Westjet finally dropped their seat prices (at least for a short while) so we were able to get flights for $99 each, each way. Plus $40 for Darla each way. On the plus side we won't be exhausted from driving 20 hours. On the down side Darla will likely hate flying because it will require being separated from us... We anticipate having to administer drugs - which sucks. But at least she gets to be with us at the other end of the flight - and she'll love that! Plus she can meet her "cousins" Rollee, Hudson, and Jesse.
There sure has been a lot of travelling this month (for me). I just returned from near Honeywood, Ontario - which is north and a little east of here. About 2 hours away. It's along the Niagara escarpment and I was hiking through the deep cracks... I love it there. I was camping from Thursday through Sunday at Unicamp which is where Wild Ginger Witchcamp holds its annual camp. It was very hot; fortunately my tent was shaded in the pine forest and sleeping on a bed of pine needles is preferable to the hard ground. During the day we could cool off in the pond at the beach. The water was a perfect temperature - cold and refreshing, but not numbing.
Robin was hoping to take a one day holiday today up to a beach, but of course we have rain-cloud cover and possibilities of thunder showers after a long stretch of heat. Perhaps Saturday will be better for him.
We look forward to seeing everyone in Winnipeg soon. Won't be long now...
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Gardening - at long last
Finally we had time to begin the backyard vegetable gardens! See:
I carefully measured and plotted the gardens. I chose companion plants and all that good stuff. Robin laughs that I spend more time planning than gardening.
A month or so ago I turned over all the sod in the future gardens. The surface was dry and sod was dead by now. However, beneath the surface is still much good activity :)
Robin picked up half a pallet with some good boards from the landfill today. He cut them in half and dug them into the ground. It's not the best, but it will do. We still need another wall in the middle. And the same for beds D-E. He also picked up a big bin of free compost. Next year we'll be able to use our own.
Yay - at long last - plants in the garden!! I added some of my extra-special worm compost for the tomatoes (and peppers). I didn't have enough to simply cover the garden with, so I'm using it selectively.
For now I'm using those small planks to walk across the garden.
Woot! More plants. I grew those marigolds from seed. Please do not compare them to the marogolds you can buy at the store. I know how pathetic mine look. Shush.
I had been growing my own peppers and tomatoes from seed, but I fried some and the rest just didn't develop well. So I finally just bought some plants! Next year I'll skip growing them from seed. It's just as cheap and much easier (for the amount I need) to buy the plants.
Beds D and E will eventually have broccoli, lettuce, cucumber and more. Hopefully very soon. Particularly the broccoli since I started it indoors.
That was our day today as well as the culmination of many months of planning on my part. I can't wait to show off photos later in the season! Well, assuming things go as planned and I don't kill everything.
I carefully measured and plotted the gardens. I chose companion plants and all that good stuff. Robin laughs that I spend more time planning than gardening.
A month or so ago I turned over all the sod in the future gardens. The surface was dry and sod was dead by now. However, beneath the surface is still much good activity :)
Robin picked up half a pallet with some good boards from the landfill today. He cut them in half and dug them into the ground. It's not the best, but it will do. We still need another wall in the middle. And the same for beds D-E. He also picked up a big bin of free compost. Next year we'll be able to use our own.
Yay - at long last - plants in the garden!! I added some of my extra-special worm compost for the tomatoes (and peppers). I didn't have enough to simply cover the garden with, so I'm using it selectively.
For now I'm using those small planks to walk across the garden.
Woot! More plants. I grew those marigolds from seed. Please do not compare them to the marogolds you can buy at the store. I know how pathetic mine look. Shush.
I had been growing my own peppers and tomatoes from seed, but I fried some and the rest just didn't develop well. So I finally just bought some plants! Next year I'll skip growing them from seed. It's just as cheap and much easier (for the amount I need) to buy the plants.
Beds D and E will eventually have broccoli, lettuce, cucumber and more. Hopefully very soon. Particularly the broccoli since I started it indoors.
That was our day today as well as the culmination of many months of planning on my part. I can't wait to show off photos later in the season! Well, assuming things go as planned and I don't kill everything.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Homeward Bound
Jen (since you're the only person I know who actually reads this regularly), I thought I'd let you (all) know what our Winnipeg plans are so far.
We were waiting for a seat sale from Westjet. Robin checked meticulously. According to seat-sale trends the seats should be on sale now. Instead they are more costly (as one expects as you approach flight dates). Since we have a fabulous car now we're planning to drive instead. Tis cheaper, but of course takes a bit more time. This will also be much easier on Darla.
We've considered alternatives for Darla's care, but because she is still suffering separation anxiety none looked good. Leaving her here with freinds or family would be tricky, because she really does need someone home as much as possible. We've been crating her when we leave for long periods, which has been useful in keeping her from scratching the door and peeing in the basement. Now when we leave for short periods (only a few hours instead of 8) she seems to be happy that we didn't crate her and refrains from peeing. We can't tell about the scratching since the door is already very scratched up. I suppose I should webcam record her again to see if there is any improvement. Anyhow, I'd hate to imagine what would happen if we left her for over a week, even with friends. Cats are so much easier - leave food and water and a big litter box.
This week I was able to test the Corolla on the highway as I travelled to and from Toronto for three days (attending a conference)... in rush hour. Needless to say it was not a pleasant drive. It has been very hot and humid. And I was cursing that we bought a manual car (which under most circumstances I love) as I crawled along the 401. Fortunately we have AC and I had good company.
To return to the topic at hand, it looks like we should leave end of this month. Robin still needs to negotiate some more holiday time. Hmm, looks like I'll be rushing to grade papers before I leave. I hope a bunch arrive early.
We look forward to seeing everyone! Of course, I'll be at Folk Fest for several days of it. Sorry Jen. You're lucky I'm coming back to town for the wedding. JJ. Sheesh, had to be the far opposite end of the city! And don't worry, I'll stop at my parents's place to shower first! lol You don't want some stinky folk-fester at your wedding. I'll do my best to get the mud out from between my toes.
We were waiting for a seat sale from Westjet. Robin checked meticulously. According to seat-sale trends the seats should be on sale now. Instead they are more costly (as one expects as you approach flight dates). Since we have a fabulous car now we're planning to drive instead. Tis cheaper, but of course takes a bit more time. This will also be much easier on Darla.
We've considered alternatives for Darla's care, but because she is still suffering separation anxiety none looked good. Leaving her here with freinds or family would be tricky, because she really does need someone home as much as possible. We've been crating her when we leave for long periods, which has been useful in keeping her from scratching the door and peeing in the basement. Now when we leave for short periods (only a few hours instead of 8) she seems to be happy that we didn't crate her and refrains from peeing. We can't tell about the scratching since the door is already very scratched up. I suppose I should webcam record her again to see if there is any improvement. Anyhow, I'd hate to imagine what would happen if we left her for over a week, even with friends. Cats are so much easier - leave food and water and a big litter box.
This week I was able to test the Corolla on the highway as I travelled to and from Toronto for three days (attending a conference)... in rush hour. Needless to say it was not a pleasant drive. It has been very hot and humid. And I was cursing that we bought a manual car (which under most circumstances I love) as I crawled along the 401. Fortunately we have AC and I had good company.
To return to the topic at hand, it looks like we should leave end of this month. Robin still needs to negotiate some more holiday time. Hmm, looks like I'll be rushing to grade papers before I leave. I hope a bunch arrive early.
We look forward to seeing everyone! Of course, I'll be at Folk Fest for several days of it. Sorry Jen. You're lucky I'm coming back to town for the wedding. JJ. Sheesh, had to be the far opposite end of the city! And don't worry, I'll stop at my parents's place to shower first! lol You don't want some stinky folk-fester at your wedding. I'll do my best to get the mud out from between my toes.
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