Day 98 - 7th April, 2012 - Wisteria, Daffodil Blooms and still feeling Blah!

Cooler this morning, with the temperature at -2.4. It's suppose to be a fairly nice day, then tonight it will turn and we won't discuss tomorrow. I've promised no more words about the white stuff that comes out of the sky! But remember it is Nova Scotia and weather can change in a second. I am still battling this head cold, although this morning it doesn't feel quite as bad, maybe I'm on the upswing now. Yesterday |I hardly had energy enough to move and my head felt thick and foggy. I tried trolling through some 1940 Census records but the names just ran together so I gave up. I didn't get out to take pics of the full moon last night either. I didn't have the gumption to go sit on a rock and wait and thought it wouldn't be a great idea right now. Just about the time I was heading to bed I could see it through the trees like a bright beacon rising to the sky. I'm disappointed this morning, but last night I just felt too rotten. I guess there will be next month.
I suppose today we have to go beat our way through the grocery store - agh it will be busy. Not that we need much but the staples of bread, milk and eggs are getting low. If we didn't have to eat or buy gas we would be rich!
Larry came home with more clams yesterday, so we know what he'll be doing - shelling some out for the freezer this time. He did the moulding around the new counter the other day, and yesterday glued down the tiles on the small counter next to the fridge where the microwave sits. We decided to tile that as well. So now he needs to put moulding around that, and then we are ready for grouting for both.

My Wisteria is budding up.

Standing behind the Wisteria and looking out. Umm.... wonder what I'm going to do with this, it seems to be taking over the yard and trees - growing upward and downward.

Like an octopus from a science fiction  movie it twirls around and around it's victim.

I'm really enjoying these little flowers.

A daffodil soon will be open up, maybe today or tomorrow.

Not much today, hopefully in the next few days when I feel  like crawling, creeping and roaming around I will find more to offer. Somedays will be like that I'm sure.

Enjoy your day!

Day 97 - 6th April 2012 - Good Friday, Clouds and More Kleenex

A tad warmer this morning, temperature is 0.4. Althought it probably doesn't make a lot of difference. I guess by the look of the weather forecast, today will be the best of the weekend. That's just sad. As I've said more than once, not much you can do about the weather but go with it. I think Larry is heading back to the clam flats today. I'm sure this will be his last chance so we'll get some of these in the freezer for a later date. I'm not sure what my plans will be other than blowing my nose and sneezing. This head cold is driving me nuts. Mostly because it's an inconvenience more than anything.

There is a full moon tonight, I should have gone out last night and caught it as there were some really weird clouds whirling around, but I didn't. Danny tells me that it's a "Pink moon for the wild ground phlox or Fish moon for the shad that go upstream to spawn." Anything that's planning on going up stream better hurry because that water is dropping quickly this spring! Maybe tonight I'll creep through the neighbour's back yards and see if I can capture the moon as it rises over the lake.

I did manage to get out for a short walk yesterday morning, but it seemed that everytime I went to take a picture I needed to sneeze too, so when I downloaded them some are not what you would call great. I've added a few.

Clouds, big and fluffy like cotton balls bounce through the sky. Makes me remember learning all about the various types of clouds in grade school.

As I walked through the path in the woods, I could hear him but it took me a while to find him. High up, flitting  from tree to tree.

The almost look like they will fall into the lake, just a few patches of blue here and there. The lake was fairly calm with just a few ripples.

They look heavier and darker now, casting a grey hue on the lake.

Gnarled and twisted, several trees become part of one another in the woods. Nature can do this; why don't we?

Well it's time for another coffee and more kleenex. Take a few minutes and remember why we have a holiday this weekend.  Enjoy your day!

Day 96 - 5th April 2012 - Sadness, Headcolds and New Challenges

Another morning with temperatures roughly the same -1.1. The stars are all out and sky looks clear. Just checked the weather for the upcoming long weekend, what was looking like some nice days has now turn totally around. Why do I bother to check?? Now they are giving rain/snow flurries for Sunday - what is that all about? I guess we have to work around the weather. Although it is Nova Scotia, and it can change in a blink of an eye.
Nine years ago last night we lost my Aunt Marion to ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). She was always fun, loved to laugh, enjoyed life and we miss that. There was always a twinkle of laughter in her eyes. I remember some of the good times we shared over the years and I'm so glad I took the time to know her and love her growing up. We are all much better people for having her in our lives.
Yesterday was a good day. Got lots accomplished in town, had a  researcher in that I've not seen for a long time and who I used to work with many years ago. It was nice to catch up with her - family, etc. I've not had a headache for about 6 days, so I'm feeling pretty chipper. Although, I woke up with a head cold  which is just the pits. Can't believe I haven't caught the flu or cold that's been circulating all winter but now I get something now. Oh well, suck it up, this too shall pass! After Larry's two day excursion to the clam flats we have been on a steady diet of fried clams or clam fritters as some call them for supper - 3 nights in a row. Time to move on to meat and potatoes tonight. I'm not quite tired  but it is time for something different!

I didn't get much in the way of photos yesterday, a few bird ones including this of the doves, so I'll stroll through some older ones. It was a day that I ran out of time or perhaps nothing just caught my eye.

I like looking into the lake to see what sits at the bottom. No frogs yet.

There are several large pieces of drift wood in this front yard. A few flowers and shrubs and it makes for easy gardening with a unique look.

The mallards look almost like duck decoys on a calm lake.

Will soon be time to get the day underway, have had my coffee. May tackle some more of that 1940 Census, although I truthfully have to do some housework - dull and boring. Depending on how warm it is, maybe some gardening. Starting a new photography class this evening and I'm really looking forward to that. Will push myself to learn new things - I like the challenge. Cheryl's a great instructor and can get the best out of people.  For most of you in the workforce, today is your Friday.

Enjoy the Day!

Day 95 - 4th April 2012 - Holiday Meals, 1940 Census and Ear Infections

The temperature is -1.5, that's prettty much the same as it has been the last few mornings. It's Wednesday again and my day in town. Have lots to do and I know of a few people who will be in as well. So it's shaping up to be a busy day already. As long as I get half of the things done I want to, it will be a semi great day! The Easter weekend will soon be upon us, university students will be home, family from a far. Always nice when families can gather together and share meals and memories. As long as I can remember my Mom and Dad's house has been the gathering place for family meals. For many years both sets of grandparents came for all those holiday meals. Then my siblings and I married and the numbers grew with neices and nephews but  now some of them have moved too far away and the numbers are reducing again. A neice and her husband have recently returned the from the west, so perhaps our numbers will start growing again. Over the last 30 years the numbers have gone up and down, but even those not with us are thought of and remembered.

We've been having quite a high old time with Lexi. She has an ear infection so we have been putting an antibiotic cream and drops in her ears twice a day. The cream is not bad, but oh what problems we have doing the drops. Larry literally has to flatten her to the floor, however, he appears to be getting black and blue in the process.  We are all done on Sunday, thank goodness.

Yesterday was deceiving - I thought it was going to be warm and sunny enough to work out side but got a rude awakening. Did a little cleaning in one of the flower beds but finally between cold fingers and my ears aching, I gave it up and moved inside. Larry went to dig clams again so of course we had those for supper again, and once again they were soooo good! Lexi and I went for a walk around lunch time, then I proceeded to tackle the newly released 1940 US Census. Hunting for a few distant relatives in Massachusetts. They are not indexed yet as they just came out on Monday, but how exciting. After finding this chap in the 1930 Census for Nantucket, Massachusetts and checking some US directories I felt confident he was still in the area in 1940. I looked at the enumeration map in hopes of narrowing down my search a little further and started. I went through 90 pages before I finally found him, which I think was pretty good considering how many there are. There he and his wife were. Eureka! From Sandy Point, Shelburne County to Nantucket, MA. Now to find a death record for him.

Lexi and I on our walk, not sure what she is gazing at through the trees.

Little fluffy ferns are coming through along the base of the forest and trees.

The woodpecker is always a faithful and greedy visitor at the feeders. They actually have a special one of their own when they aren't flitting up and down the trees drilling holes!

Time for another coffee and to get moving. Enjoy your day!

Day 94 - 3rd April 2012 - Birds and Blooms

Nippy this morning, the temperature is -1.5. When I think about it that's probably more seasonal than some temperatures we had last month. Oh well, it warms up during the day and that's what counts. The grass is starting to green up, soon it will be time to mow. The phone just rang and it was Glenn, wanting to know if Larry was up to digging clams again today. Sounds good to me. Wonder if I should go too or stay home and be productive. You know I'm not digging I'm taking photos, well I'll see.
I think often these days of an old friend who has been sick for about a month. He's a strong man of faith with a wonderful wife and family. I've known them since before their children were born and they are now grown up, married with oodles of children of their own. So the years have past and they have moved back and forth but were a big part of my life many years ago, always supportive and there for me. So they remain in my heart and I hope and pray that he will soon be back to his old self again.

Yesterday was a great day! Although the weather was stranger than strange but will comment no further on that. Got some stuff out of my hair/boxed up/cleaned out. Rah! Lexi and I spent a little time out in one of the flower beds trying to revive that until stuff came from the sky [ no mention of what]. It's been a while since I've done any real flower gardening but this year I'm going to tackle it again. Time to revisit some of the things I used to like to do and find some new things too. Life is short, live it! I did get out for a walk in the afternoon, even though the weather wasn't great and managed a few photos.
My wonderful husband came home from digging clams yesterday afternoon with clams for supper. I knew he wouldn't let me down two days in a road [no trout on Sunday]. Another Rah! Oh were they ever good. He shelled some out and we fried them up. Maybe tonight we'll have more.

Purple Finch at the feeder. They are really pretty but can't figure out why they call them purple, looks more pink or rose colored to me.

A grossbeak and a nuthatch take a turn.

I am so grateful to have friends who have wonderful feeders for me to enjoy with my camera.

The purple finch has moved high in the tree.

A few more blooms are opening up on the mayflowers. Lots of buds.

The lupins are popping their head through the ground.

Purple violet (wild) are growing on the front of our yard.

At least they are bright and show up against all the leaves and grass even though they are very small.

Guess I better go wake Larry & Lexi up.......in a few minutes. Enjoy your day!

Day 93 - 2nd April - Fishing with a Herding Dog!

Mild on this Monday morning, temperature is +1.8. The work week has begun again. Larry is off this morning to find supper tonight. No not trout this time but clams, I think he'll have better luck. I have lots to do here and if it is warm enough maybe Lexi and I will go out side and do some work once the inside stuff gets finished up. And I have some paper work to do too - yuk! Am starting another photography class later this week with Cheryl, so am looking forward to that. Soon I'll have more time to do things I want to and need to, time to pass on some of my volunteer obligations to another person (so they can pull their hair out for a while!) Another few weeks and I'll be back to work on a regular basis.

Yesterday was a beautiful Sunday. We worked a bit in the yard in the morning - well I supervised, Lexi stole Larry's hat and ........ you know who did most of the work. I'll get into the swing soon, I had a few inside things to finish up anyway. Around lunch time we headed up the road to a secret fishing hole - I'm not sure how secret it is since the path is well beaten down. So if you really want to go fishing don't take your wife and Australian Shepherd with you. First thing Larry did was cross the brook to fish on the other side. Lexi not terribly keen on water started across but was sliding on rocks or something and came back. Being a herding dog she doesn't like her flock seperated which disturbed her to no end and almost landed me in the brook, and/or my glasses and camera. She and I had a disagreement and Larry decided for the safety of all involved he should come back on the same side. This worked and we trotted along the bank, he fishing, me taking photos and Lexi running up and down happily checking on her flock.

Not sure if this brook/stream runs from the Clyde or the Roseway River. Several trees have been cut and dropped across.

The fisherman - this is where the problem started - he's on the other side.

She went part way but there were too many limbs at the end.

So she came back.

That's what the other side looked like.

I love the bubble, foam and fast moving water.

Just a blur as it goes over the rocks.

Looks almost like a little cave in the darkness beneath the rock.

Fishing from the bank in a still spot.

We left there and headed elsewhere. Stopped into Indian Fields and tried a stillwater, pretty but without fish.

Lexi, got a drink, then paused to look for Larry.

Checking again. She doesn't like either of us to be out of her sight for very long.

And so we headed for home. The truck got cleaned out, had supper and a quiet evening. That was our Sunday, hope you had a good one too!

Enough for now, time to get a start on, my second cup of coffee is ready. Enjoy your day!

Day 92 - 1st April 2012 - Lots of buds and new growth

The temperature is -3.7 this morning. I thought it would have stayed warmer, but the temps will rise today, suppose to be nice today. It's April Fool's Day, as well as the fist day of trout fishing season and clam digging. So many things to do! Larry picked up his fishing license yesterday and has said he will take Lexi and I to a fishing hole he knows if Glenn doesn't call him to go. She and I can roam around and take photos while he fishes. Think I better take something out of the freezer, just in case.
April Fool's Day is typically a day when people play tricks on one another. I can remember in school it was always a great day. The tradition is said to go back to the year 1392 when Chaucer's Canterbury Tale's was written. Depending on what part of the world you are in, this holiday may fall on 1 October.
Some spring cleaning done around home yesterday, a walk then I sat out on the deck for a bit and read. Larry and Lexi had gone up the road to fix something for a friend so I had the house to myself for a while. Need to get my deck chairs out of the building, may risk that today in the hopes that no more bad weather will rear it's ugly head. That was kind of a lazy hour, but nice. It was so peaceful and serene all you could hear were birds singing their songs.

A Robin stands under the shadow of a neighbours mail box.

I was roaming around a neighbour's yard - not sure it looks like a lilac bush but it's small so I'm not quite sure. Anyway it's leaves are budding out.

Forsythia is almost in flower, there was one very yellow bud that will probably open today. If these are cut and brought inside in a vase of water they will open rather quickly.

Some more leaves sprouting out.

The rhododendron has huge big buds.

Lots of reflections in the lake as the sun played along the top, creating quiet ripples.

Found some more bulbs that I planted last fall, but I've forgotten what they are!

Small and delicate, need to find my books and look it up.

So the sun is shining, looks like a beautiful Sunday. Glenn is going to dig clams, we are going trouting this afternoon. Enjoy your day!