Lise's Ramblings

The Veendam: 2013's first cruise ship in our port As an avid birder, I welcome the sight of returning warblers, hummingbirds, terns and plovers. At this time of year, they charm me more than usual.  Soon they’ll flock to our woods and shores in greater numbers, but for now I count every migratory songbird or endangered shorebird I spot.  Gardens have harbingers of warmer days too. Well before anything else grows outdoors, those crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths paint our yards with colour. Last year, I blogged about spring peepers , amphibians that are shorter than your pinkie finger. These frogs overcompensate for their diminutive size with a trill chorus to mark the season. I know to take out my spring jackets when I hear the male peepers.     Our longer stretches of sunshine and spring weather also mean retro cars escape from winter storage, cruise ships return to our ports, crab and lobster boats set out to sea, and farmers return to the...

"But we, insofar as we have power over the world and over one another, we must learn to do what the leaf and the whale and the wind do of their own nature. We must learn to keep the balance. Having intelligence, we must not act in ignorance.  Having choice, we must not act without responsibility.” ~ Ursula K. Le Guin, The Farthest Shore (book three in the Earthsea trilogy) Amen. That quote from a talented author spells out what I wish I was eloquent enough to write today. I want Mackenzie to inherit a healthy world to explore. Do you think we can ever grasp how fortunate we are to have Earth, our life-sustaining planet?  We're surrounded by our world's beauty and bounty. If not for yourself, then for the sake of future generations, choose to nurture and balance this precious place we call our home. Happy Earth Day!   Tropical beauty at Vancouver's Bloedel Conservatory Evergreen and deciduous trees in British Columbia ...

Regular readers of my ramblings know how much I adore handwritten letters and postcards . Now, I feel it's time for handmade cards to have a own shout-out of their own.  As much as I laugh when someone sends a greeting card with a witty or perfectly appropriate message, it's another level of joy to receive cards and notes prepared with crayons, markers, glitter glue, stickers, origami, pictures, pencil crayons and loads of love.  Sometimes, those handmade cards are elevated to the status of fridge art .       AWESOME! Thank you, Sarah Jane, Shannon, Makayla, Mackenzie, Rachelle, Allie, Melanie and Beverly.

Which do you suppose came first, the burning bushes or the fire hydrant? Even if you aren't into gardening, these fiery Euonymus alatus (burning bushes) would have drawn your attention last week.  I spotted them on my way to work. And sure, I appreciated the splash of fall colour , but I also giggled. Perhaps the homeowner intentionally juxtaposed the plants with the fire hydrant. I would like to think that this is merely inadvertent humour to dabble my day with       AWESOME!

When you spot a few ornamental gourds, you may write them off as nothing more than misshapen, colourful fruit. But, seen en masse , those hordes of gourds will strike you as       AWESOME! Gourds at Balderston's Farm Market , Prince Edward Island

Every once in a while, a special place becomes extra delightful. That's exactly what I witnessed this past weekend.  We're fortunate to have breathtaking views on Prince Edward Island. While the shores and ocean views are incredible, I consider New Glasgow to be one of PEI's jewels. Tourists know the village for its New Glasgow lobster suppers and the PEI Preserve Company . Golfers know about the Glasgow Hills course, because everyone receives free mussels after every round of golf. Families make the trek to visit the Toy Factory , where you can buy handcrafted wooden toys, including a ferry or a lobster boat. I enjoy driving to and through New Glasgow. I marvel at the rolling hills, parceled fields, and all the birds feeding and nesting along the Clyde River, which meanders through the village. However, Sunday's drive to New Glasgow exceeded my expectations, because of a magical new addition.  The bu tterfly house. I fina...

Deep reds , golden yellows and bright oranges splashed across a Canadian landscape... Burning bushes Cranberries Sedum Maples Mums Sunflowers Rosehips Sumacs Berries on leafless shrubs Tamaracks Oak trees Virginia Creeper Apples Pumpkins and gourds       AWESOME!