Birch Bark Buckets

I used to enjoy going on field trips with my children when they were in elementary school.

Spring “sugar bush” outings were always popular. Not only did we see how maple syrup was made from early times - tasting maple toffee was also a highlight.

On one field trip with my youngest son's first grade class, the guide showed us different kinds of buckets used to collect sap over the years: Birch bark containers were used by natives......

Later, European settlers used wooden buckets.

Then metal buckets...

But nothing stays the same. The last time I went to a sugar bush, there were no buckets hanging on trees. Instead, plastic tubing captured the sap which flowed to a large central container. 

I was reminded of the birch bark buckets recently when I saw a statues of one in a Gatineau park.

I wonder if they were always decorated with pictures of animals - and if they were made in different sizes.

I did find a you tube video that shows how to make birch bark buckets. Glad to see that this traditional craft won’t be forgotten.

Rideau Falls

From time to time, Terry and I like to head over to the Rideau Falls, on Sussex Drive... It's always interesting to see what's happening... 

Would there be big chunks of ice flying over the falls? we wondered as we headed over last week.

Not yet...

But we did see an ice fishing shack across the water. I wonder when they'll bring it back to land... I've heard they measure the ice. It has to be at least 22 inches thick to be safe...

To our surprise, we also saw several turkeys... Males, according to a birdwatcher who was following them with his binoculars...

They eventually flew up over the French Embassy Fence...

I should have asked the birdwatcher when we could expect to see their offspring wandering around. I don't think I've ever seen young wild turkeys... Young Canada geese - at Andrew Haydon park, yes... But never baby wild turkeys! I wonder if the embassy grounds is full of birds...

Waiting...

Like many people, I’m not very good at waiting!

These days, I’m waiting for warm spring weather so that I can get out and walk again on roads that aren’t covered in snow.

I’m also waiting for my Covid-19 vaccine shot, which I may not get until April or May. 

One of my sons has reminded me that, once I get it, I’ll still have to wait... 

It takes 3-4 weeks for the body to build up immunity. Then, before I can hug my grandchildren, I’ll still have to wait till more people in our community are vaccinated - and our communal rate of infection goes down.

Lots of waiting ahead of me!

Love the T-shirt!

A friend recently shared the message on this T-shirt... 

So cute! So true!

I wonder where she found it.

(Terry and I each need one... to remind each other!)

Sign of Spring

My favourite reading chair is next to a window  overlooking a hedge...

This is what the hedge looked like during a January snowstorm...

A month later, the sun has begun to eat away at the packed snow on top.

Day by day, with stronger rays, the sun continues to chip away at the stubborn snow...

Once all this snow is gone, for me, it will mark the beginning of spring!

Birthday Bouquets!

A few days ago, my son who lives nearby dropped in with several bouquets of birthday flowers...

They were from him and Terry, as well as family members who live out of town.

I was able to fill several vases.. They’re all so beautiful!

Last year, I was able to celebrate my birthday with more family members around... At the time we had no idea how drastically life would change just a few weeks later when people in Ontario began to socially isolate.

Since we still can’t do much visiting, the flowers were a very special gift on my 75th birthday!

Snow Toy

Terry has been using a snow blower for years, but this year the starter isn’t working, so he’s been shovelling by hand. Fortunately, we haven’t had as much snow as last year.

Recently my aunt sent me this picture of my Uncle Ron’s “snow toy.” They live in western Canada, in a mountain valley where the climate is dry.

Their snow even looks different from our snow! Theirs looks like tiny specks of snow granules, compared to the heavy snow we get in Ontario.

Maybe we should get you one of these, I suggested to Terry...

I don’t think it’s powerful enough for the amount of snow we get, he replied...

Do they come in bigger sizes? I wonder...

I’d like him to have as much fun with the snow as my uncle is having!