Tonight, I learned that you can catch an owl by wearing a red headlamp, and that you should weigh the bird by setting it upside down in a mug. If that doesn’t inspire some fledgling caricaturist, then I don’t have any (other) ideas. Got this by watching Rick Mercer, for the record.
posted in politics | Comments Off on Designated secondary caregivers | 264 words
Just over a month away from winter solstice, and already the day goes by too quickly. Still not into “prime time”, but the sun set hours ago and bedtime is not until a more socially acceptable moment. Let the record show that the dog has no such constraint.
posted in politics | Comments Off on Long, dark evenings | 304 words
This afternoon, I had to spend some time “renewing” metal hardware. The antenna project, for those who need to know. Several dozen small bolts and nuts, placed outside about six years back. Not one of them worth keeping. Corrosion happens, but this was a return to dust. From now on, when I see artefacts in a museum, I’ll have a whole new sense of respect for the original manufacturer.
posted in ham radio, politics, technology | Comments Off on The census is a phoenix | 253 words
One of my rules for living is that I don’t bet. Not on pony races, or sporting events or eventual award winners. After all, even though I try to lose graciously, I’m not a fool. And, based on my record, I shouldn’t vote, either. This last round of marking the bulletin demonstrates that an educated, well-considered choice of best candidate doesn’t translate into picking a winner. We really do need a better system of elections, just to give people like me a say in the result.
posted in genealogy, politics | Comments Off on Other ways to pick the winners | 280 words
The first flurry of activity. Symbolic, in terms of election returns. Natural, in terms of the weather. We had our first traces of frozen precipitation on the deck this morning. Nothing on the lawn. Too soon to stick. The dog seemed unimpressed by the cold underpaw, and I began to consider just how long I could wait to change tires.
posted in politics | Comments Off on Too early | 255 words
Time to rest and reflect, while I give thanks. The prep for tomorrow’s meal is done, a day early. Not having to anticipate a sprint to get things ready is worth noting.
posted in food, politics, technology | Comments Off on Riding “a foregone conclusion” | 269 words
I take any threat of impending weather to heart. Not from fear, but from interest. Will it be intense? One of my tablet apps actually rings a bell (usually in the middle of the night) and I get all jittery. Today, the warning said rain. Here we are, hours after sundown, and there’s been nothing. Nothing! What fun is that?
posted in politics, Wx | Comments Off on Under imaginary clouds | 260 words
Out for a wander with the dog, just as things get dark enough to leave you wondering: are there wild ones in the woods? We hear them, we see traces, the dog is on edge. Only a matter of time before the first face-to-face takes place. Should I wave and greet, pretend to be invisible, or high-tail it for safety (assuming the dog agrees to proxy his tail on my behalf)? So much new about our lives, after three decades in suburbia.
posted in pets, politics | Comments Off on A tail proxy | 254 words
Somewhere between sea and sky, a hovering, buzzing machine. Hard at work (sic), mapping a sector of environmentally fragile territory with a camera. All is good… until the battery fails. Suddenly, the sea wins the contest.
posted in politics, technology | Comments Off on Between sea and sky | 270 words
The campaign lumbers on (nothing to do with wood products or forestry workers). Today, the question of hypothetical airplanes flew, again. Pardon the pun… The promise to buy one model of aircraft was unpromised by another leader, which then saw the other two big time operators claiming that it was the wrong approach. On one side, because we have a contract, which we didn’t have, the last time this question had importance. On the other, because we need to buy something. I’m confused. Doesn’t Air Canada already have too many planes to make a profit. Can’t we privatize, and then scare any enemy with a promise to lose their baggage too… Pardon the low flying attempt at humour.
posted in economy, politics | Comments Off on Campaign lumbers on | 286 words
