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    <title>Blossoms and Blizzard</title>
    <link>http://communityherald.ca/list/96</link>
    <description><![CDATA[


Blossoms and Blizzards

by Dave Johnstone

Born and raised in Saanich B.C. and my wife from Southern Ontario, decided that the Annapolis Valley was a great place to hang our hats. After twenty five years of wandering about Canada, Europe and the U.S.A. I felt this place had something special to offer a slightly worn Military Photojournalist. Leaving the insanity (which I used fondly refer to as the &#8220;hustle and bustle&#8221;) of suburban dwelling and city life was a no-brainer. Being almost empty nesters, I hope to focus on a softer brand of Journalism.

]]></description>
    <language>EN</language>
    <pubDate>Thu, 20 May 2010 08:29:33 -0300</pubDate>
    <lastBuildDate>Thu, 20 May 2010 08:29:33 -0300</lastBuildDate>
    <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
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    <item>
      <title>Spring  has definitely sprung!</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/41870/41870#msg-41870</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[As the immortal Spike Milligan arguably wrote;
 &quot;Spring is sprung, the grass is ris. 
I wonders where the birdies is. 
They say the birds is on the wing. 
Ain't that absurd? 
I always thought the wing was on the bird.&quot;

  Well, whilst cutting my dandelions for the third or fourth time, I could not help notice, my once pristine and gleaming truck, was being used for &quot;artistic expression&quot; by the local winged suitors. Oh yes, I know exactly where the *&amp;!% birdies are. They were dive bombing, with great precision, my innocent vehicle. However, my wifes vehicle, which was parked next to it, suffered nary a drop. This was at first just being chalked up to &quot;oh well, it's spring, lots of birds about..to be expected now and then&quot; to ok...REALLY? three times a day for three days? And I'm not talking about a little white blob here and there.  If one took a very wide brush, dipped it into a bucket of, well, bird doo-doo, and just  flicked it randomly all over, you could achieve the same effect. Here is where  my CSI wife came to the rescue. I had mentioned to  her, that oddly, there were wing marks on the back window of the truck. It was as if they had &quot;tagged&quot; my truck to add insult to injury. And yes, for you continuity addicts, I did mention my beloved truck was spotless and dust free prior to the attacks, so how would the alleged feathered demon sign his work? In his own wet, runny, toxic, chalk-like  substance is how. 

I digress, as I stated earlier, my very observant wife, had a plausible theory, which desperately needed testing. She suggested, that perhaps it was a male * insert any of the dozens of possible beaked culprits here *, who in their ever diligent territory guarding duties, spotted what they clearly saw, was an intruder. Not  one, but two intruders. One coming out of each of my very large truck mirrors to infringe on their territory. Trucks have folding mirrors. Bad  bird(s) went away. Truck is clean. Thus endeth my avian lesson for spring 2010.

Image courtesy: Andre Williams Critterzone.com

Remember..don't text and drive! Please?]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/41870/41870#msg-41870</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 May 2010 08:29:33 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A hidden drunk pilot rant.</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/41124/41124#msg-41124</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[As spring struggles to wrest the ever lengthening days from old man winter, the last of the melting snow, reveals last winters'&quot;treasures&quot;. I must say that I am impressed with the obvious absence of the usual suspects. It seems that good folks here in the valley, have started to ween themselves off the disgusting habit, of tossing their garbage into the ditches while driving. Maybe, that's because it's too difficult to toss garbage and text at the same time? 

I realize this may seem like a bit of a rant, but really? Texting while driving? Joseph Mary and the wee donkey. I have personally witnessed people almost driving off the road, rear ending, slowing to 70 on the 101, all merrily, shamlessly texting away. You know they don't need another 6 million dollar study to announce the obvious. More and more &quot;mystery&quot; horrific head on crashes are making the news. Now that large, in dash GPS systems, blue-tooth-less cell phones, and snack items, have some competition for distraction, lawmakers and auto engineers can leave the folks at Toyota for a minute, and pay attention. 

Don't get me wrong, I am by no means a techo-Luddite, and have been accused of being a geeky, early adopter of tech toys at the best of times, but I just don't get this. Do I really need to throw in  the drunk Airline pilot analogy? Get a bluetooth people. Text to voice is available now. Pay attention, and don't rob yourselves, and the ones who love you of a beautiful summer.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/41124/41124#msg-41124</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:04:35 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Walking on snow.</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/40636/40636#msg-40636</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[If you own a snowmobile, if you ski or enjoy ice fishing, you get it. A snowy winter can be a thing of joy and tranquility, or you can be a shut in, and gripe all winter long. Our house tends to shy away from the groups that enjoy these worthy  pass times. Not to infer we are snobs or antisocial by any means. I guess we are just  blessed through our frugal approach to winter sports, but lets just call a spade a spade. We are cheap. We wanted to get outside and enjoy the great winter wonderland that is the valley. We wanted to accomplish this in a way that would take us off the beaten path, without taking lessons, buying licences or fussing about snow conditions too much. For folks like us, snowshoeing was a natural fit. Step in them, cinch up the bindings, and off you go. I have to admit, my first encounter with snowshoes was quite forgettable. I was a young man in the army, learning how to patrol in the Rockie mountains during annual winter warfare training. The snowshoes were gigantic, and the bindings securing them to my mukluk clad feet, barely adequate for the task. It took decades for me to even entertain the thought, of revisiting that unpleasant experience. It was my ever patient wife, who finally convinced me to consider the fact, that I would not be forced to carry a machine gun, ammunition, 60lb pack, water and a radio.  She also mentioned that snowshoe design had advanced somewhat over the last 30 years, and that I may want to actually get my Google on, get to a store, and look at them. Needless to say, I was delighted at the weight, design, and especially the bindings, of 21st century snowshoes. I of course will not plug any particular brand or design, but I will encourage you to do your homework, buy or borrow a set that fits, and get out there. You can walk on snow all day without seeing another soul, without driving for miles to get there. Have fun, get out there, and you will be pleasantly surprised, at just how quickly fitness will sneak up on you. It's winter, there is snow, get out and walk on it.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/40636/40636#msg-40636</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:34:55 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A glass half full.</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/39920/39920#msg-39920</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hopefully, that is how most of us in the valley will be able to view the coming &quot;storm season&quot;. I look at it like 90 days of bad motorcycling. Circling March 1st on the calender with ignorant optimism also helps. Lets face it, we are going to get grumpy and mean soon enough, so lets try and balance our outlook. Christmas is around the corner, quickly followed by Easter, then *poof* beaches, blossom's and lawnmower maintenance. 

This whole unfortunate, and dark side to mother nature, is always good fodder for tales of &quot;I forgot to get my emergency storm kit ready&quot; or &quot;the weatherman lied&quot;  and lets not forget our favorite...if that *&amp;^%@$ plow takes out my mailbox one more time!&quot; Otherwise we would have nothing to talk about in the checkout lines. &quot;did ya hear about....&quot; stories would be pretty thin.

I say the glass is half full, no major storms yet...didn't get snow until well into December, we lucked out with just about every weekend last summer, and enjoyed an Indian summer. Just remind yourself that in  less than 90 days the flowers will be blooming again. 

Finally, it's sucking to be just about anywhere else in the country this week, so enjoy sending your &quot;suks to b u&quot; messages to all your pals in Calgary, Ft. Mac, Vancouver, T.O. , as our turn is coming ;~o

Put on those rose coloured glasses, buy extra washer fluid, and hunker down...Santa and spring is on the way.

Image courtesy of motorcyclistonline.com]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/39920/39920#msg-39920</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:40:21 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Coles notes version</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/39709/39709#msg-39709</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Since the page keeps crashing on me, and I'm too sick and lazy to do this in Word, so I can save/cut and paste, here are the goings on in the valley;

Olympic torch shows up.

Annual wolfville craftfare begins.

TV series still shooting in New Minas.

Future Shop loosing ba-gillions of Christmas shoppers by delayed opening.

Endless road projects almost done.

High speed wireless towers sprouting up everywhere.
 
Remember, it's illegal to burn leaves in Kings and Annapolis counties...and is ungood for the air we breathe...so..stop it. Compost...leaf  pickup is free.

*whew*]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/39709/39709#msg-39709</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:57 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The silent  majority</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/38842/38842#msg-38842</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Now and then, university students make the news for the wrong reasons. I'm  sure we have all heard the stories, survived frosh week, and endured the dreaded &quot;freshman 15&quot;. The press will scream &quot;students run amok!&quot; or &quot;Drunken rampage on campus!&quot; 
What you don't read is &quot;Students log hundreds of hours mentoring, coaching, and volunteering. They do. In spades. This I know because  I have the pleasure of working with Acadia students on a daily basis. The majority of them spend countless hours in Wolfville and surrounding valley communities. Shake a hand,say thanks. They deserve it. They do all of this in addition to the hectic study schedule, varsity sports, and club activities. No, it's not all about the wild parties.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/38842/38842#msg-38842</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:54:13 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Close one</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/38242/38295#msg-38295</link>
      <author>cowgirl</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hello Dave
I have been reading your posts with interest as I live in the Cowichan Valley on V.I.
I am always amazed why people leave paradise for other locals.The Close one even makes me wonder even more why you would leave Lotus land?
Even now there is a huge push for all our stores to have local produce, well it has always been  here, now even more local offerings abound due to the influx of new younger bakers and organic farmers, including grapes!
Good Luck with the clean up!
barb]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/38242/38295#msg-38295</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:25:29 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Close one</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/38242/38242#msg-38242</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Well, that was close indeed. Hurricane Bill could not hold a candle to Juan, but that is not a bad thing. We had a few mild, and I do mean mild gusts, a bit of a soaking, but no real damage. The best news is the apple crop is safe. There was considerable concern that it could have come up the valley, and that would have made certain importers of non local produce, very happy. 

The week long food drive by a local radio station was a resounding success, however we can all do better, and dig deeper. 

I am pleading to the local popular chains of grocers to sell local. We  should not have to hunt around the store to find local produce. I am hearing the promises, so we are watching..and waiting. This needs to be a great season for local producers. Our family is already boycotting any imported product, that is in season here at home. There is just no excuse.

Don't be complacent folks, talk to your friends family and neighbours.... buy local. To not do so, to ignore this huge issue, will only ensure that our local farmers will fail.

Image courtesy; drimage.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/38242/38242#msg-38242</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:10:19 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Summer slacker I am.</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/37479/37479#msg-37479</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Photo courtesy of Fishing Copia.

I profoundly apologize for the incredible lag between posts, but alas I have been up to my ears in water and timber. Ok, I'll explain. Yes, fishing, but mostly thinning out our overgrown  forest with a chainsaw, bucksaw, blood, sweat  and beers. So far, the weather and bugs have been kind, as mild weather and a fairly bug free environment, has made the task bearable. Farmers markets are in full swing, and we are bloating our bellies and freezers with the valleys ample bounty. I am really hoping that people are catching on to the benefits of buying local. It would appear that it is much more abundant than last year, however there is still a long road ahead. 

I have no real political affiliation, and participate in the democratic process with optimism, drenched with a liberal amount of pessimism. I was almost certain the road building/repairs and infrastructure projects would grind to a halt once the new party took office. It is not unusual to see a huge flurry of pre-election projects to bolster the incumbent crews' odd of re-election. To see even more starts is well, refreshing...an no Mr. Dexter, this is not an open invitation to add me to yet another unsolicited mailing list. These are early days,and we are watching you.

I would, at this juncture, being the slacker that I am, give a shout out to the folks who do keep abreast of all things valley.
             http://www.ourvalley.ca/]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/37479/37479#msg-37479</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:00:20 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Harper drops in.</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/35637/35637#msg-35637</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[It is with muted optimism, and cautious enthusiasm that I greet the news, that our nations leader has found time, in his extremely compressed timetable, to stop by for a chat in the valley. 

There will be talks of monies promised or earmarked, for upgrading, maintaining or enhancing infrastructure and quality of life. Of course, as politicking goes, much will be promised, and the race will be on, to pry the funds from federal fingers, before a regime change renders all deals and promises made by the reigning party, null and void.

We would probably have to go back a few years to find the last Prime minister who bothered to visit the towns of Berwick and Wilmot.

I am fully aware that this is by no stretch of the imagination &quot;Harper country&quot;, and I, being non partisan, will not indulge in political commentary. I really don't care who it is at this juncture. I am just glad someone showed up.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/35637/35637#msg-35637</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:25:54 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bring the Spring.</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/35614/35614#msg-35614</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Image copyright Dave Johnstone 2008. 

We are ready. We want it. Backs are creaking, shovels and snowblowers are needing maintenance or replacement, and the greyish lumpy mess by the side of the roads and walkways has worn out it's welcome. 

Soon we will be opening the windows wide, prepping the gardens, stowing the winter gear, and looking for the flip-flops once more. With the economy on the slide, DIY home renos will be high on many peoples minds, as homeowners prioritize projects.  

The one thing I would love to see this growing season is more people shopping locally...like you mean it this time. To hear the major grocers explain that they would sell local produce if only they could get enough to fill their shelves will not fly this year. Hello? We are in the Annapolis valley! Farming country. &quot;...not enough local corn to fill our demands..&quot; Whatever..we are watching you. 

My new years resolution? No more produce from outside NS unless out of season. While in season, we will not buy apples from New Zealand or Chile. No offence to other countries is intended, I just feel that they can keep and eat their apples, and we can reciprocate. If the large grocers do not alter their buying habits, I will, at cost to me of course, boycott all of their products. Maybe I'm just not getting it, after all I'm not a farmer, I am not connected to the import export business. I did not major in economics, but I do have a layman's grasp of the basic law of supply and demand. If go to the docks, I can usually get a better price off the boat for seafood. Why is it then, some farmers charge almost double for certain produce at their roadside stands? One would think the same rule would apply...skip the middleman, save on transport and ancillary costs, and pass the savings on to your neighbours who want so desperately to support you. Perhaps if we start something akin to Gasbuddy.com only post roadside food prices?  greengrocer.ca? I digress, maybe if we all insist that the stores clearly indicate local produce (some already do this) then our mission to support out local farmers becomes easier. 

There are some serious problems with the politics, and status quo of our food sources. The fact that lobster caught on the south shore, are trucked up to a plant in Stellerton for processing, and then shipped back to stores in Lunenberg and Bridgewater, makes no economic sense at all. We need to pay more attention, ask more questions, be diligent and check the labels this year. Be aware that something that is labeled &quot;Product of Canada&quot; does not necessarily mean it was grown, or even produced here. Mere packaging qualifies for the label. If a bottle of pasta sauce from another country has a label printed in Canada, or a single ingredient grown in Canada, it gets the label. Read, ask, inform, enjoy!]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/35614/35614#msg-35614</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:16:28 -0400</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Pumpkin o' rama!</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/25467/25467#msg-25467</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Well it is most definitely Fall here in the Annapolis valley, and that means farm markets are bustling. Take your pick! Corn boils, corn mazes, hay rides and u-picks. So much fun, so little time! Throw in the usual assortment of yard sales, concerts and fall festivals, and harvesting, well you get the picture...well if your not a city slicker that is.

 There was a time when i was a died in the wool city loving suburbanite. I did not have a disdain for the country, as I grew up in an area that was mostly urban, with an eclectic mix of farms and suburbia. However, I have met my fair share of city folks who feel that most &quot;country&quot; folk (or &quot;hicks&quot; as my eldest Toronto dwelling daughter is known to affectionately call us) have burning desire to move to the city. They are truly amazed, when told of the saturation of high speed Internet, ipods, and Blackberry Sidekicks. I wonder if I would be so enamoured with the quiet solitude of the country, if I could not access the Internet at faster than dial-up speeds? A bit of soul searching would probably reveal, that having the best of both worlds drew me here.

 Yes we could make a whole lot more money in a whole lot more places, but it would not be the same. Did anyone else notice the help wanted ad in the paper? The one looking for an IT manager for a ...yup, you guessed it, a farm? That is where agriculture is in the 21st century. I will take a lazy commute through orchards, past rivers on meandering secondary roads any day.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/25467/25467#msg-25467</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:39:32 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: All things new.</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23842/25104#msg-25104</link>
      <author>bochris123</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I Like Spring and Summer days because I enjoy riding my bike
when it's not raining out.
The one thing I like about bike riding is that it saves gas on the car
and it helps me stay fit.

  Chris B.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23842/25104#msg-25104</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:54:47 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Lazy summer daze</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/24737/24737#msg-24737</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I apologize profusely for neglecting my keyboarding duties. I have been up to my eyeballs with life and leisure in the 3D world.

 Once again, Summer is treating us kindly, but I wish I could say the same for our garden. It's not like we have the greenest thumbs in the valley (the wife is the grim reaper of all things green;) anyway. Many of the variety of flowers that claim to tolerate full sun and heat, have never placed a root in our southwesterly facing front garden. Don't let the above picture of the daisy fool you, I took that picture the day it went in the ground. I has since retreated into &quot;green only&quot; mode and refuses to flower again.

 This has shaped up to be one of the most bug free summers we have experienced anywhere! No complaints here, however, I'm sure yellow jackets hold the trump card :/~ 

Being that I keep student hours during the summer, I spend a great deal of time persuing the elusive Trout....and attempting to erode the massive honey-do list. My wife knows her way around software, so she has no problem utilizing Outlook Taskings with devastating effect. There is no squirming out of deadlines...notice how I craftily shifted the blame to my wife? Anyhoo, I am now getting close to full blown panic mode to finish the weather sensitive out door projects...no..*sigh* not fishing/kayaking/motorcycling/goofing off.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/24737/24737#msg-24737</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2007 08:09:21 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Bears or Bulls?</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23878/23944#msg-23944</link>
      <author>tennesseeboy</author>
      <description><![CDATA[It's a sad thing to see, the squeezing of wildlife into ever shrinking habitat due to increasing develestroyment. I live on 150 acres in Tennessee; however, due to the seemingly never ending assault of the 3-6 acre mini-McMansions, we are totally overrun with deer, coons, possums, skunks &amp; &quot;wild&quot; turkeys that are forced into overcrowded and shrinking habitats. This is not good for the animals or the humans.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23878/23944#msg-23944</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:55:29 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bears or Bulls?</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23878/23878#msg-23878</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I know, sounds like MLB meets NBA - So I came across this formidable beast whilst on my weekly jaunts, and got to pondering. In these here parts, he and those like him, must be king of the valley because he was huge. I'm sure even a black bear would not wander into this guy's paddock! I mean c'mon, just look at that mug! - ya think he's joking? Anyway, my neighbour wanders over yesterday to inform me to pass on a message from the Kings County game warden - &quot;bears about&quot; the area and went for his green bin, and bird feeders. This poor guy has bears wandering his yard not three days after not one, but two deer, leap out from the embankment of the Cornwallis river and slam into his truck causing $5,000 in damage. It was at the bridge on South Bishop road, and apparently this is not uncommon for deer to do this. We are not in a high density subdivision, but neither are we in the boondocks so I though this a bit out of the ordinary. Let me know of your strange or unusual encounters.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23878/23878#msg-23878</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:20:48 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>All things new.</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23842/23842#msg-23842</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[I am always in conflict over which season delights me the most. Autumn usually wins out, but a certain point in just the right spring is close. That cerain point where the flying, biting critters haven't quite massed for the annual bloodfest. Especially when we go for our Sunday jaunts, and marvel in the sights and sounds of full blown spring in the Valley. Baby everything's everywhere. Horses, sheep, Llama, chicks, tadpoles, and yup even the two legged variety seen pushing strollers on country roads and village sidewalks. The smells of fertilizer quickly give way to the pungent aroma of blossoms. Yup it's time to dig out the bug juice, dig out the weeds, do the last plantings. I was so glad that this years Apple Blossom festival was weather blessed and the blossoms were right on cue. Well I guess it's my cue to stop typing and start mowing!]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23842/23842#msg-23842</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:52:51 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Spring in limbo</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23330/23706#msg-23706</link>
      <author>Ms_Guided</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hey.  got a great shot of a woodpecker's dream tree on the weekend...

Thought I recognized ya! 

Denise
HLVR...Cheers]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23330/23706#msg-23706</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:17:41 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Llamas hate flies too.</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23602/23602#msg-23602</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Well on my wanderings, I came across a couple of tormented Llamas on the North Mountain. It is not only the season of blossoms and birds, but bugs and pollen. As we roll along in realtive saftey from all things winged and pesky, it is easy to forget the poor critters that must suffer the torment of the swarms. Some priveliged horses are  lucky enough to have been fitted with translucent eye coverings, but most are left to fend for themselves. I know that his time of year black flies are not my friend. I have already had my first run in with the teenie terrors, and it won't be my last. Deet is my friend for a while.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23602/23602#msg-23602</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2007 08:08:35 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Spring in limbo</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23330/23503#msg-23503</link>
      <author>valley bloomer</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Finally we see the sun. Hopefully we can now get on with our gardening. I have been waiting for gardeners comments on your blog. Do we have gardeners out there?I hung out my hanging plants today hopefully I will not have to drag them back in to the garage again tonight.  Will we have another frost?  Can I start putting in annuals?]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23330/23503#msg-23503</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2007 11:10:46 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Green and greener</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23337/23369#msg-23369</link>
      <author>pshute</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Dave: I'm moving to Kings County in another 6 weeks after living in the Middle East and in Canada's north for the last 6 years. &quot;Green&quot; is not in the lexicon of these places. After living in NS, it seemed primitive not to separate waste. I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to do something positive.]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23337/23369#msg-23369</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 06 May 2007 10:01:09 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Re: Green and greener</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23337/23346#msg-23346</link>
      <author>Blackburn</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Welcome to the blogging world.
Loved the quote.

Will be reading often!

Take care,

Theresa
aka NS Expatriate]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23337/23346#msg-23346</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 21:00:46 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Green and greener</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23337/23337#msg-23337</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[As our reluctant spring makes it's inevitable appearance, so does spring cleaning. As we scramble to decide what will and can go curbside, I take pause to give kudos to Kings county Environmental program. When we moved from Ottawa in 2004, we were pleasantly surprised at how far ahead Nova Scotia was to many parts of the country. As I type, they already have ramped up an &quot;E-waste&quot; program to properly dispose of our ever growing pile of dead computer ad electronic junk. They are always looking for better ways to make our home cleaner. My only wish is that this province adopted a spring cleanup program, similar to the one in place in B.C. The program sees getting volounteer inmates from local institutions out for some much needed fresh air and exercise. With the ever growing problem of Tim's cups and other spring garbage, it would be nice to see them chip in with the rest of us who tote garbage bags around in the spring to pick up others trash. I am not suggesting a &quot;cool hand Luke&quot; Alabama style chain-gang arrangement. They are out for a couple of hours a day, for a week in the spring. Maybe someone can kick-start the program here?

It is also encouraging to see the timeless tradition of local farmers markets starting to come back in earnest. With the cost of transportation of bringing the food to us, it makes sense. So many farmers are avoiding pesticides and harmful fertilizers, the added cost of growing organic is easily offset by buying local. I don't want to rant or get into a huge discussion about how some Organic really isn't etc., that is a discussion best left to another venue. I just think it is a good idea to when possible to buy locally and fork out for the 99 cent recyclable shopping bags. I'm no hippie, but I can change to help out poor old mother earth, our local farmers and our future generations. Soon I will be taking my camera and pen out to some local farms to highlight their efforts. Look forward to the episode titled &quot;Cheese and Alpacas'&quot;

Dave]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23337/23337#msg-23337</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2007 11:31:27 -0300</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Spring in limbo</title>
      <link>http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23330/23330#msg-23330</link>
      <author>CFA</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Our poor hound Bingo languishes on the bed, intently awaiting good news from the weather network. As the valley comes to life, the inevitable &quot;aroma&quot; of our bustling farming community heralds the preparation of the fields. During the winter months we tend to forget just how many variety of birds call Nova Scotia home. I never seem to notice them gone, but I always realized that I have indeed missed them and am so grateful to hear the woodpeckers, Robins and all the other assorted songbirds find there way back home. It is also interesting to see where they decide to make their nests from year to year. I am sure I am not the only one who has discovered a nest in their garden hose caddy. Well despite the fact that spring is struggling to appear, I will know for sure it has arrived when the peeper chorus begins. I am looking forward to hearing what others consider the arrival of spring in their &quot;hood&quot;.

Dave]]></description>
      <category>Blossoms and Blizzard</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://communityherald.ca/read/96/23330/23330#msg-23330</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2007 16:16:50 -0300</pubDate>
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