The sun is shining on this Sunday afternoon and the wind is a'blowing with gusts anywhere from 20-70 km/h (12-43 mph). This wasn't unexpected so I decided to walk earlier this morning. I'm grateful there is a great walking paths nearby and especially grateful for the wildlife that show themselves to me as I walk.
These two headed my way as other walkers were headed their way so they were caught in the middle. I'm sure they were wishing we'd all go away!
I walked over to the creek hoping to find some red-winged black birds. The city has obviously cleared the banks and removed all the plants that were there. It is very disappointing as the birds won't have places to hid their nests or the reeds to sit and sing from.
This bunny was keeping an eye on me as I skirted past him.
I heard this gull before he flew over me. (I won't tell you what my brother calls them, it isn't polite)
Why did the goose cross the road? Well, based on these next few photos it was all because of a female. She stayed on the shore and let the guys duke it out.
I've never seen these ducks before; I believe they are canvasbacks based on my internet search. I've sent the photo to my brother for confirmation. He was a conservation officer before he went into policing.
Along the way there were a number of pairs relaxing in the sun. These two didn't even budge as I walked by.
Finally, what a difference a week makes. Last week the pond was still mostly covered in ice. Not today!
There didn't seem to be as many birds around either, but our local man-made lake a few kilometres away is likely open as well. Hmmm...maybe it's time for a walk around the lake!
Take care and stay well everyone!
This is not a catch-up post - it's an opinion piece and most likely a bit of rant. So if you're not in the mood to listen to my whining, feel free to skip this post.
As regular readers you're aware that my adult daughter D and her son Eli are living with me again. She's basically homeless, as J, Eli's father doesn't want her living with him, she's worn out her welcome at her friend M's, and she doesn't have the resources to live anywhere on her own. I suspect even when she returns to work in February she'll be hard-pressed to find anyone willing to rent to her. Yes, she's messed up her life that badly - much of it due to her off-again, on-again, off-again relationship with J.
This morning, I was cleaning the kitchen cupboards of their clutter. She's been doing Christmas baking so I've expected her to do the dishes and put things away. She does...but in such a haphazard manner that it is near impossible to find what you are looking for. It's been driving me nuts so this morning, after a cup of coffee I got busy and started sorting through the pantry. D wandered in and I asked her to clear out the lazy susan.
As we were working, she mentioned something about Christmas. I confirmed that she and J are no longer a couple, and then I informed her I did not want him in my home this year. It's been three years that I've had to put with someone (or several someones as he often brings whoever is his current roommate) I don't like at my Christmas table (and Thanksgiving and Easter). The first year, I even drove him to the local jail after dinner so he could serve a weekend. Yes, that's how I first met him.
She was very upset, telling me she and J had already talked about it, and they decided to spend Eli's first Christmas together...and they had decided it would be here in my home. I said she and Eli could spend part of the day at J's and part of it here, my son C doesn't generally get up before noon anyway. But that isn't good enough, there will be no tree or lights at J's and she wants Eli to experience a "normal" family Christmas.
After some to and fro'ing she agreed that this has nothing to do with Eli and everything to do with her feeling that her childhood was lacking because she didn't know her father. Somehow the time she spent with her grandparents, her aunts and uncles, and her mother and little brother were not normal. It was a real slap in the face.
I reminded D that Eli won't remember this Christmas. If and when, she and J formalize their custody arrangement, the likelihood of him remembering a Christmas with both his parents is slim to not at all. This is his normal, just as living in a single parent family was hers.
She immediately stormed off to her room (Eli, thankfully napped through this) and when the baby awoke she headed off to see J. I know she'll be back later, though she mentioned something about leaving Eli with J. This is her way of punishing me. When we were arguing she told me I obviously didn't care about spending Christmas with Eli - so they'd spend the day in her room. Yes, she truly is that childish.
Perhaps I am as well, but I'm standing my ground on this one. Despite it is the season of goodwill towards all men, I will not invite him into my home again. I will have Christmas early or delay it a day, but in any event, I'll celebrate with those I love.
To end this post on a less cranky note, here's Sheldon "helping" me clean out the plastics drawer in the island. I gave him a bit of a fright when I came around the corner!
