Adventures of an Earth Day Tree

In celebration of Earth Day 2017, a happy little story of an Earth Day tree.

It started out as a scrawny seedling not much bigger than my thumb.  I was on my way to a meeting when I stumbled upon it nestled amongst its fellow at an Earth Day Expo held in the building's lobby. It didn't look very promising, a miniature Charlie Brown's Christmas tree comes to mind, but it was free so I tucked it into my purse and continued on my way.

It sat on my kitchen counter seemingly content to wait until I found a spot for it.  Given its size I didn't think it would stand a chance in my yard especially with three energetic dogs running around so I procrastinated.

When my parents came for a visit that summer, I gifted it to my mother and so it found its way from Ottawa to Thunder Bay safe in my mom's suitcase.  As my father was a bit "tree adverse" it was then handed over to my Auntie Annie who had the perfect spot for it beside her garden out at camp.

And there it flourished.

For the last 30+ years I have received reports of "my" tree, enjoying life in a place that I think of as heaven on earth.  It must be over 20 feet tall now, happy & healthy, and I continue to wish it a long and prosperous life.

It's been said that:

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago
The next best time is today.

So if you've been gifted with an Earth Day tree get planting!  May it bring you as much joy as this little tree has brought me & mine.
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Adventures of an Earth Day Tree by Tatiana Dokuchic on 2017-04-22 A happy little story of an Earth Day Tree

Images: Full Grown Tree by Cousin Bill; Seedling by Unknown; Graphics by Tatiana Dokuchic

The Potager or Ornamental Kitchen Garden

A Potager at Château de Villandry, France

Designed to feed both body and soul, the potager or ornamental kitchen garden is the ultimate combination of parterre and vegetable patch.

Fruits & vegetables, flowers & herbs, are artfully arranged in symmetrical garden beds that are surrounded by low clipped box hedges.  These individual plots, separated by sand or gravel paths,  are precisely placed to form striking geometric patterns.

Embracing Canada's 30x30 Nature Challenge

Will I become happier & healthier by participating in Canada's 30x30 Nature Challenge?

Will my well-being be increased by adding a daily dose of nature to my routine?

I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that all these good things will indeed be coming my way!

It's not that my crystal ball is extra shiny this spring, it's just that I'm already convinced of the restorative powers of nature. I believe that devoting thirty minutes a day for thirty days will give me a boost and so it will, even if only because of the placebo effect!

Pinning My Garden Together

My husband often teases me about the photos that I take of my garden.  I like to think of them as lovely little vignettes but truth-be-told the tight focus hides many of my gardening sins, like all those weeds that have managed to make themselves right at home alongside their more distinguished cousins.

I thoroughly enjoy my little garden though it pales in comparison to the photo fantasies of Beautiful Blooms or Potagers & Parterres over which I swoon.  Of course I'm well aware that these dream gardens result from a level of expertise and effort that I will never attain and I'm more than okay with that.  There's no way I'm going to be crawling "commando style" through my garden beds to get all the last little imperfections out (as I read one avid 80 year old gardener did right before her magazine photo shoot) but I am open to any practical ideas that would help to improve my little plots.

And that's where Pinterest came in.

Reluctant Renovator: Spring?!

Spring Cleaning has taken on a whole new meaning this year!

Scrubbing, washing, vacuuming, dusting.

I've actually caught myself muttering "Wax on, wax off" while cursing Mr. Miagi under my breath.

Talking to other renovation veterans, I've learned that this is a common condition and it makes me wonder why I never considered hiring professional cleaners as part of the overall renovation budget.  Truth be told, I just cannot wrap my mind around paying someone to do something that I'm fully capabale of and the money really would be much better spent on getting the air ducts cleaned.  I keep imagining them wheezing through decades of accumulated dust with a new layer of construction dirt sprinkled liberally on top.

A Change is in the Air

The Ottawa Summer of 2012 is going to go down in the record books.

It was hot, it was humid, and it was dry, drought dry.

Now a change is in the air and I believe that the Dog Days are done.

Wonderful to feel the cool breeze and see the splash of rain.

Wonderful to shake off listlessness and find renewed vigor.

On we go with the energy of autumn!

Photo: Nordic Wild by Head Like an Orange
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Step by Step: The View after 500 miles

l really couldn't have asked for a better place to earn my 500 Mile Badge from Fitbit.  Just look at that view of Lake Superior taken from the cliffs of the Welcome Islands!

I would like to think that karma had something to do with it as I certainly wasn't planning on reaching this milestone while enjoying my favourite wilderness spot but everything just magically fell into place.  I was having such a great time scrambling over the rocky shores, hiking up the cliffs and even breaking a bit of a trail through the forest that I wasn't even thinking of the fitness points that I was racking up.  Fitness for fun - what a concept!!

I've written before about how virtual "pats on the back" help to keep me going on the fitness trail  (Fitbit Challenge: Virtual Badges & Real-Life Rewards) and so it's exciting to realize the real-life reward of being able to negotiate this rather challenging terrain almost like when I was a child spending my summer days playing there.

Speaking of real-life rewards, I also got to go on a bit of a shopping spree at Take a Hike, an excellent outdoor lifestyle store that I make sure to visit every time I return to Thunder Bay.  You just have to love how weight loss goes hand-in-hand with buying new clothes!

It's been quite a journey between 250 miles (Step by Step: 250 Miles and an Earbug) and 500.  Many thanks to all my Fitbit friends who provide daily encouragement to get in those 10,000 steps.

On that note, I'm always looking to make new Fitbit friends, so if you're interested give me a shout.  I'll try not to talk your ear off :)

Photos: Tatiana Dokuchic Family Album (June 25, 2012)
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Related articles

• Step by Step: Walking to Mordor Challenge
• Embracing Canada's 30x30 Nature Challenge

A Splash of Pink

♥.·:*¨¨*:· ♥ A Splash of Pink ♥.·:*¨¨*:· ♥

♥.·:*¨¨*:· ♥ A Mass of White ♥.·:*¨¨*:· ♥

♥.·:*¨¨*:· ♥ A Dash of Blue ♥.·:*¨¨*:· ♥

or

"Me Not Forget You" as my Grandmother would say

Some beautiful blooms from the gardens in my Ottawa neighbourhood.

Photos: Tatiana Dokuchic
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South March Highlands: Celebration!

There's going to be a party and you're invited!!

As I've  previously mentioned  (The South March Highlands: Truly a Great Place in Canada) the South March Highlands was recently recognized as one of the Great Places in Canada by the Canadian Institute of Planners.  Time for a celebration!

As you can see from the poster, a full day of activities has been organized by the South March Coalition making for a great day for the whole family.

For those who haven’t yet discovered Ottawa’s Highlands this will be a fun-filled opportunity to do so. Activities include music, children’s workshops, and guided walking and bike tours through the forest, highlighting the spectacular natural features of the area. Participants can learn about the irreplaceable value of this urban forest, considered sacred to the Algonquin First Nations. They’ll also learn about the animals and plants that live here, some of which are species at risk.

Everyone is invited to celebrate on June 2!

The celebration will be held at the trailhead for the South March Highlands Conservation Forest, known as K2, because it is at the intersection of Second Line Road and Klondike Road.  See How To Get To The June 2nd South March Highlands Celebration for a map and detailed directions.

On a side note, I'm delighted that my Trout lily photo from South March Highlands: Little Gems was used in the poster.  I like to imagine all those little flowers speaking up to promote and protect their beautiful home!
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Raggedy Beauty

This butterfly has been frequenting my lilac tree all week now.  He's been an illusive fellow, resisting all of my attempts to take his photo.  I stood quietly, camera poised, for the longest time before I became just another part of the scenery.  This allowed him to return from his safe spot high in the Linden tree, lured by the sweet blooms.  My vigil was made even more difficult by the huge bumble bees that were also enjoying this fragrant part of my garden.  I appreciate bees but would rather observe them from a distance.  Standing still while they buzzed in my ear was a bit nerve racking.  Did I mention they were HUGE?

When he finally fluttered into my viewfinder, I saw that he was a bit raggedy around the edges,  something I have never before noticed with the other butterflies that I have been fortunate enough to glimpse.  A quick search of "butterfly life span" in Wikipedia reveales that "butterflies in their adult stage can live from a week to nearly a year depending on the species" and so I'm thinking that maybe this one is approaching the end of his time.  If that's the case, I'm so glad that he shared his beauty with me and I do hope that he is enjoying his final days in amongst the lilacs.

Photos: Tatiana Dokuchic (May 27, 2012)
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South March Highlands: Little Gems

Erythronium americanum (Trout lily, Yellow trout lily)

It seems that I spend a lot of time walking through the woods with my head down at this time of year.  I've developed this habit because I'm often rewarded with a glimpse of a Spring ephemeral, perennial woodland wildflowers that make a brief appearance each spring, fading before the trees come into full leaf.

These little gems are sprinkled throughout the South March Highlands which makes any hike through the forest at this time of year a wildflower treasure hunt.  You will often see me lagging behind my husband and daughter as they march purposefully ahead.  I know that there's beauty hidden in the underbrush and I'm determined to find it!

With the exception of the Trillium, which I think of as the flashy showgirl of the bunch, it seems that most of these wildflowers are rather retiring.  Nestled in mounds of dried leaves, hiding behind fallen branches, they sun themselves in the abundant light that is not yet filtered by the forest canopy.  You need patience and a sharp eye to spot them which makes their discovery all the more special.

Trillium grandiflorum (White trillium)

Photographing them is another challenge particularly because you have to get close enough to your subject without stepping on and thereby squashing their surrounding cousins.  I imagine that it's rather like sneaking up on a reclusive celebrity, tiptoeing so that you won't leave a trail.  It's hard to be that graceful when you're wearing hiking boots!

Trillium grandiflorum (White trillium)

As I've mentioned in Time for Trilliums I've been enjoying wildflower spotting since my childhood in Northwestern Ontario when my aunt would recruit me for her adventures in the woods.  How fortunate I am to have the same experience here in Ottawa and to be able to share it with my own daughter.  Now if I could only get my husband to slow down a wee bit more while navigating the trails, but that's a story for another day ;)

Aquilegia canadensis (Canadian or Canada Columbine, Eastern Red Columbine, Wild Columbine, and Honeysuckle)

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South March Highlands: Little Gems by Tatiana Dokuchic on 2012-05-10
Spring Ephemerals of the South March Highlands.

Images: Tatiana Dokuchic (May 6, 2012)

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Bird Blog: Meet Mr & Mrs Mallard

This is the third year that our backyard feeder has been visited by a pair of Mallard ducks.  I prefer to think of them as "Mr & Mrs", i.e. the same couple, even after learning that they usually only form pairs from October to May when the female is left by the male to nest & the raise her young by herself.  Perhaps that explains why the conversations that I imagine between the two of them always have her sounding rather frustrated & cross with him.

They typically arrive in late winter, when the snow is still on the ground.  The first year, she was the one that landed in our yard, approaching the feeder with great caution.  He was spotted either circling above in the air or hiding back in the trees.  It took quite a few days before he would also land in the yard and quite a few more before he edged his way over to the feeder.  I could hear her mumbling between mouthfuls of seed "Get over it you old fool, pickings are slim this time of year!".

The first time I saw them this year, I'm sure she was telling him "Yes, this is the spot.  Yes, I'm sure it's the same spot as last year and the year before.  No, it's not that other feeder three doors down, it's this one."  She started to eat, he held back for a while but eventually joined her.  I actually voiced this conversation out loud and my husband asked why it was always Mr Mallard playing the dolt.  Here I thought I was just stating the obvious ;)

The regulars at the feeder (chipmunks, squirrels, various other birds) are always a bit disconcerted by the arrival of the Mallards but as you can see from this photo they have now established quite a cordial relationship.

Typically one duck eats while the other stands guard and then they switch around.  I think this is an excellent arrangement as a little red fox has recently been sighted quickly making its way through the rough just behind the feeder.  I know that the fox has to eat too but I would really prefer that it not be one of "my" ducks.

I don't expect Mr & Mrs Mallard to be dining with us for much longer this year as they usually disappear around this time.  I'll miss their morning & evening visits.  I'm wishing them all the best and hoping to see them return for a fourth season.

Photos: Tatiana Dokuchic (May 2, 2012)

The South March Highlands: Truly a Great Place in Canada

South March Highlands 2010 by Jayni Bloch

Though I've blogged my love of the South March Highlands before (The South March Highlands: Ottawa's Fragile Urban Wilderness  & Saving Beaver Pond Forest in Kanata, Ontario ) I thought it was time for another post in honour of it being recognized as one of the Great Places in Canada by the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Just 20 minutes from Parliament Hill, this is Ottawa's Great Forest: an old-growth paradise that is recreationally enjoyed and spiritually revered. It has untapped ecotourism potential, but threatened by urban sprawl. Spanning over a thousand hectares, this Canadian Shield ecosystem is more than a billion years old. Rich in wetlands and mature forest, it is home to more than 654 species, including 18 species that are at risk of becoming extinct.

This area contains hundreds of mammal, bird, and vegetation species. The fact that they’re all in one place within a major urban city is astounding. No other major city in the world has the biodiversity that this region has. For citizens and tourists alike, the South March Highlands offer an immersive glimpse into Canada's pre-colonial ecology. The forest attracts birders, nature lovers, scouts, biologists, archeologists, hikers, mountain bikers, skiers, photographers...and dreamers.  Read More ...

The fight to preserve the remaining undeveloped lands in the South March Highlands is still ongoing.  Turns out that "birders, nature lovers, scouts, biologists, archeologists, hikers, mountain bikers, skiers, photographers...and dreamers" make quite a tenacious bunch when it comes to caring for our environment and trying to save our natural treasures for generations to follow.

Learn more at South March Highlands.

Spring 2012: Ottawa Bright Spot

Many thanks to my neighbour for cultivating this beautiful little patch!

I walk past it every day and it certainly has helped to brighten up this week in Ottawa especially on Monday when Mother Nature decided that we needed a reminder of what winter can be like.

Well thankfully that snow didn't last for long.  Now if only the Senators can pull off Game 7 we'll really go back to enjoying the spring!

Hibernation: My Mother was a Performing Bear?

Cinnamon bear by J T Bowen after John James Audubon via Wikipedia

My mother has always claimed that in a previous life she was a Russian Performing Bear.  As a child and young adult I found the idea amusing and rather magical even though her life, as you can well imagine, apparently wasn't all honey snacks and pretty tutus. I have the lingering impression that she hadn't necessarily gotten along with her "management", so to speak.

Becker's Bears by Marthe and Juliette Vesque (circa 1914)

As I grow older, I sometimes think about this bear connection and gradually the idea has evolved into something not quite so fanciful.  Not that my mother has gotten more bear-like over the years (though she has adopted a wide variety of teddies who needed a good home) but I have!  Particularly during the winter months when the days are shorter and darker, the urge to hibernate kicks in with a vengeance.  

Sure, the medical profession has come up with fancy explanations such as Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) but even that could be interpreted as lending credence to her theory and I quote:

In many species, activity is diminished during the winter months in response to the reduction in available food and the difficulties of surviving in cold weather. Hibernation is an extreme example, but even species that do not hibernate often exhibit changes in behavior during the winter. It has been argued that SAD is an evolved adaptation in humans that is a variant or remnant of a hibernation response in some remote ancestor.^[23] Presumably, food was scarce during most of human prehistory, and a tendency toward low mood during the winter months would have been adaptive by reducing the need for calorie intake. 

No wonder I just want to stay in bed only getting up for a good meal of perogies & cabbage rolls!  I wonder how many of my relatives feel the same way; blessed & burdened as we are by genetics that conserve energy during the long winter months helping us to survive until spring arrives?

Fortunately, spring came early to my part of the world this year and so I'm up and running again.  In celebration, I've dusted off this blog with a new look and good intentions on more frequent contributions.

In closing, I'll leave you with a bit of Russian Folklore to ponder, especially those of us who are descended from Mikhail Dokuchic.  A coincidence you say?

The Russian word that is the equivalent of "teddy bear," "misha," is also the diminutive for the name Mikhail, which is the standard "first name" of folk-tale bears. 

July Brights

My Garden Shimmers in the Sun

of a July Heatwave

The bees especially love this little "Patch of Provence" with its wonderful scent

The South March Highlands: Ottawa's Fragile Urban Wilderness

The South March Highlands: Ottawa's Fragile Urban Wilderness: Narration: Paul Renaud Video & Editing: Gord Stephen Photos: Sherry Leavitt and other local residents

I thought that I would share this video as it provides an excellent summary of the situation previously blogged in Saving Beaver Pond Forest in Kanata, Ontario and termed by some to be the "largest ecological disaster to ever hit the city."

The effort to save this land is still gaining momentum including City of Ottawa to appear in court over west-end construction . You can help by spread the word and contacting the government officials listed at the end of the video.

Join the Facebook group at:
I want to save the land North of Beaver Pond Park in Kanata Ontario .

Follow on Twitter at: South March

Saving Beaver Pond Forest in Kanata, Ontario

Beaver Pond Woods - Just thought you should know by Gord Stephen

My family and I have always felt incredibly fortunate to have this old growth forest in our "backyard".  It's horrible to think that 182 hectacres of it will soon be cleared for a subdivision of 3,200 homes.  Too sad to think about the fate of  the 17 at risk species that currently make their home here, not to mention the other 637 species and 164 species of birds.  Too sad to think that the nature paths we've walked, biked, skied and snowshowed will be no more.

It was zoned for development in 1981 pre-dating the Endangered Species Act of 1998 which apparently does not void its zoning.  Developers Urbandale and Richcraft are looking at a start date of mid-July to begin cutting.  How could this have happened?

The Kanata Kourier-Standard just published Community takes last stand on its front page.  Its Editorial, Memories at the Beaver Pond, sums up the situation:

Saturday, June 5, over 400 residents gathered at the Beaver Pond to show the city they don't want a new subdivision choking out a precious natural sanctuary.

Hopefully, the developers and the city will take notice, the way they did back in 1999.  It's not impossible.

So get out there and make some memories.  In a few months, it may be all you have left.

Efforts are still being made to save this land.  You can join the Facebook group at:
I want to save the land North of Beaver Pond Park in Kanata Ontario .

New Post: The South March Highlands: Ottawa's Fragile Urban Wilderness is an excellent summary of the situation.

Shades of May

In celebration of Victoria Day

some vignettes from my garden

Enjoy the long weekend!!

The Queen of the May

Flore by Jan Massys (1559)

I've always considered May Day to be one of the most magical days of the year.

The thought of it certainly evokes a jumble of ideas and images in my head. Pagan rituals celebrating the growing season; the absolute relief of making it through another winter; Flora the goddess of flowers; the May Queen; the Maypole; Mayday (as in "help me" or "m'aider");
Anne Boleyn's world crashing down around her at a May Day Tournament;
Elizabeth Woodville's secret marriage to the newly crowned Edward VI of England.

Did they really put the Queen of the May to death after the celebrations were over?

Perhaps May Magic is so powerful because of both the dark and the light but at this time of year it is so easy to believe that the light is in ascendance!