Grasshopper, TT and I went on a little hike across Sand Lake on Wednesday. We found these nests on a little island. I think that they might be Great Blue Herons because we see them fly back and forth from that direction. What do you think, Joseph?

We found a nest on the ground.




And these bones.

We're having a snow day!

Yup, we've got an Alberta clipper ripping through with the promise of 10 cms of snow. Thanks Jay! I know that you wouldn't appreciate it any way. It would just clash with your saddle shoes and double bogeys.


I went speckled trout ice fishing with Razor, TT and St. Pattie last weekend on a small unnamed little lake, back and behind the middle of nowhere. We only kept fish that had been too hurt, and released the rest.

That's all for now, we're going out to make the last snow angels of the year!

Even though it was -17 this morning, with a wind chill of -25, I think that we are on the nonslippery slope to bug season. The sun is packing a lot of heat and snow is starting to melt. There is still over two feet of ice on the lake, except for in the narrows, where I went wading yesterday while checking out where to put the solar lights.

Yesterday I installed some sea gull deterents on rocks around the lake. This one is to the left of Richie's lot, so that who ever gets to use the place this summer can get a good night's sleep.

A new and improved solar light with reflectors for gull sht rock.


Some moral support for Doc Shaw's pet owl.



The sun now sets well north, out of camera range from the front steps.

That's it for today, except, when have I heard that before Richie?

We went ice fishing a couple of times this past week. Here are Brian, Marg, TT and Grasshopper. No fish were caught, the "Brian Skunk Curse" fell on everybody.




Here, everybody is on the end of Richie's unused dock. We are seriously thinking of giving Richie's visit visa to Ben, if Ben can get a sled that can move under it's own power.

The next day Grasshoper and I went fishing by ourselves. Grasshopper with her first perch through the ice.

The catch of the day, or morning.

Last evening we went to the Fowler's for a party to celebrate Jose's 32 birthday, (new math), and a going away party for Jamie who is going "down under". Here, the guys are at the outdoor bar.

Bess is growing up fast.






Bryan's dog Nell, who is Bess's sister.

Chowing down on too much food. I think everybody waddled home, Thanks Jose.

Sun coming up this morning.

It's been a quiet week. (they don't call her Chatty Cathy for nothing).

Saturday I took a day off from working on fire wood and went to Frasertown to give old man Razor a hand with his .... fire wood. Due to technical difficulties, not allot got done.

I call this cheating.

We had strong winds on Saturday that blew all the snow off the lake down to Toronto. (chuckle, chuckle). Kita had a hard time running on the lake, so I finally tackled him and put him on the Yammie. He was SOOO embarrassed. He thinks that the only dogs that ride on snow machines are sissy little rat dogs.


When winter starts I shovel snow and make a snow ramp from the lake to my property. It's about five feet high and survives traffic and rain. the ice cracked and the crack came up through the ramp.

Happy 40th Birthday Mrs. C.

And you didn't think that that new math would come in handy.

The batteries are very happy with the sun and the reflection off of the lake.




Another sunset pic.



We got a couple of cm's of blowing snow yesterday. Kita chillaxes.



Kita with his desert.

George with his desert.



Snow waves. You bring the skis and I,ll tow you. You won't need a life jacket.



So, how have I been making out, all alone for a week? Let's see, supper the first night, left overs. The next night, left overs with a side order of left overs. The third night, different left overs. Tonight I'll have to find something to cook, chicken wings, I think. You probably noticed that there wasn't any KFC this time. I think that Doc Shaw probably frowns on over dosing on FLAVOUR! The past few days I've been loading up the wood shed, to make more room on the pallets for MORE wood. That's it for now, dial-up has disconnected about ten times. GRRRRRR!

PS- Tomorrow, don't forget to put the clocks ahead and change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors.

I know, it's been awhile since the last update. No, it hasn't taken this long to recover from Men's weekend. Actually, I've been holding my breath, waiting to see if Richie's boss would give him some time off. The citizens of Little Tomiko are seriously considering revoking Richie's visitor visa.

It's been a gorgeous week. Lots of sun and temps down to -30 with the wind chill. I have used the nice weather to get the last nickel's worth from my firewood cutting permit. It's been a lot of work, cutting, hauling with the snow machine, splitting by hand, and stacking, almost three bush cords. Here, Grasshopper stacks the last piece. Today will be a "mental health" day. Sometimes I wish I had a hot tub.

We got a couple inches of snow over night, but the sun is trying to burn a hole through the clouds this morning.



Whiskey jacks are waiting for breakfast.


Darren, next year it will be YOUR job to audit Jamie's score card. Good luck with that!