"Poison" Plants

 First of all, birthday wishes go out to niece Robin, and daughter Jo-Ann, who are celebrating today.  However, in Jo-Ann's case the celebrations are muted - she's recovering from a fall that broke her wrist and shoulder.  Hope a long distance air hug doesn't hurt Jo-Ann! Get well soon.

I didn't know that yesterday was Carol Kemp's birthday.  Sorry that I missed it Carol.

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Now, a response to Al.  I haven't found any Poison Oak on David's property, but we do have Poison Ivy.

I've eradicated it where I found it in the front half of the property, but it is thriving in the back half, as David has discovered a couple of times. When I cut the grass now, I cut a path around the rear perimeter so that he can walk Charlie with less risk of another bad experience.  It also decreases the risk of picking up ticks along the way.

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Mardi and two other members of the Shoreliner's Garden Club picked out almost $300 worth of plants for the planters/urns at the condo.  They did a beautiful job, but I neglected to get a picture.

Stay well.

Trillium Hill Maternity Ward

 I spent some personal time this morning enjoying and helping Mother Nature.  The first part was when I noticed our mother turtle parked near the driveway.

She had found her nesting site and stayed there for quite some time, laying her eggs.  It's just a few feet above the neighbor's pond. 

After she had left, I marked the spot so that I don't crush the eggs with the mower.

I would love to be around when the baby turtles hatch.  Long odds, but I've got my fingers crossed.

My other brush with nature came after I started weeding another garden.  Found two Oak trees hiding underneath.

So, I dug them up, replanted them and took them to the nursery.

Hopefully, some nursing will help them graduate from the Trillium Hill hospital.

But, I did get some work done.  Another garden cleaned up.  Had to crawl under the tree to get the weeds and vines cleaned out.  Even impressed my 87 year old self.

A feel good day, but then I came home and had a nap!

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Stay well my friends.  And keep your eyes open for nice surprises from mom nature.

Golf Day

 Headed to the golf course this morning.  Played in fog for the first few holes.

Fortunately, I can't hit the ball far enough these days to lose it in the fog.

After the round, while we were enjoying a beer on the patio, we were given a safety demonstration.  Good thing Mardi wasn't there to critique!

You'll notice that the beer can in the picture is quite distorted.  I'm sure that's what happened to Al's physique as well 😉.  Sorry Al.

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Tomorrow it's back to work.

Stay well.

Pride Month

 This month, I'm wearing the Pride ribbon, in honour of my granddaughter Anna, who is having a successful career as an internet game designer.

And I have rescued another garden.   It started out looking like this.  The field grasses had taken over.

Trim the perimeter first.

Then take out a wagon load of grass and weeds.

And finally, spread the mulch.

Fortunately (for me, but not for David) we have bags of soil and mulch that are broken and not saleable, so I can go crazy using it without feeling guilty 😊.

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Stay well.

Magical Gardens

 Finished another garden today.

The White Potentilla in the front blooms all summer.  When we were in Newfoundland they were everywhere, so they thrive in harsh climates.

The Perennial Geraniums behind it are not as splashy as their cousins, but they make a great ground cover in shaded areas.

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For a contrast, the board of our condo corp recently sent the following comment in their last newsletter.

Dear Owners and Residents, The flowers and trees are in full bloom and the Shoreliner is looking magical! 

OK.  You decide from the pictures that I have taken here.

I guess it depends on your interpretation of "magical".  They recently changed landscape companies.  This is courtesy of Jeff's Landscaping - nothing done in the flower beds.  The upcoming Annual Meeting should be a howl!

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Tonight, Mardi and I attended the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Hamilton Optimist Club.

They did a great job, and with a silent auction and a 50/50 draw added in, they will be able to fund projects for inner city kids.   Glad we attended.

Stay well.

A Full Day

 Watered the new plantings this morning and then cut the grass.  I think that if it's all pieced together, it adds up to about five acres and over two hours of work.

Some of the accent pieces are starting to bloom.  The Flowering Dogwood is looking nice (ignore the weeds - their turn is next week).........

...........and the Peonies (and can't remember the name of the white flowering shrub behind it) too.

Even the wild areas are looking good.

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I attended a Celebration of Life for my friend Doug Green this afternoon.  It was held on what would have been the 61st anniversary
of his marriage to Judy.

Doug was also a Past President of the Optimist Club, but my main connection to him was through golf.  They even had a picture of us on display.

That's Lyle Tweedle on the right, Doug next to him.  Don't remember the next guy - he must have been a fill-in that day.  Normally Jim Barlow would have been our fourth.  We played together at Glendale all the time.  Of course, I'm the guy in the orange pants 😕.  

And I'm the only one of that foursome still standing.  Makes a guy think!

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Tonight Mardi and I joined Liz and Al at Teddy's for wings (except Al went off script and ordered fish and chips) and beer.  

Nice to see Liz again (I see lots of Al 😖).

Enjoy life and stay well.

Another Garden

 I did some more gardening today.  And I rebuilt a ramp for Sean - it had become a safety issue.  But the picture of the day goes to the other gardener in the family, as she plants our "home garden".

Those pots will soon be overflowing.

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That's it for today.

Stay well.