An Inspiring Tale

If you never thought that a single woman could make all the different in the world, ask the 10,000 children in Burundi and other war torn parts of Africa about Madam Maggy. The Globe and Mail Story tells the story of a women whom miraculously survived a civil war incident after being forced to watch 72 Hutu neighbours be brutally murdered.

Some might have spent the rest of their days frozen and traumatized, but this woman clearly gritted her teeth and did what she needed to do to save as many of the children of her country as she could. Bravo. May we all take a bit of her spirit and forget the petty stresses of our lives and rise up and make a difference in our world.

Cheers,

Jennith 

Waiting Patiently for the Shutter Bug

I apologize (Erin) for jepordizing my diabetic readers with my sugary sappiness.

Patient wolf waiting -
Packmate busy sniffing trees
Along the spring trail

Arrrroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

I miss yooooooooooooooooooooooooou!

:D

Jennith 

Uphill Trout Lilies

I took this shot at Rattlesnake before Gabe returned to NB.

The other crazy big excitement this week was watching my brother in a play (The Twelth Night - 1920 style)
at the Woodlands.

It was so much deja vu. I ended up talking to Mrs. Wilkonson, the director of the last play I acted in in Highschool - new Canadian kid. She is well. I was sad that Mrs. LeRiche wasn't their, although I've heard that she's retired.

Alex was hilarious and the play was neat. Its weird to think that was us 11 years ago.

Sun sentinals stand
Demurely bowed to queen bee's
Pollination grants

Jennith 

Tree Planting and Other Accomplishments

Greetings,

The picture above contains several trees that I actually planted. I found the call for volunteers on the Credit Valley Conservation Authority website and it was nearby. So, I was up early and out to Erindale park this morning. For the avid gardeners among you, I wouldn't recomend the soil, being a mix of clay and stones - but the people were neat.

We even got filmed and interviewed by Environment Canada. I guess the neatest part is knowing that there are a couple of trees that I helped put in the ground in my own community.

The neatest people I met had dropped in on a visit from up north. I ended up picnicing with them after the plant, and maybe even made some friends. There were mostly poplar trees, but a few white spruce and white pine too.

The other accomplishment is that I graduated (or at least made the official May 2006 graduation list) today with First Class Standing or First Division as UNB obscurely labelled graduating with honours.

Sad thoughts, Sleeman's is appartently up for sale to a big company. This makes me sad to think that all the big Canadian Beer Companies are no longer wholely Canadian - but then again, neither is Tim Horton's or Hockey these days.

Gabe is doing well with his projects. I think he is actually ahead of where he expected to be in spite of the bugs and the heat.

Hmm, my current project is to continue unpacking and sorting. Sigh. Explains why I'm blogging.

Better get back to work for now.

Jennith 

A Spot Out of the Rain

This local cardinal was sheltering from the rain on the downspout under the overhang of the roof until he was chased off by a grackle who took the spot over.

Jennith 

Up close and personal with the trees

So much for stockpiling pictures - I just had to post this one! I guess I'll have to take some more soon to keep this blog going.

Spreading petal arms
Invite love from promiscuous
Insects - for sweet gift 

Surburban Sring

It's not Algonquin Park or the Rugged shorelines north of Superior, but it still has its own charm. Despite missing the somewhat more wild trails of Fredericton, I've been glad to have somewhere to walk while I'm home that has its eye catching this moments.

I never appreciated crab apple and cherry trees until this spring - but they are spectacular and have definately added to the view in the suburbs this spring. One of the things I love about my hometown - is that the city doesn't spray for Dandilions. This irks some folks on a quest for the perfect suburban lawn, however, by and large it means more interesting views (as a biologist I'm a fan of biodiversity and don't find any plant ugly even dandy lions - although, it would cool if we promoted native species to out compete it too) and its safer than spraying poisons all over parks where children and pets are meant to play. Yeah!! I'd rather see the city spend the money on something practical - like playground equiptment or road maintence.

Next I have some research to do into doing something with our own Garden - anyone with suggestions for a species of grass that is shade and grub tolerant let me know. Wildflower seeds are apealing too.

Okay - back to work for me.

Jennith 

Fresh from Yamma Aight

This one is for Erin! I'd like to draw your attention to how neatly the leaves and petals line up in this shot - it took some doing to get the camera in just the right spot - never mind finding just the right Trillium.

This one is growing in a small patch of over used woods called "the Edenwood" In spite of its overuse, the Trillium still bloom in numbers not seen in some local conservation areas and more distant provincial parks. Somehow I find this reassuring, although it may simply be a result of poor biodiversity. However, at least kids aren't picking them to extinction.

I went to find Yamma Aight - being a specific place in the Edenwood, but it doesn't seem to be there or rather the defining landmarks have been partially obliterated by a new bike trail. Hard to say, perhaps it merely escaped my search. The enormous stump that was once an impressive headstone for a lighting struck (oak) tree (I think on the oak Tree - could have been a white pine too) has been reduced to a few bits and pieces. Weird how things change and stay the same.

It was certainly a plesent walk.

Good night again,

Jennith 

Snap Happy Spring Days

1. Some more intellectual thoughts. . .
   
   1. Reading the newspapers is not good for your optimism regarding the human race. Walking your dog can be.
   
   2. Not reading the newspaper is bad for your awareness of current events.
   
   3. Schools should do a better job of finding out students special talents and give them support in achieving them.
   
   4. Schools should do a better job of promoting non-academic skills at the high school level, especially for students who struggle with acedemics. But this should be focused on finding gifts, not treated as second class programs for non-academic oriented ones.
   
   5. Sleepy people shouldn't put opinions on their blog.
   
   Goodnight,
   
   Jennith

 

Lighter than Air

Lighter than the air
Ready to alight the wind -
Drifters travelling

I didn't mean to press send with out writing about the first picture, but a young cardinal was trying to fly through my bed room window. Maybe I'll have to get some of those static-adhesive hawks.

All the pictures that I'm posting today were taken on the way to the bank (my excuse for leaving job hunting for a few hours on a perfect sunny afternoon - without taking the dog)

I got my butt whipped in online Canasta today by Gabe - well, it was close, but I lost. I don't know where the day went. Tomorrow is another intense job hunting day as is Friday. On Saturday, I'm volunteering to plant trees in Erindale Park and Sunday, I'm going to visit my grandmother. Friday night I'm going to see my baby brother act in the 12th night - a play at the woodlands. The first I'll have gone to see without being in it in. (I'm not usually in this part of the world during the school year. I'm tempted to look up the Sears festival in Toronto, and I'm hoping to see Ms. LeRiche at the play.

Okay, I'm going to put some more pictures up and keep writing.

Jenn 

The Rose Family's Contribution to an Unusally Full Bloomed Spring

 

Sorely Missed

Ah for the gulf of 1400 km between me and Sussex, NB. Here is another picture of one of my favourite people taken at Awenda Provincial Park. Gabe is busy packing, cleaning and salvaging back home. He is sorely missed, but we have lots of great plans for when he gets here.

I'm busy creating cover letters and researching various companies in the local area. Its hard work, but its left me feeling inspired about the opporunties for me in the future. If only I can land a job in my chosen field without having to do more school in the near future.

Wish me luck,

Jennith 

Spring in the Forest

Here is another Rattlesnake point picture from last weekend - was that only a week ago? I've almost made a workable living space (yeah bookshelves). My computer seems to be suffering from some quirky settings after I updated some windows thing and it become exceedingly frustrating. It closes all of my open explorer windows everytime I try to open a new one, which means I'll have to job search one place at a time on the internet, it isn't going to be much fun. Sigh. Or figure out how to fix my computer.

A View to the Future

I had a wonderful walk with Kaylee today around Lake Wabakyne. I kept wishing that I had my camera so that I could take pictures of all the beautiful swales and storm water management infrastructure in our subdivision. I'm thinking I'll take some pics next time and put a CD together for Dr. Wilson.

Sigh, engineering does strange things to your brain. I'm never going to look at a lot of things without seeing them differently. I don't think I fully registered that Lake Wabakayne was a storm water pond until this year. I knew at some level, but it never really seemed important.

There were tonnes of kids on bikes by the lake, racing each other and generally being kids. Made me think about community and what my real non-career related goals were. The kind of legacy I wanted to leave behind with my life. In the middle of this musing, I noticed some of the kids had their bike upside down and were clearly frustrated. So, I helped them get their chain unjammed. They were really appreciative and polite. I remember some adult doing the same thing for me 20 odd years ago probably not too far from there.

Walking your dog seems to make you among trustworthy strangers. People said hi to me and were far more friendly than they would have been, had I been by myself. I"m sure some of this is simply Kaylee's charming manners, but I guess peopel figure that if you are doing something as normal as caring for a family pet you probably aren't packing heat or out to kill anyone. Maybe it depends on how you interact with your pet. If an animal trusts you, and you treat it well. People might pick up on this and take the dog's character reference at face value. Who knows? The long and the short of it is that I feel very strongly about wanting to be involved in my community. I want to volunteer to make it a better place. I also am glad that inspite of being in the city, people still talk to strangers, even if you need a pet to vouch for your harmlessness.

There you go, thought for the day.

Good night,

Jennith

P.S. The picture was taken May 1st, 2006 on Rattlesnake Point. 

Galaxie Diner - Wasaga Beach

Here is the promised picture of the diner.

Jennith

The Beginning of the Wasaga Saga

After leaving Awenda Provincial Park, we meandered down various back roads until we got to Tiny Beaches Road. At which pointed was continued meandering at a rate of 40 km/hr on a road which wasn't quite 2 lanes, but was paved.

The beach houses ranged from extravegant to old and mouldy. In some cases, blown sand from the beach had covered entire lawns and driveways, even drifting onto the road. Apparently, everyone came up to their cottage last weekend for spring cleaning. I could have furnish about 3 or 4 apartments if I'd had the inclination or a trailer to pick up the numerous couches, matresses, fridges, TV's, deck chairs etc. Although, I suppose not everything was useable. I'm glad I'm not the Garbage personnel that has to pick all that stuff up.

At this point, the sun was starting to set and we decided to keep an eye out for some quaint and memorable place to eat - like fish and chips out on the docks or something. We finally drove into the town of Wasaga Beach (pop. 3000) and finally settled on eating at the Galexie Diner. The food was excellent diner fare with real cheddar cheese melted on the burgers. We couldn't even finish the order of poutine and drink that we'd got to split between us. (Oh, we also split a milkshake of course - no problem finishing that.)

The decor was put together by a creative mind. It was colourful and included all the necessary 50's diner paraphenelia - like the large paintings of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Munroe and vinyl seats. The waiter was cheery and appears to be running the place on his own. We did take pictures, but after my battery died, so I'll have to post them after Gabe sends me the picture.

Today's news - not much. I am mostly unpacking and organizing. I built two bookshelfs to house my library of text books, field guides and novels. I'm planning on going through the websites and picking out some places to apply to tomorrow. Yesterday, I met the local Mississauga News Carrier (who has my old route) and was talking on her cell phone while delivering. I don't think discman were old when I finished my route - I had a sony sport walkmen and chronically broken headphones. I was also suprised to see a child of maybe 7 or 8 casually talking on a cellphone on the way home from school. I can still say (although I don't know for how much longer) that I've never owned a cell phone mostly because I've yet to need one enough to justify the cost. Its not that I'm against them, but it does strike me as odd to see them being used by young children. When I was young, rotary dial phones were still the norm - and I'm not even old yet. Funny how things change.

Well, I'd better get back to unpacking, cleaning and cover letter writing.

Jennith 

Fourth Beach - Cuspy Spring

 

White Trillium at Awenda Park in May

Triumph over shade
Light captured in spring before
Leafy umbrella 

Better Picture of Round Lobed Hepatica

 

Round Lobed Hepatica

 

Looking back on First Beach

 

View From 1st Beach

 

Dutchman's Breeches

 

Wistful and Wild Awenda Provincial Park

If you took exit 121 off of highway 400 and traveled west on the 93 past Midland and past Penatanguishine then followed the Ontario Provincial Park Signs, you would discover a gem of a park nestled on the peninsula. Awenda is 2,915 Ha of mostly hardwood forest edged with sand and rock beaches like the one depicted above.

Arriving during that cusp in spring, the hardwood forest floor is annoited with some of the showiest and biologically interesting plants in North America. My long standing favourite (being at heart an Ontarioite) are the Red and White Trilliums that scatter the forest floor with their tidy three petalled blooms, which have been in the works for 7 years. Another neat fact about Trilliums is that their seeds are dispersed by ants (Best of the Raven, Friends of Algonquin Park). They have "oily handles" that bribe the ants to carry the seeds back to their hills, where the handles are eaten and the seeds discarded. Red Trilliums are pollinated by carrion flies attracted to the flower by "its colour and carrion odor". (Forest Plants of Central Ontario)

After going hiking 2 days in a row without my handy-dandy, well abused copy of Forest Plants of Central Ontario, I was still able (with the help of the photo above) to identify a new-to-me plant - Round Lobed Hepatica (I'll have to check the photo again - it may be blunt lobed - "distinguished by its pointed lobes"- go figure). Dutchmen's Breeches (see photo above) wins the award for most entertainingly named plant.

As for the trail, it was easy going and free of roots and rocks. The trees were largely maple, oak and beech, standing like pillars amongst large glacial accidentals (big boulders left behind by the glaciers). The beaches were stunning. The sand is white and clean (and warm on a 24 C day) and the rocks in the water looked like crooked dinosaur teeth. There are 5 beaches, including one set aside for pets. Each was different, but the first and the last were the most photogenic.

You can see that they are continuing to upgrade the park. New bathrooms and changes houses mingled with older ones, while many facilities including an amphitheatre were clearly new. We didn't get a chance to visit the kettle lake or any of the campgrounds owing to the fact that the park isn't set to open until May 10th, 2005. I would love to go back there to camp in the fall. It sounds like they have quite a bit of camping and even showers.So, we thoroughly enjoyed our hike and took over 100 photos between us. I am suprised that I had never even heard of this park until I went looking for something to do near Barrie. Its not enormous, but it is pretty and quite different that many of the parks I've been to. I would definately recommend it if you wanted somewhere to hang out on the beach (not sure if it would make great swimming) and a few short trails. I imagine that it could get busy in the summer, we were lucky to have the place to ourselves.

I'll post a few more pictures from Awenda, and then continue my saga tommorrow.

Cheers,

Jennith

And Our Paths Diverge

Gabe is back on the road heading home, and I'm about to start studying for my exam - which I will hopefully write this afternoon - so I won't have time to miss him until after I write it.

Yesterday, we went up north to check out Georgian and Barrie. Then we went to Awenda Provincial Park which will be the subject of my next blog - once I get all of the photos off of my camera (battery died). I'll just say here that it is a well kept secret and an absolute gem of a park. The red Trillium above was photographed there along with an assortment of spring wildflowers.

But enough for now, I'll write more on our trip tonight - and take my lonely stretch of road in stride. Hopefully I can get all the messy unpacking stuff done before Gabe comes back.

Cheers,

Jennith 

Vifa Nia Rama Squafa

The Bruce Trail was fantastic! We could practically watch the leaves unfurl on this perfect sunny sunday. We hiked along the cliff at Rattlesnake Point conservation area. The most prevalent flowers were the white Trilliums and Trout Lillies and Violets. However, I did see some Purple Cohosh - an obscure plant that I took a while to identify some years ago.

We've moved the furniture around and unpacked a little - and it is starting to sink in that I'll be staying here a while.

Tomorrow we're off to Barrie to inspect Georgian College - then maybe we'll explore a bit around Barrie. I'll be studying economics on Tuesday and job hunting Wednesday. Thursday will be a mix of jobs and unpacking. Who knows what is in store for Friday.

Trillium thriving
On rocky limestone soil -
Purity rooted

Night,

Jennith

Yamma nia kiem!