Power Restored

Two evenings after we lost our electricity in an unexpected thunderstorm - big trucks rumbled into our neighbourhood.

What were they going to do?! We were one of the last neighbourhoods in the city to still be without electricity... 

Some of us gathered to watch.

A transformer near Earl and Mary's yard had been knocked out when branches from a neighbouring tree fell onto the wires.

Now it was being replaced. But the problem didn't end there... More downed branches on power lines needed to be removed.

Twelve hours later - on Saturday morning - our street finally had electricity again. 

Now life is returning to normal! We can cook and open the fridge. And as evening approaches, we can turn on lights again!

New appreciation for what we have!

August Vacation - Looking Back!

When our children were young, we usually took family vacations in August.

I often taught summer school in July - so, during that month, the children attended day camps and enjoyed activities we never did as a family: tennis camp,  YMCA camp outdoors in the woods - where a squirrel memorably chewed a hole on one of the kid's backpacks because he could smell a peanut butter sandwich inside.

Then in August, we'd pack everyone into the station wagon and head off - some years to Texas, where my brother's family lives. Some years out west, where both Terry and I have relatives. Other years, we'd stay closer to home.

In 1988, we headed to New England, Maine - and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, where Terry was born.

If our kids learned to be adventuresome, to get along - and to know their cousins - I credit these long family vacations - when we spent 3 or 4 weeks together - in a cramped vehicle - on the road!

Reconnecting!

On a recent visit to Merrickville, we happened to see the "Kawartha Voyageur" - a cruise boat I took down the Rideau Canal 10 years ago.

It was such an interesting experience! 

I wanted to view the canal from a different perspective - from the water, rather than the land. 

What a fun - and relaxing - learning experience that was!

 I would definitely love to do it again!

Beginning to Bloom!

One of my favourite perennials in our front garden bed is beginning to bloom...

Japanese anemones! I just love them.

I see a lot of buds, so hopefully we'll enjoy a long blooming season.

Granny Square Day?!

Last Saturday was "Granny Square Day" - according to an online yarn store I get emails from...

I wonder what I was supposed to do to celebrate?!

I haven't made granny squares for a long time...

But I did notice these two creations in the mall. Both used timeless granny squares to make modern designs!

Woodland Sounds

Often in summer we leave a few windows open for fresh air.

On quiet mornings, bird songs - and the chattering of chipmunks - remind us that there's an active world out there!

Those who enjoy the sounds of nature - but can't open their windows - can still listen to forest sounds from around the world on a website called Tree.fm.

A world map is even provided to indicate where these forest sounds have been recorded.

Another kind of "virtual" travel!

Brockville Rib Fest

Last weekend, we drove to Brockville - a town on the St. Lawrence River - for their annual rib fest.

The live music was great!

The barbecued corn on the cob, blooming onion...

And, of course - the ribs - were a treat.

The views were spectacular!

So nice to be back... It's a great place to visit - especially in summer!

Storm Passes Through!

Two nights ago, a sudden, fierce storm passed through our neighbourhood - and at 10:35 pm, our power went off.

The next day, it was still off, so we headed over to our nearest McDonalds to have coffee and charge our cell phones. (For a while, at home, Terry was able to use a battery for a cordless branch trimmer to power his computer! Life is forcing us to be innovative!)

En route, we saw piles of downed branches...

Now we're back home, hoping that power will be restored soon...

Here's another downed tree on a path often used by dog walkers...

I wandered over to Earl and Mary's yard where part of a neighbour's tree snapped off, pulling down some wires.

There's lots of tidying up to do, apart from our loss of electricity!

It's been quite a summer - and we haven't reached hurricane season yet!

Interesting Names

I'm currently hiking (virtually) along the New South Wales coast in Australia.

The ocean scenes and arial views are beautiful...

When I switch to a traditional map view, I'm surprised by the mix of English and aboriginal names, like Wahroonga and Wallumattagal...

It takes a little getting used to! But then, we have that in Canada, too: names like Mississippi (big river) and Kanata (village or settlement)... (at times spelled "Canada"!)

Sunny Day in Merrickville

Terry and I recently drove to Merrickville - one of my favourite towns along the Rideau Canal. We hadn't been there in a while.

We actually thought that Canal Fest might be back, with its crafters' market and free canoe rides - but when we got there, there were lots of visitors, but no organized events...

... though at least one vendor  had set up shop outdoors!

We headed to our favourite bakery - Violet's On Main - and enjoyed some treats.

Then we went to the park next to the canal and watched boats going through the locks.

It's always interesting to see.

 

I was surprised to see more young women than men working on the canal locks this year. Opening the locks is a physically demanding job!

Before leaving town, we just had to have some locally made ice cream!

It was a perfect day... Ducks and geese were enjoying it, too!

Looking Back...

Last August was very dry - in fact, we had very little rain all summer in 2025.

But my photos - dated by my phone app - remind me that during the previous summer - 2024 -we had A LOT of rain.

These pictures, taken in August 2024, two years ago today - show a corner of a cornfield totally flooded... And a very active pump that's trying to keep it dry!

I wonder how wet the field is this year. We had a lot of rain last month. I wonder if the pump is running to keep up! From year to year it's different.

Blushing Philodendron?!

Last summer I picked up this plant at a table marked "FREE," in Old Ottawa South.

I thought it was a rubber plant - because of the shape and shininess of the  leaves.

It sat indoors all winter - then I put it outdoors this summer - where it has received abundant direct sunlight and lots of rain - perhaps too much!

But recently my camera phone identified it as a "blushing philodendron" - which, apparently develops large fragrant blossoms. That would be lovely!

It also resembles this photo of a philodendron 'black cardinal' whose leaves eventually turn black. No mention of flowers.

Now I'm going to check online for more information... since these two versions of AI don't agree! (Imagine that!) 

My hope is that it's a blushing philodendron that will grow beautiful, fragrant flowers!

Unforgettable!

I subscribed to a New York Times e-newsletter a few years ago - during COVID. I was curious to know how people in other places were coping. 

I still get the e-newsletter and peruse the headlines (though some stories are hidden from me, since I'm not a paying subscriber).

One free article that intrigued me last week was about how therapeutic it is to breathe fresh air and hear birds, even through an open window. 

I can't argue about that! 

But I was surprised by one of the therapeutic outdoor activities mentioned... 

Quilting outdoors!

I've quilted a lot over the years - but I've never plugged in a sewing machine on an outdoor picnic table (for fear of being electrocuted)!

Or cut fabric on the grass!

With cows and goats nearby, was there a fear they might come over to investigate?!

All problems aside, I'll bet - for those who attend these two-day outdoor quilting workshops - the experience is truly unforgettable!! 

(But I'm not sure it's for me!)