Gardening in a time of COVID–19

This is part three of our Monday! I've had nothing on the trailcams. The phoebes ought to hatch in a week, perhaps June 4. The wood duck eggs should be mid-June. The robins are still shuffling nesting materials, and haven't gotten down to it yet! 

I decided it was time to find some flowers. The containers look pretty sad, even with the milkweed plants in front of them.

Bob V covered up the empty planter with his hat.

Town was pretty quiet on a Monday morn. We had a plan.

Signage in front of the hospital, boosting essential workers.

The flowering trees are amazing. I caught a man taking a photo of this one. I took it through the front windshield, and held my breath.  



It was pretty sad. The first store didn't have any petunias. It was only about 1/5 of usual stock. The 2nd outlet had very little stock, as well. It was discouraging. Staff were vigilant, wiping down carts. I saw one guy take one cart, wearing a mask, then changed his mind and took another cart. Hereby potentially infecting both carts. 

 We ended up going to Canadian Tire. They had more stock. Also, long line-ups for COVID–19 protocols. There weren't too many people, quite a few wearing masks. They regulated the number of people allowed in both the store and the outdoor gardening section, keeping the two separate. 

Quite a few were wearing masks, but standing too close. It was bizarre. It's as if it gives them more confidence to get closer. I felt safer in the outdoors.

Sadly, the flower on the upper right has kicked the bucket. I'll move a petunia in that spot, I guess.

There! That feels better! Except for the mosquito and black fly bites. They are horrid. The black flies got me on the back of the ankle. I sprayed my legs before I began, and put baby oil on my arms. That was followed up by a shower.

The lilacs are beautiful everywhere. 

The fish are doing well. I have 6 left. They've not been good at reproducing. I had 2 or 3 dozen babies a couple of years ago, but they didn't last indoors.

We drove to Playfairville!

This was funny. I misread a news item from Tay Valley. I thought the plant sale began at 1 p.m. In fact, it went from 10 to 1. I figured we could go in the afternoon.

Friends of Lanark County is having a Plant Sale!

On Saturday June 1st from 10am - 1pm at Fallbrook Ball Field (1513 Fallbrook Rd.)Add some untreated, pesticide free, native (non-hybrid) easy-care plants to your garden! Native plants support the life cycle of many beneficial insects, birds, bees and other wildlife.  

JB came back from his walk in town (no bugs there!), as well as shopping and visiting neighbours at the Saturday market after 12:00. He did doddle, not knowing I wanted to go.
It was 24 minutes, so says Google maps, to get there. What the heck.


I plugged in the address to Gillian GPS, she said we'd be there at 12:51. Off we went. Lots of new and old homes, rivers, flowering fruit trees. It was a nice drive.


Bridges are being repaired across the county.


The fruit trees are amazing, as well as the lilacs. Everything is so green.


There were two bridges reduced to one lane, with 3-minute traffic turnover time. I chewed my nails as time ticked away.


They were still there, with only a few plants left. Of course, it was 12:57, so no wonder.


I took photos of the directions for individual plants.



Can you tell it is bug season? If you are near running water, it's blackflies. Here, where we have still water, it's mosquitoes.


It's becoming more popular for people to auction their homes.


This is an interesting yard. I have no idea what they are doing. Can you see the carving on the post, far left?


From here, we went to McDonalds Corners. The lodge has been bought by an Asian family, and we wanted to try their new menu in the restaurant.
 There is a boat launch.


The cook welcomed us, and went outside to fetch the server! We apologised, he was gracious.


The Won Ton soup was wonderful, says JB, who lived a number of years in Vancouver. He used chop sticks. Pas moi. Spring rolls, and a tray for two.


As we ate, I spotted two small cars, with three canoes. One guy looked familiar. After lunch I went over and introduced myself and asked if he was from Perth. Indeed! "I work at The Table. I'm Ramsey!" He is, in fact, the ED of our local food bank! They do marvellous programs; they teach cooking to young and old, they have potluck suppers, and have interesting fundraisers. We donate monthly to them.

We'd never met, even though we had a sign on our lawn when Ramsay was running for the NDP. He did well, with 30% of the vote.

Dalhousie Lake is a shallow lake. There were people fishing and canoodling.

Back on the road... a drive-by shooting out the driver's side passenger window.


I'm going to have to go back and check out this place! I love the snowman.


As we made it to Scotch Line Rd., I spotted this house for sale.


Not so shabby!
133 Glen Tay Rd.: $639,999!


Back on the road.


These neighbouring properties have these ponds. With all the rains, on the way in I noticed the owner adding stones to the shoreline.


It was a lovely drive!