Estherwilliams Is Back

It's the kind of day that reminds you not to store away the winter woolies just yet.

Despite that I quick-stepped outside to give the fish a brief visit and there she was, sweet Estherwilliams, our resident frog from last year.

Here she is last year at her peak and wearing her summer coat.



And here she is today, still in her winter wear.



Welcome back, Esther. We missed you.

Spring Has Sprung

We are at that stage of melting snow revealing lots of dirt and debris and we couldn't be happier.

I am delighted to report that none of the pond fish turned into orange popsicles over the winter.
They are frisky and happy and soon their quarters will get a spring cleaning, once I figure out how to do that.



Max also got his spring cleaning. He was a walking fur mat so Chris, the patient groomer came to the house and gave him a Mohawk of sorts.



The back yard is squishy at the moment but soon I'll be reunited with the garden.

I love spring.

Okay Winter, Time To Scram

We're all getting punchy from a short but hard winter.

The first serious thaw happened on the weekend and so help me, Lake Ontario pushed its way north in order to empty into my kitchen by way of the roof.
I'm sure there's a more plausible reason for the flood but this one is as good as any.

Anyway, aside from a hole in the ceiling's plaster, things are back to normal.

This is my own bio-degradable bearskin rug. Looks more like a dog to me but I'm sure that notion is politically incorrect.



You have to really let your imagination flow for this one but I tell you, there is an evil lizard head peering at you.



I think we're about ready for some spring weather now.

Cabin Fever

The very best thing about winter is that eventually it goes away.

Mind you there a a few good moments, a very few, when you gaze outside to this.


Can you see the dive-bombing flamingo?

Then, there are the layers of ice-ages in the snowbank. The snow clearance man can muse while he's freezing off his extremities, "Let's see, the top layer is yesterday, then comes Tuesday, then--."



In case I had any ideas about just stepping out onto the deck this little baby made me reconsider.



This is a cat's eye view of the same thing.




I think I'd better study the seed catalogues today.

So This Is September

This fish works on the "I can see you but you can't see me" premise. A bigger water lily might do the trick or I'll just pretend I can't see him.



These hollyhocks are trying out for tallest-in-the- block category. Looks to me as though they might just win the title.
I like to think they've spotted cute hollyhocks a couple of fences away and they're trying for eye contact.



The roses are shamelessly admiring themselves in the fence mirror.



Who can blame them? They're beauties.

Stick around guys. We're expecting a warm September.