UAPs

Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (formerly know as UFOs). Nothing new but so very intriguing!

I'm looking forward to the Pentagon's upcoming report but not really expecting much in the way of new information. As Shakespere wrote in his play, Hamlet, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” So very true, even at our present stage of technology.

Whether these mysterious objects pop in and out from another dimension or are some sort of robotics, they are definitely here and have been for quite a while.

My nephew has seen them in the night sky and my uncle saw one during daylight hours many decades ago.

Recalling my uncle's account always makes me smile. Dad and I had walked across our pasture fields for a visit with his older brother, Uncle Stewart, a batchelor who lived alone. I believe I was a teenager at the time so this would have been at least fifty years ago.

We were sitting in his kitchen when the topic of UFOs came up. Uncle Stewart said, "Oh, I saw one myself a few years back. I was out with the horse and wagon when this bright, oval shaped metallic looking thing sped along the road and when it came to the Cowan's (a neighbour's) place, turned left without slowing down or speeding up. It sped back the laneway to the bush and out of sight. The horse noticed it too and seemed as surprised as I was!"

"You never told me that story before!" scoffed Dad.

"I told lots of people!" came the indignant reply.

In their senior years, Uncle Stewart (left) and my Dad enjoying birthday cake.

Mucking About

The Mayor of Ottawa was not invited for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the opening of my new bridge. In fact, there was not even a ribbon involved. Only a picture snapped of the first vehicle to cross. Which was my riding mower.

Last week I felt the desire to build something. And although not really necessary, I decided to construct a little bridge over the short culvert in the path leading to the garden. Some things are just plain fun for me and that includes digging in the ground. I get the sense that each shovelful uncovers moments in history. Perhaps I'll unearth a bit of crockery or a pretty stone or even an arrowhead. Well, I didn't discover anything of interest while taking ground from the ditch to shore up the bridge ramps but the robins and other birds certainly appreciated the exposed earthworm bonanza from the disturbed soil.

South ramp completed and north ramp in progress.

The first vehicle to cross the newly constructed bridge.

An absolute necessity to cope with mosquitoes that thrive near the damp ground.

 

Anyway, that little project seems to have satisfied my inner badger for now. And of course I took time off to take snaps of things that make me smile:

The combined scents of these bouquets are quite lovely.

Emerging blossoms on an apple tree beside our bush lot.

Bees are loving the lawn's Creeping Charlie nectar.

And also loving the flowers on the Mountain Ash trees.

The Redbuds are producing their best displays to date.

Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica) showing off their stripey little sun dresses.

Dainty wild violets quietly splash their colour around the forest floor.

 

Not forgetting to include my winged friends:

Several times a day I have to refill this very popular bath.

A female Ruby-Throated hummer refuels after her long Spring migration.

A tree swallow couple using the little cottage at Number Four.

The male providing security watch nearby.

In the garden, cottage Number Two also houses a pair of tree swallows.

House Wrens have laid claim to Cottage Number One.

Mrs. Wren views me as a nosey neighbour.

"Hey lady, ya gonna dig up more earthworms today?"

Shot In Kemptville!

How's that for a dramatic post title? Replace your vision of a senior woman cruelly being gunned down in a drive-by with one of that same lady, rolling up her sleeve and gratefully receiving her first coronavirus vaccination. 

My appointment in the Village of Kemptville, Ontario went smoothly, thanks to the well-organized medical team. As I awaited my turn in the comfort of my car, I watched as each person was greeted by a hospital gowned man wielding a set of tongs. They looked exactly like the tongs in my kitchen drawer. Each vaccine seeker arrived with his or her mask in place and each one was made to take off their mask and use the fresh new one, from the extended reach of the tongs.

Please remove your mask and put on this one, sir.

Please remove your mask and put this one on, madam.

Please remove your mask and put on this one, sir.

Please remove your mask and put this one on, madam.

Please remove your mask and put on this one, sir.

Please remove your mask and put this one on, madam. The same for you, sir.

 

In part because of the severe drought last summer that ruined my vegetable garden and in part owing to the number of backyard critters that would love to raid my veggies, I've decided to use more container planting this year. I thought I was ordering four planters but later discovered that each unit contained two planters. As it turns out, I have use and space for all of them! 

My new planters await their season in the sun.

This hen turkey seemed to be searching for a quiet nest site beside my drive.

One of my ever present and ever munching bunnies.

This groundhog has a den beneath my tool shed. I love those dainty little ears!

A white-throated sparrow enjoying my home-made, removable seed tray.

Neighbourhood tom, Romeo, taking a break from tomcat business.