-After temperatures just above zero, we've now dropped into the -20 zone. As surprising as some of you might find it, I actually prefer this temperature because it's much drier and easier to content with while walking.
-I seems that between Friday night and Saturday morning we had a bit of a secret snowfall. Because it was just a few centimetres and because it was almost -40 (with wind chill) I opted to leave it on the ground yesterday. Of course, this means that at some point today I'll have to head out and deal with it. Yum.
-In a rare roll reversal, this morning Jeannette suggested a trip to the grocery store and I suggested that such a trip wasn't necessary. I wonder when this will happen again?
-After nine days off, I'll finally have to head back to work tomorrow. Hopefully my sleep schedule hasn't been too contorted by this break.
-Thanks to our turkey-free lifestyle this holiday season hasn't been too bad for our diets. Aside from an overconsumption of holiday breads, we've managed to eat pretty normally over the past few weeks. I guess this means we won't need to make any sure-not-to-be-followed dieting resolutions for New Year's?
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
A Christmas Miracle for Jeannette
Not surprisingly, Marie wasn't particularly pleased with Pierre's arrival. For the next few days every time Marie saw Pierre she hissed in his direction or at anyone she associated with Pierre.
Fortunately, with more exposure to Pierre the frequency and intensity of the hissing diminished. Sadly, at first it didn't seem that the absence of hissing necessarily implied a fondness for Pierre on Marie's part.
Then, after a little coaxing on my part, I managed to get both Pierre and Marie on my lap yesterday afternoon. After a little aloofness from Marie she started grooming Pierre, eventually rather furiously.
[Embedded video]
Since this display of affection things have definitely been better between the two cats. Though I haven't much outright inter-cat cuddling, I'm confident that it will be a common occurrence before long.
Fortunately, with more exposure to Pierre the frequency and intensity of the hissing diminished. Sadly, at first it didn't seem that the absence of hissing necessarily implied a fondness for Pierre on Marie's part.
Then, after a little coaxing on my part, I managed to get both Pierre and Marie on my lap yesterday afternoon. After a little aloofness from Marie she started grooming Pierre, eventually rather furiously.
[Embedded video]
Since this display of affection things have definitely been better between the two cats. Though I haven't much outright inter-cat cuddling, I'm confident that it will be a common occurrence before long.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
That time of the year
[Embedded video]
Not only is it time-lapse season, it's also baking season.
After this batch I decided to make a special, vegan version for Jeannette. Hopefully the vegan version's as tasty and sought after as the original.
A Small Victory
It seems that I was able to convince (the assist goes to Neil) Jeannette to change the cat's name from Tiberius to Pierre (with Marie there's a Curie theme).
After a few days of hissing and bad behaviour they seem to be, if not getting along, not bothered by the presence of the other. We keep hoping that we'll have a 'Christmas Miracle' and that they'll be snuggling with one another soon.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
A Few Quick Notes 604
-It has been between about -24 and -21 for the past 24 hours. Of course, the windchill's been dipping into the -33 range, meaning that we've been feeling it a little more than we might have. Amazingly, it doesn't take long for -20 with no windchill to not feel particularly cold - but as soon as you drop that by -10 (either with windchill or pure chilliness) it has a much more effective bite.
-Though we did have a little snow today it wasn't enough to motivate me to head out to shovel. If I had to guess it looks as though maybe less than a centimetre.
-At about lunch today I started to prepare some pea soup in our slow cooker. Unfortunately, I'm now a little nervous that the soup won't be ready for our normal dinner time. I guess it's good that we don't have a strict schedule today and that a delayed dinner shouldn't be much of a problem.
-We're shockingly close to Christmas. I guess because we didn't do much shopping this year, and the shopping we did do had to be done early enough to be mailed across the country, it hasn't really hit me that we're only a few days away from Christmas until now.
-I've really been doing a bad job at blogging this year. Maybe 2014 will be different?
-Though we did have a little snow today it wasn't enough to motivate me to head out to shovel. If I had to guess it looks as though maybe less than a centimetre.
-At about lunch today I started to prepare some pea soup in our slow cooker. Unfortunately, I'm now a little nervous that the soup won't be ready for our normal dinner time. I guess it's good that we don't have a strict schedule today and that a delayed dinner shouldn't be much of a problem.
-We're shockingly close to Christmas. I guess because we didn't do much shopping this year, and the shopping we did do had to be done early enough to be mailed across the country, it hasn't really hit me that we're only a few days away from Christmas until now.
-I've really been doing a bad job at blogging this year. Maybe 2014 will be different?
How Will This Work? or Did the Supreme Court Pull a Fast One?
Yesterday the Supreme Court of Canada found (ruling is here) that a number of provisions criminalizing aspects of prostitution trade (apparently selling sex for money itself isn't illegal in Canada) were contrary to provisions in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Instead of immediately declaring the offending provisions illegal the court gave parliament a year to enact new provisions before the current provisions will become inactive.
I can't help but wonder if suspending the declaration that these provisions are unconstitutional for a year isn't something of a fiction? Are these provisions not basically already dead?
Even if the laws are still theoretically in force has the highest court in the land not just provided a perfect defense for anyone for anyone charged under these rules? Maybe more to the point, would a prosecutor ever consider bringing charges once the Supreme Court of Canada guaranteed there to be no chance of a successful conviction?
And maybe this part is a stretch, but are the police going to be inclined to even arrest people using these provisions if the chance of prosecution is slim? Might many police forces decide to use their resources on more promising endeavours until this matter has been clarified with either new law or a clear lapsing of these provisions?
And as laws tend not to apply retroactively, might the period of time from yesterday until a new law is passed or the provisions clearly lapse be something of a Wild West/Renaissance for prostitution in Canada?
I'd be really curious to know if there's something about this ruling that I've missed or if some part of my analysis is way off because as it is I can't yesterday's ruling isn't much more significant than has been previously suggested.
And I should also note that it would seem to me that a similar situation might arise every time the Supreme Court finds a provision unconstitutional but suspends the implementation of their order. Is the suggestion that the law is still in effect (despite zero chance of a successful conviction) so powerful to continue to discourage the behaviour in question, whatever that behaviour might be, or is the delay really as much of a fiction as it seems?
I can't help but wonder if suspending the declaration that these provisions are unconstitutional for a year isn't something of a fiction? Are these provisions not basically already dead?
Even if the laws are still theoretically in force has the highest court in the land not just provided a perfect defense for anyone for anyone charged under these rules? Maybe more to the point, would a prosecutor ever consider bringing charges once the Supreme Court of Canada guaranteed there to be no chance of a successful conviction?
And maybe this part is a stretch, but are the police going to be inclined to even arrest people using these provisions if the chance of prosecution is slim? Might many police forces decide to use their resources on more promising endeavours until this matter has been clarified with either new law or a clear lapsing of these provisions?
And as laws tend not to apply retroactively, might the period of time from yesterday until a new law is passed or the provisions clearly lapse be something of a Wild West/Renaissance for prostitution in Canada?
I'd be really curious to know if there's something about this ruling that I've missed or if some part of my analysis is way off because as it is I can't yesterday's ruling isn't much more significant than has been previously suggested.
And I should also note that it would seem to me that a similar situation might arise every time the Supreme Court finds a provision unconstitutional but suspends the implementation of their order. Is the suggestion that the law is still in effect (despite zero chance of a successful conviction) so powerful to continue to discourage the behaviour in question, whatever that behaviour might be, or is the delay really as much of a fiction as it seems?
Being relentless finally paid off
[Embedded video]
For months, maybe even just days after we picked Marie up, Jeannette's been insistent that we need another kitty.
Despite my best efforts to drown her requests out, yesterday morning I finally relented and agreed to the acquisition of a second cat. Of course, having a second cat (or even a single cat) goes against almost every grain in my soul - fortunately this time I made sure to obtain a promise that no matter what two cats is the maximum number of cats that we will ever have (and I have a previous promise that agreeing to a particular cat is not a perpetual agreement to have a cat).
Ugh, at least they're cute(ish).
P.S. This guy has the unfortunate name Tiberius.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Grey Cup Parade
Growing up in Newfoundland the CFL seemed like a myth. Of course I'd heard the existed but I'd never actually met anyone who supported a team or seemed to care about it in the least.
Things didn't get much better in any of the other cities I've lived in in Canada. I guess I knew that the BC Lions existed while I lived in Vancouver though they didn't seem to be as significant a sporting venture as the Canucks - who just happened to be having a particularly good season the year we lived there.
In Montreal I eventually learned that I'd lived about a block a way from the stadium in which the Alouettes played. While I lived there I had no idea where the Alouettes played.
The impending arrival of the then unnamed Ottawa franchise seemed to be of little consequence to the locals. I can't recall even a single person I spoke to expressing either interest or disgust at the thought of there being a team there. It just didn't seem to rate in the face of the LRT talks or Senators trade speculation.
Of course, in Nova Scotia, though there is university football, the CFL seems as distant to life as it did in Newfoundland. It just wasn't on anyone's radar.
When we arrived in Regina last year we immediately got to see that the CFL certainly does have a fan base, and it seems to be based in Saskatchewan.
You can't go out in Regina without encountering people wearing Riders gear. Hats and jackets are probably the most common forms of attire, but mitts, scarves, and jewellery aren't uncommon. And lets not forget the provincially issued Riders license plates.
This overwhelming level of support means that even when it's -21 (or -33 when the wind chill is taken into account) fans done up to the max will be in attendance for a Saturday morning Grey Cup Parade.
The parade route was lined with people of all ages. We saw dozens of strollers and more adults in snow pants than I've ever seen anywhere else. There were also quite a number of cars with handicap parking badges parked in intersections facing the parade route. I think it's fair to say that those in attendance were a pretty representative cross section of the Regina population.
[Embedded video]
And though it took a while to get to us, we did eventually to get to see the horse-drawn championship trophy.
If anyone had asked me as a child if I would one day stand in frost-bite capable weather for over an hour to see any of this I likely would have laughed (or the very shy child equivalent of public laughing). Apparently, spending a year in Regina has a strange effect on people.
Things didn't get much better in any of the other cities I've lived in in Canada. I guess I knew that the BC Lions existed while I lived in Vancouver though they didn't seem to be as significant a sporting venture as the Canucks - who just happened to be having a particularly good season the year we lived there.
In Montreal I eventually learned that I'd lived about a block a way from the stadium in which the Alouettes played. While I lived there I had no idea where the Alouettes played.
The impending arrival of the then unnamed Ottawa franchise seemed to be of little consequence to the locals. I can't recall even a single person I spoke to expressing either interest or disgust at the thought of there being a team there. It just didn't seem to rate in the face of the LRT talks or Senators trade speculation.
Of course, in Nova Scotia, though there is university football, the CFL seems as distant to life as it did in Newfoundland. It just wasn't on anyone's radar.
When we arrived in Regina last year we immediately got to see that the CFL certainly does have a fan base, and it seems to be based in Saskatchewan.
You can't go out in Regina without encountering people wearing Riders gear. Hats and jackets are probably the most common forms of attire, but mitts, scarves, and jewellery aren't uncommon. And lets not forget the provincially issued Riders license plates.
This overwhelming level of support means that even when it's -21 (or -33 when the wind chill is taken into account) fans done up to the max will be in attendance for a Saturday morning Grey Cup Parade.
The parade route was lined with people of all ages. We saw dozens of strollers and more adults in snow pants than I've ever seen anywhere else. There were also quite a number of cars with handicap parking badges parked in intersections facing the parade route. I think it's fair to say that those in attendance were a pretty representative cross section of the Regina population.
[Embedded video]
And though it took a while to get to us, we did eventually to get to see the horse-drawn championship trophy.
If anyone had asked me as a child if I would one day stand in frost-bite capable weather for over an hour to see any of this I likely would have laughed (or the very shy child equivalent of public laughing). Apparently, spending a year in Regina has a strange effect on people.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
It's still snowing
Though there may have been intermittent short breaks, it has more-or-less been snowing since before I woke up yesterday morning. Not only has this meant that my attempts at shovelling were a little less long-lived than I would have hoped, but that I'm witnessing the most substantial snowfall to occur since I moved to Regina.
This may be somewhat surprising for some of you given the reputation for putting on a good winter that Regina has.
It seems rather than having large snowfalls each winter, Regina secures it's "Winter Wonderland" status by having a number of smaller snowfalls that just don't melt until the spring.
Yes, it's entirely possible that the base layer of snow that's been deposited this weekend will actually be around until May (only March if we're lucky). Of course, by the time things start to melt it's likely that several more dumps will have been piled on top, helping to ensure the longevity of the initial dump.
Because we've spent the past weeks in Regina and watched the temperatures and their steady downward trajectory none of these developments are particularly surprising. What is much more surprising to me are the photos of the rest of Canada that seem to suggest that large swaths of the country may only be experience fall-like conditions.
Regina, quickly and silently, has tricked me into considering November a wintery month.
This may be somewhat surprising for some of you given the reputation for putting on a good winter that Regina has.
It seems rather than having large snowfalls each winter, Regina secures it's "Winter Wonderland" status by having a number of smaller snowfalls that just don't melt until the spring.
Yes, it's entirely possible that the base layer of snow that's been deposited this weekend will actually be around until May (only March if we're lucky). Of course, by the time things start to melt it's likely that several more dumps will have been piled on top, helping to ensure the longevity of the initial dump.
Because we've spent the past weeks in Regina and watched the temperatures and their steady downward trajectory none of these developments are particularly surprising. What is much more surprising to me are the photos of the rest of Canada that seem to suggest that large swaths of the country may only be experience fall-like conditions.
Regina, quickly and silently, has tricked me into considering November a wintery month.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
It was my first rodeo
Earlier this week I attended my first rodeo. Now that we're living in the 'west' it seems appropriate that I've seen a rodeo, though I'm not sure if I'll have to attend too many more in the future. Of course, Jeannette, as a militant (her preferred word is 'passionate') vegan, is "absolutely disgusted" that I've even seen one rodeo and insists that it will be my last (if she has anything to do with it).
While there I managed to snag a few hot vids. Of course, they're posted here only for educational, not entertainment, purposes.
The steer riding was almost a little hard to see. I suspect the more technical manoeuvre is typically blocked by the horse the cowboy is riding.
[Embedded video]
The 'bull fighting' was something I didn't expect to see. My guess is that this event was created to give the rodeo clowns a chance to shine/get worker's comp opportunities?
[Embedded video]
Barrel racing was the only 'cowgirl' event of the rodeo.
[Embedded video]
For one event, kids were even involved. Not surprisingly, I managed to get one of the less successful riders (though I did get the one with enough foresight to equip himself with a helmet cam).
[Embedded video]
Calf roping also took place.
[Embedded video]
Some bull riding also happened.
[Embedded video]
It was definitely an experience.
While there I managed to snag a few hot vids. Of course, they're posted here only for educational, not entertainment, purposes.
The steer riding was almost a little hard to see. I suspect the more technical manoeuvre is typically blocked by the horse the cowboy is riding.
[Embedded video]
The 'bull fighting' was something I didn't expect to see. My guess is that this event was created to give the rodeo clowns a chance to shine/get worker's comp opportunities?
[Embedded video]
Barrel racing was the only 'cowgirl' event of the rodeo.
[Embedded video]
For one event, kids were even involved. Not surprisingly, I managed to get one of the less successful riders (though I did get the one with enough foresight to equip himself with a helmet cam).
[Embedded video]
Calf roping also took place.
[Embedded video]
Some bull riding also happened.
[Embedded video]
It was definitely an experience.
A Few Quick Notes 603
-After a few false starts, we've finally had a full-fledged snowy winter's day in Regina. At the moment I'd say that we have somewhere between 5 and 7 cm of snow on the ground, though I guess my estimate could be a little off due because zero-ish temperatures are leading to some simultaneous melting.
-Because of the snowfall I'll have to head out for some shovelling later today. I tried to do some shovelling a few weeks ago when we had another small snowfall but there wasn't enough to really clear.
-Last weekend we purchased a discount vegetarian Indian cookbook. The night we purchased the book we prepared about four of the dishes in the book. They were great. The only problem with the book is that it has lead us to over eat. Of course, this overeating hasn't discouraged me from fantasizing about preparing even more dishes from the book this weekend. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
-A few months ago we purchased a food dehydrator. Since that time we've been really into dried apples and fruit leather. Turns out that with a few hours of dehydrating time you can turn a dozen apples into nothing more than a few grams of dried apples/fruit leather. The problem, if you can say there is a problem, is that the dried fruit can be consumed almost instantly and without the feeling that you're chewing through multiple apples in a matter of seconds.
-Turns out I should probably do some fish tank cleaning today. Do Saturdays get more fun?
-Last weekend, while socializing with neighbours, one of the guys recommended a pomegranate de-seeding technique. When I finally got around to trying it last night I was amazed that it was actually as easy and effective as promised. You really have do the whole thing in less than a minute.
[Embedded video]
-Because of the snowfall I'll have to head out for some shovelling later today. I tried to do some shovelling a few weeks ago when we had another small snowfall but there wasn't enough to really clear.
-Last weekend we purchased a discount vegetarian Indian cookbook. The night we purchased the book we prepared about four of the dishes in the book. They were great. The only problem with the book is that it has lead us to over eat. Of course, this overeating hasn't discouraged me from fantasizing about preparing even more dishes from the book this weekend. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
-A few months ago we purchased a food dehydrator. Since that time we've been really into dried apples and fruit leather. Turns out that with a few hours of dehydrating time you can turn a dozen apples into nothing more than a few grams of dried apples/fruit leather. The problem, if you can say there is a problem, is that the dried fruit can be consumed almost instantly and without the feeling that you're chewing through multiple apples in a matter of seconds.
-Turns out I should probably do some fish tank cleaning today. Do Saturdays get more fun?
-Last weekend, while socializing with neighbours, one of the guys recommended a pomegranate de-seeding technique. When I finally got around to trying it last night I was amazed that it was actually as easy and effective as promised. You really have do the whole thing in less than a minute.
[Embedded video]
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Three word sentences
Today is Sunday. Skies were gray. It was chilly. It is fall.
We did housework.
We ate lunch.
We went shopping. We bought things. (Too many things.) I bought screws. Jeannette bought food.
We returned home.
Jeannette is napping.
I was working.
I am computing. It is relaxing.
I am hungry.
Time for dinner?
I guess so.
A Few Quick Notes 602
-Though cloudy, today wasn't a particularly cool day. Since our sudden and unexpectedly resilient snowfall of a few days ago I expect full-blown winter to arrive with each dawn. When I leave the house and discover winter hasn't yet arrived I'm both pleased and disappointed.
-The arrival of winter would be even more welcome if our fireplace was fully functional. At the moment the chimney is in need of a serious cleaning. Until we have it cleaned we won't be able to determine if it's safe to use, and if not how much work might be required to make it so. While I'd really like to have a fully functional fireplace this is likely something that will have to wait until at least next year.
-We went on a somewhat lengthy shopping trip this afternoon. As usual, once we're out on our weekend shopping trips we keep remembering additional items that we've been meaning to buy. Also, at least this normally happens, we tend to forget a handful of items necessitating future trips. Fortunately, the items that we forgot today weren't so important that we'll have to head out today or even tomorrow.
-My 'smart' phone, or at least its operating system, has been behaving somewhat erratically for the past few weeks. It seems that the major update has really negatively impacted the operational capacity of the phone - despite the fact that this was presumably exactly the opposite of what the developers intended with the new update. Anyway, it's definitely been a frustrating way to waste a few hours.
-Now that we're a few weeks into fall the sun has started setting not long after I return home from work. While this is to be expected, the transition has been happening a little more quickly than I expected. It won't be long before my walks to and from work will occur mostly in the dark.
-A few days ago I combined a few ingredients and made some pea soup. I'm continually amazed at how simple, yet tasty, pea soup can be. Maybe even more impressive, is that the stuff seems to keep getting better in the following days.
-Turns out homeownership is definitely time-consuming. This weekend I had the pleasure of spending a fair bit of time installing a single board above one of our basement windows. Not only will this board be used to hang a blind, it will also improve our house's security as it will also prevent one of our windows from easily being pushed in from the outside. While I'm not pleased at how long this project took, I am pleased with the results.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
A year ago today
For the past few weeks our move to Regina has been on my mind. And today even more so.
Somewhat suddenly a few moments ago I realized that it's been exactly a year since we set out from Ottawa for Regina. I would guess that by this time we were about half-way to North Bay (which is where we spent our first night).
I find this amazing for a number of reasons. First of all, it's hard to believe that we the trip so recently - it seems as though it was a life-time ago. Secondly, it's hard to believe that we've been in Regina for just about a year. In some ways it feels as though we've been here longer than a year, and in others it seems almost incomprehensible that've been here for a year.
If time keeps speeding up as it has over the past few years before I know it we'll have been here for five or ten years (and hopefully by then our garden will actually be producing a reasonable output).
Somewhat suddenly a few moments ago I realized that it's been exactly a year since we set out from Ottawa for Regina. I would guess that by this time we were about half-way to North Bay (which is where we spent our first night).
I find this amazing for a number of reasons. First of all, it's hard to believe that we the trip so recently - it seems as though it was a life-time ago. Secondly, it's hard to believe that we've been in Regina for just about a year. In some ways it feels as though we've been here longer than a year, and in others it seems almost incomprehensible that've been here for a year.
If time keeps speeding up as it has over the past few years before I know it we'll have been here for five or ten years (and hopefully by then our garden will actually be producing a reasonable output).
Friday, August 02, 2013
Overrun with beans
Since the beans started pouring in a few weeks ago they've been coming non-stop. It seems that we can't go more than a day or two without needing to spend at least a few minutes harvesting things.
Though there are a few repeats below, I thought I might bring together a few photos of our harvests to really demonstrate what I'm talking about (and these were all taken between July 13 and August 2, 2013).
Of course, with all of our success we're still waiting for a few things. Despite the early presence of juvenile tomatoes we're still without even a reddish tomato. Our edamame plants, despite their ever increasing size, are without fruit (or even flowers - though these should be just around the corner). I guess it's still just early August so I probably shouldn't be too worried.
Though there are a few repeats below, I thought I might bring together a few photos of our harvests to really demonstrate what I'm talking about (and these were all taken between July 13 and August 2, 2013).
Of course, with all of our success we're still waiting for a few things. Despite the early presence of juvenile tomatoes we're still without even a reddish tomato. Our edamame plants, despite their ever increasing size, are without fruit (or even flowers - though these should be just around the corner). I guess it's still just early August so I probably shouldn't be too worried.
Things that go crash in the night
At about 2:00 AM on Monday morning (AKA Sunday night) Jeannette and I were startled from sleep by a loud noise. While both of us were immediately awoken there was some disagreement about the source of the sound.
I was of the opinion that the sound was that of something falling outside, though I couldn't imagine what that could possibly be given what I know of the area surrounding our bedroom window. Jeannette, alternatively, was of the opinion that the sound was that of a car crash.
Being the attentive husband that I am (and also being interested in the source of the sound) I went to our bedroom window to see if I could see what had happened.
Just as I arrived I saw and heard a car speeding away. Because it was dark all I could see of the car were its tail lights and general shape (probably a hatch back). And the area from which the car was departing did not appear particularly disturbed.
As I couldn't determine the source of the noise and as nothing more appeared to be afoot we tried to return to sleep. After a period of time we were successful.
By the next morning I'd inadvertently managed to put the whole incident out of my head. Instead of dwelling on the strange events of the night before I made coffee, ate breakfast, showered, and prepared for work.
It was only as I was starting my walk to work that I was reminded of the events of the previous night because of the presence of a police car, a neighbour sweeping up smashed car debris, and a newly totalled car. Apparently Jeannette had been right to place the sound as a car crash.
Though the neighbour sweeping the debris lives much closer to the site of the accident she had not actually heard the event the previous evening so by speaking to the police officer I was at least able to provide an approximate time and semi-description of the vehicle. Based on my exchanges with our neighbour and the police officer I also got the sense that the neighbours whose car had been hit had also managed to sleep through the event and hadn't learned anything was amiss until just a few minutes before I came on the scene. I also learned that, perhaps not surprisingly, that this looked like the work of a drunk driver.
Despite the fact that this was a fair bit more excitement than our quiet neighbourhood is used to, I haven't heard much discussion of the event. I am starting to think that most people slept through the original event and then weren't out on the street early enough to see the police presence and car removal.
This event taken with our own car troubles last weekend are leaving me with the impression that we might be best not to park on the street unless its absolutely unavoidable.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
A Few Quick Notes 601
-After a few days of regular thundershowers and downpours we've had a few rain free days. While the days haven't been quite as sunny or warm as I expected, they've nonetheless been a welcome change of pace. Actually, aside from the fact that they're not quite as sunny as I'd like they've been almost perfect (not to windy or hot or humid).
-Today we went to an open house/jazz concert that was held down the street from where we live. Not only did the open house allow us to see one of the units in a row-house complex we'd been contemplating when we were in the housing market, we got to hear the jazz band while were outside working in our yard. The only bummer was that by the time I was finally ready to go the jazz band had finished their show and was packing up. I guess this will teach me to be a bit prompter next time I was to see a free outside show.
-The regular pea pod stir-frys we've been having with our backyard-grown pea pods have been really wonderful. I think that next year we'll have to consider doubling the portion of our garden we devote to peas.
-Our very own sweet little Marie has been really misbehaving the past few days. It's been a real bummer following her around just to clean up her messes. We're hoping that now that we've switched her back to the kitty litter she'd been using for her first few months with us that she'll calm down (but that may be too hopeful).
-As of this week the our house is now completely repainted. The body of the house is purple and the trip is a cream colour. We both are quite please with the outcome.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the colour change seems to be attracting a fair bit of attention. Most drivers seem unable to drive by without at least slowing, some even come to a complete stop. Pedestrians, as you might have guessed, are also frequently stopping to look at our newly purple house. I get the impression that the people of Regina aren't quite used to houses being painted purple.
-I guess it's time for me to get back to dinner. Hopefully it hasn't burned in my absence.
-Today we went to an open house/jazz concert that was held down the street from where we live. Not only did the open house allow us to see one of the units in a row-house complex we'd been contemplating when we were in the housing market, we got to hear the jazz band while were outside working in our yard. The only bummer was that by the time I was finally ready to go the jazz band had finished their show and was packing up. I guess this will teach me to be a bit prompter next time I was to see a free outside show.
-The regular pea pod stir-frys we've been having with our backyard-grown pea pods have been really wonderful. I think that next year we'll have to consider doubling the portion of our garden we devote to peas.
-Our very own sweet little Marie has been really misbehaving the past few days. It's been a real bummer following her around just to clean up her messes. We're hoping that now that we've switched her back to the kitty litter she'd been using for her first few months with us that she'll calm down (but that may be too hopeful).
-As of this week the our house is now completely repainted. The body of the house is purple and the trip is a cream colour. We both are quite please with the outcome.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the colour change seems to be attracting a fair bit of attention. Most drivers seem unable to drive by without at least slowing, some even come to a complete stop. Pedestrians, as you might have guessed, are also frequently stopping to look at our newly purple house. I get the impression that the people of Regina aren't quite used to houses being painted purple.
-I guess it's time for me to get back to dinner. Hopefully it hasn't burned in my absence.
The harvest keeps on happening
It seems that every day we have to harvest some of our crops or they're turn bad.
Amazingly, even though I did a once over on the peas and beans yesterday (pictured above), I managed to snag another few servings worth today. Of course, I should also mention that Jeannette also snagged a nice handful of kale yesterday after I finished my once-over of the place.
The other exciting news is that a few of our female pumpkin flowers actually look as though they might end up doing something other than failing to flower before they die unceremoniously.
I'm a little worried that these developments may be a little late for us to end up with a full-fledged pumpkin by harvest time - but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
In other news, after removing the bushy parts of an arbor vitae and some evergreen bushes in the front of the house a few weeks ago we removed the stumps this morning. Much to my surprise, the stumps came out much more easily and quickly than I anticipated.
Why these developments are important is that they should now put us in a good position to turn the area that previously housed the bushes into a secondary vegetable garden (hopefully with fewer weeds than our primary garden). If all goes according to plan I think we'll even be able to select plants and plant positioning that will allow us to have a very attracting area.
Amazingly, even though I did a once over on the peas and beans yesterday (pictured above), I managed to snag another few servings worth today. Of course, I should also mention that Jeannette also snagged a nice handful of kale yesterday after I finished my once-over of the place.
The other exciting news is that a few of our female pumpkin flowers actually look as though they might end up doing something other than failing to flower before they die unceremoniously.
I'm a little worried that these developments may be a little late for us to end up with a full-fledged pumpkin by harvest time - but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
In other news, after removing the bushy parts of an arbor vitae and some evergreen bushes in the front of the house a few weeks ago we removed the stumps this morning. Much to my surprise, the stumps came out much more easily and quickly than I anticipated.
Why these developments are important is that they should now put us in a good position to turn the area that previously housed the bushes into a secondary vegetable garden (hopefully with fewer weeds than our primary garden). If all goes according to plan I think we'll even be able to select plants and plant positioning that will allow us to have a very attracting area.
It happened again
For the second time this year our car, this time while the car was parked, has been hit by a driver backing up a much larger vehicle.
In this case, fortunately, the damage is relatively minimal and doesn't impact the operation of the car. It seems that the driver of the other vehicle backed his trailer hitch into a plastic grill under our bummer and which was then hooked on as he pulled forward. As far as I can tell, the damage seems limited to this single piece of plastic.
Of course, the really amusing part about the whole event is that truck was being operated by our neighbour's adult son. So after he told me about the damage he had to go in and tell his mother, which probably gave him a flashback to his teenage years.
Life always seems to have a way of bringing one back into contact with large bureaucracies (in this case the our insurance company).
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Power outages and thunderstorms
For the past few days Regina has been hit with a number of thunderstorms and power outages.
The storms, though one of them did come with pea sized hail, haven't been particularly bad or lead to much damage. Of course, the fact that they seem to be happening about once a day does mean that they're still quite annoying.
The power outages also seem to be equally frequent. Yesterday out part of town was hit with a strange mild-weather power outage that lasted a few hours. This morning much of the eastern portion of the city was also hit with a several hour power outage (and I think that all started before either of this morning's two thundershowers).
[Embedded video]
And it wouldn't really be a storm if I didn't at least try to catch some of it on time-lapse (and this time I was successful in capturing the entire first round).
In case you're curious, when I moved to the prairies I didn't expect to experience quite as many rain related weather events, nor as many power outages.
The storms, though one of them did come with pea sized hail, haven't been particularly bad or lead to much damage. Of course, the fact that they seem to be happening about once a day does mean that they're still quite annoying.
The power outages also seem to be equally frequent. Yesterday out part of town was hit with a strange mild-weather power outage that lasted a few hours. This morning much of the eastern portion of the city was also hit with a several hour power outage (and I think that all started before either of this morning's two thundershowers).
[Embedded video]
And it wouldn't really be a storm if I didn't at least try to catch some of it on time-lapse (and this time I was successful in capturing the entire first round).
In case you're curious, when I moved to the prairies I didn't expect to experience quite as many rain related weather events, nor as many power outages.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Finally, a harvest to write home about
So after a slow ramp-up, our garden has finally started to really come on strong.
This morning we were able to harvest quite a few beans, as well as our largest harvest of pea pods. Jeannette even managed to snag an almost full-size mini-beet.
We may finally have so many garden fresh vegetables that we won't be able to eat them all on the day they were harvested.
Of course, our herb pot also continues to do well.
Even with the strange new additions I found this morning.
And after a seemingly slow start, our tomato plants are finally with tomatoes (though they don't look as though they'll be red any time soon).
And in case you haven't guessed it yet, we have definitely fallen down on the weeding. It seems that every time we try to go out and weed we are just overwhelmed with mosquitoes and it doesn't seem worth it.
This morning we were able to harvest quite a few beans, as well as our largest harvest of pea pods. Jeannette even managed to snag an almost full-size mini-beet.
We may finally have so many garden fresh vegetables that we won't be able to eat them all on the day they were harvested.
Of course, our herb pot also continues to do well.
Even with the strange new additions I found this morning.
And after a seemingly slow start, our tomato plants are finally with tomatoes (though they don't look as though they'll be red any time soon).
And in case you haven't guessed it yet, we have definitely fallen down on the weeding. It seems that every time we try to go out and weed we are just overwhelmed with mosquitoes and it doesn't seem worth it.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Actually better than usual
So it's been going back and forth between grey and blue skies for the better part of the day. Just a little while ago, when things started to look particularly ominous, I set up my time-lapse machine to see if I could catch the transition from plain old grey to thunderstorm grey.
[Embedded video]
While I didn't manage to capture any lightning, you can see the clouds racing around as well as evidence of the downpour.
And while this video is definitely not perfect, I'm pretty confident that it is one of my better time-lapse clips of clouds. Hopefully my past efforts won't deter you from watching this one.
[Embedded video]
While I didn't manage to capture any lightning, you can see the clouds racing around as well as evidence of the downpour.
And while this video is definitely not perfect, I'm pretty confident that it is one of my better time-lapse clips of clouds. Hopefully my past efforts won't deter you from watching this one.
And the harvest expands
After returning from the local farmers' market we went out to our own garden and harvested a few things.
I'm particularly impressed with the number of pea pods we found, as well as the two sample potatoes we dug up. I'm a little bummed with the size of the beets, but apparently they're a mini variety.
Things are definitely coming along and we should have more beans that we know what to do with very shortly (and while they're coming in more peas will continue to come in).
This is definitely pretty exciting.
Apparently a suitcase is also just fine
She really isn't very picky when it comes to picking places for a nap.
A Few Quick Notes 600
-We seem to be heading into another grey and rainy prairie summer's day. Yum. If we're 'lucky' we may even get to have a few thundershowers and whatnot.
-I guess it's a good thing that we just installed our second rain barrel below your garage's new roof and eavestrough then?
Unfortunately, our smaller rain barrel is below the downspout that is likely to collect more rain. Eventually we may have to try to switch these barrels around - but for the time being and as long as I am disinclined to cut up our downspout and then re-attach it to our stucco siding we may have to stick with this less-than-ideal arrangement.
-Oh, and did we mention that we're painting our house? The process should start in earnest next week.
Maybe the new colour will help with the naming process? Of course, I'm not entirely sure that I like the idea of naming our house something like "The Eggplant" or some other name that is entirely dependent on a house colour that may not be permanent.
I guess we could consider something like "Jellybean West"? (For those of you not familiar with St. John's, Jellybean Row are colourful row houses in downtown St. John's.)
-I think I may have mentioned it before, but our cat seems to really like hanging out in boxes.
This shoe box seems to be Marie's favourite, though if she's in another room she'll pretty much take anything that's available.
For instance, laundry baskets are definitely a suitable stand-in.
-Despite the aforementioned risk of thundershowers the sun seems to have just found a slight crack in the cloud cover. Of course, it's now clear how long this situation will hold.
-I guess it's a good thing that we just installed our second rain barrel below your garage's new roof and eavestrough then?
-Oh, and did we mention that we're painting our house? The process should start in earnest next week.
Maybe the new colour will help with the naming process? Of course, I'm not entirely sure that I like the idea of naming our house something like "The Eggplant" or some other name that is entirely dependent on a house colour that may not be permanent.
I guess we could consider something like "Jellybean West"? (For those of you not familiar with St. John's, Jellybean Row are colourful row houses in downtown St. John's.)
-I think I may have mentioned it before, but our cat seems to really like hanging out in boxes.
This shoe box seems to be Marie's favourite, though if she's in another room she'll pretty much take anything that's available.
For instance, laundry baskets are definitely a suitable stand-in.
-Despite the aforementioned risk of thundershowers the sun seems to have just found a slight crack in the cloud cover. Of course, it's now clear how long this situation will hold.
Friday, July 12, 2013
A Few Quick Notes 599
-So for the past few days it's been pretty hot and humid in Regina. I'm a little bit bummed about this as I have long been lead to believe that Regina is in the 'dry heat' zone. Maybe this is just a bit of anomaly?
-Yup, we still have a cat and she's still at least a little bit cute.
-Yup, we still have a cat and she's still at least a little bit cute.
Of course, from time to time she's also at least a little bit crazy. Sometimes she seems to work herself up and then run around and jump off of furniture as quickly as possible. She also likes running quickly and then sliding into turns on the hardwood floors (sometimes she misjudges the slide and bangs into things).
-I have today off so I walked over to get a nice summer haircut. Already I feel as though I made the right call. Maybe I'll have to be on a two or three week cycle for the rest of the summer?
-If all goes well I be able to take care of some cement patching, aquaponics setting up, and a few other errands before my day-off comes to a close.
-Oh, and because I didn't mention it before or when it was happening, a few days ago I was in Ottawa. And is there a better way to commemorate the trip than to grab a quick time-lapse of the intersection outside of my hotel room?
[Embedded video]
Right, I didn't think so.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
A little unexpected
When I was walking to work yesterday I spotted what appeared to be a pelican on Wascana Lake. Since confirming that it was a pelican that I saw I've seen either that pelican or another pelican a number of times (on my walk home from work on Monday, on my walk to work today, and on an evening stroll tonight).
Of course, I think the following photo does a slightly better job of representing the beauty of the evening, though a much worse job at making it overwhelmingly clear that I saw a pelican in Regina.
Definitely didn't ever imagine I'd spot my first wild pelican while living on the prairies.
Harvest progress
In late May Jeannette and I planted our garden. At the time this seemed a little late, if anything, as Spring was already several weeks behind schedule.
After several weeks of rainy grey weather, if anything, it felt as though we'd jumped the gun and planted far too early.
Now that we're into July things finally feel as though they're catching up (or at least close to catching up).
Of course, the weeds are also growing quite well and we've definitely fallen down on our weeding duties.
Our herb barrel has also really picked up over the course of the past month.
In early June it didn't have much going on.
Of course, we've also had our fair share of radishes (actually a full row of them at this point).
And Jeannette's been collecting various greens (beet, kale, spinach, pea, and strawberry spinach) for at least the past two weeks).
So just to round up what we've had so far because I haven't been diligent about photographing the harvest we've managed to get at least a handful of each of the following (in more or less this order):
1) Chives
2) Thyme
3) Apple Mint
4) Radishes
5) Spinach
6) Strawberry Spinach
7) Beet Greens
8) Pea Shoots
9) Pea Pods
10) Kale
11) Spearmint
12) Basil (two varieties)
My recollection of what we have left to come is as follows:
1) Green Beans
2) Edamame
3) Beets
4) Hot Peppers
5) Sweet Peppers (two varieties)
6) Pumpkins
7) Celery
8) Carrots
9) Sweet Corn
10) Potatoes
11) Tomatoes
12) Onions
If all the stuff on this second list works out we may actually manage something of a feed for ourselves at some point this summer. I'll be particularly impressed with us if we can somehow managed herb roasted potatoes and corn at the same time (and maybe with some edamame for protein).
After several weeks of rainy grey weather, if anything, it felt as though we'd jumped the gun and planted far too early.
Now that we're into July things finally feel as though they're catching up (or at least close to catching up).
Of course, the weeds are also growing quite well and we've definitely fallen down on our weeding duties.
Our herb barrel has also really picked up over the course of the past month.
In early June it didn't have much going on.
And now in early July it's damn near full (and that's after a fair bit of chives, thyme, and mint harvesting).
And Jeannette's been collecting various greens (beet, kale, spinach, pea, and strawberry spinach) for at least the past two weeks).
So just to round up what we've had so far because I haven't been diligent about photographing the harvest we've managed to get at least a handful of each of the following (in more or less this order):
1) Chives
2) Thyme
3) Apple Mint
4) Radishes
5) Spinach
6) Strawberry Spinach
7) Beet Greens
8) Pea Shoots
9) Pea Pods
10) Kale
11) Spearmint
12) Basil (two varieties)
My recollection of what we have left to come is as follows:
1) Green Beans
2) Edamame
3) Beets
4) Hot Peppers
5) Sweet Peppers (two varieties)
6) Pumpkins
7) Celery
8) Carrots
9) Sweet Corn
10) Potatoes
11) Tomatoes
12) Onions
If all the stuff on this second list works out we may actually manage something of a feed for ourselves at some point this summer. I'll be particularly impressed with us if we can somehow managed herb roasted potatoes and corn at the same time (and maybe with some edamame for protein).
Sunday, June 16, 2013
The kind of day it was
Today has been a pretty weird day. One minute it seems to be bright and sunny only to be followed by the next minute when it's either raining or overcast.
As you might have guessed, I tried to capture at least some of this experience via time-lapse technology. And while I have been known to cry wolf when it comes to the quality of my vids in the past, I actually think this one is kind of neat and makes clear that there are at least a few layers of clouds at work.
Enjoy.
[Embedded video]
I bet you're all really jonesing for the vid that I'm currently in the midst of filming - how could a sequel to this hot vid not be even hotter?
As you might have guessed, I tried to capture at least some of this experience via time-lapse technology. And while I have been known to cry wolf when it comes to the quality of my vids in the past, I actually think this one is kind of neat and makes clear that there are at least a few layers of clouds at work.
Enjoy.
[Embedded video]
I bet you're all really jonesing for the vid that I'm currently in the midst of filming - how could a sequel to this hot vid not be even hotter?
A Few Quick Notes 598
-So after several months without rain and clouds grey skies and rain have finally returned to Regina. For the better part of the past few weeks we've had at least grey skies for part of most days and somewhat regular rain. The upside of this weather is that on Thursday night I got to see my first double rainbow, the downside is that it's almost always not quite as warm or sunny as I was expecting it to be at this time of year in Regina.
-Despite the grey skies, cool temperatures, and plentiful rain the plants we planted in our garden a few weeks ago are mostly growing. Sure, most of them would probably be doing a fair bit better with a few more hours of sun a day and soil that at least occasionally is a little drier, but that hasn't meant that most of them haven't continued to grow - if somewhat slowly.
Not surprisingly, the radishes are furthest along. And had this weekend not been as rainy as it was we would have even planted a second and third row so that we can start to have a stead stream of radishes. The peas and beans are also doing well, though, again, more sun would surely help.
The plants that seem to be growing particularly slowly are our pepper and corn plants. The corn plants seem not to have managed to make it beyond about three inches while the pepper plants don't seem to be any taller than they were when we moved them from indoors to the garden.
In any event, the fact that most of these plants are even alive seems kind of remarkable given the incredible number of weeds and the high clay content of the soil. I suspect that not weeds be an annual battle, but so will the soil. Who would have guessed that in a province known for agriculture that the soil is mostly just clay? In Newfoundland it's always a challenge to put a shovel into the ground because of the rocks - here the rock-free clay is just to dense and goopy for one's shovel.
-A friend of mine from library school is coming into Regina for a conference tonight and I've offered to give her a ride from the airport to where she's staying. Not only am I looking forward to catching up after about five years, having someone else in the car finally provided me with the motivation I needed to finally get around to giving the car a quick vacuum and clean for the first time since we've owned it. Not surprisingly, the back was a fair bit cleaner than the front.
-Now that our balcony rail has been in place for a week we've started thinking about our next project. As some discussion we finally settled on re-roofing our garage. Yesterday I picked up most of the supplies, though I still have to snag some flashing. So whenever the skies clear and the rain stops we'll have to start on this project. I'm a little worried that this is going to be a bit of a nasty project - but at least at the end we'll hopefully have a garage that doesn't leak quite as much as our garage does currently.
Oh, and then once we're done with the roof we'll have to move on to re-siding it. Hooray!
Fortunately, I think we've got the game plan for this more or less figured out - though that doesn't mean that there won't be surprises when we finally get around to it in a few weeks.
Box Kitty
It wasn't long after Marie arrived that it became clear that one of her favourite haunts is Jeannette's desk.
The only thing that seems to have made the location even more desirable has been the addition of a shoe box.
Sometimes she'll spend hours sleeping in such a box while Jeannette works.
Of course, she's not particularly loyal to a particular box - basically any shoe box will do.
And if she happens to be in the bedroom rather than the office she's more than happy to trade a shoebox in for a pair of my pants.
And even then she's not particularly picky - pretty much any pants will do.
Life's certainly a little different around here than it used to be in the pre-kitty days.
The only thing that seems to have made the location even more desirable has been the addition of a shoe box.
Sometimes she'll spend hours sleeping in such a box while Jeannette works.
Of course, she's not particularly loyal to a particular box - basically any shoe box will do.
And if she happens to be in the bedroom rather than the office she's more than happy to trade a shoebox in for a pair of my pants.
And even then she's not particularly picky - pretty much any pants will do.
Life's certainly a little different around here than it used to be in the pre-kitty days.
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Catching up on vids
So while Jeannette and I were in Vancouver just over a week ago I managed to snag a few hot time-lapse vids.
The first I took while taking a break from walking along the Sea Wall in Stanley Park. It seems that even on a grey day in Vancouver the place is fausty with people.
[Embedded video]
Later, when were back in West Point Grey we stopped at a park near where I used to live and I snagged this while we sat and drank coffee. As you might be able to see, downtown Vancouver can be seen in the background.
[Embedded video]
Don't forget to keep checking back for hot new vids.
Working our way up the scale
After some painting and then a few weeks of gardening projects Jeannette and I finally got around to tackling one of the more substantial (maybe it wasn't actually all that substantial - but it was certainly daunting) projects associated with our new house - the construction of a new balcony rail.
Soon after we moved in to our place it became clear that what looked just like a little weird balcony on the back of our house was actually a decrepit little weird balcony. As this winter's snow began to melt and expose the places where there used to be wood we began to get a sense of the general decrepitude of the rail - and it wasn't good. As more time passed pieces of rotting wood began to fall onto the patio below. Sitting nearby when there was even a slight breeze became risky.
As obvious as it was that something needed to be done, I was a little hesitant to act before we were comfortable with our plan of action. Of course, once it became clear that my unwillingness to even consider developing a plan became was an excuse for inaction, Jeannette scoped out the supplies and forced me to agree to a plan.
On Friday after work we went to a local building supplies store and picked everything up. And because I was less than psyched about using my mitre box and saw to make all of the cuts we took advantage of the store's cut shop. For reasons that still aren't entirely clear to me (but that may have something to do with an employee's dissatisfaction with his job) we ended up getting all of our cuts done for free.
Of course, it rained most of Saturday so we had to wait until today to get going.
Fortunately, because the rotting process was so far along the task of clearing the old railing was accomplished in just a few minutes.
Before long we were on to the construction phase. And because we purchased a few metal connectors instead of relying on nail/screw based joins we were able to move along confidently and quickly (and with zero bashed fingers).
And then not long after that we were able to start adding the balusters (though our original plan had been to add them from the inside and then flip them around to the outside we decided to just keep them on the inside).
And that's basically all there was to the project. Amazingly, we were done in just a few hours (deconstruction and construction combined). As it turns out there was no reason for my hesitance - this whole process was shockingly easy and straightforward. And as Jeannette just pointed out to me, it wasn't particularly expensive (especially after we returned the extra balusters). I'm just glad my lethargy didn't cause us to try to put it off until next year.
And if you're curious to know how we passed what would have been rail construction time on Saturday it went as follows:
I installed a new cord on this lamp.
With Jeannette's assistance I installed some box shelves on the wall in Jeannette's office.
Assembled a new patio bench.
All kinds of shopping related errands (including the purchase of new sheets, plants, and deeply discounted linen clothes).
Soon after we moved in to our place it became clear that what looked just like a little weird balcony on the back of our house was actually a decrepit little weird balcony. As this winter's snow began to melt and expose the places where there used to be wood we began to get a sense of the general decrepitude of the rail - and it wasn't good. As more time passed pieces of rotting wood began to fall onto the patio below. Sitting nearby when there was even a slight breeze became risky.
As obvious as it was that something needed to be done, I was a little hesitant to act before we were comfortable with our plan of action. Of course, once it became clear that my unwillingness to even consider developing a plan became was an excuse for inaction, Jeannette scoped out the supplies and forced me to agree to a plan.
On Friday after work we went to a local building supplies store and picked everything up. And because I was less than psyched about using my mitre box and saw to make all of the cuts we took advantage of the store's cut shop. For reasons that still aren't entirely clear to me (but that may have something to do with an employee's dissatisfaction with his job) we ended up getting all of our cuts done for free.
Of course, it rained most of Saturday so we had to wait until today to get going.
Fortunately, because the rotting process was so far along the task of clearing the old railing was accomplished in just a few minutes.
Before long we were on to the construction phase. And because we purchased a few metal connectors instead of relying on nail/screw based joins we were able to move along confidently and quickly (and with zero bashed fingers).
And then not long after that we were able to start adding the balusters (though our original plan had been to add them from the inside and then flip them around to the outside we decided to just keep them on the inside).
And that's basically all there was to the project. Amazingly, we were done in just a few hours (deconstruction and construction combined). As it turns out there was no reason for my hesitance - this whole process was shockingly easy and straightforward. And as Jeannette just pointed out to me, it wasn't particularly expensive (especially after we returned the extra balusters). I'm just glad my lethargy didn't cause us to try to put it off until next year.
And if you're curious to know how we passed what would have been rail construction time on Saturday it went as follows:
I installed a new cord on this lamp.
With Jeannette's assistance I installed some box shelves on the wall in Jeannette's office.
Assembled a new patio bench.
All kinds of shopping related errands (including the purchase of new sheets, plants, and deeply discounted linen clothes).
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Three hot kitty vids
So, as promised, here's the kitty jumping in a box supercut.
[Embedded video]
I also managed to snag a clip off her visiting three boxes in quick succession.
[Embedded video]
Then, last but not least, here's a quick clip of her cleaning herself with a lick-the-paw-and-then-rub-it-on-her-head manoeuvre.
[Embedded video]
Had the angles worked out I would have had a time-lapse kitty getting a bath vid to share, though, sadly, as foreshadowed earlier in this sentence, the angles did not work out and most of the shot was my above butt-crack region.
As always, keep checking back for an unending stream of less-than-stellar kitty vids.
[Embedded video]
I also managed to snag a clip off her visiting three boxes in quick succession.
[Embedded video]
Then, last but not least, here's a quick clip of her cleaning herself with a lick-the-paw-and-then-rub-it-on-her-head manoeuvre.
[Embedded video]
Had the angles worked out I would have had a time-lapse kitty getting a bath vid to share, though, sadly, as foreshadowed earlier in this sentence, the angles did not work out and most of the shot was my above butt-crack region.
As always, keep checking back for an unending stream of less-than-stellar kitty vids.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
The Birds III
After a first round of nest removals a few weeks ago I thought I had vanquished our pigeons.
Of course, it only took me a few hours to figure out that I hadn't done a good enough job to really prevent our persistent pigeons from returning.
Now, several weeks later, I am again in the position of thinking that I have permanently eliminated the possibility pigeons infesting our eaves. Though, as was the case last time, my hubris will surely lead to my defeat.
One eventuality that I was hoping to avoid by removing the nests so early after the melt was that I would be removing a nest filled with eggs. Not surprisingly, when I did the first round of nest removals my wishes came true and there were no eggs in the nests.
Yesterday, almost immediately, I learned that I wouldn't be so luck the next time around. The pigeons, in just a few days, had not only constructed a nest but also deposited an egg.
For some reason I was careful with the nest and egg as I removed them. I managed to get the whole package down the ladder without much disturbance. For no apparent reason, I then handed the egg-filled nest to Jeannette
The sad reality is that as soon as I removed the nest from the eaves the egg was doomed to never come to fruition. Of course, as much as Jeannette knew this in her head she very much disliked the idea of throwing a more or less fully formed nest with egg in the trash (even though the handless pigeons could do nothing save the already doomed attempt at offspring).
Once I went back up the ladder to continue the twig removal I learned that I was not removing one nest, but two. It seems that the pigeons had actually built their nest over the nest of much smaller birds. And had it not been for the pigeon nest I would likely not have been motivated to remove the second, smaller nest (this one with two eggs).
These too went in the trash.
Once these nests were removed I added the new chicken wire. Hopefully my aggressive application of the stuff will be enough to keep future potential residents away. In reality what it will likely do is move birds from this site to other sites in our eaves. Maybe once we've finished this game of musical nesting sites I'll have wrapped all of my eaves in chicken wire and staple gun staples.
My ladder-loaning neighbour's sake I hope it doesn't come to that (though it is definitely the case that he and his wife are very much in favour of my attempts to rid our house of pigeons).
Though considering that as of last night the pigeons were on our other neighbours chimney across from their former nesting site surveying the situation does not really suggest that they have accepted defeat and are looking for new, distant nesting site.
The fact that they were there again this morning really doesn't bode well for the "they'll move far away once their nest has been removed" hypothesis.
Oh, and then later in the day when I was dealing with our newly established compost bin I found another dead bird.
Of course, it only took me a few hours to figure out that I hadn't done a good enough job to really prevent our persistent pigeons from returning.
Now, several weeks later, I am again in the position of thinking that I have permanently eliminated the possibility pigeons infesting our eaves. Though, as was the case last time, my hubris will surely lead to my defeat.
One eventuality that I was hoping to avoid by removing the nests so early after the melt was that I would be removing a nest filled with eggs. Not surprisingly, when I did the first round of nest removals my wishes came true and there were no eggs in the nests.
Yesterday, almost immediately, I learned that I wouldn't be so luck the next time around. The pigeons, in just a few days, had not only constructed a nest but also deposited an egg.
For some reason I was careful with the nest and egg as I removed them. I managed to get the whole package down the ladder without much disturbance. For no apparent reason, I then handed the egg-filled nest to Jeannette
The sad reality is that as soon as I removed the nest from the eaves the egg was doomed to never come to fruition. Of course, as much as Jeannette knew this in her head she very much disliked the idea of throwing a more or less fully formed nest with egg in the trash (even though the handless pigeons could do nothing save the already doomed attempt at offspring).
Once I went back up the ladder to continue the twig removal I learned that I was not removing one nest, but two. It seems that the pigeons had actually built their nest over the nest of much smaller birds. And had it not been for the pigeon nest I would likely not have been motivated to remove the second, smaller nest (this one with two eggs).
These too went in the trash.
Once these nests were removed I added the new chicken wire. Hopefully my aggressive application of the stuff will be enough to keep future potential residents away. In reality what it will likely do is move birds from this site to other sites in our eaves. Maybe once we've finished this game of musical nesting sites I'll have wrapped all of my eaves in chicken wire and staple gun staples.
My ladder-loaning neighbour's sake I hope it doesn't come to that (though it is definitely the case that he and his wife are very much in favour of my attempts to rid our house of pigeons).
Though considering that as of last night the pigeons were on our other neighbours chimney across from their former nesting site surveying the situation does not really suggest that they have accepted defeat and are looking for new, distant nesting site.
The fact that they were there again this morning really doesn't bode well for the "they'll move far away once their nest has been removed" hypothesis.
Oh, and then later in the day when I was dealing with our newly established compost bin I found another dead bird.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
As penance for the last post
Perhaps not surprisingly, my cute kitty posts seem to be a little more popular than my dead bird posts - so here's a cute kitty post.
[Embedded video]
I kind of think that she likes it in there.
If you're lucky I may even have a box related 'supercut' for you later today.
After what seems like an eternity I've finally posted another video of 'Sweet' Marie playing. This time she's checking out the inside of a box.
[Embedded video]
I kind of think that she likes it in there.
If you're lucky I may even have a box related 'supercut' for you later today.
The Birds II
It seems that my pigeon deterrence installations of a few weeks ago weren't quite as successful as I'd hoped. Over the past few days what had just been hanging out under our eaves has reverted to a major nest building operation.
Obviously I will have to initiate a nest removal operation later this morning or early this afternoon.
Another worrying trend is that the appearance of dead birds in our backyards, at least as of a few days ago, has continued. On the same day I even found two just feet apart from each other.
Of course, it took me a little longer to spot the one hiding in the fence.
On a more positive note, aside from the bird nest removal project we're also hoping to finally get around to planting our garden (after we add another few bags of peat moss and topsoil to the clay base that is Regina soil).
Obviously I will have to initiate a nest removal operation later this morning or early this afternoon.
Another worrying trend is that the appearance of dead birds in our backyards, at least as of a few days ago, has continued. On the same day I even found two just feet apart from each other.
Of course, it took me a little longer to spot the one hiding in the fence.
On a more positive note, aside from the bird nest removal project we're also hoping to finally get around to planting our garden (after we add another few bags of peat moss and topsoil to the clay base that is Regina soil).
Saturday, May 11, 2013
If you put it in front of me I'm going to take a picture of it
For whatever reason, I am definitely inclined to take pictures of the dead fish I see on my walks to and from work. As it happens I encountered such fish on both Thursday and Friday.
On Friday afternoon I finally saw my first partially consumed fish.
I can't help but wonder why I keep seeing all of these dead fish. Is this just part of a normal Spring die-off, or is there something else at work? While most of the fish don't seem to be injured, I can't help but wonder if this last fish died of a different cause - maybe an animal attack?
As always, this blog is engaged in providing its readers with small-n cutting edge ecological monitoring. And isn't this what such a blog should be doing (when I'm not posting vids of kitties or snow melting)?
On Friday afternoon I finally saw my first partially consumed fish.
I can't help but wonder why I keep seeing all of these dead fish. Is this just part of a normal Spring die-off, or is there something else at work? While most of the fish don't seem to be injured, I can't help but wonder if this last fish died of a different cause - maybe an animal attack?
As always, this blog is engaged in providing its readers with small-n cutting edge ecological monitoring. And isn't this what such a blog should be doing (when I'm not posting vids of kitties or snow melting)?
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