|
The
Squamidian Report – May 22 / 21
Online Versions Of This And Past Issues (Choose the year and then the date for the online issue you want) Issue
#991 From Russ From BC Sue The Ontarion
Hi All, I think we may have created a generation of welfare birds, welfare humming birds to be precise. First off, we made the mistake of keeping our humming bird feeders out all winter and were therefore stuck with having to keep the feeders functional for the hummers. Once the cold weather set in they were dependent, on us. So, spring came, the hummers paired up and produced more hummers. The young ones have had our feeders at their disposal right from the beginning and regardless of how much natural food there is for them, regardless of how many flowers and blossoms are available, they just keep coming to the feeders. They have not gone out and gotten a proper job, nor have they learned to make a living doing what they are supposed to do. They just head for the feeders, fighting each other for possession. They tend to be very territorial so there are constant bickering’s between the little critters. They not only keep chasing each other away, they try to chase us away. For something the size of your baby finger, they have very over-blown egos and seem perfectly willing to take on any thing or any body. At least it’s entertaining. Generally, spring time brings allergies, specifically, pollen allergies. And they can be relentlessness and make life miserable. This spring hasn’t been too bad at all, at least for me and perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I’ve given up on most store-bought allergy remedies and have gone to nature’s most natural medicine… honey. Not just any honey but ‘forest’ honey. You see, there are many kinds of honey, good and not so good. The ‘not so good’ is the crap you buy in grocery stores and may be cut with corn syrup, and definitely is processed to the point where any of the good stuff in it is long gone. We have a local honey producer with hives in the Upper Squamish Valley. Their honey is pure, raw, and unprocessed. The only thing they do to it is filter it to remove the bugs, twigs, and other unwanted items. Some of their hives are up in on the mountain slopes in the forrest and the bees harvest the tree pollens, thus the ‘forest’ honey. The natural tree pollen in the forest honey helps you build up your resistance to tree pollen. It seems to work. As well, honey is one on natures wonders with all sorts of other benefits so it helps with all sorts of issues. And the flavor is incredible, its wild, sharp and amazing. Then there is their ‘flower’ honey, where the hives are down in the meadows. The bees from these hives produce a different honey with a different shade of golden and a different taste. They go even further, with hives in different areas where different pollen sources are available, creating other different honeys. Pretty cool, eh? And to make it even cooler, this ties in with this weeks music because there is a line in the song that goes “there is a taste of time sweetened honey”, although I really don’t know if ‘time’ would actually sweeten honey but thats how the lyrics go. And on the note, for this week I’ve readied a video of ‘Seven Bridges Road’. Now the thing is, this is a song I had done an audio version of for that last CD I handed out around Christmas to anyone who wanted one. Therefore, logic says some of you may have heard the audio version already. Thats ok, it can always be heard again. The thing with this particular audio version is, I has 6 part harmony in it (most songs I record have 4 parts). The harmonies are very close, they have to be because I have a rather short, limited vocal range so it was challenging. The video version is just one of my as per usual, bare bones and as basic as it can be. So, have fun, enjoy. Audio
Version
From CD Video
Version doug ****
From Russ Bits & pieces I promise I won’t talk about medical problems, except to mention I was to see my chiropodist yesterday. She’s a lady of mature age who knows her stuff when it comes to foot-care. Her ‘bedside manner’ is something else – she’s blunt, but ‘to-the-point’; I hadn’t seen her since November 2020, due to COVID-19 ‘Lock-downs’ - was trying to care for my own feet, wearing the wrong shoes, and eating too many ‘oatmeal-chocolate’ cookies! She really ‘came down hard’ on me – I’ll be 92 tomorrow, and I’m not used to being scolded since 2010, when my wife of 57 long years proved very good at it. Prior to that, was the time I was 8, and starting a new school, when I lead the whole gang out of the school-house during the ‘morning march’! That infuriated the lady teacher who not only scolded me in front of the whole school (probably 14 kids), but sat me on a stool, and plunked a “Dunce cap” on my little pointed head! I’m uncomfortable with being scolded, now that I’m “grown up”. ** For the past 2 months the VON has come to my home twice weekly to care for a pair of ulcers I’ve been raising (or rearing) for several years – one on my heel, the other on my ‘toush’. The ‘Boss-lady’ of the nurses was here a while ago to check on the progress of my ‘wounds’. She sort of scolded me also – “You know, your heel will not heal as long as you keep walking”. Huh? She went on – “Your butt will never heal as long as you keep sitting”. Huh! Now, I ask you, what 4-legged animal neither walks nor sits?
You were meant to both walk, and to sit” God.
Well – got to get off my butt and walk to the kitchen, and have some lunch. My ‘Medical Team’ still allows me to eat – but, must avoid Coffee. Bananas. Rice. Cheese. Red meat. Oatmeal-chocolate cookies.
PS Glad I’m old – can’t put-up with these restrictions for long.
Uncle Russ. ****
From BC Sue
So how are you spending your time during the “lockdowns and circuit breakers”? Doug and I head to McDonald’s “Drive thru” most mornings for a coffee and sometime we bring treats from home as I often bake Cranberry Orange or Chocolate Chip Muffins, Butter Tarts etc on a regular basis. We then head to the Oceanfront, a vacant area where locals go, including us to watch the marine life, including seals and huge sea lions. There are usually stand up paddle boarders hard at work paddling into the “Sound.” When Kyra and Olivia are here for a visit, we bring kites for them to fly (there is always lots of wind in the morning) and sand toys so the girls can wade in the water and dig in the sand on the beach as well as climb the huge tree roots that are beached by the waves. It is a very peaceful place to go. 
Sue **** From The Shores of Lake Huron - Port Elgin
Greetings everyone well another week has past, somehow I lost all track of days last week and woke up last Saturday morning and realized is had totally missed getting my input into Doug the week. I either forgot or maybe its getting older that was the problem. I am not sure how many out there know about last years water levels on Lake Huron. In all the years I have been coming up to a trailer or since I have moved up here have I seen the levels that the lake had reached last year. Down at the harbour at the launch ramp the water was very close to the flat parking level of the lot. In fact with certain winds the level of the harbour level would raise to spill on the parking area. Hundreds of miles of shoreline was damaged by the massive wave action from the extremely high winds we had . There were areas where cottages were in jeopardy as the shore line was eroded way. This sounds like stuff that should be left behind with last year but amazingly this year the water level has receded about 14 to 16 inch's. I can tell by the launch ramp comparison. The thing that is mind boggling is to where can that much water go with the size of Lake Huron. Fortunately we are getting our beaches in the area back , and the shore line is getting a break this year. There is a bike and walking trail along the North shore between Port Elgin and Southampton that had received massive damage to the point , that because people use it so much ,they were contemplating closing one lane of the road until proper repairs could be completed, That would have totally been a real pain in the tush, it didn’t happen but they spent thousands of dollars on just shoring up the shore line enough to keep it place . I assume they will re pave the areas of the paved walking and bike path this year with new asphalt. Well enough for this week so everyone have a great week and stay safe and if you haven’t had your first shot of the vaccine hopefully soon. Brian ****
THE ONTARION REPORT
Hello everyone! I’m back in the swim of things once again after 5 weeks of total dysfunction due to the terrible bout of “Shingles” I endured with the help from Carole and Adam who saw me through the entire ordeal. But before I go any further, I want to extend my sympathies to Sherry Kibbler and her family for the loss of her loving husband Paul! I’m sure he will be greatly missed throughout the Squid Family as well! * The remnants of this virus will be with me for another few weeks so the doctor says. It takes about 8 to 10 weeks to rid the average person of the effects of this virus totally. The side of my head and face neck and left ear still feel like needle pricks every time I or anything touches them. I hope that sensation will be gone soon so I can feel totally back to my normal self again! For the most part, I’m feeling lot better than when I was laid up with the main barrage of this virus. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy! Oh well, it’s pretty much over now and I’m happy to be mobile once again. I’ve even cut the grass once and worked opening the pond for this year so things are looking up! Carole and I managed to take a little drive in the MGB yesterday in the heat of summer that we’ve been having for a few days now and it felt like total freedom once again! I’m sure that was only the first of many enjoyable outings we’ll have this summer in the MG after being cooped up for over a year now. That’s not to say we’re going to act as if this Covid 19 virus problem doesn’t still exist, but at least we can feel some what protected since receiving our first shot of the anti viral Phieser and we are booked for our second shot on July 13th. We of course will still observe all the health directions and do all the right things to keep ourselves and others safe from the Covid virus! It’s just that we can now at least get out of the house when we feel the need! Speaking of houses, after last year when the cat or whatever destroyed the nest that the Robins always build on the small shelf on our back wall overlooking the patio, Carole had removed what was left of the nest and the little decorative watering can that it was built in! She decided to just mount the watering can on the wall without the shelf so maybe the Robins would return this year. Without the shelf, the cat or other predators would have nothing to cling to to reach the nest. Lo and behold, didn’t the Robins come back this spring and nest in the little can once again. That was about 5 weeks ago when I first got sick and the 3 eggs they laid have already hatched and the babies are gone just the other day! How nice that they came back and were successful this year with raising their family! Then, just yesterday, another pair of Robins (or maybe the same ones, who knows?) started to rebuild that same nest so it looks like we’ll have a second set of Robins again this year. How cool is that?!! It’s nice to be able to enjoy both our patio as well as mother nature in your own back yard. We still have a variety of birds enjoying the seeds from the feeder as well and it’s interesting to watch them coming and going all day long. Although they seem to be on a time schedule as well. They are there first thing in the morning then there is a lull in the frequency, then they are back at noon as well as around supper each day. It’s amazing how regular they are! The Cardinals have stopped coming so much with the exception of a few that drop in once in a while! * On another note, we have a reason to celebrate this week as it is Russ’ birthday once again! He’s an amazing man and has become a good friend to me! I like to think we keep in touch more than the usual pen pals since we find each other interesting to talk with and write to! So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUSS! It was the 21st which was yesterday by the time everyone reads this report that his birthday happened! I will only say this about his age, “Gee, how many candles can one cake hold without setting off the smoke detectors?” LOL! Hey Russ, we all hope you have many more happy birthdays to celebrate with us whether we can get together for the occasion or not, you know we are all happy and thinking of you on you special day! * While sitting on the front porch enjoying the afternoon sun, we couldn’t help but notice how many people are walking dogs these days. Since the pandemic is keeping folks close to home, I guess people are buying dogs to keep them exercising and within blocks of their houses while the lockdown is in effect! There seem to be many more than usual dog walkers passing our house. They all tend to pass our house and then turn down the pathway on the Hydro right of way behind us. I guess they must think it’s a bylaw free zone where they don’t have to worry about someone like a bylaw officer chastising them or giving them a ticket for not picking up after their Dogs! Yesterday while out front blowing all the seed pods from our huge birch tree off the lawn, a big black Cadi SUV pulled up on the street across from our driveway and too close to the corner to park, I might add and the driver got out and looked around suspiciously. Once he seemed to see the coast was clear, he opened the back door of the Cadi and let the biggest black dog out of the car. I don’t know the breed of the dog but he was one of those black and tan dogs they always show in the “Devil Dog” type movies! The owner then hesitated when he saw Carole and I out front and he turned and opened the door once again to take out a doggie poop bag. I thought at that point he might have had a twinge of decency about walking his dog for a poop and being a good citizen. I had never seen this man before but clearly he didn’t want to be seen walking his big dog and not picking up after it in his own neighbourhood! He then walked the dog to the Hydro right of way and down the path they went. I was still out front when an hour later he returned with the dog and NO POOP BAG in hand! I was tempted to leave a note on his windshield telling him to be sure to pick up after his monster dog but didn’t really want a confrontation after he returned. After all, the hydro right of way isn’t a dog park with a free for all “Poop and leave it” rule! If your dog has to do his business be a responsible owner and clean up his or her mess! OR, let your pet poop in your own neighbourhood! In the past, I’ve gone so far as to take an empty plastic bag out to a person walking their dog by my house when I’ve seen them let their pet poop and get ready to walk away without picking up their mess! So far I haven’t been punched in the face for being that protective of my property but you never know when you might approach the wrong person and they will take offence to being told to clean up after their pet! Just one of my pet peeves so the lesson is “Don’t let your dog poop on other peoples property and not pick up after it!” Well, that’s about it for this week folks! Happy to be back and happy for the participation we’ve had submitted to the Squamidian while I’ve been gone! Please keep on sending those stories in o Doug! Bye for now and Thank you all for tuning in! 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> Be safe! **** Take
Care
And Be Safe |
