Kidnapped

My new mommy says “kidnapped” but I don’t agree. I like it here and want to stay.

I was quite surprised to be going home with my new Mommy last week – but I like my new home. It has a yard and my new Mommy lets me play in it all the time. She also likes to take me for walks – even when she complains that I pull on my lease too much.

When I arrived at my new house, however, I wasn’t impressed that there were two of those other types of animals in the house. You know, the ones that like to hiss at me and hide when I come their way. One of them (the skinny dark one) even tried to open one of my bags of food – humph the gaul of him – but luckily my new mommy stopped him. However, I do growl at him when he tries to eat my food just as I’ve started to chow down on it.

Speaking of food, I sure like the meat in this house. A prime rib was cooked for Christmas dinner and I just couldn't wait to get the bone. Oh, it was so good.... I also liked all the left-over gravy that was cooling down on the counter when the humans were on to after dinner drinks. Oh, it was so yummy! but one of my new Mummy's guests liked to call my "Garbage Gut" for all the snacking I was doing.

For the first couple of days here, my new mommy called me her foot soldier. I’m not sure why, but I just couldn’t let her out of my sight so I followed her wherever she went. Sometimes she would get tired of my trying to cuddle with her on the couch because she says I’m way too big to be a lap dog – but she did have some really nice friends over who gave me lots of attention so I didn’t mind not being on her lap every time she sat down. Last night she didn’t want me around much at all because she said I had bad breath. I wonder if that has something to do with the snack I had at the kitty litter box. Unfortunately it was a very short snack because Uncle Jim shooed me quickly away from the box. He now calls be “Poo dog” or “Whiskey the Poo”

The most bizarre situation happened when my new Mommy took me for a drive. I got really excited when the smells got familiar and I saw my old house. She got out but left me in the car in the driveway. She walked around the house and was mumbling. She then came back to the car and we drove back home! I don’t think my new mommy was very happy. We made the trip another time and my new mommy did more than just walk around the house and mumble. We both actually walked into the house only to be greeted by “Uncle Rob”. I was really happy to see him, but got a couple of hisses from the black furry animal that lives in my former house. Uncle Rob and New Mommy didn’t pay much attention to me though, because they were both doing strange things to the walls with these funny things they call tools and/or brushes in their hands. Some of the walls even changed colour! I think the colour is very dark, bold and very very dramatic.

A few hours later while at my old house, I heard a familiar car and then saw my best friend Scarlett and Auntie Giz. We played in the backyard and Scarlett and I did some greko-roman wrestling. Auntie Giz and my new mommy were talking and from their conversation I learned that if my new mommy had driven me to Scarlett’s house for that first car drive I could have gone into their house because she was given the key to Scarlett’s house even though she was told that it was the to my old house.

I was really surprised this morning when I jumped on her bed and discovered that I landed on those two other animals that apparently were sleeping under the covers. They weren’t too happy and gave me a few hisses and a many dirty looks. But, they seem to be getting used to my presence and look more relaxed than they did when I first arrived.

This evening, I went for a walk – pulling lots on my leash, had a nice supper and am now resting.

I really do like it here – and don’t think I’m kidnapped at all. I’d like to stay.

Below is a picture of one of those other animals trying to steal my food!

Happy Holidays

.... To everyone that passes by. Hope it is a peaceful time ...

... and all the best for 2010

A basement in transition

When I bought my home, the basement had thin siding on it - but there was no insulation. That is a no-no in a Canadian climate.



I took the siding away - and - oh no. Look what I discovered below!


A red wall, with questionable artwork .... and even worse ... see below ...


Black mold!!!


I got rid of the mold (with great difficulty .... and scraped the entire wall as seen here. This is the only picture I have of this, which I don't mind ....

This month, I bought a bundle of styrofoam....



and so this is what my basement currently looks like. I need to do a bit of sealing around some cracks. Then the next steps are to put new windows in, drywall, subfloor and ceiling tiles.

This actually will become my bedroom for awhile as I plan to rent two bedrooms on the main floor.

Lots of work, but great satisfaction too.

Thanks ....

On this day of remembrance in Canada. I want to thank all those who have served for my country and in the allied forces for their sacrifices.

War can tear countries apart - or bring them closer together.
War isn't always right and I don't support every one.
But, for those who believe strongly in supporting their country in combat - that is an unbelievable personal sacrifice that I acknowledge.

Mostly on this day, I think of the two great (and horrific) wars that happened in the last century and greatly shaped how we live today. The poem below was written by a Canadian medic serving in Belgium just before he passed away.


In Flanders Fields
by John McCrea - May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The poppies referred to in the poem grew in profusion in Flanders in the spoiled earth of the battlefields and cemeteries where war casualties were buried and thus became a symbol of Remembrance Day, November 11.

Flanders Fields was the site where around half a million deaths occurred in the horrific trenches of World War I. There are numerous military cemeteries and ‘Missing Memorials’ in the region commemorating those of all nationalities who fell in battle. Most of the soldiers who perished were the victims of poison gas attacks.

Curling Season has begun

The days in Canada vary drastically between summer and winter. In summer, the sun shines on us until 9:00 pm or later, but in winter the sun sinks beyond the horizon as early as 4:00 pm. So, now that we are approaching winter and the sun is making shorter daily appearances, I like so many other Canadians, turn to the sport of curling to help get through the dark evenings.

I began curling when I was 11, so obviously I have been doing it for a long time. During my teens and early 20s I was extremely competitive and had some relative success before taking seasonal breaks on and off for travel and other interests. But for the last three years I've become once again addictive and hope to regenerate some of my competitive ways and if I'm lucky, equal some of my earlier success. (So far I've curled seven games in the club, three mixed and four womens and have a record of seven wins - yeah!)

This upcoming year, we host the Olympics in Vancouver. Curling is one of the sports where Canada is hoping to medal in both the women's and men's competitions. Our representative have yet to be determined so all eyes are on our potential teams. Trials begin in November and conclude in December.

In the Toronto area these last five days, an mens elite international curling competition was held - with with five of Canada's top teams competing. I was lucky to have won tickets to the event and saw some fine play. Good practice as well for these Canadian teams before they enter the Olympic trials by playing the top teams from other nations that have already been declared as their country's Olympic representatives.

I'm just home from the finals where Canada's Glenn Howard (the 2007 world champ) won the competition. Here are some pictures from the competition.

Brad Gushue from Newfound and 2006 Olympic Gold medalist.

Alberta's Kevin Martin, 2002 Olympic Silver medalist

The Randy Ferby team from Edmonton Alberta, four-time Canadian and two-time World champs

The Ontario Glenn Howard team, 2007 world champ. (Glenn has won the worlds three times and his vice-skip Richard Hart is a 1998 Olympic silver medalist)

Autumn Splendor - My favourite season

There is something that I like about every season, but in Autumn it's the colourful trees in this part of the world and the cool crisp air.

These photos are all from the Laurentian Mountains in the Province of Quebec. Lost River, Lake MacDonald, Mt. Tremblant and Campbell's Bay Road (in that order)

Happy Birthday Boys

12 years ago these two brothers were born with four other siblings in the basement of my old house. Me and my ex discovered them after returning home from our favourite indian restaurant.

Over the years they have given me much joy and comfort. I love them very much!

Here's to you Leo (Leopold) and Rory (Rorschach)

Ta Da !

An airline totally devoted to pets?

Believe it or not, it's true!

A company, Pet Airways, is now flying from airports in five American cities and plans to expand into Canada next year for its “pawsengers”. In fact, the only humans allowed on the flights will be pet attendants and the pilots.

According to the airline, an estimated one million animals fly each year in America, and Pet Airways' goal is to capitalize on that statistic.

Flights begin at US$149, and come with the promise to "transport your pet with lots of love, care, safety, and comfort in the main cabin," according to the company. The planes are entirely designed with animals in mind so there are neither seats nor overhead baggage compartments.

The airline also offers a "pawsenger lounge" where pets can be checked in up to 72 hours prior to take-off.

Dan Wiesel, president and CEO of Pet Airways, said most pets travelling by air are transported in the cargo hold and "handled as baggage."
Operations began on July 14 with flights between Baltimore, New York, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles, with plans to expand to Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in 2010.

There is some competition here in Canada, however. While their mandates aren't as pet-centric as Pet Airways, major carriers West Jet and Air Canada both offer pet travel options.

Both airlines charge a $50 fee for pets that travel in the cabin, but Air Canada ups the fee to $105 for pets that are transported in the baggage compartment.

If you want more information, or don't believe these words – here is their website: http://petairways.com

Almost finished!

This summer in my front yard I've been dealing with goutweed (as per my blog post a few posts below).

In my backyard, I had more goutweed (that used to be at the base of the trees shown above) and discovered another weed called "Deadly Nightshade" (also known as "climbing nightshade" or "bittersweet nightshade"). This is a poisonous weed that can be fatal to humans if they eat the leaves or red berries that it produces. I also had about 15 cedar trees in a row that were unsightly and at one time used to be a cedar hedge.

With time on my hands earlier this summer, I decided to get into "destruction mode". I pulled out the goutweed and started to cut down the trees [full stop] ..... that was until the city of Toronto had its strike because some of their outside workers collect yard waste and brush. Now that the outside workers are back at work I tackled the trees once again and only have the limbs on 1.5 trees left! yeah! The brush from the limbs is at my curbside awaiting pick-up and the stumps of the trees (seen in the photo above) will be cut down in pieces that will be just perfect for friends chimineas or campfires.

The remaining 1.5 trees will be dealt with in a couple of weeks, just in time for the my neighbourhood's next yard waste pick-up day.

Once the trees are all at low stump level I'll be completing the same goutweed treatment as on my front yard. I'm tired at the moment but have a good sense of satisfaction as I dream about what I can plant in both yards to make this piece of land my little oasis.

Something new from Pete. Guess we'll all be meeting his "Walter" in a couple of years. Wonder if he'll be related to his "Tommy"

Mr. Townshend has announced plans for a new musical. Apparently this new project called "Floss" concerns the angst of the ageing Baby Boomer generation.

"I am writing a new musical," he writes in his blog "Floss is an ambitious new project for me, in the style of Tommy and Quadrophenia". The songs will be interspersed with surround-sound 'soundscapes' featuring complex sound effects and musical montages."

Townshend said the album is designed as an outdoor "son et lumière piece", to be debuted in 2011. Currently he's talking with producers in New York but hopes to release some of the musical's more "conventional" songs on a new Who album next year.

The musical tells the story of Walter, a pub-rock musician, who hits it big when one of his songs appears in a car advertisement. Suddenly wealthy, Walter becomes a "house-husband" as his wife, Floss, takes up horse riding!!. "When [Walter] tries to return to music after a 15-year hiatus," Townshend wrote, "he finds that what he hears and what he composes evoke the ecologically rooted, apocalyptic mindset of his generation. Shaken by this and torn by personal difficulties, he and Floss become estranged."

Townshend described the piece as a bit of a response to My Generation, the 1965 hit he calls "the most explicitly ageist song in rock". "At 64," he wrote, "I now want to take on ageing and mortality, using the powerfully angry context of rock'n'roll."

Don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to hearing more about this project and eventually listening to it.

Windmills, Cows, Wildflowers, Hay bales, Water and a Ferry Ride ....

These are a few words that describe the peaceful Wolfe Island, off the shores of historic Kingston and the largest of the 1000 Islands right where the St. Lawrence River begins from Lake Ontario.

My dear friend Catherine from Ottawa was on holiday and wanted to take a day trip to Kingston, with me. Kingston is small and I know it well so I suggested we take a jaunt on the ferry from Kingston over to Wolfe Island.

Wolfe Island is a sleepy island with lots of farms. But what made it interesting this year is the installation of a new wind farm that began construction in the spring of 2008 and just became operational two months ago.


The wind farm has 86 turbines which generate about 594 gigawatt hours (GWh) of power - enough to create enough electricity to power about 75,000 homes. It's the The second-largest wind facility of its kind in Canada.


We drove around the island and had a wonderful lunch on a patio on the water. Looking in one direction you were able to see other islands while in the other - the shoreline of Kingston with all its hotels, boats and historic buildings.

While some may complain that the windmills are a nuisance, I believe that we should use renewable power whenever we can. The location of this wind farm is great because the mills catch the prevailing and strong winds from the west off the lake.

Our only disappointment of the day was when we were asked to pay $8 each for a 1.3km nature walk. We didn't feel it was worth it. Instead, we decided to do some window shopping in Kingston which was fun!

A typical summer sight

This summer has, in my opinion, been lovely. But the weather has been weird. This picture has been a usual sight. Rainbows, sun and dark clouds all mixed together in one picture. The hot and humid weather that Toronto is famous for has held off until this week. It was the perfect week-end to relax on the beached shores of Lake Eerie with Anne-Marie's brother and sister!

Tomorrow I'm off to the Cedar Oasis and then a day trip to Kingston and Wolfe Island (the largest of the 1000 islands). I've snatched Jim's camera so I hope to get some nice shots (I can't find my battery recharger!!). Perfect timing and weather to get away from this heat and humidity to spend more quality time with special friends.

Do you remember woodstock?

Being just a kid in 1969 and probably being at the summer cottage I had no idea this iconic event was happening. But, last night I was able to get a taste of some of the music that was played on Yasgur's farm in upstate New York because I attended a Woodstock tribute night hosted by Toronto's classic rock station, Q107. We heard Santana, The Band, The Grateful Dead, Joe Cocker, Janis Joplin, CCR, Jimi Hendrix and Who tunes. Most of the bands were outstanding in their presence and musicality including - and I bet you guessed it - the Wholigans! Each set was about 45 minutes in length so we only had a little taste of each band. Barry and the boys (Darren, Bill and Dave) performed Summertime Blues, Amazing Journey, Sparks, Pinball Wizard, See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You, Baba O'Riley, and Won't Get Fooled Again. They, along with Michael White who performed Joe Cocker were my favourites - but I can't ignore the Janis, Jimi and Santana performances that were outstanding as well.

Q107 put on a mighty fine bash for its listeners and so they, along with the performers should be congratulated. It was even a more special treat to see/listen to the Wholigans again who had the crowd rocking better than any of the others.

Another mighty fine thing about the evening was The locale. It was at the Sound Academy on one of Toronto's many waterfront piers. Absolutely amazing outside views of the city's skyline, which at sunset is breathtaking!

On another note .....

The mercury has finally risen to near 30C levels so I'm off to Port Dover on Saturday for a quick visit and some, hopefully refreshing dunks in Lake Erie.

My fight against goutweed ...

... or snow on the mountain, bishops weed or whatever name they have for it!

I bought this property in November and therefore didn't see all the vegetation. Apparently the previous owner wanted ground cover under the tree and decided to plant this goutweed. Unfortunately this plant is an invasive weed. If I planted other pretty plants this weed would just invade and eventually kill it.

So, on with the battle. I learned that this plant is one of the most difficult to get rid of so drastic measures were called for ...

I covered the weed with four layers of thick cardboard and then a couple of inches of mulch ...


I then covered the entire area with geotextile fabric. I'm trying to smother the entire thing and so my front yard will have this massive ugly spot for a year. Jim refers to it as a "missile launching pad"



I've taken the rest of the stuff out (see bottom of pic above for a look at the goutweed) in other sections of my yard and plan to smother it later in the Fall. It may take me about three years to get rid of it all!