The trees are now noticeably turning. It also crossed Marcia’s mind that of the 12 cabins on the northern end of the lake (including the four on the island) only three are now occupied – the exodus is well underway. With that, a happy Saturday morning from Northern Comfort, one of the three camps still occupied. That calls for a slurp of hot coffee.

“The day that the earth’s climate doesn’t change, is the day we should panic.” ~ Mark Friesen

This past week saw two major events (beyond the devastation of Hurricane Dorian). By the way, back in the sixties there was another major hurricane which was similar in size and in trajectory. There was one difference, it was 50-miles further north from the one Dorian took and that is why we don’t hear of it. That 50-miles difference saved the Bahamas.

Back to the other two events: First; it was celebrating Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai receiving the 1st US Copyright for something he called “Email” issued on August 30th, 1978. He wrote 50,000 lines of code to replicate all the features of an inter-office mail system. He was 14-years old!

Which brings me to the second event by introducing it with this quote also from Dr. Ayyadurai: “Climate always changes. A real scientist knows reducing climate to 1 variable, CO2, is nonsense….” This week CNN subjected those who desired self-punishment to sit for seven hours watching a ‘Town Hall’ event. I was going to rant a bit regarding the gobbledygook spewed forth but changed my mind. Let me just say that in the days when Saturday Night Live still had writers of worth, they would have had enough material for a season. And, they would have ruled in the ratings (unlike CNN which came in last).

Cannabis – Canada legalized Cannabis. Daily life here makes little note of this change. Travels around this area means that I’ve not seen pot-heads lounging about (although neighbors claim to see some activity in town during evening hours). But then, it’s not that difficult to be in any town and see a drunk here and there.

There is one difference though. Marlene and I on our daily walk passed a place which has a solar array out front – i.e. sunlight. Since the house is buried in the trees and since Marijuana likes sunlight, what better place to nurture your ‘little ones’? This is what we saw sitting near the side of the road. (Four plants is the legal limit)

Chaga – (Inonotus obliquus) is a mushroom-like growth on the sides of some (actually very few) Birch trees in northern regions (here) but also in places like Alaska and Siberia. It doesn’t look like much, actually more like a black wart on the tree. Woody, it can be harvested, chopped up, ground up, and used as a tea-like substance, cold or hot. I enjoy the stuff as do Marlene and Donn who discovered a growth on a Birch on their property and thus introduced me. Kirstin also drinks it (a commercially available version). Marcia dislikes it! So, I guess it’s one of those ‘of choice’ items.

Like much of the herbal world it comes loaded with potential health benefits, a long list of aids and cures. Most of those I take with a grain of salt, I drink it because I enjoy it.

During the summer we’ve had few (think none) quad rides. Now that the weather has shifted we realized that the woods were calling, and off we went. Donn packed a hatchet, I brought my machete. Marlene, our chaga expert, was the lookout. On a nearly three hour ride we found three growths and harvested those. It took me three hours of work using a sharp chisel and a mallet to bring it all to a useable size; more than enough to share with Kirstin and for the whole winter.

DvdS

Migration – Much like us, a substantial portion of the animal kingdom also migrates. The effort required to get ready for travel we can’t help but notice. Loons constantly feeding and training their young to fly (their weight requires a ‘run’ of many hundreds of feet to get airborne). The Hummingbirds now feed seemingly around the clock as do the finches, chickadees, and nuthatches (these all congregate at our feeders). The past couple of weeks I’ve seen more Great Blue Herons than I’ve seen all summer. The one bird seemingly oblivious to it all is our neighboring Bald Eagle. This massive bird, now alone since it’s young one has flown off, mostly sits high in its favorite tree watching all the hub-bub below.

Last evening I went out to settle my food and stretch my legs. Dusk was approaching when I heard Geese honking. The honking continued for a minute or two before they came into sight. I stood and watched as a stringer of between a 150 and 200 Canadian Geese came over, southbound on their migratory run. The first I had seen this fall. Watching this fly-over, and each time I see one, is always a moment of awe and appreciation of just how complex and amazing the cycle of life is.

Finis – This week we stayed indoors as the winds blew and the rains came. We had a gully-washer and with it some moments of enjoyment watching it blow through and also at the same time ennui (there, that’s your word of the day) at being forced to huddle indoors.

In a short while we’re off to experience a neighboring Fall Fair and some veggie shopping at the Desberat’s Amish market.

Marcia has begun to harvest and use some of her garden items; Leek, Kale, tomatoes, Mint, Basil, and little red snack able bell peppers. With our short season it almost means that progress is checked hourly to make certain stuff is ready for eating before we head south (the end of this month). That last bit is a bit of a joke, but not by much.

Paul and Dia will be up this week. Neighbor Bulent is also coming up for a few days to winterize his place.

And, we’ll head off to the nearby twelve-sided (round) barn for an evening event. This should be a good time.

Since the small engine is in repair I have taken the Sea Nymph in and tucked it secure for the winter. The season’s end is approaching.

I should mention that after the bear sighting on a walk a couple of weeks ago I now carry my ‘panic’ whistle. Not certain if these help, maybe I’ll find out.

Make it a ‘brilliant week – as my British friends would say.

Till next week.
Dirk