Movin' dirt and yankin' weeds

The little piece of property where I now reside seems to be growing each day. Well, not really, but it looks that way. The retired-guy and I have been really cleaning up around here. The work we do needs the help of 'ol Nellie as without her it would be hard to move rocks and piles of dirt. There are numerous large rocks everywhere so we piled many around the new well so we could flatten the ground where we will be walking. One big mound of dirt and rock is gone here so I can see so much better to the back trees.

This will make it easier for our old dog to wander around now.

"Hi Sid"

I love our group of sumacs behind Sid.
I've been pulling weeds 'til the cows come home. Some are nearly as tall as me. They have been growing here for years and tough to yank out. This pile of dirt and weeds sits right where the house will go in the spring. We'll have to let this spot just be for now. It is too big for 'ol Nellie to deal with so once the excavation begins we will have it trucked out.



Every big rock we move I check under for snakes. I wear my 'running' shoes. :)

I washed up the bird bath at the pump again. Man, those birds are messy.

Well, I'm beat so time to go in for a rest.

Did you know I live with 'the experts' in that field?

Snagglepuss look-alike.

No sooner did I come in  than 5 Mourning Doves came by for a drink.

(from the mouse-house window)

One in the tree box, one on the branch and three in the bath.

Sometimes I think the fresh water is even more appreciated than the food.

hugs,

Deb

Meet Sid

I have been looking out the back window of the mouse-house and visualizing a scarecrow where the perennials were so today was the day to build him.

It didn't take long. Less than an hour.

Stuff those pants. 

The hat once belonged to my father.

He'd have a laugh at this.

Is a nose required?

He was fun to build and...

he's a chunky fella.

Now I need one of my resident crows to sit on his arm to finish the look.

And since they aren't usually very co-operative, I will start looking for a fake one.

I named him Sid and now I look forward to the grandittles meeting him.

 October by Robert Frost

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away.

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—

For the grapes’ sake along the wall.

As the autumn settles in the leaves are changing fast. Is there anything more beautiful than the brilliant colours of the maple tree?

Well. how about this...

                                                                   Cats in Autumn

I'm joining Share Your Cup at http://jannolson.blogspot.ca/ hugs, Deb

What made you smile today?

While cleaning up the perennials I felt that someone or something was watching me.

I was right.

 He kept his distance while he figured out what I was up to.

                                            L'il Bud

He's shy but very curious.

He soon got bored and ran off.

And then that feeling returned. I was not alone.

"Hi Simon".

You are never alone around here as you putter in the garden. 
And that...makes me smile. :)    

And you?


hugs, Deb

The colours of fall with Audrey

but first I'll feed the birdies. :)

Chickadee

Nuthatch

There is so much beauty just outside your door in the fall.

The colours of fall are so perfect, aren't they?

And I found a pretty feather that someone decided to 'taste' and then gagged a bit.

                                                       "pffft...pffft"

("Good grief, Audrey. What would other cats think?")

"I did not gag."

"Ya, you did. "

"But that's ok.

Maybe you'll stop attacking my board of feathers when I'm not looking."

"Ya, that's gonna happen."

=^..^=

Thank you everyone for your kind comments on the passing of my dear Aunt Frances.

Your words have been very comforting. 

Audrey has kept my spirits up; just being her adorkable self.

That, I can always rely on. :)

I hope you are all enjoying these first few fabulous weeks of fall.

Hugs,

Deb

Aunt Francis

My dear Aunt Frances passed away yesterday.

She was in her 94th year.

Celebrating her 90th birthday in 2012.

She was my mom's baby sister, her best friend and confidante.
She was the mother of eight, a grand-mother and a great-grandmother.
She was the aunt you could talk to about anything and know that she was listening and cared.

I am so happy that she was out this spring to visit the mouse-house.
We sat on the bench under the maple tree and talked about her years growing up on this very piece of land.
She told me that my mom and her mom were smiling down on us as we began our new adventure.
She also told me the old pump was always painted white when she was young.

We painted it the next week.

I will miss this grand lady. She is now with my mom, who I know will have a hug for her. I can just picture them sitting together, a cup of tea in hand, catching up on all the family news.

Rest in Peace, Aunt Frances. It was a privilege and an honour to know you and love you.
Until we meet again.

hugs, Deb

The Autumn Winds are Blowin'

This is my attire before heading out for my one hour walk this morning. It was very cool out there; downright cold. Gloves were a must. I kid you not. Only one week ago I wore layers knowing full well that I would be stripping off the sweater before halfway through my walk.
Not today.
Do you see Kane on the floor? He's been out, had breakfast and is gone back to bed and it's not 9 am yet. We start early around here.

October in Ontario can be a funny month. It can be warm with sun-shine right to the end or we could have piles of snow by Halloween. You just never know.

As I walked along the beautiful country road, taking note of the change of colours in the trees, I stumbled upon these goof-balls. It's the same family that wanders over to the mouse-house often but today I counted only eleven. The original family was thirteen. :(

I recognized big daddy from all the dirty looks he would give me on our property.

Believe me, I stayed clear of him.

Whenever you went near the head would go up and he would stare you down.

I think he was telling me..."Don't think you're getting any of our feathers, lady."

I did find a few gifts again today.

Isn't that a pretty one with the blue? I guess it is from a Blue-jay.
A little soap and water and it will be gorgeous again.

Back home, Sierra was waiting to have a look-see at what I found.

                                                                      (not impressed)

They probably figure that with time there will be enough feathers for them to build their own bird. ha!

Enjoy your day.
Hugs, Deb

Welcome October

As the sun shone through the maples this bright cool autumn morning, I watched to see if I could spot the black squirrel and, hopefully, the grey sibling around their nesting tree. Sure enough, the black one ran out along a limb and thankfully the grey was right behind. They tumbled along, one jumping over the other and headed straight to the feeding area. I was relieved to see them together;  thankful. The friendship was genuine and I know they were comfort and warmth to each other on these cool nights. My morning and this beautiful new month, was off to a good start.

So, I enjoyed one more cup of  the retired-guy's great coffee and headed out for my walk.
I wore a heavy hoodie and still found it very cool. Next time I'll bring gloves.

The route I take is a windy one as you can see in the photo.
It's so pretty here with the gorgeous houses and the old wooden fences.

I passed an older gentleman who tipped his hat and said "good morning". :)

Such a rare gesture these days.  

I came home with a few little gifts from above.

=^..^=

Audrey gave them a good inspection

and then went off in a huff again wondering where the rest of that bird is.

The fence is coming along.

It is perfect weather for these out-door projects. :)

"Welcome October"

I only wish you had 100 days.

hugs, Deb