Of birds and the rites of spring

It was another beautiful day in Nova Scotia and we all enjoyed the lovely weather as we went about our business.  Our Ken dug in the gardens at every opportunity, planting seeds with gay abandon.  Reminders that only three of us live here fell on deaf ears.  Lee spent her day in the grooming room - finishing Piper then moving on to the last of the Norwich to get  spring cleaning - results - Lee - 1  Norwich - 0 but asking for a rematch.  In the seasonal department, the swallow is back.  Now, you have to think about swallows in the larger context of life at Regalridge.  This family comes and goes each year, returning not only to Regalridge but also to the same spot - over the well used back door.  And Our Ken invokes "the swallow rules" on arrival.  Sadly, the female swallow must have met her demise early last year.  The male spent his days on the property and returns to sleep next to the nest every night.   He has arrived again this year.   That means, no lights on the deck or over the back door because we don't want to upset Mr Swallow.  The fact that the house dogs go in and out late at night, stumbling over each other in the dark is the cost of doing business during swallow season.  And then there are Chantelle and Lee, searching for steps or the door in the dark and understanding that they are below yet another creature on the property in Our Ken's hierarchy of need.  

This is the long week end so there is lots of coming and going.  Ruff arrived amid barks of greeting from the dogs who know him well.  His Golden Retriever wags are always welcome.  Duke and Oscar departed amid waving paws and cheers of come again from the Border Collie.  Shea the Wolfhound and his Border Collie Caleigh are doing fine - eating well, happily taking their bedtime bones (extras for the big fellow) and settling in to the kennel routine.  The adaptability of dogs is an amazing thing to watch.  Lucy Welsh continues to look after Nemo - how he will manage without her when she leaves, we aren't quite certain.  Little Maggie is in charge of all that she sees, hears or thinks might need a manager - Little Maggie is happy.  There is lots of scope with the activity level. 

The house dogs are well.  All are eating their potions, all are enjoying the weather and all are cheering spring.   There are precious few bugs.  With all of Ken's birds, the bug population is at risk everywhere on the property.  Phil and the Philomenas are still in residence as well so there is a good population of pheasants as well.  Piper is adorable with her new spring haircut as is little May.  Charlotte succumbed to Ken's ministrations as did Lola and to a lesser extent Billy.  It was a busy grooming day. 

Chantelle arrived home by 6 and took us out to dinner with Debbie (part of our wedding party) on this our wedding anniversary week end.  We had a great meal at a new-to-us restaurant in the city.  From very impressive seafood crepes to haddock, crab and chicken dishes, we all were highly impressed.  the goat cheese salad is worth the price of admission all by itself.  We will pay a return visit to the Redwood Grill and highly recommend it to anyone who is in the area.   And we are on to another day . . .