The grandies!

 The girls were coming! We made up a menu. Grampa shopped Friday morning. I asked for a ham that would give us leftovers. He went out to the store early Friday morning, and was standing there pondering the really large ham (which he likely couldn't lift) vs. a smaller one. While he did so, someone took off with the large one! He brought home two small ones. What the heck! Ya snooze, ya lose!

I had projects for us to do. When they arrived, they unpacked and we had lunch. 

Wood duck nesting box baffles

Out we went, having donned boots. I know the one wood duck nesting box overhangs the water. Into the wheelbarrow I'd put the baffles, which we were reusing. Some critter, or maybe the trees outgrew them, but I found them ripped off the tree in the fall. It was time to put them on, again. As well as refurbish the wood shavings in the boxes. I added the heavy duty stapler, extra staples, and the hammer, just in case the staples were stubborn.

We paused to listen at the top of the hill, as the wood frogs were singing for love. Once we got there, they all stopped singing. They float on the top of the water, and croak away. Once mating season is done, they'll take off into the woods.

As we worked, the frogs worked up to it again. Apparently, we weren't a threat after all.

Frogpond wood frogs from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Giving Josee the camera (I curated 198 photos of hers!), we set to reattached the baffles, and put in fresh wood shavings. 

♪♫♬  If I had a hammer!

Josephine takes the most marvellous close-ups.

Caitlin and I  took the wheelbarrow back up to the house. I thought I might set up the frog pond trailcamera. Anticipating the ducks arrival, I might as well record it. People on the nearby lake have found mergansers checking out their nesting boxes.

 Josee and Isabelle went around the pond to explore in the woods. 

Josee was inspired with the old wire fencing on lot #3.  This is her VIDEO: Embedded wire.

Eventually, we all got back to the house. We took apart my cherry blossom Christmas tree. I couldn't fix it, as much as I tried. Maybe I'll just get some light strings for next year, and drape them.

By the time we went to bed, the spring peepers were singing, as well.

Cinnamon, deermice, horse chestnuts

There is a cat saying, 'If I fits I sits!' He doesn't fit. With the cooler weather he is back to sitting in my lap sometimes. 

We went off for walkies. Or runnies! Maybe climbies. Everyday I can, I ask him if he wants to go walkies. He knows the word. 

I love this tree system. I love the whole forest!

I think it is the raccoons. They've ripped off the baffle for the second one, as well. I won't bother repairing it until spring. At that time, I'll clear out the old shavings, and add some clean ones.

It's difficult walking on the dock! The native phragmites are dying off for winter.

I checked out wood duck nesting box #3. There was a deer mouse checking me out. They've been here before. I rather expected it this time and didn't scream like a girl. You can see the dark spot in the middle lower shavings.

Sept. 17, 2020; Mushrooms, nesting boxes, walkies. My goodness they are adorable!

We're back up to a handful of frogs in the wee goldfish pond. I hurt my foot doing it last week. My tenosynovitis kicked in. A bit of ice, and TLC, and it is better. I've ordered a new brace, since I cannot find my old one. It's worth it, as prevention. 

I shall wait a few days to move another 10 of them. I don't want them to overwinter in the shallow pond.

 I used the lawn tractor to mulch the leaves, and returned it to the shed. There was a deermouse staring at me on the shelf. We have a lot of mice friends! Can you see this one? Nope. Gone, quick as a wink.

We've not had many horse chestnuts in the past. This year there is a bounty. They really are conkers. As I was fishing last week, I could hear the odd thump on the ground. I tucked them into Peter's wagon.

They are quite large, as the tree matures. I think the tree was planted here, maybe 30 years ago. 

I went out one morning, and about a half dozen chestnuts were scattered on the deck. With little raccoon teeth marks. Apparently, they aren't too tasty. 

Our bought gladiolas are done. We bought these pretty fake leaves in Almonte the other day. A lot of our trees have shed their leaves, so this is a touch of colour indoors.

Signs of fall: there are a lot of Isabella caterpillars out there. It is so peaceful watching them, as long as they aren't on the driveway.