Birdfeeders are not for Birds

While traveling this past June we found a store that sells everything there is to do about birds.  In the store we found something called a Squirrel Buster Plus that was touted to be the feeder that foils the squirrels – bar none!  We were also interested to find out that this feeder that we purchased in the states was actually made in Brome/Knowlton which is not very far from where we live in Canada.  We brought it home, filled it up with seed and proceeded to watch as the birds enjoyed the food and laughed because the gray squirrels couldn’t figure it out.  We happily headed off to Brome/Knowlton and bought a second one.  Never, ever underestimate a squirrel.  The gray squirrels have figured out how to hang by their back legs from the branch above and just nibble seed out of the feeder but the boldest of all is the little red squirrel who doesn’t weigh enough to make the buster do its buster job.  He sits right on the feeder and happily feeds until he is full.  We can walk right up to him and he doesn’t stop what he is doing, isn’t scared of us at all, and just continues to eat.  So, dear people who make the Squirrel Buster Plus – come meet our squirrels they are way smarter than the ones you must have used for your testing.  Here’s the proof.

Progress is being Made

Lots of walking this week and I had lots of company too.  A couple of days I was on my own and I really don’t mind that at all.  I listen to my music and watch for wildlife and picture opportunities and bop away.  However this week my sister was visiting along with cousins and daughter.  One day it was my sister, brother, cousin and me that walked, the next day it was my sister and my daughter.  That was the best day ever.  We walked 8.09 miles at a terrific pace of 19:47 and with stops we completed the walk in 2 hours and 40 minutes.  It was absolutely the best and we even saw the prerequisite deer. Am zeroing in on the 100 mile goal by July 31st.  After yesterdays walk (taking today off) I am at 83% of my goal with 7 days to go.  “I think I can, I think I can” said the Little Engine That Could. 

 

Here is a photo of my sister and daughter when we still had two miles to go – don’t they look happy?

 

 

Storms

During the summer we usually get a couple of really good storms.  Well this week was full of them and this one came up very quickly.  John has cousins visiting from California and they say they don’t get any storms out where they live so this was a very exciting event for them.  We were sitting on the porch and we could hear the rumbles all around us and then all of a sudden the wind came up and the rain started down the lake.  It continued to rumble for the next couple of hours.  The weather had been quite humid for us which does happen in July but usually for a short period of time.  The air really was electrically charged.  Something about ozone and storms but it is beyond me.  I love the big storms – the North Hatley humdingers as we call them and usually after the storm the air is clean and clear and we have a beautiful perfect day.  That is what happened with this one and the moonrise on Friday night was just the beginning of a lovely weekend of sunshine and that Canadian air we all love.

I did worry about the boaters that were on the lake but I think they all made it to shore.  There were two paddlers in a canoe that really looked quite panicky but they made it back before the storm actually hit.

 

Two Libbys

The area is crawling with cousins and they are all at my house.  A mini-reunion happened this week with cousins coming to North Hatley from Ottawa, Ontario and Montmagny, Quebec as well as California.  The first round came in on Wednesday and we celebrated with a gathering at my mother’s that evening.  The following evening was at another cousins for a wonderful buffet dinner, then back to our house for a hamburger cookout on the porch.  The second contingent came in late that night and that’s when the Libby’s stepped in to cook.  They prepared the menu and the meal together and it was delicious.  I think I will keep them for the rest of the summer as they work really well together.  It did get a little confusing around here with Two Libby’s but they were good sports about it.  We tried to call Libby #1 Tia Libby and Libby #2 Libs but it didn’t always work.  They are first cousins twice removed – you figure it out.  If you want a lesson, call me.  Most of the cousins were from my side of the family but lucky for John the cousins from California helped, a little bit, to balance things out.  They are his first cousins once removed!!!!!

The beet salad, marinated steak, roasted potatoes done on the grill were outstanding.  Thank you Two Libbys.  Still think you should open a restaurant/catering business with that name.

 

Salad in a Jar

I love these salads and thought you might appreciate this article by Healthy-Holistic Living that gives instructions on How to Make a Salad in a Mason Jar give it a try and let me know if you have a favorite.