Heavy rain, almost non-stop, all day. Swales full, culverts and rivulets running fast. (But, I'll take this version of climate change over California's version.)
Not much chance of a fire in this pit today.
The local turkeys are not smart enough to come in out of the rain, but are, nonetheless, becoming so numerous that we will soon be needing to affix cowcatchers to the front bumpers of resident cars.
And, at Pinebox, good things happen when the weather gets bad.
Tried to sail the Windrider twice before actually doing it. First time, it appeared windy here on the west side of the bay, but at the marina appeared nearly calm. Next try, the OPP boat was at the dock, so I opted to stay shoreside, just to avoid any possible inspection (although I have my operator's license and safety kit). Third time, the wind was light and fluky, but enough of this dallying. I waited around for Wolf to come on on his son Patrick's 'Rider, but when he did left him in the dust, working up toward the breeze and then catching a great ride to FoamHome and almost all the way back, with Wolf, meanwhile, drifting aimlessly near the marina.
And here is the inveterate lapdog taking advantage of a pushover.
The old oars were 20-something years old, and like all of us, had banged a lot of rocks and scraped a lot of bottom. Compared to these new ones, they weighed three times as much, having absorbed lots of epoxy, fiberglass, water, and shadfly protein. These new ones have received glass/epoxy tips (prior to scraping) and three coats of varnish, so they should last a few more decades. Can't wait to go rowing (in Geode, not the Susie Pea.)
Chilly, damp morning, moving into a sunny and warmer afternoon. Not enough wind to really go sailing on any boat, although we tried.
Rain, beginning long before dawn, and lasting until almost noon. But clearing in the afternoon, or appearing to, so we took Heliotrope out for an hors d'ouvere crusise, past Gooseberry, in a gentle breeze, just jib and mizzen, but still moving at 4 to 5 knots. Coming back in we met up with Wolf in his Catalina 22 and Patrick in his Windrider, and the three of us owned the Bay. Back in the marina, as we secured to the dock and grabbed our gear, the rain came again (but only briefly).
Pink, and dog, checking out the water and merganser poop levels.
And now it is goldenrod time, late summer time, the time before fall.
John and I are watching one episode per night of the new Cosmos. Truly a great explanation of key science principles. (Written by Ann Duryan, Carl Sagan's widow.) Carl has long been my favorite genius, and his book, Demon Haunted Word, resides prominently on my top ten list of absolutely essential books all people who make the claim of being human should read.
Big waves and high water carried everything away, but all the pieces are here and can be reassembled.
All day in the backwash of the huge storm system. Chilly, with occasional light rain.
But, bright spots remain.
A little fire in the stove this evening. We decided to attend "History Night" at the Park Centre, but when we got there found the place jammed, with standing room only, and even very little of that. Returned home for cards and the next episode of Cosmos. Either there is a real passion for history in Billings Township, or else not much to do.
A dark and angry sky this morining, and a tempestuous wind. Giant whitecaps out in the bay, and lots of pitching and rolling in the marina. Sunny, breezy afternoon.
All boats safe. But this evening a scene from a fantasy film along the shore. Thanks to the phase of the moon, atmospheric pressure, the big floods in Detroit and points north, the IJC dumping lots of water out of Lake Superior, and who knows what else, the water here is the hightest it has been since 1986, I do believe. The pier has been re-arranged once again, and anything that could float has been washed ashore.
Today we cut the grass and dropped a medium-sized poplar formerly growing up by the garage. It had succumed to some poplar disease (anthracnose most likely, certainly not ebola) and was beginning to throw branches onto the driveway. Dropped, chopped and shredded all in a few hours, with enough fuel to heat a cabin for a least a month of chilly weather (once it dries and is split—which with the new splitter will now be a piece of cake).
Two identical blogs yesterday to make up for the one I missed; with, I've been told, authentic sideways photos. So it goes.
Welcome rain last night and then a lot of wind from the north causing a big surf. Drizzle all day, ramping up toward rain once again this evening.
Finished Travels with Epicurus (a book about getting old), recommended by Jeff Spalding. Also watched (on Netflix) episode one, recommended by John, of the new Cosmos series (having been a great fan of Carl Sagan's original Cosmos series). Both series should be required viewing for everyone.
And, for dessert, the best brownies ever, made from a newly discovered tin of cocoa decades old.
Pax or me. Of course, Sue, too.
Pax was well taken care of, but there does seem to be a special bond between a boy and his dog—maybe even enough energy there to replace a coal-fired powerplant.
And it is raining, for the first time in at least a week, which complicates things for Pax. And lots more storm and rain forecast. Happy me, poor dog. Dinner at the Pinebox, where, this being Manitoulin, "prepared" is the byword.
Pax or me. Of course, Sue, too.
Pax was well taken care of, but there does seem to be a special bond between a boy and his dog—maybe even enough energy there to replace a coal-fired powerplant.
And it is raining, for the first time in at least a week, which complicates things for Pax. And lots more storm and rain forecast. Happy me, poor dog. Dinner at the Pinebox, where, this being Manitoulin, "prepared" is the byword.