News to me, but June's full moon is called the "strawberry moon" in these parts because that's when those berries ripen
(not yet!). How about sunrises that are pretty in pink and reds like a bowlful of berries, instead?
A worrying sign is that the maple trees are bursting in seed-keys but as they drop off (early) the tree is left with spindly branches and underdeveloped leaves: more evidence of climate change.
The gardens continue their spring colour riot with lupins and "double" columbines joining in. But the roof of the greenhouse has been rotting and leaking for a while so finally the fix is in. The roof windows have been removed so really it's more like a potting shed now. Meanwhile down at the road we put out the most miscellaneous Free Pile ever. It's amazing what people will take --- by evening, most of this stuff had gone to who-knows-where.
SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS BLOG'S OBSESSION WITH CLASSIC CARS, STOP HERE!
Canada's biggest classic car gathering happened yesterday. Steve Plunkett in London who happens to have 60 or so old Cadillacs hosts 4,000 cars and 40,000 people on his 400 acre estate in a massive charity event annually. What a scene on a beautiful sunny day. Features include The Square-Dancing Tractors
(note guy in green wig), rides in sea-going Amphicars, the TV cast of Dukes of Hazzard, and flypasts of classic jet fighters. But get serious ---- the cars are the real stars. Absolutely gorgeous art-on-wheels in every corner and field.
Blogspot would de-list me if I posted all 250 of my pictures!
One interesting trend is to show cars that have NOT been restored but show their years in fade and rust. The point is that if a car is perfect, how can you tell what kind of life it has had (sort of like people getting cosmetic surgery?). Also of note is a car that I had never heard of --- and that's a first! The Japanese Figaro has a devoted following despite right-hand drive and micro-size. Cool.
But the real draw for me this year was that the show celebrated 100 years of Dodge. From original Dodge Boys ("DB") hood ornament to hundreds of iconic models, this display warmed the heart. Of course, our '89 Dodge Dakota was a seldom-seen sensation. Most of the Dodges from the '50's and '60's were made in my home town of Windsor. My dad worked on the assembly line in those years and quite possibly put a door on that pink Regent. Or installed the dashboard with the push-button transmission on that '63 Fury that became the first convertible I ever drove. Even more --- I worked at the Motor Plant one summer. I probably tested the slant-6 under the hood of some of these 1966 Dodges. Wow.
Best In Show for Pat was this little red pick-up truck, definitely not what the licence plate claims! For me it was this sassy Dodge Dart ragtop, preferably with a Slant 6. Stay tuned --- I'm looking for one as of now.
And if you've been reading this far wondering about the zebra in today's title? Here it is, spotted in Plunkett's paddock!
Earlier in the week we finally found a source for a second car key. The aftermarket key has to have the correct microchip, then it has to be laser cut to iPad-based specs. Then you get out the $$$$. Next time you buy a used car, insist on two keys.
A nostalgic road trip with Den from Australia took us to the Frog and Nightgown shop on a backroad with blooms and bays.The owner said the name was from a children's fable, but we remember it as a mysterious little cabin in the Durham days.
Nearby at Sauble Beach the annual ritual of protecting endangered shore birds is peaking again. I always pronounced it as "plover" to rhyme with "clover" but apparently it's correct to say "pluvver" to rhyme with "lover". Can you spot the other three rare beach chicks??
