On two separate rainy occasions we discovered a pair of ducks walking around our neighbourhood. Once, they were right in our front yard just sort of hanging out. They sauntered over to the neighbour’s when they realized I was paparazzi.
Photos from November 2011:
We didn’t get very far this summer. No exotic lands, not even any national parks. But we had a fun time camping in the backyard with the dogs sometime in July.
Eric set up while I dragged the sleeping backs, pillows, books, and snacks outside. Or maybe he did everything, and I just arranged it nicely inside the tent, I can’t remember.
No rain and no fruit fell on us all all night, but who knew the tree roots would make for the worst sleep ever.
Posters on an apartment in Guelph sharing political opinions:
Yesterday, Eric and I attended Guelph’s Hillside Festival for the very first time. We missed the RAA again, but made up for it by hearing awesome music we’d never heard of before. My favourites were:
It’s a weekend-long event, but we only bought tickets for Saturday. At a midday break to go check on our hounds, I forgot my camera at home. Therefore I do not have pictures of the beet-juice dyed pink lemonade, the raspberry chipotle brownie, the vegan rice bowl, or tofu-mushroom dumplings… Nor did I photograph all the arts and crafts I wanted to buy, the workshops, the lights…
I humbly present my only six pix:
In mid-September, Sage learned to balance in the hammock. She can jump right in and out, but only if I’m in there already. There’s more incentive if I’m reading and she can pounce onto a book.
Later in September, Paula took me via the “upside down map” route to the antiques market in Aberfoyle. It was filled with nostalgia, like frosted highball glasses with early model cars on them and My Little Ponies. I came home with a single Wade kitten figurine which I only noticed later has a broken tail. I don’t regret passing on the art, but I do regret not buying the bunny salt and pepper shakers.
The Word on the Street festival in Kitchener was overly geared toward early literacy. Confident in our reading skills, Paula and I spent more time wandering the lovely park than looking at books. Downtown Kitchener seems somewhat explorable, I’d like to go back.
Sometime in early October, Sage helped plant a few crocus bulbs. She’s enjoying late fall more than September now that the yellow jacket wasp infestation has died off and she is safe again (poor baby got stung twice).
Sage had no hand in replanting the kitchen herbs donated by dad. That’s Golden Oregano, Silver Thyme, Italian Parsley, Chocolate Mint, Thai Basil, Purple Sage, and Rosemary (not necessarily in that order). I’m pleased to announce that they are all still alive and looking green.
Eric befriended a bear at an antique shop in St. Jacobs. He has a habit of befriending bears. He wants to go back to this shop for a crazy 1950s lamp and I want to go back for some teacups.
On Thanksgiving we drove to my parents’ for a gorgeous weekend of bright, bright colours and a delicious Tofurkey dinner. Every little hike over the weekend involved bathing all three dogs afterward to make sure no one became a Poison Ivy Transmitter. I am safe, they are squeaky clean, no one got hurt.
Eric thinks he found our next home on sale at a discount.
Last weekend we ransacked Guelph’s farmer’s market for the first time. Having just read War in the Country: How the Fight to Save Rural Life Will Shape our Future, it was ominous to see the local butcher shop closing down. Not that I eat meat, but the government’s push toward increasing factory farming and corporate food is out of control.
Meanwhile, thanks to hearing a special speaker at the OVC Animal Welfare Forum that I attended in early October, I’ve started cooking vegan soups in an attempt to get more animal products out of my life. Here are blurry representations of Mock Chicken Noodle and Mellow Sweet Potato. Much of the feta in that pita was given back to Eric :(
I hope to type up my notes from both the Animal Welfare Forum and DrupalCamp Toronto 2010 before this month ends so I can start fresh in November. Let’s see how feasible that idea is :S
