Issue #941
Including:

From Russ
The Ontarion

Hi All,

Damm raccoons. We couldn’t figure out why our hummingbird feeders were always empty and there was sticky residue on the deck railings and floor. They didn’t leak or anything. They’d be fine all day but the next morning they’d be empty with a big sticky mess below. Then one morning when I went to put some seeds out for the non-humming birds, there was a big old raccoon sitting on the rail by a feeder. It had been batting the feeder with it’s paw, causing the sugar water to run out. It would then lick up the sweet water. It wasn’t at all interested in being chased away. I swung at it with a broom several times. It would retreat as far as the neighbor’s back lawn where it would wait for me to go back into the house then right back it would come. That’s frustrating. Those critters are strong, smart and not something you want deciding to stand it’s ground.

So, I stopped in at the local CTC and picked up a slingshot. Can’t shoot a gun off even if I had one because we are on a quiet street in a town. That would get me in some trouble. But, I don’t have a gun but did need some solution. A slingshot might be just the thing. You can get a bag of steel ball bearings to use as ammunition, or, you can get a bag of little wooden balls that wouldn’t be as hard on the neighbor’s house’s siding should I miss hitting the ‘coon when trying to nail it with the slingshot. I got the wooden ammunition. I wouldn’t hurt as much but all I really want to do is convince it to go somewhere else.

Well, next morning bright and early I headed out to sprinkle some bird seed and to check the hummingbird feeders and guess what? No raccoon. No raccoon damage. The silly thing had not come back. Perhaps we has scared it off with the broom. Perhaps it had heard we now have a slingshot. If that’s the case, it doesn’t know that I couldn’t hit the side of a bard with the darn thing. Oh well, whatever, a deterrent is just that, not matter why it works.

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I’ve made an interesting discovery about my new truck….it has heated seats that are much more useful than for just warming up the old butt. I’ve never had heated seats before and kind of thought they were just a gimick. Given my age etc I tend to wake up some mornings with a stiff sore back. Well, turns out if you turn the seat heating setting to high and go for a nice drive it’s just like laying on a heating pad but more interesting. The lumbar support section helps get that heat right where it’s needed. By the time you get to where you are going your back is fine and pain free. Life is good.

doug

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From Russ

Too hot -too muggy-too soon!

We’ve been enjoying/not enjoying a heat-wave here in Southern Ontario for well over a week, so for my morning ride on the ‘not-so-trusty’ 3-wheeler, I dressed/undressed for the occasion; shorts and short-sleeve top, Tilley hat, and sunglasses. About 20 minutes from home, the dark clouds moved in, the sun went out, the wind came gusting in from the north, my bony knees produced goose-bumps! What the > !! Suddenly, the humidity is gone and it’s quite chilly!

Making a ‘beeline’ for home I change into longs and put on a pot of coffee – I need something hot! How quickly the weather can change when living beside Lake Huron. (Excuse me while I take a sip. Ahhh.) Nothing like a cup of hot coffee to warm one up on a cool, May day.

Most of the older roads around this part of Point Clark are gravel; mucky in our mild winters and wet springs, soggy after every heavy rainfall, and ‘impassible’ right after they’re graded. Some of the year-round residents want them paved, others don’t. Those who don’t, like the rustic look of the narrow, winding trails through the bush. Me too. Call me selfish, but gravel roads can be dangerous; loose, coarse gravel can cause a bike to slide out of control – just ask my wife. (but, no, you can’t) She ‘wiped-out’ on one such road, falling and skidding along on her elbow and knee, leaving her ‘ground-off’ skin to dry all alone on the gravel road surface. She wouldn’t ride on gravel roads – ever again! And I was thrown into a ditch breaking some ribs last year. The road-grader had left a ridge of gravel (which had become hard as concrete) which threw me off balance and down I went. Pot-holes are a constant threat while driving on gravel roads with a bike.

Some residents approached Huron-Kinloss Council requesting a portion of gravel roads adjoining their properties to be paved – and they were ‘listened-to’. I now have a fine place to ride. If you don’t mind, I’m going to ask you not to read the next paragraph.

The law does not require me to wear a helmet, so I don’t. Picture this:

With 7 speeds, this reckless old man can reach speeds that would make your eyes water(mine do). Soon after River Road was paved, I was coming down a significant grade, approaching the intersection of St. Arnaud Street when my rear brake failed! What to do? I’m rapidly gaining speed. Should I attempt to apply my front brake? It certainly works – but only TOO well!! At this speed it could cause the bike to go ass over teakettle!! The thought ran through my mind that I might have to jump off the bike and take my chances on not being too badly hurt!

Many years ago this same reckless guy was ‘showing-off’ for his wife and granddaughter, riding his 3-wheeler down a paved road, going too fast, and coming upon a steep downhill grade – gaining speed – the road turning left – me trying to slow down for the curve – applying the front brake as the rear brake would only pull me off the road and into some large, unfriendly trees – when the front wheel brake snapped, leaving no way to slow my reckless downhill speed, and me not wearing a helmet! Having no other choice, I jump! Sliding first on my heels, then on my bottom, then doing a few perfect somersaults. Only broken bone – my little finger.

Now, I’m faced with the same decision, as we speed, out of control:

To jump, or not to jump. I’ve only a split second to decide – my right hand has a ‘death-grip’ on the useless right brake-handle, while I timidly squeeze the left which lets out a SCREAM you could hear for ever! Using the same principle as when attempting to stop a car on slippery road surfaces – pumping the brake – not braking hard! Thank God, I slowed-down enough to stop before entering the intersection.

Martin, the bike repair guy is coming tomorrow morning.

Reckless Uncle Russ.

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THE ONTARION REPORT

Hello everyone!

Well, our baby Robins out back were attacked earlier this week and Carole found their remains strewn on the patio. The nest was also destroyed and when Adam set up his go pro camera to watch the patio he was able to capture a video of a rusty coloured cat prowling the back yard and also jumping up onto the cabinet below the ledge where the nest had been. He was obviously checking to see if there were any more baby birds for his breakfast! A few days after the raid out back, the nest out front was cleaned out by some vicious critter as well. It was likely a squirrel since the nest was three quarters of the way up the side wall of the garage on a planter. It’s most likely that a squirrel was able to climb the brick wall to access the nest. It’s too bad that both families of Robins were destroyed but I guess that Mother Nature at it’s normal happening! We’ve decided not to allow the Robins to nest in either spot again after this sad happening. Maybe if they nest in one of our trees next year the predators won’t find them so easily! The nest out front did not contain baby birds but the three eggs that were being tended by the mother Robin were taken completely since there were no remnants of egg shell in the nest or on the concrete below the nest. We’ve removed the nest and hopefully the Robins will be able to build in a safer spot before the season is over this year. Adam invested in a live trap to try to capture the Rusty cat that attacked the Robins out back. If he is successful in catching the roving cat, he’ll take it to the Humane Society and hopefully the Society will fine the owner for letting their cat run free! Maybe that’ll teach them a lesson! I guess that will only happen if the cat has some form of ID on a tag or on a tattoo. Other wise the Society will have to either find it a new home or euthanize the poor critter!

It’s not the cat’s fault that it’s been allowed to run free so it’s unfortunate that the animal has to suffer the consequences!

That’s about all I have for this week folks!Thanks for tuning in and I’ll look forward to talking to you all again next time in The Ontarion Report!

Bye for now … Greg

PS: Something To Think About>If you’re a pet owner, please don’t allow your pet to run free! Especially if it’s a cat!

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