BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN ON THE 3RD

Well, Spring sprang and here I am again in lovely Victoria County, Somerville Twp. And, its also now Summer! A lovely return trip from Mexico, which included buying a new generator that came complete with alternative fuel options and a remote ON/OFF fob. We got to see beautiful parts of the U.S. of A. which was a really nice bonus. My favourite was Kentucky, with a close 2nd being West Virginia (where we got the generator).

Now here on the 3RD, the baby turtles have staggered from the lawn (giggle!) to the pond, the frogs have had nightly sing alongs almost since the night of our return, and the geese, the gander especially, have attacked not only the truck but the car too! Such fierce parents! Certainly can't fault them for that, actually have to admire them for their tenacity since with the way geese flock up with other parents and babies they are not just protecting their own, they also protect other goslings. Hmmm, a lesson there I am sure for the rest of us so called civilized humans!

It is just a couple of days away from 'CANADA DAY' so thought I would post a photo or 2 of our quintessentially Canadian animal, the beaver! I just took these this morning near my house. There are several of them and they are industriously attempting to overflow the swamp. Just as tenacious as they are, are the people in charge of keeping the roadway clear for vehicle and horse traffic (there is a Boarding facility for horseback riders nearby). The beavers want to dam up the culvert but they are constantly being disappointed with the removal of all their hard work.

I want to say how happy I am to be a Canadian, and to have the constitutional right to be able to have a place like a social network where I can say exactly what I want, how I want, whether its good, bad, or ugly!
Now, back to saying how wonderful things are around here; got the screened in porch finished just before bug season - we are all loving it! And, I have a place to hang potted flowers, and humming bird feeders. I couldn't resist a pot of pansies and their lovely little faces greet me each morning, and then my darling cousin Jeanette bought me the most gorgeous red hibiscus which gives me a new blossom every couple of days - what a great way to always remind me of her!

Girlfriend Sue brought me an iris as a hostess gift. It is lovely too!

This plant flowered with the largest orange/peach blossoms that I have ever seen. A big rainstorm tragically knocked down the flower stock but all was not lost as I trimmed the bottom of the stock and put it into a vase in the house where it bloomed continuously for more than a week. Then the peonies bloomed - their scent is heavenly...

so I brought them into the house as well.

While inspecting those lovelies, another lovely was found! A butterfly had just emerged from its chrysalis and while it was letting its wings stretch out I took a bunch of photos of it doing so.

Business is also blooming - for that we are grateful, and busy! Paintbrushes have been wielded continuously since we got home, seems it is the year for change/renewal of colour.

With that note, I am off to now paint our guestroom.

Cheers! Tosia
PS - the saddle remark in the title... I am starting to get into riding my horse again, after more than 5 years... I can't describe how much this makes me smile.