Solar Bulb Squirrel

The lines are drawn. Kim picked up some great solar lights in the US to go into a specific tree here, and they were great. Looked like a Christmas tree at night.  And now? Destroyed. By a rodent.

Donald: She's eating the solar lights.
Kim: who?
Donald: the squirrel.
Kim: don't be silly.
Donald: you watch. She's nipping the wires clean and running off with the white bulbs in her mouth.

Scene Later: Squirrel runs off into the forest, with the last of the bulbs in her mouth.
Result: the lines are drawn. It is war.

Memories of lights in the tree

Today's chore:  on the search for 2 metal poles to attach the bird feeders to.

Oil change time

Donald made an appointment with a local independent mechanic this morning for an oil change on the truck, so off he went. He took along his crossword puzzles from the weekend newspapers, so he was ready for a wait, however, he says the mechanic is quite a character, so he may  be having some long conversations while the work is being done. Ah, such entertainment we seek. We haven't had an oil change done since Parker, Arizona, so it was time.  We emailed our mechanic son, who told us there was a new oil out for GM trucks, but school must be busy, or at least the social aspect of school, since he seems not to be in a hurry to answer his Dad's questions about that.

Kim is gardening, walking and quilting up some birthday presents. The weather is lovely, in the 70's F/20's C and we are enjoying the new gazebo. The quilted present has to be mailed, but there may be a Canada Post strike by Thursday, so what to do??? No pictures at this time, (paulette) because it is a present..... later!

Family Visits

It is not often we have family visiting us here in the Shuswap.  Kim's Aunt and Uncle from Ontario and cousin from Kamloops dropped by for supper on Saturday and we had a really good visit.  They are continuing on to Vancouver, Victoria and Tofino.  It looks as though the rainy weather is going to take a break and they should have a nice trip.

Our new patio furniture came in time for the visit, even though it was still a little too chilly to sit outside for supper. We enjoyed a lovely steak BBQ anyway!

There is not much excitement around here, other than moving a few perennial plants around, planting the new roses and general puttering. Bayfield Al wrote of squirrels around their Ontario estate, and Donald is having some conversations ( actually, pulling the squirrels tail as it gorges itself at the bird feeder) with our wee rodent.  I am thinking we shall endeavour to get a picture of that!

expecting visitors

Life at the lot is always busy, but very relaxed. Today we are awaiting family visitors from Toronto and Kamloops.  Should be fun, and we'll have to post some pictures.

New patio furniture arrived in a very quick order from the Home Hardware Building Centre in Scotch Creek. We are very pleased with the set of comfy armchairs and a table.  Donald says the seats are warm, compared to just the regular lawnchairs.  A visit to some nurseries in Salmon Arm ended with 3 roses and a Clematis.  Two of the roses are the new Carpet Rose, and the third is a Morden rose, which is very hardy.  There is some growth at the bottom of the rose that we thought was a goner, so it has not been dug out as yet.  Sure hope it recovers, as it was producing about a hundred blooms a year.  We also have a small plastic window box planter with 4 begonias, which we will take along with us when we head north.

Donald started to wax the 5th wheel, and it looks awesome.  Kim has been sewing quilts for birthday presents and our upcoming grandbaby. Yes, we know what gender it is, and no, we cannot say, as some people do not want to know.

When will that sun come out and play?

garage sale saturday

Well, you can tell the 'season' starts here in the Shuswap on the May long weekend ( Queen Victoria's birthday holiday to all us Commonwealth participants ). Man, busy! The grocery store has long lineups, perhaps because it also sells happy juice.

An early trip to town was in order as the local Scotch Creek Volunteer Fire Department was having their annual garage sale and pancake breakfast.  I purchased some potatoe bread and brownies.  The next stop was a plant nursery for a couple of begonias, and our friend Penny bought a beautiful shade hanging basket.  Being in the garage sale mood, there were a couple of cottages having a sale and that resulted in a brand new umbrella stroller for $5 for our expectant son and DIL, and Donald found an extension trouble light cord for $1 and Kim got a Black and Decker Travel Iron and small ironing board for a total of $5.  Hot shopping!

We have offered to host afternoon neighbourhood get together at 4 today.  Better not rain. Enough already with the rain.