tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44559231455277010532024-02-18T23:40:26.388-08:0049 Acres of HeavenBedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-38800894460491120942016-11-02T11:56:00.003-07:002016-11-08T11:46:08.965-08:00Fighting the Wilderness<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-size: large;">Living With the Wilderness</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The summer was perfect this year, warm temperatures and dry, only raining at nighttime it seemed. It was perfect for growing just about anything. Besides my flowers and few tomatoes, it made the trees flourish with green and bushy leaves. Enjoyable to look at but unfortunately, blocking our signal for television and internet. We were left almost 3 months of spring without access or intermittent signal, and I was frustrated. We tried other service companies and finally heard about satellite wi-fi. We now have full access again and a relief as the option of moving for it never existed.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFusSvMgMcRoaJSJ5I4Ado4O8qKJTiul_Xlk1jB649CJ8d28_R7Rsi05BNfX35ZQFDjWsqSIrioIAjJyDJY7YEplLSE_-nH_OivRceKM_pK40iC41UYtZeSAudcaJlZLrAfZFfFp15S55b/s1600/buck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFusSvMgMcRoaJSJ5I4Ado4O8qKJTiul_Xlk1jB649CJ8d28_R7Rsi05BNfX35ZQFDjWsqSIrioIAjJyDJY7YEplLSE_-nH_OivRceKM_pK40iC41UYtZeSAudcaJlZLrAfZFfFp15S55b/s200/buck.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Buck</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The deer population continues to entertain and visit us and this autumn we have seen a few young buck. That is unusual as it is mostly does and fawns that feed in our fields. We have been given the view many times of a buck with a fine rack indeed this last few weeks. However, nature also seemed to look down gladly on the beaver population that had suddenly built a lodge and started to increase dams across the field. They soon got to our culverts that hold our driveway across the drainage ditch and take us to the road, our only access. My husband spent days at a time cleaning out the culvert to allow the build up of water to flow through once more. Despite our attempts to keep it clear it became serious when the days of rain came and our driveway began to flood and wash out in places. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Xqgt6PnrYJpM-zdnt3Rw4DL-4SqGOYvbWn_TOuWzM1hfCCH0tlff829d8kEtjVOdG6K0YcWBYQVP3WhTIJEDTuR0pYQHuowdJa_y3GTiNYtqmJoR8ACUsEDHYUynySkL6eEUxVNXu2ju/s1600/alders+cleared.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Xqgt6PnrYJpM-zdnt3Rw4DL-4SqGOYvbWn_TOuWzM1hfCCH0tlff829d8kEtjVOdG6K0YcWBYQVP3WhTIJEDTuR0pYQHuowdJa_y3GTiNYtqmJoR8ACUsEDHYUynySkL6eEUxVNXu2ju/s200/alders+cleared.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alders Cleared</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It was time for help as we were both exhausted and bruised and my back injury had returned. We had to open the drain ditches and take out the alder bushes which had grown and were blocking the flow as well as sending branches etc. down the rush of water we did release. That blocked it again. Once clear, with all the activity of machinery it seems the new tenants thought the option of finding a new home was better than constantly rebuilding while we constantly reopened the ditch. A friend constructed grates for the culvert so the furry engineers could not get inside and block the water. My husband had become quite familiar with the inside of the culvert over several days. It seemed a contest of wills. Also seen leaving that area was a number of muskrats. So as we clean up and resurface the driveway, we are relieved that the neighbours moved on and we have our access back and maybe a dry field eventually.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpxNIvym8RYLL19zIAHKv-DlwUvTrS_6jDld1WuNNzvxDPrQoCKBzlI-bWPVfgMoSk3-7jCI3YZYnuHIMHwQwsFjtWRyiBI-LPOL3bKtH1dcdwjlw7mpeaHKtCPgj9JnD2tlQyZ9NVdPU/s1600/George+in+culvert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpxNIvym8RYLL19zIAHKv-DlwUvTrS_6jDld1WuNNzvxDPrQoCKBzlI-bWPVfgMoSk3-7jCI3YZYnuHIMHwQwsFjtWRyiBI-LPOL3bKtH1dcdwjlw7mpeaHKtCPgj9JnD2tlQyZ9NVdPU/s320/George+in+culvert.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George in Culvert</td></tr>
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<br />Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-4501800780963236322016-11-02T11:56:00.002-07:002016-11-02T12:00:26.291-07:00Fighting the Wilderness<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-size: large;">Fighting the Wilderness</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The summer was perfect this year, warm temperatures and dry, only raining at nighttime it seemed. It was perfect for growing just about anything. Besides my flowers and few tomatoes, it made the trees flourish with green and bushy leaves. Enjoyable to look at but unfortunately, blocking our signal for television and internet. We were left almost 3 months of spring without access or intermittent signal, and I was frustrated. We tried other service companies and finally heard about satellite wi-fi. We now have full access again and a relief as the option of moving for it never existed.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFusSvMgMcRoaJSJ5I4Ado4O8qKJTiul_Xlk1jB649CJ8d28_R7Rsi05BNfX35ZQFDjWsqSIrioIAjJyDJY7YEplLSE_-nH_OivRceKM_pK40iC41UYtZeSAudcaJlZLrAfZFfFp15S55b/s1600/buck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFusSvMgMcRoaJSJ5I4Ado4O8qKJTiul_Xlk1jB649CJ8d28_R7Rsi05BNfX35ZQFDjWsqSIrioIAjJyDJY7YEplLSE_-nH_OivRceKM_pK40iC41UYtZeSAudcaJlZLrAfZFfFp15S55b/s200/buck.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Buck</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The deer population continues to entertain and visit us and this autumn we have seen a few young buck. That is unusual as it is mostly does and fawns that feed in our fields. We have been given the view many times of a buck with a fine rack indeed this last few weeks. However, nature also seemed to look down gladly on the beaver population that had suddenly built a lodge and started to increase dams across the field. They soon got to our culverts that hold our driveway across the drainage ditch and take us to the road, our only access. My husband spent days at a time cleaning out the culvert to allow the build up of water to flow through once more. Despite our attempts to keep it clear it became serious when the days of rain came and our driveway began to flood and wash out in places. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Xqgt6PnrYJpM-zdnt3Rw4DL-4SqGOYvbWn_TOuWzM1hfCCH0tlff829d8kEtjVOdG6K0YcWBYQVP3WhTIJEDTuR0pYQHuowdJa_y3GTiNYtqmJoR8ACUsEDHYUynySkL6eEUxVNXu2ju/s1600/alders+cleared.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Xqgt6PnrYJpM-zdnt3Rw4DL-4SqGOYvbWn_TOuWzM1hfCCH0tlff829d8kEtjVOdG6K0YcWBYQVP3WhTIJEDTuR0pYQHuowdJa_y3GTiNYtqmJoR8ACUsEDHYUynySkL6eEUxVNXu2ju/s200/alders+cleared.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alders Cleared</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">It was time for help as we were both exhausted and bruised and my back injury had returned. We had to open the drain ditches and take out the alder bushes which had grown and were blocking the flow as well as sending branches etc. down the rush of water we did release. That blocked it again. Once clear, with all the activity of machinery it seems the new tenants thought the option of finding a new home was better than constantly rebuilding while we constantly reopened the ditch. A friend constructed grates for the culvert so the furry engineers could not get inside and block the water. My husband had become quite familiar with the inside of the culvert over several days. It seemed a contest of wills. Also seen leaving that area was a number of muskrats. So as we clean up and resurface the driveway, we are relieved that the neighbours moved on and we have our access back and maybe a dry field eventually.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpxNIvym8RYLL19zIAHKv-DlwUvTrS_6jDld1WuNNzvxDPrQoCKBzlI-bWPVfgMoSk3-7jCI3YZYnuHIMHwQwsFjtWRyiBI-LPOL3bKtH1dcdwjlw7mpeaHKtCPgj9JnD2tlQyZ9NVdPU/s1600/George+in+culvert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpxNIvym8RYLL19zIAHKv-DlwUvTrS_6jDld1WuNNzvxDPrQoCKBzlI-bWPVfgMoSk3-7jCI3YZYnuHIMHwQwsFjtWRyiBI-LPOL3bKtH1dcdwjlw7mpeaHKtCPgj9JnD2tlQyZ9NVdPU/s320/George+in+culvert.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George in Culvert</td></tr>
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<br />Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-23202238434143941442016-02-02T09:41:00.001-08:002016-02-02T09:41:34.614-08:00Snowshoeing The Fields<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7teHpgtpx6HcCfgm_zvyxkGTqtXUjs9VOxo2d9fPXMHYp31QFqzDav8jrW7dPOrNDMHsrEz03OXJuwpgLEJQYd8dJtexv_DC5fLiovpTMh6EeNYwnBBj6Za2YPQ-htzde5XLfVTxaT2Vp/s1600/snowshoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7teHpgtpx6HcCfgm_zvyxkGTqtXUjs9VOxo2d9fPXMHYp31QFqzDav8jrW7dPOrNDMHsrEz03OXJuwpgLEJQYd8dJtexv_DC5fLiovpTMh6EeNYwnBBj6Za2YPQ-htzde5XLfVTxaT2Vp/s200/snowshoes.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new snowshoes</td></tr>
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The possibilities of plein air painting has been made possible now with the purchase of snow shoes. I have often stood at the window and longed to walk out on our fields of white snow. Not having easy access to the woods and fields has bothered me in the winter. With George mowing the hay in summer I can reach the woods without fear of ticks in the high grass. Now I wanted that feeling in the winter. Why sit and stare at 49 acres with just the plowed area of the driveway to roam. We do keep on walking down the drive and along the road during winter </div>
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A recent trip into the snowy wood, allowed me to photograph the old rusting car and see its deterioration after a few years. We saw tracks around the car that we were not sure of the animal that left them. I decide it was a coyote. I know we have them as its quite a deer haven so it follows the coyotes are around. We did see wolves once a few years ago. </div>
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The snow shoes are handy for another venture. I went out to the front yard woods and overturned a bucket as my seat and did an ink of the snow on the trees. Now I can walk to the areas over the snow and be comfortable to paint for a while. I will have to attempt the task again as I wasn’t fully satisfied. That's an element of plein air that makes it different then studio work. Sitting in the cold adds a new experience. Now I can try the paint outdoors. My Snow on the Fields painting done from the window was shown in a local magazine. A true plein air would have me sitting in the fields.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha22dJULrm_bZNyLslN3qyW4YAQ7AQqMX-X-_uaZh9Q3z-wB14JX7bFU69phbyDnUvMz2ELqfLmMCFjgRL4273Dpq3attdvwRLZX5Llgw_UW1BkvdtWZneGjfxks2ujnwL0Av0DQHNpshl/s1600/old+car+b-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha22dJULrm_bZNyLslN3qyW4YAQ7AQqMX-X-_uaZh9Q3z-wB14JX7bFU69phbyDnUvMz2ELqfLmMCFjgRL4273Dpq3attdvwRLZX5Llgw_UW1BkvdtWZneGjfxks2ujnwL0Av0DQHNpshl/s320/old+car+b-w.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old car in woods</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JRhg9620P9_DVu-lfpN2qJr3dWfoGyCeWrok2wzZXNFB1dByUzPszdDghrKhlS-stku-lomlK5DKzdXHSP7r-5pJ0Y-TuWD7YYtkrnlYJIvad2-c2I9lpOOntj2V4yNk7IWgwHObavRS/s1600/old+winter+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JRhg9620P9_DVu-lfpN2qJr3dWfoGyCeWrok2wzZXNFB1dByUzPszdDghrKhlS-stku-lomlK5DKzdXHSP7r-5pJ0Y-TuWD7YYtkrnlYJIvad2-c2I9lpOOntj2V4yNk7IWgwHObavRS/s320/old+winter+tree.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">plein air of snow on old tree</td></tr>
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I can see the snowmobile tracks from the window. We never hear them as they respect our privacy and ride far over to the right of our property. They were using our driveway by the brook to get around the water but that is further down our hill. Now I see they are back to crossing the brook itself near the beaver lodge. I would imagine that’s because with the beavers gone, the lake they built there is shallow now and freezes well. I would like to walk over to the lodge on snow shoes now. In the summer it is still too wet. I could also walk up the trail where the snowmobiles come out of the woods. Winter shots in the woods would be wonderful I expect. The possibilities seem endless with my new method of walking over the deep snow.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2gmNC3QuVCccMQ_O1Wsf_B0Vrtv_eHIPpnT-AdubtXTUSniLQrati2WSHmHgj-DSZ4FVx5LgYkTfTFJqRYnvEALolGZGOVAkgql7veaKboDTAfg5_rIpS96TiP_FPPdAkf1SI8oDMwaF/s1600/winter+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2gmNC3QuVCccMQ_O1Wsf_B0Vrtv_eHIPpnT-AdubtXTUSniLQrati2WSHmHgj-DSZ4FVx5LgYkTfTFJqRYnvEALolGZGOVAkgql7veaKboDTAfg5_rIpS96TiP_FPPdAkf1SI8oDMwaF/s200/winter+snow.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the snow storm</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-9927240059174075272015-12-06T09:11:00.004-08:002015-12-06T09:11:56.864-08:00Closer To the Land<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wOBeK46yFQq2Eh4ME1Mk2Hc_c-4JWmC31rnu5LkjG95qNr06scjlIDwBzMZb7t0xzfo0DSi1kMtNOapKJnp_QW40oS9t7dmL3fjb0_9jAV6JcNc-XUrD6v1YhBwQFB8Chu076KzzzLcf/s1600/new+driveway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wOBeK46yFQq2Eh4ME1Mk2Hc_c-4JWmC31rnu5LkjG95qNr06scjlIDwBzMZb7t0xzfo0DSi1kMtNOapKJnp_QW40oS9t7dmL3fjb0_9jAV6JcNc-XUrD6v1YhBwQFB8Chu076KzzzLcf/s320/new+driveway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driveway repair</td></tr>
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We have been busy this year with working the acreage as nature tries to move back in to reclaim the area. This is when the realization of living in the country means more physical labour to exist comfortably. Our beaver colony was extending their dams in the creek and there was little water running there. This creek drains the upper areas of the fields and now this pond was becoming a small lake. We had a trapper in for the spring and he took out two of them, and destroyed the dam with an axe. However it was obvious in no time that there were more and working industriously with rebuilding. We had also had some washouts on our driveway in heavy melts and rain. If this lake continued to grow, then our drive in the lower area and the road next to the land would suffer. We had a few people to come and take down the dams even digging under theml. A few times we saw the rush of water go under the culvert in the drive. But we were soon calling in the licensed trapper these last weeks and three more beaver were removed. The water is flowing and we hope that is a sign that there are no more in the lodge. The trapper may be waiting to go back in at night to check for any more. We wait the results.</div>
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Meanwhile we have just gotten the driveway resurfaced to a smooth run of 1500 feet up the hill. There is to be a culvert put in below still, to combat any over flow on to the drive as was in the past. </div>
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We bought a large shelter tent to house some items from the garage so that we can work more in the garage and the tent. The wind last month took the tent and we had it replaced more securely and waited out two more wind storms watching with anxiety. It’s a guessing game if it lasts this winter.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDsrxZ9geyHyCzfAKhd27n3PlVjhRAE9-04XJ1rbWv_3i4vHwQ5XNdoPmMHcY4vUN9ygwOwH3UXmMohbS5hZYUmSKNCPqxllzV2UyXxCbCJux9nf_-LuKQJdDeeXCmdiGSht43xKmJxRy/s1600/deer+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDsrxZ9geyHyCzfAKhd27n3PlVjhRAE9-04XJ1rbWv_3i4vHwQ5XNdoPmMHcY4vUN9ygwOwH3UXmMohbS5hZYUmSKNCPqxllzV2UyXxCbCJux9nf_-LuKQJdDeeXCmdiGSht43xKmJxRy/s320/deer+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Deer</td></tr>
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We have tried to live with the animals and the elements but have found nature is powerful and determined and the best we can hope for is to hold our ground. But there are the days when I’m out on the deck with my morning coffee viewing the early fog or sun. There is the delight of watching the deer in our yard near the house. Recently we have viewed a stag a couple of times. Usually they don't show up like the doe. We have snow shoes ready for this winter. I plan to photograph the land more and even get a plein air painting or two done as the subject matter is endless .In our battles we still claim joy in living on our 49 acres.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_QVOS4XJpZL_EpzBKBYugMGjkHdHURb1MiPfUYWQsxzMiUiR8we2S8bfSJa0VZPyF2uHbber_KEli5UB_qFUz656U5smidrhKKBx3pkryA5mWU1XhozBOQuUo_NRCodiqlCVE1v7qyp5/s1600/fog+over+greenhill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_QVOS4XJpZL_EpzBKBYugMGjkHdHURb1MiPfUYWQsxzMiUiR8we2S8bfSJa0VZPyF2uHbber_KEli5UB_qFUz656U5smidrhKKBx3pkryA5mWU1XhozBOQuUo_NRCodiqlCVE1v7qyp5/s320/fog+over+greenhill.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fog Over Greenhill</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-2813404196131864102015-09-01T10:55:00.000-07:002015-09-01T10:55:24.977-07:00Summer's Ending with Fulfilment<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cnrXUEg7R19Ax1mwcum-v3yUgk1BCQWt1yTssiLNlvHnFV_BbpEpKIu3JBnensq6ZyIUqhDatecU87E1xAmrRkF9l8Uw9t8cH57Fe-KpEjrk7x-mviwlMvh-K7V3BOs5-fwm984zsZEL/s1600/sunflowers+done+lighter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cnrXUEg7R19Ax1mwcum-v3yUgk1BCQWt1yTssiLNlvHnFV_BbpEpKIu3JBnensq6ZyIUqhDatecU87E1xAmrRkF9l8Uw9t8cH57Fe-KpEjrk7x-mviwlMvh-K7V3BOs5-fwm984zsZEL/s320/sunflowers+done+lighter.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting of Sunflowers</td></tr>
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This summer of 2015 was especially important for me after the last year's illness finally ended in spring, followed with 3 months of physiotherapy. My goal was to throw myself into my art, catching up with projects left undone, and thoroughly enjoy the summer weather escaping outdoors often. My goal was more than met, with many art projects on the tables and some plein air outings with a friend. The weather cooperated to give me a marvellous feeling of freedom after almost a year indoors ,long-fully looking out.<br />
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I planted a new flower garden after the ravages of the winter on the former bed. This was the year of the hummingbirds with several at the feeder at a time and a constant return. The bird feeder for the other birds thanked us with some sunflowers popping up in a few places and the sky here was full of flight activity all summer. I have sat many days on the deck enjoying the land and view. We also got in miles of walks throughout the area for enjoyment and exercise that I needed to keep up from the end of my physiotherapy. My grandson and I found an entrance to the neighbours wild rose bushes and enjoyed the array of white flowers and the long awaited bluenose ship docked in our port. The road we lived on had an heritage house visit where we learned much about our adopted country home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew97v-T6odfnpdsnOPzk8ju0Z31bktSOenPkmSgjyfliN2UrTuA4Zq95HDvbqKQ5zRyhuTBf1aQZX5pQq3sgH2I0CWit4LVcoJztd1j2wmscL_t3Gjj-WWB9HIo-uCTC-NTJjX_yQnpbj/s1600/The+Secret+Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew97v-T6odfnpdsnOPzk8ju0Z31bktSOenPkmSgjyfliN2UrTuA4Zq95HDvbqKQ5zRyhuTBf1aQZX5pQq3sgH2I0CWit4LVcoJztd1j2wmscL_t3Gjj-WWB9HIo-uCTC-NTJjX_yQnpbj/s320/The+Secret+Garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance too Secret Garden of Roses</td></tr>
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The beavers are still claiming ownership on the front acreage despite us trying to move them along. And the last resort is arriving soon to demolish the lodge and dam so we can reclaim the water covered field. Our hay is high as I have ever seen it, as promises from the farmer to cut it hasn't materialized.The weather has given the local farmers an abundance of produce growth and kept them busy, so we hope to see them in fall.<br />
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Now as school starts officially, if not weather wise, beginning the fall activities, I still see many opportunities for plein air trips, and walks and time to sit on the deck. The apple trees are full now ,that being a planned plein air event, and the flowers are still in bloom, so there is much time to enjoy the outdoors.This year Im excited to be able to enjoy the autumn colours once they begin and hopefully the winter isn't as wild as last year because I want to walk in the snow and feel that freedom in our longest season.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visit by the Bluenose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQHhFbHFpf5w56RP0FlNq4fQ_c1TfpPuOz0X1m-pmQ7dAjRumYcfsH_8zLEwr1472RR3KtMNZ7FzPdk4Mn8_uRVtMusa6eYMCBZskD18vKFDbxagsMX3qH72uYaXv9DCthnSehyphenhyphenHtrCLE/s1600/full+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQHhFbHFpf5w56RP0FlNq4fQ_c1TfpPuOz0X1m-pmQ7dAjRumYcfsH_8zLEwr1472RR3KtMNZ7FzPdk4Mn8_uRVtMusa6eYMCBZskD18vKFDbxagsMX3qH72uYaXv9DCthnSehyphenhyphenHtrCLE/s320/full+bird.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Best Hummingbird Photo</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-62627307551367644112015-04-07T11:45:00.000-07:002015-04-07T11:45:11.440-07:00The Hard Winter Into The Late Spring<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer in Woods</td></tr>
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While the East coast climbs out of a deep and heavy winter snow load, many people anxiously await the big melt that will officially start this late spring. The weather is milder but the white snow banks are still high enough to hide a view. We wait for rain as well as the sun to soften and lessen the snow. It is to be hoped that it will not result in too much flooding and come gently even if that means a little longer before we see the ground.</div>
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If we are suffering this long hard season, I imagine the wildlife have had a rough go of it. On the way back from the city a few weeks ago, I saw a number of large roadkill of deer and I believe a coyote or wolf. Anything moving before out in our fields has been absent for months and even the tracks we usually see from the night are much less in number. Yesterday we did herald our first herd of 9 deer walking the tree line in the back fields.They were a little thinner than I remember so that must tell of the hardship they experienced. Birds are just arriving in small numbers and I saw my first robin a few days ago near the front window. Definitely spring is coming and hopefully not too much longer. I felt guilty this last season so next season the birdhouse goes back up, maybe a bat house, and if the winter promises to be this hard again, maybe I’II invest in a few oats from down the road, to see the deer through the winter.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrY8yUoaGc7t5KST-p-Aeoji8SQMf7cUY92HDeTKyz3zXArN-FXKPPAvJpkg8IjPvqXvX4-7RZ2npRnO7S-2Z-X4XWq16CH05paHUI0OTKtYP2tzNSJYpsTUiHpdsWyzeSr3acgnIdhnL/s1600/plein+air+river+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrY8yUoaGc7t5KST-p-Aeoji8SQMf7cUY92HDeTKyz3zXArN-FXKPPAvJpkg8IjPvqXvX4-7RZ2npRnO7S-2Z-X4XWq16CH05paHUI0OTKtYP2tzNSJYpsTUiHpdsWyzeSr3acgnIdhnL/s1600/plein+air+river+progress.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plein Air of West River in progress</td></tr>
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Speaking of the road, I made my first walk down the long drive and out to the road this week. The drive has been too icy for me to walk it as I recuperated this winter, and the road much too narrow for safety with the high and wide banks of snow. It is a freeing experience to get out and breathe the air and at least view a bit of the scenery over the banks. Soon I’II be able to go out for more walks, photoshoots, and plein air painting and experience the full summer again. It will be a special and noteworthy time for me and an appreciation only someone deprived two full warm seasons with health issues can understand. I intend to take in every bit of the summer and autumn this year and be out of doors often.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PLein air of West River Melt</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-1251663409519253482015-01-05T08:08:00.002-08:002015-01-05T08:08:17.360-08:00This Isn't Winter<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
Slow Winter for Snow Lovers</div>
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It was a long summer for me and I spent it here on the acreage while I recuperated from cancer treatment. The few days I did manage a walk out on the road, I thoroughly enjoyed the slow pace of my life and the time it takes to just watch the land. I enjoyed our deer regularly visiting and the hawk hunting low over the fields, a few times near the front window. Alas, it was all a flash and too fast to get my camera. There were not too many other visitors that I saw in the day time, but I enjoyed the change of colours this autumn.</div>
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Now that I am on my way to health and strength again, I go out for the walks often. The weather is holding up well for my outings except for some rain We had a few storms that we blamed on the washouts on the drive. Then one day our neighbour came up to ask if we’d like him to remove the beavers. We had beavers and were not aware. Once he pointed out the lodge and lake growing in the distant field, we could see where our problems originated. With sadness we agreed something had to be done as the spring melt, once the snow came, would be a costly problem, not only for us. So far, two beaver have been removed and the other or others are putting up a fight. He says that they have become trap smart and were the same beavers moved from up the road. Although we like to live with those that were here first, living in the country can bring hard truths. It is to be hoped that it will end soon.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first Drive</td></tr>
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Meanwhile the grass still has some green to it, the hay lays low and yellow, and there is little to no white flakes as December folds into January. It has become colder this week, so maybe the snow is just ahead of us now. It would certainly brighten up the landscape and change it from the grays. The light though is great for photographs. There is an old barn just down the road that I have longed to photograph and looking at it this year, I best get out to it. The red paint is even more faded, the top hay door is now open to the weather and it seems to sag more too. The lighter winter may save it for another year yet, but I will take the shots soon while I await the snow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjP1frcczHW00CclPvmzxtr3DkqYT8MXLvaODIKHGRROSlEte-viKqba_BHHYxbuhLQV9gYEjUAAIh05NQJiJx6709ifN3STX-o-gSp2yWhWRl49eJxWM1rYqIMXH_u-_-eRm7bD6VIzb/s1600/IMG_2595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjP1frcczHW00CclPvmzxtr3DkqYT8MXLvaODIKHGRROSlEte-viKqba_BHHYxbuhLQV9gYEjUAAIh05NQJiJx6709ifN3STX-o-gSp2yWhWRl49eJxWM1rYqIMXH_u-_-eRm7bD6VIzb/s1600/IMG_2595.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beavers overflowing brook</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilC98JI3jVDbn12Vejf5djl_x5LEmHozVmYdUw-ynx3nIBznZ9kiBBfstqZOanyOmPywlN6NzhplEA9DVTPlqVga_uwsVrFWP5vglFJ3HBr1iwECHpae2LFipvGTxQlDp_xAIc6HS1kQJJ/s1600/IMG_2561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilC98JI3jVDbn12Vejf5djl_x5LEmHozVmYdUw-ynx3nIBznZ9kiBBfstqZOanyOmPywlN6NzhplEA9DVTPlqVga_uwsVrFWP5vglFJ3HBr1iwECHpae2LFipvGTxQlDp_xAIc6HS1kQJJ/s1600/IMG_2561.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first winter walk during chemo</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-39507986893383675242014-10-14T11:07:00.000-07:002014-10-14T11:07:48.171-07:00Blessings of Good Weather<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Though I haven’t been able to get about much this second session of chemo, it has been more pleasant in that it has given me more of the better days I was hoping for. With that, the weather also cooperated by providing a sunny warm autumn with cool light breezes. The colours have remained longer and the air so fresh, that each day that I did have strength to walk, I tried to get out as often as possible.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8f5Ab8TrFJwnm-l5ZkZwYO3YY7JU3-M4zb_63-_-od-wh5pWMSyq6f4Bq6UFOjaPYe6oawdJul0nrlEKAv1ZC8_upD-a__ZKA7BXy0ZWhVaMbKCy97w0yeoKa_8Il0TBwk8JbvtcJSna/s1600/George,+garden+firgues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8f5Ab8TrFJwnm-l5ZkZwYO3YY7JU3-M4zb_63-_-od-wh5pWMSyq6f4Bq6UFOjaPYe6oawdJul0nrlEKAv1ZC8_upD-a__ZKA7BXy0ZWhVaMbKCy97w0yeoKa_8Il0TBwk8JbvtcJSna/s1600/George,+garden+firgues.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Away for the Season</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">With my previous idea of a photography show in mind, I finally found the correct settings and light to get the effect for the pictures that I had been practicing with several outings previous. I succeeded in getting a good motion blur and a handle of moving the camera, so that I was getting the pictures of things I found on the roadside during my walks. As I couldn’t really attempt long photo shoots and the woods, this has become my focus for now.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGySKUHWnx36pJ-Tvga_vMEd6O_yYYEUBcD-Nu3aXAv2GIY-EWe6hyphenhyphenANye9kNWtVLlMvuPJMurr4kRQNR8vrT_ogoySXnGukQnAtqAUYOkxqscvWvaQxwmkxh13NGenrWbivTPLEI9za8/s1600/George+in+puddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGySKUHWnx36pJ-Tvga_vMEd6O_yYYEUBcD-Nu3aXAv2GIY-EWe6hyphenhyphenANye9kNWtVLlMvuPJMurr4kRQNR8vrT_ogoySXnGukQnAtqAUYOkxqscvWvaQxwmkxh13NGenrWbivTPLEI9za8/s1600/George+in+puddle.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Spouse in a Puddle</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Meanwhile I am supervising the regular fall cleanup preparation for the coming cold months. Most of the actual work is done by my husband, who has been taking great care of me during my chemotherapy. We gathered all the figurines in the garden and washed them for storage. We dumped some flower pots as well and put them away. He continued the cleanup with repairs of gravel on the driveway ruts and will soon put the chains on the tractor and get out the blades. The first snowfall last year was the beginning of November. I will still be in chemo throughout November so hopefully a milder start can see me outdoors again for a few of those days.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We lost most of the summer this year but I have big plans for next year. I will be putting in my order at Vesey Seeds in the early Spring or sooner for more bulbs, seeds, two more apple trees, as well as visiting the local garden centres to fill my flower pots again. This year I plan to purchase the cloth to suppress the weeds around each bed. There will be an order of good soil and manure for such beds as I wish to build them in a higher mound. I intend to make up for the dismal display of our gardens in the next year as well as get the farmer in for more haying in the lower fields which require a larger tractor than ours to stay afloat in the wet areas. The biggest thrill will be that I will be able to participate in this venture once again.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR6bVXi35UJzBYHKONam46J7uhzflSH1WucFFamNwzdMeUlTqedSSTG5fM2eOWWfXMM-VKpukCxykpbpvApddkewa8Zd76cJ4Gct7it-wSVBQYZ4sS0NLx6PC-c17Olu25aQWE6I8Mhgc/s1600/tractor+gravel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR6bVXi35UJzBYHKONam46J7uhzflSH1WucFFamNwzdMeUlTqedSSTG5fM2eOWWfXMM-VKpukCxykpbpvApddkewa8Zd76cJ4Gct7it-wSVBQYZ4sS0NLx6PC-c17Olu25aQWE6I8Mhgc/s1600/tractor+gravel.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gravel for the Driveway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiI1rrs1OK1fL9mFQFJ6N_TcDMN9AFOk3bhhY5C_KZgptE_GtdWoZ7EIBo6z815Lghu4M6YmEjHFZn_zXLou4xSfKadIWYoTPky5CctzjGrw8WdCdAscXKUtVPxxZO3T7A6cPfz8VnaN0j/s1600/greenhillautumn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiI1rrs1OK1fL9mFQFJ6N_TcDMN9AFOk3bhhY5C_KZgptE_GtdWoZ7EIBo6z815Lghu4M6YmEjHFZn_zXLou4xSfKadIWYoTPky5CctzjGrw8WdCdAscXKUtVPxxZO3T7A6cPfz8VnaN0j/s1600/greenhillautumn.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our house in Autumn</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-24330015012047002252014-09-06T08:01:00.002-07:002014-09-06T08:01:22.267-07:00Cooler Breezes Blow Softly<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Cooler Breezes Blow Softly</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuhmn8RvhidEWsvIPNqdCfG2BcCfwoGnr7J0sLPlSm15QE5B6om_KLc9yOjpjwkkHH7HWsMeKJWxTR32ybrdOiQP3RVoDk1WC17e5cZs7KofkSFAHLqbP4Yty7IcAcpKeUak_Kt3NKOBM/s1600/high+hay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuhmn8RvhidEWsvIPNqdCfG2BcCfwoGnr7J0sLPlSm15QE5B6om_KLc9yOjpjwkkHH7HWsMeKJWxTR32ybrdOiQP3RVoDk1WC17e5cZs7KofkSFAHLqbP4Yty7IcAcpKeUak_Kt3NKOBM/s1600/high+hay.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Hay</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Spending many warm and hot days on the deck during convalescence this summer, had given me a new appreciation for the area in which I live. Gentle walks along the roadside while I build strength, marked by the distance I increased, gave me time to meet and talk with the neighbours as they gave their wishes for my recovery. It is indeed a good place in which we settled. Unable to assist my spouse in chores, i watched him take on more for my health’s sake. A great companion and caretaker he became or always was, and just needed a situation to show his strength and fortitude.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We didn’t make the mark in many chore areas what with travel and a lone worker. Not all the flowers survived in the beds as the weeds took over; despite his constant attempts to chase them as they grew. The hay could’t be caught and is very high in some areas and along the driveway. some of them are creeping into the drive narrowing it slightly. It’s amazing how nature tries to reclaim more land that we thought was our domain. The garden is finally coming after a slow start and some bug infestation. We are reaping the harvest now. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Inside the house, it still needs walls in the basement and shelving upstairs. But maybe the winter will see some work there. I am already coming back to help my husband with common chores so he will be able in the near future to concentrate on the chores that best suit him. Sharing will give relief to both of us. We plan on the next year to fix the things we couldn’t this season because of my health problems. The driveway will be renewed by our neighbour, the hay will be captured early on so the land will appear more groomed and I will be able to travel around the acreage and enter the woods once more. New soil brought in to rebuild the flower beds and more time to trim and weed will make a difference the next summer. I’m looking forward to all that next year with new ambition. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpMtiqL65QPSij3upP1LmheX2pSVqJjiBilSjFYU6i1gtBHql3ZT-pCUAA1-QVkTpzlbALRH5sIKI0qijPahkwq2hAEE8wRV9Hl09_qAUtELyjNzE9SCh-0CugMbFAs562e3t3HA3J0BB/s1600/plein+air+Lesley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpMtiqL65QPSij3upP1LmheX2pSVqJjiBilSjFYU6i1gtBHql3ZT-pCUAA1-QVkTpzlbALRH5sIKI0qijPahkwq2hAEE8wRV9Hl09_qAUtELyjNzE9SCh-0CugMbFAs562e3t3HA3J0BB/s1600/plein+air+Lesley.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plein air Painting</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But a trip to my oncologist has altered the chore plans for the time being. I am now in chemotherapy, and my spouse has been called on to care take some more. I have almost 3 months of chemo to take on and if this first session is an indication, I do believe that I will handle this new fight. The worst of it so far has been the chemo fog, the weakness and floating head. It is difficult to find the energy to do things and often I will lay down for part of the day. But all in all, not feeling too badly. Hoping as I come back up between sessions, that I can get some art work done. Meanwhile I’m trying to get in our walks when I feel up to it. There is different air I felt today, as the breezes blew through the trees. Actually in the woods the trees were quite loud while the road breezes were softer. All down the lane crickets were singing loudly. I almost expected a swarm to fly out of the hay. I enjoy getting out of the house and taking these slow walks now.Looks like I will be enjoying the autumn changes close to hand for the next few months. Autumn is my favourite time with the colours and the cool air.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For now I am looking forward to autumn walks, trying some photography on the walks, and enjoying the cooler breezes already creeping in this week. Christmas offers new hope and a new enthusiasm, already with plans in the making. News of my son returning home for Christmas will be the highlight, but any Christmas this year will be very special to me.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpA0VkCNhyphenhypheng00XcgK-y0QJOGsJZnd3dFgmLlbo1xvV0pMn8fVcA0e6t-roem4-enwhpfpWw0lPzjXOGLnCbLvCX_GTxiFcjjgF8MGe9pluixyFhhdQi3LQt-wSiaNwPs8PyBIWOPCB82lF/s1600/panned+mailbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpA0VkCNhyphenhypheng00XcgK-y0QJOGsJZnd3dFgmLlbo1xvV0pMn8fVcA0e6t-roem4-enwhpfpWw0lPzjXOGLnCbLvCX_GTxiFcjjgF8MGe9pluixyFhhdQi3LQt-wSiaNwPs8PyBIWOPCB82lF/s1600/panned+mailbox.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadside Panning Photography Project</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-36150348401114247272014-07-24T07:20:00.001-07:002014-07-24T07:20:12.809-07:00Recuperating in Heavenly Bliss<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlx08p3LoeNPOqZuzuRtf_G2_pWF2xKgTjmpn6wTqAXULNFieVV6Dt__5_V_h4fvlNoZ8NR0RbWp2XT2hK0LmixiZqX34b_-WfYBEz3hUPIvjV11HqR92wKOeXQ2wdJ9eT83TPW80MSCN/s1600/deck+chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlx08p3LoeNPOqZuzuRtf_G2_pWF2xKgTjmpn6wTqAXULNFieVV6Dt__5_V_h4fvlNoZ8NR0RbWp2XT2hK0LmixiZqX34b_-WfYBEz3hUPIvjV11HqR92wKOeXQ2wdJ9eT83TPW80MSCN/s1600/deck+chairs.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Healing chair</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Healing from my surgery this month has given me plenty of time to take each day and enjoy the surroundings of our acreage we built on three years ago. With my strength limited and my arms needing caution to heal, my husband has taken on many of the projects plus my care during this period. We almost saw the land go back to the virgin fields as he tried to keep up with the growth that the early wet weather and the full sun temperatures brought this month. It is green and lush all around us and over the hills. The hay took off along with the weeds and clover , with my husband chasing behind on the tractor. He hasn’t quite caught up to the growth so we have just left some natural areas which the wild life and birds will savour. A few of my flowering plants will be lost to the weeds with my inabilities to tend to them. He has made a good attempt to save some of them. Plans are now being thought to begin again next year with greater ideas and numbers.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My daughter’s garden also fell back with the onslaught of a bug that attacked last year. She got control of it then, but may not recoup that part of the garden this season. She is not the only gardener to suffer lost here from that bug. We will have some vegetables though and will attack the garden preparations next year as well. There is always next year and with next year, greater plans are made.The weather this month has been fabulous and a boon to me for sitting out on my deck and recuperating.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-CNnIMKbM0AILqU4TQuzjGxhvHUkaDDpBJ26cqwxYgictqB420zcPKcn6t4R5o141Hvh7IQUnNrTDYGXeXhlQrpUQqVOuLnx_jVNqvgD6TMBh4uAlp4rDkfxRU3Hq9km3QG9qDMFqZ6L/s1600/walking+shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-CNnIMKbM0AILqU4TQuzjGxhvHUkaDDpBJ26cqwxYgictqB420zcPKcn6t4R5o141Hvh7IQUnNrTDYGXeXhlQrpUQqVOuLnx_jVNqvgD6TMBh4uAlp4rDkfxRU3Hq9km3QG9qDMFqZ6L/s1600/walking+shadow.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking for Health</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The deer, plentiful in the area, hasn’t visited our fields as much this season but I expect them back in the fall. We have a busy porcupine behind the garage area which waddles out in the early evening and we watch for a skunk that got a little to handy under our deck. He hasn't returned but I cautiously step out in the evening with some noise to urge him away. Meanwhile we watched a raccoon take down the bird feeder and damage it beyond repair. He had climbed the pole and was hanging off of it attempting to get into the seed. I think he was back for the com poster recently and before that a bear was spotted in our driveway. He made quite the mess in a full com poster bin.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFmyISY6c-9Hj-zWwv_FdgIIjCdsEthJW8ajGeJQiSakyWQ9ZJt8VfHc3vG0lN-2TPFO8C4N26CJp55Rd98ReH5-YYRBGa1HOzghf7_vGWy5z6NiSIAi8lqXwKl6GcV07OqBtLOLkoPQ0/s1600/high+hay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFmyISY6c-9Hj-zWwv_FdgIIjCdsEthJW8ajGeJQiSakyWQ9ZJt8VfHc3vG0lN-2TPFO8C4N26CJp55Rd98ReH5-YYRBGa1HOzghf7_vGWy5z6NiSIAi8lqXwKl6GcV07OqBtLOLkoPQ0/s1600/high+hay.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Hay</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The neighbour has some apple trees and wild roses growing on her property. She told us she cleared a path from our line into her gardens so that I could walk and enjoy her area. This kindness has me looking forward to the venture as soon as my husband attaches the bush hog back on the tractor. He hadn’t cleared our side to her path yet and I’m not prepared to navigate the six foot high hay. When he clears I will enjoy the walk and my daughter will enjoy collecting the apples this fall. I will also enjoy some plein air around the property when my strength increases and my arms are ready for the activity. While I continue my cancer procedures, I have a few more fine weather months to enjoy the 49 acres of heaven.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiva5_A7ELzgsjLUrAZl7krYGQ2bpCy2rEPnABwpx2NYFvAQIN6TldNoivDmfzznyAQoLnsDbvjgPfLrEyIPlsX88n8hDNu8Lg2GJJ5-XAJ4xtPFjycAWGzeHSu9VxMEOZQZi1rCQjrYzH6/s1600/studio+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiva5_A7ELzgsjLUrAZl7krYGQ2bpCy2rEPnABwpx2NYFvAQIN6TldNoivDmfzznyAQoLnsDbvjgPfLrEyIPlsX88n8hDNu8Lg2GJJ5-XAJ4xtPFjycAWGzeHSu9VxMEOZQZi1rCQjrYzH6/s1600/studio+sign.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Studio sign in Growth</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-38524069478493836482014-06-25T11:54:00.001-07:002014-06-25T11:54:49.404-07:00Late Summer Start<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Spring has moved into summer officially by date, but the weather hasn’t taken note of the change over. Except for a few days where sitting out was a fine event, it has been raining and the temperatures dropping at night. Plants and flowers have been slow to sprout but the tress are a flourish with greenery. Of course the fastest growing plant on our acreage turned out be the hay crop. The hay is not a crop anymore as it is filled with weeds but can grow very high and swallow up our horizon. The constant rain and even thunder showers has prevented bush hogging so we are late getting to the cutting. We have one section completed and now the lawn area is growing and the whipper snipping on the edges hasn’t been taken care of because of the delays. If the sun would come out and celebrate the summer arrival, the catch up wouldn’t seem to be so tremendous while we soak up some rays.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7k0mygnWg_-T_JxW0FG9TpRmgPYAGkaZhYvgcQkP-RJYJtKjgeN9Bh64XvWfL4y8miNSLtS5_LBe-2NhlL00KcLa1gy_C25Zt4AVsE31LTil2YPxi2t10m7b7xF0QcgjqYUDpFBN7cc7/s1600/kathy+gardening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7k0mygnWg_-T_JxW0FG9TpRmgPYAGkaZhYvgcQkP-RJYJtKjgeN9Bh64XvWfL4y8miNSLtS5_LBe-2NhlL00KcLa1gy_C25Zt4AVsE31LTil2YPxi2t10m7b7xF0QcgjqYUDpFBN7cc7/s1600/kathy+gardening.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden begins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz_NEZEbzrcWPGH_C4YLjRCT-Qsj5eVesa_MZnXK9VLlcyT5EkC3AdNZHrrQbbGP36dvvA_ELMj7rOKkHhsMoMBCv07pGxWcNZJnocxzeC4cq2xs5xdwJ8T8HM-Tr6MLkMtfuhJbpnCMw/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz_NEZEbzrcWPGH_C4YLjRCT-Qsj5eVesa_MZnXK9VLlcyT5EkC3AdNZHrrQbbGP36dvvA_ELMj7rOKkHhsMoMBCv07pGxWcNZJnocxzeC4cq2xs5xdwJ8T8HM-Tr6MLkMtfuhJbpnCMw/s1600/flowers.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First flowers in hospital</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYnpFCaA7Gdm0vrYrgiXsEe69HZ9GPxrASXzeqLqdFCKlZ93jsdF92LdZ-LpPnHleSxlrN4G8PSqbQIKV863GmZxt5NOkONF59b7W9Md_ZNoMz7JmQttGXLppciiJBpgmLbW2qWJCBC2A/s1600/George+haying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYnpFCaA7Gdm0vrYrgiXsEe69HZ9GPxrASXzeqLqdFCKlZ93jsdF92LdZ-LpPnHleSxlrN4G8PSqbQIKV863GmZxt5NOkONF59b7W9Md_ZNoMz7JmQttGXLppciiJBpgmLbW2qWJCBC2A/s1600/George+haying.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George lost in hay</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The garden was also late in the planting with frost warnings hanging on well into the season. My daughter got her plants in finally and is still planting when she saw that the click bugs that harassed her root crops last year had returned with vengeance. Trying to remain with an organic garden I think she has resolved she may need some stronger attempt at ridding them this season. She has removed the sweet potatoes which seem most vulnerable and planted them in bins. It is to be hoped that she can beat this attack of nature as she did last year and see some successful growth.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I didn’t get as many flowers out this year. The garden plot in front of the house suffered from ice as it was more concave than a mound. Some bulbs and seeds are coming up now but the middle area will probably have to be dug up and have soil added and replanted. Whether there will be time for that is questionable. I suspect with me recuperating from surgery and unable to help, we may be waiting for next year to repair this winter’s damage. I did mange to get some pots of flowers planted before going to surgery and they have bloomed to my expectations. They are giving me pleasure during my three weeks into my convalescence. I know next year will be a more fruitful time for the bushes and flowers when I come back to the gardening. Meanwhile I enjoy watching the tractor work in the fields and wait for my daughters produce from the garden.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2v0Bv62cX7tz4e-EzbUd0zrxY4r1zZvHESRwXKJpGFNvI3x5e0ZF4d0GbLvgWzdTkKHODHPLTw8z1VmYXorO55wfDCAQcqGtdqQTYEi5xJlYL_NSE8WgNqR2VcJohVo6mVF7FxOlbaiev/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2v0Bv62cX7tz4e-EzbUd0zrxY4r1zZvHESRwXKJpGFNvI3x5e0ZF4d0GbLvgWzdTkKHODHPLTw8z1VmYXorO55wfDCAQcqGtdqQTYEi5xJlYL_NSE8WgNqR2VcJohVo6mVF7FxOlbaiev/s1600/flag.jpg" height="200" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for July 1</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-23150388746486607122014-05-31T05:56:00.002-07:002014-05-31T05:56:44.273-07:009 Days and Counting<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">9 Days and Counting</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfkR7KjUXeC0kzVwDmpn62uKNrz5fJybamuqv1eDYSJUeiyWX4fV5jPgovssst3AXGTXElsPv86ENB3AsIGt5P_vOUs1ugHzpXci3EGdV_N_4echQuHAbxHKTNnEYMGLCq8zv76ElxCG9/s1600/lobster+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfkR7KjUXeC0kzVwDmpn62uKNrz5fJybamuqv1eDYSJUeiyWX4fV5jPgovssst3AXGTXElsPv86ENB3AsIGt5P_vOUs1ugHzpXci3EGdV_N_4echQuHAbxHKTNnEYMGLCq8zv76ElxCG9/s1600/lobster+boat.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lobster boats in</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sitting out on my deck yesterday was a treat that I’ve been looking forward to all winter long, as well as through the wet spring. Finally the sun and warmth is here. The garden and flowering plants are late though because of the unusual cold and wet we’ve been having. There isn’t time left for me to do the gardening that I look forward to at this time. I’m not sure if the rain has delayed my flowers and bulbs or the are just not ready. Therefore I have to wait longer to see if some of my planting will be redone. I did have my seasonal lobster feed already, thanks to my daughter.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I only have 9 days left for any work and then I am in surgery for a full double mastectomy. It’ll be weeks after before I can do much physical activity. The first two weeks I can’t even make the bed. I can’t paint. I could do some light drawing if paper is in my lap and my arm isn’t held upward. I can get my coffee or even try washing a few dishes. This activity helps my arm movement. Other than the exercises I will be doing I will be sitting a lot. I can walk a little ways in the second week so will enjoy getting out and about. I am so happy that the weather appears to be good this week before I go into hospital for about four days and hope that it continues to shine on my return home. I’m counting on sitting on the deck, watching the family work, the birds fly, and any animal visitors. My artists colleagues promise to visit so I can look forward to keeping in touch with happenings in the area. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbqMExQey4CzFNSfy5Wcz3q3SXY_H7_FTi8QGw9DN-kUhZu5_3QxIg4L5HQzdWzwIM-T1Z0re3C8-7tNFMQdhkOn6wemT8MLvHd_YMRn-3R6K3OGfQ-_cBXUMZyrA90VTAUXG-9yIyOyM/s1600/horses+eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbqMExQey4CzFNSfy5Wcz3q3SXY_H7_FTi8QGw9DN-kUhZu5_3QxIg4L5HQzdWzwIM-T1Z0re3C8-7tNFMQdhkOn6wemT8MLvHd_YMRn-3R6K3OGfQ-_cBXUMZyrA90VTAUXG-9yIyOyM/s1600/horses+eating.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">horses in the field</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It’ll be a long slow summer for me, not only for the surgery and getting my full range of movement back, but as of yet I don’t know if I shall be experiencing chemo or radiation. This could lead into the autumn. I do have my art work at a point that I can leave it until I’m back. I have some computer activities to do and to learn. Mostly I will enjoy my place and recuperating in the prettiest area around.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvO6KrWtnrtRkCioaQ1aG9gWwl_8Xucw5pBpdU-GhbSwdfnGcYxPXCIl41BwcQbkSQZpBhPinTqLFdoIohaFMqV9UZB7LR4w99CoBjH0qg_728duaGcZ5Yq7qR_gU2xOr-qmY_K6abcxuC/s1600/lobsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvO6KrWtnrtRkCioaQ1aG9gWwl_8Xucw5pBpdU-GhbSwdfnGcYxPXCIl41BwcQbkSQZpBhPinTqLFdoIohaFMqV9UZB7LR4w99CoBjH0qg_728duaGcZ5Yq7qR_gU2xOr-qmY_K6abcxuC/s1600/lobsters.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had my lobster feed</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-75216392926754577242014-05-17T07:20:00.000-07:002014-05-17T07:20:03.530-07:00Perfect Timing for the Right Season<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurDYdSrURgwOJuuhwTED9dc-P1Q1c1lGUCpDE12zYl_npnO9oA6DSYMhbg03qDgWh0CObo_Lg_d4Kt16hQHt8yFYAMy-t4xRd5fW7Zw-q4c7YJqMeMq9Nos0RTr6mz8mu34wvw9RbGXM5/s1600/The+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurDYdSrURgwOJuuhwTED9dc-P1Q1c1lGUCpDE12zYl_npnO9oA6DSYMhbg03qDgWh0CObo_Lg_d4Kt16hQHt8yFYAMy-t4xRd5fW7Zw-q4c7YJqMeMq9Nos0RTr6mz8mu34wvw9RbGXM5/s1600/The+Bridge.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing Under the Bridge</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">49 Acres of Heaven Blog - May-2014</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Perfect Timing for the Right Season</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As spring finally arrives with hints of summer to come, I can plan for the perfect time to sit and walk and just contemplate the beauty of place. We don’t often take the time to just see, listen, feel the moment and the place. Life sometimes forces us to take the moment. Life is forcing me to take the moments and the next months to enjoy the acreage and the home and just being here. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7WGqyW-CqNAJUN8hRTqZfCGs6z7mrt-ZjHkEkotQyI9usSuSEMiIz11nZT_vAyBTCgShDl0gcutMZhn5DkE_SR6fMYmq_tHNjT4ht1Ltwy8s0jm1nvVPyD2bG1ytXXI4j82N87_oTFUC/s1600/A+River+runs+thru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7WGqyW-CqNAJUN8hRTqZfCGs6z7mrt-ZjHkEkotQyI9usSuSEMiIz11nZT_vAyBTCgShDl0gcutMZhn5DkE_SR6fMYmq_tHNjT4ht1Ltwy8s0jm1nvVPyD2bG1ytXXI4j82N87_oTFUC/s1600/A+River+runs+thru.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have joined the throngs to the river.</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As the breeze blows gently in the trees now, the birds chirp happily, the horses and deer are dancing, the grasses green while the allergies begin to rage, I am in a very reflective mood. Facing the next several months of health procedures, I know there will be times I can do no more than sit, rest, and convalesce. Here is where this place will be my perfect healing venue. I will sit on the deck in the sun and enjoy the fauna and the wildlife. We joke about that huge deck that no one wants to leave, once situated in a deck chair and holding a glass.The scenery of the hills and road below on this 49 acres of field and wood, makes everyone feel like they are on vacation. What better place to sit and heal. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While I am forced to endure my third round of cancer treatment, and hoping this is the last time, I have found myself in the right place and heading into the right season. This place as my muse will become more familiar to me in the next seasons and I hope to share the peace with my artists colleagues and friends as they stop by to visit me. This is also the best season to bring out those same visitors once they have discovered that view and the restful immovable state of sitting in the deck chairs.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While I heal, I can still visit and work a bit in the gardens we planted last year. Although the winter was harsh, I'm still hopeful most of the flowers and bushes will sprout. I’m not seeing hints of some of them, but that’s okay. It means another trip to the garden centres and replanting, probably by my spouse. I get to watch my daughter this year in the garden with a good excuse for not helping with the weeding this year, yet benefitting from the bounty.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoAKx8A5aDmR68aRsO0EXhvXOyNITvghtAXNvXxS80xQmh28IozHmZcDRs-vdEvCKwoX6N7XcYglJ6WX_VUgcOlAcP13iH1poObJQBKsEW1ilUUmULR44JW-_1CJMu9SutWV3N-CQm9yR/s1600/The+Shed-split+tone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoAKx8A5aDmR68aRsO0EXhvXOyNITvghtAXNvXxS80xQmh28IozHmZcDRs-vdEvCKwoX6N7XcYglJ6WX_VUgcOlAcP13iH1poObJQBKsEW1ilUUmULR44JW-_1CJMu9SutWV3N-CQm9yR/s1600/The+Shed-split+tone.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Old Shed/Down by fishing hole</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-59702513013812683032014-02-12T06:49:00.001-08:002014-02-12T06:49:33.643-08:00The Long Winter<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1VV31F94-NRVSMmPzsPvEcjyAT2Zf2qHprYUnNBUam5oBVWxaKsXOVLgqtyl25khRj2if7GDxE2vYGTwebgEk52LB83sfmQ6w4JSgio6l74aQunyfy-HyLMP7F_DMKFbxpGhYLlhskxp/s1600/Jan+storm-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1VV31F94-NRVSMmPzsPvEcjyAT2Zf2qHprYUnNBUam5oBVWxaKsXOVLgqtyl25khRj2if7GDxE2vYGTwebgEk52LB83sfmQ6w4JSgio6l74aQunyfy-HyLMP7F_DMKFbxpGhYLlhskxp/s1600/Jan+storm-2014.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more snow</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The snows continue to blow and bring us an almost regular schedule of storms. A feeling of becoming trapped inside makes me want to get out to town on the good days even when I have no destination or errand. The fact there is nothing one can do in a storm situation, I am getting much work done this winter.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">George is becoming an expert on the tractor plowing our driveway. He has no reservations even considering the high levels falling and obliterating the drive way. The tractor is certainly paying for itself the first year of ownership. I’m sure though that George would like to be doing something else with the time he puts in at 5:30 am getting the way out to the road cleared.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have been missing the wild life views as well. The deep snow and storms must be keeping the critters within the woods. This week though, we are seeing the deer again and the hawks are back too. My grandson got some great shots of the hawk by chasing him down the road in the car driven by his mother. Either the hawk gave up and posed or was enjoying the game.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I got a shot from distance of the long huge wing spread of the eagle. So activity seems to be increasing as the weather settles going into early spring. It is to be hoped that the weather continues to be calm, but I expect a few more storms until we can welcome the new season. We comfort ourselves by booking our summer cottage for our friends and the grandsons we will be taking with us. It’s Prince Edward Island for us this year and an experience of a ferry ride for our grandson.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We are also expecting a visit from our son from Australia where he works;</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLtClG1xsLZ312CItyzNZBs49eBRwZV5Jrlz3cwQ5VptJsqpVEzrWrWspzQg4_AYaE4oLYo8xydR-r-k_mXZddo-oUN1MJpb8tMvwA3Ap_phEB6hGSS-e-ntBSmB0XT16BEMfDCLcbmPc/s1600/eagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLtClG1xsLZ312CItyzNZBs49eBRwZV5Jrlz3cwQ5VptJsqpVEzrWrWspzQg4_AYaE4oLYo8xydR-r-k_mXZddo-oUN1MJpb8tMvwA3Ap_phEB6hGSS-e-ntBSmB0XT16BEMfDCLcbmPc/s1600/eagle.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /> it’s been a few years since we saw him, so we have that excitement to look forward to this summer. We also are receiving the bulb and seed catalogues and planning the garden by choosing our orders gives us hope the sun will be warming us again.Despite the long winter, we have much to look forward to for a full summer experience. Whatever the next winter brings we will have great memories of the summer to carry us through that longer season.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UMpetwJRF1q5nx88rXX6jxkHORtJbQ4EuB2cZkM6TvRimUsn5obWuG8Yl0v7oS4ZI4zwfxNkbzc13JONHAY2VqV8XLwCueAZAzpBsrE76yrpuqn6BXleANuHn4QzY0SDA4a0GdtZxEBr/s1600/winter-Jan+thaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UMpetwJRF1q5nx88rXX6jxkHORtJbQ4EuB2cZkM6TvRimUsn5obWuG8Yl0v7oS4ZI4zwfxNkbzc13JONHAY2VqV8XLwCueAZAzpBsrE76yrpuqn6BXleANuHn4QzY0SDA4a0GdtZxEBr/s1600/winter-Jan+thaw.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the long drive</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ3U_sQlTSh6OIXLTdavQEkNnjIawXka1rvtYDtJV1cLcERn8aMDxhpCoEXxSw6B-jkDv_iFDBlpVpgDr7vNLHHFKLyNsDCGQjsXRF3Efcg4Yt6BMHItvwxZ3jvA-pFf2LI17c-7DzV7U/s1600/winter+works.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ3U_sQlTSh6OIXLTdavQEkNnjIawXka1rvtYDtJV1cLcERn8aMDxhpCoEXxSw6B-jkDv_iFDBlpVpgDr7vNLHHFKLyNsDCGQjsXRF3Efcg4Yt6BMHItvwxZ3jvA-pFf2LI17c-7DzV7U/s1600/winter+works.jpg" height="200" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">winter works</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-62508518901005315632014-01-17T05:17:00.003-08:002014-01-17T05:17:40.564-08:00Snow, Snow and More Snow<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwLp25JXa-0W-Ju1WYXFDKDMGTsDfKjqqnvWMiVjr2ZeZ1tpbyFoKnH3KsK9Ev6Dkrk6K41Tc50WBEHxbeFfPw6R14sO1AyQRVlwiFE0-2jE7FO27RkCMcQvu2mjWuSygfX7UHqI3L4wq/s1600/Nicholas+sledding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwLp25JXa-0W-Ju1WYXFDKDMGTsDfKjqqnvWMiVjr2ZeZ1tpbyFoKnH3KsK9Ev6Dkrk6K41Tc50WBEHxbeFfPw6R14sO1AyQRVlwiFE0-2jE7FO27RkCMcQvu2mjWuSygfX7UHqI3L4wq/s1600/Nicholas+sledding.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The last two months has seen so much snow and cold temperatures, I long for the winter to end. This is not a normal wish from me as I do love this time of year. It slows life down and work increases, giving me a great sense of accomplishment. And indeed, I am progressing in my art works with great diligence and focus. But I do miss long walks and maybe a few photo shoots, and some plein air trips for painting.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l-_X0pc_e5RsmgO_fksVnDw5K312D8yP2ZEbcPzBSBfl8G_85CO9kuVMefPz_nLnOmjJevsBDnlrkgcfM2zE0_vEfPA3rxjtvKhfi4LE5h_hC0O85P0G88SPAvxGnje96nK7H0A2wXlD/s1600/winter-Jan+thaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l-_X0pc_e5RsmgO_fksVnDw5K312D8yP2ZEbcPzBSBfl8G_85CO9kuVMefPz_nLnOmjJevsBDnlrkgcfM2zE0_vEfPA3rxjtvKhfi4LE5h_hC0O85P0G88SPAvxGnje96nK7H0A2wXlD/s1600/winter-Jan+thaw.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It is a good thing that I have all my resource materials for my projects and now the time to get these works done. My spouse has gotten a good handle on that tractor. What a fabulous year for that purchase. It has been a life saver. He didn't realize he would grasp the concept of tractor skills so quickly. It’s certainly paying for itself.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I do feel for the deer though. They must be having a difficult time of it this winter. Viewing them has decreased albeit tracks in the morning are still sighted. The land just looks so still and frozen. People seem scarce as well. I guess they are all tucked into their warm homes too and reluctant to venture out. A thaw is in the forecast very soon, so we shall see if activity increases for wildlife and friends.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The West River that I wish to paint in winter season is piled up with great chunks of ice. I do see a small moving water way weaving down its middle trying to seek a path through the ice. I shall keep an eye out as the warm spell hits, because I would like to paint a thaw picture. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4xkYWWQqFuxZz7BJRuloStnvMS7rPAs-CxkqcrcPCWBLqjdrqfFa37WIKRhpUWmSqDV8UWP5Zo84eEW1KJXvzcCHyK_mPIgGX1osuRwlrQHuO6h-C49P86DiFnh4WLUeHFtBg9cZeggW/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4xkYWWQqFuxZz7BJRuloStnvMS7rPAs-CxkqcrcPCWBLqjdrqfFa37WIKRhpUWmSqDV8UWP5Zo84eEW1KJXvzcCHyK_mPIgGX1osuRwlrQHuO6h-C49P86DiFnh4WLUeHFtBg9cZeggW/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist painting river</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40EH14XBQbSiLOWeNxvBQ9pDfU7WjDpdJttkXFGlaanBYeJFijGEzXTvgqEBEefB9cG1pX3QwNteMq95EES0f51OKC3q-LsKPL61oV86s-QVLKTZaan75gy24jff6cGVmLUTO2pi7_a67/s1600/plein+air+west+river+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40EH14XBQbSiLOWeNxvBQ9pDfU7WjDpdJttkXFGlaanBYeJFijGEzXTvgqEBEefB9cG1pX3QwNteMq95EES0f51OKC3q-LsKPL61oV86s-QVLKTZaan75gy24jff6cGVmLUTO2pi7_a67/s1600/plein+air+west+river+painting.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Meanwhile I will continue working away, knowing that this season eventually has to end, and I’II be ready to join life on the outside again.</span></div>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-2215434223195519752013-12-11T11:16:00.002-08:002013-12-11T11:16:30.663-08:00Christmas Snows<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Pkbrk46P3-zRZGJN3VFtffcTE3biSLyJu0LrFssHFHkT7FgBnHXW1_QN0l5qRIHJhVIFp8CyPeFkJg_23hGjg2dEoQL2tqb4TxDC9be5SpCwT-rS1ypcJnjZJK2E13AxYw-aTQ139qmg/s1600/George+winter+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Pkbrk46P3-zRZGJN3VFtffcTE3biSLyJu0LrFssHFHkT7FgBnHXW1_QN0l5qRIHJhVIFp8CyPeFkJg_23hGjg2dEoQL2tqb4TxDC9be5SpCwT-rS1ypcJnjZJK2E13AxYw-aTQ139qmg/s320/George+winter+work.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow on the solar</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">December brings me around to a new year to look forward and a past year to contemplate. It was a full and active year for my art and for the family. The garden brought us an abundance of produce. The hay brought us a tractor once the hay hit the 5 foot mark and we desperately wished to see in the distance. My spouse adjusted to the tractor quickly and is enjoying the machine. I am enjoying the vast horizon now.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">With the snow upon us this month, the tractor has been equipped with blades to plow the long driveway. There hasn’t been enough snow for that job yet, but he has run the tractor down filling in some low spots with gravel and testing the width of the drive with his wheels. I made his trips out on the tractor more enjoyable with my gift of a garage door opener. Apparently once a farmer gets on the tractor, he wouldn’t want to get down too often especially in the cold snow. No worry though, we are back to doing our exercises on the gym equipment.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAuH-q9C63CRO_ZDohLO6z1Mq-yg-To_GikhJrYe3GxNYc9gjVZup9nARwy8L0uTQTEd5ZY62PumMowiyuVhTZIWuJfh0cIe9rD5pnqbCLntdFT8KDyz6oisL0zdl-eAFfPeaG_7qvx6C/s1600/winter+works.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAuH-q9C63CRO_ZDohLO6z1Mq-yg-To_GikhJrYe3GxNYc9gjVZup9nARwy8L0uTQTEd5ZY62PumMowiyuVhTZIWuJfh0cIe9rD5pnqbCLntdFT8KDyz6oisL0zdl-eAFfPeaG_7qvx6C/s200/winter+works.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Tree</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My daughter and my grandson enjoyed a child’s and an adult’s wish with a trip to Disney world. We enjoyed a week of quiet and work without time issues. We also had our trip earlier in summer with our grandson and friends with their grandson. The trip was very successful in that plans are underway for a repeat excursion. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now that the Christmas tree is up and the festivities begun with seasonal events, we prepare to hunker down for the winter storms. We won’t avoid going out and enjoying the season and the white stuff. There is also work inside that will keep my spouse busy as he completes the basement walls, builds a requested trophy case for the grandson, and plenty of shelves for me.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZQuM1-wgVFGUCqrCU3EpnEPhW7bytqtb1HQoAPg2aYbJWL7E9fhBWFowWqnrcrJru9mTVLWHQa4HZrUnJ2UQJBdk_c-EgrdhEwLrLqsIKlGzZ6GqIKMQr3gUA89UrlXm0xvPU5Qtdl_8/s1600/Xmas+decoration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZQuM1-wgVFGUCqrCU3EpnEPhW7bytqtb1HQoAPg2aYbJWL7E9fhBWFowWqnrcrJru9mTVLWHQa4HZrUnJ2UQJBdk_c-EgrdhEwLrLqsIKlGzZ6GqIKMQr3gUA89UrlXm0xvPU5Qtdl_8/s200/Xmas+decoration.jpg" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Bulbs</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But before the winter work begins, there are friends to visit this week and a few concerts to attend and feel the essence of the season. One of these concerts is my grandson’s class event. A children’s concert with all the old traditional carols and skits brings back the childlike glow of Christmas time. The other concert will be an adult choral group that I know will fill us with </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">glee and awe. Our wishes go out to everyone for a safe, warm, and happy Christmas and winter season.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span>Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-88420398774911084832013-11-14T12:39:00.000-08:002013-11-14T12:39:11.257-08:00<span style="font-size: large;">November Greys</span><br />
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With the colours of September and October finished, the grey period before the snows come is presently here. Fortunately I did get out for a plein air painting when a friend requested an old bird house picture to be painted. I just caught the last of any colours remaining. Now the cold has arrived and a few flakes have fallen to give us warning of what will come soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NJPLW9MoLee8TZSmpi55gemrAFXiZfVjNEbzPSbXHFZTF94u0J0bspu727l2xm5Z5Y4hxmakf0aa09FrHdECo613eJGcfnKlxD92TVbrKCPRvF_8cTQThfW0Pm79tWnxbMaUlnX5cBrj/s1600/The+Birdhouse-Vacancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NJPLW9MoLee8TZSmpi55gemrAFXiZfVjNEbzPSbXHFZTF94u0J0bspu727l2xm5Z5Y4hxmakf0aa09FrHdECo613eJGcfnKlxD92TVbrKCPRvF_8cTQThfW0Pm79tWnxbMaUlnX5cBrj/s200/The+Birdhouse-Vacancy.jpg" width="96" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Birdhouse-Vacancy</td></tr>
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George's new tractor will be recruited for another job this winter. Blades and tire chains were purchased in preparation for my spouse to take on the long 1400 foot driveway. He enjoys running the tractor however this one is minus a cab so let's hope the thrill remains throughout the season of snow. We prepared for hunting season also with "No Hunting" signs on our many acres. I roam the area and with a youngster living here too , that is worry I can live without during this time of year. We enjoy the visits from our deer and are fond of watching them come and go. We did come across a few hunters stopped below admiring their trophy . And leaving here the other day, a big stag came out in front of us on the road and then vanished into the brush on the ditch edge. They sure disappear quickly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hc1ZfMEgZUiQzO25SOUS5DXtuz-shx-2ATdl7OPbE8QkH1sdkpcOHYvQcFwqRAWToD6SMUAqXvoJomI0tYElubtbLOje9vpJzO4b1NVyFVjIt0KKXjqwcfil_JzUbECX_J4Zxvs2DfDK/s1600/Nicholas+dumping+pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hc1ZfMEgZUiQzO25SOUS5DXtuz-shx-2ATdl7OPbE8QkH1sdkpcOHYvQcFwqRAWToD6SMUAqXvoJomI0tYElubtbLOje9vpJzO4b1NVyFVjIt0KKXjqwcfil_JzUbECX_J4Zxvs2DfDK/s320/Nicholas+dumping+pumpkins.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last of Pumpkins</td></tr>
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The garden is sitting vacant and a few deer have found some remnants left there from the summer harvest. Again we had too many pumpkins. I remarked that we should put a small stand at end of the drive next year. The rest of the garden was a success although my daughter did have to fight a scourge of cucumber bugs that required her to replant twice. Our hawks are still with us. And we were surprised to learn they are becoming rare sights in the area. Some of the strawberry farmers complained that the disappearing hawks, bats and a virus has been devastating the strawberry crops. They did look a little thin this year. The corn down the road also had patches in the fields. You learn a lot about your environment working a garden and listening to the local farmers. I'm glad we have our hawks working our fields but haven't seen any bats. The insects did seem to be more plentiful this summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3LCG9Kin4fqVmikyOiudWb6JCu_5TsB2BcXyI2jNHQOv52rIqqpvHZ94z_KzY0WurcnB6ryboTHy2sjMYyVK8z3bXtvj0HhJ54hVMp8P76z4wD_opJdUBdFxG6JeUYTObl43pSdjRBal/s1600/Carolyn+shelling+in+suit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3LCG9Kin4fqVmikyOiudWb6JCu_5TsB2BcXyI2jNHQOv52rIqqpvHZ94z_KzY0WurcnB6ryboTHy2sjMYyVK8z3bXtvj0HhJ54hVMp8P76z4wD_opJdUBdFxG6JeUYTObl43pSdjRBal/s1600/Carolyn+shelling+in+suit.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlPLAXDRIkc4svx-3KYw6HwthILDCYlRYU-XsMnS5YRp_Kj4x6wADhDkCNydWt7e4MoRKyNWi16285ASOwzWXG83modYQzxAMaAgb9jLrsWk_B6Sv3ZIjbknlVL3afaXqB_ZDVfIWq8LW/s1600/hay+bails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlPLAXDRIkc4svx-3KYw6HwthILDCYlRYU-XsMnS5YRp_Kj4x6wADhDkCNydWt7e4MoRKyNWi16285ASOwzWXG83modYQzxAMaAgb9jLrsWk_B6Sv3ZIjbknlVL3afaXqB_ZDVfIWq8LW/s320/hay+bails.jpg" width="320" /></a>We had a late start to pouring bronze for my sculpture this year. We managed three burns with the weather. Part of that delay was running into rain days. I shell my ceramic coats outdoors because of the mixing mess. Those days I couldn't shell or cast metal. Rain and molten metal do not mix. However we did get the furnaces started up and now know what needs to be tweaked for next spring. And I have the winter to prepare my sculpture pieces indoors. Hopefully we can catch a full season for my bronze art next year. I am in my studio often now. This is the season that I ramp up production for the summer. I have many projects to complete and a few new ones to get underway. Meanwhile I prepare for my favourite time of the year. The Christmas season alway fills me with joy. My cards are being prepared now for mailing soon. Yes, I'm one of those rare ones that still mails out Christmas cards and I enjoy receiving them even more.Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-90717515099883256792013-09-25T05:03:00.000-07:002013-09-25T05:03:02.578-07:00<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Autumn Harvest</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvr0l_bsOmQP_iXFrPNk7jqcbJhtNah_6JiHyqWS_FNsxeTn3exPqi4mKW0wMqeQgX2peJxdwtM8A-NUIexRYfDt-GYNBVegrOSx-eZd1fPkq5n9jMV-6sVIzwjsdOUnm1lfa6zV7MO28q/s1600/George's+new+tractor-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvr0l_bsOmQP_iXFrPNk7jqcbJhtNah_6JiHyqWS_FNsxeTn3exPqi4mKW0wMqeQgX2peJxdwtM8A-NUIexRYfDt-GYNBVegrOSx-eZd1fPkq5n9jMV-6sVIzwjsdOUnm1lfa6zV7MO28q/s1600/George's+new+tractor-7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On to the field</td></tr>
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As we watched the hay on our land consume the view, we waited for the farmer to arrive and bush hog the area. I missed walking on the land and coming up the drive was a walled entry along both sides. The hay was taller than I was and I couldn't see the animals, if indeed they were even there in the hay. Finally my spouse decided it was time to go after his dream of a tractor and in one day we purchased a suitable sized one with the help of the salesman man and the research we had on hand. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAzO69-DDWKRW7KIoAYaveZoG8jPmzxW8ZLAo7RAO4wWIShhilyHqZ0xAgMp08XVqB38r5sylXansb3vRxnqvQs0HXnAkOrcMSsX3bs9mnc1Kgb-slqdJqkKjisQ-5W7EkGoIeomFtsCL/s1600/George's+new+tractor-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAzO69-DDWKRW7KIoAYaveZoG8jPmzxW8ZLAo7RAO4wWIShhilyHqZ0xAgMp08XVqB38r5sylXansb3vRxnqvQs0HXnAkOrcMSsX3bs9mnc1Kgb-slqdJqkKjisQ-5W7EkGoIeomFtsCL/s1600/George's+new+tractor-8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud man</td></tr>
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What an exciting day when the tractor arrived. A few days were spent getting use to the red machine and George was finally out on his first excursion on the land. Eventually another neighbour farmer had dropped in to see if he could salvage some of the hay. As we left for a weeks vacation, the farmer had entered the land and started the bush hogging himself. When we arrived home, most of the job was done.The hay itself had not been good enough to cut so that he continued the cutting. George finished the rest of the area and the view was expansive across the fields. We went for a walk across the area and back into the woods. The path itself took time to find. It is amazing how quickly nature reclaims the area if not used by man. Meanwhile we explored one area we had stopped the farmer from cutting. An hour passed as we tried to exit a tractor path maze that he had cut into the area. It's a great place to send some visitors for a maze experience. We will trim that area next spring so we don't lose those visitors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF4oxk94T_LI9nmQYcYMVoCSAPXYxrAO17a-5NnEDeY7pDMnp0_CH1a0zyq35UGxWlN1jJoogPkYmaICLMFHe5E7OVBnM1zvIg4E1BADRwzniTaemBFcVSIvYOhY3eiJJ1FDFbXbNrFyJ/s1600/George's+new+tractor-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF4oxk94T_LI9nmQYcYMVoCSAPXYxrAO17a-5NnEDeY7pDMnp0_CH1a0zyq35UGxWlN1jJoogPkYmaICLMFHe5E7OVBnM1zvIg4E1BADRwzniTaemBFcVSIvYOhY3eiJJ1FDFbXbNrFyJ/s1600/George's+new+tractor-11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of polish</td></tr>
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With the hay down, the deer returned. While cutting, the red tailed hawk became quite bold and close to the tractor. We have had a few hawks visit since the cutting.They are like sea gulls following a fishing boat and know what the tractor will turn up for them. The garden also exploded in food and we have had to use the tomatoes in a sauce and eat more than our fill of green beans. Bags of vegetables have gone out of the house for others to share. Now the squash and pumpkin are coming into the house. Another successful year in the garden despite an early fight with cucumber bugs.<br />
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Now that the air has changed and the trees are showing a small bit of colour, we turn our attention to preparing for the new season. The tractor will do a last lawn cut but the fields are still low and don't appear to need a trim before the winter. George will purchase a blade for the tractor and attempt to keep the long drive clear for the winter snows. Our neighbour that has been clearing us in the past assures us he will be available if George cannot handle a large downfall. It is a skill and George has proven to be able to handle this new machine. Of course it has wheels so that puts it in George's realm of enjoyment and attainment. It is also good to see neighbour support for his new enterprise in controlling the land.Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-29637592716703884292013-07-03T05:09:00.000-07:002013-07-03T05:09:04.198-07:00Spring Explosion<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbjqAQJbAr3Sz28U-IAkk_LSWLVEWB8asr4pFit7clht8j78xOJUmxwLfgsX52H9nW4hWgYYaJL3yUFAymEaxqSiav4VfM7YHSUOKprrnM2PjtOnHZJukDWt9kv0TlUZn4gzPXUe7fZQS/s200/George's+walking+path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbjqAQJbAr3Sz28U-IAkk_LSWLVEWB8asr4pFit7clht8j78xOJUmxwLfgsX52H9nW4hWgYYaJL3yUFAymEaxqSiav4VfM7YHSUOKprrnM2PjtOnHZJukDWt9kv0TlUZn4gzPXUe7fZQS/s200/George's+walking+path.jpg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A lovely start to the weather promised a great summer ahead. The forecast changed as rain came in for enough days, that people were commenting on whatever had happened to summer. It was a great beginning for plants though as the rain helped everything green flourish. Unfortunately living in 49 acres of hay, the result is being swallowed up by the height of the hay along our drive and surrounding acreage. We did do a cut around the house giving us some space and a path to the garden. The garden was enlarged this year set on the success on the last year’s crop. Alas it has been taken down by a cucumber bug and with help of a few chemicals, reluctantly applied, we shall have to restart the garden. It is some relief knowing we are not alone and others in the area have the same pests attacking their gardens. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgf8p1HcI7FBg0WGGwLQYfoG28LGaGphYe3nuFRx-uxbDfT1ATs3edTraVyJaqH8ml95IQU1evMLYjDCW6AwoQORz9PyGLBf7nJythzJUQJPzVkO7Yw5IRIQ-D1L2gJIHgm0qeCwqnIyb/s200/Woods+reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgf8p1HcI7FBg0WGGwLQYfoG28LGaGphYe3nuFRx-uxbDfT1ATs3edTraVyJaqH8ml95IQU1evMLYjDCW6AwoQORz9PyGLBf7nJythzJUQJPzVkO7Yw5IRIQ-D1L2gJIHgm0qeCwqnIyb/s200/Woods+reflection.jpg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I did plant some more flowers and my daughter planted many bulbs. So here is hoping that they will add colour in all the green. The next item on the grooming of our home will be the bush hogging. We are trying to hold off as it is an expensive operation and required twice a year. It really is starting to become claustrophobic with the hay and time to bring in the farmer for space to breathe and roam again. Others insects seem to be flourishing as well. Carpenter ants are over embellished in numbers this season. We watch to be sure we don't bring them indoors. It would seem this season the live stock is that of insects instead of our former creatures. Once the hay is cut, I hope to see more of the deer and other animals. We know now we do have a skunk and a porcupine having seen them earlier in season but not lately. We suspect we did have an unseen visit by a bear. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We did take a walk to the far side of the acreage before the hay grew and found our lot pins. There is a gorgeous path in the woods aligning our lot to two neighbours. the path leads deep into the woods and makes for a wonderful exploratory stroll. We plan to visit again. I did take some photos of the wood walk.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgl7dAxGq-PaUAx1ZmKbBpRVvjr_JlBMXKFpSK8-Lm_I3b1NU82MkgqLJPSYZJA13g44u4pUdGi4cTVo2XSVeuLbtftEwVaW7gnQXiVK0VQhxMENdFVJp4lDSUD6ndQkVVtaak-zj2m2H/s200/wooden+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgl7dAxGq-PaUAx1ZmKbBpRVvjr_JlBMXKFpSK8-Lm_I3b1NU82MkgqLJPSYZJA13g44u4pUdGi4cTVo2XSVeuLbtftEwVaW7gnQXiVK0VQhxMENdFVJp4lDSUD6ndQkVVtaak-zj2m2H/s200/wooden+bridge.jpg" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For myself, I am getting established in the area with new friends and contacts in the arts. It has made for a very busy season. My spouse has been on a lay back vacation with small jobs and distractions. He is now warming up to attack the basement conversion with the drywall and flooring. He is also becoming engaged in getting the bronze casting equipment tuned up for a new summer season. We wait anxiously for news of the sale of our house in our last home town. This will definitely cement the move here.</span></div>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-17131170276136306212013-04-15T09:07:00.001-07:002013-04-15T09:07:50.390-07:00The Long Winter Slips into SpringA New Season Reluctantly Arrives<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My wrist free from a seven week cast, I am strengthening the arm to pick up my work where it was last left due to injury. With the stronger sun I can sense the warm days just barely from reach as a few icy blasts hang on to the old season. The fields are yellow with just a few patches of snow and the water gurgles along the ditches and streams. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKDDYkoW0TGqkbKM1-WXodRUTGfPO73zkr9RFMutFKOERhB9a6C6QU5w4LTWIWBDUjZmbQYMmckdV21iVybJF_6V9lricEVz3rSgbbSkjSXdeH7M4dO7m8vrW9Runi9dp4pW2rf8tWlUU/s1600/crazy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKDDYkoW0TGqkbKM1-WXodRUTGfPO73zkr9RFMutFKOERhB9a6C6QU5w4LTWIWBDUjZmbQYMmckdV21iVybJF_6V9lricEVz3rSgbbSkjSXdeH7M4dO7m8vrW9Runi9dp4pW2rf8tWlUU/s320/crazy+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy Deer</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The deer were playing in the fields recently, springing high and running in circles and I guessed that was their way of kicking up their heals in celebration of the new season arriving. Birds are more active in number and a new hawk with a brighter orange tail has set up his territory here. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My daughter has begun the garden seeds in trays around the rooms in the house and we are talking about bringing the deck furniture out and purchasing a few options for them. Tires will be exchanged in the next few weeks signaling the official end to winter. I am already sporting some new sneakers. My spouse is discussing getting my bronze casting equipment out to repair the furnaces and get then ready for a new season of bronze pours. I am back on the Nova Scotia Rally Map so expect some visitors and the bronze is always a highlight. My studio sign will be ready to place for the first time next to the drive coming up to the house.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Having met some of my local peers in this last month, I am in my first exhibition and had an article in the newspaper. I also was focused in a live auction event in the nearby university. So I am feeling at home in our newly adopted area, and expect to see my new colleagues more often during the summer. I am waiting on visits from my old friends also. We will both be going into our second summer season here with a more relaxed and familiar attitude enjoying the best of what we were introduced to last year.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is still plenty of work to do in our new home. The basement was stalled so a fresh attack on getting the walls and floors together there will be an activity for my spouse. We will have to call on our plow man again to refurbish the driveway. It stood up well for the winter but two flood and ice days did wash out some areas and a new surface in a few spots will be required. We will be waiting for the height of the hay to determine a call on the bush hog again. This year we may cut a little more into the second field so we can walk further to that tree line. Meanwhile, my camera will be nearby as our old residents return to our 49 acres.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamFKcDezIgDxsH4JOq0KNgr6XhsO34D5wqVT6pc_xww1JaL4vb97nWifoohCkLa7EjQWtbj3yTXOqEfqxihHYaUtvTuwI9RMzTOt74HSjn7mn1ushiVjnyxHeY79pChHjjlqZk2mGLWhP/s1600/hawk+sitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamFKcDezIgDxsH4JOq0KNgr6XhsO34D5wqVT6pc_xww1JaL4vb97nWifoohCkLa7EjQWtbj3yTXOqEfqxihHYaUtvTuwI9RMzTOt74HSjn7mn1ushiVjnyxHeY79pChHjjlqZk2mGLWhP/s320/hawk+sitting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Hawk</td></tr>
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<br />Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-36138392468182147042013-02-24T11:10:00.003-08:002013-02-24T11:11:37.754-08:00A Real Winter and A Rare Visitor<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">February brought with it one of those old fashioned winters with blizzards, snow, and worse of all, the ice. A few weeks ago, as I was waiting for my grandson to get off the school bus, I noticed the wide thick extensive ice flows in our ditches. My grandson also noticed the inviting ice and decided to slide down the ditches once he got half way up our 1400 foot driveway. With giggles of delight he slid up and down the flows and although the thought occurred to me, that he should have safety gear on, I was caught up with his impromptu outdoor fun. All was fine until he asked me to push him harder on the ice as it wasn’t as fast as appeared on the surface. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So I stepped on to the surface with care and for a few slides all seemed safe. Then without warning, and so suddenly, I was engrossed in pain and down on the ice surface. I knew it was serious and after 5 hours sitting in emergency with ice packs wrapped around my wrists, it was confirmed my wrists was broken. Of course, the break is with my dominant hand which I put out to break the fall. Fortunately, if one is looking on the bright side, it was a clean break and didn’t require surgery. With two weeks of pain and a reset and another week of pain, I am doing better and only have a few weeks left to wear this cast. There will follow a bit of physio I expect while I wait for strength to return. The only pain left is with my spouse who has had to take on my share of the work load.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have continued trying to get on with whatever art projects that I can handle with my left hand but it certainly put a crimp in my plans. Now that the weather has settled down, I am drawn wishfully to the woods to take another photo of the old car swallowed up in snow coverage. I look enviously at the West River with a partial blanket of snow, ice and melted middle, wishing for a plein aire painting experience. One day, while looking out at the fields I saw a dark shape slinking across the field, stopping and crouching, and slowly moving forward. I knew it was too big for a cat, and hurried for my camera excited at the prospects. With the zoom, I could see a lynx or bobcat in the finder. Awkwardly holding my heavy Nikon, I clicked for the few minutes left before he melted back into the woods. It’s not the best of pictures as it was at the full length of my field, but it did encourage online discussion of the breed. I believe I have a shot of the elusive lynx. It appeared to be too large for a bobcat. I would have loved to gone out to that far area to see the tracks, but the broken arm was already telling me that I had extended its use for the day.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So while I await freedom from my injury, and from the indoor living I am restricted to, I plan my events for April and the onset of a glorious spring. It will be glorious to me despite the weather it will bring, as I shall be out and about with camera, paints, and walking the woods and fields. New and exciting initiatives also await me with April month and full use of my right arm again.</span></div>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-79410442643093483442013-01-20T06:34:00.004-08:002013-01-20T06:34:58.838-08:00A New Year and New Season<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Only after Christmas was celebrated and over, did it feel like we have entered a new time with our move into the house. The activity and bustle of Christmas, as enjoyable a break it is, upsets any routine and project work for about a month. Added to that, the season decided to remain warm and white-less. January brought in a freeze where we were finally convinced the winter had arrived and behind that the snows spread their carpet. With the tree unclothed from the ornaments and everything put away, my spouse and I braved the harsh cold and dragged the tree into the tree line to end its life where it began. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilzJ-e2g1Ge7dDIb_SO0Zg6NtzxaJOFqkgwCfnlzZFnIY6mMZ7ggXDUDbubswC3ntnaOZiYWqNZ7qcMUl10hFSYr5u59el9Wf18RwxvmMhCT27aea2KFYmiwWqCJfqM6A0QunsXdAcJ1N/s1600/3+birds-flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilzJ-e2g1Ge7dDIb_SO0Zg6NtzxaJOFqkgwCfnlzZFnIY6mMZ7ggXDUDbubswC3ntnaOZiYWqNZ7qcMUl10hFSYr5u59el9Wf18RwxvmMhCT27aea2KFYmiwWqCJfqM6A0QunsXdAcJ1N/s320/3+birds-flight.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Headed Chickadees</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The birds have made a steady flight path to the feeder and tracks are always present from the pheasants to and from the feeder and into the woods. I’m especially intrigued with the circling motion made with the tracks around the feeder as if circling the pole is requisite for dining. The hawk arrived a few more times and lately an eagle has made the bare trees its station overlooking the fields. Snowmobile tracks carve a line down the far field to the drive and off along the road. Our neighbours were given permission because this has been a long time route for them and they are discrete and do not bother us by nearing the house or covering the whole of the fields. Our neighbour has also begun plowing our drive and we noticed he went of the track at one point. His speed with the truck is ominous as he comes up and down and disappears. We do have some driveway markers up but the pure while of the whole wide field can leave you astray from the edges of the drive after a snow fall. My spouse found collateral damage after the plow left in the form of a mouse in the drive. We have noticed mouse holes in the snow out in the field. Hiding in the snow may work against large flying prey but not a speedy plow.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo33GrXb9vpM5wiObZNMKFWmHR2QEOoNP9eg7oLgR9Ia_WZCxVBlzViX0ZhabIytlhU58AXwHzsJUEudY2mkY3b6GY_VCt77IIgKWymHp9RNhhGRm16_53SmS7tK4vmosZxQSP623gcBa/s1600/better+light+on+snow+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo33GrXb9vpM5wiObZNMKFWmHR2QEOoNP9eg7oLgR9Ia_WZCxVBlzViX0ZhabIytlhU58AXwHzsJUEudY2mkY3b6GY_VCt77IIgKWymHp9RNhhGRm16_53SmS7tK4vmosZxQSP623gcBa/s200/better+light+on+snow+copy.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light on Snow</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I encourage the more mice taken by the birds because it is obvious a farmers hay field will have these rodents in numbers. My daughter discovered this after writing off her vehicle on a mountain road recently. The suspension let go suddenly in her vehicle but her cool head kept control and no one was hurt. The wrecking yard employees were intrigued with the nest in her wheel well and the bird seed shells left in large numbers. The car had become a home but I guess the mouse had left before the crash or definitely was left behind on the mountain. We check our cars now and are cautious leaving doors open in the house and garage. One morning as my husband was filling the feeder, a mouse jumped out from inside where he had nested despite a squirrel and the birds eating at the feeder. Maybe our victim of the plow was this former resident. We are giving a little more time to the birds to help them out but if we seem to be making our rodent population fat, the feeders will have to come down. The feeders were removed after a second vehicle was discovered to have a nest in the heater box. They will have to take care of their own needs as before, but I do miss watching the birds and photographing their visits.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIL_i92zLCE1wIUO3ocsYgOgdJ4cjyZ7mpRHcPB5UhtHJzl6hj3YMOoZxCwCArI5ZfyFplJGjld1WRRrtbq0XKWOhGgBiOsKcXzM2w7LQSKy0EajwhrvsZUlNW5reo-nKViyNaOpOx3qz/s1600/Carolyn's+shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIL_i92zLCE1wIUO3ocsYgOgdJ4cjyZ7mpRHcPB5UhtHJzl6hj3YMOoZxCwCArI5ZfyFplJGjld1WRRrtbq0XKWOhGgBiOsKcXzM2w7LQSKy0EajwhrvsZUlNW5reo-nKViyNaOpOx3qz/s320/Carolyn's+shadow.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright Day</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When the freeze hit after Christmas our excursions into the woods and outdoors were limited. Promises of warmer temperatures and this new blanket of snow will have us out again in the woods for pictures of white carpeting in the trees. And I hope to paint the West River now that I see it freezes as well and the colours of streaking grays through the surface interest me. My grandson’s new sled should also be hitting the long slope from the house to the creek very soon now. I would expect that to be quite a thrill for him and await the day. Meanwhile the white fields and the tracks left each day are of a constant interest to me. I’m glad it also seems our herd of deer made it safely through the hunting season. With the seasonal festivities over with and as we settle into the winter regiment, we are relaxing and finally enjoying our daily activities and awaking to each new day with intrigue.</span></div>
Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-12930945294921723492012-12-14T09:28:00.000-08:002012-12-14T09:28:25.561-08:00Decembers Celebration Preparations<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The snow has fallen twice now. However it was just a powder covering that lasted a day or two on the deck. The snow on the fields disappeared fairly quick as the temperatures still variate at this time. We did have several mornings of frost however, which I enjoy because I don’t have to be concerned with driving. I’m sure my daughter who leaves in the dark to work would disagree with me. However what I don’t enjoy this time of year is the cold rain that still falls and the darkened sky in the afternoon bringing the day to an early end. Once the snow covers the ground in a more permanent blanket the white reflection will lighten the day making it longer. Then I can enjoy watching my grandson play in the snow and walk the fields and woods in white steps. I’m considering snow shoes this winter as an efficient investment. The walking may be easier through the fields to the tree line.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 birds in flight</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We did get out to the woods a few weeks ago to cut some boughs for the decorations on the deck. With the leaves gone from the trees the sun sent beams of light down through the limbs throwing lights and shadows on the tapestry floor. It made it a magical place and I was awe struck in the realization this land was ours. These trees which I looked up to the sky to view their tops were now ours. I used the excursion as a photo shoot and got some beautiful results that are more the result of the day and the subject matter than my skill as a photographer. One of the pictures I am using as a card motif. A few others would make great black and while photo illustrations. They are also a great memory for us later.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The deer are back and looking large and relaxed in our fields. I can’t believe the size those pheasants have bulged to and are regular visitors daily now. I’m waiting to see them burst at some point of expansion. The feeders are busy now as the weather changed and food sources are scarcer. The black capped chickadees lack any fear of us and we can get within feet of them while they continue their feedings. They come back and forth to the feeder rather than remain and feed continuously. Watching them dip and dive on their route with camera in hand becomes a test to catch them in flight. The hawk has returned after an absence of time. There is such a choice of so many fields for it to hunt in; it isn’t attached to one area. I enjoy seeing him hunt because I know there are mice in these former hay fields and am glad to see the hawk clean them out. It is also enjoyable to watch those huge wings spreading and floating and cornering in the air just above the ground as it tracks its prey.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The skies are a great delight to us as well. We have open area and a full view of starry nights as well as sunsets and sun rises that catch our breathe. But even more astonishing is the varied cloud formations in the wide sky here. The other day I saw the exact sky I had envisioned for my “woman on the horse” painting and hurried to get my camera knowing the clouds were moving fast and would change drastically if I waited. I did catch the formations I wanted before they adjusted to an entirely new cloud scape.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look to the light</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">light in the trees</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I await the snow fall now as my next experience with a new winter season spent in the new house. I am hoping as much as my grandson for deep fall. He will experience a long steep run from the house to the lower field.I hope to experience walking above the snow about the fields and into the woods again. I also hope to catch the West River again in paint showing its new seasonal cloak of winter.</span></div>
Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-38486744223765415442012-11-04T10:25:00.001-08:002012-11-04T10:25:11.181-08:00<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A Better View</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn colours</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The autumn leaves were not as brilliant or as colourful as I expected this fall. The temperatures were too fine well into the season so the expected frosts that make the colours bright with orange and reds did not come quickly enough. As the winds and rains, instead fell for many consistent days, the leaves went early with the weather. At the end we did finally reach many oranges and yellows but the majority of colours were the rusts. Still beautiful along with the changes, I enjoy this time of year the most. School is in and people are at their chores and making regular schedules. For me, it’s a determined effort to get back to my art with consistency. For the last two weeks it has been a panic to capture the colours of the leaves as they disappear and I was left with the darker deeper colours that cloudy days bestow on the autumn event.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now the leaves are pretty much gone to the wind or on the ground drying into brown wrinkled skins that will crumble as they are picked up. The many straight pole like trunks of trees multiply in rows as you enter the woods edge. The more interesting gnarly twisted aged limbs and trunks become the showcase for the artist. The white birches are evident and lonely without their yellow canopy. But the true advantage for me is that I can see within the woods that were curtained before with thick impassable greenery. Now the depth of view opens up for me and access is made easier. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">More objects and the floor carpet itself becomes interesting and plants and mosses are a delight in their now individuality. I can see the old blue ford from the windows calling me in curiosity to investigate again. I had taken photos before the house construction as we explored the property. Now I want to go in closer, photograph the changes in the last two years and see deeper into the vehicle that I was hesitate to disturb as a newbie on the land. Of course there will be some caution taken in the investigation. After all, we now know our residents better. We have heard from neighbours on their larger traveling residents. Raccoons and mice are an obvious home owner here and I really don’t want to disturb a skunk. We have everything else and seen most of the animal neighbours here, but I suspect skunks are part of our menagerie. Much noise on approach and a bit of banging on the metal should move any critters onward.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We have also been asked by a few people in the area for hunting permission. We are close to the top of the hill and near the edge of our property line so we don’t relish guns in the vicinity. We know already our neighbours responses so as new residents, we will go with the majority because our land borders their property and we do not wish to open access to the neighbours who declined. It would also make me very nervous to be out and walking about our property knowing someone is in the area with a gun. We do suspect now that our 49 acres must have been accessed before to hunters by the requests and some cars or trucks part on sides of the roads around. Added to that, I have become partial to my animal habitants and we have become accustomed to their habits and they to ours. Leave undisturbed what is normal now and I believe we can all co-inhabit the area in peace.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumVHrDY6RZNYMMmEtXxWhPoNc8SWgc1xl90DQ4y54uljXsYfNvTEKc4Gum_8JrC2dz3jfcx2rVlqvlwZaGnzhxSsflM-o4MZpjqy5RdKRqzht-mKNmw5zywtmcrDlpyGyT663kKaAlhAM/s1600/West+River+1+w-c+Finsih+layer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumVHrDY6RZNYMMmEtXxWhPoNc8SWgc1xl90DQ4y54uljXsYfNvTEKc4Gum_8JrC2dz3jfcx2rVlqvlwZaGnzhxSsflM-o4MZpjqy5RdKRqzht-mKNmw5zywtmcrDlpyGyT663kKaAlhAM/s320/West+River+1+w-c+Finsih+layer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West River /Water in Motion</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455923145527701053.post-71803336426774164392012-09-26T10:54:00.001-07:002012-09-26T10:54:08.201-07:00September's End<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Autumn Air</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After the heat of the summer September month brought us the long needed moisture for the land. Rain however came in torrents instead of trickles, causing flooding in towns near water shed areas. We have a water shed area at the bottom of our acreage along the road. Almost everyone along here catches the mountain run off along the level road area. Tall grasses and bullrushes and a variety of wetland plants line the road. There are lowland marsh in the lower flat lands behind or between some of the houses. A river runs in back of the other side of the road. We can’t see it but know from he line of trees running along the banks where it flows. During two heavy rain falls the river overflowed the banks trapping some cows and their calfs and some of the horses at the barn. They were rescued by the farmer and the horse owner and brought off their little island sanctuaries of grass through the water. The horses remained in the upper fields near the barn for some days to allow for the drainage. I didn’t know that the water was bad for their hooves and one had soften feet but will be okay. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ6gC2dQfqzH5v-4dpK4bgTk8pKuQ8eHibsxYAYr55WnA9hzNGkRsB2x_3MPXkN8ehA1HmcaDaST3tNrbEcjngYPx6nZvXH7KVwB-cLkrSM2pZBVHTi-alpuKQJHS4l6xT53jeErShpCV/s1600/road+wash+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ6gC2dQfqzH5v-4dpK4bgTk8pKuQ8eHibsxYAYr55WnA9hzNGkRsB2x_3MPXkN8ehA1HmcaDaST3tNrbEcjngYPx6nZvXH7KVwB-cLkrSM2pZBVHTi-alpuKQJHS4l6xT53jeErShpCV/s320/road+wash+out.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driveway wash out</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The second rains came the next week and the same scene happened again. For us, it meant a wash out on the long drive way in two areas. The brook handling the upper field drainage overflowed at the culvert and the low wet lands on both side of the road were awash like a pond. The water caught up with the ditch on the right side bringing the water almost up to road level. The ditches were very deep there fortunately as this is where our drainage brook becomes a stream and runs under the road eventually to the river. We called our neighbour whom landscaped with the purpose of running off the water from our house. It has been successful except in those conditions. When we heard how others had fared, we were feeling somewhat fortunate. Our water drained off sufficiently fast afterwards to give us back out driveway in little time. However our neighbour will run another drain on the other side to catch some overflow when torrential rain hits again. It was stated on the news that the extra dry soil could not absorb the huge amount of rain, due to the long dry summer. The power of the weather is evident in the meandering deep ditches the water cut where the rain traffic was directed and are deep enough, although narrow, to reach down to the stones underneath. The stones have gathered with the rush and formed cascading falls all along the ditches. When walking down the lane you are accompanied by the trickling sound of water.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWWvmUFiNZkxa8zqsFtaZLDeUkFZJXiDLikhS-63WDpvX_QOLQWM_BY48Y53posv4NS_OUprcGvzqLCXIo8m0POePvitg0OhCf2WnjB_yrFhNWU9UxbCBcxyIQZBix3Z3J9XNccVSfoQY/s1600/falling+apples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWWvmUFiNZkxa8zqsFtaZLDeUkFZJXiDLikhS-63WDpvX_QOLQWM_BY48Y53posv4NS_OUprcGvzqLCXIo8m0POePvitg0OhCf2WnjB_yrFhNWU9UxbCBcxyIQZBix3Z3J9XNccVSfoQY/s320/falling+apples.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FallingApples</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Another change is the deer accumulating in our fields. Where we had bush hogged to cut the hay and weeds it is coming back and now about two feet high. We do plan to cut again when the ground dries so that we head into winter with a close cropped field. Meanwhile the deer are enjoying grazing the fresh growth around the house. They were coming here and there individually all summer, but now with autumn upon us, they have formed a herd of six or seven members and move together. The fawns have lost their spots but are still small to the adults. In the mornings as I walk my grandson to the bus we have encountered a few flocks of geese in the “v” formation. The trees are changing to brown while others are thinning in leaves. We haven’t had a night frost yet what with all the wet weather, but once it hits, the brilliant colours of fall will appear. We have been told several times of how beautiful it is in the area during the fall colours.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The garden is looking worn and dry. We did get another bunch of beans last week but everything but the tomatoes are done now. The rain did a job on the tomatoes where several are on the ground. However we are still picking some red ones off the bushes. The last remaining crop is the pumpkins now. We have brought one already to the deck. A perfect orange shape for the jack o lantern. There are about five other good size ones turning to that matte orange in the garden and will be the filling for pumpkin pies. With the wet we couldn’t reach the few apple trees on our property side so we waited a week and went out in boots yesterday to collect what was left of the apples. We got some lovely small yellow green apples that taste sweet and tart at the same time. There was a crab apple tree next to it and got a few unspoiled ones there. Then we walked down the perimeter searching for more trees. There is an entry to the neighbours trees where she invited us to walk the paths in the abandoned orchard. Very near the line was a tree with large red apples, many of which were on the ground. We felt she wouldn’t mind us picking some from the branches to salvage the fruit. They are beautiful indeed. My daughter plans next year to plant a small orchard near our present apple trees to aid in the pollination. Grapes are also on the horizon for the spring. Meanwhile we contemplate the four months and the summer we have lived here and feel good about our move. It is time now to prepare for our first winter in the area and in our new house. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKDMOdRyVLfv3_Q4W_CNJvm40z8uePlp8ChCNbVR17aQiuN1l1AlEAcdkrLTAqwjQpD8JpXwZgJZZAkv398k12Fj8Iy6Sr-t06WOBLOBtQsuEwcugh1yZm3ybLWuVZB-u0Sr7fSkLVTuS/s1600/bowl+of+apples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKDMOdRyVLfv3_Q4W_CNJvm40z8uePlp8ChCNbVR17aQiuN1l1AlEAcdkrLTAqwjQpD8JpXwZgJZZAkv398k12Fj8Iy6Sr-t06WOBLOBtQsuEwcugh1yZm3ybLWuVZB-u0Sr7fSkLVTuS/s320/bowl+of+apples.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple pie on the way</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This blog chapter is dedicated to our neighbour Rose whose visits and local stories and garden advice we thoroughly enjoyed. Her tenacity and strength of spirit is an inspiration.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big spider web</td></tr>
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Bedford's Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16921657292115669828noreply@blogger.com0