Thing$ Are Going North $$: The list keeps growing

Yesterday I posted a few items related to the rising costs of hydro in Ontario.

The complete list of Thing$ Going North$$ now stands at 12 - 13 items depending how you slice and dice certain charges.


["Pigs everywhere are under attack!"]

In my opinion, as the list grows, more people will feel frustrated with monthly bills, overall yearly costs, etc., and be more inclined to push back whenever any level of government in Canada says anything about taxes other than “cutting them to the bone.” And with spiralling debt, tax increases will surely need to be considered at some time.

For an example of push back, we need to look no farther than what giant pharmaceutical companies are doing in response to the provincial government’s attempt to, as they say, lower the cost of generic drugs for those who need it.

Push back will become more vehement whether governments try to reduce expenditures or grow a revenue stream.

So, tough times are ahead. Reduce your spending, pay down debt and save money as you can.

The list of Thing$ Going North$$ so far:

An 8% increase in domestic electricity costs starting May 1. (The increase will be lower if you have your so-called smart meter installed - 5.8%).

Plus another $9 per year for two additional charges.

Our inflation rate, which includes the effect of volatile items such as fuel, fruit and vegetables, rose more than forecast in February and is now up to 2.1% for the last full year.

Canada’s national debt will pass $620 billion in 2014, according to Canada’s Dept. of Finance.

Hydro rates will rise once we switch to the new ‘smart meter’ rates.

Since my last review, oil has risen $3.50 per barrel to $85.50 US.

Canada’s average household debt to income ratio recently went from 140 to 145 percent (predicted by experts to be at 160 soon).

Experts predict that higher interests are on the way, so mortgages and lines of credit will cost Canadians more.

The HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) will be starting on July 1, 2010 and will affect many shopping purchases and monthly bills.

Ontario’s provincial debt is approaching $200 billion.

At last review, Canadians were paying an average of 12 cents a litre more for gasoline at the pumps than a year ago.

Did I miss anything?

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Letter to the Editor: Pharmacies in jeopardy? Potash

The notion that pharmacies are in jeopardy because of the Ontario government’s plan to restructure funding is a huge stinky pile of potash.

Robert Awad’s recent letter is one that smells a great deal like potash - and self-interest, in my opinion.

He begins:

“The McGuinty government’s announcement of massive funding cuts to community pharmacies will seriously hurt front-line health care in London.... the government is cutting $1 billion a year out of pharmacy funding...”

Put on the brakes right there, Robert.

The government plan will cut the so-called professional allowances, i.e., cash paid to pharmacists by generic drug companies to stock their products, aka influence money, grease on the skids, bribes.


["Ann would say grease is bad for business"]

The grease amounts to $750 million a year for pharmacies, allowing them to grow bigger and fatter than necessary to deliver meds over the counter.

The government plan will also boost dispensing fees by $1 at most pharmacies and add $150 million for direct patient services, e.g., flu shots.

Though Mr. Awad says “this is a reckless attempt to reduce its deficit on the backs of patients in London and across Ontario,” I say it’s about time the giant pharmaceutical companies had less say as to what gets pushed across the counter, thereby easing costs for those who need it most.

And we truly need to ease costs. (Please click here to read about the drug use of Canadian seniors).

What do you think?

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It Strikes Me Funny: Are you stressed (#!&#!!) by slooow technology

There’s a good chance that you are.

Sorry about that, I’ll type faster.

According to a wee item in last Saturday’s London Free Press, 66 per cent of computer users say they are at least ‘somewhat stressed’ by slow technology.

23 per cent say they are extremely stressed.


["Ann Landers would say - chill"]

At the time I wondered, what about the other 11 per cent?

So I asked some of my neighbours about technology.

2 per cent were reading a book and told me to come back later.

3 per cent were busy in their garden.

And a full 6 per cent (I fit into this group) still find that slow technology is faster than, for example, writing an actual letter and walking it to the nearest mailbox.

We’re good, thanks!

***

Maybe more people should switch to decaf.

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Thing$ Are Going North $$: Hydro costs are climbing

The headline in this morning’s issue of the Free Press reads ‘Hydro costs climbing 8%’ but when you read the article you’ll find your total hydro bill will soon be going up more than that.

Yes, there’s an 8% increase in domestic electricity costs starting May 1. (The increase will be lower if your so-called smart meter is installed - 5.8%).

However, in July the Harmonized Sales Tax comes into play, so the tax on the higher hydro bill will also rise - by, coincidentally, another 8%.

There’s more good news.

About the 8% hike on May 1, the news article says:

“It’s the latest in a series of hikes that include an additional $5 per month on hydro bills by 2012 as part of an $8 billion plan to create more renewable energy in Ontario.”

If we’re already paying the extra 5 bucks, sorry. I missed that one. Let’s call it the renewable energy fee.


["Looking for a small house in the country - away from it all?": photo GAH]

There’s more good news.

“There is also a new charge to help cover $53 million of the Liberal government’s conservation and green-energy program... and is expected to add about $4 a year to the average electricity bill.”

Let’s call that the conservation fee.

In conclusion, two things.

If you haven’t been planning to unplug 10 - 20% of your electrical appliances once the smart meters are turned on (Sept., I think), you should start doing so soon.

Also, begin to shift your heaviest electricity demands to weekends before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. weekdays.

Just a thought.

***

Watt?

Just a thought, I said.

Please click here to read about more things going north $$.

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Birdhouse Spotting Pt 2: Would you make a house from a kit?

On my way to the Belmont Gold Course and Copenhagen yesterday via Harry White Rd., I spotted a purple martin house made from a kit.

My reactions - the setting is beautiful, but metal birdhouses don’t impress me much, even though they’re practical for some people, cheaper than wood in some cases, and the birds don’t seem to mind.


["I'd like to live near a pond too": photos GAH]

Beauty will always be in the eye of the beholder and rescued barn board cannot be topped, in my opinion.

The lone occupant of the martin house flew off after I parked my bike and I’m pretty sure it was just a sparrow.


["Would metal houses get a bit warmer than ones from wood?"]

Farther down the road I spotted a large, numbered box on a telephone pole and thought it might be a duck box. I’m not sure. A small bird flew out, and it was no duck.


["I spotted 3 like this - from a set of 10?"]

Later in the day I spotted one more metal purple martin house (in Port Bruce - same kit design). I'm still not impressed, but am thankful people are making a good effort to take care of birds.

I also spotted two more green duck boxes, same as above. Does someone - or a government ministry - have a birdhouse route?

I’ll try to find out.

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Birdhouse Spotting Pt 1: You can’t get lost on Harry White Rd

To motorcycle out of London safely, I often head south toward Harry White Rd. Yesterday, I discovered that it’s home to several interesting birdhouses.


["1st birdhouse spotted on H. White Rd. Pretty sad shape": photos GAH]

To get there, I travel south on White Oaks Rd. until it ends at a T-intersection and connects with Harry White.

If I want to travel to Wonderland Rd., I turn right.

["I trespassed to snap this well-designed model. A+"]

Yesterday, I turned left to connect with Wellington Rd. S. and continue on my ride to the Belmont Golf Course (to see if there were more than two birdhouses beside the roadside fairways) and Copenhagen (to examine a large red birdhouse I spotted last week.

Though my journey to Wellington was only a mile long, I stopped four times to examine and photograph birdhouses.


["Surely this is made from rescued lumber. Very practical"]

It turned out to be that kind of day.

Everywhere I looked I saw interesting models, some hand-made, some from kits, and I felt inclined to stop.


["Riding and birdhouse spotting - hobbies that go together"]

During the three hour ride, did I see any models I would try to copy in the future?

I’d have to say yes.

Please click here to read Part 2.

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It Strikes Me Funny - Conclusion: KFC’s Double Down sandwich

All I can say is thank goodness.

‘Canadians will not get to enjoy Double Down’ says a newspaper clipping from the April 13 issue of the local Free Press.

After reading about what makes up a Double Down (it’s two pieces of bacon and two slices of cheese smothered with the Colonel's Sauce with two fried chicken patties as buns) I felt I should become a member of the Food Police and strike it from menus wherever it may be found, along with triple pattie burgers and anything else containing enough calories to scare buzzards off a gut wagon.


[Dear KFC - keep the DD out of Canada; we're already getting too big for our pants"]

For those who can’t believe what I’m saying and are warming up the car to drive to the nearest KFC for lunch, afternoon snack and supper combined in one huge sandwich, here is what the brief news clipping said:

"The Double Down is currently not available in Canada," the company said in a statement sent to QMI Agency. "KFC Canada closely monitors customer response to all international and U.S. product launches and continuously evaluates opportunities to test these new menu items in Canada."

I suppose if no one dies right away from eating the DD in the USA, it will appear in Canada in time for high school graduation festivities.

Good luck with your thighs, Canadian grads!

***

Repeat after me -

I solemnly swear I will never eat a Double Down. So help me pancreas (and all other internal organs).

.

It Strikes Me Funny Pt 3: KFC’s Double Down sandwich

Before I go on (and on and on), I should say that I am not the food police.

I’m certainly not in favour of eating such foods as KFC’s new Double Down sandwich, or the Mr. Potatoskin Sandwich from midtown Mahattan’s Cer Té restaurant, and I don’t want other people to eat it as well, but there is no supreme power or authority invested in me to force restaurants to take terrible food off their menu or throw diners into a cell who show poor judgement.


["This label is sown onto my hockey pants. But I'm not the enforcer... yet": photo GAH]

Years ago I encouraged coffee drinkers to make a wise choice by making their morning brew at home, rather than going to a drive-thru (or walk into a restaurant with a travel mug in hand) and this is what one reader said to me:

“I don’t have to, I don’t want to, and I won’t.”

So there!

Terrible fast-food choices will continue to appear on menus, people will buy them and continue to do a lot of irreparable damage to their bodies.

Case in point:


["The Mr. Potatoskin Sandwich": link to photo and more information]

If you ate a Mr. Potatoskin for lunch - fried chicken breasts slathered with BBQ sauce, cheese and bacon, stuffed between two potato skins and served with a side of sour cream and chives - what good could come of that besides having to lie down all afternoon and do nothing?

While googling info re the Double Down, a tweeter said the following:

I guess u haven't looked at Hardee's menu lol. RT

In other words, there may be worse stuff out there at Hardee’s.

Maybe RT was referring to the 1,800 calorie, triple pattie, double-cheese and bacon burger that was all the rage a few years ago right after it came out.

Someone else tweeted the following:

KFC's Double Down grossing you out? Um... Yeah. Maybe this grilled cheese monstrosity is more your style.

Sorry, I didn’t catch a link to what or where the monstrosity was.

So, there is undoubtedly worse stuff out there than the Double Down, though I don’t know if you could do worse than the First KFC Double Down Challenge Of The Season (dealbreaker.com), about which RT added, no one who eats 5 DDs really "wins" in the end.

We will, however, have plenty of losers.

Maybe food police aren’t such a bad idea.

Please click here to read the exciting conclusion.

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It Strikes Me Funny Pt 2: KFC’s Double Down sandwich

This just in:

Some people are madly tweeting about the new KFC Double Down sandwich, which is not called a chicken sandwich even though it’s two pieces of bacon and two slices of cheese smothered with the Colonel's Sauce with two fried chicken patties as buns.

(I suppose it’s called the Double Down because after you eat one you double over and are down for the count).

When I googled KFC Double Down, out of morbid curiosity, a few tweets started to appear.

Here’s the latest one:

My chem prof just called kfc's double down a weapon of mass destruction... Jash M.

Here’s another:

As soon as Liz and I saw the KFC "Double Down" commercial last night she said, "Shut up." I had not said a word yet. BLF

Another:


["I'd use a fork to poke at it. Is it real?"]

I'm gonna go try out a KFC Double Down. Pray for my survival. BT

Tweets are coming fast and furious. Wow, the Double Down seems to be all the rage in the USA.

Are you in on this, or praying for the survival of your fellow countrymen?

Oops, here’s another:

Just finished the KFC Double Down. Had four bites with hand, ate the rest w/fork & knife. Sandwich was finished at 1:58 PM. Will update. gg

While waiting for the update (I’m on pins and needles) ‎I’ll mention that a few people have commented that KFC isn’t the only fast-food chain that is going super big and bunless.

That’s right. If the Double Down isn’t for you, perhaps I could interest you in a Mr. Potatoskin Sandwich.

Please click here to read Pt 3 The Double Down

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It Strikes Me Funny Pt 1: KFC’s Double Down sandwich

“No way,” I said.

My wife said nothing.

I was channel surfing the other night and came across a report about a new chicken sandwich from KFC in the USA and couldn’t believe my eyes.

“No way. This is...” I said, then stopped and pointed, as if the chicken sandwich, the size of a breadbox, couldn’t be seen from where my wife was sitting, which was at the other end of the same sofa I was sitting on.

“This is what’s wrong with the world,” I finished.

While listening to the mini-documentary/heart-attack-waiting-to-happen-update, I learned KFC’s latest menu item wasn’t in fact a chicken sandwich.

It is two pieces of bacon and two slices of cheese smothered with the Colonel's Sauce with two fried chicken patties as buns.


["Why is it called Double Down? Do you double over?": link to photo w comments]

No regular bun. The chicken is the bun.

“You and I couldn’t finish one of those off together,” I said. “How can people eat that stuff?”

During the TV report, I saw various people, i.e., moms, dads, young children, reacting to the Double Down.

I noticed a lot of positive and surprised reactions.

“Oh, it’s big.”

“Oh, where’s the bun?

“Oh, this is so good?”

“Yeah, I like this.”

“Hey, how come there’s no bun?”

I also noticed no one reacted the way I would have reacted. Nobody asked for a fork so they could poke at it to see if it was real.

And nobody asked, “Do I really need this much meat for this one meal, or for today, or this week?”

Would you eat a KFC Double Down?

Please click here to read Pt 2.

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Newspaper Clipping: Bankruptcies - the headline only sounds positive

“Bankruptcies post biggest drop in 20 years” rang out the headline (Apr. 13, London Free Press).

Sounds promising?

Read the first sentence:

The number of Canadian bankruptcies reported in January dropped by 6.7% from December in the biggest decline for the month in 20 years, government figures showed.

So, what the story really means is, bankruptcies post the biggest drop in January in 20 years.


Okay, that is a bit of positive news when you consider that, ‘traditionally, January is a month when bankruptcies rise.’

But, when we consider what 2009 was like over all (‘For the 12-month period total insolvencies increased by more than a quarter, almost entirely fuelled by personal bankruptcies. Canada’s household debt levels have reached record levels, raising concern about the potential impact of rising interest rates on consumer finances’) maybe we should still proceed with much caution.

No matter whether I was young or old, I’d be spending less, paying down debt and saving money for the tough times ahead.

And I’d read headlines very carefully.

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Ollie and Me: He feeds the birds as much as I do

Ollie and I have some regular routines we perform together so that we’re not under Nanna’s feet every minute.

When I say it’s time to feed the birds Ollie comes with me and pours seeds into two feeders and onto the bench between them.

Yesterday, however, Ollie had a new toy - a plastic dinosaur - and wanted to feed it as well.


["I can put seeds in his mouth": photos by GAH]

He got a kick out of watching seeds pour out of the dinosaur’s mouth and onto the ground.

“Let’s do it again,” he said, twenty times.


["I'll do it again... and again... and again."]

Now the lawn is covered with seed and should keep neighbourhood birds and squirrels happy for a few days.

If Ollie brings the dinosaur on a regular basis I’ll have to think of new ways to save money. Bird seed ain’t cheap, even though I am.

***

Men - want to save $25 on a regular basis?

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In the Workshop: The first duplex/feeder sold like a hotcake!

When I got to the coffee shop this morning (at a leisurely 9:30; bankers’ hours, eh) one of the staff told me how they helped sell one of my big birdhouses.

“Yeah, I told the lady how to take off the roof to clean out the top floor,” he said. “Then I turned it upside down to show her how to take off the bottom panel.”


["The first of three duplex/feeders; rescued lumber - ready for linseed oil": photos GAH]

“Hey, keep up the good work, Troy,” I said, and shook his hand with a smile, and felt - with his good looks - the kid will go far.

Thirty seconds after I sat down down with my Rooibos tea (I’ve got a sore throat - stand way back) the manager of the coffee shop asked, “Where’s the next big birdhouse? There’s space on the counter.”

“I’ll have one ready tomorrow,” I said.


["I might have to make more of these; feeders are popular"]

(Even sooner, if I break down and sell the one I was keeping to sit atop a 10 ft. post in my own backyard).

Then I said, "No, I lied. The one that will be ready tomorrow is already sold."

I've sold it, in advance, to a couple who wanted a big house plus a feeder as one unit. So, as soon as I’m done, after lunch today perhaps, I’ll deliver it to their house.


["With edging, can the roof also be a feeding surface? I think so!"]

Then I'll quickly assemble another two for the coffee shop.

I wonder if they’ll sell as quickly? Good weather is ahead and I want gas money so I can go birdhouse spotting.

I suppose, with Troy on top of things, they'll sell like hotcakes too.

Maybe I should give the kid a commission!

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The Simple Life: I saved $20 plus tip before coffee at The Roaster

I have this poofy bit of hair that grows over the deep thought center of my brain and when it starts to go sideways I know it’s time for a trim.

Years ago I’d go to the phone, call Barb at Stanleyville and book an appointment.

One day, while getting my usual trim, I noticed that Barb had a new set of clippers.


["How easy was that? Saved 25 smackers": photo GAH]

I asked, “How much did you pay for those?” (I thought maybe they'd be in the $100 - $200 range, too rich for my blood).

“Less than $40,” she said.

I could afford $40 fifteen years ago so I picked myself up a pair and have been cutting my own hair, including the poofy bit, ever since.

And now, hair freshly cut and looking as shiny as a new dime, I’m heading out for coffee, knowing I just saved enough money to buy breakfast for my wife and I - for 2.5 days.

Big time spender - that’s me all over.

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Zoom w a View: Is the temperature perfect for blossoms?

The blossoms on our apricot tree have only lost a few petals in 8 - 10 days. Rare in my opinion.


["The blossoms are usually gone within the week": photos GAH]

Perhaps this will not only be the year for a bumper crop of apricots but for long lasting blossoms throughout London.


Photographers, pedestrians, canners, nature-lovers, those who stand on the front porch in their pajamas in the morning to take a deep breath of fresh air, etc., will be happy if this is a banner blossom year.


Is it the cool-ish temperatures? Dumb luck?

Something else?

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I Ask You: How could I not stop?

Have you seen bumper stickers that say - This Car Stops for Yard Sales?

Yeah, that’s me.

But on the way home yesterday with the back of the car filled with birdhouse supplies - fallen branches and two posts (one was a 10-footer and was one inch away from fitting entirely inside my Civic) - I spotted something better than a yard sale.

I saw eight, clean louvered doors sitting outside a house a few blocks from my own.


["One door is about to be taken apart"; photos GAH]

You might ask, what does a brilliant birdhouse builder want with louvered doors?

I’m glad you asked.

Do you know how much effort is involved in cutting thin pieces of wood that could be used as slats or shingles on a birdhouse roof?

Lots.


["A pile of slats in a fraction of the time!"]

Though the car was loaded I found a way to fit two doors atop the seats.

Before loading I spoke to the home owner (wanted to make sure they were not intended for someone else) and as I tucked the last one through the passenger window I noticed the homeowner looking at the remainder of the pile.

He had a studious look on his face, so I asked, “Do you want them back? It’s okay if you do.”

"No, you’re fine. But I like your birdhouse idea.”


["Coincidentally, the slats are a good match for my latest birdhouse"]

Yes, I spilled the beans. I couldn’t help myself.

“Maybe I’ll set one aside and try it myself,” he said before walking back to his yard work.

Hey, the more people who build birdhouses, the better, in my opinion.

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In The Workshop: A good idea - from the page to the workbench

During a coffee stop in St. Mary’s on Sunday I sketched my next brilliant birdhouse idea.

Ideas flow fast and furious sometimes, especially while birdhouse spotting on my motorcycle. It might be the fresh air blowing through what’s left of my hair. Or the caffeine.


["Yeah, maybe the caffeine": photos GAH]

I sketched and thought, a duplex or triplex with a feeder off to the side and placed atop a wooden stand will look good in my garden. Heck, in anybody’s garden. Oh yeah, I’ll make a fortune.


["Thames Park is filled with fallen branches"]

Though years away from making anything even mildly resembling a fortune, I am now a few steps closer to transferring the idea from the page in my notebook to a birdhouse on my workbench.


["Old branches don't look very interesting - yet"]

I picked up branch poles and two posts yesterday morning and by supper time had cut and sanded 90 per cent of the pieces for three duplexes.


["Rescued lumber - usually bone dry - cuts and smells better than new boards"]

Soon, the bits and pieces will look somewhat like my original sketch.

***

Yesterday morning, after rescuing two posts that were going to waste behind an old building I drove home.

On the way something caught my attention lying at the side of the road.

Stay tuned.

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Searching For a Fine Glass of Beer: Upper Canada Lager

The Upper Canada Brewing Company was founded in 1984 to (according to their website), produce a family of traditionally-brewed, all-natural beers.

Because a member of my family stored their lager in my fridge last weekend I got to try one or two. I tried not to be influenced in my assessment by the fact they didn’t cost me a penny.

The colour is golden and the aroma is light, with a touch of sweet corn or honey.


["Looks good, smells and tastes quite mild to me": photos GAH]

The taste is mild, in my opinion, perhaps because the lager is brewed with only four ingredients in accordance with the Bavarian Purity Act of 1516, which allows the use of only four pure ingredients (malted barley, hops, yeast and water), none of which are high on unique flavors.

Because the label depicts large, handsome (in a rugged sort of way), hard-working Voyageurs, I was expecting something heartier or more potent, even though the label clearly states the beverage is 5% alc./vol.


["Okay, maybe not handsome. At least rugged"]

My son likes the price per bottle and after a hard day of paddling the back waters of Northern Ontario on a hot day I suppose I’d be happy to dring two or three in a row while eating a plate of brown beans and watching the sun set in the west.

Would I buy it myself?

Likely not. Too mild for my taste. Even though, according to the brewery’s website, Upper Canada Lager won a Silver Medal at the 2004 Brussels Monde Selection in 2004, I’d lean toward trying something else from their family of beers first.


["Can you remember the four natural ingredients in this beer?"]

Maybe the Upper Canada Dark Ale, because it won a Gold Medal again at the 2005 Brussels Monde Selection.

Or their Maple Brown Ale, introduced in 1998, with pure maple syrup infused into the brew.

***

Please click here to read my last beer review, i.e., Dead Elephant Ale.

http://itstrikesmefunny.blogspot.com/2010/03/searching-for-glass-of-fine-beer-dead.html

Please visit Searching For a Fine Beer in the lower right margin for 12 recent beer reviews.

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Birdhouse Hunting: Thamesford and Kintore look promising for birds

I should say I go birdhouse spotting rather than hunting because I carry a camera, not a gun. (New title next time).

During an 80 km motorcycle trip today from London to Thamesford, Kintore, St. Marys and home again, I spotted 20 - 24 birdhouses, stopped four times, snapped 14 decent photos and ate the sweetest piece of coffee cake ever invented.

And besides heartburn, I brought home another idea that I’ll have to try out in the workshop, i.e., small - medium sized duplexed or triplexed birdhouses atop sturdy branch poles.


The one above, on a side street in Thamesford, is on a metal pole.

The next one, resting close to the ground (too close to attract birds, in my opinion), was also in Thamesford, on county road 119, 1/2 km. north of highway 2.


"My brother made it," said a woman sitting on the front porch of the house.

Ten minutes later, as I entered Kintore, I spotted the mother lode.

The two below are my favourites from a collection of at least 12 houses on a small property just south of the four-way stop at the centre of the hamlet.


["I have barnboard, so I should make a nice barn": photos GAH]


Birdhouse spotting in the past has already resulted in birdhouse building, and I bet I’ll start two or three examples on branch poles within the next week.


Happy hunting... or birdhouse spotting.

***

If you spot a few and have photos at a blog, let me know.

My motto - Have Lumber, Will Steal Ideas.

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In the Workshop: The paint is dry, the price is set

One minute after placing eight wren houses on the front porch (to sun dry) I received two small visitors.


One chickadee stopped in the apricot tree, almost within touching distance, and the second entered the first house on the left. (I hastily snapped a picture; it turned out blurry. Rats!)

In amazement, I watched as the second chickadee went from one house to the next. As soon as the camera focussed, the bird moved to another house.


["Very nice. Next. Very nice. Next.": photos GAH]

Nervous creatures? Maybe excited? (“Eight to choose from. And we’re here first!”)

The first chickadee left the tree and checked out a green house under the eave of my own.


["Honey, you can see a coffee shop from here!"]

I hope the couple pick the green house because the smaller wren houses are going on sale on Monday at a local shop.

***

Yesterday I asked you to guess what I would charge for a wren house.

I’ve settled on $12.

Were you close?

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Zoom w a View: The bees are back and buzzing

While attaching a wren house to a tree branch this morning I heard a distinct, constant and welcome hum whenever I stood silently and traffic moved farther down the road.


["The house may create a buzz among local wrens": photos GAH]

I thought, the bees are back. Brilliant.

I couldn’t see them at first because, with camera in hand, I’d placed my bifocals on the top of my head.


I saw them, however, whenever I zoomed in for a close-up of apricot blossoms.

What a welcome sight.


Apricot jam will surely be served for breakfasts in August!

Some people think caviar on a biscuit is the cat’s meow.

Not me. Apricots from the front lawn are purr-fect.

***

Does fresh, homemade jam put a smile on your face?

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From the workshop to the hardy apricot tree

Yesterday I removed a birdhouse from the apricot tree on our front yard and prepared to move it higher.

I paused, screw-driver in hand and wondered, should I make the hole a bit bigger?


["A lovely spot for a family of wrens": photos GAH]

After checking online, I discovered my 3/4 inch hole was a tad small. 7/8ths - 1 and 1/8th inch was recommended, depending on the wren one was hoping to attract.

I settled on 1 inch holes because that was the only sized spade I had in that range.


While re-attaching the house to the tree this morning, Megan, my next door neighbour, said that the tree looked beautiful. (Nothing about the brilliant craftsmanship re the birdhouse. Drat!)

Earlier in the week I had been worried about the tree. Blossoms had been coming on like gangbusters but the weather stayed cool and bees stayed home.


We both agreed the tree looked perfect today.

I hope the bees think so too. Apricot jam could be in my future!

***

The tree had been uprooted in its second year due to sewer work on the front lawn. I remember seeing it tossed aside after returning home from work years ago and replanted it, hoping it would do well.

Hardy beggars are trees, eh.

Do you have a tree in your yard you're particularly fond of?

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