New Pillar

On Friday I found a new 2nd instar caterpillar munching on the dill in the side garden.  It is my guess that this is yet another Swifttail Butterfly in the making, but we will just have to wait and see what evolves.  I have moved him to the butterfly hatching house and lots of dill along with him for his munching. 

I will post photos as soon as the issues are resolved with blogspot.
Lady of the Oak

Rainy Friday

Rain we finally got some rain!  It must have been very heavy at times because my Rudbeckia was hanging over in half and needed to be tied up to the fence for support.  But the rain barrel does not appear to have more than an inch of water added.  We had thunder in the night and it shook the windows of the house it was so loud and close.  I am hopeful it stays overcast today just to give the water time to absorb and not evaporate. 

Posting pictures seems to still be an issue for blogger therefore, no pictures until that is resolved. 

Lady of the Oak

Tree Inventory Update

Two Red Oaks

One Mountain Ash

Three Spruce Trees

Will post pictures when blogger gets the bugs fixed. It appears to work once again.

Lady of the Oak

You just never know...

Upon leaving the office I peered through the leaves to my wandering eye and this is what I saw. 

Mourning Dove on nest in Lambeth July 22 2011



The Mourning Dove is tucked safely into a plum tree.  I just hope her fledglings are out and about before the plums arrive as it is a busy tree. 

Lady of the Oak

Short Story - First Day of Spring

In the early 80's I was a nanny for a year and a bit.  I was fortunate enough to work for a fantastic family that cared about their children and had realistic expecations.  It was through this family that I discovered my love for CBC radio as they always had it on in the kitchen.  It was here that I came to know and love Peter Gzowski.  I had no idea that he would become such an important Canadian icon and that later in my life I would have the honour of meeting him. 

Ok, back to the first day of Spring.  Patrick was the name of the young charge that I spent my days minding, him and his younger sister.  I recall this memory and several others of him vividly.  It was the first day of Spring and Patrick came downstairs to breakfast - keeping in mind he is not yet in school.  I think he was four.  He walked to the window facing the backyard and had a look about the yard from his viewpoint and looked at me and pointedly asked "Where they?"  I was a little unsure of his question "Where are what?" I replied "Where are the tulips?"  Now any time that Patrick asked a question he was serious he was not a silly child, but bright, inquistive and reflective.  "Umm, under the snow."  Patrick was not yet deterred - he had another look "but it is the first day of spring."  I explained to him with his parents present getting ready for their day at work that the flowers did not just magically appear because it is the first day of Spring.  They need to warm up and grow.  He was significantly dissappointed with this news.  Patrick believed that when he awoke on the first day of Spring that the flowers would appear.


I have another one to share soon...we will call it "The Chair"

Lady of the Oak

Website Issues

Blogger appears to be having significant issues at the present time.  I will continue to check back to do my daily posts, but it is very frustrating to try and complete a post and have the webpage stop responding.  I will continue to try, but can make no assurances that the posts will be posted when written.  The webpage continues to be unresponsive.  So, to that end I cave.  Here is hoping it is fixed and soon.


Lady of the Oak

Tour de France

Have been watching this race for 10 years now and it is just as exciting this year as each one past.  We did not know who the winner would be until after the time trial yesterday.  Cadel Evans of Australia.  Cudos Cadel you earned it climing in the Alps and chasing down all of your rivals.  Job well done mate!

Australian News



Lady of the Oak

Toady

I have this toad in my garden and for a few days in a row now when I mist the garden he appears from under the greenery(sp) and laps up the water with no fear of what I am doing or where I am standing.  I pluck weeds around him and move about and he just enjoys the steady stream of water from above.  Here is Toady:


Toady in his shady wet with mist from the hose spot

Well the problems persist I am not able to upload photos now...so...I will continue to check back to see if this can be resolved on my end or wait for a fix from the blog spot folks and folkettes.

Toady

The problems seemed to be fixed for photos but not video.  I will continue to update the blog as issues are resolved.

Lady of the Oak

Issues

The videos that I uploaded yesterday played on my preview screen yet when I double checked them later in the day there we not playable.  I do not know why.  I will keep working on resolving the issue. 


Lady of the Oak

Here a critter, there a critter, everywhere a critter

 

NOTE: I am not sure why the videos will not play, I am working on resolving this issue.  Please be patient and check back.  The videos will not load will have to load them another day.

Lady of the Oak



Milly getting to just the right spot to begin her process of becoming a butterfly. 



Metamorphosis has begun




Milly in drag





Zinna



Milly on the move

The sweet sound of rain...believe it rain!

The strangest thing I have seen yet this summer and I have seen a few strange happenings.  My next post will be about Toady who lives in the side garden.

Lady of the Oak

Funky Yellow Spore

I found this bright and by bright I mean neon yellow spore in a houseplant that is outdoors for the summer.  I nudged them yesterday and now we have what looks like a toadstool made out of foam.  I will take a picture of it on Wednesday and post for the blog.  I have no idea what it might be or if it is good, bad or otherwise.

I missed it, I went out to take a picture and poof it was gonzo!  What can I say...
Lady of the Oak

Busy day in the yard

Caterpillars, birds, butterflies and the joyous sound of rain.  Here they are for you to enjoy as well. 

Feeding with probiscus in the watermelon juice and seeds under the bird feeder.

Milly



The young female Cardinal that has been born in our yard.




House Finch - Male
All About Birds



"Birdie" comes home often.



Rain Chain




Sunflower




Cardinal - Male




Milly getting ready to cocoon. See the silk?



Milly at 5:30 am today. I will keep checking and post updates.

Lady of the Oak

Lady bug, lady bug fly away home, oh you are home, and your child is not alone...

LOOKIE

Momma

Momma

Momma on the move

Baby all tucked up in the dill flower

Baby a bunting

I was THRILLED to find this lady bug roaming along the dill to find that she has a baby as well.  KUDOS girlfriend! Way to go! 

Lady of the Oak

Different Kind of Pillar

Well Milly it turns out is a different kind of pillar than our previous resident.  Now, you say to yourself how do you know that?  Well, because I am the sorta gal who investigates this kind of thing and notice that the poop or technical term frass is a different shape and colour than Peety's was when he was munching.  Is likely the same family of pillars just a different breed.  We will just have to wait and see now, won't we?  It will be a bit yet as she has not yet begun her cocoon process.

Here is what Peety's looked like: small black round spots of poop aka frass. Now Milly's on the other hand looks like: little beads you could dry and make a necklace :

Now an up to date picture of Milly



Milly on munching duty!



Lady of the Oak

As we age

It is 32'C already therefore there will be no gardening today - but round two of the baking spree for the freezer.  Enjoy the little story I found.

Lady of the Oak


As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will. walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.

So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.I’ve even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
 Author Unknown

Black Swifttail Butterfly - CORRECTION



Patience is the key to all things great and small.  With some dill, a safe place and a little misting the butterfly emerged from the cocoon and was born a beautiful sight.  See for yourself

Our first caterpillar turned into - oh what a beautiful sight



Tough to get a clear shot of a flapping drying your wings off butterfly

Such colour!

Words cannot express

We released our first butterfly about 5:00 p.m. est yesterday. 

Now we are thrilled to have Milly our recent addition - she just shed yesterday entering her 3rd instar, now she will eat until plump and then cocoon.  I am so excited!

Milly

Nature is so stunningly beautiful!  The amazing things that happen as a result of a small little caterpillar.  This kind of beautry underscores just how important life is and why we must continue to urge our neighbours to take care and look after our Earth.  Such beauty makes life so much more significant and worthwhile to see sights such as this beauty in my yard.  

Lady of the Oak

Weekend to End Breast Cancer for the Princess Margaret Hospital - WEBC

This is what I did during the year of 2009...I thought I would share a very personal story and what I belive to be a very very important cause
this is how it went...

Dear Friends,
On September 11-13, 2009 I'll be participating in a very special event called The Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

I'll walk 60 kilometers over the course of one weekend with thousands of other women and men. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, treatment, and services through The Princess Margaret.

I've agreed to raise at least $2,000, but I've set my personal goal at 5,000.00. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of $50? Use the link at the bottom of this email, and go visit my site - and please take the time to support me. Please keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train.

According to the National Cancer Institute of Canada, approximately 20,500 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and about 5,400 will die from the disease. That's why I'm walking so far. To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.
I have included my reasons for walking in this event. Please pass along this message to anyone who might be able to support me in this walk.

My motivation is to do what I can to ensure that best friends do not have to walk alone, they can walk together. That best friends do not have to say good-bye prematurely. By walking this walk I am doing what I can to raise awareness and cure what took my childhood friend away from me much earlier than we had planned. I do not want any other women to have to deal with this as their reality.

Breast cancer has had a profound effect on my life in a very personal way. When we first talked about Cathy finding her lump it scared the hell out of me! We were both concerned, but focused on fighting it every step of the way! I offered to be there for Cathy any way that I could, from taking her to appointments to sitting with her waiting for our pager to go off for her next round of chemo to begin, to massaging her feet while she was being treated, we laughed, we smiled, we had fun through it all, we watched movies and talked about our plans when we got old and gray. We held each other and we cried on the way home from Sarnia when the homeopath said that she did not have breast cancer, we were so willing to accept his words we did not question his diagnosis. We grinned like Cheshire cats all the way home with the top down from Sarnia. When asked by Sherri what Cathy's wishes were, I think she was stunned to learn that I did not know, but, I truly did not know, I shared with her that we never talked about that, this was not our plan. We honestly did not discuss what would happen if she did not beat this. I think it was naive of us perhaps, but we were so busy living that we did not have time to focus on anything else, except treatment, and life itself. I held her hand and she held mine when I went for my 1year check up, mine came back clear, and we were thrilled! Good news was a rare find for us at the hospital.

The last few days were good, I read to Cathy from Psalm, I started at the beginning and I read as far as Chapter 23, I read the one passage that I thought needed to be read to her, and talked to her about it, we sang "You are my Sunshine", I sang and Cathy mouthed the words, I know that she could understand and that the verses were giving her solace, I played Il Divo on my i-pod and placed the pods near her ears and she acknowledged that she enjoyed the music. So many things go through your mind when you realize and accept that your friend is not going to grow old with you. It has taken months to be able to even try to type this without completely and utterly falling apart. I am good today, not sure what tomorrow will bring because you just have to take each day one at a time. I find strength knowing that Cathy does not want me to wallow, I know we talked about doing this walk, and that if she were here, we would be doing it together. Since Cathy cannot do it with me, I will do it for her and bring her with me. I loved her dearly and I still do, she is with me wherever I go, in my thoughts, my memories and I speak of her each day, I say good morning, I say good night, I still have not quite come to terms with the loss, and I likely won't for some time to come. But, that is OK that she will understand she knew how important she was to me, and how much I cared. When I have my moments, I take the time to reflect on what time we did have together, not the time that we no longer have as a team of Thelma and Louise. She is my Thelma and I her Louise and no one can ever take that!

<edited part>
Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,
Trish

• •  
  • Tanya James-Beaudry Good for you, Trish! Ken and I are happy to contribute to such a worthy cause. A few girlfirends of mine did the Manitoba version of the walk a couple of years ago. It was quite the experience! Good Luck!
    

    March 31, 2009 at 7:08pm ·

I did not post this to convince you to donate to the walk, but if that is what you might like to do - please let me know as I know a couple ladies who are walking again this year and the fundraising is tough!

Trish


Cathy at my place after treatment - it was round two and her hair had just begun to grow in and then it left again in a couple more treatments. 

 Lady of the Oak

Bottled Water

Nestle has written a letter that is included on the agenda of the Community and Neighbourhoods Committee Meeting on Tuesday February 16th. Please read it and write to your councillor to let them know your feelings on this. We have been through all of the rationale for this and the previous City Council voted in favour of banning the sale of bottled water in city owned facilities where there was access to safe, clean, municipal water.  They didn't ban the bringing in of your own purchased bottled water. It is a question of City Council showing leadership. As pointed out in the letter from Nestle this not about quantity....yet they insist on pursuing it because they know it is about optics and the trend that London has set.

It was as a result of what was done in London that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities recommended that other municipalities take the same action. Thus far this has occurred in over 80 municipalities and numerous universities and colleges across Canada because it is the right thing to do. These cities and educational institutions recognize that water should be a basic human right not a commodity sold to the highest bidder. London has made a difference.

Go to the following link to see the resolution that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities adopted.

http://www.insidethebottle.org/files/FCM%20-%20Bottled%20Water%20Resolution.pdf


The bottled water item is slated to be on the agenda at 4:15 with Nestle presenting as a delegation. Anyone can attend these meetings and it would be showing the new C&N Committee that there is interest in the community about this topic if you were able to attend.  You won't be allowed to speak.
http://council.london.ca/meetings/CNC%20Agendas/2011-02-15%20Agenda/Community%20and%20Neighnourhoods%20Committee%20Agenda.pdf

http://council.london.ca/meetings/CNC%20Agendas/2011-02-15%20Agenda/Item%2016.pdf


To learn more about water issues go to http://www.canadians.org/water/index.html  or to http://www.insidethebottle.org/

Lady of the Oak

Tree Inventory

I have decided to do a tree inventory of the trees that I have brought with us to the new yard and of the trees in the yard.  I will begin by photographing the trees and identifying them as we go along.  This is by no means a one day event, it will take a few days to get them photographed and then named. 

I will begin with the trees in pails, pots, containers, then move onto the ones that are permanently planted in the yard.  Shrubs - should I include shrubs?

Lady of the Oak

Quirky Posts

I find it odd that the post I posted yesterday has shown up as a post on Sunday.  I am trying to post on my blog each and everyday when I am home and now I am missing a Monday, hmmmm.

Anyway, yesterday was all about weeds, weeds, and watering.  I went away for four days in June and came back to a blanket - literally of portulaca that has gone wild and the grass that was sod on top of the garden.  Due to the extreme heat the growth has been unstoppable.  I refuse to use any kind of pesticide or weed killer so it has been an ongoing process to rid the garden of the blanket.

I finally turned on the sprinkler yesterday as the garden was literally a dustbowl.  Even the birds were not using the garden as a place to hang out as it was just too dry.  So, today it is back finding the swiss chard. Yesterday I found the sweet potatoes and the herbs - which were not too bad but many did not sprout and I have to think it is the extremely hot weather and dryness we are experiencing.  I will replant seeds this week. 

Off to the garden, and to check and see if our caterpillar is beginning metamorphis stage out of the cocoon, tomorrow will be day 10 getting close.

Lady of the Oak

Tour de France is wild this year!

I have faithfully watched the Tour de France for 9 years and this year is by far the most dangerous one to date!  Crashes in the peloton while going slow for natural breaks, going fast descending, and watch the video clip to see just one of the crashes in today's stage Crash Tour de France Stage 9 July 10 2011

Both men were lucky enough to finish the stage and have a rest day tomorrow but the driver will be removed from the tour it was a French television crew that hit the riders. 
The stage was full of crashes as has been the entire race to date.  An overview of today's stage is here Overview Stage 9 2011


There is one Canadian in the race from Victoria and he is on the premier team as well.  His name is Ryder Hesjedal here is his team information Ryder Hesjedal
I am looking forward to the rest day to get caught up on my housework and then Tuesday back at it again. 

Lady of the Oak

Update to the Garden Tool Post

Well there they are all nice and shiny.  I wonder how long they will remain looking like that?  I did some weeding last night at about 7 o'clock, and was only in the garden about 5 minutes before being driven back into the house by the attack of the blood sucking flying machines that patrol the area!  My gosh there were a LOT of them!

I am hoping to get more weeding done today and if we do not get rain I am going to have to water the vegetable garden as it is literally dusty. 

I am looking forward to digging and splitting perennials in the fall with my new spade.  I just hope it is well made or it will be going back to the store. 

Well, time to hit the garden for awhile, then watch the Tour de France.  It is an exciting year for the race.  Toodles for now.

Lady of the Oak

Garden Tools

I am the proud owner of a new spade and a funky hoe for the garden and yard.  I will be testing them out later today after the sun tucks it is far too hot to be out in the garden today hoeing weeds and pulling on the earth.  As well my fave summer sport is live on TSN2 this year, I preferred OLN's coverage, but oh well.  The Tour de France is in it's eighth stage and top riders had to abandon yesterday - Chris Horner of Radioshack, Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky, and Tom Boonen of Quick Step, I am hopeful that no other big names will drop out and we can get on to the racing instead of the crashing. 

Well, off to watch, see ya in the garden later today.  I will take pictures of my new tools and post them tomorrow.

Lady of the Oak

Home

I have returned home from camping.  I was only gone a couple of days, not too  far from where we live.  I went to lend a hand to a couple of rookie campers.  The weather was stellar, spent the days relaxing at the campsite and reading, napping or chatting with an old friend. 

The park was very quiet and restorative for the soul.  It re-centres me and re-balances my inner senses.  Watching the Robin bop about and gather grubs for her young, listening to the call of the White Throated Sparrow, and the rustling of the leaves in the breeze. 

Enjoy the day,
Lady of the Oak

Camping

Camping time is here again.  Mom has ventured out on her own this year with the two granddaughters and a long time family friend.  I helped her set up yesterday, but I did minimal setting - Mom pretty much had it all figured out on her own, just needed a little here and there.  I am heading there today for a couple of camping days.  It is nearby and the lake is beckoning on this hot hot hot day in July. 

So, this afternoon I am off camping, there will not be a post in my absence.  I am the only one who writes this blog and I do not go online when in the forest. 

The fish are fine, the caterpillar is tucked safely in his/her cocoon and all is right with the yard.  I will need to water before I go, and then whoosh! 

Sum, sum, summer time!
Lady of the Oak

Cocoons

Well Pilly the Black Swifttail Caterpillar has cocooned in our butterfly hatchery house.  He began the process on Saturday and by Sunday about 24 hours later he was all wrapped up in his snuggly house. 

Final Stage

Final Stage

It started with him being on the branch and away from the dill that he munches on for sustenance.  Then I noticed the white anchor lines of silky string.  Then a few hours later he began to disappear.  I did not get many pictures of him cocooning. 


1st sign of the beginning of the cocoon



Second stage

Now we wait I have contradictory information about how long this process takes.  Some experts say 2 weeks, while others say it could be till next spring.  I guess we wait and find out. 

Lady of the Oak