What’s This?!!

There have been bear sightings in Ottawa’s west end.

In our neighbourhood, we have animals, too.

But, fortunately, the only new one I’ve noticed in our yard recently is this black cat - one that I suspect is hunting either mice or birds!

Colourful 🍁 Leaves

One of the prettiest parts of our yard these days is our wire fence covered with vines.

I hate to disturb it - and for many years, I let it be. But soon - before all the colourful leaves disappear - I plan to cut them back.

If I don’t, they spread… to trees. They’ve even grown up into the hedge in our back yard. Now they’re climbing on poles and wires. So Terry and I now cut them back every year.

Pottery Class

Today I head off to the pottery studio again. Hopefully this week some of my current projects will be dry enough to go into the kiln room. We cover them with plastic for a few weeks so they’ll dry slowly. Otherwise the clay cracks.

Last week, I enjoyed seeing the last of my glazed vessels from 3 years ago come out of the kiln. I made them before Covid - but they weren’t glazed. I discovered them when I was preparing for this current session - so, my first week back was spent glazing them.

Pray…

Someone I know - who does not profess any religious faith - recently sent me this news release from the governor of Utah, dated June 2021:

For Canadians, whose politicians rarely mention religion, it was strange that a political leader would ask citizens to pray... even if it was to pray for rain in the midst of s drought.

Did it rain?? I asked.

I don't know, was the reply.

I'll try to find out, I wrote back.

How?

Google!

So I googled: rain in Utah, July 2021

Soon I was able to send my friend not only the results...

(Lots of rain!)

But also even a picture...

Pumpkin Cookies

I recently came across an old cookie recipe - a family favourite - from back when my children were 2,4 and 6.

It was on a handout I received at a pumpkin-patch field trip, when my older son was in kindergarten.

I made the cookies from time to time when the kids were young. They were popular with the family. Then I misplaced the recipe. So I haven't made it in years. The recipe, which calls for 4 cups of flour plus 2 cups of oats, makes a large batch At one time, a recipe that made dozens of cookies was a bonus! Now, with only 2 of us in the house, not so much.  I plan to freeze most of them.

Before I make a dessert recipe these days, I estimate the flour to sugar ratio. I tend to avoid  recipes where there is more sugar than flour. But this one passed the ratio test by far! I also reduced the total sugar from 3 cups to 2.

They were fun to make - and to snack on. But most will be stored in the freezer for another day!

Mini Basketball Court

My daughter's apartment building has a small basketball court.

It's part of their fitness centre.

I'm not sure if it's big enough to play one-on-one. But it is big enough for Terry to practice and have fun!

New Sweater

I'm knitting another sweater from a pattern I bought online.

The resemblance to old hoodie - with comfortable pockets - attracted me to the pattern. 

I'm at the point of completing the pockets. 

Interesting that I should see similar pockets in a store at the mall.

Now … on to the sleeves. I hope I like it when it's done!