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The
Squamidian Report – Feb. 3 / 24
Online
Versions
Of This And Past Issues Issue
#1132 Nova Scotia Sus Russ Doug
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From Nova Scotia Sus
Winter has finally hit us with a good punch. Blowing and drifting snow for the last couple of days. I haven't seen drifting like that in awhile. When it finally subsided we got out to look around. Both our front door and back entrances to our house were blocked in with waist high drifts. Luckily the doors open in so we could shovel our way out.
We were prepared for this as our shovels were in the front and back porches ready to go. The snow was heavy so every step took 2 or three shovel fulls. Getting to the chicken coop was another battle. All the while I was wondering where my snow shoes were. Obviously we weren't that prepared for the snowstorm. Meanwhile Dave was out with the tractor blowing out the lane. When it was all done everything looked like a picture postcard. More snow is predicted for tomorrow...hopefully not a big one.
Before the big snowstorm my neices and nephew had shoveled off the pond and were getting some good skate time in....now I can't imagine they will be up to removing that amount of snow. I gave up skating years ago when I took a fall. Lucky for me no injuries but it scared me into trying it again. I remember Grandma Brubacher skating on their pond pushing a chair in front of her for support. Also giving her a nice seat to rest on. I have thought about trying that.
I will get out my cross country skis because the conditions are perfect now. If I fall it will be a soft landing.
Sus ****
From Russ
Gone.
Gone from my house, but not from my heart. It was like a week on a cruise ship; terrific exotic food, free drinks and friendly people coming and going. Calgaryans are a 'breed unto their own', they stay up late, eat late, and enjoy the "bubbly". To them, life is one big party! Them,being my son and his wife, my granddaughter and her husband. They pressured me to come and live with them - it was tempting, but my "roots" are deep in Point Clark. I'm happier here and now, than I've ever been in my life!
Why am I so happy here, you ask? I count my blessings often because I have an excellent health team - mostly they come to my home, which I appreciate, as I no longer drive and there's no public transit in Bruce County. My other son and his wife live in Ripley which is just 10 Km away. They are my 'official' care-givers and take that responsibility seriously,; driving me everywhere I need to go; shopping, banking, medical clinic and hospitals both near and far. (and I have a bunch!) Without Bettie and Greg, I would have to live in a home - and I'm too young-at-heart to be among the 'forgotten'. I have a lady friend who is confined to a 'long-term care facility' in Walkerton, Ontario, about an hour's drive from here. I haven't seen her in two years, she's beginning to 'lose it'. We communicate by phone - I call her every Sunday, and she calls me Wednesdays (provided she doesn't forget what day it is). The home she's in is a Grade C facility - the cheapest one her mean daughter could find. She never visits nor phones. My daughter-in-law, Bettie has driven me to visit Theresa, who is 'just a kid (age 93) on several occasions years ago, and we almost gagged at the smell of urine when we walked in. Bettie says she will visit only when its warm outside and we can breath. I will say one thing about this run-down long term care home - it has lovely grounds - park-like - flowers & trees, ponds and fountains, and we bring Theresa her favourite - McDonald's coffee & donuts. She loves to sit in the shade and chat. She's still quite 'sharp' and has a great sense of humour. Maybe we will be able to visit poor Theresa in the spring. Hoping she is still 'with it and still alive.
By Uncle Russ (a slaphappy pappy) ****
From Me
How’s it going…..eh?
As many of you know, we’ve finally had our monkey tree removed. I wanted it gone when we moved here 22 years ago. Sue didn’t. Problem is, it just kept on growing, at a rate of about a foot and a half a year, to the point where it became way too big and tall and it started dropping very sharp needle shaped seeds that landed in the grass and flower bed and were down right dangerous. So, we contacted several tree removal companies and had one of them remove the tree for us. 20 years ago I could have done it myself but not now cause like I said, it got way too big. The crew that took it down had the right equipment and the right know-how. It was a pretty cool looking, unique tree and now its gone. Because of its sharp spines, it was dangerous, and now its gone. By the ring count it appeared to be about 40 years old with a butt diameter of 24 inches and I’m happy to say its gone.
Here they are getting ready to tackle the tree
The climber had to work his way up, removing branches and avoiding impalement.
De-limbing very carefully.
Almost to the top, getting ready to ‘top’ it.
Last of the branches removed before topping and then working his way down.
Just about done, the stump was cut flush with the ground, the stump and roots will disappear over time.
The final ending, notice the sticky sap starting to ooze out. This tree had been growing all winter.
* And now in case you are still reading…..
After falling through the cracks a year ago, and then having to cancel and rebook due to last month’s snowstorm, I finally had cataract surgery on my right eye. The left is scheduled for the 22nd. Everyone that I’d talked to said it was a piece of cake. That’s not what I experienced. I’ve had root canals that were way more pleasant. When its time for the other eye I’m going to request a few more drops of the stuff they drop into your eye to make them numb in hopes of it not being so uncomfortable. However, the ‘new’ eye is coming along quite nicely now. Just think, someday soon I’ll be able to see the stars again.
Doug ****
Have
a
Good One ****
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