August brings Sincerity!

The birth flower for the month of August is the Gladiolus. Who doesn’t remember agricultural fairs where bouquets of colourful glads were compared and judged for ribbons and trophies. These stiffly upright summer annuals grow from corms planted in the previous fall. 

They are only half-hardy here. Gladiolus, the word is a diminutive of sword, from gladius. Some even call the flowers the sword lily. Rightfully they are closer aligned with irises, belonging to that family. Their centre of origin is sub-Saharan Africa and they are included in the Cape Province flora.

In the conservative Language of Flowers, the gladiolus symbolizes strength of character and means Sincerity. Both noble qualities befitting the noble summer bloom.

Kiwis in Nova Scotia

I have returned from a hiatus in blogging. With three distinctly different weblogs now, I am going to try to keep them all current.

Did you know that kiwi-fruit grow in Nova Scotia? I didn't. When a colleague sent me an image of an unknown vine, I had no idea of the identity of the plant. So I did the next best thing. I contacted a former classmate who manages Halifax Seed in Saint John, NB. She didn't recognize it either.
Back to Halifax Seed in Halifax where a staffer put the name, Arctic Kiwi or Actinidia kolomikta to it. Yesterday, while speaking with Niki Jabbour, the Weekend Gardener, she suggested that the plants need a male and a female vine (more precisely, pollen receptor and pollen donor plants) . Apparently the foliage of the male is quite colourful...splotched with white and purple.

Who knew? Here you see the small fruits developing. They are tasty to eat, resemble commercial kiwis and don't have to be peeled.

October 2010

Oh my where does the time go? I haven't posted here in over a year. Family update: we are all well, including Amy (a senior DSH), Jo (a senior sable ferret) and Maia (junior cinnamon ferret). The spring and summer 2010 in Nova Scotia were extraordinarily sunny, with few foggy days here on the coast.

The biggest news item to rock my world was the discovery of invading colonies of Giant Hogweed. This robust member of the Carrot Family (Apiaceae) causes painful skin lesions and photosensitivity.

The plant has been present in NS for nearly 30 years, but not actively spreading until recently. After more than 400 calls, emails and personal inquiries plus 7 media interviews we were able to inform the outdoor public and attempt to control the plant where threat to human safety was an issue.

Fall has brought us the effects of Hurricanes Earl and Ivan, though none so serious as Juan of 2003. We look forward to the Christmas season, knowing that travel for some of us is imminent.

REST IN PEACE FUZZY ANGELS

I am beyond rational thought right now. There is a reason I won't take in surrendered and rescued animals. Rather I prefer to fund-raise and manage money. My own 2 lovable Maia an Jo were both adopted from fostering situations, but I was isolated from their history largely.

Recently in NB, 2 ferrets were found in a dumpster...this after a week of near 100% humidity and 90 degree temps. Apparently the pet owner thought they were dead! They were removed by a local business and the SPCA found their owner. Said ferrets were again found and said owner claimed they escaped and made their way back to the same dumpster.

At this point one of our Board members made arrangements to foster and provide emergency medical aid.

The bastard had a friend shoot his babies and claimed he found a home for them.

There are times when I want to give in to hormonal rages. And don't.

Dear God, please give them a comfortable place to finally rest, where animals are not abused and the tears are not crocodillan.

Bastard, may you rot in hell.

GIVING LIP, PAYING LIP SERVICE

Sorry folks this is not going to be a happy ramble. Rather I'm going to get to the point.

A well-known pet store in Atlantic Canada refers to itself as a pet superstore but takes the high road regarding community pet events. In attempting to promote our local Ferret Frolics (August 15, 1-4 in Halifax), I took in a few posters asking only that they be posted.

Oh, but they only support Guide Dogs of Canada. Admirable, I say...but that is not local nor an event. I am not asking for charity, only a place to put a poster.

We don't allow educational posters in our store. But I retort, this event would support your initiatives with respect to ferrets. A little education goes a long way to reducing our workload in rescuing domestic ferrets.

Sorry we are not interested.

I paid for the dog pads and softly said thanks, I won't be back.

There is little point in arguing with the staff working cash. There is a much larger point made when massive numbers of people start boycotting a business because of their unethical practices. More than once, I have heard former employees describe the unspeakable horrors their animals endure on their path to maybe homes. Weeks pass and sick animals are left to die untreated.

Nope, I won't be back... join me?

FINDING VOICE, GIVING VOICE

An aquaintance who I hold dear, not so long ago, offered that I allow people to find their voice. True to type, I thanked her and tucked away the sentiment. This week I find more and more that I have been mulling this over. Stress operates on my mind in strange ways. Losing a beloved pet, busy beyond belief at the office and finding balance between work, home and personal head-space demands that I squeeze out a few sentiments through my keyboard.

Yeah I guess I do.....it has its rewards allowing people to find their voice. Encourage them...it comes back in spades. Thanks Annie.

PASSIONATE ABOUT FERRETS

Of and on for more than 12 years I have shared my home with ferrets. Delightfully devilish, these little weasels have endured themselves to me. While searching for a foster home for a friend's son's boys, I became aware of a very real need for a network of ferret rescue people in eastern Canada. Receiving no answer from several rescue organizations in Ontario where the ferrets in need lived, I found a small brochure in Halifax, at my own boys' vet clinic.

The Ferret Lovers Society of Atlantic Canada or FLSAC is run out of the Director's home. She has 9 ferrets in residence, not all her own. Some are rescues, or surrenders, many are special-needs or high maintenance.

Needless to say, I joined this passionate group of volunteers. We share the love of weasels and we are committed to seeing all ferrets in suitable forever homes. This requires a modest amount of money. So, I have found myself as co-chair of fund-raising.



We are exploring cooperative ways of generating much-needed revenue. The first such event is hosted by Chapters, Bayers Lake Power Centre, Chain Lake Dr., Halifax on May 30, 2009. Stop in and meet us. Mention 'ferret rescue' and 10% of your total purchase on that day will return to aid our rescue efforts. Thank-you.