Jack’s Walk

Today Jack and I went to the non-beaver side of the river. We haven’t come here very often this winter and I thought the change might help overcome the ennui that’s set in. Jack certainly enjoyed himself, but he didn’t want to go swimming. That’s probably a normal attitude for a dog in winter, but Jack has always loved cold water swimming. I’ve seen him floating down the river surrounded by ice with a look of pure bliss on his face. Not this year, though. Thinking back, he’s only gone in the water once or twice and not for very long. I’ve noticed changes at home, too. Jack sits by the fire more often and he’s started worming his way under the covers in bed. I know it’s his age. He’s 11 now and entering his senior years and like most old people he doesn’t run as hot. He still enjoys the snow, though, and I hope that never changes. It’s Jack who taught me to see the beauty of winter and the pleasure of snow and today his antics helped me find something to smile about. Take that ennui!

A tiny Snail

Avalus has a new project on the go and he’s sharing with us.

I am putting together a new aquarium (I love caring for/looking at fish*) and while it develops, it is habitat to a whole load of daphnia and a few small ramshorn snails (German: Posthornschnecke, lit. postal horn snail with ‘horn’ as in fanfare, the musical instrument) to monitor water conditions.

I used this to experiment with photographing small things with my phone via a cheap plastic jewelers magnifying glass. Opportunity arose, when this small snail went by the front pane.

(*and plants and snails and shrimps and algae** …)

(** This year I’ll find you, Volvox!)

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Jack’s Walk

I’m feeling a bit blue today. I think it’s the cold. I’m so tired of the cold. I’ve gotten myself through most the winter by feeling adventurous and brave, a voyageur and her trusted sidekick out tracking beavers and fairies in the wild. I also like to be challenged and uncomfortable sometimes because it makes me more grateful for simple things like warmth and shelter. Today, though, I just can’t muster up that sunny good attitude. I’ve been fighting double gravity for days (and days) and the cold is just pissing me off. I hope things are brighter for you.

Harakka in Autumn: Chapter 17

It’s time to bid farewell to the island of Harakka and I’d like to thank Ice Swimmer for sharing this special place with all of us. It’s been a wonderful adventure and I’m going to miss these quiet walks filled with colour and beauty.

Chapter 17 – Sea, Sky and Farewell

This is the final part of the story of my autumnal visits to Harakka. We start with an interlude with the theme Sea and Sky.

This picture is from the western rocks.

Water is life and so are the sun and the air.

The ship to Stockholm is going into the fog.

Saturday was a more autumnal day than Sunday.

After the interlude it is time to say goodbye to Harakka.

A view south to the strait between Särkkä and Harakka.

The semaphore is up, calling the boat to mainland. Goodbye, Harakka.

This was the story of the island Harakka in October 2018.

Harakka in Autumn: Chapter 16

Thanks again Ice Swimmer for all the time and work you put into this series.

Jack’s Walk

Well, we did get a bit of snow as predicted, but thankfully it didn’t last long. For the first time this winter, though, Jack didn’t seem too happy about it. I think the boy might be getting tired of winter, too. He’s becoming impatient with the length of time it takes to get ready to go out. Coats and boots and mittens and scarves and Oh My, aren’t you ready yet Mom. The super slow pace is also getting to him. We tread very, very carefully now because there’s so much ice this year and it’s absolutely everywhere. I’ve fallen a few times this winter and even Jack has fallen twice. Both times his back legs slid out together and he landed on his hip. Both times he looked up at me and said WTF. Could it be that my winter dog is also yearning for green grass and warmer temps?

Tree Tuesday

Source – Smithsonian Magazine

This graceful bonsai is the Yamaki Pine and it resides at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington D.C. The tree, a Japanese White Pine, was gifted to the U.S. by the family of bonsai master Masaru Yamaki in 1976. The tree is close to 400 years old and had been kept in the Yamaki family for at least six generations. It isn’t its age or its looks that makes this tree special, though. This plucky little tree actually survived the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan in 1945.

On August 6, 1945, at a quarter-past 8 a.m., bonsai master Masaru Yamaki was inside his home when glass fragments hurtled past him, cutting his skin, after a strong force blew out the windows of the house. The U.S. B-29 bomber called the “Enola Gay” had just dropped the world’s first atomic bomb over the city of Hiroshima, at a site just two miles from the Yamaki home.

The bomb wiped out 90 percent of the city, killing 80,000 Japanese immediately and eventually contributing to the death of at least 100,000 more. But besides some minor glass-related injuries, Yamaki and his family survived the blast, as did their prized bonsai trees, which were protected by a tall wall surrounding the outdoor nursery.

After going through what the family had gone through, to even donate one was pretty special and to donate this one was even more special,” says Jack Sustic, curator of the Bonsai and Penjing museum. Yamaki’s donation of this tree, which had been in his family for at least six generations, is a symbol of the amicable relationship that emerged between the countries in the years following World War II.

The full story is at Smithsonian.com.

Jack’s Walk

Just look at all that sweet sunshine lighting up the snow. That’s spring sunshine. You can see that the sun is finally sitting higher in the sky and the days have become noticeably longer. All that light is just a tease, though, because winter has decided to stick around. Temps are projected to stay in the -10º C range right through the end of the week and we’re due to get snow again tomorrow. Damn.

Harakka in Autumn: Chapter 16

It’s time to put away your worries for a while and take a walk with Ice Swimmer. Today we’re going up.

Chapter 16 – Top and Around

The spruce is odd because it has an even number of crowns. The deciduous trees behind the spruce are hiding the wetland.

[Read more…]

Frosted Balls

This Monday morning we have something special from Avalus. They aren’t flowers, but they’re just as pretty.

These are two decorative glass balls that my mother has in her garden. I really liked the frostcovering.

Harakka in Autumn: Chapter 15

It’s time to join Ice Swimmer on his walk around Harakka.

Chapter 15 – East

The bird watching shelter we visited earlier is on the right. Sunday was definitely brighter than Saturday. Across the water are the island Särkkä and Suomenlinna Sea Fortress.

[Read more…]

Jack’s Walk

Today is Jack’s 11th Birthday, sort of. Jack is a Leap Year Baby and since there is no February 29 this year we’re celebrating today. So far, Bubba has listened to his parents sing to him off-key, had bacon and eggs for breakfast and then had an exciting romp up at the lake. Plans for later in the day include gifts (a new rubber pig that honks and squeals and a bag of his favourite treats – Greenies,) more singing (Jack loves to sing) and a nice bit of salmon to top his kibble for supper. All in all, I’d say that’s a pretty good day for a not-quite birthday.

Jack’s Walk

Well, we have a fresh layer of snow again and, although it’s very pretty and it reflects a lot of light, I’m fed up with the stuff. I crave the changing shades of green things; the growing grass and leaves that burst into life. I crave the sound of songbirds through an open window and the earthy smell of fresh air blowing through the house. I am so ready to ditch my big coats and heavy boots. My feet want to go bare and feel the warmth of sunlight on the sidewalk and the cool of grass on the lawn. Come, Persephone. It’s time to send Boreas packing.

As a bonus today, this is an early animation produced by Disney studios in 1934. I’m hoping that Spring will see it as an invitation.

Harakka in Autumn: Chapter 14

We’re back on Harakka with Ice Swimmer, but we’re not on the top of the island as predicted in the previous post, Chapter 13 – Interlude III, Mystery Path. That chapter was mistakenly published out of order by this administrator. We’ll get to the top of the island on March 4/19 in Chapter 16 – Top and Around. My apologies to Ice Swimmer.

Chapter 14 – Wetland

There is a valley near the southeastern shore. In the valley, there are wetlands.

[Read more…]

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Chapter 17 – Sea, Sky and Farewell

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Chapter 16 – Top and Around

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Chapter 15 – East

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Chapter 14 – Wetland

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