Ranty July – A Changing Seasons Post #monthlyphotochallenge #thechangingseasons

On July 25, 2018 By Widow BadassIn Adventures in Food, Good Times, Hmmm?, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors38 Comments

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?)

Canada Day dessert — 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.

Stairs to Lake Huron shore — 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.

Mill Pond and day lilies in July — Day Lilies in bloom down at the Mill Pond.

Heron as seen from kayak — 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.

Another heron fishing. — Could be the same heron. Dunno. There are quite a few of them on the Mill Pond.

Swans on the Mill Pond — There are a few swans as well, peacefully cohabiting with the herons, ducks, geese, and egrets on the Mill Pond.

Sunset clouds reflected on the water — I love capturing the reflections on the Mill Pond throughout the day, and especially the approaching evening.

Sunset reflected on the water — 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. #VillageLife

Black caps and raspberries for breakfast — A 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:

gas mileage of Prius Prime after 2 months driving — 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’…

Fuck you too, Ford. Rant over, and out.

(OMG, do I ever need that Spa Day.)

The Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge hosted by Su Leslie of Zimmerbitch.

Rock on,

The WB

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June Wrap Up #ChangingSeasons

On June 30, 2018June 30, 2018 By Widow BadassIn Artistic Endeavours, Gardening, Good Times, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors43 Comments

Today is stinking hot but at least it’s not raining. Most of June consisted of rainy weekends, like this one:

Buddha of the Polebeans — Polebean Buddha stoically endures all the weathers.

Rainy weekends are good for the gardens but piss off those of us still working Monday-Friday.

Polebeans — 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 polebeans — 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.

4DEW blowing the horn — 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.

Bruce Trail blaze — The Bruce Trail runs through the conservation area.

Doe in forest glade — 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.

Steeples reflected in the pond — Post-rain view across the Mill Pond

Duck family swimming — Duck family enjoying the Mill Pond

lush forest growth — All 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.

Lead singer of Little Destroyer — Little Destroyer. Yes, those are eyes on her bra top. *Hey, my eyes are up….uh…never mind*. I enjoyed this band.

One benefit of all the rain: I was indoors more than usual and was able to work on a painting (not finished as yet).

painting in progress — 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?

strawberries in basket — 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.

Rock on,

The WB

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May: Summer Weather is here! #ChangingSeasons

On May 28, 2018 By Widow BadassIn See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors20 Comments

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.

Of course, there were many turtles to be seen…

And off trail, things were blooming as well…

Meanwhile, back at Chez Badass it was finally warm enough to spend an evening on the patio…

The Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge hosted by Su Leslie, of Zimmerbitch.

Rock on,

The WB

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Changing Seasons for March 2018 #TheChangingSeasons

On March 30, 2018March 30, 2018 By Widow BadassIn Bruce Trail Adventure, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors11 Comments

Spring is slow to come to my part of the world this year. But I’m not complaining as the winter was not as dire as predicted, and there is almost no snow left.

Most of March has been grey and cloudy, with either snow flurries (that disappeared almost as soon as they hit the ground) or cold rain coming down from the skies.

But last Sunday was a gloriously sunny, cloudless – albeit at times bitterly windy – day. Blaze and I had planned to hike Mount Nemo that day so we were happy with the forecast. Mizz J had to write a paper for school so she couldn’t join us, but her boyfriend Kevin asked to come along and we were happy to have his company.

Kevin enjoyed exploring the crevasses along the trail and finding caves.

I nervously stepped out on a ledge to take this shot of the jutting cliff edge.

Try to imagine how far I am leaning back to try and feel safer taking this shot! I mean, I was watching turkey vultures gliding the air currents BELOW me.

Just one of many stunning vistas from Mount Nemo

Joanne (Blaze) and I, as captured by Kevin. Nope, not a fright wig. Just my hair.

Close Up: Did I mention the fierce and bitter wind?

This bench on the trail (a big log, actually) provided by the club I belong to.

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge hosted by Su Leslie at Zimmerbitch.

Rock on,

The WB

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Home – The Changing Seasons for February 2018

On February 25, 2018February 25, 2018 By Widow BadassIn Good Times, Mindfulness, See the Beauty14 Comments

I flew back to Canada on Friday evening, my 2 weeks in Barbados having come to an end.

I have to say that 2 weeks was the perfect amount of time to be away. Last year I felt that 1 week was just too short but I wondered if 2 weeks on the beach would be too much.

It wasn’t. It was perfect.

Boardwalk, South Coast Barbados — Sunrise skies as seen from the Boardwalk

I was and still am so grateful to be able to take a winter vacation to somewhere warm. Even though this was my 3rd year to head south to Barbados, I still pinched myself daily during my sunrise strolls, at my good fortune to be outside in sandals, tank top and skort…at 6 am, in February.

Barbados sunrise on the south coast — The beginning of another beautiful Bajan day on the south coast.

By week 2 my friend and I were ready to get our relaxed butts off of our beach loungers and do some island exploring. We booked a half day tour of Hunte’s Gardens and St. Nicholas Abbey (with a stop at Bathsheba and the Morgan Lewis windmill).

towering palms Hunte's Gardens — Veranda view of the towering palms of Hunte’s Gardens

gorgeous foliage Hunte's Gardens — Gorgeous foliage – Hunte’s Gardens

flowers Hunte's Gardens — Hanging flowers – Hunte’s Gardens

St. Nicholas Abbey is not an abbey at all, but a beautiful and historic English house surrounded by a working mahogany and sugar cane plantation.

Seashell Chandelier at St. Nicholas Abbey

An actual Thomas Crapper…er…crapper. At St. Nicholas Abbey. Yep, I go to a historic home and take a picture of the toilet. 🙂

View from Bathsheba – on the rugged east coast of Barbados. Not safe to swim here, but the surfers love it, apparently.

The Morgan Lewis windmill. Still used to crush sugar cane.

Our half day tour ended up being closer to a full day, thanks to traffic and being on island time. We kinda figured that might happen so we had packed snacks, figuring we might be an hour or so late getting back. Instead of returning at 12:30pm, we didn’t get dropped back to the hotel until after 4 pm. Next time we are packing a full lunch! Just in case.

sunset dining at Champers — Sunsets and Sangria at Champers, while the sea turtles frolic in the waves below. We ate at this nearby ocean-front fine dining establishment 3 times during this trip. Worth making and eating ham and cheese sandwiches for our beach-side lunches so we can splurge here in the evenings. Always a treat.

At the end of the trip, on the flight home I reflected on how happy I actually was to be returning to my home, and how for so many years this wasn’t the case for me. Home used to be a place I dreaded entering. Towards the end of my first marriage, coming home meant returning to my verbally abusive, controlling husband and his often-drunk, miserable mother. In my last marriage, coming home meant returning to Crazytown – a place filled with clutter, dirt and disorder – and all the other OCD-related shit I felt I had no choice but to put up with, from my last husband.

I don’t know if I can express in words how grateful I am now, to be able to say that returning home is pure joy. Home is my refuge, my sanctuary, my little corner of the world that is safe, warm, clean and welcoming. That is finally and truly mine.

And I came home to mild weather! Sunny skies and 9 degrees Celsius! Amazing!

Can this be really be the view from my rooftop patio in February? Where is the snow and ice?

This is my Changing Seasons post for this month.

Rock on,

The WB

Where did the Weekend Go? And My First Changing Seasons Post, for January 2018

On January 21, 2018 By Widow BadassIn Artistic Endeavours, See the Beauty, The Great Outdoors18 Comments

Well, I am not entirely sure how it got to be Sunday night already but here I am, needing to make a blog post to keep up with my target of at least 1 post/week!

I might be jumping the gun a tad as it’s not quite the end of the month…but I have some lovely wintery photos burning a hole in my iPhone, so here goes my first attempt at a Changing Seasons post. (Su, I hope I am doing this right!) All of these photos were taken on the Mill Run Trail that starts in the Village:

river ice formation — Closeup of interesting ice forming in the river. Taken on First Day Hike with Mizz J – Jan 1, 2018

Ducks on the river — Ducks trying to stay warm Jan 1, 2018. This was as close as we could get without alarming them.

pampas grass — Pampas Grass against a beautiful winter sky Jan 1, 2018

This weekend I was back down on the Mill Run Trail again, this time with Joanne of My Life Lived Full. This was our second get-together, and my pleasure to host her at my stomping grounds. The weather was a lot milder than on New Year’s Day, and the snow showed it:

snow crust revealed — Evidence of typical January freeze/thaw Jan 20, 2018

Back indoors, when not binge-watching Grace & Frankie, I was “arting around”:

sea turtle painting — Sea Turtle painting, almost complete. Not happy with the sky at present. Need to figure out a fix.

painting of blossoms — Blossoms, almost complete

This painting came to life while following instruction from Angela Anderson

I love the way the background came out but I could have done better on the blossoms. I want to fix some stuff and do some glazing, and then it will be done!

I haven’t proceeded any farther with my Queen of Wands idea. I’m trying to figure out the best way to take a small drawing and transfer it to a bigger canvas. I’ve looked up the process of using a grid technique (cheap but looks tiresome) and also have discovered (cue angelic singing): the Artograph. Yep, that’s about 800 dollars worth of awesome technology that I won’t be buying anytime soon. Back to reality I go…

This weekend’s January thaw also meant it was finally a good time to wash Edward II, without risk of his doors freezing shut. If the sun would come out, he’d be all sparkly again. For about 5 minutes. Until covered with wintry road goo once again…

My weekend was jam-packed with fun stuff. How was yours?

Rock on,

The WB