! Of course you are too. Frogs are your care - as I remember you carting so many down to the pond last year!

Hena Tayeb said...

So sad to your about all the wildfires. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Nancy J said...

Thanks Jenn, the day passed as all birthdays do. Yes, our fire fighters might already be on their way to maybe Alberta, one man is from Levin, about 40 minutes south of where we live. Josh missed going to Jasper, couldn't get a camp booking, he is now on the way to Vancouver Island for 5 days. Take care, rest and more rest. XXX

RedPat said...

The tornado was really close! Glad that you are starting to heal.

Elephant's Child said...

My heart goes out to those (human and otherwise) in the fire's path. The damage they do is heart rending. As we will no doubt experience again later this year.
Love your garden (ours is wild too) and am glad that the Covid symptoms are reducing.

DeniseinVA said...

You have a beautiful garden and the deer and great froggy and water lily pictures! We have had tornado watches but not an actual tornado for a long time. We don't usually get them around here, touch wood! Happy to hear your symptoms are easing.

GreenComotion said...

Beautiful photos, Jenn. And, bless you for taking the frog so he/she doesn't freeze. Best wishes to you and family for return to normalcy in terms of health.