Summer 2023

[Diane CBPFC]

It has been a year of biblical issues - we are now trying to save the hay crop from grasshoppers. There was a third large fire in the area just last week so we continue with smoky weather - yes smoke is a weather designation.

A beaver slept in (or at least had a good romp in) my potatoes and we had hail that shredded the larger leafed plants so not looking so pretty but I am still enjoying spending time in it and had my first sunflower a few days ago. At least I don't have the grasshoppers in my veggie garden. 

So what is everyone up to these days? Been quiet here at the fort.

[Roger Kettle]

Well, my wife and I have been spending a lot of time looking after our granddaughter---her mum has gone back to work, three days a week. The wee one is almost 14 months now and is both a joy to be with and a terrifying responsibility! She mastered the art of walking some time ago so it's a question of keeping our eyes on her constantly as she wanders around at varying speeds. I'm exhausted!
As for the Summer, it's been a typically Scottish one and we've certainly avoided the blistering heat that southern Europe has experienced. The rain has been a tad warmer.
I'm also pleased to announce that no beavers have been romping in my potatoes.

[Diane CBPFC]

You would think someone would have invented something for baby toddlers by now such as a bubble-wrap suit so people didn't have to worry about them falling over. It does sound exhausting, but in the blink of an eye she will be in the more sensible little people age.  At least you get to watch the fun TV shows with her.

[Diane CBPFC]

I planted 6 Haskap berry bushes this year - they are a fairly recent cross and come from teamwork between Japan and Canada and are taking off in Canadian gardens as they are good to -45. They have quite complicated mating conditions though with male and female plants and varieties, you have to take a chart with you when purchasing the plants to make sure your plants are compatible.

I was also up to my ears in Saskatoon berries this week - these are mostly grown wild and have a limited spread over western north America. They are quite unique with delicate flavour and you only see them in home made pies and jams as you have to go out in the bush and compete with the bears and birds for them.

I also bought some replacement strawberry plants this spring and we started a raspberry patch, although that was more my husband's project. All in all its been a very berry type summer. 

The pic shows the Saskatoon berries before the lids went on the pies. 

[Roger Kettle]

I love the idea of you standing next to a Saskatoon berry bush with a stick in your hand to keep the bears away!

[Diane CBPFC]

It is hard to imagine bears getting the small berries off the bushes - they must eat a lot of leaves along with them.  Even I have to pick out the twiggy bits and spiders. 

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

I was loving the look of those pies until the thought of you missing one of the spiders got into my head, Diane - twiggy bits I could cope with. Still loving the names of your berries though.

Sorry not to have brought my story to the table before now, but basically I have nothing to report really, and certainly not on any Biblical scale even remotely close to yours. On the hot sunny days, I've mostly stayed indoors drawing, to avoid the heat and sunburn. On the non-hot sunless days, I've stayed indoors drawing, to avoid the rain. I've done a lot of drawing.

Other than that, I could talk about football, but have no wish to upset Roger more than his team are doing so at the moment, so I shan't bore about my recent Grand Tour of previously unvisited shrines to the Beautiful Game in stunning locations such as Stenhousemuir and Alloa, along with return visits to Dunfermline and Methil (the latter only marred by what must have been a condor-sized seagull unloading on my jacket half way through my otherwise perfect sunset beach walk back to my car after a 0-3 win)

But all is good, and I hope the remainder of your year is somewhat less Biblical, Diane. And yours a little less exhausting, Roger. Three of my grandchildren are now long past the stage where you have to chase them around, and you just let them get on with the wanton destruction, because your house is in more danger than they are. The youngest hasn't even tried to crawl yet, and prefers to just sit and smile at everyone (I've decided this stage is the one to be cherished most). The older two are now season ticket holders at McDiarmid Park, and even love to go to away games with me and my daughter. Little Alasdair and I are both missing Tannadice already... but I'm in danger of talking f****all again, so I'm off to do some drawing.

[Diane CBPFC]

Tarqs, following the unmentionable sports team around sounds like a lovely excuse to visit new places.

Things continue to be biblical here, can't remember when I last saw blue skies with fluffy white clouds - smoke now listed as "weather" and I kid you not, there's been something like 10 days of rolling thunder going on for hours at a time. Yesterday we were told to be on the look out for a tornado rotation - so that was something new to add to the mix.

[Roger Kettle]

Forest fires, endless thunder and berry-stealing bears. Having to look after my granddaughter seems a little less daunting now.
Tarqs, following my football team of late has brought nothing but anguish, misery and pain. Having to look after my granddaughter seems a little less daunting now.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Tarqs, following the unmentionable sports team around sounds like a lovely excuse to visit new places.

Things continue to be biblical here, can't remember when I last saw blue skies with fluffy white clouds - smoke now listed as "weather" and I kid you not, there's been something like 10 days of rolling thunder going on for hours at a time. Yesterday we were told to be on the look out for a tornado rotation - so that was something new to add to the mix.

Good grief, what next? Horrific tales, Diane. This is beginning to make the Old Testament look like a mini-break travel brochure. I really hope you'll get some extended respite from it all soon.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Tarqs, following my football team of late has brought nothing but anguish, misery and pain. Having to look after my granddaughter seems a little less daunting now.

I hear you, Roger, and you're not alone. I sat in my new padded season ticket seat last night, alongside my daughter and her two little ones. It was my granddaughter's turn to look after her inconsolable Granddad at the end of the game. We must have coffee soon and avoid talking balls altogether.

[Diane CBPFC]

The tornado warning is old news, today we have a rainfall warning - up to 95mm, could cause flooding in low-lying areas.

It really has been just one thing after another since May.

But on a positive note, I have a lovely collection of umbrellas that I hardly ever get to use as Alberta is one of the sunniest places on the planet - today I will pick my "raining cats and dogs" one :-)

[Diane CBPFC]

Tarqs, following my football team of late has brought nothing but anguish, misery and pain. Having to look after my granddaughter seems a little less daunting now.

I hear you, Roger, and you're not alone. I sat in my new padded season ticket seat last night, alongside my daughter and her two little ones. It was my granddaughter's turn to look after her inconsolable Granddad at the end of the game. We must have coffee soon and avoid talking balls altogether.

At least you were comfy (hugs)

[Mince]

Steve and Roger, disappointment builds character. I envy your choice of teams.

[Diane CBPFC]

Things dried up and we are back to blue skies and white fluffy clouds (after something like two weeks of smoke skies).

Things gardening would be just about perfik if a beaver hadn't again chewed threw my electric pump cord for pond watering. This is the second time this year.