Grandma Poplar (originally meant to post March 10, 2022)

Today I adventured on a new trail with my friend Linda. We had intended to see a waterfall, but we noticed another trail heading uphill after the waterfall, so we took it. At the end of the trail we found a gigantic tree. I thought it was a oak, but the bark was wrong and there were no acorns. When I got back to the house our wonderful local carpenter ( who features in other posts) told me that tree is know as grandma poplar (or poppal as they are called here). All the other poplars around are her children. 

This idea of the grandmother tree is something I’ve heard repeatedly. From First Nation elders and in the book, ‘The Hidden Life of Trees’. It certainly resonates with me. 

It was a beautiful hike. 

New Year’s Eve at the garden

The Annapolis Royal Gardens had a New Year’s Eve morning fire. It was a beautiful morning and we wanted around the grounds looking at the winter color.

A rogue by Burnham in flower.. Apparently it flowers irregularly all through the year.

We all love the red berries on these plants but I don’t think we figured out what they are.

In the slanted light the bark of this tree was very attractive.


And this elm is still my favourite architectural feature in the garden.

Happy new year

🤬 Deer! Ate My Yew Trees

We think last night the deer were celebrating and wanted a tasty snack. I walked back from the levee at the legion and thought, ‘hmmm, those don’t look as lush and full’.  Then I closely examined them and found them to be nibbled. So I spent the afternoon dressing the trees in burlap. Chris was invaluable getting it finished after I petered out. 

We included the fruit trees in the dressing. 

Boxing Day Hike to Gramma Pople

We took time to do a pilgrimage hike to see what the locals call Gramma Pople. She is an unbelievably large Very Old poplar tree... surrounded by a perfect ring of her offspring. In Japan... this tree and its location would definitely be a shrine.

It’s Lunch Time! Don’t you know!?

We were having a holiday hot tub when a very sad Labrador came by to tell us that she had heard the noon siren go off and that she was starving…

Didn’t we hear that? The starvation is getting worse…

 Surely now it’s lunchtime!?

An Annual Tradition in Nova Scotia

Along with the blessings of spending time with Sarah's family and new friends in Nova Scotia during the holidays... there is one small thing that we have begun to look forward to each year we spend here. The annual Best Of Bruce Mackinnon political cartoons. if anyone wants to see close ups of these... let us know. how many of his cartoons resonate for you? This year we are also blessed to gain new perspectives looking from different parts of the house to the light coming in from our new Grand Front Entry door and it's partner window looking out at our Oak Tree.

Here are our favorites...

Scapa was also gifted with a new puppy toy from the Halifax hotel where we stayed to visit with Sarah's Mom Barbara... as well as being spoiled with treats by our neighbour Debra!

Happy Christmas

A winter’s walk.