It’s been hard for me to blog this Fall. October is the month you realize there are not many days left you can head out with bare hands and a bare head. So that puts some urgency into my outdoor activities and causes me angst when I’m stuck indoors (looking at you, work!) on a beautiful day.
Luckily there have been some stellar weekends (although this cold, blustery, rainy one is not one of them) and I was out on the trails with my trusty iPhone camera in hand:
Fiery Foliage peeking through the treesWho says you can’t wear purple and orange together? Not Mother Nature, that’s for sure.
I don’t know if this was an exceptional year for fungus or not, but for some reason I noticed fabulous fungi everywhere I looked, this fall.
Brilliant Bracket FungusAptly-named Turkey Tail FungusI don’t know what this is (and neither does iNaturalist for sure, apparently). Way too many suggestions and none looked quite like this.I’m lichen this Wrinkled Crust lichen 🙂This one is called Bears Head Tooth. And it’s edible, though I didn’t try it. One of my fellow walkers did, and I see he is still posting on Facebook so that means he survived. 😉
As it’s almost Halloween, I thought I’d share some of the wild decor I saw at my latest visit to my orthodontist.
When one looks up…Where you end up when you don’t floss, I guess.
The Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge hosted by Su Leslie, of Zimmerbitch. Please stop by her blog to see the Changing Season, down under in New Zealand.
September started out still blazing hot but now the weather is reasonable again, and perfect for heading to the woods.
Head to the woods I did, with a local group that took me to a brand new area, right off the trail I usually walk. I’d known of this side trail for years of course, but because it looked overgrown and in denser brush I was leery of going too far in by myself. When the group advertised a guided walk into this area I jumped at the opportunity.
We followed Chilligo Creek for most of the walk.Heading to a crossing point at the creek.One of our group refers to this oak as “The Mother Tree” 🙂The forest floor is full of fungus-y finds like this one.Fall is the time when the wild asters are the most beautiful.Another purple fall flower. According to iNaturalist, it is a knapweed.Beautiful bright red foliage of the Virginia Creeper spotted in the meadow.View of Chilligo Creek as it come out from under the highway. Taken from the side of the road, above.My pants were covered in “travellers” at the hike’s end. Another sign of the fall!Heading back from the walk, I took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the plantings downtown. They are putting on a show as well, as we cruise into fall. Hydrangeas are changing from white to pink and bronze.A few steps further, I took in the riot of chrysanthemums planted to celebrate fall in our downtown.Home again. Sipping wine and picking seeds outta my pants…a perfect end to a perfect walk in the woods.
Sublime. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have wild areas close at hand, with which to restore my soul.
This has been a Changing Seasons Post. The Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge, hosted by Su Leslie of Zimmerbitch.
What I hauled home from the Phidon Pens 10th Anniversary Sale – glass dip pen, 3 new inks, fountain pen-friendly journal (the paper really matters!), converter for my Lamy fountain pen, 2 book marks created gratis by one of the lovely calligraphy class instructors, gratis Phidon bookmark and shopping bag.
When I was a newly minted teenager, I first discovered fountain pens. My dad had given me a old-fashioned box of nibs and a couple of plastic holders that he picked up somewhere from someone, along with a bottle of ink. I loved dipping those pens into the ink bottle and pouring my profound (as profound as any 13 year old’s) thoughts into my notebook every day.
As I got older, I stopped using the pens and writing my profound thoughts down for a time. I was busy as a young wife, career woman, and mother.
Then one day I read “Writing Down the Bones” by Natalie Goldberg, and I remembered my love for writing and for fountain pens as I was reading about her use of the same. So I bought a disposable fountain pen and a cheap notebook, and began pouring out my thoughts (profound and otherwise) again. It felt good to be able to articulate what I was feeling and going through in this way. It was a release valve for me, as I struggled to find meaning and happiness in an unsuitable marriage. Until I found out a decade later that my then-husband had been sneaking into my desk drawer and reading my journal entries all these years without my permission. I felt violated and stopped writing completely. My fountain pens dried up, and I threw them away.
I didn’t keep a journal in my second marriage. I had no more trust left in me. I created and took down a couple of anonymous blogs, writing about my struggles in living with a man who refused to seek help for his OCD. I was so afraid he would find out that they never lasted long.
When JD died and I spent a year cleaning up his hoard, I came across a never-used Waterman fountain pen, still in the presentation box. I did use it a couple of times (for signing the lease with my tenants, for example) but I didn’t like the memories I had attached to it, that came up with each use. Funny how we do this to inanimate objects. Also, I don’t know the provenance of it. Was it a gift from an ex-lover? The woman he cheated on me with? I still have it, but no longer use it. It probably won’t survive the next purge I do around Chez Badass. Instead I bought a (cheap but very nice) Lamy pen off the Interwebs, that I have been using to write with.
So that brings us to the present day. Phidon Pens has been around since 2008, and I have been aware of it since it opened, as it is across the street from the year-round Farmers’ Market that I love to visit. Yet, I had never gone in. Due to a multitude of factors, including me never being in the area when it was actually open for business. And a very real fear of spending my life savings on a rekindled fountain pen mania. Hah!
Which is kinda exactly what happened. I made a special effort to attend the 10th anniversary sale (30% off EVERYTHING), and dropped a load of money on goodies. I almost bought another fountain pen – a beautiful rose gold brushed metal number that felt great in the hand. But, dear Bloggie, instead I bought a converter for the Lamy that I already owned. So now I can draw up one of the inks I bought, instead of relying solely on purchased cartridges. How mature. How fiscally responsible.
Let’s not discuss the glass dip pen (so beautiful, so much fun) though, shall we?
Well, wouldn’t you know it – the weather got better, so I got outside to walk, and painting progress has slowed considerably. Also due to the other interruptions in this thing called life.
Better weather means after-work walks to enjoy the sunset on the Mill Pond!
But here is what happened to the painting since the last time I blogged.
Drawing traced onto canvas.Painted outline in burnt umber and erased graphite marks.Starting to fill in colour. Loooong way to go yet.
I’m not expecting to get much done this week. Today I am flying to the US for a work conference.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon with Joanne, at the Fashion History Museum’s Tango Tea. She’ll be writing about it soon. You should go check out her blog!
At the Tango Tea. This event was so much fun!
Unfortunately I got some bad news while at the Tea. My late father-in-law’s girlfriend (who is 92 and much loved by me and everyone who knows her) is in hospital, suffering from a bleed into her brain with no hope of recovery. We were planning on going out for dinner when I returned from my work trip. I rushed from the Tea to the hospital and met with her family and offered what comfort I could. I also spoke with B, but she was unresponsive. They say hearing is the last sense to go, so hopefully she heard that I was there and that I love her.
July started off with a bang. Canada Day (July 1) is also my daughter’s (Mizz J) birthday. I made a fabulous trifle, using local berries and sherry, and of course plenty of local, growth-hormone free, high quality dairy.
Uh-oh, here comes a rant:
Fuck you Trump. I support Canadian Dairy and Canadian Dairy supports me, literally. It’s my day job, to work for a company that supports this industry, which I love. So yeah, fuck you, Trump. As a dairy insider, I can tell you your milk is not up to Canadian quality standards. Most of it would not be allowed in this country even if the borders were wide open. And you can thank the Canadian supply management system for making sure Canadians get the highest quality milk for their money. Rant over. (Aren’t you relieved?)
Strawberry Trifle. It was delicious. Note to self: next time don’t be afraid to add more sherry. Yes, that’s real whipped cream on top, people. Thank goddess for my Kitchen Aid mixer. The berries are spectacular this year.
I got out for a Beach Day this month. To my usual haunt: Bayfield.
I usually park at the Marina but this year I went to Pioneer Park instead and took the stairs down to the Lake Huron shore.
There was plenty of beauty to see at home, as well.
Day Lilies in bloom down at the Mill Pond.I usually can’t get even this close to these wary birds. But this one was intent on fishing so wasn’t focusing on me in the kayak so much.Could be the same heron. Dunno. There are quite a few of them on the Mill Pond.There are a few swans as well, peacefully cohabiting with the herons, ducks, geese, and egrets on the Mill Pond.I love capturing the reflections on the Mill Pond throughout the day, and especially the approaching evening.The end of another beautiful July day on the Mill Pond. Taken from the village dock. Which shall forever more be known as The Sex Dock. I was trying to show it off to a visitor and we happened upon a couple banging away under a blanket…ON THE DOCK…IN EARLY EVENING AKA BROAD DAYLIGHT. Needless to say, we turned around immediately and left visiting the dock for another day. #VillageLifeA lovely weekend breakfast including the bountiful berries of July. The berries are spectacular this year, did I mention that? Banana oatmeal pancakes, Greek Yogurt, black caps, raspberries, maple syrup and back bacon. Nespresso latte macchiato – forget which flavour but probably Roma.
And finally, I haven’t mentioned this on the blog yet I don’t think, but I did purchase a new car. On May 25th I picked up a new plug-in hybrid vehicle, a Prius Prime. Forever to be known as Edward the Third, for being my third white Prius that sparkles in the sunlight. I got a full tank of gas with the car. Today, July 25th, I decided it was time to put more gas in since I am anticipating some long drives coming up over the next few days. I still had a little less than a quarter of the original tank left. Behold my dashboard, prior to today’s fill-up:
That’s right – 3043 km driven and I still have a bit of gas left. Today was my first ever fill-up of the car I picked up on May 25!
I’m very pleased with my new car. The range of electric driving for me is around 56 km. I was told the car had a range of 40 km, however the car learns how you drive trains you how to drive more efficiently and rewards you with more range. It takes into account the amount of energy you save with regenerative braking and also coasting and using the engine brake to slow down. So I’ve “earned” a range of 56 km by giving up my lead foot. 😉
Which means during the week I drive solely on electric power on any given day. I only seem to dip into gas power on weekends, when I take longer drives for Beach Days and such.
Uh-oh, I’m feeling ranty again…
I was planning on trading in Edward II later on this year, but decided to take advantage of the government incentive to buy a plug-in hybrid. And I’m glad I did when I did because the provincial government has changed hands and now this rebate has been terminated.
Ironically, the party now in power campaigned that they are for the little guy, yet they take away a rebate that could actually benefit the common person. They’ve told their base that electric cars are only for the elite and cost $$$$. Which is blatantly untrue. Clearly they are taking a page from the Trump playbook and the sheeple believe their gaslighting, as I’ve seen on Twitter.
Follow the money, people. Follow the money, to learn the truth.
It’s been 2 months of daily driving and all I’ve spent on gas is $32. Only just today. Just sayin’…
Today is stinking hot but at least it’s not raining. Most of June consisted of rainy weekends, like this one:
Polebean Buddha stoically endures all the weathers.
Rainy weekends are good for the gardens but piss off those of us still working Monday-Friday.
2018 Polebean crop finally takes off.
After a slow start (completely the fault of the gardener), the 2018 Badass Rooftop Garden polebean crop is finally making progress.
Flowering! Can taste the beans already. Mmmmm.
Earlier in the month, I took part in the annual 4 Day-Evening walk at the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. This was held during the week, so no rain, natch. I also wrote about it here.
Blowing the horn to signal the start of the walk each of the 4 evenings.
This is an event brought over from the Netherlands, by Dutch-Canadians, and a whole lot of fun.
The Bruce Trail runs through the conservation area.A doe, just off the trail.
When the rain stopped on the weekends (usually late in the day), I was able to walk around my own stomping grounds as well.
Post-rain view across the Mill PondDuck family enjoying the Mill PondAll the rain made the growth on the trail extra-lush.And it brought out this little slug. I usually don’t see these on the trail.First time noticing a Michigan Lily on the trail.Below the dam. The sun did eventually come out during my weekend walks, but usually quite late in the evening.
On the concert front, I was treated to Mother Mother and Little Destroyer on June 25th, as a Mother’s Day present from Mizz J.
Little Destroyer. Yes, those are eyes on her bra top. Hey, my eyes are up….uh…never mind. I enjoyed this band.3rd time seeing Mother Mother. Will try to see them every time they are in the area. So much talent.
One benefit of all the rain: I was indoors more than usual and was able to work on a painting (not finished as yet).
No title yet. Inspired by the number of months in a 90 year life span.I dotted all the months I have been alive (so far) with pearlescent white paint.
Another benefit of all this rain, I think: has anybody else noticed the Ontario strawberries are exceptional this year?
And also very photogenic!
Have a wonderful July and a wonderful Canada Day tomorrow (and a fabulous 4th of July to my US neighbours!).
The Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge hosted by Su Leslie, of Zimmerbitch.
Today is super hot. Since I was sick earlier this spring (here and here), I haven’t been able to get out on the kayak so I just had to get on the river today. Had to.
Today’s weather
I opened my eyes, rolled out of bed, filled a Contigo cup with Earl Grey, got dressed and was pulling Smokey Robinson out of the shed in about 15 minutes flat. On the river by 7 am. While it was still relatively cool out.
Tiny island on the Mill Pond. Love the early morning stillness on the river.
I got as far as here, going against the current (slight, but still there):
Black Bridge Road. About 2 km from where I began.
Then I turned around and kicked off my sandals and relaxed, to sip my tea and let the current slowly, peacefully, take me back home.
This is the best way to spend a Sunday morning, without leaving town, that I know of.
I made a short video of my drift, so you could hear the riot of birdsong that was the soundtrack to my morning. But WordPress says it is too big of a media file to upload, so please check out my Facebook or Instagram (right hand side of ye olde blogge) if you want to view it. And turn the sound up please!
While I drifted, I kept thinking about a website I was directed to, in one of Alastair Humphrey‘s newsletters. I highly recommend you subscribe. His newsletters are full of interesting tidbits and links related to adventuring. After all, this life is our biggest adventure, isn’t it? And I am a huge fan of his coining of the term “micro-adventures”. I try to have micro-adventures whenever I can, for now…mega-adventures to come once I have more free time!
In one of his recent newsletters, Alastair shared this link – Your Life in Weeks – which he calls a terrifying firework up the bum to get on in life. So of course I had to click on it. Go ahead and check it out, I’ll wait.
It can be sobering to count out the weeks or months to a 90 year life span. And more sobering to realize that there is no guarantee one will even make it to then. But, I also think it is a great and necessary reminder that life is quite finite, and every week or month (or day or hour for that matter) that passes brings us closer to the end. It helps to remember this for better decision-making, I firmly believe.
And far from feeling morbid, it makes me feel so damn grateful instead – to be able to savour these happy moments like this morning on the river. I doubt I’ll be hauling a kayak down to the river when I’m 90. More likely my kids will be saying something like “Mom would have been 90 this year.” (I know my genetics ain’t the greatest…just sayin’).
I am so inspired by this graphic of a lifespan in weeks, I am going to translate this idea into a painting. But I will go by months (moons) instead. Something to hang up to remind me not to waste time or my precious life.
Do you find it comforting or terrifying to look at your life in this way?
Not only sick, but had 3 events to attend. This is my desk calendar for keeping track of exercise/step goals. “One Mile Walk ‘n Talks” are You Tube exercise videos I start my days with.
I almost never get sick so I’m not very good at recognizing OR dealing with it as it happens. And boy, did it happen to me! When I wrote about it here, I was thinking I was on the mend already.
First, it started off as a stomach bug which when it passed, lulled me into thinking I was better. Only to be struck down yet again, this time by a head/chest cold/flu. Whatever. I don’t really know if I was hit by 2 separate bugs or one extremely evil one.
I even had to be driven home from work one day because I was so dizzy that I was told I could not drive myself home. (I think this was a bad reaction to the cold medication I was taking, rather than the evil virus itself. It was embarrassing, to say the least.)
Anywho, this time I REALLY AM on the mend. Still coughing a bit, but ambulatory at last.
And, being ambulatory, I got myself out on my local trail this morning. So many lovely things to see. Behold:
I found these Ladyslipper Orchids for the first time last year and was so hoping I’d come across them again. Looks like it’s a colony and it’s growing. More flowers than last year. Squee!!!!The fungus among us.Woodpecker “sculptors” hard at work at one point…Forget Me NotsClump of Yellow Flag at riverside. Nature is the best gardener, doncha think?Close up of Blue Flag flowerNot sure what this is, and my Audubon guide was no help either. A type of dogwood, perhaps? Maybe not even a wild shrub, but a leftover from a previous homestead? (Addendum: According to the iNaturalist app (thanks Joanne!), this is a Mapleleaf Viburnum).Audubon says this is Common Barberry.Wild-type rose (?) planted in city garden. Smelled lovely. Captured on the way back from my walk.
So wonderful to be able to get out and ENJOY once again. Good health is so under-rated and taken for granted!
After the coldest and most dismal April that I can remember, May arrived with sun and blazing temps. And the long suffering spring flowers were finally able to bloom, on my favourite local trail.
Trout Lily TrioJack in the PulpitViolet in the woodsMarsh Marigolds in bloomWild strawberry blossoms
Of course, there were many turtles to be seen…
Turtles enjoying the sun at last
And off trail, things were blooming as well…
Tulips planted by the City
Meanwhile, back at Chez Badass it was finally warm enough to spend an evening on the patio…
The Badass Rooftop Patio at NightThose patio lanterns…
The Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge hosted by Su Leslie, of Zimmerbitch.
