Tofino! Tofino!

Where art thou, Tofino?
Could be Spain, Italy or Portugal!

Although several times I've been to British Columbia's Pacific Coast,
I'd not heard of Tofino.

It's an ocean front paradise offering adventure and wildlife, stated Christina Jonas.
Well, dear friends ~ I've got the time ~ but not the money and energy
to fulfill my travel and exploration of this west coast of Vancouver Island!

Tofino is re known as the surfing capital of Canada.

A former logging and fishing village, along the rugged west coast

offers whale watching and unique tours to see black bears..

gorgeous scenic hikes... and (according to Christina)
Tofino offers an exceptional culinary scene.

In addition, storm-watching was born in Tofino, being surrounded on three sides by the moody Pacific Ocean. Every November through February Mother Nature puts on a show with roaring waves as high as 20 feet...gales howling between wind-bent-trees...and ample rain to keep the rainforest thriving. According to 'tourism...' guests are given a Tofino tuxedo,

which is rain gear so they can get out onto the beach during a rainstorm.

Since Tofino and the rest of Vanvouver Island has the mildest climate in Canada, it is a great place to visit year-round. Lynda Kaye, (Tourism Tofino's media relations' manager) advises, “We are quite busy in the summer. With a population of 2,000, it is visited by up to a million people each year.”

Recent tourists expounded about emerald old-growth forests

and soaring peaks of Lone Cone Mountain on nearby islands.

Tofino is located on picturesque Clayoquot Sound
and is within the traditional territory of the Tia-qui-aht First Nations
on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

To entice one's visitation ~ three colour photos are shown:

A pine tree on the shore of a placid flowing river invites one's urge to travel there:Tofino and its neighbour, Ucluelet have many spectacular hikes,
including ones with wild rocky bluffs...mossy rainforests...and windswept coastlines.

Steller sea-lions hang out on isolated rocks and small islands.
The males can weigh up to 2.500 pounds ...and typically have a harem.

Tofino's food scene is surprising...with high-end restaurants rivalling those in Toronto,
also ffering more spectacular views.
Photographed is Tyrone Tutt, the sous chef at Tofino Resort and Marina's 1909 kitchen.

(The foregoing gleaned from a several month's ago Travel segment of the

Hamilton Spectator.)

Assembled by Merle Baird-Kerr...March22. 2020
Comments always welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

CLIMATE and PHYSICAL CHANGE EFFECTS

is a featured writing in the current Canadian Wildfife Magazine.Published six times yearly, the subscription is for my grand-daughter who has infinite love of Nature's inhabitants and habitats. About 50 pages ~ all photos are in colour ~ together with
published articles by Canadian authors.

The current cover features a Western Sandpiper

dramatically landing on shallow rippling blue waters possibly 'fish hunting' for its daily meals.For your enjoyment and pleasure,
I acquaint you with reality of a few 'birds and bees'gleaned from 2020's March/April edition.

A 2-page colour spread highlights Mother and Cub submitted to a Canadian Wildlife Federation contest, by Tony Joyce, Port Moody, British Columbia.

He wrote: I have watched this bear since she was a young cub and throughout the years, she has faced hardships,including being hit by a car. My wife and I were hiking through the forest one night this past spring and were delighted to find one of our favourite bears now is a first-time mom.
The young cub has grown since I took this photo;
it has been an amazing experience to document the life of this bear.”

Snowy Owl's Cool Facts

The Snowy Owl's large body mass amd thick winter plumage prevent heat loss better than any other bird (except Antarctic's Adelie penguins), which explains why Canada's Prairies where winter
temperatures can drop to -30C for weeks at a time, Back in the 1970's, James Gessaman, a biologist at Utah State University, believed that snowy owls could survive much lower temperatures, much lower-

than any recorded in Canada's -63C in Snag, Yukon. He undertook an experiment that exposed a snowy owl to increasingly colder temperatures.When -77 C had no effects, that was followed by 5 hours at -93C. Amazingly, the snowy owl survived these lethal temperatures with no ill effects.
(Submitted by Wayne Lynch)

Re Conservation
Gunning forGood: A sharp-eyed conservation officer kept a white-tailed deer alive

reently in Saskatchewan ~ by shooting it. The buck's antlers had become tangled

with those of another buck which was dead.

The officer was able to free the deer by shattering its antlers with a blast from her shotgun.

Salmon on the Run? Local conservationists are worried about a major decline in Atlantic salmon in New Brunswick's Miramichi River. “ The numbers keep spiralling downward, and action must be taken to reverse this,” says Mark Hambrook, president of the Miramichi Salmon Association.

April Showers in the Wild

These animals have a special relationships with rain:
When it rains, these ugly wriggly earthworms can come above ground because their skin will stay moist enough to allow them to breathe. Some researchers think earthworms come to the surface when it rains because they can move faster across the soil surface; others think rain causes vibrations that sound like moles digging, prompting the worms to move up and out of the way.

Cross Canada, except Prince Edward Island, while they don't love rain, black bears can still be spotted out in light rains. It helps that they have their own method of towelling off: a 2017 study found that black bears, like many other mammals, shake themselves dry at a frequency perfectly calibrated to
for maximum water-loss per shake in relation to their size.

Southern Ontario and Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia ~ bull frogs are highly aquatic and don't like to move around on land unless it is raining. That means their ability to spread out and create new bullfrog populations depends on there being enough rain.

As aquatic mammals, muskrats rely on the wetlands and waterways to make their homes ~
and rain is crucial to supporting these habitats.

Cross-Canada (rare in Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI) ~ for mallards, heavy rain can create flooded fields with fewer predators and plenty of food.

Can Bats be Saved?In what may be the most devastating wildlife disease, ever to strike North America,
white-nose-syndrome continues to spread ~ wiping out key bat populations.
Biologists are scrambling to come up with an effective practicable response.

There are over 1,300 different bat species ~ meaning ~ bats make up 1/5 of all mammal species.

10 colour pages of photos and information are displayed.

Fact: During hibernation, a bat's heart rate drops from 200-300 beats per minute to about 10.Fact: Old Mines become New Homes; scattered across the rugged terrain of northern Ontario,are countless abandoned mines. No one knows for sure how many ~ estimates are as high as 5,000.
They are a significant hazard to the public and to some wildlife..many remain exposed because rehabilitation can be a costly liability and challenging undertakings for the mining companies responsible. Many of thse abandoned mines have become naturalized ~

and are now crucial habitats for local species.

New Dimensions

Mel Walwyn questions: Why are some birds getting smaller even as their wings get longer?

Climate change...peregrine recovery...adaptations are some factors

believed to be behind the changes.

It's bad enough that we have to contend with shrinking bird populations,
but shrinking birds, as well!

Walwyn states: A study published in Ecology Letters in December 2019, has discovered that many migratory bird species in North America are getting smaller in body size ~ even as their wings are getting longer. A team of scientists, led by conservation ornithologist Brian Weeks at University of Michigan analyzed more than 70,000 specimens collected over 40 years by Chicago's renowned Field Museum. Many had been killed after striking building windows in the city during spring and fall migration. ~ so they represented an excellent sampling of healthy populations over time.

Weeks and his colleagues found that between 1978 and 2016,
body size dropped significantly in 49 of 52 species examined.
This was based on measuring the lower leg bone, generally considered the most precise measure of body size variation within species. They also found wing length increased significantly in 40 species.

Foregoing information gleaned by Merle /Baird-Kerr...March 21, 2020.

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

QUEEN of CATS~ Part 3

Sheba, acclimatizing to her new home,

although not able to lay on my lap or in my arms for more than a minute or two

she would lay on the floor at my feet ~ or stretch out on the sofa beside me.

One evening while watching TV, she lay on her back, permitting me to rub her tummy.

Fun with Knitting Yarn: While watching TV one evening, I was knitting a sweater for my father. The back was in red yarn with forested trees of green along the sides. The back portrayed a small lake with a canoe and paddler in the cool blue waters along a mountain's coast. Inadvertently, I left it on the sofa that night...when 'lo and behold' next morning the carpeted floor was strewn with reds and coloured yarns. Sheba! Sheba! What Have You Done? I have never seen a cat look guilty, have you?

* * * * *

Never yet have I slept on her bed ~ preferring to sleep on a cosy rug beside her bed.

In the morning, upon viewing my mischief,

I considered escaping back to Princess, my Mom's loving nature.

Common sense prevailed ~ knowing I had to redeem myself for this misdemeanour.

My human mother tried to hold me to comfort my bad behaviour,

but as yet, I need my privacy and choices I would make, not to be ruled by this human mother.

That Saturday afternoon ~ I lay on my back on the floor at her feet

allowing her to 'rub my tummy'.

She liked doing this ~ and I loved her human touch.

Perhaps, we will forgive each other.

Another habit she is opposed to ~ is sharpening my front claws on her new sofa. So good it felt for my paws, but noticing the shredding of material caused by my claws, my human mother was most upset!

She made a telephone call~ and I feared it was to return me to the SPCA due to my misdemeanours.

Grabbing the old cage, she shoved me in it and closed its gate.

I felt ABANDONED! POOR ME!

Instead, she took me to a veterinarian and left me there for 3 days. I was ANGRY! I was spitting MAD!

YOWLED I did...and YOWLED again as she left me there!

The Vet, he tried to soothe me but I WILDLY YOWLED again and tried to scratch him!

But with leather gloves, he caged me! What was my PAIN to be?

In a few hours, he needled me...putting me to sleep...and for many hours, I was not aware he was removing the claws from my front paws. When awake, I YOWLED and YOWLED angrily at what he had done to me! How could a big cat like me, live without my front claws???

Where was my mistress? Why did she abandon me?

In a few days, my human returned to fetch me from my fate.

Retrieving me, the Vet wore his leather gloves while I YOWLED and YOWLED again...with all patrons awaiting at the front of his office, heard me, loudly exclaiming my anger! Caging me, the Vet delivered me to my human saviour ~ to return home again with her.

Said she was sorry for the pain she caused me, as we rode back home again ~

explaining to me that living with humans, animals have to make adjustments.

Seeing my 'home on the lake' ...riding up on elevator to the 18^th floor...she key-opened her door... opened my cat-cage...and like the Queen of Sheba...I solemnly walked out to my water dish, then niblled fresh meat from my blue bowl: Real Meat! What a Treat to be Home!

I was Home! I was Home! And longed to smell the outdoors

from my high-level abode!

That night ~ so content and grateful was I, her bed seemed so inviting, I jumped on it (my front paws still hurt a bit ) ~ and for the first time, I slept on her bed!

Trust is a wonderful thing!

I trusted her...she trusted me...so much so that when she went to work, she'd leave the balcony door open so I could go in and out at leisure. One summer afternoon, cat-napping on a balcony chair cushion, I spied a bird, then 2 birds that visited the balcony looking for seeds or whatever; my genes kicked in ~ I must catch this bird!!! With a measured eye (and wishing I had my front claws), I jumped to the chair where the bird landed ~ enabled to catch this avian with my mouth, I dragged it to the balcony floor, appraising my efforts, left it here as a prize to show my human when she came home.

How proud of me, she will be!

It was late afternoon, and after the cuckoo clock struck 5, I heard the elevator with my keen sense of hearing ~ trotted to the door when keying her entry ~ to greet her home arrival.

Brushing against the calf of her leg, I told her that I had a prize to show her.

She wondered what it could be.

Continually brushing her leg and swiftly thrusting my tail, she followed me as directed to the balcony door which stood ajar. I, Sheba, have something to show you! And to her, I said, Come! Follow me!

And there she saw my prize ~ especially captured just for her. She understood my accomplished feat ~ highly praising me for capturing this bird, which now had no life. But, she knew I'd caught this bird, without my front claws, just for her. This woman was my friend...my saviour in more ways than you can believe...my human who cares, shelters and feeds me.

So curious she was about my feline breed...wondering why I was abandoned and left to survive a cold winter...why I was rescued by the SPCA...and now questioning why she was attracted to my tiger-cat striped coat..she contacted Julie, a long time friend, a teacher and cat lover, discussing with her my appearance. Her friend advised, upon research, that I must be a Maine Coon: the largest domestic cat breed. They are big-boned, muscular (with males weighing up to 18 pounds) and can be up to 40 inches in length and come in 75 different colour combinations.

The tell-tale sign of the Maine Coon cat is their fur.

Their ears are lynx-like with tufts of fur on the ends...and also demonstrated in their paws and bushy tail. The Maine Coon is friendly and has a long beautiful coat, but it doesn't mat, requiring only weekly combing. The Maine Coon may havc originated from the matings of domestic cats and wild bobcats. The Maine Coon today is a naive New Englander where he was a popular mouser, farm cat, and most likely ~ a ship's cat.

This was significant history to me, and upon this,

I can be the domestic cat longing to be treated as royalty.

My mistress, my human mother treats me well ~ always catering to my needs.

If only Princess, my birth mother, could see me now: a Maine Coon descendent sired by a 'tomcat'!

Then came a time, when I was very sick. The vet said to my dear human, “It's an incurable disease. I fear her system will shut down. She'll be sickly ~ unable to walk. So you should soon a decision make.” Yes, the time came and seriously sick I was... couldn't keep my food down... wobbled as I walked...lacked energy.. and suffered. With tears in her eyes, my Dear Human said, “ My Dear Sheba,the time has come...you shall suffer no longer.” She retrieved the wooden cage, and laying a blanket inside, I slowly crawled into it ~ my final vehicle to the Vet. To my Dear Human, he said, “Would you like to be with her for her final breath? “No, No,”she said.

“Sheba's had a wonderful life. I shall always remember her.”

To her, I replied, “I'm ready to go to Cat Heaven and there to see my birth mother, Princess.

Author and Writer: Merle Baird-Kerr...April 8, 2019

Comments most welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

QUEEN of CATS ~ Part 3

QUEEN of CATS ~ Part 2

Throughout the countryside I travelled

searching for a place where I could winter.

Often I slept on branches that had fallen from trees.

I found a dead bird, and ravenously ate it! Another experience I had was in a park where boys caught me...then swung me round and around and round by my long furry tail...and laughing as they did so, until an adult man, told them to stop being so cruel.

Then a farm house came into view ~ ah! Here's an opportunity! I pruned myself to look respectable and visited the kitchen door...hoping...just hoping...the lady of the house would offer me food and water. Smelling senses told me she had a dog and a cat.

Seeing me daily outside her door, she placed food and water for me ~ but never invited me in.

Desperate for a house and home before winter set in,

I inquired from her by sitting on her kitchen's window ledge ~

and meowed ever so gently to get her attention.

Finally, after several days and snow beginning to fall, she opened the door, saying to me, “Here, here, kitty, kitty ~ come in from the cold!” So elated I was ~ promising to behave as a good cat should.

But, I had a problem!

Her house cat was really upset with a feline intruder

and the dog chased me around and around, upsetting her tranquil household.

Kind, she was, not forcing me out into the winter's cold, she gave me a room to myself so her pets, dog and cat, would be content. I was so grateful to have a 'home for the winter.'

Unknown to me, she contacted the SPCA

to advise them of her plight in Flamborough's rural country.

(She'd had a happy, peaceful home until this stray cat appeared.

Please find a home for this rare-looking cat: big in stature...like a huge 'tabby'

but she's frightful of humans who have possibly mistreated her.)

I'm so leary of strangers ~ I cannot trust them; at first, they want me ~ then abuse me ~ always casting me off, unwilling to love me ~ so my plan is to 'accept what I can get' and not depend on their personal love for a cat like me. I must be strong, independent ~ and not 'fall in love' with insincere attitudes.

The SPCA came to fetch me and was taken away to their shelter

with hopes that some person would claim me.

My home at the shelter was a small lower level cage; I was let out occasionally each day

for some exercise...and daily supplied with water and food.

Although most humans I did not trust, the kind manager showed me she cared.

Here at the shelter through December, January and February ~

finally, my 'lucky day' arrived.

A lady came to the shelter and looked around for a cat. She asked, on bended knee, seeing me caged, and enquired to see ME! ME-OW! I said to myself...perhaps this is my Lucky Day.

The staff sent for the manager, since she was the only person

to whom I would relate...to all others, I would hiss and show my growling teeth.

Manager woman informed the lady that I was unfriendly...not wanting to be held...due to unhappy experiences with humans who failed to understand me...and not accustomed to being held or cuddled.

Wearing gloves, the manager removed me from the cage,

setting me on the floor so 'lady' could view me.

“Because of this cat's history, “ she informed the lady, “that being unfriendly.

this cat couldn't be held more than a minute or so...and would howl with displeasure.

By now I was hesitant to trust strangers,

so I donned my 'protective armour 'so I couldn't be 'just had' for the payment

to be made upon purhcase of me.

She admired my furry coat...my tufted paws and ears...my long furry tail...and stature size.

Surprise! Surprise!

On the way to her home, I yowled and yowled and madly yowled at being caged in a box! I didn't know what would befall me! Showing displeasure, I continued to madly yowl ~ the woman ignoring my plight. Arriving at her apartment facing the lake, she carried me (still yowling) up in the elevator to the 18^th floor which overlooked Lake Ontario. In the elevator, she tried to soothe me...(everything will be alright...you just wait and see). Her voice, so kind, as she opened the apartment door. Gently, setting down my wooden cage, she softly spoke to me. Opening the cage door so I could amble out ~ there before me was a dish of cool water...nibbles in a blue bowl...and a toy or two for play.

My anger appeased...her kindness to me with gentle voice...

the whole scene gave me an aura of comfort...so I let down my guard as I looked around.

Maybe! Maybe this is my home!

Because of my proud strut out of the cage, her gentle voice of care and concern,

I put my furry feet forward as I faced the ready meal prepared for me...

and of course a 'litter pan' for my body necessities.

She said to me, “I shall call you Sheba.

You strut out of your cage like a long-ago Queen of Sheba.

Reluctant to trust her for a length of time, I would not sit on her lap...nor would I let her hold me for more than a minute or so...we needed time to respect and trust each other.

My mothering human understood me and could read my mind.

So, I'm going to trust her and hope she trusts me.

WOW! A NEW LIFE! A NEW ENVIRONMENT

Still, I yearned the outdoors...nature's wonders of smells and aromas...rain...windy days and sunshine.

Then one weekend, she fastened a collar around my neck

to which she attached a leash. What? Oh, what is she doing? I gestured.

She led me to the balcony door to the outside fresh breezes. Then, offering me a dish of niblets upon which I would feast. I know what she feared because I'm an overly-bright-minded cat. (She feared I might jump to the upper railing and be 18 floors up from the ground below...perhaps, falling, becoming badly injured or even dead. I know a good thing when I see it! I'm not going to jeapardize my assets!

Instead, I lay down on the balcony floor and with just enough room for my head,

I pushed it under the lower railing...crouched...

and pushed with my back legs so my head reached the outer edge.

My first fascination was the white swans searching fresh green grasses for food

and the gulls, flying above over the lake water, hunting for a fish or two!

And beyond them were waves and more rippling waves lapping on to the stoney beach.

This new habitat for me, far surpassed my past neighbourhoods.

My human chatted with me ~ although I couldn't understand her language.

She was warm and friendly and seemed to enjoy my company.

After several journeys (on collar and leash) to the balcony, one Sunday morning, she removed the leash. My innate nature was to trust her and not get myself into trouble.

Be sure to read Part 3 about Sheba,my new lease of life.

Written by Author...Merle Baird-Kerr...April 8, 2019

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@gmail.com

QUEEN of CATS ~ Part 1

Nature's love of birds, animals and beasts who thrive in rivers, lakes, oceans, woodlands and forests and in the air of our universe ~ one and all share. And it behooves us as humans, to understand and respect the habitats and livelihoods provided on our planet, Earth!

“Princess was my feline mother ~ I was one of 8 kittens born in her litter. Always hungry, we had to always squirm for position to nurse from her. Soon, I learned that being the largest kitten, I was not well accepted by the other kits. Mommy Princess, loved me, as she purred sweet words into my furry ears. When my wee brothers and sisters were sleeping in a blanketed low flat box, Mommy Princess

would call me to follow her to a cosy den where she could rest until the next frequent feeding time.

For her, I had many questions, as a human babe would have of his parent(s). So, when invited into her quiet time, she fed me...licked my face and neck...then permitting me to kitten-nap beside her. She made me feel 'special'. I wondered why when segregated from her nest, she gave me unique attention.

“I was happy ~ and lived in a comfy home with adults (human in nature) who loved me...petted me as a kitten since my birth...and allowed me to sleep on their bed. To them, I was Queen of the Home!”

Learning much about them, gradually understanding their language...their moments of attention...and favours given to me.

With spring in the air and windows opened,

I yearned for the outdoor smells.

I was pure white, when looking in the mirror one morning...except for grey on the tip of my tail...as were my paws...and with green eyes. The humans adored me ~ making me feel special.

The scent of growing grass blades...the aroma of flowering buds...the chirping of birds...tiny green leaflets on growing plants...and breezes sifting through tree limbs...all spoke 'nature-like' to me.

I truly yearned to wander among these scents.

So, I sat by the door, hoping my human would allow me to go out to investigate Spring! To see and smell...to play with the ants as they frolicked the grass...to listen to the crow's 'caws' and birdy tweets.

Trusting me, she let me out with a promise to return in a short time.

These wonderful experiences were music to my Cat's Soul!

Another time, when allowed outside, the lady and her man left me outside while they quickly headed on errand trips. Late afternoon, it was, when they hadn't yet returned, it began to rain ~ so I scurried below the deck to keep my white fur clean and dry. Surprising me, there below the deck, was a big, black and brown-striped tabby cat. Scenting me ~ he wanted to 'make love' (saying to me) ~ so mounting me and when fully satiated, he left, stating he'd be back soon to visit me again!

Upon return of my humans, they called, “Princess ~ We're Home! Come inside to keep warm.”

I scooted into the home to keep my white fur coat clean and dry.

Uknown to me, within a few weeks, the house lady and husband took me to a medical place ~ where they were informed that I was pregnant ~ and given a projected date when my kttens would be born.

* * * * * * *

True to the date ~ I birthed 8 kittens...7 being mostly white...marked with a bit of grey.

But the 8^th one was a great, big female kitten ~ with stripes of black and grey.

Heaven Forbid! That Big D___ Cat!

“Dam Cat!” “Dam Cat”! I had to live with as reminder of my discretion.

But my mother, Princess, took me to a nearby stream,” Here,” she said, “You will see your image showing you what a handsome and beautiful female cat you truly are. Take pride in yourself.!”

“So, I AM DIFFERENT!

I'll be a big cat with lots of fur...my ears are tuft-like with lots of fur on the ends...

and I'll have a bushy tail (as told by my mother, Princess).

My vision in the water showed my beautiful coat striped in grays and browns.

And my eyes are greenish-brown.

Now, when I feel alone and unloved, I'll dash to the stream to view my image!

“Remember, Dear Child: Know that cats and dogs (like humans who care for us) keep their families growing by having more and more children (and kittens for us); and dogs have puppies.”

“So, Mommy, why do your other kittens in the litter, object to me? I”ve done nothing to hurt them ~ and yet they snub and ignore me, hoping I'll leave.”

And she replied, “You are special to me.

You're the biggest kitten in my litter.

The others are mostly white with touches of grey.

You are striped like tabbies in browns and blacks.

You are very special to me ~ but look like an 'outcast' to them.

You are my kitten ~ and I LOVE YOU!

Perhaps you're like the big tabby that fathered you

and his genes have become your genes.

So, live your llife ~ enjoy being unique ~ and one day,

LOVE will come to you.”

Sadly, one day, a sign on the lawn said “For Sale” and my Momma said, “The humans have to move.

We're worried about our breakfast milk...the scraps of bacon and other needs...and the dishes of water our thirst to quench. So the 'house mother' has to get rid of her kittens...advising me that now, I'd have to fend for myself.

Time to be independent, I stayed under the deck.

I searched the woodland for mice and insects and when it rained,

had water to drink from the puddles.

New humans moved into the house but don't care for me, the Dam Cat, a bit. I tried to be kind and loveable, but they don't care about me ~ even shoving me away even when I desired food and attention. With a broom, they swatted me to SCOOT ~ they didn't want poop in their garden ~ nor require my company in their prettly little house. Oh What? What shall I do?

They don't want me ~ and while I hang around, they shoo me away.

Winter is coming ~ and I must find a home and hopefully some humans

will love me enough to feed me ~ and offer me their home.

Mother Nature soon sent cold winds ~ and sometimes lots of freezing rain. I had to seek another home

where I'd have shelter from the falling snow. I needed a human who'd recognize my dilemma. Lonely I was ~and hunger persisted as I searched for an abode where I'd be invited to be its family cat ~ and provide for my physical and emotional needs. I'd be such a Good Cat!

Be sure to read Part 2 of my challenge in finding a loving home.

Written by Author...Merle Baird-Kerr...April 7, 2019

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

WISHES and DESIRES for month of MARCH

Calendars yearly sent to me, I thoroughly enjoy,
not only for magnificent photos of Canadian scenes,
but also for attached quotes of wisdom.

Picture a lighthouse painted in horizontal stripes of brown and cream
standing 'at the ready' along a calm-watered lake.
The sky of powder-blue is a-float with drifting clouds.

Theforegoing message spanned in the sky from Mahatma Gandhi, states:
“You may never know what results come of your action,
but, if you do nothing, there will be no result.”
(the lighthouse pictured is in Cedar Dunes Provincial Park, Prince Edward Island)

Another calendar informs me that“Challenges are what makes life interesting
and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” stated Joshua J. Marine.

The scene is a steeply sloped forested hillside of numerous pale green deciduous trees
and rising dark greens of stately pines touching the low-hanging clouds.

My Wildlife 2020 calendar depicts a Blue Jay on its cover
and for March is an adorable whiskered Snowshoe Hare.
Submitted to “Canadian Wildlife's Reflections of Nature Photo Contest,the caption reads:
“The Snowshoe Hare dons a white coat during winter. When danger lurks nearby,
this hare will either become quite still with the hopes of fooling a predator
into thinking it's part of the snowy landscape ~ or it may flee!
Its fur coat is also three layers thick to keep it warm during the winter months.

* * * * * * *

With rushing winds and gloomy skies,

the dark and stubborn winter dies.

.

The Winds of March, we welcome you;
there is work for you to do.
Work and Play and Blow all day;
Blow the winter cold away!

(Unknown Authors)

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...March 1, 2020
Your thoughts appreciated: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca