This is going to be my last post until after The Holidays. We’ve got the Holiday Tree up, and on Holiday’s Eve and Holiday-Day I’ll be spending my time with family (my wife, because my kids are still in Nepal) and friends (Jack Daniels).

In -32 degree weather, and another foot of snow on the way, my Winter Lights can hardly be seen, but will still give some Holiday Cheer to the poor souls braving the deep freeze and thigh high snow and walk by my house. They can also view our display of illuminated Happy Trees and PC Nativity Scene. We’ll be snug inside roasting chestnuts on an environmentally friendly fuel source and watching such holiday movies as Four Holidays and the various Holiday Specials. read more

The City of Ottawa can no longer afford to take care of their 13 Royal Swans. In a report released tomorrow, staff writes:

Staff say Ottawa can’t afford to build a winter home for the Royal Swans, with the cheapest proposal at $239-thousand.

$239,000? For a swan-coop? No wonder this city can’t balance its books.

And in other sad news, Wendell the Wallabi was found dead just 15 kilometers from the farm where he escaped a few weeks ago after a storm knocked down the fence that kept him on the property. I had known Wendell since he was a wee little baby. He was always sleeping in a sling behind the cash register of a nursery we used to go read more

There was just enough humidity in the air this morning to, combined with the -5C temperature, create an almost mythical appearance around our home. One of those perfect frosty fall mornings where there isn’t any snow on the ground yet, but the frost has set in, and the fallen leaves create a drab, olive backdrop to the glistening drops of ice that are being illuminated by a rising sun. The Wayfaring Tree, especially, due to its naturally downy leaves, was spectacular.

Take a look:

Took a nice fall walk today with my wife. It was one of those windy, but sunny and warm days. Just perfect for taking a stroll through the countryside admiring our fall splendour: