More fall colours Part 2

 I'm glad we went for our drive Monday. It was a lovely day. This is part 2.

We were headed to Westport, and took a quick trip to Rte 32 heading to MacDonald's Island, then the walking trail and boat launch. 

There is a walking bridge, Portland Class I Walking Trail. 

A barge was sitting there.

I love the quirky homes...

The geese were a bit far away, but they were there.

Yesterday, we took Nutmeg to the vet, she ate a bit, and she's on meds. It was a rainy, stormy day, with 32 mm rain. I videotaped the storm and captured two images. The winds whipped off a lot of leaves. 

We even had hail on Wednesday, Sept. 30th. 

Ontario storm from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Houston, we have a problem

Saturday morning, I was about to sit down in my comfy chair and do my blogging. Something was hanging down from the soffit. It was a board from the roof. There were three more on the ground. 

 Twas a bit of a mess. I cannot imagine that Butch could do this, but I guess they could. It's my own fault for leaving the feeder up. It was the small bird feeder, the globe feeder, the blue jays are too big for it. The handle was bent. 

It must have been a sight as the poor thing fell to the ground. The boards just pulled out of the roof as the nails were pulled. Lovely holes into the attic. The sun was in my eyes, and the camera lens. It looks pretty artsy!

The boards are nailed into the beams, fitting into one another in a tongue and groove manner. I can't tell you how anxious it made me. I was trying to figure out what to do. Just panic. I know there are many serious things going on in the world. It's amazing how such a small thing made me so upset. I apologize to JB. He's been so good to me. I couldn't see properly to do this. 

We phoned a handyman, advertised in our paper, who couldn't come until the next day. I didn't think it could last overnight. Everyone would be seeking shelter!

Posting this on Facebook, I had a hero. I fetched the ladder, the drill, several screws. Scott Dobson and his buddy came and reattached the boards. What a relief. I could imagine all sorts of critters getting in there and into the attic. I gave them both all the cash we had. All Scotty wanted was gas money, but that ain't cutting it for people who rescued us on a Saturday morning! I insisted.

It took me hours to unwind. Poor JB! 

It was quite a day, with a thunderstorm in the afternoon. It didn't look like much on the radar, but there were thunderboomers! 

During the storm, I went onto the deck to move the Muskoka chair under the eaves. I found a friend. I yelled at JB, who brought me the bug catcher. A HUGE dock spider. The bug catcher is 8 cm (3") wide.

In the meantime, another mystery. I suspect it's a small coyote. The tail looks a bit small. Maybe it got wet in the rains! I combined the two trailcam videos to track it.

If you recall, the wood ducks have fledged. There were two eggs unhatched. I put them down in front of the trailcam, far from the nesting box. Butch picked them up and moved them. I assume they ate them at some point.

We have Junior Bear #2 in the forest.  The first photo is Bear #1, the second bear #2. I haven't seen Booboo bear since May 22. 

We had a momma go through in November, with triplets. These could be them, looking for food or territory.

Here he is in all his glory!

Junior Bear from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Fall chores

My back has been iffy in the mornings. Oh, the aches and creaks of old age! I'm happy gardening season is over, as I shut down the property. I judiciously choose what I chop down, or leave standing. There are beautiful photos from fellow gardeners who leave plants standing, to be dusted with snow.

My major chore is to bring in the goldfish. This is a challenge. I've been watching the two-week forecast, as it is miserable working in the pond in the damp and cold. The first prediction was from Sept. 24, the next Sept. 26, and Sept. 30th.
Finally, Sept. 29th, I filled the fish tank with cold well water. It did not go well.

I have 11 fish to bring in. My process was halted as the aquarium pump began leaking Sunday night. Checking it every half hour, I thought I had fixed it. I can't bring the fish in without a pump going. (Goldfish are quite the poopers!)
We ordered a new pump. It ought to arrive Friday. Deep breath. I was up late Sunday drying up water. The basement ceiling did not fare well. I took some meds to sleep...

In the meantime...



Annabelle has had her fall shearing. There was a bit of growlies, but I've been forgiven.

There are lots of mushrooms and fungi all over the forest.


Speaking of the forest...
Sadly, Hooper brought us another rabbit. I rescued the carcass and put it out at the farthest trailcam.
The raccoon had a good feed. The porcupine just ambled on past.
While Butch has been at the carcass for two days, the coyote finished it off. It's the cycle of life.  The red fox has been around in the meadow.

The buck is still around, digging scrapes to mark his territory. He could smell what was here.



Here is a bit of a view of the snow out west. Waterton, Alberta were the winners with 95 cm of snow.

At least one area of Alberta has received 80 cm of snow, with the chance for higher elevations to see over 100 cm by Monday.

📸: @nicole_penton #ShareYourWeather #ABstorm #SKstorm

— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) September 29, 2019

We had major thunderstorms this morning at 5:30. It woke us up. The power flickered, but we're good.  I'm happy it's not snow! Although, there are warnings as the storm from out west moves on here.


And the election process continues.

Grandsitting 2.0: August The Birthday

Sat., Aug. 12

Poor Grampa had a list. It included balloons. He found a few other goodies.
This was the plan: Momma's birthday party. Then, all do a sleepover, and then Momma and Papa go home. Caitlin's birthday isn't until Wednesday, but this was the plan!

The girls are here for a week, again! We'll see what trouble we can get into. Grampa always says, "beer and chips all around!" He doesn't drink, and we are pretty careful about what the kids eat here, since their parents are pretty careful, as well. Birthdays don't count, of course!

I videotaped the arrival. Josephine remarked, "You got your camera fixed," but I didn't, I ordered a new one. It is fabulous!

Arrival from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

First up, birthday for Momma. The Emoji tablecloth has been joyful!


I have fond memories of watching Sesame Street with Caitlin, and the kids I took in for home day care!


In the afternoon there was a massive thunderstorm! You can hear me screaming with joy, as I finally captured lighting. I am too slow to take a photograph, I just run the camera while the storm is passing by. We had so much fun! These girls camp all through storms, they are hardy travelers!



Mommy pulled up the lightning webpage, and we watched the range of the thunder.  Isn't that cool? She found out about the site through the Ottawa CBC weatherman, @BlacksWeather .  The yellow dots are strikes, the red is a current one. The grey circle reflect the noise traveling. Momma sent me a screen capture from her phone.



My son-in-law BBQd. Bless his heart! There was thunder and lightning! Thankfully, there was a rainbow at the end!
Then, cake! And presents. I put together a book for them, from their photos in the UK! Caitlin was pleased!


Momma and Papa took off for home. Isabelle decided to go for a swim. Then, lunch. Then more hanging about. Josee decided to go for a swim. Isabelle went again. Then, we decided not to go out. Just more fun in the pool.
Next, a video. Then another swim! It was fun!