There are so many things to do.
First up, trying to get the pump working on the aquarium. It's leaking. It's done that before. I gave up last night in frustration after trying to reset it twice. After breakfast and coffee it is on my
To Do List.
I cut my thumb working on the fake plant in the centre, yesterday. I bought it from Big Al's, but the slate it was connected to wasn't heavy enough to stop it from floating. Glueing it to a piece of thick bathroom tile last year, it gave away this year. Removing the slate (hammer!), I tied it to a brick. Simple solution! There is height in the tank.
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| Goldfish pond full |
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| catch me if you can! |
Just have to get the pump seal working, then I have to catch the goldfish! This is a production. The ones who didn't want to come in last year died. I have to drain the pond somewhat, sad since we just had 25mm (1") of rain over Sept. 28/29.
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| fuschia |
I have to remember, once all the above is taken care of, to drain and store the hoses. (Non-mental note!) One of the taps is broken and won't turn off. I have to remove the hose and turn it off inside the house, as there is another tap.
Next thing, was dragging the plants in. My problem is my green thumb. They grow so big I cannot lift them. This one is close to being too big, but the hummingbirds love it.
I once had a 15-year jade plant I simply had to leave outside. It was 3' wide. I gave away another tall plant to my hair dresser for her new studio. She gave me a free haircut in return!
My beekeeper friends have been writing about preparing their hives for winter.
I'm still watching my outdoor aquarium, with the cocoons.
This one is still in its cocoon.
The silly
Hypercompe scribonia Great Leopard Moth,keeps on visiting the others. It was moving pretty slowly this morning, though, as it was only about 3 C. on the back deck, where the aquarium sits.
I found a cut worm of some sort. I popped that in, too. Wooly bear #3 hasn't cocooned yet. One of the lady beetles morphed into its adulthood. It was beginning to attack the cocoon (seen above) and I released it.
Pickles is back around, haven't seen him for a few weeks. I don't know if he is with a cottager or what. It's very unusual to see a male cat that hasn't been fixed.
The cats are irritable.
Buster was having a drink at the cat fountain, Annabelle was watching him from behind the garbage can. She peeked behind it, peeked on the other side, reached out a paw to play, and then stood on her two hind feet and pushed the plastic can over onto him. They both ran!
What do you have to do to prepare for winter?
I still have critters in my aquarium. There are a couple of cocoons and chrysalises. They are going to overwinter in the cold storage room!
Jump to Larvae - Family Xiphydriidae (wood wasps) Sawfly is the common name for insects belonging to suborder Symphyta of the order Hymenoptera. Sawflies are distinguishable from most other hymenopterans by the broad connection between the abdomen and the thorax, and by their caterpillar-like larvae.
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