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>>>Issue #1099<<<

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Russ

Nova Scotia Sus

The Ontarion

Hey There,

For convenience and clarity, I’ve come to refer to my Harley as the ‘big bike’, and the Enfield as the ‘little bike’. That sort of suites. The Harley weights a bit over 500 lbs and the Enfield a bit over 400 lbs. The Harley boasts a 1200cc engine that pumps out way more power than I could ever need or use, and the Enfield has a little 411cc engine that manages just over 24hp on a good day. The Enfield is however quite a bit taller than the Harley so it doesn’t look smaller to the casual observer, but it is. By the way, don’t let the small amount of horse power bother you, that bike is pretty spunky and torquey. The two bikes are simply very different with different purposes and intensions.

Anyway, it was time to take the Enfield in for it’s first service. The first service must be done at the dealer for warentee purposes. I think thats total ‘bull’ but all dealerships, be they car, truck, or bike require the unit to come in for the first one. After that, I can do my own oil changes etc if I decide to, which I may or may not, depending on my mood at the time. The biggest problem with taking the Enfield in was the fact that the dealer is down in the city which meant high speed highway riding in heavy city traffic. Down the ‘cut’ and over the bridge and through the tunnel can be rather stressful at the best of times let alone on a small engined motorcycle, so, I elected to take the bike in on the back of my truck. Thats the way that bike came home the first time so both the truck and the bike were certainly ok with that. We loaded the Enfield up the day before, and then on the day the service was scheduled for we took her in. The dealer had a nice loading ramp and a very tall, strong young man who simply walked the bike down the ramp and off the truck. He was tall enough that he just stepped up onto the tail gate, grabbed the bike by the handle bars and stepped back off and onto the ground. I couldn’t have done that if my life had depended on it. Re-loading the bike after the service was done was just as simple. He walked the bike back up the ramp like it was a toy. Cool. That was the easiest unloading and loading I’ve ever had done.

Up to that point I had only ridden that bike around town and up the forest roads. Now, with the first service done I have no issues at all heading up the highway on it. In fact, thats what I did the following day, I rode the Enfield down to Horseshoe Bay. I must confess I was not all that sure how the little engine would handle our steep long hills on our mountain highway but it did just fine. In fact, I was quite impressed. No problem keeping up with traffic, no problem with the Furry Creek hill and so on. And, 90 miles to the gallon is pretty easy to live with. So, now the only problem is trying to give each bike equal attention so neither feels left out or lonely or jealous.

*

Last week I posted my audio version of the Jonathan Edwards song that I learned from cousin Warren way back when. The link to it had somehow failed as you probably know and so I had sent out a revised link that did work. It’s all just part of the game of uploading to a web site, managing a web site and so on. Anyway, and to carry on, I’ve managed to do a video version of the same song (meaning Sue was out in the yard puttering in her flower beds so the house was quiet). This link below should take you to that video, bare bones, just me and my guitar, should you be so inclined. Actually, it should take you there whether you are interested or not. Some prefer the video’s, some the audio’s. Life is like that. So, here is this second last week’s musical interlude, enjoy.

Blind Man
(video version)

doug

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From Russ

Peter C. onward.

For those of you who read my weekly 'trivia'> Marie got her way - Rudy's tew.

"I didn't need to hear that !" exclaimed Peter. He went on, "How could they eat their own pet?". They didn't - Mac and Marie found a new home for Rudy where, as the new owners said, "Your rabbit will be deliciously comfortable with us".

*

Deer are a common sight here in the Point - we see them crossing the roads - deer and drivers ignoring the "DEER CROSSING" signs posted everywhere - it's no wonder many are hit by motorists. Some deer survive, but most are killed. On my daily bike-rides we come eye-to-eye frequently, and as long as I keep moving along the deer simply look at me. A human predator on a quiet bike is no threat until I stop - then, they simply walk off.

An adult doe has been 'hanging around' my place for a few months, nibbling a bit of grass here, eating an occasional flower bud there, lying down to rest - feeling very much "at home". Is she thinking about raising a family nearby?

Last week I was thrilled to see twin fawn calves in my back yard sniffing every leaf, playfully jumping around, enjoying life for the first time. They were 3 to 4 months - still with white spots on their backs and sides. I was within a few yards observing these beautiful creatures who apparently had no fear of me (not a good thing!) Mother was nowhere in sight, but you could be sure she was keeping close watch on her precious, new babies. As they made their way along the property line, heading toward the front yard, I went inside to continue enjoying watching nature's miracle, but the fawns were not there - likely mother 'called' them into the 'jungle' next door where they'd be safe.

You're looking sad, why so glum-chum? asked Peter C.

The next part of my story is very sad, and I don't know if you want to hear another sad story today?

Try me!

Here goes> A day or two after watching the fawns, I was at the kitchen sink and saw a doe followed by only 'one' fawn! She was limping, and the fur on her right shoulder was ripped exposing an ugly, bleeding wound! Shall I go on?

NO! ...Yes, what happened to her and where is her other baby?

I wish I knew, Peter - she could have been attacked by predator(s); shot by a hunter, or struck by a vehicle. I only know she was in bad shape, very nervous, and protective of her remaining fawn. After resting a few moments under my Hemlock tree, the doe trotted-off, followed by a frightened , lonely fawn. Never saw them again.

*

There is but one more Saturday before we take a summer vacation - should I conclude my interview with Peter Cottontail or not? Your silence speaks volumes!

Uncle Russ.

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From Nova Scotia Sus

Not so much to write about this week. The bear was back again dumping our green bin and making a big mess. This time I didn't see the bear so it must have happened overnight. Each time I clean up I think I'm making it more bear proof with larger rocks securing the base.

So far nothing has worked.

We had a good rainstorm with thunder and lightening yesterday. The garden got a much needed soaking and the plants look great. It's been a weird June this year with up and down temperatures. The rains have been a big help in controlling the fires in our province.

I want to congratulate Wayne and Sylvia on their 50th anniversary. So wonderful!

Sus

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The Ontarion

Hello everyone!

How can anyone be dumb enough to drive their large truck with the “Hopper” in the up position through the city down town core? Well, it happened and the hopper of the garbage truck struck a pedestrian overpass walkway and it caused a large amount of damage to the walkway and the truck! The damage was on Charles St and it caused a week long delay and detour until the crews were able to make repairs to the walkway. This isn’t the only place and time this has happened in Kitchener though. There is a railway overpass on Park St as well and it’s been struck by trucks that were too high for the drive through this railway overpass several times over the years. The last time it happened was last spring when a transport truck got stuck under the overpass and they had to let the air out of the truck’s tires so as to lower the trailer and allow it to be pulled out from under the train bridge! I guess you can’t fix dumb can you? You’d think a professional driver would be aware of the hazards in the city they do a lot of driving in and through! Oh well, I’m just glad that I’m not a big rig driver around here!

Things around here have been busy lately. Carole and I spent the day on Wednesday working and planting her garden at the side of the house. Last year we removed some large shrubs/bush/trees that were overgrown and that left a large bare patch along our side fence. As it turned out, Adam and I rented a “Stump Grinder” and removed as much as we could of the remaining tree stumps along the fence so we could pant a small garden in their place.

SO on Wednesday Carole and I got busy and added some planting soil to the location and got busy planting. Actually Carole did most of the planting, I was the shovel man and dug the holes for planting. She planted two large tomato plants, one beef steak tomato plant and one mini tomato plant so we’ll have a variety of sized tomatoes this summer. The Mini tomato plant already has a bunch of tomatoes forming on it so it won’t be long before Carole can harvest them! The Beef Steak ones will take a lot longer I’m sure to grow! I’ll tell you, it’s difficult for people our age to do all that digging and bending over to do all that planting! Carole also planted a few rows of garlic and this is about the 4th year for her garlic plants. Last year she had them planted in a small green house that Adam had built for her but where it was the sun didn’t shine well enough on the planting to help the garlic grow. So, this year we dismantled the green house and did the planting in the plot that Carole and I prepared along the fence in the new spot after we had removed the shrubs etc. I’m sure that Carole’s garlic bed will be totally successful this year as it’s in a spot where it will get loads of sunshine and also moisture from any rain we get!

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this will be the last year for a garden of any size in our yard! But, you never know, maybe next year we’ll feel more like our young selves and tackle another garden! LOL! I remember back in the 50’s and early 60’s when my dad’s parents were in their 70’s and they still had a huge garden beside their house in Hespeler. They had an empty lot beside their house and they had it in a full garden for as long as I can remember. My grandma Payne used to save all the tiny potatoes for me to take home when we visited! They both passed away in 1962 and I remember my dad and mum going down to their house to ready it for sale and we spent two days harvesting all the tomatoes and potatoes and cucumbers by the bushel to make sure they didn’t go to waste! Their garden was at least 50 by 100 feet in size! It was a load of work for my folks and they were only in their 40’s! Makes me wonder how my grandparents did all that work when in their 60’s and 70’s?

I’m not so sure that many people even bother to plant a vegetable garden these days! However they say that with food stuffs costing more and more these days, it’s giving the people the urge to plant their own veggie gardens so, maybe I’m wrong about the amount of new gardens in people’s back yards!

That’s about all I have to yack about this week folks!

Thanks for tuning in and I’ll look forward to next week’s final report for the summer shut down!

Take care everyone and thank you for being loyal readers all these years!

I’d like to wish all you fathers a Happy Father’s Day this Sunday! Enjoy the day with your families and be safe!

Lotsa Love….. Greg.

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