Autumn/Fall is my favorite season. I loved school so Fall was exciting to me as a child. I got to go back to new books, exciting math exams (really!), fun recesses and noon hours playing ball or basketball, and, sometimes, new friends who had moved into the area. I still get the itch to learn something new so this fall, I'm going to try beginner line-dancing.
Now, Fall means the unending summer acreage and garden work are coming to an end, and I can spend time on my other interests.
We had a good summer with time spent with family and friends. We enjoyed a 'cousins' reunion ranch tour' in southwestern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. We had originally been invited to visit in 2007 so it was a long time happening, but we finally made it. In between the two ranches with lots of visiting and great food, we enjoyed a stay at Historic Reesor Ranch in the Cypress Hills. They have wonderful meals, comfortable accommodation and very friendly hosts. So, if you are considering a visit to the Cypress Hills, check out https://www.reesorranch.com
Our black bear, first sighted in 2019, was back--or probably never left--with several sightings of scat near our back deck, on the laneway and in the garden. We didn't actually see a bear, but the ravine behind our acreage is ideal for all wildlife. I am more cautious and play music when I'm outside. My husband says he can out-run me so he's not worried!
The domestic saskatoon patch in the garden is the primary attractant to bears, birds and other wildlife. We picked and froze 75 - 750 ml containers so we will have saskatoons for breakfast every morning until late spring 2025. (We also have wild saskatoons in our yard which we leave for the birds and animals.)
We didn't fare as well with the raspberries as I picked about two-thirds of them before the wasps moved in and literally turned the rest of the raspberries to mush. Wasps have been a great nuisance in many local areas so that people can't even sit outside. I got stung watering one of the hanging baskets on the front porch. I set out homemade wasp catching liquid, and there were hundreds in each container. A good frost should take care of most of the rest although the queens and some wasps over-winter tucked away, probably under our stairs and rocks.
I spent several hours volunteering this summer, first at the Half-Marathon Run to the Millarville Market in mid-June at the awards table--obviously not running! Many hours were spent organizing for the 117th Annual Priddis & Millarville Fair in mid-August. The Fair itself was a great success with around 7,000 people through the gates over the two days. There were about 250 volunteers in 40 different departments. I co-manage the Adult Horticulture (Flowers, Vegetables & Fruit) with another woman, and we alone had 12 volunteers to help set-up, interact with our visitors to the display and then take-down. We had 217 exhibits spread over 21 tables as well as free seeds from West Coast seeds, informational materials, jade plants to give away from a local supporter, and three amazing scarecrows at the front of the display which definitely caught attention. Thanks to our donors, volunteers and exhibitors for making it all happen! The approximately 40 member Fair Committee has already started planning for 2025.
Well, that was my summer, and I'm looking forward to an extended Fall to enjoy a somewhat slower pace. I hope all is well with all of the people reading this musing.
Now, Fall means the unending summer acreage and garden work are coming to an end, and I can spend time on my other interests.
We had a good summer with time spent with family and friends. We enjoyed a 'cousins' reunion ranch tour' in southwestern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta. We had originally been invited to visit in 2007 so it was a long time happening, but we finally made it. In between the two ranches with lots of visiting and great food, we enjoyed a stay at Historic Reesor Ranch in the Cypress Hills. They have wonderful meals, comfortable accommodation and very friendly hosts. So, if you are considering a visit to the Cypress Hills, check out https://www.reesorranch.com
Our black bear, first sighted in 2019, was back--or probably never left--with several sightings of scat near our back deck, on the laneway and in the garden. We didn't actually see a bear, but the ravine behind our acreage is ideal for all wildlife. I am more cautious and play music when I'm outside. My husband says he can out-run me so he's not worried!
The domestic saskatoon patch in the garden is the primary attractant to bears, birds and other wildlife. We picked and froze 75 - 750 ml containers so we will have saskatoons for breakfast every morning until late spring 2025. (We also have wild saskatoons in our yard which we leave for the birds and animals.)
We didn't fare as well with the raspberries as I picked about two-thirds of them before the wasps moved in and literally turned the rest of the raspberries to mush. Wasps have been a great nuisance in many local areas so that people can't even sit outside. I got stung watering one of the hanging baskets on the front porch. I set out homemade wasp catching liquid, and there were hundreds in each container. A good frost should take care of most of the rest although the queens and some wasps over-winter tucked away, probably under our stairs and rocks.
I spent several hours volunteering this summer, first at the Half-Marathon Run to the Millarville Market in mid-June at the awards table--obviously not running! Many hours were spent organizing for the 117th Annual Priddis & Millarville Fair in mid-August. The Fair itself was a great success with around 7,000 people through the gates over the two days. There were about 250 volunteers in 40 different departments. I co-manage the Adult Horticulture (Flowers, Vegetables & Fruit) with another woman, and we alone had 12 volunteers to help set-up, interact with our visitors to the display and then take-down. We had 217 exhibits spread over 21 tables as well as free seeds from West Coast seeds, informational materials, jade plants to give away from a local supporter, and three amazing scarecrows at the front of the display which definitely caught attention. Thanks to our donors, volunteers and exhibitors for making it all happen! The approximately 40 member Fair Committee has already started planning for 2025.
Well, that was my summer, and I'm looking forward to an extended Fall to enjoy a somewhat slower pace. I hope all is well with all of the people reading this musing.
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