I was below the escarpment today and there were four turkey vultures a few feet from me. My camera has only a 3x telescope but I thought I would share with you anyway.
I have never seen so many of these birds in one location. It is wonderful to see them bouncing back post DDT. The increase in the large bird population is proof positive that making decisions based on the environment is the right thing to do.
There is a wonderful caravan for sale.
Here is an idea…
If you have to buy:
Today, I am not shopping, but I am going to also take some advice from Johnny Cash… I am going to dress in black, in my case to mourn all the wasted resources that the planet gave up because of this crazy consumerism!
It has been as cold as 8 degrees below zero up at Tiny House Ontario. I left the garden totally uncovered and mostly everything is now frozen off; however, there is still some fresh food available for nosh. I had cut down all the swiss chard when I left three weeks ago, because I figured it was on it’s last grow; surprising thing, is that it grew up again so I got another nice sized bag to eat.
The flat leaf Italian parsley was started late this year with a 1/2 a pack of 5 year old seeds and even with the horrible drought, it has been producing enough for me to use all summer. It is a perennial that continues to grow too, year after year, as long as the winter freeze does not kill it. The other half pack was what kept my Hamilton house in parsley for the last 5 years. A very good producer for a $3. pack of organic seeds! I cut off three good sized bundles to make 3 tabouli salads; one for me, one for my cousin S, and another for my Aunt C, so we all got a nice healthy side dish this week. There is still plenty there to make a couple of more salads but it is fun to dig under the snow to get it, so I left it.
Sage is another easy keeper. I don’t plant this from seed because one plant is PLENTY for my family. Among other things, it makes what would be a good sweet potato and coconut milk soup, really great. Sage has nice deep undertones that stay on the pallet a long time after eating. Here is the recipe that I like, because I am a GF veg*an, I simply substitute chicken broth for a gluten free veg*an soup base. I also don’t fully puree mine because I like bits – and speaking of bits this is nice with a handful of chopped peanuts on top too.
So, what I wanted to say is that I am glad that I did not dig up the swiss chard. It was a zero mile mouth full of yum!
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” ~ Rachel Carson
Now, it is late in the fall of the year. It is clear now for light to come to the forest floor because the leaves are off of the trees. When I walk back toward the escarpment I am able to see across the fields below; my eyes carry me through the forests and clearings and there I spot a couple of sections of the Rideau Canal. The smell of fall is deep and soothing. Soon the damp leaves and twigs will decay to soil and produce energy for the rebirth in spring, that will surely follow the long winter cold.
The days are warm enough that with a fleece and thin gloves it is comfortable. The forest is always comfortable for me.
I hope you will take the opportunity before it is too cold, to enjoy whatever the small slice of natural world you can find in your environment.
Soon, I will have to make this walk with snow shoes.
Peace out.
Tiny House Ontario 