Kendal struts in front of the grill. He is more than happy to clean up any spills or drops that may happen, whether his help is needed or not. Kendal is an opportunist.
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Weather ahead
This could be an interesting day. It is already 15 degrees C and we could hit 20. Strong gusty winds and potentially severe thunderstorms are forecast along with possibly more than 30mm of rain. It is already quite breezy so we stowed the lightweight things in the yard that could blow away. I mulched leaves with the mower yesterday and it appears they will be replaced today.
Bird watching
This will be the fifth (or sixth) consecutive season I have participated in Project Feeder Watch, a cool citizen science project which is a collaboration between Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
I set up a bird feeder then once weekly record the weather conditions, species and number of birds that visit the backyard. We have the typical songbirds – English sparrows, Black-capped chickadees, cardinals, blue jays and so on. I have also seen a Sharp-shinned hawk, Baltimore oriole, and some other somewhat unusual visitors.
I photographed this American Goldfinch in April 2011. Did not get very many good photos last winter.
I invite you to visit either of these pages to learn more and participate.
For US participants: http://feederwatch.org/
Canadians: http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/pfw/index.jsp?lang=EN&targetpg=index
Streeeeetch
Taken with my PlayBook.
I was working in the backyard this afternoon and Achilles came outside. As he was laying down surveying his world he looked so regal, dignified, calm, attuned. Every time I tried to pose him, Chili Dog confounded me by doing something I did not ask for – getting up, coming towards me. Then he luxuriantly stretched his head and neck up and out, and that unexpected act turned into a good shot.
Country trees
I went for a drive along and this tree on Marthaville Road caught my eye. I was almost compelled to stop and photograph it standing against the backdrop of the mid-level clouds and the other trees nearby.
Late Harvest
Our last few greens made it through this week’s freeze with the help of the cold frame. Wednesday morning’s temperature dipped down to -4 at chest height and certainly lower at ground level.
Ordering ‘Second Chance Dog: A Love Story’
This the title of Jon Katz’ latest book, published last Tuesday. The theme – second chances, redemption, finding love – is deeply appealing so I ordered the book from Battenkill Books, a great small book store in Cambridge NY.
I’ve had the good fortune to browse and buy at Battenkill, which is Mr. Katz’ local bookstore – he lives just outside Cambridge. I deliberately chose to buy there because it’s a great bookstore, it’s a local business (not local to me, true, yet still local.
Called the store a sort time ago to place my order. Mr Katz and is wife Maria are signing all copies ordered at Battenkill. When asked how I wanted it signed I replied ‘However he wishes’ at which point the phone was handed to Jon Katz.
We chatted for a few minutes. He thanked me for ordering the book and doing so through a small bookstore. I never considered otherwise.
Can’t wait to read it.
Kendal and Achilles
Taken with the PlayBook.
Kendal was on the couch between us, and Achilles came over wanting ti join the party. Kenrdal had recently finished licking one of our hands, I am anthropomorphizing (which is silly yet diverting and amusing at times) but it looks like Kendal is licking his chops in victory, “Ha ha, I’m up on the couch and you aren’t, ha ha!”
Glorious light
Every day is a good day to be alive.
Trash
This was our most recent contribution to the landfill. It’s a standard sized bag. The bag was mostly full and we decided it should go out.
We have weekly trash pickup and rarely have more than one bag to put out. In the summer we will put out a half full (or less) bag because of the odour. Sometimes in the winter we don’t bother. We live fairly lightly. Much of what we buy is not elaborately packaged. (We were appalled by how abundantly packaged, and shrink wrapped, and obnoxiously clamshelled, and cardboarded, stuff in Costco is.), We don’t eat very much prepared food. Most everything is done right here in our kitchen thanks to Faye. She loves cooking, substituting ingredients, modifying recipes, trying new recipes.
Back to trash. One of these posts I will show you how much dust and dog hair our Dyson slurps up. I could knit a fourth dog from what the Dyson collects.
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