Cleaning up the yard

 I split Wednesday's activities in two parts. I brought in Percy, while puttering around the yard whilst waiting for the pond to drain. Next job was to remove the topper on the bench swing. There was a little tree frog under the canopy. Can you see him? They've been calling in the forest, but it's likely the last I'll see of gray tree frogs for winter.

 Top safely off (with JB's help), froggie was too hot in the sun, and moved around to the other side! I thought that was so cute!

I had to removed the rest of the vines, sweep it, and chuck the vines elsewhere. 

 

Along the driveway I went, another two ribbon snakes! They are such gentle things. Minding their business, freezing in fear, or running away when I approach. They are after insects, nestled in the leaves.

This second one was hiding in the leaves. It is nicely camouflaged! Look hard!

Back up the driveway. I'll bet this is the last of our colours. 

The leaves are blowing in the wind. You can see them on the driveway, under the trees.

The horse chestnuts are beginning to fall! There aren't too many this year. The squirrels are getting into them. They don't usually bother with them, but they seem hungry

We've rainstorm warnings. The skies were amazing: 'red sky in the morning.'

News, near and far

🔥Firstly, there was sad news on Facebook from our blog friend, Gaelyn. She's been boondocking around the US, in Nevada. There was a fire, and she lost her vehicle. It is tragic. Not only that, but she lost her cat, Sierra, in the fire. She is housed with friends. It just hurts my heart. She is waiting to hear from her insurance company, she had her phone. I know we wish her the best.

📰 Lest my American friends think they've cornered the market on conspiracy theorists:  Trial catch up: Day eight of the criminal trial of  'Freedom Convoy' protest organizers Tamara Lich, Chris Barber.

Then, we've the self-appointed Queen of Canada, Romana Didulo (a Filipino immigrant), who is trying to convince people that she can forgive them their taxes. She has been kicked out of a small Saskatchewan town, where she was lobbying followers to stop paying utilities. The town rose up and sent her off! 

"You can't come into a town and tell the mayor, the community safety officer and the RCMP — and people of town — that you're in charge," Brunt told CBC News.

⛟ Former Ontario MPP Randy Hillier, who is facing charges in connection with last year's "Freedom Convoy," is seeking for a second time to move his jury trial away from Ottawa. He totally pissed off so many Ottawans, but that includes many Ontarians anyway! 

✈ US Air traffic: There was an incident on Sunday, and they were looking for the plane. I thought it rather interesting. The pilot is fine. CAP3935, FOXX849 looking for F35, Sunday, pilot ejected. Flight Radar on Twitter X.

💻 We had catch up time with the Vancouver kids on the weekend! Isn't technology grand? They were at the cottage and Bryony (in Kindergarten) gave me a cell phone tour. We had a good catch up on news and events. The trick is the 3-hour time difference. 

Cluny is in Gr. 3, and she told us about the Axolotl they have at school.  

🎃 More fun, Butch has been playing with my pumpkins. One was in the middle of the driveway, the other across the driveway. Little scamps.

 

Butch is trouble! from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Winter in wonderland

 JB is still walking, even in sub-zero weather. He is bundling up! I went out, too. You just have to dress for it. I'm still nursing my back. Gosh, I'm a grump I am! There is something about back pain...

I love looking out the front window and seeing the deer. I won't like it when my lilies are blooming in summer, but there you go. We moved into their habitat.

She didn't like my flag flapping in the wind. They are great watch dogs!

The cats went out for brief periods to bird watch. Our birds are smart. None were harmed! I thought I could hear the birds snicker at Nutmeg.

I noticed the setting sun shining on the snow chair Isabelle made! It happened the day before, but I didn't get a photo. 

Who goes there in the dark? mice friends  leave their tracks.

Down at the trail cams... wild turkey The trio are down to two. 

Serious fall clean-up

The colours keep on going!



They are nice and bright on a sunny day.


I've been working hard on the yard. Moving the half barrel, using the tractor to flatten the dirt. This is where Isabelle helped me plant 70 daffodils.

before


after


Another frost warning, so in they came.

We've had an uptick... 'scue the pun!
Hooper has been bringing them in: 🕷️TICKS 2019. I used the anti-tick stuff on him yesterday.


That said, the tick totals are way down this year. Only 37. You can see how it compares to other years.


The dirt is moving. I haven't had much motivation, but I threw 4 or 5 loads around. I'm having some hip issues.


The fungus and toadstools are fun.


I began preparation for the fake tree. I turned it upside down and screwed the base to the top. I'll have to fetch the branches from cold storage.

The emptied goldfish pond. I'm hoping for rain to fill it up some.

Happy fall!