Category: Uncategorized

Cardinal

Cardinal

I rediscovered this photo of a cardinal perched on the TV antenna above a neighbouring house. It seems to be a favourite perch for him. It must have a commanding view of the ‘hood because I often see (or even more frequently first hear) him caroling here.

This is one of the great things about Back Yard TV. It’s the real world. I hear, see, feel, things that I miss, everyone missed, by being inside watching The Unreal World delivered through a flat screen TV. That’s not to say I won’t watch TV. It’s more to say that there is so much going on in and around here.

I spent some time outside this evening while grilling some sausages and goat ribs. It would have been easier, warmer, plopping stuff on the grill and dashing inside – it turned into a gloomy day and the temperature is in the low teens C – but I got to see that there is still a hummingbird hanging on, visiting the feeder. I heard the White-breasted Nuthatch in one of he trees out front.

While television has many interesting and cool things to offer – like the Rick Mercer Report, the PBS’ Time Team, TVOs’ Saturday Night at the Movies – I very much like watching BYTV. Why watch a cardinal caroling on TV when I can see and hear one live?

Gratitude

All this month Faye has been working at the tomato canning plant, 5PM to 3AM every day. No days off, Labour Day was precisely that – labour day.

On weekends we have visited for a while before she goes to work, and I get up when she comes home. During the week though we have hardly seen one another. Faye’s already gone when I get home, and I’m groggy and having to get up less than two hours after she gets home. A wag I worked with in the States would say that this schedule makes for a perfect marriage – we hardly see one another.

I beg to differ. I like seeing, spending time with, my partner.

While I have stepped in to do what has needed to be done during the past few weeks I have been very forcefully reminded of how much Faye contributes to the smooth functioning of our humble home. So often the lawn is mowed, garden tended to, dogs fed, meals prepared, laundry done, and so much more. Sometimes I forget, don’t consider, am unaware of, assume, and don’t say thank you.

Thank you sweetie.

Ghost dog

I took this ghostly image of Achilles last night, as darkness fell. Once again, he was content to stay outside, watching and listening to the world go by. eventually, on his own terms, he scratched at the door, ready to come iin for the night.

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Coming inside

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Each dog has his own way. All three are allowed in the backyard unsupervised unless special conditions prevail. They are independent, certainly do not need minute supervision all of the time.

When each is ready to come in, each has their own way of announcing it. Achilles scratches the door and when it is opened, makes his graceful, slow way in. Both Kendal and Stella bark. Just once. When the door opens, Kendal comes right in, and that is fine. Stella typically (though not always) waits until given the release. Knowing each dogs’ ways makes it easy to set each one up to succeed.

Harvest Dog

Harvest Dog

Achilles is utterly reliable when unsupervised in the backyard. Well, almost utterly reliable. He has been known to dig a time or two.

His digging is invariably related to either getting to cool damp earth on a hot day, or because he hears a varmint excavating below ground level. He does not dig out of boredom or because he needs to give himself a job. He seems to be largely happy to watch the world go by.

Tonight, on Harvest Moon Night, Achilles is content to observe, watch the world go by. I had to use the flash to capture him.

Achilles is outside now. When he’s ready to come in he will scritch at the door.

What a good dog. We are extraordinarily blessed to have him.

Harvest Moon

Harvest Moon

Big and round, coming up on a mild evening. Difficult to capture well