Reflections from Crumbly Acres

Tuesday, 3 December 2024

Graupel time!

I noticed this on the news, they were talking about the Canada Post strike. We've visited Nova Scotia.

We are getting into the cold weather! It was -5 ℃ Monday. Bbbbrrrrr. Nothing like Muskoka, in Central Ontario. Some are on Day 5 of power outages. Most of the homes have power back, but not all. There are still about 4000 homes to get reconnected. Thanks to all those who toil in the cold, and snow. York, Peel, Vaughn, and the Toronto airport all sent crews to help. The core of Gravenhurst is done.

We had graupel! Not ice, but sort of snow pellets.

A drive into town often generates conversation, property for sale!

2 acres for sale

$249,000

I noticed this strange little road going in. Then, a for sale sign.

I hope someone tells them that there is a lot of invasive phragmites here, which means it is wet off to the right.

The house that had a fire is finally coming along. This happened in Jan., 2023. I felt so badly for them, although I don't know who they are.

I am happily bird watching from the front window. The cardinals have been infrequent visitors.

They are so infrequent that I had to find an archive photo of the female cardinal.

Male downy woodpecker.

I hope you stay warm and dry. We've more snow on the way, they say. We may or may not leave the house today. Somebody is happy watching curling!

Monday, 2 December 2024

Monday Morning...

Somehow, Black Friday sales have crept into Canada. Thing is, they aren't really sales, I've found. I'm in the market for a new camera. The cameras on sale are too high end for me! The one I have my eye on isn't on sale. Goggle Ads have been helpful in pointing this out for me. 😏

I am content with my camera. It's just wearing out. Aren't we all?! 😳 I shall keep looking.

We went through town to the dentist. I wanted to look at the memorial dedicated to the young man who was murdered in town. They have charged a 16-year-old girl with First Degree murder. She was charged with 2nd degree, but that was changed.

Manslaughter: murder without intent
2nd degree: deliberate murder without planning
1st degree: homicide with planning and intent

UPDATE: Murder of Reese Stanzel

A 16-year-old has pled guilty to murdering the 15-year-old in 2024. This is a relief for many, I am sure. The small community is still shaken.

After the horrific murders in B.C., I did some research. The Tumbler Ridge shooting is already fueling trans hate in Canada. There is a Wiki page devoted to Misinformation about violence by trans people.

Despite Muskoka's Lake Effect Snow, we had precious little on the weekend. Bracebridge had 125 cm, Gravenhurst had 140 cm. The town just shut down. It took them all weekend to clear the cars and tow them to a parking lot, which I suppose they had to clear first! The main highway, #11, was just plain closed.

This is Gravenhurst!

We had barely a skiff of snow.

Power is still out for upwards of 20,000 homes according to Ontario Hydro. The section in the middle is covered by Elexicon Hydro, they have 2600 homes without power. It's going to take another day or two.

I just have to celebrate Christmas work parties! JL and Caitlin went to his office party. Caitlin's dress was $20 thrifted! Isn't that a wonderful deal? They are great thrifters.

Have a great week, those not digging out!

Sunday, 1 December 2024

Poor Muskoka: snomageddon

UPDATE: Many are without power since Thursday night, this is now Sunday. Some aren't expected to be back on grid until Dec. 3rd.

Muskoka, in Central Ontario, east of Georgian Bay, has had a dump of snow and power outages. The friends I left behind there are digging out. This missed us, somehow. I woke at midnight and checked. Nada.

Then, there are the power outages!

This was in Dec., 2009 in Bala, Muskoka!

Lake Effect Snow, it just keeps rolling over cottage country, picking up moisture from the warm Great Lakes.

This is a metre/yardstick! It was epic, and we called it Snomageddon, 2009. It was the year before we moved here to Lanark County.

Dec. 2007

Back to the present. My friends, Erica and Jennifer, tells me they had a foot of snow Friday, two more feet overnight, as well as a power outage. Small town Bala, with 2649 without power. Many have generators, as this is a common happening. They had a snow day, with everything cancelled or closed.

As I watched the hydro outages, they kept increasing!

This morning, it was even worse. When we lived in Muskoka we had a seamless generator. It was fabulous. It didn't run everything, but you choose certain things, like appliances. Many people have a fireplace or stove, as well. The numbers just keep rising.