Music and Citizen Science

Caitlin sent me our Ottawa grandies first semester report cards and they did very well, with most marks in the 90s. During March Break they'll be scouting some universities for Jo.

♭Aster is competing with her band in Ottawa Musicfest! She plays bass clarinet in an OCDSB competitive band. Her Mama, Caitlin, competes later with her choir, All Voices Community Choir! 

We'll go, if we can. Retirement isn't for chumps... 

🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾

Citizen Science

I love tracking critters in the snow. One can should embrace winter. I think this was either a mink or weasel. I should have measured the tracks, but I was on snowshoes at the time. The tail dragging is a clue.

In one of those rare miracles, my newest trailcam is working. I tried it again, and it appears to have resurrected itself. This is where the weasel and/or fisher headed. You can barely see a junco sitting in the debris under the deck. It triggered the camera! 

I've seen a few long-tailed weasels. One at Narrows Lock, another on the back deck. 

The fisher appears on my trailcams often, just not recently! They are hoppy little things. This is a stuffed one I saw somewhere. Those teeth!

I went back the next day, just before it snowed, to measure the track. I found the fisher had used the path to go under the deck, as well. So much for Citizen Science!

 

🦌Jim asked about antler sheds. I've found none this year! In fact, I haven't seen any bucks for weeks. I was spoiled last year (Jan. 26, 2024) with a huge one. He dropped it right in front of me, shaking his head with one antler remaining, as I watched out the kitchen window!

 

🐸 I look forward to 🥀spring, and the changes it brings.

It is wonderful having activities to look forward to. I've signed up to do the modified Western Chorus Frog survey! More details later, but it is two weeks in April when they are calling for hook ups. This helps for surveying, since I have yet to see one. They sound like someone pulling their thumb across a plastic comb. We did it in 2020, 2021, 2022. Funding was cut, I think, and they were on hiatus. They still are, but doing limited research.

It is comforting to have hope...

 I saw an article by Robert Reich <= full article, that gives me hope for our neighbours to the south:

1. Boycotts are taking hold. 
2. International resistance is rising.
3. Independent and alternative media are rising.
4. Musk's popularity is plunging.
5. DOGE is losing popularity.
6. The federal courts are hitting back.
7. Demonstrations are on the rise.
8. Stock and bond markets are trembling.
9. Trump is overreaching.
10. The Trump-Vance-Musk "shock and awe" plan is faltering.

We need hope. Americans don't realize how much your culture and values creep across the border. There are so many differences between us. 

Canadians were quite upset with this joint CBC/NPR radio show. It really didn't have much hope.

These aren't 'comments,' they are credible threats by the felon who wants more power. Journalists have to stop this 'neutral' both sides stance. It is against the law, as well as immoral, to annex a country, and take their rare earth resources. We are an autonomous nation, just like Ukraine. We have human rights and social rights. 

Here is a summary of the show. It just isn't journalism in this day and age.

Lunch out!

My client cancelled Thursday. Joe suggested we go out to lunch or dinner. Off we went to Smiths Falls for lunch.

I've noticed this silo over the years. They tore down the top and seem to be rebuilding it. You can see someone using the snowblower.

The river is frozen over, it's got snowmachine tracks and fishing huts on it. You just have to embrace winter!

Boats in their coats tucked up for winter:

Parking lots have lots of snow piled up, I noticed on our first stop. It may that some this week. Slowly, I hope. It's going to be above zero this week. A slow melt is much preferable!

Icicles drip from some homes, towns are struggling with snow removal. 

We tucked in for lunch. 

What I like about ordering a large, as opposed to a lunch-sized meal, is I take half home for dinner the next night. 

We drove through Lombardy. This home, on 0.5 acres, is for sale again. There was an open house Sunday. It has a lot of history. My 97-year-old client (who passed away during COVID of natural causes) told me about its past uses. Bakery, post office, the addition was removed as it was well beyond its best before dare. 

Otter Creek Antiques: Store Deconstruction in Lombardy Prior to deconstruction, Nov., 2018.

It used to be Otter Creek Antiques! It was renovated, and again Lombardy home for sale! 

• They rebuilt it and it sold for $249,900.  
• It is for sale, again. For 389,900!  That was October, 2024.
• Listed by Remax, $649,900, Feb., 2025!

There is an Open House Feb. 23rd, 2025

Let's all have us a good week. Calmer heads prevail. We've a 🇧🇲 provincial election for Thursday. I am not hopeful. 

Avian flu, birds and deer friends

 While we are frozen in, we are watching reliable sources. I hope this doesn't creep north, but I know it has made it to Canada. Canadian Food Inspection Food Agency:

Here ↓ is an American resource. I just hope these people are able to keep on doing their research. We shudder reading the news from the bizarre scene to the south. 

Avian Flu CDC in mammals in the USA:

🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌 🦌

I began the day by feeding deer. There were 11 on Wednesday morning. Who can begrudge them a bit of feed? They are healthy, and lovely to watch. We feed the birds, squirrels, Labbit, and love watching them, struggling in the snow. 

The poor birds are holding their own. It's lovely seeing both cardinals at the feeder, momma and poppa.

Notice the starling is back: 

Mourning doves and the wee Downy Woodpecker:

This is quite a coat. I am always nostalgic putting it on. When I first began teaching in 1982, I bought this 'Yard Duty' down-filled coat on sale. Back in those days we actually let kids outside for recess in -20℃. weather! 😜 I've had to move the zipper, and resew buttons, but this coat has really gotten me through some cold days. It was -19 ℃. and pretty chilly. I was wearing housecoat, jammies underneath and Joe's boots! 

My gloves are super, too. Leather with fringe, also on sale. They were made by someone local. 

Caitlin and I in a snowy day hug!

Around the corner of the house, they were waiting for me.

I asked Joe if he could remember any other critters 'doing bear,' but he couldn't. Deer fights never amount to much. This is how they fight, though, with those hooves. It's also why coyotes can't take down a healthy deer, that, and their speed.

I was happy that Joe's back has recovered enough for him to go out and feed deer. It's been a rough few weeks. I videotaped him from the back deck in my housecoat and jammies. 

They do have a heirarchy, and they know their place. The fawns like to play around with manners and respect for their elders, as they roar around. I think our highest number this year was 14, which isn't a lot. I think 22 was our max one year.