Thursday, or Thereabouts - June 29, 2023

The first week of summer 2023 is in the rearview mirror. Here's what she brought:

We went from near drought to monsoon, with 97mm (3.8 inches) dumped in torrential downpours interspersed with sunshine. Then the rain stopped and the wind shifted, bringing in the wildfire smoke from the north, and this time it really stank!  At one point yesterday afternoon the AQI in my neck of the woods reached 223 (very unhealthy), while at the same time the city of Toronto could boast the highest AQI in the world at just over 300 (hazardous). Blech!

The view outside my front door, just before the smoke got really bad.

Meanwhile, the strawberries came in right on time and they are luscious.

I don't pick the berries myself anymore - strawberries are just too low to the ground for my knees and back. So I bought two flats (12 litres/quarts) of berries for $72 and processed them into 13 x 500ml jars and 5 x 250ml jars of luscious jam. 

Batch one of 4

Of all the berries, strawberries demand the most prep work and truth be told it's a labour of love for me. I don't really like strawberry jam. I love the fresh berries but nothing made from them. No jam, no yogurt, no ice cream, not even strawberry gin (well maybe a bit of that...). But those first berries of summer are an all time favourite of the rest of the family. Just open the jar and give them a spoon! 

My favourites, raspberries, blackcurrants, and wild blueberries, are coming!

So is Canada Day.

I am humbly grateful to have my home on this piece of land in Canada. 

I am keenly aware of the debt I owe to the native keepers of this land.

I acknowledge the Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Huron-Wendat, and Haudenosaunee.

I also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as my close neighbour.

I recognize the contributions that have been made by the Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous Peoples in shaping and strengthening our communities.

I thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land for thousands of years.

Miigwech.

I'm thrilled and so very proud to be a part of the colourful mosaic that is my home on native land. We're not perfect, not by a long shot; we're not without problems; we've got critical issues and controversies that need tending, but not right now. Let the problems and politics, failures and controversies take a back seat this coming weekend.

On July 1, 1960, John Diefenbaker, Canada's 13th Prime Minister, introduced the Canadian Bill of Rights in Parliament with these words:

"I am a Canadian!

Free to speak without fear,

Free to worship in my own way,

Free to stand for what I think right,

Free to oppose what I believe wrong,

Free to choose those who shall govern my country.

This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and mankind."

Amen to that!

Tomorrow is the last day of school. Summer is here. It will be what it will be. Stay safe out there. 

©2023 April Hoeller

Monday Meander - June 12, 2023

 RAIN!

It's been 23 days since the last significant rain in these parts. My fretting about fire danger, smokey air, and thirsty gardens washed away overnight by a glorious 50+mm (over 2 inches) of soothing showers descending from the sky. The garden rejoices with eye-popping colour dripping from every leaf and petal.

And yes, I was thrilled to get wet taking these photos this morning!

It's beautiful day in the neighbourhood. 

©2023 April Hoeller

Monday Moanings - April 8, 2019

It's raining. It's pouring...

The room seemed dark this morning,  even though the bedside clock read 7:50am. I stretched and yawned then just lay in the gloomy light and listened. Rain on the roof announced itself, "Pitter patter, pitter patter."

Then another sound reached my awakening ears. Robins singing their hearts out,  "Cheer-up, cheer-up."

While it may seem like just another Monday, there is something beautiful about this morning. It is raining not snowing, it is a warm PLUS 9°C at 9am and the birds are singing.

Spring is awakening...

©2019 April Hoeller

Monday Moanings - July 30, 2018

Yesterday, torrential rain and hail blasted through these parts in all of ninety minutes. This intrepid storm watcher was fascinated by it all. As the winds were coming from the north to northwest, I closed up those windows then continued my watch. I alternated between tracking the storm on weather radar and watching it all coming down outside my windows. I was in my element. Then the wind shifted. In seconds, rain obliterated the screens on the open south windows of the sunroom. The wood floor I worked so hard on to reclaim and polish was getting wet. I rushed in to get those darn windows closed.




My right foot shot out from under me like a watermelon seed and down I went.

 The #1 thing that scares me, a gal of vintage years, is falling and breaking something, especially a hip. So there I lay on the wet floor, at first unable to move and feeling only panic beginning to wick up my body. I've really done it this time, I thought. What an idiot!

A few minutes later as the pain and shock subsided, as the very concerned dog licking my face became annoying, the panic and self-recriminations eased.




I was able to get up off the floor without assistance - so clearly my hips were working. My left knee, which had been tucked up behind me, seemed to get the worst of it so I iced it and rested for the rest of the day and evening. This morning the knee is working fine. It's bruised but otherwise moving as it ought. But my right shoulder is not happy. It's muscle type pain so I'll just have to grin and bear it. Oh and maybe rest it a bit too.

This truly is a Monday MOANING!  

There will be no gym today. No lawnmowing. No garden work. No housework!

On second thought maybe this is not so bad? The sun is shining and my gladiolus blooms are rejoicing in the sunshine.

Be careful out there, folks. Watch out for wet floors.

©2018 April Hoeller