A Sit Out

                                       Our compact deck is done and we luck out too.
                                       Planks were cut ,when trice measured, and stitched
                                       With the cordless tool.                                   
This little prow jutting free from the walls was finished 3 days ago when the daytime temperature was at a high of 5 degrees C. Yet the next day it was 15 degrees and climbing. By afternoon it was 21 C. and thus allowed the handy man to launch the first sit out.

Fossicking in the garden in cool October

Among the palm-like leaves, as shown in the top photo, are the female (L) and male(R) flowers of the Zucchini plant. In the second photo, the male flower lacks a swollen base, the ovary, the emergent zucchini. Both flowers are very attractive to bees which are the pollinating agents.

October 10 and there are still blooms on the plant. I did pan fry a few flowers and use that in an omelet.

Listening to Boomer and other random acts in Sept.28-Oct.1

Boomer is deaf but manages, and is managed, very well. He speaks with his eyes, tail and his barks. He likes to know where his caregiver is and follows the person's movements very attentively. But can be made to feel secure. Hence, I was able to attend a few very worthwhile and comforting community events.

On September 28 there was an unveiling of the celebratory and ceremonial bench at the Main street entrance of the People's Place. The bench is a labour of love and the lady artist made a friendly yet inspiring presentation. The next day my friend and I had a warm and pleasant visit to the artist's studio.

Today I hand over Boomer to his other caregiver who is even more empathic. Lucky dog.

Cushioning with cheer

Well, it is the beginning of fall and the season of frosts. This year, we had, and are still having, road construction and repairs. At one of the "go slow or halt" stop we were treated (or subjected) to a stand up comedy. The gentleman came with a smile and so I rolled down my window. He asked me, "How do you catch a unique rabbit?" As I didn't know, he answered. " Unique up on him." This was followed by, "How do you catch a tame rabbit?" Do I have to give the answer?

I think I felt treated. My standards are not very high as I share that rural trait of bolstering cheer. Human nature is slightly sad; so it is not too bad to lace it with cheer

Bus run on a long long postcard.

It was that kind of day; blue sky, well lit clouds and still greenery. Not a stir in the tips of the conifers. We started at the bus station, Orin, David and I. I told Orin, "I will tell Grandpa you say Hello." He replied, "You tell Grandpa I say Hello." We were impressed with his change of pronouns.                  
I boarded and sat beside this wide panel of glass for the trip to Antigonish which would take from 11.20am to 6.50pm through,what felt like, flat space of sky and forest. A window of time to read A Confederacy of Dunces which I picked up in New Orleans, when I went there with David and Tiresa.                                       

More luck with green peppers this year. Leisurely picking now as we move towards Thanksgiving.

Stand by Me

With bravado, the Tiger lilies are holding the cheer.  Peonies have long departed, the hollyhocks are winking out and the poppies are now dream capsules. Summer is a going.

The beauty of the blackberry and that..

Prime August activities include picking some blackberries. Here is a photo of the prickly bramble with that black sheen on the fragile  composite berry heads.                                                                                                    

A marvel for still life artists. My mother in law had a mug that was hand painted with a sprig of the unripened red and the ripened black fruits. The other beauty is Jason and his job as shown here.                                                                        

Vegetation can get out of hand and a little trim in August helps.