This and that

Aquarium caterpigglies are going into cocoons. I think the white tussock is in the toilet paper roll with the Isabella. I don't know where the beige one is, though. 
 Then there are the domesticated critters.

Can world peace be far behind?

Morning meditation walk; squirrel, snake, waxwings, cocoon

The cats were exhausted. I took a walkabout after putting out the recycling. The cats were exhausted, and I took my walk alone. Hubby was in town, doing his thrice-weekly laps at the pool.
First was a red squirrel eating one of our numerous mushrooms or fungus.

Down in the lower meadow, it looks like a young Sweatheart underwing, soaking wet in the dew, it was flapping its wings to get them dry.


While working hard on my upgraded garden, I could hear twittering in the trees. I took some time to watch them Monday, and realized they are Cedar waxwings. They would harvest some sumac berries, then fly to the tops of the trees for a bit of a chat with one another.

Eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis)

Dorah brought me a prize. She promptly came in the house for some cat crunchies. You can tell it is a ribbonsnake from the white mark in front of its eye. It was a healthy 61cm long. I don't know what she was thinking, this cat. "Look, Mummy!" I guided it over to the hops bine, where it silently slid down the vines to the ground.

mystery caterpillar

This mystery cocoon, from a mystery caterpillar, is in the aquarium waiting for a definitive species. It is fascinating in its cocoon, with the shiny gold peering through from the cocoon.

The goldfish pond is doing well. The leopard frogs are numerous. Geraldine is quite happy resting in the water. I have yet to measure her this year. She is quite hefty!

From the dead bark on the Elm trees, ravaged by Dutch Elm disease, many critters shelter in its bark. Sow bug, millipede, garter snake and another mystery bug.


Out in the backyard, the Monarch caterpillar is growing nicely. Here is a before and an after photo, with my baby finger showing its original size. Its doubled in size, at least!

Aug. 6th

Aug. 18th

Down in the shed, I was about to get some bird seed, filling the feeders is such a pleasure. Somebody was helping itself.

I could hear some rustling

sulphur

Garden tails, sewing projects, sleepy cats

I haven't made a dress in ages!
Mostly, I've been sewing outfits for Frosty...

Dorah is so tired! Such a hard worker.

We spent the morning sewing. I decided to sew a dress for each granddaughter. I need some notions to finish them, that is a task for another day. Sadie 'helped' by sitting on the fabric as I was preparing to cut out the pieces. I shooed her away. I have shimmery butterfly fabric for Jos and flying coccinelle, and other bugs, for Isabelle.

It's been chilly, but good gardening weather in the afternoons.
Sleepy cats, too.
Lots of cocoons about. I love how they shimmer, like gold, as they hang and morph. I'm not sure the second one, but the first photo is the Eastern Comma. I'll keep watching our mystery caterpillar, kept in my aquarium.

Every morning, here in the swamp, the dew is amazing.
Yesterday, I took a break, sat out on the bench. Buster came over, then Daisy, then Dorah. We all sat and watched the chickadees, Cedar waxwings, Goldfinch, Phoebe, as they flew hither and yon.

Dorah is a faithful supervisor.
She sits in the hole I dug for a plant.
This is the time of year for
creating new gardens.
The plants are 75% off!
We put Toad lily in this hole!

  

We're not sure what it is!

What to do at the cottage

On this rainy day in Muskoka, I know there will be complaints. Canadians always complain about the weather. A couple of my Facebook friends have been complaining about those who are complaining.

The rain is a welcome break in the heat and humidity. We have been careful to open up the house at night, and close up, closing curtains in the day time.

This post arises from my experience as a teacher. While visiting the library yesterday, I noticed a drawing program for kids, as well as an intriguing box.

Our local Muskoka Lakes libraries have some great programs, as well as the books available!

They are hatching some monarch butterflies. Cathy released a butterfly while I was waiting for my hubby who was in a meeting!

As they emerge from the cocoon, and sit for awhile, eventually they can be released into the outdoors.

Specifically for kids: especially for kids with any learning disability, they need to keep up their reading and practice literacy and numeracy skills over the summer.  Good readers get to be great readers by... reading!







Here are some things you can do to keep kid's brains working:

1. Keep a journal. (Do not mark their spelling, ask them to choose 3 words they want you to check. No more!)
   
2. Keep track of money spent: how much per day or per month does your family spend on vacation for groceries, transportation, accomodation, entertainment?
   
3. Create a dream location: locate your holiday destination(s) on a map, find your location on Mapquest or Google maps.
   
4. Create some skits about cottage life. Write a play. Do some improv plays.
   
5. Write a creative story about where you are or would like to be this week.
6. Write about Fridays, or Someone Who Understands.
   
7. If you have access to Internet &/or TV, do an Olympic Project.
   

8. Create a bird watching list, take photos, make a scrapbook, study insects, rocks, trees.
9. Visit the MNR info page and collect pamphlets and flyers about wildlife, ponds, turtles.
   
10. Create a scavenger hunt.
    
11. Do book talks as a family.
12. Create a written or verbal Reading Response.
13. Ask kids to earn computer time by writing an essay.
14. Purchase writing books and drawing pads, bring new coloured pencils or crayons.
15. Buy the kids a disposable camera, let them plan a photo show, and teach them photography.
    
16. They can used the photos for a scrapbook for memories.
    
17. Blow bubbles.
    
18. Create a slide show or video of cottage events.
19. Scrabble, Monopoly, Backgammon, Sorry, card games, activity books (Soduko or crosswords!).
    
20. This is a great time to do a BIG puzzle - set it up out of the way and work on it when you feel like it.

Lots to do. Don't believe the Cottageocracy!