CATCHIN' ANYTHING?

It feels like late summer/early fall and we're catchin' the best sunrises of the year. A new generation of frogs are catchin' rays on the golden pond. A new generation of turkeys are catchin' stray seeds. And the gardens are all catchin' compliments for tranquility, density and artistry.

The major local car show of the year was all for a good cause. Lots of chrome and reds and variety. The farm girl admired a memory of her roots but picked a girly dune buggy as Best In Show! The Car Guy went with Retro Rod.

Late summer also means tree pruning --- for better fruit next year, and for a better view. Make sure the spare tire is good-to-go on the next long road trip. And the reward for all that ---- summer's one-and-only peach pie. With a side of ....

The big annual Salmon Spectacular fishing derby is on. Every morning the fishers are out there, close as a parking lot because they all have the same sonar fish finder. A power boat passing too close causes waves in more ways than one.

But everybody's trying to catch something. Look --- there's a big one right near shore...

HOLD YOUR NOSE ---- THE LAST RED?!

There's still some hot days of summer but there are also many signs that the season is ebbing. Tireless wasps fly hundreds of mud mouthfuls to build nests, even on chair cushions. Geese are practicing their V's even in the rain.

The longest ladder sticks out of the Escape, but there's no escape from tree pruning. So much growth this year that branches are in your face or scraping the car. All those limbs --- what a drag.

We took a nostalgia ride to Pat's childhood farm 'hood. The Mennonites are still flourishing, with kids on push bikes (note her bare feet). The menfolk don't quite make the speed limit but wave as the Other World passes. Which is more sustainable?

The highlight of the nostalgia is the very river that Pat swam in, and was teased at as a little girl. Still looks inviting!

But sadly the big news of the week was the sale of the Mustang. After our last cruise, we vetted the new owner --- she's worthy because she's had an M before, she's very clean/tidy, and she is known as Mama Donkey in her home town. She has at least 5 rescue donkeys on her property; someone with heart. Still, it's the first time I don't have a red convertible in many decades!!

So I'm now blue about the whole situation. But we'll just hold our nose, jump in, and look for the Next Red Thing. Any predictions??

COUSINS, CATERPILLARS, CURLERS, ------CARS!!

The week started off with a reunion among Pat's rellies. I've got 5 cousins, she's got 40 or so...

Back at home, Pat prepped a pile of plants for the Plant Sale. Other local creatures included a caterpillar munching it's way to being a monarch. Cattle shared their watering hole with hundreds of geese. And different colours getting along --- wouldn't that be a good thing in today's world?

Speaking of which, the celebration of Emancipation was happening locally. My towns of Windsor and Owen Sound were the axis of the old "Underground Railway" funneling slaves fleeing the States. Fittingly, an outdoor concert on the old railway tracks featured Bobby Blackburn, a local descendant. Great story, great music.

Another road trip to another small town for our 4th theatre event of the summer. Down to Petrolia (the first producing oil well in North America) for the heart-warming "New Canadian Curling Club". A humorous but totally believable take on immigrants being welcomed and teaming up. And what about those pants?!

Nearby Sarnia has always intrigued us as a possible base. Reminds me of Windsor with its international shipping river and bridge. Also fish hatchery and commemorative bricks. Hmmm..

But the major event this week was my annual car binge. On the drive over to Bothwell, got sidetracked by a Ford dealer showing ---- duh --- classic Fords, all models and ages. What an appetizer!

But the main course was in Bothwell, the biggest gathering of cars in Canada ---- about 5,000 cars and ten times that in spectators. So much eye candy my eyeballs have to be repacked. I burned out my camera's battery, but here are some impressions...

Best-In-Show? Pat waffled between a 1928 full-dress Buick vs. a sweet 1954 Ford woody wagon. For me, a hundred red ragtops vs. this ultra-rare yellow Studebaker Lark. Stay tuned, there may be space in the barn for something new next week...