Sunday, 16 June 2013

Peacemaker – amazing tall ship

Peacemaker's home port is Brusnwick, Georgia. It is a Barquentine, 37.8 m (124') long. It's rig he
View from the ramp!
ight is 123 feet. We purchased a passport to visit the ships, with details on each ship's background. You can see photos of it in full mast on its webpage.

The peacemaker was built on a riverbank in southern Brazil by an Italian family of boat builders, using traditional methods and the finest tropical hardwoods. The ship was first launched in 1989 as the Avany, a name chosen by her designer and owner, Frank Walker, Brazilian industrialist.
Long line-ups to view her!
Teaching knots!
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Much fun in the Brockville Harbour –June 15th 2013

Visit their webpage here
  1. Tall Ships Brockville - June 14 - 16, 2013
  2. Peacemaker – amazing tall ship
  3. Mist of Avalon –Tall Ships in Brockville
    sailor

The above is a slideshow of my photos of the day in the harbour. Lots of recreationists, and soldiers about in period costume. It was quite the event! An amazing tourist draw. There were long line-ups to visit the ships.

The 10 Ships

Get better acquainted with the 10 ships that will be visiting us on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. Each one has her own story to tell – and the crew will have stories to share as well!

Saturday, 15 June 2013

Tall Ships Brockville June 2013

The volunteers were amazing.
You can check out all of my ship photos here.
What a wonderful day in Brockville!   
Here are photos, hotlinked on the map, of the various ships.
The tall ships were anchored in Brockville's Harbour. It was an amazing sight. tall ships map peacemaker sistersundersail sorlandet 3 ships

The deerflies are out and about!


Buster and the bugs from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Poor Buster. The deer flies are out and the cats are going nuts.

Friday, 14 June 2013

My MPP told me to 'get a life'!

animadversion

MEANING:
noun:
1. The act of criticizing.
2. An unfavorable comment.

I love intellectual discourse. I like reading about politics, reflecting and discussing what goes on in this world. With a big month in Ontario in politics (scandals, secrecy, deleted e-mail, and purported fraud) at all the levels of government, we must demand that our elected politicians stand up to a higher lever of accountability. They are supposed to reflect and represent all of their constituents, no matter whether we have voted for them or not. They are supposed to weigh all sides of an issue, and listen to constituents and all stakeholders.

I attended an information meeting hosted by Algonquins of Ontario regarding the Agreement-in-Principle on the land claims. I took photos and wrote about it here:

Algonquins of Ontario Land Treaties:  Agreement-in-Principle (AIP)

Desmond Devoy checks the photo!
I was excited to attend a meeting to explain the process in the land claims settlements. It was attended by 34 people.
Most were politicians or press!
I wrote about the meeting, but it wasn't until this week that it made it into the EMC news.

No new native rights granted under draft land claim agreement: Potts

Posted Jun 13, 2013 By Desmond Devoy 

Desmond Devoy always writes thoughtful, well-researched pieces, that balance sides and provides information. I wrote last winter: "Most at the meeting in February, so Desmond Devoy implied, are more concerned about their land rights. It is high time that we settle this terrible issue and right the wrongs perpetrated on a people that took care of us in the early days when Whites invaded a difficult land. My grandmother told stories of Native Peoples who helped her family in the early days of settlement here."

Mr. Hillier is more concerned with protecting landowner rights, than the rights of all who live, work and play in Lanark County. What I found sad is that Randy Hillier's website has stolen EMC's latest article by Desmond Devoy, and posted it on his website.

The EMC clearly identifies the content as:  © 2009 - 2013  Metroland Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved. 

Some of the things I used to teach (with an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Technology) was Netiquette, plagiarism and copyright laws. My students, who were just learning to use the web, didn't see any problem in copying entire pieces, photos, and submitting it as their own work. I think that Randy Hillier, or his peeps, have missed that lesson.

He is against same-sex marriage, protecting the land from pollution and exploitation, and laws that protect both flora and fauna, from what I can glean of his rants. Also, @randyhillier has blocked me from following his Twitter feed, which is mildly amusing. My Twitter friends tell me that you know your point has hit home if you are blocked!

I posted a comment on Mr. Hillier's website, where he has reposted the EMC article, suggesting he has violated copyright laws. –As is my right to speak my mind.–
 I have been duly bitch-slapped by MPP Hillier and told to 'get a life' and 'tear up your liberal membership card'.



Yes, I am shocked. Mr. Back Off Government, who claims we are soft on crime, or some other conservative rhetoric. It was amusing that many rolled their eyes as MPP Hillier entered the room. After 5 or 6 questions from on local Councillor, and managed to get in a  comment before Mr. Hillier hijacked the meeting.

I left, at that point, as I knew this would take some time!
There are many stakeholders in land claims. All must be heard.
The Youtube video, disparaging him for not paying $15,000 in property taxes, is illuminating. He blamed his wife, then the government. He continues to draw $118,000 or so in MPP salary.

He has also blocked me on Twitter! You know you've made a point when they block you!

"The Nanny State and You" - Randy Hillier speaks

MPP Randy Hillier
Mr. 'Back Off Government'

The phrase itself grates on my nerves. The 'Nanny State', as all his posts proclaim, infers we don't need anyone to watch over us, do we?

Thursday, 13 June 2013

Look who is out and about!

On my way to a client's house, I spotted birders checking out the heron rookery, photos I posted  the other day.

On my way home the traffic was amazingly bad. One dude passed three cars, traveling in the oncoming lane towards me. You feel that giant intake of breath as you hope he gets back into the line of cars. He was trying to pass 4 cars. I honked. Drive carefully out there. Someone loves you or your victim.

On the way home, the OPP happily were stopping cars doing a RIDE check, methinks. I was just happy that they slowed the traffic down!

I slowed down for a snapping turtle, medium-sized, which stopped mid-highway.
As I slowed, an oncoming car spotted it in her lane. She swerved gently. I parked the car no a side road, and walked back to check on it. I encouraged it to keep on going, quickly. We have too much road kill of our endangered snapping turtles. They are a 'species of special concern'.

Back home, I spent 90 minutes cutting the grass on the lawn tractor. It was good to get out and about.

Mr. or Mrs. Phoebe perched on the tree watching me, as I had to get the noisy tractor out of the shed beside their nest. It wanted to ensure I wasn't going to harm the babies. I've been taking a photo once a day. They are growing nicely.


I checked in on our Phoebe chicks. All looks good. Feathers are growing, and they are being well-fed, as momma and poppa capture numerous bugs for us! This phoebe was at my daughter's house!
The most recent photos show their baby feathers.

Snapping turtles are on the move!


Snapper on the road from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
I encouraged this medium sized snapping turtle to keep on going. It was missed by several cars and a school bus. I assured the kids who got off the bus, that I would go back and check on it after I parked.
They are on the move, finding places in soft sand to lay eggs.

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Everyone needs a great place to sleep!

Buster sleeps on my side of the bed. Dorah, at 10 months, is nearly his 2-year-old size! Bed is a place for wash-ups, too. He's good to his younger sisters.

The kittens like the caterpillar. Sometimes...

Sometimes they have the dining room table, despite the water spray bottle. It doesn't deter them, but means I don't have to yell at them! By the time I got the camera, Daisy joined comfy Dorah on a rainy day. Notice how much smaller twin sister Daisy is compared to Dorah.

Sadie has a new nest, too. (Don't tell her –hubby bought it at a dog accessory store!) Younger brother, Buster, harasses her to play. She just ain't buyin' it! The queen doesn't deign to play with Buster.

Then there are the Phoebe chicks. They have nested in the shed on a shelf, which is typical.
Look closely...
I think there are 4 of them
from 5 eggs
The one has her head on her sibling!
 

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Bugs, bikes, 'n blooms!

From Clematis, to peony, wildflowers, dragonflies, as well as the ubiquitous bikes on the road.
I've risked bug bites to take photos of the world around me. Nature calls me.
We've harvested 26 ticks from pets. Protect yourself out there. It is a very bad year.
May you be a half hour outdoors before the mosquitoes know you are there!