Monday, March 30, 2020

A little of this, a little of that and meeting a blog follower....




Our Location: Buttercup Ridge, Roseneath, Ontario, Canada
 
Yes we are still in self isolation, which is pretty much business as usual for us here at Buttercup Ridge. I don't believe the squirrels and chipmunks, nor the skunks or 'coons mind us being here and they don't stop to chat either and yet even while passing we chatter at a distance to each other (only the little four feeted creatures, not the bigger, bare your teeth or point your tail creatures) respecting the social distancing rules. They too are wishing for warmer weather and a hurry up and get here spring. 

 
 Looking out the upstairs window toward the road. That path on the left is part of the driveway, the road is way down below that hill.



 Same as the photo above but from the front door level.
 
 
I've been trying to post the following paragraph for a while but it just didn't seem to fit into the subject matter and so I thought I thought I'd drop it in today. Not that it wasn't important but just that this seems a better time to mention it, than to have it lost among the 'emergency travel plans.' 
 
 
 Looking out the dining room window toward the back yard patio area. A brick wood fired pizza oven, an outdoor fireplace, an outdoor BBQ and kitchen area.
 
 
While Riley and I were parked at Quail Ridge Rv Park in Huachuca City, AZ we were heading out for a bit of a walk around the back part of the park when a gentleman walks toward us and says,"I think I know you. You're Deb and Riley, right?" Of course he's right, we are and my mind is frantically searching the face and trying to recall him. I'm having absolutely no luck, nothing is registering. Nodding, I answer in the affirmative, 'We are indeed Deb & Riley.' The nice gentleman introduces himself as Colin ( a fellow Canadian, from Alberta though) and says he follows this blog.  He and his wife are only in the park for a few days and he noticed us walking past and was kind enough to introduce himself. How fun is that? Of course the talk turns to social distancing, travel plans, border crossing, etc, not the usual RV meetings chatter. If we are fortunate enough to meet another time I hope we can sit down and chatter for a bit and get to know each other and meet Mrs. Colin. It's definitely a small world. Thanks for introducing yourself Sir, we appreciate it very much. Safe travels, good health to you and yours. 
 
Same window as above, different angle and you can once again look out over the corn fields. 
 
 
The past few days have been rainy, cold, warm, damp and a couple of minutes of sunshine. Yes, we had a warm afternoon that made us think Spring had arrived but by 6 pm, we knew were mistaken. We aren't complaining  and we are happy it isn't white stuff falling. We've been keeping a bit busy, not terribly of course but a bit. I've accomplished a few chores inside the house for Janet, managed a few loads of laundry for us, we've finally sorted and put away some groceries that needed some attention and I've even managed a short walk.  Reading has been a good way to pass the time, a movie or two as well. It's not fun being outside in the rain or the cold, so we're biding our time until such weather arrives and we can get outside and do a few chores around the farmhouse outside as well. 
 
 
 If you look closely you can see some evidence of spring popping out of the ground on the south side of the house.
 
Talked on the phone to many folks, Linda, Courtney, Bradey, Barb, Dad, and Janet. Still a few folks I want to contact in the next couple of days as well. I don't want to accomplish everything in the first couple of days, what would I do the next number of days? 
 
 
 Another sign of spring is the destruction of the lawn by skunks digging for grubs. There are a number of patches of this kind of thing.
 
A few photos I've taken since I've been here. All with my phone and some are from inside the house as it was raining or very windy outside and I didn't want to walk around in the rain or the cold. 


The ice has now all melted from the pond but this was in the first couple of days of our arrival. You can see the ice and some snow as well.

We hope everyone out there is healthy, happy and enjoying the signs of spring and the promise of nicer weather. Thanks for stopping by. 

Until next time... take care, be safe, stay healthy.

Deb 



18 comments:

  1. It is amazing how many people read our blogs that we don't know.
    You can still walk around outside but you just have to avoid contact with others.
    Be Safe and Enjoy your self isolation.

    It's about time.

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    1. It is very amazing to me how many folks read my words. I'm always in awe that so many people think I have something to say that they feel is worth their time and effort to read.
      Perhaps you misread or missed the part where I commented that I've walked part of the long driveway and took photos from inside only because of the cold, mud and rain. We have a vast area in which we can move around, an entire farm, except of course the barn yard, as guidelines suggests we should limit our nearness and interaction with farm animals for obvious reasons.

      Take care, be safe, stay healthy,
      Deb

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  2. I could see spring trying to come through in your picture. Rain and cold days are never fun but then like you said at least it is not the white stuff. The pictures tell the story of a beautiful place called Buttercup Ridge. How nice to run into someone who recognized you from your blog. Take care.

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    1. We are looking at this longer farm stay as a gift. It's not as cold here as places to the north, we have a place to stay, hook up to electric and can move into the house if we need/want to for the next while. We use the bathroom in the house and water from the house (we have no where to dump so we are being very careful about what goes into the tanks). I've been reading about snowbirds returning early with no place to go as it's too early for campgrounds and many do not open until after the long weekend in May if they open at all this season.
      Buttercup Ridge is a spectacular place to be as the seasons change and like you I think I can see a hint but in the next look, I can't. Maybe I need to look less often. Haha
      It was very fun running into someone that follows along. Nice to know folks are interested in my little piece of space.

      Take care, be safe, stay healthy,
      Deb

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  3. That is a fun story about the stranger, now new friend, introducing himself. He's probably been reading waiting for you to mention him! ha ha
    It must be strange being in a house after living in the rv all winter. That would be a shock to my system, with so much room to move around in. :)
    Stay healthy and enjoy the peacefulness.

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    1. It was a fun thing to meet him and I'm so happy he introduced himself. A different time might have had us all sitting down for a real old RV'er chat, but as things were, it was best to keep it short, spaced and look forward to a future meeting.
      We don't actually stay in the house, we could of course but we use it for water, shower, bathroom,laundry and this year for fridge and freezer space. Since our stay is extended this year we are being much more cautious of how much we put in the tanks, as there is no where to dump. It is odd having such a great deal of space available but we find it much nicer to be at home.

      Take care, be safe, stay healthy,
      Deb

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  4. You are in a beautiful location. What a great place to ride out this "thing". Now the skunks ... I'm not so sure about THAT part. I got sprayed by one once and it was NOT fun!!

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    1. Thanks Nancy. You are right, we are very fortunate to have a place to stay for a while during all this uncertainty but we are looking forward to actually relocating to our summer spot before the end of April. It is a place we truly enjoy and look forward to getting parked and set up for the summer.
      The skunks have been digging in the yard, looking for grubs. I'm surprised we haven't seen them before this year but it seems they've finally discovered the farm. They don't bother us here in the Igloo, they are in the outer reaches of the lawns and we are close to the farmhouse. I'll just bet being sprayed was not a fun experience.

      Take care, be safe, stay healthy,
      Deb

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  5. So nice to hear from you again Deb! What a beautiful home and yard they have! Really nice you get to enjoy it on your way to your summer spot! Wonderful isn't it when someone recognizes you from your blog. Amazing how far reaching blogland goes! Those skunks certainly destroy the area, but they've got to eat too. Tell Riley we say "hi" and give her a hug :) one for you too! :)

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    1. Thanks Shirley. We are very fortunate to have this wonderful place to call home during our travels spring and fall. We truly are blessed.
      It was a wonderful surprise to meet a blog follower. I'm always surprised by the number of views on every post, I don't think we're that exciting. Haha. We appreciated the introduction and wished the circumstance were different but it is what it is and so a 'hi, nice to meet ya' had to do this time around.
      The skunks are very destructive and you would think they could find plenty to eat in the cornfields that surround the farmhouse, but oh well, they need to eat too.

      Take care, be safe, stay healthy,
      Deb

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  6. My, they have a patio for cooking outdoors. Great place to hangout till the weather is warmer. Nice to meet someone that follows your blog. Reminds you of the importance your blog is to someone else. Say hi to Riley for me.

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    1. The farm is a wonderful place in which to hang out and we enjoy it a great deal. We would of course enjoy it more if we could get outside and still be warm, dry and mudless. Haha.
      True, we often forget that people enjoy the world as we see it for a number of reasons that are very personal in many cases I'm sure. I salute all those bloggers that make the sacrifice every day to write and post photos. I'm sorry to say that I just am not that dedicated.

      Take care, be safe, stay healthy,
      Deb

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    2. I do understand. I go quiet when I get home. Not good at writing about daily routines.

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    3. I have nothing interesting to write about during our time on the island and so I have decided not to put any pressure on myself to write when I have nothing to say. I'm not that talented. Haha.

      Take care, be safe, stay healthy,
      Deb

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  7. Wow, spring has sprung for you guys. It'll be fun to watch the plants and animals get on with their routine.
    Good to see you guys are safe and sound. Stay safe.

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    1. Sprung may be a bit optimistic but slipping up on us, may be a better phrase for it. By the time it's nice here with spring in full residence in south central Ontario Riley and I will be pulling up the Igloo's feet and moving to our summer spot in northern Ontario, where spring will probably still be hovering in the outer fringes when we arrive. Spring is the longest season of the year for us, it starts out in the desert in late Feb, early March and we play leap frog and catch up until usually around the first or second week of May when we settle into our home location. Maybe I'll document it better this year than I have in previous ones.
      Thanks Dave, you and Cheryl as well.

      Take care, be safe, stay healthy,
      Deb

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  8. I enjoy reading other's blog, to see different places to travel to, and their perspective on the place. After awhile it begins to feel that they are your friends. I have learned quite a bit from other's writing over the years. For instance in this post, I had always thought the damage you showed for the skunks was done by moles. Being a city boy there is quite a bit of info I need to learn.

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    1. I agree, it's always interesting to see how the other half lives and what they see, think and feel about a wide variety of subjects. I always enjoy learning and I admit I've learned a great deal over the years from a variety of blogs.
      You are correct, moles also cause havoc but not to this degree and usually they have a destination in mind, not just tearing up the grass. Moles tend to make singular paths through the grass under the snow to a food source like bushes, roots or plants, etc, the paths being quite noticeable. Skunks tend to dig holes and turn over grass patches to get at the grubs beneath. Some times they leave singular hole type diggings and other times they seem to be following a scent or something and leave big patches ripped up.

      Take care, be safe, stay healthy,
      Deb

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