Buds & blooms

While we are back in the coolish weather, the buds are doing their thing! This is the horse chestnut tree:

lilacs

The trillium are in bloom in the forest. Tulips and Grecian windflowers are in bloom.

More good news, the lily bugs are awake. I shall have to dig out my bug collector.

The Forsythia is at its peak.

The pileated woodpecker is doing a number on the tree. I haven't noticed it but I have heard it.

Aster and a beginner's driver's licence! She drove part way home!

Trip to Ottawa: the birthday celebration!

 Aster turns 16 today. We brought some surprises on Sunday when we visited after the concert.  

These require some explanation! Grampa didn't know what the emoji meant. I explained when it arrived, and we all thought it just a hoot. "Holy 💩 I'm 16! " 

Next present was a kit to grow greens. She has a green thumb and grows several plants.  I've sent the same package to our kids in Vancouver for their birthdays. What do you find that is new for people who have everything?! 

Also, I gifted her a pair of earrings we'd bought at a local artisan's show. They kept sliding off the cardboard. I wrapped it in a piece of lace I found. This came from her dress I'd made back in the day, 2014. I am surprised how fast the years went. Faster than when I noticed in my own children. You turn around and they are writing their G1 driver's licence, or going to university!

We said our good byes, and toddled on home.

We joked about height, and she stood on tip toes. 

I wrote Aster a poem!

It is such an epic stage of life for us. We've been so involved with the kids with Gramma Camps, and having them over for week-long visits. Having Jordan off in his own apartment in Kingston really helps it hit home. I am verklempt! 

Fall Chores

Fall Chores 

Lots of chores to do, with the impending snow today. It is on its way.

 I had to move the snowblower from the storage shed to the garage. It won't start without being plugged in. Well, *I* can't start it manually! Some of you may be able to, but not me! You should have seen me trying to wrestle that thing across the yard. There are quite a few vole push ups and the ground is soft. I had to do it in small attacks. But I'm not failing! 

This morning it is -3 ℃, and the goldfish pond has a shim of ice on top. Our Great Blue Herons have flown south. The fish have gone deep, and the reptiles and amphibians sleep.

The cement bird bath is fragile in winter. The heater gets unplugged, and we have massive, sudden changes in temperatures. This is what happens:

But, this morning, so far so good. 

 The nut and screw are rusted, and I'll have to get on that.

Soon I'll switch over to the bird bath A/C gifted me. It really makes it so much easier in the depths of winter! It is much easier to clean. 

Next job: fill up the feeders. I always feel happy to feed the birds! 

I detached and drained the 2nd water barrel which goes to the goldfish pond. If that freezes, it'll crack the barrel. 

Sunday morning:

🚉 🛤️ 🚉 🛤️ 🚉 🛤️ 🚉 🛤️ 🚉 🛤️ 🚉 🛤️ 🚉 🛤️ 🚉 🛤️ 

I've news of our Ottawa grandies. Aster took the train to visit Jordan in Kingston. She went to classes with Jordan, and came back Friday afternoon. Jordan is crazy busy with things going on, and I am sure Aster misses him terribly. They must have had fun. 

Aster made pizza! Papa hammed it up.

Saturday, Jordan wrote :  "It’s Dark Matter Day, and Queens had some cool talks and tours of the observatory! 🔭🔭☄️" 

He has so much going on, studying astrophysics! 

Hot enough for you?

Our last big rain was July 13th. It was lovely! We had 15 mm (0.6"). 

 

I watched it on the radar. It's the only way to prepare, by being vigilant. The lightning strikes help us prepare if losing power is imminent! 

Jordan was camping with friends. They had the storm at 3 a.m., but Jo is an experienced camper. He was camping at 6 months old. He did get a bit of a sunburn. Papa took a photo just after Jo made a choice of his university residence room, Mama was at the office. Since he is going through transition, he gets an early choice. 

Aster is carrying on with her Civics and Careers summer online course. It's great doing it in the air conditioning. This will give her more flexibility at school.  Online courses aren't for everyone. Our government made it a requisite to take one or two. 

I am juggling the heat with gardening and bugs. Those deerflies...

Finally, a rose!

Our green frog is growing quite large. Eat those bugs, bud! This excessive heat keeps it green. 

Speaking of bugs!

This little beetle was really getting into its work!

I'm not doing well with my pumpkin! Oh well! I watered on the 15th. The heat just evaporates whatever moisture that is there.

This is fun. Paul I bought at an online auction. I moved him to the lower deck. If you can imagine, Fred's burrow is just on this corner. Fred was quite concerned with usurpers on her deck. She leaned up on the side, and sniffed the goose. 

I did laundry yesterday, hanging it up took longer than the length of time it took to dry!