A SAD DAY

When I heard of the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, I was stunned.  2 people killed - one an 8 year old child.  Over 100 injured.
But not surprised.  I knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.  And now that it has, I feel that it is only the beginning.
I hope that I am wrong.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the runners, friends, family and people of Boston.

THE OWL COUNT

Last nite I helped Ute and Ginny count owls.  What we do is play a CD of owl calls then see if any answer back.  I normally can't hear owls but with a device that amplifies sound I would have been able to hear them if they were there.  I heard geese and Sandhill Cranes but no owls.  We started at the site of the big forest fire and then made 10 stops along the highway going south.  We couldn't stop at some of the regular sites due to the snow but we did get in the majority of the spots.  We decided to do it all again when the weather is nicer.  In the count last year, we had an owl fly right at us probably thinking we were another owl invading his space.  Scary but amazing experience.

A SNOWSHOE TOUR

Yes, these pictures were taken today, April 10, 2013.  We decided to head out to check if we could at least take a tree down and to see if the sap is running.  We settled on a small one and Rejean took it down with his chainsaw - the one with the newly sharpened chain.  I could see the sap running out of the tree the moment it was cut and it was still dripping 45 minutes later on our return hike.  We could have let it drip into a pail and boiled down our own maple syrup but we would have needed a ton more.  So that shows we can't take our trees down yet.  The snow is still quite deep in the bush and over at the other garage.  Rejean is standing by our wood pile which is 4 feet high - that gives you an idea of the height and the snow came off the roof in front of the man door at the garage so we have to wait a bit before we can get in there.
The last picture is of my snowshoes.  They are hand made by Jack Carey of Corner Brook, NL.  They are called BeaverTails.  I saw an episode of Land and Sea and they did a show on Jack and how he makes them and how long he has been at it.  This had to be over 8 years ago and at that time, he had made over 12,000 snowshoes.  I must say he has perfected the art.  They are the best - the bindings are made of inner tubes from tractor trailers, the frames are made from Hi Tensile Spring Steel and the twine is tough, durable braided polypropylene twine.  I really think they are indestructible.  And light!!!  You don't even know you are wearing them.  I love mine.  Mine are red and Rejean's are green.
If you want any information on how to contact Jack, let me know.  I have emailed him to see if he is still in business and let him know I would be mentioning him in this blog.
That's it for now.  See Ya Bye.

FOR PIERRE

These pictures are for Pierre  - evidently they didn't go thru in the email I sent him.  So everyone else can just look too.

I had to modify my contents because someone chose to make another inappropriate comment.  Please note that these will never be published and I just laugh at them so give it up.  Don't waste my time and yours.

MORE SNOW AND TUMBLES

Yes, that is snow in the last picture - a good 3 or 4 inches of fluffy stuff.  It was so depressing.  Everything was beginning to melt nicely but at least the temperature is mild today.  The second picture is of my tracks heading down to get the mail.  I was being careful as I knew there was ice on the lane way - the day before I had to walk on the side to avoid the ice.  I have gone all winter not going down as I have in the past but I was in for a surprise.  Rejean had warned me to be careful as I left the garage.   I was gingerly making my way down the hill when my feet just slipped from under me and down I went.  I saw stars!! Rejean also took a fall when he came to see if I was ok.  He has a sore hip and I have a headache - what a pair.  We are actually very lucky - it could have been worse.
And the first picture is of a morning dove.  We don't see them very often around here but this little guy stuck around for about an hour.  And I discovered that the Ravens have been taking the food out of Boot's bowl.  I caught them today.  Don't tell Boots!!

CONFIRMED!!!

We have confirmed that it was yellow food colouring - they were colouring their Easter Eggs.  Thanks for clearing that up for us.
I remember we used to do that when we were young.  Now I just care about the chocolate coloured ones ;o)

Thanks for asking that question, Melina.  Any more?

MELINA WANTS TO KNOW...

...what that yellow was on the snow fort on Axe Lake.  Hmmm It was Easter so I am going to say yellow food coloring that they used on their Easter Eggs.  I am sure it is not what everyone is thinking.  Maybe the fortress makers will let us know in a comment.

ps - Hi Gavin and Melina and Jake!!