Silly Mourning Doves

I saw them out the back door window, and at first they were just cuddling together. Then, they began to do this:

No, they aren’t sick or injured; just enjoying lying about in the sun.

Weekend at the cottage

Another wintery weekend, with family. Six of us staying there meant one couple sleeping on the floor (we MUST get a fold-out couch), but it was fun and cozy.

Mom always thinks a deer should come down to the lake, and this time two did (one pictured). They crossed to the island and then left again shortly.

Quite a snow-squall on Friday, just when some were skiing. Looks beautiful, though.

Iain made a paella, using monkfish instead of lobster to avoid me having an allergic reaction.  With chicken and scallops and mussels, it was amazing!

Living on the cheap

This paystub is from 1981! I found it with some other stuff I should have thrown out years ago.
I’m not sure what my job title was at that time. Possibly I was in the materials testing lab (which seems to me, in retrospect, to be one of the dumbest things they could have paid me to do; we were making JEANS for heaven’s sake, not airplane parts!).  I spent my days ripping fabric and splitting zippers, all in the name of high quality Wrangler jeans.



Since I worked a 40 hour week, my hourly pay would have been  $6.50. Things were cheaper then, though: my first apartment rented for $200 per month, and I furnished it with my parents’ stuff that they were willing to let me have, like my own bed and an ancient black and white television.  One of the first purchases I made was a colour tv, and a sweet stereo: both Electrohome, both from Cuff’s in Renfrew.

Birdfeeder action

The addition of a niger feeder has made our backyard more attractive to the birds, almost overnight.  For some reason they weren't interested in the mixed seed we had in the two main feeders, and we thought it was just our backyard they didn't like, but once we added the niger feeder, in they fluttered.

Since Iain isn't working right now, he's got a bit more time to check out what's happening in the yard during the day.  When he saw the reaction the new feeder was getting, he emptied the other feeders and we got black sunflower seed for them.  Now, all of the feeders seem to be popular.

The Goldfinches and Redpolls are our main customers.

We don't have huge flocks - usually not more than 10-15 Redpolls, and fewer Goldfinches.

This feeder was a gift at Christmas time from Craig and Karen.

There are usually a few Juncos around as well, but they feed on the ground.  We're happy to see the birds, and will continue to feed them until the spring, at least.

Cottage in Winter

Staying at our cottage in winter is a lot easier than it used to be. Years ago, we stayed at the little cottage that my grandfather built and my dad renovated. Despite the oil stove and wood range, it was a chilly place: after three days, the first foot of air above the floor would finally begin to warm up. We had a lot of good times there anyway, but it was much nicer, when I arrived with Dodie and Myles on Friday late-afternoon, to come into a cozy place!  The tile is bone-chilling cold, however, and I somewhat regret not putting in the heated pad when we were building, when I step onto it in sock feet.

We DO have water indoors, however!  Not to all of the taps, of course: that will have to wait for spring; but pails are easily filled from the well, right in the utility room. The water was mud-brown when Iain first ran it, but cleared up after a few hours: typical for a well left alone for several months, especially one so new.

While he was waiting for us to arrive, Iain puttered about the place and at one point needed a tool, which led him to search in the shed.  He didn't find the allan key he wanted, but he did find where the squirrel had stored his winter supply of acorns.

It was a fruitful year for the oak trees, and the squirrels took full advantage of it.

We had a chance to visit our friend Judy, who is blessed to be able to live in her cabin all year round.  She treats a herd of deer (her babies) with alfalfa, and we dropped in to visit with her and see them come for a snack.

These two are fairly tame.  One had a broken leg earlier this year, but has healed and can use it now.

Judy has a variety of wildlife around.  While we were waiting for more deer to arrive, Dodie spotted an ermine outside. I was lucky enough to get a shot of it grabbing a mouse from under the snow and carrying it back to its nest.

These guys are fast!

More deer came in. She often has about 19.

She also has regular visits from a Gray Jay. I think this is the first time I have ever seen one; certainly the first time for one at such close range!

He doesn't look very big in this picture, but Gray Jays are as large as a Blue Jay, or perhaps a bit bigger.

An update from cat central…

Living with four cats could be a lot worse.  They are mostly laid-back and don’t drive us nuts (except first thing in the morning, and when I’m making lunches, and when dinner is cooking, and when they want supper).

So cute, curled up in her chair.  Actually, it's MY computer chair, but she only shares it when I insist.

Stitches has turned into a funny little thing.  Her favourite game for the last few months has been “chase the shadows on the floor”.  I’ll be sitting on the couch and will reach for a pen or something, and she’ll start skittering across the floor, trying to grab the shadow of my hand or whatever I’m holding.

The other night we caught her staring intently at the gas fire.  Iain wonders if her sight is going, or perhaps she is just bored.

 

Moving the cat tree to the basement appears to have rekindled some interest in it; here are Onyx and Snaps having a little slap-fight.

Onyx much prefers the higher-level view.

Another year ends, a new one begins.

A break at the cottage, especially when it's a visit with Irene and Carl, is always fun!  We were there for four days, which gives you some idea of what excellent (and patient) hosts they are.

Irene and Carl; taken on a walk over to our cottage.

Tim and Clio were there for a few days, so we got to enjoy time with them as well.  Clio has calmed down a bit (only a bit) since her puppy days, but still needed to be taken skijouring to get tired out.

She really is the cutest dog! Like a big stuffed toy.

Much of our time was spent in puzzles, games, eating and drinking.

Serious work!

The full moon on Sunday morning was still quite high around 7:00 a.m.  Iain braved the cold to get a picture.

 

Dodie and Myles joined us on Sunday, and we had even MORE fun!  Sorry, no pics.  On New Year's Day we headed home.  I took the picture below on our way out the road.  The way the snow was making balls on everything just kept catching my eye.

And now, after a long hiatus...

I'm finally blogging a bit. I don't really have any reason to not have been blogging for the last month, but I also don't really have any reason FOR blogging at any time, so, well, there it is.

Christmas turned out to be pretty relaxing this year, after much concern as to how we'd fit in adequate time with both families.  We weren't able to see as much of Craig and Karen as we'd have liked, but we made do, and had fun.

This is just before we sat down to the meal that Sheila's three sons prepared!  Well done, and we women were glad of it. 

This was one of the snowiest Christmases for a while.  The sun rising behind Mom's back yard was magical.

A few days at home gave us a chance to relax and spoil the pets a bit. 

What has caught Jezebel's eye, you ask?  She seems intent on something...

Aha!  Onyx playing in the paper!

Dodie and Myles hosted the Stevens family dinner, and I was so thankful to get to spend another Christmas day with my mom - that makes 58!

Mom giving me her most patient look.  I love you, Mom!

Lots more to blog about, but it's for another day!

Just a note: Sunday

Having a nice early Christmas with Mom, Kyle, Craig and Karen.  Wish it could be longer, but they have to head back to Toronto today.  We expect the driving to be better than it was for their trip up on Friday, thank goodness.  Iain had a white-knuckle trip to Renfrew and back to retrieve me, that day, as well.

There's nothing better than time with friends and family.  Yesterday, some old friends of Rod and Sheila came over for a little visit.  Bev used to teach at the same school as Rod, and her husband  Orville is an international consultant to governments on their healthcare needs. Very interesting and intelligent people, who it was a pleasure to meet.

Today we are having a slow, lazy wakeup:  lots of coffee and snacks required.  We did our best to sleep off the huge turkey dinner we ate yesterday evening.  Compliments to Iain, Craig, and Kyle, who prepared the meal!  We had to take a break before enjoying the plum pudding; we were just too full.  Bedtime came early as well; we hit the pillow before 10 p.m.

December the first

We are having a great weekend!

Friday night was just Iain and me fun - finished Lego Star Wars (as far as we plan to take it; we aren't doing the bonus rounds) and are looking forward to loading another game onto the PS3:  probably Lego Batman next.

Today we had a day of shopping for Christmas presents, hitting Carlingwood and Bayshore, among other shopping places.  We did accomplish a fair bit; got gifts for a few people and have ideas for others.

I love shopping for Christmas.  I enjoy buying little gifts for people.  It's the one time of year you can see something that would make a nice surprise for someone and not feel silly buying it!  I love wrapping things up in shiny paper and putting pretty bows on top.  It's the best!

It isn't about spending a lot of money.  I just want people to know I'm thinking of them, even when they aren't around, even when we haven't seen each other for ages.  I wish I could buy a present for every person who fits into that category, but there are so many!

Tomorrow, it is Christmas Tree Erection Day!  I'm really looking forward to that.

A quiet weekend at home

Not much to report in our little world.  Iain and I are puttering around the house this weekend - though we took a quick trip to the lake on Saturday, due to forgotten garbage (duh-oh!) which would have left the place pretty smelly if we hadn't gone for it.  We also checked the water line to be sure it was draining back to the well, and we are pretty confident in it now.

We do have some extended family having severe health issues, and our thoughts and prayers are with them constantly, as we hope for healing there.

At our place, though, not much is going on.  Iain raked the last of the leaves - well, the last we are going to bother with - and bagged them, today.  I'm doing this quick blog while he throws together some nachos for dinner.  Today's pic:  the kitties relaxing in front of the fireplace.  You may notice that Snaps doesn't really fit into his cat bed, but he doesn't seem to mind.  It's nice when they all get along, and this seems to be the case lately (unless Onyx is in one of his "moods").

All loving the fireplace.