Critters

Our critters are easing into Autumn.

That said, the tree frog is still on the railing. I don't know when it will nestle in under the leaves. It was 10 C. this morning. Soon I shall have to remove all the vines and wash the metal railing, but not today. 

The raccoons are putting on the poundage, in preparation for the long, cold winter. They don't hibernate, they just sleep away the worst of the cold days and nights. I think momma, with 4 kits, now has two. We've lots of roadkill as the highway runs through their habitat.

Butch from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The deer in the forest beside our garage.

deer and fawn from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

We've a turkey limping. I startled it near the frogpond, and it sort of hopped/flew away. I felt so badly. JB has seen it too.

limping turkey from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

And to the very small, the alewives remaining in the goldfish pond. They've mated with the goldfish.

Clip2 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

For more critters, visit Eileen who continues to corral our critters on:

Saturday's Critters # 354

PART LXXVII: Process of Cancer treatment

 We were off to another cancer treatment. He was up at 6 for a 7:30 departure. sigh. I am not allowed in, with COVID protocols. 

I didn't have to take the time, as I am just the chauffeur, I could wear my jammies and housecoat! It was only 11 C. that morning. The housecoat would be a must. I'd packed phone, book to read, sketch pad, as these appointments could last a long time. We never know. One appointment was delayed a couple of hours, as our doctor was called to emergency surgery.

7:31 a.m.

It was a beautiful morning! It was foggy in spots.

The trees are beginning to turn.

We arrived in good time. I let JB off at the main entrance. It was 15 minutes to get through the COVID prescreening, which wasn't a surprise. There was a long line. JB made it into the office by 9:15. It was spooky, as there were so few people there. They are limiting patients.

9:02 a.m.

I drove around a bit. Then did a drawing, and read. I watched the dogs and dog walkers. I took a selfie to send to my daughter! (First professional haircut is today, Friday!)

There was a gym class outdoors, although 

My colouring. I first started this back in March, the last time I was with my client. Thursday I filled the colours in.

Here is the hospital! You can see all the cars parked on the street. Lynn Lane allows people to park here for free for two hours. I went into the park parking, as I wanted to get out of the car.

Dogs are supposed to be on a leash. This dude pulled up with two dogs. They nearly got run over by the red tractor whi, by now had moved into this part of the park! 

10:05 a.m.

JB phoned. He borrowed a nurse's phone at the waiting area, as his flip phone died. He was not amused. Off home. I still hadn't had anything to eat, as I have issues when we are on a hospital visit. 

We drove through Manotick. Such monster homes. The first one isn't finished. The one beside it is huge, as well. 

The sumac are lovely.

Home by 11:00, I was happy to grab a bagel and cream cheese. Happy to be home!

The law of three...

The aquarium 

What a disaster. I have been watching the fish tank. I'd filled it Saturday, with the grandies help, and the water was warming up. The well water is quite cold. I managed to get the pump going Sunday, and the water hadn't cleared yet. It takes a few days for the pH balances and the tank to sort itself out.

I had it going. All was well, then I fiddled with the pump, made an adjustment, and things went awry. Monday night I saw water on the floor. I had a melt down. (I'd forgotten to take my antidepressant Sunday. No wonder.) The water leaked into the basement. Again. I still haven't fixed it from when this happened last time. Perhaps I shall wait, still.

I was sitting, feeling my aches and pains of old age, thinking I would get to it once I'd all warmed up and done a workout. I reached for my coffee... It spilled all over the arm of my chair. Sigh.

Workout done, I redid the pump. The tank was clearing up, as the bacteria and chemicals balance out.

I kept the timer going to remind me to check it every hour. Finally, the light dawned. THIS is where it was leaking. I caught it this time, using the wrench to tighten it. I used a plastic tie to reinforce it. It is still lekaing. There is a crack in the curved part, with a slow leak. I resurrected an old piece from another pump. I don't have time to fix it, as we've a cancer treatment today. sigh.

I ended up with 4 of my 5 fish in. One doesn't look very well. We may look for some new ones.

The frogs were laughing at me.

We have about 2 dozen shiners, or alewives who have mated with the goldfish. Some are orange. They aren't coming in.

I ended up draining it for fish # 2,3,4, but #5 is a bit reluctant. The same thing happened last year.

Daisy

Another little emotional blip. Daisy's new owner is off, and Daisy is at the spa for a few days. The cat motel posts photos of pets in care. It is heartwarming. It was lovely to see that she is thriving. I cried over her for weeks! 

Volunteering: Respite Care

I've been three years with one family. The end is near, and I haven't been involved with the family since COVID–19. It truly is disconcerting. I miss it, but cannot risk volunteering at this point. JB has a cancer treatment this week. 

Tidy up!

Thinking I'd make myself useful, I toddled on down to the recent crash site [Car incident] to clear out my ditch. Aside from the glass, which is what I was after, there were two disposable masks and a flare. I knew I'd be sorry if I didn't pick it up before long. I usually pick up three or four times a year.

I came across a bag that held a new neck brace. I can understand that they would miss this, getting these three men out of the tippy car at 3:30 a.m., one very seriously damaged.

I was quite curious and I looked it up.

Looking it up, this is what the crews used. 

Storms, owl, Cinnamon

We are officially into fall. Poor Nova Scotia is feeling the remnants of hurricane Teddy. The waves are at 8 m (1m = ~1 yd), and people have been hunkering down, locking down boats, bringing in and tying down everything they can. 

They interviewed the family, and Nicole, who lives in this house. The rooftop is a patio. They are preparing for the storm. St. Margarets Bay, N.S.

I pulled into the driveway, and spotted our barred owl. I tried to crop it, but it was a lousy image. I offer an archive photo, as I have lots of them.

We've been limiting cat time outdoors. They are wicked hunters. Well, Nutmeg is. Cinnamon is less so. The birds are after the bugs on the flowers. 

We had a turkey amble by with chicks!

Turkeys and chicks from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I thought this video artistic, with momma deer and fawn. This is what happens in low light in the early morning.

I imagine their spots are disappearing soon. 

deer at dawn from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I heard this awful noise and ran to the front deck. It was a military helicopter! Checking Flight Radar, it registered online without a call sign!

"No call sign!" 

In the video, you can hear the bazillion crickets singing. It's been a banner year for crickets!

 

Military helicopter from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Fall continues to creep over us

First, COVID–19 report for Ontario. It's bad. It was below 100 cases a day, then schools started up. The Catholic schools were first, and they are reporting cases in several schools. Also, the first elementary school was closed in Barrhaven (Ottawa). People of colour make up 66% of Ottawa's COVID–19 cases.

Sept. 21

Ontario is reporting 425 cases of #COVID19 as more than 31,700 tests were completed. Locally, there are 175 new cases in Toronto with 84 in Peel and 60 in Ottawa. 67% of today’s cases are in people under the age of 40.

New cases in Quebec: 586. 

Things are cooling off. I've put up some more decorations. The petunias haven't been hit by the frost, yet. We've had some in the yard. 

Josephine collected me some pine cones for Peter. 

The frogs are still about. 

Cinnamon still hasn't fallen in. He's not very good (thankfully) at catching frogs.

This week I have to clean and shut down the fountain.

I spotted a red-eyed vireo in the garden. I am glad I left the goldenrod up, as well as the other wildflowers.

More mushrooms! This one is still hanging in.

Cinnamon went high!

This is the 'point' and it used to be a quite wet wetland. The cattails have grown over.

My poor potato vine... it's a bit droopy. We've had frost, and my pumpkin plant is done for. I have one pumpkin.

 BTW

I went and walked the road, where the Car incident took place. There was a spent flare and a used one-use mask. I shall go back out and pick that, and the glass up. Otherwise, when I go ditch diving in spring I may encounter glass.