Life with cats, and other things…
1959/21st July 2026 Further south, around New York City and New Jersey, I read reports of tornadoes and storm damage, while up here all we got was dark clouds. On occasion we have had some fairly noisy and damaging storms, but as often as not, we have found ourselves just at the edge of serious … Continue reading A handsome bird
0524/16th July 2026 Looking out a window at dawn, I was relieved to be able at least to see the sky, which yesterday was obscured all day by smoke. Helpfully, the temperature had also dropped significantly. Alas, the reprieve from smoke was temporary.... . Yesterday, I believe we were "yellow", which gave us that eerie … Continue reading Scapegoat
0807/15th July 2026 Wildfire smoke has turned the air brown and the Sun glares down at us angrily. Today, it's like viewing the world through a tea-coloured filter. "What's left to burn?" we ask. Unrelenting wind may be enervating, but to me, smoke is more disturbing, polluting the air and carrying a sense of deep … Continue reading Protectors
0753/10th July 2026 Setting off for an early appointment, we travelled to Queensbury under fair skies. In the doctor's waiting room I felt my nerves grated by loud, obnoxious music which is unfortunately the norm in that place. The clinic is small, with low ceilings that do nothing to absorb sound. It's always a succession … Continue reading Dum spiro, spero
1112/27th June 2026 Some people keep diaries or journals. Maybe taking photographs is my version of the same thing, though it relies on my being able to remember the where, when and how. Mostly, once I've used photographs for a post, I delete them, though I will admit to a reluctance to ever discard pictures … Continue reading A sunny afternoon
Starlings and grackles hoping for an afternoon top-up It's not hard finding something to photograph. Especially when we've had a rain shower: , Bird's foot trefoil Yucca Yucca is indestructible and spreads aggressively. We made a serious attempt to cut it back last year which seems only to have offered encouragement. The flowers are attractive … Continue reading At the movies
0959/18th June 2026 In the "good old days", we were quite content, for the most part, getting information of daily events from the radio or newspapers and news magazines. (My father was not really ever satisfied, forever complaining about late deliveries and moaning: "the Russians are jamming the airwaves again!") Communication was by post. If … Continue reading Outage
1905/15th June 2026 You thought I was done with Monday?. After supper I returned to sky watching which is an evening activity any day. . But especially days like this. . 1906 1908 1911 Motion at the window drew the attention of a groundhog whose face emerged from a burrow. It watched me for several … Continue reading Last light
0602/15th June 2026 A moody day is a gift that keeps on giving. Monday was such a day. I was constantly at the window from dawn till dusk. . 0610 Many people seem to share my enthusiasm, so I will post some of the images. The problem is, there ended up being so many. . … Continue reading Excitement
0539/15th June 2026 Monday morning at half past five, It felt so good to be alive. It rhymes, but I can't seem to remember when I actually last felt that way. I've had to think hard to recall that sense of careless, joyful euphoria such as a young child might feel on Christmas morning, perhaps. … Continue reading Tears in rain