Images

Kendal

Kendal

Kendal, aka Dr. K, the Kendalator. Fayes’ special man. He is eleven years old now and getting a little gimpy, a little slower, a little more easily tired. And yet he is still up for a walk, some loving, some food – after all, he is a Labrador retriever. Early on I tried to train him in the same way I had trained the cattle dogs and it didn’t work, reminding me that dogs are individuals, and need to be treated accordingly. Once I relaxed and began using other strategies we get along much better. He’s a good boy.

The Internet and the Watch Dog

The Internet and the Watch Dog

Our internet has been up and down and unpredictably so. It has been difficult to do much of anything. It seems that our ISP-provided modem has been faulty, so a new one is being couriered.

We are not Freaked Out, Panicked, and Discombobulated by having unpredictable connectivity. While it has been annoying, Faye and I have easily dealt with it. This evening we spent even more time sitting on the deck enjoying this evenings’ episode of BYTV or Back Yard TV. We watched the hummingbirds visit the feeder, heard a few rumbles of thunder, talked about how to store vegetables outdoors in straw bale storage.

As always, Stella is on guard, keeping a vigilant eye peeled for the evil squirrels that would invade the backyard. This out of focus cell phone photo only hints at her watchful demeanour.

Warbirds

Warbirds

I went to the Hamilton Airshow this weekend. While there were many highlights – the Snowbirds, the CF-18, the WW I planes – seeing the Lanc, the Mossie, the Spit as you see them in this photo was . . . . remarkable.

Forget-me-not

Forget-me-not

I love these flowers. Not sure why, yet their appearance, daintiness, colour, are very pleasing. They have mostly filled in a space about a foot wide between the shed and sidewalk, and are now colonizing the gravel drive just in front of the shed. It looks a bit untidy but we do not object. They are good to look at.

Patience

Patience

We first saw this mourning dove on its nest in the tree just off the deck last Saturday so we don’t know how long it has been on the nest. I have learned they incubate for about two weeks, and the chicks fledge at about two weeks. It has been on the nest every time I have thought to look up there. How remarkably tolerant to allow me to photograph using a flash from about fifteen feet.

Dinner

Dinner

Pasta and fresh, local (within three miles local!) asparagus in olive oil, garlic, chili pepper, and other stuff.

The Three Cavaliers

The Three Cavaliers

From left to right, Stella, Kendal, and Achilles. Stella and Achilles are Australian Cattle dog mixes and Kendal is (perhaps obviously) a chocolate Labrador Retriever.