The Squamidian Report – Apr. 23 / 16
Issue #726
Including:
The Ontarion
Hi All,
We had to endure a 3-day heat wave this past week. On Wednesday,
Squamish posted the highest temperature in Canada, 31C. That was way
too hot and very hard on the snowpack up in the hills. We need that
snow. Its our summer water supply. Wednesday, that hottest of hot days,
was also the day I found myself playing a music gig out on the upper
deck at the gondola. It was just a 2 hr gig covering the lunch time but
wow was it hot. They had set up a tent roof to keep the sun off but the
heat reflected in off the deck making if feel like a microwave oven. It
surprised me how many people endured the direct sun and sat there
listening. I had basically put the heat out of my mind as best I could
and focused on my task at hand and made it through. It wasn't until I
was done and started packing up my equipment that I realized just how
beat from the heat I was. I was exhausted. But thats how those things
go, you take what you get and do your best.
And then, by Friday, we were turning up the heat in the house and
putting sweaters back on. The rains had moved in and the temp had
dropped way down, all the way to 'normal'. Whats up with that? Ever
notice that when you get a few hot days, the normal days feel cold. Oh
well, we need the rain. That heat had dried things out pretty badly.
Anyway, we are now getting a few days of cool wet weather and thats a
good thing. The skunk cabbage in the swamps is coming into bloom and
that means the bears will have some natural food to eat. The wild
blueberries up in the high country is blossoming, the flickers are
pecking the heck out of people houses, the streets and sidewalks are
covered in pink blossoms that have fallen from the cherry trees, the
federal dock out at the water front that burned down last spring is in
the process of being rebuilt, we've already enjoyed a fresh rhubarb pie
and there is another one in the near future, Willow plays with the
puppy down the street like she was a young puppy herself instead of
being the old dog she is, my shoes are warn out and I need to buy a new
pair to replace them, the gondola retail department doesn't have any
sun hats in my size, our cordless electric lawnmower that we bought
last year works great, and my Martin guitar loves to be played in
public. That about sums things up.
doug
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THE ONTARION REPORT
Hello everyone!
We’ve been enjoying some beautiful weather for the past week or more
but it’s coming to an end. The next 4 days will be smitten with
scattered showers and cooler temperatures but I guess we have to have
some moisture to keep spring’s sprouts sprouting! That’s ok, but it
never fails that when I get busy, things around the house tend to start
needing attention as well. Our lawn is in dire need of a mowing and
it’s once again the greenest lawn on the block. I guess that’s what we
get for fertilizing so regularly and on the recommended dates each
spring, summer and fall. Oh well, what else do I have to do other than
keep up with the upkeep of things around the home. Retirement isn’t
really all leisure time, it’s just an arrangement of different things
to keep you busy once you no longer work at a regular job! No
complaints here though, just some observations on how things are going
so far this spring! I’m sure you remember my description of the ice
damage to our lovely White Birch tree a few weeks ago, well I’ve got a
spin off problem with that section that was snapped off about 20 feet
up. Since the large branch broke under the weight of the ice, I’ve had
water gushing out of that broken branch. It’s continually dripping off
the break and onto the branches below and they are dripping like a cold
shower onto the lawn below. I was unable to reach the base of that
branch to cut it off flat and there is still about a 2’ long splinter
sticking up from what was the base of the branch. It’s about 5 or so
inches in diameter and what doesn’t drip directly off the remainder of
the break, runs like Niagara falls down the side of the trunk below.
I’d appreciate it if any of my fellow Squamidians could enlighten me as
to how to stop the flow from this broken branch. I’m afraid I’m going
to lose this lovely tree if I don’t do something soon! I’m thinking I
may have to get an extension ladder so I can reach the spot more easily
and climb up to it and make another straight cut off the stub of this
branch. Perhaps there is some sort of tar or other substance that would
stop the flow of the liquid once the cut spot is coated with it but I’m
not sure about that! Anyway, if you happen to have any advice for me on
solving the problem, please drop me a note with said advice!
As per usual, spring brings along a
whole load of tasks that are needed to be looked after when one has
flower and shrub gardens to tend to not to mention the cleaning and
draining of the back yard pond. Last year I didn’t get it cleaned up
before the end of the season and consequently this spring it’s a total
mess! I’m going to have to spend at least a whole day and maybe more
just cleaning the green guck etc that’s floating on top of the stagnant
water. Of course it means draining it completely as well as pressure
washing the pond once it’s empty. I really don’t mind doing it every
spring and fall but I am sorry I was remiss in my duties last October!
Oh well, live and learn as I always say! I didn’t hurt anybody but
myself by being lazy last fall and figuring it was no big deal leaving
that project over the winter! Just means I have a bigger job now that
the weather is getting nicer!
The other day we noticed a rat creeping along
the rocks surrounding the pond and he took his time moving along the
base of the fence before disappearing behind the large rocks that make
up what was the water fall surrounding the back side of the pond. I
very quickly went to the shed and took out a brand spanking new rattrap
that I was saving just for such an occasion. I pasted a nice blob of
peanut butter on the trigger of the trap and placed it in a spot beside
the pond where I figured the rat would find it and that would be the
end of Mr. Rat! I was out for the day after placing the trap and when I
got home, Carole told me she watched from the kitchen window as a cute
little chipmunk sat quietly beside the trap and licked the trigger
clean of peanut butter without so much as even wiggling the trap! He
sure must have a tongue of dexterity to be able to clean it off
completely without setting off the spring! He’s lucky indeed that his
little head wasn’t severed by one quick snap of that very strong trap!
I had a tough time even holding the spring open so as to set the trap
in the first place! I’m quite certain he was taking his life in his
hands (or tongue) with every lick of that tasty brown goo! Guess I’ll
just have to load the trap with something that appeals more to a rat
than a chipmunk! Maybe a chunk of summer sausage or a piece of rotten
chicken meat! Anyway, putting up a tiny sign saying “Rats ONLY!” likely
wouldn’t do the trick so the next try may just lessen the chipmunk
population by one around here!
That’s about it for this week folks!
Thanks for tuning in and I’ll look forward to talking to you all again next week in The Ontarion Report!
Bye for now … Greg
Something To Think About>
Don’t judge folks by their relatives!
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Have a good one..
the doug
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