Bugs

I don't know about you but we leave our outside lights on all night and this year to save electricity we switch from incandescent to compact florescent bulbs. We started doing this many years ago at the request of our paper delivery person and continued while our daughter was going through those teenage years. Those years passed (thank goodness) a few years ago so now we leave them on for security purposes. The point of my rambling on is, we get lots of bugs and spiders, which makes coming on going from the house a challenge. So to solve the problem I bought one of those bug lights, they're the ones that are yellow in colour, and to my amazement no bugs.

Japanese Maple

Raindrops on our Japanese Maple. 

Super Mailbox

This is our mailbox or if you are Canada Post they are super mailboxes. We don't get home delivery like we did when we lived in Toronto but after more than twenty years of 'going to get the mail' it's no big deal. We can also receive small packages here too but if they're too big then we must go to the post office.

Theme Day

This  sign is located at the pond near our home and should be read emphasizing the word 'dam'.
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Chip or Dale

We have a couple of young chipmunks running around our backyard entertaining our cats (and us too) as they watch through the window. This little fellow took a liking to the fruit on the Service berry bush stuffing it's cheek full. Chip and Dale refers to chipmunk cartoon characters. 

Companion

This garden ornament was originally bought for my father but he never put it outside because he didn't want it to get damaged. So for years it resided beside his favourite chair. When he passed we brought it home and now it sits in our garden.

Happiness

This garden ornament in our backyard makes me smile every time I pass by it. Today he had company while he laid in the sun as a dragon fly decided to pay a visit.

A Good Idea

In theory this is a good idea but how many times have you seen vehicles parked in front of a shop with the engine running. Some falsely believe it takes more gas to restart the engine than it does leaving it running. I often wonder how much gas is wasted will waiting in a drive through line at a coffee shop or fast food restaurant. 

As you can see the couple in the background has no worries about breaking the law.

Hard at Work

Found these little guys hard at work collecting nectar and pollen from the wild daisies.

Hangin' Around

Both our cats like to sleep on the back of the sofa in the sun in this position. As you can see one eye is partially open watching for the chipmunk.

For The Love Of Jo

In Stouffville if you are going for a coffee you are generally going to Tim Horton's ( aka Timmys) mainly because of the drive through, unfortunately, most people miss out on the true coffee experience. At for the Love of Jo's you can enjoy your coffee in a relaxed and peaceful setting. 

Creepy Crawlies

The eastern tent caterpillar can cause serious deforestation but rarely kill trees except those already weak. Their preference is black cherry trees but can be found on almost any fruit or shade tree. These little guys and their few hundred friends were found on an apple tree. 

The Reservoir

Yesterday I walked at the Stouffville Reservoir along a path we used to run on to see if ,maybe, any improvements had been made. Boy was I wrong nothing, except for the removal of fallen trees, had been done since a group of us, many years ago, brought in mulch to cover the path to make it less dangerous. It's too bad as this is a great place to run and walk.

Hawthorn

Went for a walk in the park near our house and came across one of my favourite trees the Hawthorn. I think this species is the Downy Hawthorn but that is only a guess. We tried to buy one once for our garden but were told they don't transplant well. So I enjoy them in their natural setting.  

Traffic!

You never know what you will see when driving around the rural roads of Stouffville. This piece of farm equipment was almost as wide as a two car road. A little further up the road he pulled over to the shoulder so I could squeeze by.

Petals

The petals from our neighbours' tree have fallen into our pool creating a nice effect. We are still waiting for the new pool liner that was ordered earlier in the month, although the weather hasn't been ideal for swimming it's perfect for running. Normally after a run I jump into the pool to sooth my sore legs.

Viola

This is our lone johnny jump up also known as viola tricolour or heartsease. We planted some a few years ago but never know when they will return.

Sunburst Locust

Once the rain stopped we were left with these fluffy white clouds and this amazing blue sky.In the foreground is our sunburst locust just beginning to leaf. 

Flowering Crab Apple

A neighbour's ornamental crabapple tree hangs over our fence for us to enjoy. The flowers also have a very pleasant fragrance. It seems to me that the flowering trees' blooms are much more abundant this year. 

Spikes

Railway spikes litter the abandon track next to the GO train line. Interestingly, on November 7, 1885 the last rail spike was driven in completing the coast to coast railway line in Canada.