Refreshing rain

The persistent rain has been good for the crops and gardens. Pea plants have their own special way of retaining moisture.

Canada Day movements

St-Eugène, a village in eastern Ontario near the Québec border, hosts a Canada Day parade that features all sorts of entries, such as a tiny team, and a camouflaged tractor with a military theme.

Celebration time

This is triple festivity time - the Summer Solstice, St-Jean-Baptiste and Canada Day. Not to mention the many June birthdays. And the 4th of July!

It is a great time to spark up a bonfire and let off some fireworks.

Bonne fête!

Proven technology

One of the many highlights on the local events calendar is the annual Ste-Anne Antique Fair, where visitors can appreciate proven technology from the past.

A survivor

Giving the thumbs up, Bridan Russett, 3, of Dunvegan, Ontario, rides atop the shoulders of his dad, Brian, during the cancer survivors' march that kicks off the annual Relay for Life, a 12-hour walkathon that raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Bridan was one of the youngest cancer survivors who took part in the emotion-charged opening. He also was the epitome of the theme of the event: Celebrate, remember, fight back.

On patrol

It is beautiful and graceful, yet this bird, a turkey vulture, is on aerial patrol for dead creatures.

One lucky driver

The driver of this truck managed to walk away unscathed, underlining the value of a seat belt, after he flipped his vehicle on a street in Hawkesbury last week.

Somehow, although the truck rolled over, it managed to land on one tire, so to speak.

Fabulous foraging

The foragers sent out the alert: There were morells!

Ronna and Peggi, expert wild food foragers, were ready to venture out to harvest the precious morell mushroom! The rare seasonal culinary delight was plentiful, and there were no bugs!

Feline friends

Funny how creatures adapt. Barny (the boy on the left) and Skanoo (the girl on the right) have managed to become friends, sharing space and choice bed spaces.

Both are survivors, drop-offs who have somehow made their way to my door.

Cute, eh?

Maple sappers

A few weeks back we had a chance to take in the last boil (not a skin irritation) at an area maple syrup operation, where traditional and more contemporary modes of collecting sap are used.

Bombed

We rarely witness forest fires in these parts, so when a blaze broke out in the hills north of Hawkesbury, we were taken aback, and then impressed, when water bombers were called in.

Urban decay

During a recent visit to Montréal, I had, during traffic congestion, the chance to gaze at many examples of urban decay. This tower in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue was a compelling sight.

Outdoor plumbing

Spring is a time of discovery and in the boonies you never know what you might find when the snow and ice recede to reveal some clandestine, and illegal, winter-time activities. All sorts of stuff turn up in rural ditches. This find gives a different spin to the term "outdoor plumbing."

Spring invasion

A flock of snow geese has taken up temporary residence near my house.

The big birds are impressive, and loud.

A fowl mood

Spring brings all sorts of fine-feathered friends to the natural ponds that form beside my house.