May 13, 2014
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Fly fishing

IMG_1218It looked like it might rain this morning but I took a chance it was just going to be overcast, and I took off to do a little trout fishing. This is a river I haven’t fished for many years. A friend of mine fished it last year and caught some good browns, so I thought I’d give it try.

IMG_1219The river looks really good. It has some deep runs with “bombshelters” for good trout to hide and as well it has plenty of inviting riffles.

IMG_1216I saw some big trout that looked at small streamer flies, but only managed to catch a bunch of smaller trout. There was a fair blue-winged olive emergence this morning and I saw a few hendrickson duns just after lunch before the sun came out. The trout were uninterested in flies on the surface today though, so I drifted nymphs and cast streamers.

It was great to get out and explore this stream. Lovely day – and no rain.

May 12, 2014
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The S Garden

I completed digging and preparing the S garden today, then did some initial planting. The trouble with a new garden is that it always takes a year or two before it starts to grow in and feel like it hasn’t just been planted – but you have to start somewhere.  The S made from river rock gives this garden some backbone. The area is shaded by the big locust tree but the canopy does not completely shut out the sun.

Our garden award rock, which should have come last Novemeber finally arrived the other day – they don’t know what happened – a rock was ordered for us but never made it to our house. The award was for top traditional garden in Ward 6 (which defines our municipal electoral boundary) for 2013. We’ve placed the rock at the head of the new S garden (and I put a little bird on it). We’ll add various other plants to this garden along the way. I planted several perennials today, including some grasses, ferns, a hosta, some bleeding heart, and more, accented with a flat of impatiens.

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May 11, 2014
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New Garden

I cut a new garden today.

IMG_1164There is no longer a grassy area separating the path garden and the locust tree garden. IMG_1166The tree garden had a river rock border and I extended that into the new garden making the stones into an S-curve. I still have to add a little more soil and also some more rocks, including some bigger rocks. Then comes the fun part, figuring out what to plant there. It’s a fairly inhospitable spot, with lots of tree roots from the locust, not to mention shade from the same tree. Suggestions welcome.

May 11, 2014
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One more week for Paintings from the Lost Forest

My painting exhibition, Paintings from the Lost Forest is on for one more week at yumart – open Wednesday through Saturday. I’m planning to be at the gallery for the afternoon next Saturday. The gallery is located at 101 Spadina Ave, 2nd floor (above Lorne’s Coats) – that’s just south of Adelaide.

Afternoon Tea with AJ

Afternoon Tea with AJ

 

Filed under: Art
May 11, 2014
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Beautiful morning

IMG_1138What a lovely morning! The sun is warm with a gentle cooling south breeze from the lake. Perfect. We took the dogs for a long walk, stopping to let them enjoy a morning dip.

Today is going to be mostly dedicated to working on the garden. We’re taking out more grass in the front and expanding the garden. I’ll need to add soil, which hasn’t arrived yet, but there is lots of work to do removing the grass.

May 11, 2014
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Ramps are up

There is a little forest I know that is being surrounded by housing development, in an area that is currently sprawling. This forest contains, among other things, a significant amount of ramps (or wild leeks or Allium tricoccum if you want to get fancy). A couple seasons ago, I dug a modest bag of ramps from this forest for a few dinners. Knowing that this forest is going to suffer from encroachment over the next few years, I planted a few of those ramps in the wooded bit out in our backyard.

IMG_1128I then promptly forgot all about them. Last spring they came back and they’re back again this spring. They are spreading but ever so slowly. I’m not going to touch them this year. Instead, I’m just going to let them continue to establish themselves. Maybe next year I’ll harvest enough for a meal.

May 9, 2014
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Rhumba Boogie

OK, lets hear just one more Hank Snow song….here’s a fun tune… do the Rhumba Boogie.

While madame Lazonga was teachin’ la conga
In her little cabana in old Havana
We were doin’ the Charleston and ballin’ the Jack
And then that old black bottom ’til they started that jitterbug rag

I love the 2nd guitar break on this one!