After several months of wrestling with a length of warped page wire which served as a makeshift gate at the end of the driveway, we finally have two very skookum 10' farm gates installed. We've had 4 loads of gravel delivered for the driveway, which Mike has been gleefully spreading with the tractor, and once we knew the final level of the driveway, we were able to do gates. They're great.
And they're not the only great gates - when Mom & Dad were here, Dad built two super gates - one for the dog run, and one for the pasture.
Burning continues, weather permitting. The loafing shed is taking shape. Things are happening. Things have been happening all along...but now you can actually see progress. Our porch/deck building application has gone to the bureaucratic black hole in Williams Lake, and we hope to have a permit very soon. The building inspector is being a slight @#$%^&, and demanding a field engineering inspection for the shop slab/foundation. Someone is coming to do that on the weekend. Then the shop permit application can join the other one in the bureacratic black hole.
And that's how things stand on Wednesday evening.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
Fairyslipper Orchids
They're tiny and exquisite. We lost some with all the clearing we've done, but I was thrilled to find several growing happily in the woods. 
Tadpoles
If you look very closely, you can see a couple of tadpoles...these are in the standing water near the Moose Meadow. They're only about 1.5 cm; we've seen a few tiny (thumb-tip sized) grey frogs...maybe that's what they'll turn into.
Gravel Delivery
Our first load of gravel arrived today - Mike and Cliff have gone to get more; then Mike will spread it all.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Things to do on a cool, damp weekend
1. Burn big stump piles
2. Spread 20kg of pasture seed mix (consisting of alfalfa, orchardgrass, timothy, bromegrass and fescue).
And that's what we did this weekend.
2. Spread 20kg of pasture seed mix (consisting of alfalfa, orchardgrass, timothy, bromegrass and fescue).
And that's what we did this weekend.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
What a difference four days makes...
Last Friday morning, we had 4" of snow...today was 30 degrees and sweltering. My mom and dad braved the blizzard, and arrived to snow and mud on Friday...enough to necessitate the lending of rubber boots! Today we're back to dust instead of mud. Mom and dad are camped out in their trailer, and are bravely enduring hot weather and lots of mosquitoes - today is the first day they (the mosquitoes) have been troublesome. Mom has potted up my pansies and done lots of dragging branches and burning, and dad has been burning, cutting wood, and building very nice gates for us. Mike has been playing with his big new toy - the tractor arrived on Thursday afternoon - I'll post pics very soon. We've been working on fencing, burning, and various and sundry other things. Lots to do...lots of time to get it all done.
On Friday afternoon, we were treated to extended moose viewing...mama moose and her last year's calf spent the afternoon lounging in the forest near our back fence. On Sunday night we had a lone moose hanging out near our kitchen window.
More soon.
On Friday afternoon, we were treated to extended moose viewing...mama moose and her last year's calf spent the afternoon lounging in the forest near our back fence. On Sunday night we had a lone moose hanging out near our kitchen window.
More soon.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
The Day Spring Sprang in Lone Butte
Spring has always been my favourite season. I like Fall too, but I love spring. Spending most of my life in a place where Spring things happen pretty much immediately after Christmas has casued me to take it for granted. Snowdrops bloom in January, daffodils are doing their thing in February, and April is for tulips. But not here.
Spring in Lone Butte arrived, in my eyes at least, today. Because this morning, there were leaves on the aspen trees! Things are getting green. Spring in Lone Butte is something you anticipate. And wait for. And search for tiny hints and signs of its arrival. Willow branches began to redden in February. I saw a few pussy willows in late March. And now that it is finally here, I will savour every day of Spring.
Spring in Lone Butte arrived, in my eyes at least, today. Because this morning, there were leaves on the aspen trees! Things are getting green. Spring in Lone Butte is something you anticipate. And wait for. And search for tiny hints and signs of its arrival. Willow branches began to redden in February. I saw a few pussy willows in late March. And now that it is finally here, I will savour every day of Spring.
Morning Cacaphony
There’s not much better than being outdoors first thing in the morning with a hot mug of tea, and listening to the birds. And what a racket they were making this morning. All the larger varieties seemed to be going at it at once. Pairs and trios of Canada geese kept flying overhead in full voice, the sandhill cranes in the meadow were having long loud conversations, and a pair of ravens seemed to be trying to drown everyone else out. The robins and chickadees were trying to keep things a little more melodic.
Unfortunately, the hawks who were setting up house in the tree by the back fence have found other accommodation, and while we miss them, it’s nice to hear the songbirds again. Things were eerily quiet when the hawks were in residence.
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The last week and a half has been a bit of a blur to us. We’re so appreciative of, and grateful to all our family and friends who have been so very supportive through a difficult time. Allegro’s funeral was lovely, and the church overflowed with people who came to honour him.
After three quick trips to the coast, things now seem to be returning to normal, and we’re spending our days outside, mostly burning stumps and debris from clearing. The tractor hasn’t arrived yet; the loader and backhoe attachments have to be shipped from Ontario. It should be delivered around the 10th, we hope.
Stu was asking about burning. To burn large slash piles, you need to obtain a permit for industrial burning, through the Ministry of Forests. There are numerous regulations to follow, and you are only allowed to burn on days when the venting index is good, and is forecast to be good the following day. We’re expecting a ban on industrial burn piles very soon – we have a lot left to burn in the east corner, but this will have to wait till fall, or till there’s snow on the ground. Small fires are allowed without permit provided you have a water source handy and don’t burn near trees etc. We have 300’ feet of hose at the ready. These fires can continue until a complete burning ban is in place.
I have more to say, but will come back this evening. The rain has stopped, and I have a fire to tend.
Unfortunately, the hawks who were setting up house in the tree by the back fence have found other accommodation, and while we miss them, it’s nice to hear the songbirds again. Things were eerily quiet when the hawks were in residence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The last week and a half has been a bit of a blur to us. We’re so appreciative of, and grateful to all our family and friends who have been so very supportive through a difficult time. Allegro’s funeral was lovely, and the church overflowed with people who came to honour him.
After three quick trips to the coast, things now seem to be returning to normal, and we’re spending our days outside, mostly burning stumps and debris from clearing. The tractor hasn’t arrived yet; the loader and backhoe attachments have to be shipped from Ontario. It should be delivered around the 10th, we hope.
Stu was asking about burning. To burn large slash piles, you need to obtain a permit for industrial burning, through the Ministry of Forests. There are numerous regulations to follow, and you are only allowed to burn on days when the venting index is good, and is forecast to be good the following day. We’re expecting a ban on industrial burn piles very soon – we have a lot left to burn in the east corner, but this will have to wait till fall, or till there’s snow on the ground. Small fires are allowed without permit provided you have a water source handy and don’t burn near trees etc. We have 300’ feet of hose at the ready. These fires can continue until a complete burning ban is in place.
I have more to say, but will come back this evening. The rain has stopped, and I have a fire to tend.
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