Loving My Rut!

I really should pull myself out of here more often, but with such a pretty vista out every front window, I rarely budge. The other day was spent editing writing assignments while listening to Harry Chapin, The Mamas and The Papas, Best of Bread and any other dead guy cassette I could lay my hands on - FULL BLAST. All senses fulfilled. What floats your boat?

Birthdays are Better at Chubby's Cheddar House!

Every year, my daughter, Laura and I have our day apart birthdays celebrated at the same rural buffet....it's a family tradition...actually, a local tradition around here. Fine families everywhere sitting down at a farm table full of filling fare - and all of it delicious. We've been doing it for twenty years or more...all of us aging a little each time, but never enough to miss it!!!

The Romantic Bench

There's something contemplative and just a little lonely about the solitary bench. Seeing them perched on waterfronts or along walking paths, I always think of them as seating for brain resting more than leg resting. When I saw this lovely photo of a bench at sunset (or is that sunrise), I knew I'd found a home for my splatterd bench, "Rosemaritaville". She's been tucked away all winter, but now is her time to shine....in the sun....on the waterfront. Who'll rest there first I wonder? Feline or fowl?

It's Beeeeeeeeaver Time.....

This is our first experience living by the water, but never....ever....did I expect to be greeted by a beaver at my door. OK, not quite at the door...down the lawn about thirty feet and drinking from the river. The remnants of an old dock are underwater thereabouts so perhaps he'll be using it for his own structure. Who knows? We are very sure of one thing though. Despite what the real estate listing said - this is not our piece of waterfront. It belongs to the big ol' beaver, the tall heron, the myriad of swans and the water polo team of geese...they're just tolerant enough to let us stop by for a bit...and that's ok.

Hopeful

This morning I was greeted by a blue heron at my window, but it did not want to be greeted by my camera. Oy. Still in all, what a sight and what a boot in the butt to get things done. My office, which was recently painted 'lemongrass' yellow is not nearly as cheerful as one would imagine, so today I venture out to find a blue paint to match the river in front of me. Bliss. Perfection. Spring. What moves you out the door on the cusp of spring?

...and the Thunder Rolled

It was that fast, that easy. A night full of thunder and lightening and we all woke up to the big melt. When the stunned silence ends, everyone will start planning gardens, holidays and warm weather wardrobes. Groupings are starting to erupt at the ends of driveways as neighbours poke their heads out of hibernation and start to greet each other like old war buddies. And that's what it's like to be Canadian!

Good Fences Make Good Neighbours, but.....

this is unreal. The spring thaw has not affected our yard at all, but just over our flimsy wire fence, our neighbours Dan and Pat have a veritable harbour in their front yard. No, there is no difference in our property levels...just a fence....an old wire and post fence that doesn't keep anything out...except water I guess.

Bathtub Al Fresco

Decadence, tub style. Oh wouldn't it be grand? Hidden among the trees, staring back at the perplexed birds and soaking away on a warm spring day. We had such a tub at our old house. It wasn't a working tub, and it stood in front of the hen house instead of under a grape arbour, but still it evoked a feeling of splendour in the grass...not snow.

Seeing Things?

I could swear I saw a red-headed woodpecker, as big as a turkey, in the tree. I grabbed my camera, took the shot and - well - it's a rather interpretive shot as you can see. Then I took another shot of him flying away. A real fine action shot. The money shot. He was big. Huge. He had a red head. Honest!

Picturing New Walls

If I can't control what's outside, perhaps changing the inside will feel good....sooooooooo, we stripped off the Canada geese border in my office and now it's time to select a paint colour. Maybe a colour from daughter Laura's painting would be nice? Or maybe stark, bright, peaceful white? A dark, cozy colour? An outdoorsy colour. OOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooohhhh, it's so hard. Perhaps a khaki would be nice. I'd better choose soon, because once that rain and snow is gone, outside will be way more appealing than any office.

Clear Sight

Days are getting sunnier, dogs and cats are staying outside longer - and my snarl is depleting to a sigh. Is it just possible that the nastiest time of year is about to have the Door of Sunshine and Spring Blossoms slammed in it's face?