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| Potters equipment |
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| At Ann Chambers Pottery |
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| Memorial |
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| Rita Redner |
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| Delightful chairs! |
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| a great hobby - student's hands |
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Perth Studio Tour
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Flying turkeys
Oliver has made a giant leap for feline kind. Fearless, he goes after anything. Yesterday he made turkeys fly. We'd spotted one deer alone at the feeder, and we don't know what happened.
Tonight, we heard a yowl, and suddenly he was in the cat door, in the safe garage.
Then, he managed to liberate a fishy meat tray from the 3' garbage can with the swinging lid, and didn't dump it. Tricky little bat outta hell!
I also have a pet peeve. I am toying with labelling the feeders, as the critters don't seem to want to eat the food for which we paid big bucks to please them.
The video shows why I found turkey poop in the deer feeder. Sheesh. Wasn't sure what it was.
I thought critters were pretty fastidious. Not birds.
The previous owners fed the deer and birds for five years. It's a tradition!
I'm happy to carry on. It's only my pension! :-)
I decided to try to label the feeders. That might help them keep it all straight.
How does this look? I'd have to teach them to read, but I can teach anyone anything! :-)
Tonight, we heard a yowl, and suddenly he was in the cat door, in the safe garage.
Then, he managed to liberate a fishy meat tray from the 3' garbage can with the swinging lid, and didn't dump it. Tricky little bat outta hell!
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| Get outta the garden! |
The video shows why I found turkey poop in the deer feeder. Sheesh. Wasn't sure what it was.
I thought critters were pretty fastidious. Not birds.
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| Face only a mother could love |
I'm happy to carry on. It's only my pension! :-)
I decided to try to label the feeders. That might help them keep it all straight.
How does this look? I'd have to teach them to read, but I can teach anyone anything! :-)
Monday, 8 November 2010
Grounds crew is here
It used to be the geese that nibbled our grass/clover. The grounds crew sure has changed as we changed our environment. Deer have a territory that includes forest and our grass/clovered lawn.
I know they tell us we need not feed them until February when food is scarce, but we are happy to provide sanctuary on our acreage. They do not feed exclusively at the feeder. They rip away at the grass, nibble weeds, chomp on various garden plants, and cover a wide range of territory on our property, but seldom graze far. I have been up on the ladder working, turned around as I felt someone watching me!
Communication
They comunicate through smells, body language and sounds. Stamping to warn Oliver away, and snorting at other times. They are very wary, especially if they/we hear gun fire. Their ears are always directed towards sounds. They seem to understand the car noises and are less vigilant, if they aren't at the roadside. I have watched them from my front door as traffic slows, drivers honk, and cars scream to a stop.
Food and digestion
Our deer feed is a MNR-created recipe found at our local seed company. We put out black sunflower seed for the birds, cracked corn in the mix for the mourning doves and turkeys, as well as shelled peanuts for the woodpeckers, niger seed for the finches. It is well worth it to watch them! Deer eat acorns, nuts, aquatic vegetation (see our bog!), green plants, fruits, grasses, and nibble tree branches. They do not have incisors, but rip away at the greenery.
They eat quickly, between 2 - 4 kg. (5 - 9 lbs.) per day, taking off to digest regurgitated food in their 4 (count 'em!) stomachs. They are able to digest cellulose, unlike the rest of us.
Strength, beauty and speed
Deer can jump over 2 metres high (8 feet), leap 9 m (30 '), and run up to nearly 60 km/h (36 mph). They swim, and I've seen a regular, worn deer path through our bog. They range between 45 and 136 kg. (100 - 300 lbs.) between the smaller does and larger bucks. I am amazed at their size, which is why there is night danger and much signage in Ontario.
Seasonal behaviour
Our three are made up of two does, and a fawn, who is almost as big as her mother. I love watching mom groom her. I think there is a lone doe, but it is hard to tell! They pretty much look alike. In fall, the bucks are not eating much, as they are in rut. They secrete hormones, which mark their territory. In winter, deer gather in herds.
The does hang out together in groups, as do the bucks, wth 3- 5 males together, all fighting for power. Once rutting season is over, winter comes and the bucks lose their antlers.
Visit Fallow Deer Reserve, and the article/photo to read more: Rut 101. She has a close up photo of her male!
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| They watch Joey carefully! |
Communication
They comunicate through smells, body language and sounds. Stamping to warn Oliver away, and snorting at other times. They are very wary, especially if they/we hear gun fire. Their ears are always directed towards sounds. They seem to understand the car noises and are less vigilant, if they aren't at the roadside. I have watched them from my front door as traffic slows, drivers honk, and cars scream to a stop.
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| FAWN in the middle! |
Food and digestion
Our deer feed is a MNR-created recipe found at our local seed company. We put out black sunflower seed for the birds, cracked corn in the mix for the mourning doves and turkeys, as well as shelled peanuts for the woodpeckers, niger seed for the finches. It is well worth it to watch them! Deer eat acorns, nuts, aquatic vegetation (see our bog!), green plants, fruits, grasses, and nibble tree branches. They do not have incisors, but rip away at the greenery.
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| N. Ontario sign |
Strength, beauty and speed
Deer can jump over 2 metres high (8 feet), leap 9 m (30 '), and run up to nearly 60 km/h (36 mph). They swim, and I've seen a regular, worn deer path through our bog. They range between 45 and 136 kg. (100 - 300 lbs.) between the smaller does and larger bucks. I am amazed at their size, which is why there is night danger and much signage in Ontario.
Seasonal behaviour
Our three are made up of two does, and a fawn, who is almost as big as her mother. I love watching mom groom her. I think there is a lone doe, but it is hard to tell! They pretty much look alike. In fall, the bucks are not eating much, as they are in rut. They secrete hormones, which mark their territory. In winter, deer gather in herds.
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| She's watching for Oliver! |
Visit Fallow Deer Reserve, and the article/photo to read more: Rut 101. She has a close up photo of her male!
Deer population
It seems that the deer population has diminished in Ontario. Hunters tell us that they go out and only see deer once in ten visits.
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| Alway watching, scouring the forest for predators. |
CBC radio news told us that the deer population has gone from 12 deer/km2, to only 3.
Hunting regulations are not simple, for many reasons.
Ensure that you know the regs. in your area (Ontario).
The season is open here for two weeks, Nov. 1 - 14, but only bucks, with antlers, are allowed to be taken.
Hunt safely and know what lies beyond your immediate view.
Read, Muskoka Outdoors for more info.
Bill Anderson provides reminders for hunters:
- Bow hunters can still hunt at this time, but they need to wear hunter orange
- Ontario hunters can not use real deer urine products as scents and attractors
- There is a hunter orange requirement in Ontario
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| Looks like she's ready for show |
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Tripping the bog fantastic
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| Frog pond |
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| Old cedars |
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| Beautiful moss |
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| Deer path in the bog |
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| Deep bog, with peat |
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| Incredible trees |
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| Leaves carpet the ground |
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| In it came out of the cold |
A great outdoor activity, walking. Soon it will be snowshoe time!
Friday, 5 November 2010
a man and a door
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| mural - clever! |
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| Saw a man about a door |
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| Happy birthday to Joey! |
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| Present from Sady to Joey |
Thursday, 4 November 2010
backyard antics: you turkeys!
I love the action in our backyard.
First, Oliver and his deer are developing a relationship!
Next, a new critter he's never come face to face with.
Good old deer, guarding the feeder from the turkeys! Today they were having a party. Perhaps to celebrate making it through Thanksgiving? Three cats sat spellbound in the house. The one turkey was flashing some lovely feathers. I would love to have some for the dream catcher I'm making. Maybe he'll drop some?!
First, Oliver and his deer are developing a relationship!
Next, a new critter he's never come face to face with.
Good old deer, guarding the feeder from the turkeys! Today they were having a party. Perhaps to celebrate making it through Thanksgiving? Three cats sat spellbound in the house. The one turkey was flashing some lovely feathers. I would love to have some for the dream catcher I'm making. Maybe he'll drop some?!
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Winter worries
You'll forgive a glimpse and foreshadowing of winter. With snow falling last weekend in Ontario, we need to be prepared!
It is a good read, and a great story of a woman's courage. That is
- if you haven't just bought a property with acreage, where you fear snowmobiles encroaching on your property!
-if you haven't bought a home to escape the jetskis on the lake and sledders who can destroy a soft, snow-filled moment in an instant.
I'm just sayin'!
It has an environmental message, one that needs to be said. For sledders whose machines cause noise and air pollution, they mock those more inclined to walk carefully in the forest. This book convinces me that you can fight 'city hall', as it is our municipalities who most profoundly affect everyday life.
With users in the US who invade National Parks on their sleds, this is a good story of empowerment. There are those carry this sport to its extreme, throw their trash on trails, and ram their way through precious bogs. I know, I have travelled their trails, picking up their garbage, a visual assault on the land.
I fear for our young people who cannot appreciate the solitude and the healing that a nature walk can bring. Kathy has created these moments in her crafted prose, creating a character with whom I could identify and understand. I could clearly imagine Carol walking on her precious land, as I have walked my trails.
I had been reading mysteries for months, while preparing to move, helping with a new grandbaby in another city. Books that included death, murder mystery and palliative care, entertaining for a time. This book was a good solid read about a good woman. It was an excellent change of pace.
Another reviewer wrote: Even those moments of not really understanding what was being shared, where the writing seemed to almost stumble, added to the intimacy of the experience. This woman will remain embedded in my psyche for many years because of the vital courage, openness and commitment of the shared experience with another woman. I recognised the emotional mess that she became at different times of her cycle. I recognised the power she was able to harness in company with the strength of the moon. I recognised the loneliness she felt in relation to her deeply passionate care for the earth, when all around her wanted her to be `reasonable'.
There are some missed editing opportunities, but for those of us who self-publish this is predictable. It is a bitter fight to get published in Ontario. And folks, like myself, cannot get much publicity without a large publisher behind us.
BTW
If you have written a book, be sure to have it reviewed on Amazon. It cannot hurt sales, and may help. Check out Kathy's book reviews.
It is a good read, and a great story of a woman's courage. That is
- if you haven't just bought a property with acreage, where you fear snowmobiles encroaching on your property!
-if you haven't bought a home to escape the jetskis on the lake and sledders who can destroy a soft, snow-filled moment in an instant.
I'm just sayin'!
It has an environmental message, one that needs to be said. For sledders whose machines cause noise and air pollution, they mock those more inclined to walk carefully in the forest. This book convinces me that you can fight 'city hall', as it is our municipalities who most profoundly affect everyday life.
With users in the US who invade National Parks on their sleds, this is a good story of empowerment. There are those carry this sport to its extreme, throw their trash on trails, and ram their way through precious bogs. I know, I have travelled their trails, picking up their garbage, a visual assault on the land.
I fear for our young people who cannot appreciate the solitude and the healing that a nature walk can bring. Kathy has created these moments in her crafted prose, creating a character with whom I could identify and understand. I could clearly imagine Carol walking on her precious land, as I have walked my trails.I had been reading mysteries for months, while preparing to move, helping with a new grandbaby in another city. Books that included death, murder mystery and palliative care, entertaining for a time. This book was a good solid read about a good woman. It was an excellent change of pace.
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Kathy and I traded books. She was speaking to a women's group in Bracebridge. I spoke to them later in the month about senior health care. |
There are some missed editing opportunities, but for those of us who self-publish this is predictable. It is a bitter fight to get published in Ontario. And folks, like myself, cannot get much publicity without a large publisher behind us.
BTW
If you have written a book, be sure to have it reviewed on Amazon. It cannot hurt sales, and may help. Check out Kathy's book reviews.Click icon for more book review blogs @Barrie Summy
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Crossroads
Lovely prompt for a poem. My life lately has been nothing but crossroads. I'm quick to make a decision and take off from there. ~~~~~~~~~
Do it
sell it
buy it
take it
Let go
Let love colour your path
don't look behind
stay in the present
Move up
move on
outwards
and upwards.
Just go.
Find it
feel it
don't forget it
Voting, lobbying and seeking an electorate
Election fever. I'm glad our municipal election is over.
The American ads for the senate were just miserable, too, with examples of fearmongering and attack ads, which murder a candidate by rumours, innuendo and lies (e.g., "Don't let them make a mess of Washington").
As I heard from one person interviewed on CBC, what's wrong with simply telling us who you are, what you believe in, and why I should vote for you?
Some lobby groups have endeavoured to manipulate our Ontario municipal election results by creating wedge issues and lobbying for one pet cause or another.
In fact, we elect officials to provide a balanced viewpoint, to honour and respect all of the electorate and the needs of the whole municipality, not just the richest and most vocal.
Now, the Muskoka Landowners Association (landowners and loggers) has a history of political action. Refusing to allow sledders on their property, closing snowmobile trails until the municipality backed off of their tree cutting by-law restrictions. I thought we realized how much clear cutting, parcelling off land, was bad for the environment.
Another lobby group, the Muskoka Lakes Association (cottager/taxpayers), presented candidates with a series of questions. They came up with a list of candidates for whom their lobby group should vote.
The questions this association asked were shaped by their particular notions and protective policies based on their view point.
~~~~~~~~~~~
As Maureen, a Muskoka realtor wrote,
I guess the thing that really brought it home to me was a gentleman, who came into the office and was elated with the election results mentioning that "all the candidates the MLA were in favour of in his area got in". This man went on further to say "that's as it should be" because "we pay the most taxes up here so we should have the say as to who is elected".
What a sad and ignorant statement on so many levels
Pretty sad state of affairs, isn't it? Lobby groups are a terrible way to run a municipality.
That said, we had 2 incumbents here in Perth. One, when questioned told me there weren't any issues of concern. In fact, lack of communication is what a newcomer told me is a major issue.
The American ads for the senate were just miserable, too, with examples of fearmongering and attack ads, which murder a candidate by rumours, innuendo and lies (e.g., "Don't let them make a mess of Washington").
As I heard from one person interviewed on CBC, what's wrong with simply telling us who you are, what you believe in, and why I should vote for you?
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| Muskoka Landowners Association sign |
In fact, we elect officials to provide a balanced viewpoint, to honour and respect all of the electorate and the needs of the whole municipality, not just the richest and most vocal.
Now, the Muskoka Landowners Association (landowners and loggers) has a history of political action. Refusing to allow sledders on their property, closing snowmobile trails until the municipality backed off of their tree cutting by-law restrictions. I thought we realized how much clear cutting, parcelling off land, was bad for the environment.
Another lobby group, the Muskoka Lakes Association (cottager/taxpayers), presented candidates with a series of questions. They came up with a list of candidates for whom their lobby group should vote.
The questions this association asked were shaped by their particular notions and protective policies based on their view point.
~~~~~~~~~~~As Maureen, a Muskoka realtor wrote,
There are many issues that impact the lives of year round residents and cottagers other than the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) goals. These need to be addressed by a responsible council with hopefully some experienced members.
Now that all is said and done, the MLA are not accountable nor will they take any responsibility for the outcome of this overthrow of all incumbents. Pretty sweet position, huh?
I guess the thing that really brought it home to me was a gentleman, who came into the office and was elated with the election results mentioning that "all the candidates the MLA were in favour of in his area got in". This man went on further to say "that's as it should be" because "we pay the most taxes up here so we should have the say as to who is elected". What a sad and ignorant statement on so many levels
Is it really the mandate of the MLA for a handful of people to place themselves in a position where these few are influencing the votes of hundreds of people???????????
~~~~~~~~
The people who live in Muskoka, year-round, those without money, power and influence are seldom heard. This is the same for Perth, our new town. It was the officers who retired on half pay and were granted 600 acres, the others worked their smaller acreages on land grants.
Does this mean that only those who pay big tax dollars should have a say in politics? I think not. These are the people for whom we must show concern. They are the people who work hourly wages, without health benefits, who fill our gas tanks, work long hours on their feet, while we sit, relax and eat and drink well. These are the people who are one pay cheque away from losing their homes.
The arrogance and self-entitlement of those with land and trees to burn, revolts me. This is the reason why there are small towns, with little economic independence: clear-cutting, and the raping of the land we now call Ontario, in the 1800s. We need politicians who have a broader understanding of what it means to be a responsible citizen.
I have written about Muskoka housing. It is the same for all rural towns. The economic downturn hit many hard.
In the spring of 2009, vacancy rates for Muskoka were 2.8%. Industry standards say that 3% is considered a “healthy” vacancy rate. There are approximately 450 households waiting for rent-geared-to income housing in Muskoka.
I volunteered as the Habitat Build. We need, as Habitat says, to give them a hand up, not a hand out.
~~~~~~~~
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| Early settlers with money became politicians |
Does this mean that only those who pay big tax dollars should have a say in politics? I think not. These are the people for whom we must show concern. They are the people who work hourly wages, without health benefits, who fill our gas tanks, work long hours on their feet, while we sit, relax and eat and drink well. These are the people who are one pay cheque away from losing their homes.
The arrogance and self-entitlement of those with land and trees to burn, revolts me. This is the reason why there are small towns, with little economic independence: clear-cutting, and the raping of the land we now call Ontario, in the 1800s. We need politicians who have a broader understanding of what it means to be a responsible citizen.
I have written about Muskoka housing. It is the same for all rural towns. The economic downturn hit many hard.
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| County Registry Office 1872 |
Nov 17, 2009
In the spring of 2009, vacancy rates for Muskoka were 2.8%. Industry standards say that 3% is considered a “healthy” vacancy rate. There are approximately 450 households waiting for rent-geared-to income housing in Muskoka.I volunteered as the Habitat Build. We need, as Habitat says, to give them a hand up, not a hand out.
Pretty sad state of affairs, isn't it? Lobby groups are a terrible way to run a municipality.That said, we had 2 incumbents here in Perth. One, when questioned told me there weren't any issues of concern. In fact, lack of communication is what a newcomer told me is a major issue.
Monday, 1 November 2010
When cats fly
On a trip to Bayshore Mall I was totally impressed with the display. Tricky photography what with the skylights. I found some cat quotes at Flippy's page.
Cat angels are the reason there are no mice angels. - Mel Brooks
Cats are very special angels, but they're not angelic. Watch what happens when a flock of birds fly by, beneath the clouds. - Elizabeth Hubbard Hall
God allows cats in heaven just so he can keep an eye on them. - Dixie Carter
If you gave wings to a cat, it would not condescend to be a bird. It would be an angel.
- Dick Shawn [1923-1987]
Cat angels are the reason there are no mice angels. - Mel Brooks
Cats are very special angels, but they're not angelic. Watch what happens when a flock of birds fly by, beneath the clouds. - Elizabeth Hubbard Hall
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