Last Day of September what do we remember?

Tis the last day of September, what do you remember?  I remember rainbows and cattails, ruby throated humming birds, sunsets at the beach and days that seemed to last forever.  Do you remember the days when they seemed they would never end?  When you would be carefree and fancy free, with nothing but the minor things in life to cross your worry free mind.  Oh, those were the days, the lazy days of youth. 

Recall your memories and hold tight to them, they are yours to keep and never lose.  Share them with friends and family and help keep them alive for others to share and reveal. 

Enjoy the day

Lady of the Oak

Rainy Thursday

The air is wet, the sun is hidden behind the mass of grey sky that has come around for a visit in our area.  The sky opens up for brief periods of time and gets us all wet with big drops of rain and then lets us get to where we need to go before dousing us yet again.  There has been some thunder and a just a little bit of lightning. 

What the rain gives us - water for our much loved trees and plants, the birds a chance to get cleaned up before the cooler weather sets in for a long stay, greens up the countryside and of course it smells fantastic! 

Enjoy the rain, the sounds that it brings and get out and do some puddle splashing.  You are never to old for a puddle fight.  When was the last time you had one? 

Lady of the Oak

When will we as a society learn...

We heard news yesterday of a terrible car crash out our way and our hearts went out to the family.  The occupant was transported via air ambulance to the nearest trauma centre and later succumbed to his injuries.  All because he was driving to work at 5:30 in the morning.  Now the rest of the tragedy - Craig was hit by a drunk driver who failed to stop for a stop sign.  If you are appalled just wait there is more to this sad but true tale.  Craig was a newly wed.  His young wife is now a widow at the tender age of 23.  But if you thought this was the end of the story you are in for more saddness - you see Craig was going to be a Dad in a few short weeks, yes his widow is now going to be a single Mom all because some irresponsible pathetic person chose to drive while drunk.  So, Craig's widow will raise their child in their home they just purchased just a awhile ago all by herself.  Not only was one life affected by this terrible injustice but now, two.  The extended family and friends, co-workers one of whom went to look for Craig when he did not turn up at work.  Now how many people have co-workers that would do that.  Imagine the loss for the community, the family, the co-workers, and the world.  The world is a sadder place today because of this loss.  It is heinous and unconscionable crime to take an innocent life just to sastify your own desires.

Canada needs to stand up and fix this and do it now, not later.  Maad Canada has all kinds of information.  It is an election soon maybe this should be put on the table until it is finally dealt with in the right way. 

We would like to express our condolences to the family and the community.  You are in our thoughts. 

Lady of the Oak

Reflections

Reflecting on the summer that has just recently ended and the new fall that awaits us.  What did we do, where did we go, who did we spend time with and why.  We were busy with the gardens, the weeds surely won this year, but the other little triumphs were the birds, the butterflies and of course the ability to enjoy it all.  Places we spent time were home in the yard under the shade of the trees, the beach a few times, northern Ontario to see family, and few other day trips here and there.  Spent time with Mom, Bear, D, family up north.  Spent time with myself and thinking about life and how it changes us and molds us into who we are today.  Would we do things differently if we could?  Only if I was able to impart the knowledge of my lifes lessons on the new journey, otherwise what would be the point? 

Enjoy the sunny day - rain is on the way for the rest of the week.
Lady of the Oak

Sunny Fall Saturday

What a splendid day yesterday turned out to be for our first full fall Saturday.  Bright blue sky, a light breeze and sun, sun, sun.  I thought I would share my views of the day on my blog. 

 The bird planted pumpkin vine that has overtaken the sidewalk and shade patio. 

 The planted pumpkin vine along the side back fence. 

 The bird planted pumpkin vine again with the biggest pumpkin we have growing. 

 Monarch getting minerals from the sandy ground at the fairgrounds. 

 One of many cars at the local car show we supported yesterday. 

 Our local museum displaying antique oil lamps.

Display boxes and other assorted items at the local historic museum.

Roses

We went for a drive and saw some different scenery and new roads.  Enjoyed the day and supported the Tim Horton smile cookie fundraiser. 

Lady of the Oak

Sunny Saturday

After a day of cool wet rainy weather, we awoke to see the sun.  Fall has officially arrived and with it came the wetness of the rain.  Just a part of the northern hemisphere of weather.  I like fall but it means a lot of outside work to gather up all our summer treasures that we created and put them away safely for the long cold time that is approaching.  In warmer climates everything continues to bloom, grow and sprout, but here we slow down and begin the process of semi hibernation for several long cold months. 

 A couple sunsets to put a cheery smile on ones face. 

Enjoy the day we are off to a charity BBQ at our local mechanics. 

Lady of the Oak

Garden Pictures

Lady of the Oak

Thursday Already...hmmm...

Where did Wednesday and Tuesday disappear too?  Today is Thursday boy this week has flown!  I was busy yesterday moving about indoor plants into the garden shed to make the transistion into the house for the long dark nights that are on the horizon. 

Spent some time in the cold cellar moving about things and organizing.  It is amazing what one collects and keeps.  Now that the wine is bottled I have extra bottles for the edge of my butterfly garden that I began edging with bottles earlier in the summer and then ran out of bottles.  I only use glass ones as they will last much longer and with all the moisture we have had the last two days they pound into the ground much easier than in the heat of the dry summer days. 

It was plant a tree day yesterday and hopefully many trees were planted.  I shuffled some around but was not able to plant one.  It is time to begin the raking and the shredding to create a great mulch for the gardens over the winter ahead. 

Pumpkins are growing in the backyard, I have 3 large ones to date, had one that rotted on the vine.  I have one that I am a bit concerned about as it has a lil wet spot where the flower was attached and I think I might lose it to bugs getting inside.  I am going to harvest it today and see what happens.  I will post pictures of the pumpkins tomorrow. 

Lady of the Oak

Horses

As we were driving home yesterday we saw horses along the way.  Here is what we saw...

Just a lil off the top please horsey sir.


Then there is this one...

We will call her Dotty cause she is spotty...

Then there was Cloppy. 

Just call this one the Dark Banger.

Lost Cowboy we think...

This one here is Fossil. 

We saw Tinny too.

 Of course the original Iron Horse

Lady of the Oak

Time for a sweater

Well the weather certainly has shifted from the heat that we bore all summer to a quite a chilly late summer.  The days are shorter, the nights longer, and the mornings are chilly enough that you need a sleeve of sorts to keep you from getting too cold. 

The leaves are beginning their journey to the earth and will return yet again in the spring.  The Jays are squawking when they find seeds.  I had the sunflower heads drying on the deck stairs and yesterday could hear two Jays cawwing in the back yard quite close to the house.  I brought in the seed heads and the sounds stopped.  I like putting them out in the snowy winter days and then watch them as the gather to enjoy this delightful winter snack on the snow as their dining table.  Sometimes I smear natural peanut butter to go along with their seeds.  Soon it will be time to put out the suet once again and refill the birdfeeder. 

Pickles are made, tomatoes are too, pears are fine and we are too.

Take a fall walk and get out and witness the changes happening about us and enjoy the day.

Lady of the Oak

Patient Confidentiality or Not!

Well yesterday was interesting to say the very least.  I attended my six month follow up with my pain management doctor at the hospital usually a trivial appointment, low stress, high wait time, same questions yadda,  yadda, yadda.  But not yesterday.  When you check in to the receptionist you are forced to listen to her broadcast your name - your full entire legal name, your address, phone number, birthday, next of kin, and was this a workplace injury?, when, where.  The waiting room is usually full of people there are about 20 chairs and the place is usually at capacity.  Yesterday it was not as full, but I still have the same concerns as each time I check in.  Each time I say very politely - I can be polite, please lower your voice so I can hear you but not the room.  Well whoever was on the desk yesterday informed me "I have to ask these questions to verify who you are!". I do not did not recall telling her not to ask the questions, just to lower her projected tell the room in a broadcast voice way of asking.  That was apparently the wrong thing to request.  She stated "I will have to get a form." and promptly left.  I could hear her across the hall discussing this with another receptionist, I could hear her across the hall, which means the people in the waiting room could also hear her discussing my request.  I got up and walked to the hallway to see where she was having my confidential information conversation, and it was indeed with another receptionist - when the other one saw me standing there - she made a motion to the broadcast receptionist and she stopped talking.  Makes one or maybe just me very suspicious.  She returned across the hall - looked at me and I informed her that I did not like hearing my situation discussed across a hallway.  I got the screw you glare and she shoved a piece of paper my way then clipped it to a clipboard and shoved a pen my way, "fill this out, you have to consent to the form." I just kept my mouth shut b/c what she said just made no sense to me.  I went back to my seat and filled out the form, took it back and what does she do...you got it - she started asking me questions that were answered on the form!  I pointed at the form and put my fingers to my lips to indicate "shh" then she asked where I worked "the same place I worked when I was hurt at work" was my response - "where is that?" she asked again - I pointed at the form where it clearly stated where I worked, "oh I did not read that" - I began to lose it - "so you gave me a form, that you demanded that I fill out, and then you did not read it, what was the point of filling out the required form if you are not going to read it?" I guess that was the true tipping point for me b/c I just did not understand then or now what the point of the "required" form.  So, I get registered so that they know I am there, and I am quite confident that they knew I was there...:p  but officially I was there.  I went down the hall to the washroom and when I walked back up I saw security walking into the department, now officially I do not know if they were there for moi, but instinct tells me in hindsight that ya they were.  I have never seen security in that department before and I have been going there for awhile. 

So, we wait, I read my book, my Mom reads her book.  We talk to another patient waiting about stuff and get on the topic of registration - I see lil Miss Broadcast perk up her ears and walk across the hall.  So apparently having conversations is frowned up as well as advocating for your confidentiality.  We discuss who could hear such information and what they might/might not do with such good intell and how freaked out it makes us feel knowing that anyone in the room can find out where you live, what you do, and that you are not home right now - the crew could swoop in and clean the place out. 

So, they call me in for my appointment and more waiting - unusually long wait.  In comes my specialist and I as soon as she sits down I can tell she is not a happy doctor.  She proceeds to say "First we have some administrative things to discuss...and goes into how inappropriate it was of me to make the request and if I have issues with the procedures that I ought to contact patient services..." I was being scolded by my physician because I had asked for confidentiality about my personal information.  I was taken aback - so much so I just sat and listened and did not make comment.  It was not a conversation it was a scolding. 

I am not at all comfortable with the above situation and yet what is one to do?  You make a reasonable request for patient confidentiality and BAM! you get smoked! 

Lady of the Oak

Cool breezes, autumn sneezes

Well the days are not as hot as we are used to this last few days.  The air is much cooler at the end of the day, and of course the sneezing has commenced.  It would appear on drives along the roadways that the goldenrod has had a bumper crop this year. I do not recall in quite sometime seeing as much goldenrod as I have this season.  I even have it sprouting along my driveway and my neat neighbour has yet to pluck it out as it is on my side of the driveway.  It is a nice splash of colour in the latter part of our summer.  Goldenrod has been used for a very long time in treating ailments  inflammation being the best use for the plant above the ground. 

Last night was the monthly meeting of our local fair board, which I am now a member in good standing.  We discussed several issues: fair, haunted house, home and garden show, solar panels, water leaks and the upcoming curling season.  It was an interesting meeting and a good way to see who is involved with the local fair and how it is run.  It gets me out of the house and I volunteered to dress up one night for the haunted house.  I have a few ideas up my sleeve that I will work on and get organized before jumping into the water too deeply. 

Enjoy the day, the nights are longer, the days are shorter, the nights are cooler and the days are fresher.

Lady of the Oak

Canning the fruits of our labour

Well the canning has begun - tomatoes are started a bushel is canned into mostly soup this round, some stewed tomatoes with local peppers, onions and of course onions and some with a speck of basil and parsley.  Round one of the applesauce adventure has been completed, just apples nothing but apples.  Pears are on tap for today, then maybe more pears.  I only do a light syrup so that the pears retain their natural sweet flavour.  More tomatoes are in the garage for Thursday and they will mostly be stewed not soup.  I still have a couple jars from last year in the fruit cellar and that is exactly how I like to begin my canning with just a little bit left over from last year. 

The next batch of tomatoes will be chock full of onions, peppers, a hot pepper here and there, basil, parsley, and of course coarse salt for preserving power. 

The oven looks like a roast pan of apples exploded and shot off the lid - oh wait! that is what happened!  I have to remove the batteries from the smoke detectors in order to clean the oven - gotta love self clean eh! 

So today continues with pears, and prep for tomatoes tomorrow.  Syrup is on the stove for the pears and the pears have been de-beed and brought into the house.  The pears are from my nephews tree and are of course organic. 

Lady of the Oak

Tomatoe Days are here

Today is the day I begin my tomatoe trek.  Basil, garlic, onions, just a few of the ingredients that will be poured into jars and sealed to be enjoyed during the long winter days of the upcoming cold months. 

I went to pick tomatoes yesterday, but the place I usually pick them was short on ripe ones.  So, I called a local (of course) farm and they have lots.  I pick them up today and will do my prep and then tomorrow the fun begins.  So, I am off to pick up my tomatoes and get the ball rolling. 

Lady of the Oak

Moody Monday

Monday after Sunday seems a bit of a let down this week.  Sunday was so full of activity.  We took time to remember September 11 2001, the opening weekend of football, scalloped potatoes and cleaning.  Today is foggy and dreary.  Am having difficulty getting motivated today. 

Tomatoes are the canning project today and tomorrow though, so I best get myself together and get motivated. 

Lady of the Oak

September 11 2011 Remembers September 22 2001

Today I would like to take a moment to remember September 11 2001.  I remember exactly what I was doing when the events began to unfold and where I was and with whom.  When I came home for lunch in our little small town my hubby was sitting on the couch watching television - something that does not occur in the middle of the day.  When I walked in he just continued to stare at the television not acknowledging that I was home, very unusual.  Then I saw what was happening and could not believe my eyes.  To all those who were brave that day and to those who are still here coping, kudos to you.  Be strong, be brave, know that many support you, that you will never meet.  Our world changed that day in a way I did not think was possible in my lifetime.

Lady of the Oak

Pickles, Perch and Mosaic

That describes my day yesterday. I began with pickles, then hubby took me out for dinner for perch and then when I returned home I worked on one of my mosaics for awhile. 

Dills are far easier than my bread and butters but I always make both.  Bread and butters are pretty yummy.  Need to label and then pickles all ready to be moved to the cold cellar. 

As well on Friday I worked on the video montage for my mother in law.  I am hoping to get more photos from my sister in law and Saturday will be scanning some old photos to add to the project. 

We had dinner in Port Stanley last night at the Wharf, they have such yummy and fresh perch.  Then we drove to Shaw's and had small ice cream cones and wandered our way home via Sparta Line.  It was a nice way to finish the day with hubby at work all week.  I worked on a plated mosaic I am trying for the first time, I will post pictures of the progress tomorrow when I post.  I have inverted a plate and am doing the design on the back side instead of inside.  It is posing some issues, but I am hoping I can grout them to cover the edges and all will be well.  I am on the hunt for dark red/burgandy glass to create a mosaic for Mal's birthday in November.  Then we watched Due Date, oh my gosh!  It was very funny. 

Today is scanning day and maybe a trip to the greenhouse to do some party planning for the big in November for Mal.  I ordered the cake yesterday from a local baker here in town. There is lots to be done for this party yet and we are just two months out. 


Lady of the Oak

Pickle Production Continues

I have one batch of bread and butter and one and a half batches of dills.  Today is round two.  I am off to the hardware store this morning after the truck arrives with a restock of jars.  I am not sure why my jars do not make it back to me when I give out pickles, but they do seem to disappear at a rapid rate.  So, today I am going to get some new ones. 



Lunch



My View

So, I am off to go get more jars and then the next pickling adventure can commence.  I am thinking next year I might try making mustard pickles for a friend, I have not made them before so we shall have to see how that pans out. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak