SPRINGTIME

From snowy winter pics to pink blossoms. That's what happens when it takes ages to load a page at blogspot.ca and even longer to get to the "create new post" page. My patience online is non-existent.

Meanwhile ... I'm enjoying a new driving experience. Yes, a 2010 Matrix "sporty car" feels nothing like a 1998 RAV4 "truck". VBG. Pity about the extremely slow speed limits around here. I should live near the autobahn. I feel as though I could quickly go from 80 kph to 160 kph but the fine for speeding like that is $10,000! That's 2/3 the cost of my car.

Today's drive to the library sent me past a gorgeous magnolia. Luckily, I was armed with my trusty little camera.




Fresh new spring leaves are opening up this week and the grass in my back yard has turned a lush dark green. Uh oh! It will soon be time for the first mowing of the year (horrors!).

The warmth and sunshine make me feel happy. Talk about a fair weather fiend ;) Here's Terri enjoying a game of catch this week (compare to previous post). This was taken before the grass suddenly sprang to life.

MORE SNOW!

Terri and I played catch and fetch in the front yard today while I did some shovelling. I'm taking my time about moving the snow this week; I don't feel up to trying to do it all at once. The helpful farmer didn't come by to move the bulk of the snow this time.

I wrote a haiku for my experience in the snowfall today:
Interlaced snowflakes
Captured by Earth's gravity
Blanket everything.

Yes, "Earth's" is unnecessary but I needed it to complete the 5/7/5 scheme. Yes, I'm aware that my haiku doesn't follow all the rules mentioned in Wikipedia but I don't care.

Apart from photos of my sweet companions, Terri and Flower, I really have very little to communicate these days. I'm enjoying the warmer weather; I dislike temperatures below -5 °C. True, the colder weather makes us appreciate the "good" weather more but I've never been one to take things for granted. I'm all too aware of history and conditions in other parts of the world to do that.

MARCH LION

This wasn't much of a storm and that's good news! The snow isn't as heavy as it was in the previous "real" storm so I will likely be able to shovel the driveway without too much effort.

I haven't been writing for my blog in ages. This is mainly because I have trouble accessing any of the Google blogs. I guess too many people are taking advantage of the free blog space and layouts. Facebook hasn't given me any problems and its interactivity is faster and easier so that's where I've been hanging out.

The reason I'm posting now is that my Shaw Direct TV service isn't functioning. It stopped last night while the snow was getting closer to Ottawa. Usually, I can get a reply when I send a FB message to "Shaw Direct" but so far, no luck. I'll have to return to reading the translated Swedish books I've been enjoying from the library. Authors Camilla Lackberg and Asa Larsson have been keeping me entertained this month with their murder mysteries.

TERVUREN

Terri will be 8 years old soon. January 11th, in fact. What you need to know about herding dogs' need for exercise is this: they need to run. If they don't, they become unhappy.

We spent a short Christmas holiday at my sister's and B-I-L's place. They now live in an apartment style condo, 3rd floor. Crazy [because they choose to live in a 4 story building] people with dogs live in the condos on her street and all the dogs must share (on leash) the same yard. This makes for interesting pee-mail for the dogs and Terri enjoyed reading all the messages. Often. That meant frequent trips outside involving getting my hat, coat, scarf and boots on and off each trip. Humbug. The point is: no place for a good long run. Terri was bored and had nothing much to do to spend her energy. A walk to the train station was plenty for me but not worth mentioning for a fast dog. Playing "toss the ball down the hallway" was frowned upon. My sister is definitely not a dog person — the only sister who isn't.

We visited my nephew for Christmas dinner and I finally gave Terri the 45 minute run she'd been wanting at a parking lot across the street from his house. He was taking care of a friend's border collie over Christmas so I copied his method of exercise. Terri was happy, at last. We had to keep the two bitches apart — they snarled at one another but Terri was much calmer there after her run than she had been in the condo.

We got a huge snowfall the day after we returned home — 33 cm by my tape measure. Thanks to my helpful farm neighbour, I didn't have to break my back shovelling 60 feet of driveway. I had to clear around the car, not to mention the car itself, plus a route to the back yard for meter readers. In the course of that work, Terri got her beloved runs with her toys. Day after day, I made progress with snow and more snow and Terri chased her toys. When we had an especially pleasant day of temps around -3°C, Terri wanted to stay out all day long. She became naughty and refused to come inside or even jump into the back of the car. She wanted to run non-stop. I had to trick her into getting into the car because I had shopping to do but after that, I let her out to run some more. We played outside for hours.

Now that it is cold again (-18°C), I much prefer being able to open my back door for her.

P.S. Quote from a friend with Malinois (the short haired Belgian shepherds) Mals resemble "Border Collies on speed that like to bite."

THE RUINS

I was in my late teens, hanging out with a friend who liked animals. He took me to his pal's home but nobody was there. Taking the key from its "secret" spot, he let me inside so we could look at some young kittens. Suddenly, a nine foot tall lizard appeared at the kitchen door!

Then I woke up. That nightmare was thanks partly to watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (again) plus reading The Ruins by Scott Smith. Harry Potter books and movies don't normally cause nightmares so I put the blame mainly on The Ruins in which a pleasant beach vacation turns into a horror story. Some friends head to the interior of the country and ignore the the taxi driver's warning: "No good you go this place." ... "I take you new place. Fifteen dollars. Everyone happy." It all goes downhill from there. Not a book to read if you are prone to being frightened, getting depressed or having nightmares. You've been warned.

AUTUMN

The scent of wood smoke from nearby chimneys and honking of geese flying overhead; the beauty of my dog running to grab a thrown toy; the soft hair against my hands when my cat comes close for a snuggle and the warmth of her body keeping me comfortable in the evening; the flavours still favored after childhood: chocolate, peanut butter, strawberry — these are some of the simple pleasures I can be thankful for.

In contrast to this year's hot spring and summer in Ontario, my youth spent in PEI was much cooler and wetter. Spring along the east coast was a windy, rainy change from the large wet snowflakes of winter. I remember standing on the verandah, savoring a rare warm sunny spring day when the bees were buzzing amongst my mother's flowers and the newly opened leaves on tall trees shaded parts of the lawn.

Summer was a time for warm sunshine and walks on the beach. The average highs for June - August were 20°C to 23°C (compared with 23°C to 26.6°C in Casselman). PEI breezes from the ocean moderate temperatures so they are cooler in warm months and milder in cold months than experienced in Ontario. I don't remember any really hot days in summer. In fact, I had to keep blankets over me because the nights were cool.

By tradition, September felt like summer was over; not only because school started but because temperatures dropped enough that swimming in the ocean was no longer tempting — not that the water was warm in the summer!

This year's hot summer in eastern Ontario kept me from taking as many trips as usual. Terri and I normally enjoy walks at weekend outdoor events where dogs are allowed — dog shows, country fairs, camping in parks. This summer seemed too hot to enjoy spending a full or even half day walking under the sun. Many places have very little shade so I lacked any ambition to leave my shade trees.

The 2012 heat has lasted a surpisingly long time. Even the geese seem to be puzzled. They are still flying back and forth (north and south) as if they aren't sure which way to go. I suspect that this long mild autumn is allowing them to feed on many corn fields before their long flight south. I hope they don't get too fat to fly ;-)

SKY

Pale pink and pearl gray
Watercolour swaths on canvas
Western sky painted


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiku_in_English

BONES

Osteopenia: abnormally low bone density
Osteoporosis: severe bone loss; bone tissue is porous


I have osteopenia. My doctor says that means I have a greater chance of breaking bones than if they were normal density. Falling is the usual cause of bones breaking. Since I've never been accused of having a gymnast's balance and coordination, it could be a matter of time before I'd have to visit a hospital. Given the dangers of slippery dog drool, a cat that loves to run between my legs, and my general clumsiness, I've fallen a number of times. Luckily, no bones have cracked yet.

I highly recommend Strong Women, Strong Bones by Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D. This book contains many facts about foods, medications, and exercises that have a positive or detrimental effect on your body's bone building ability.

Examples:
- aluminum interferes with calcium absorption if taken in excessive amounts
- thyroid hormone taken for hypothyroidism will increase bone breakdown if the dosage is not correctly calibrated
- caffeine acts as a diuretic and increases calcium excretion in urine
- too much fiber speeds food through your intestines so there isn't enough time to absorb calcium

Osteopenia means your bones can fracture easily. When you think of a broken arm, you might believe it couldn't be a big deal. Lots of people have healed nicely from a fracture. However, Nelson warns that a break for a low density bone is a different matter. You can be left with pain and deformities.

It isn't just leg and arm bones at risk. Bones of the spine fracture and cause pain, posture problems, and loss of height. Hip fractures require surgery for repair or replacement and impact your ability to get around and remain independent.

The combination of nutrition and exercise is needed to make and maintain strong bones.
* Daily intake of calcium AND vitamin D (and fruits and vegetables for other nutrients that are needed for bone building — phosporous, magnesium, potassium, zinc, sodium). Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium and turn it into bone.
* Strength training exercises are needed for bone building. Aerobic exercises are good for your heart but aren't sufficient for bone health.

Our bodies use calcium for more than just bone building (blood coagulation, blood pressure regulation, muscle contraction, and others). For that reason, we need a daily supply of calcium and vitamin D. "If we get plenty of calcium in our diet, we don't have to draw down the supply that's stored in our skeleton." Page 27.

Nelson includes chapters about testing and improving your balance and fitness to avoid or reduce falls. Pages 134 to 222 tell all about using exercise to improve bone strength.

One chapter provides info on the best food sources of calcium plus sample menus to show how you can add up the amounts of calcium from various foods to supply your daily needs. Dairy, soy, nuts, vegetables, fruits, fish, and calcium-fortified cereals are listed with their calcium content. Protein fortified dairy products containing more milk solids have more calcium than regular products.

To determine if you need supplements to your diet to ensure you aren't usng the supply of calcium from your bones, you'll need to take these steps:

A. Check the DRI (dietary reference intake) for calcium
Age 19-50 years -- 1000 mg/day
51 + years -- 1200 mg/day

B. Decide what supplements you need to add to your diet to get 1000 or 1200 mg/day. Nelson recommends that you get calcium via calcium carbonate or calcium citrate rather than calcium glucomate, calcium lactate or calcium phosphate. She explains why. Spread your calcium consumption over the day — your body can't absorb more than 500 milligrams at one time.

Don't forget vitamin D to help calcium absorption. In Canada we don't get enough sunshine in the winter — November through February — for our skin to produce vitamin D and we are usually covered up then anyway. Since sunscreen blocks sun rays that are needed to make vitamin D, Nelson suggests 15 minutes of sun on arms and legs before applying sunscreen.

Age birth - 50 years -- 200 IU daily
51 -70 years --- 400 IU
71 + years ---- 600 IU


In addition to calcium and vitamin D, bone building needs magnesium, potassium, vitamin K, vitamin C, and other elements (silicon, manganese, copper, zinc, boron) that you can get from fruits and vegetables.

In Chapter 9, Nelson discusses medication. For example, alendronate (Fosamax) is a bisphosphonate that binds to the cells that break down bone and suppresses their activity. It must be taken on an empty stomach but with water.

Near the end of the book are several handy logs you can use to ensure your nutrition and exercise requirements for stronger bones are met.

Please, for the sake of your bone health — read this book and take Nelson's recommendations seriously.

More about osteoporosis:
Slideshow and info

SANDY WAS HERE

Loud winds disturbed Terri Monday night but she calmed down once I put her thunder-shirt on her. The snug wrapping makes her feel and act less edgy. The electricity started going off and on before 11 PM. By then, I gave up watching TV and went to bed, pulling power cords out of the wall outlets on my way.

We didn't get rain, despite the appearance of thick clouds in the NASA image below. Luckily, the storm winds slowed down before they arrived in eastern Ontario.

The wind was powerful enough to knock down the dead tree behind my back yard. I was relieved that it didn't fall on the fence that lies along the back of my yard.

All is peaceful now except for noises such as car doors slammed shut. These prompt Terri to make "quiet" annoyed barks as if she disapproves of people making unnecessary noises to disturb her rest. ;-)

STORM COMING ?

Luckily, the rain held off Saturday so Terri and I had time to play games, shop for groceries, and prepare for rain and wind. I should be preparing for power outage too, just in case. The list of things to have ready is available at the link in my previous post. I sure hope I don't need any of these items, especially things for power failures. However, it doesn't seem to take much to lose power on my road. I wonder why.

The following map shows the probable turn west for the storm into the Atlantic states somewhere between NY and SC. The storm itself is huge so it will cover a wide area wherever it lands.

I hope it lands far south of New York since that would be better for the greatest population but I don't know how badly it would affect states such as North or South Carolina. [More details to come as the storm continues up the coast.]

GREAT WEATHER

FRIDAY, OCT. 26: What a beautiful day today! I knew it would be pleasant but the temperature and sunshine was just perfect. Flower enjoyed the deck for a couple of hours before taking her regular afternoon nap curled up on her big chair. Terri and I couldn't get enough of the perfect day so we stayed outside, even after dark. It's a good thing we made the most of this 18C + weather — a weekend of rain starts tonight or tomorrow morning.

A hybrid storm - part hurricane, part cold nor'easter - may head inland to parts of Ontario and eastern Canada in a few days. The mixture of cold air and wet storm could result in snow. "While winds would not likely exceed Category 1 strength, the size of the storm would mean that a huge area would be affected by winds strong enough to bring down thousands of trees and leave millions without power. Heavy rain could trigger flash flooding." - The Weather Network

Your Emergency Preparedness Guide Guide

LOSING WEIGHT

It is very difficult for me to lose weight. I suspect I have a slow metabolism. I love tasty foods and tasty foods always have some sugar and/or fat. Tempting photos of food abound on TV and even in Facebook posts! I have a huge appetite — I'm sure I could keep up with hungry teen boys if I allowed myself to.

Despite that, I have managed to lose 5 lbs. You laugh. I understand, it's not much; but it is a start! I've cut down on margarine, butter, animal fats. I try to use just olive oil and only when really needed. I've stopped eating chips, cookies, cake, etc. More recently, I've stopped eating candy — WOW! For snacking, I've made a fresh fruit salad in a large glass bowl which I keep in the fridge. Canned peaches and/or pears chopped up, grapes, pineapple, cranberries. When there is room for more fruit I should add orange or apple. I don't like melon except for watermelon.

The best motivation for losing weight is sharing the plan with friends. We are on a 5 lb loss for October plan. Next month we'll have a new motivation. It's a good thing ;-)

FALL COLOURS

Terri and I enjoyed some sight-seeing around Russell Township Friday afternoon. I drove along country roads without caring where I was going — I figured I couldn't get lost since I wasn't trying to get to any particular spot.

MORE FB PHOTOS

Here is another set of FB "cover" photos.

PHOTOS FOR FB

Facebook's timeline has an area at the top of each user's page where they can upload a 900 by 300 pixel photo as background to his/her profile icon. I've been having fun taking pics around the yard and cropping them to this long, narrow size.

I guess I'll keep the others for a future post.

MORE TRACKING

Sept 14th

Pleasant day with sun & cloud. I waited too long to drive to the tracking fields. The clouds arriving overhead were rain clouds. Grabbed my rainproof jacket just in case -- it's a good thing I did!

I didn't wait long after laying the track before I put Terri's harness on her and invited her to drink. She turned her head away from the bowl. She stopped at the scent area to eat the pieces of kibble and then her nose moved around for some seconds before she decided on a course. It was the correct one. She followed the 1st short leg nicely and swung around counter-clockwise beyond the 1st left turn but not far enough. I had to encourage her to keep looking for the 2nd leg. Once she found it, I was able to watch how she tracked towards the tall power pole that I had selected for sighting along. She stayed mainly 2 to 4 feet to the right of the track but also swung left & right of the track. The wind was blowing scent in that direction but I don't know if she was following scent blown from the track at that time or scent blown off me when I laid the track.

She amazed me by taking the 2nd left turn without any problem :-) Her speed was great - not too fast but certainly not hesitant. At the 3rd left turn, she just breezed along and soon found some kibble halfway along the 4th leg. Then she started to have trouble and wandered around quite a bit until she reached the post I had aimed for. The prize - more kibble - was just beyond the post and she found it immediately. A successful track!

We continued to walk towards the car and had almost reached it when the rain started. In a few seconds (after Terri was inside but I wasn't) it turned into a downpour.

Learned to pay more attention to clouds in the sky ;-)


Sept 19th

Damp vegetation really does help a dog follow a track more easily. We had a heavy rain the day before our tracking practice and Terri had no trouble at all getting those turns. Here are photos of parts of the first 3 legs.

LEG 1

LEG 2

LEG 3

Terri had no trouble making the last turn but didn't follow the track as closely as she had done the first 3 legs. Instead, she swerved left and right of the track a lot. I have no explanation for this. Confusing wind? There was very little wind that day. Other interesting scents? A possibility.

TRACKING :-)

We've had great weather for tracking lately. That is, it hasn't been horribly hot & humid so I managed to get off the sofa and move ;-) Terri and I have had a treat tracking on a lovely big clover field. Such a great change from our puny 1/2 acre yard! The exercise and tracking practice has been good for both of us.

I found a use for toilet paper rolls! I put a piece of cooked liver in a number of rolls and hid them along the tracks. It served two purposes — rewarded Terri and confirmed to me that we were right on track. I picked them up after Terri ate the liver and that taught me how I would have to handle Terri when picking up dropped items on a track. I should really be making her stop and sit to indicate found articles.

One of the handy things about this field is that there are little bushy plants and flowers here and there to serve as landmarks so I know if we're in the right place or to signal to me that there's a turn up ahead when running the track. The fence, trees and power poles are sighting tools to keep me on a straight track when laying the course.

NICE FIELDS!

I finished the mowing and some of the raking yesterday so I allowed myself to take Terri on a fun "exploring" run today. It was only 6 km and 7 minutes driving to my friend's farm. (We arrived at 7:30 P.M.) What marvelous tracking fields she has! Oh my goodness! It's just the most perfect place I can imagine for tracking. We didn't track today but explored parts of the field so I could see potential paths to make. There are some natural spots such as a patch of yellow flowers for making turns.

I must go with Terri tomorrow — some people may think it's weird to get so excited from just seeing a field but other trackers would understand immediately. Terri didn't put her nose to the ground until we got to the edge of the field — I suspect there's a path near the fence where Laura and her dogs walk. (See bottom photo.)

The entrance to a field of tracking dreams!

Terri may be scenting dogs and people here by the fence.

P.S. — You wouldn't think from the green of these fields that we're suffering from a drought, would you? I guess the little sprinkling of moisture we had recently was enough to turn the clover leaves green.