Blub, blub

Dexter has embarked on swimming lessons. His genius parents puzzled over his flat-out refusal to enter the water one week and upon questioning the wayward preschooler, invested in Dexter-size goggles and now its All Swimming All the Time. Extra deep baths have been requested in-between swim lessons. Hero biscuits for Mom and Dad.

Note to Toronto parents: I registered Dexter THREE DAYS after registration opened. After a panicky realization, I frantically found the number, called with a frenzied edge in my voice. The nice calm lady asked what day, what time slot and told me to pick up my receipt when we came. VOILA! Take that Toronto Parks and Rec!

Summer in October

A late season hot spell (aka Summer 2010), has come and gone. This was marked by a resurgence of mosquitoes. Yes, really. They had to have the last say. We'll show them...c'mon Winter! (Oh no...did I just type that out loud?)

I dazzled even myself with a few early morning walks to enjoy the sunrise. I include a couple shots of the view and the beaver showing off one early morning.

(Sunrise walks sound impressive, don't they? Please do not focus to much on the fact that sunrise will shortly be occurring just before lunch. Thank you.)

Bale Hauling Season

Harvest is complete...now Hauling Bales Season is upon us. The beginning of this phase was celebrated yesterday with the sacred "Repair the Flat Tire" Ceremony. A sense of resignation has fallen over local farmers.

Chicken Challenge 2010 Ends

Okay, so it wasn't much of a 'challenge' per se. Dad pretty much took care of them, no contest was held. So much for that.

But now I can report that the chickens have fulfilled their destiny and were delivered to the butchers this past Sunday.

Of approximate 102 to start. 38 made it to Butcher Day. Puh-thetic. 60% attrition! Blight, escape, raccoons and coyotes had their way with the flock this year.

Had I been a diligent blogger you would have been captivated by reports of raccoon break-ins, mass murder, reinforcing the perimeter, breaking through the perimeter, checking in with CTU, Sam the dog corning raccoon in the old combine, Peter solving the problem with the 22, another raccoon moving in, more 'lead poisoning', etc. But I was a crap blogger (as has been established) and you missed all that.

Point being - REALLY crap year for chickens.

For all those making the trip this past weekend, the average weigh-in was somewhere between 3 and 4 pounds. Please inquire with Mom for exact measurements.

Moose, moose everywhere

...but none for me!!!

Mom and Dad's friends came for a visit and while Hank was out toodling around, didn't Bullwinkle just turn up ahead of him on the road. Did the moose veer off? Nope, just upped his pace a little bit. And back and forth until Hank had to put a little effort into catching up with him to convince him to get off the road before he got to the highway. He finally obliged/

Then Nicole and Alex went out to find him. And they did! Just a walk down the road and off to the field on one side, there he is...bright as day.

What do I see? Moose poop on the road. Dexter was underwhelmed when I tied to show it off to him.

Maybe next time.

Harvest Time...

was not not easy this year. Or so I hear (having remained safely inside for the duration).

Rain, rain, came again and soaked everything in one long soggy day - it was like the flood waters hadn't been receding for the past two months.

Anyhoo, at long last, the bales were completed this past week when a string of warm and windy days dried everything up again.

There was an impressive number of bales, which I would share with you if I remembered it. Suffice to say...the herd should make the winter.

I hereby acknowledge....

that I have been a crap blogger. Forgive me, oh minions. :)

I know you are waiting with baited breath (what does that mean?). I will be posting more shortly (unless I don't).