Notes on a Nova Scotia Winter

I do dislike shovelling and haven’t had to shovel for the past twenty or so years, so this is the way I get our driveway done. Monty does a good job.

However, I still have to de-snow the cars and the main back deck so I can refill my four bird feeders.

Later, same day….
……I didn’t have to de-snow both cars, since the temperature rose during the day and overnight to 9C, the rain pelted and the wind howled, leaving the parking lot – and our driveway – like this….

And the temperature is still a balmy 7.5C.

The only loss: I had to pay Monty for something nature did a few hours later!

Nova Scotia weather can range from cold and stormy to warm-ish to beautiful. The other

day, for instance, it was so lovely outdoors I got a Keurig Timmy Horton’s black decaf and sat out in the Birdcage sipping it. (Most of you know that the Birdcage is a sheltered part of a deck, straight off the dining room.) I was enthralled with the activity at my bird feeders: Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Junkos, the occasional Blue Jay, and, while I didn’t see Mr. & Mrs. Pheasant then, I saw them the next morning on our main deck (photo), scrummaging around under one of the feeders on which some of the little birds were tossing feed over the side to the patiently waiting birds below.

And it sure wasn’t long before Noisy found me. All during summer every year (because we are here at home every summer) we have a number of lovely little red squirrels coming up to the Birdcage, along with my preferred Chipmunks. The chippies hibernate and we don’t see them until Spring. But three of the squirrels apparently stay awake and stay close by: Noisy, because he chatters and tries to drive off any other squirrels with his chattering; One-eye, because he has been around for at least three years with only one eye – how he survives jumping from branch to branch, I have no idea; and Anonym, because we haven’t named him anything else and he lives way over through the trees in our neighbour’s property. As I said, it didn’t take Noisy long to find me…..and when I wondered over to the feeder deck, there, lo and behold were One-eye and Anonym, both waiting for me to feed them by hand. It was a wonderful nature-filled afternoon and one in which definitely to thank God for all the blessings of this life.

But the day was not finished: the sunset was just splendid. Indeed another blessing!

Two weeks ago, I had to report for my 6-week Pacemaker check. Since I had had no more dizzy or fainting events, I thought it was doing well. Apparently, it was and is: I was told it was brilliant. Or did she mean I was brilliant? I don’t know. She also told me that the battery was good for another seven years. If I get a new battery then, I can make the century easily.

Have I ever published a Scribblings or a post in this Blog without mentioning food? No!

So, how about My Beloved’s delicious lamb stew with cabbage and potatoes waiting to be mashed into it – yes, of course with their skins on. And a glass of Merlot to pair with it.

What did you think? That I should have cleaned off the rim of the dish? Hm! How right you are! Rotten photographer, but joyously satisfied diner.

And how does one finish off with dessert, but with a wonderful wild blueberry and apple crumble. Oh, yes, yummy! And I intentionally leave you with a large photo of it. Tip to make the crumble really crisp and chewy: add crystalised ginger.

Until next time, blessings on you and all whom you love!