Yesterday, I dropped into one of the Canadian Tires in Guelph for something. I just had to walk down to the flower end, and noted that they had potted foxglove on sale. They were in amazing shape, not root bound, healthy, just starting to bloom, and a very good price. I actually left and checked out walmart ( which had nothing of interest ) and Home Depot ( whichh had even less of interest ). I actually went back to Canadian Tire and got a couple to stick into the garden. I also picked up some Black Eyed Susans which were in good shape, and found a couple of corners to stick them in. If I hadn't trimmed my hedges in the morning, I wouldn't have had the space to fill. That should teach me a lesson or two. LOL

Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians. Thankyou to our forum friends. Mary, it is held the second Monday in October every year. Most have turkey with the works as the USA does, with family travelling from near and far. My family is Acadian therefore I grew up having Rappie Pie (a potato and meat dish) for holidays and turkey was second, most likely on Boxing Day. So it is according to your own traditions. This weekend is the big pumpkin weigh-off (today) always draws a crowd. Great fun, games for the kids and pumpkin carving, etc. (Beautiful day outdoors, I have to get out there.) Ours started years ago with a competition between towns with the same name as ours, US and Canadian. Many towns have their own weigh-in. Howard Dill started it all with his giant pumpkin seeds, he lived in Windsor, N.S. Passed away a few months ago. What joy, wonder and entertainment he has brought to the world. I am sure he will be on a lot of people's minds this weekend. Besides Thanksgiving, it is birthday time around here, I should be making my son's cake. My mom's was the 9th, my ex-husband's the 11th and my son's the 13th. (Born on Friday the 13th) and left handed. Thinks that is special. Hosta Forum, Hosta Forum. The front steps are gone,the old shed is gone,all plant material from around house is gone,machinery in the yard moving soil and rocks around. Making a trench for run off. Guy just gone home for the day. Stuff from the shed is outdoors, waiting for place to put new shed when it arrives. Also made new planting beds. My grandaughter said, Nanny look at all the dirt we have to plant in. (4 years old, probably will be a true gardener). 3 day weekend, 1 1/2 months to retirement. Winter on the way. Lots to do. Got 4 bags of leaves yesterday. Must bum some more. Have a good one. Work hard but safely. (Not like me awhile back, I told myself that I must move the rake and promptly tripped on it, no damage). Betty

Sept. 27: A juvenile male hummingbird stopped by! This is the feeder on my deck. I was sitting out there and the hummer was OK with me being there but got spooked when I pulled out the camera so I didn't get a good shot of the whole head and throat. You can see the mottled gorget. Typical teenager - waited to the last minute before migrating. Claire

jasdip - it is getting that I am afraid to leave Ontario. (I live in Toronto.) We have an annual multi-trip out of country/provincial medical/trip cancellation policy that is not cheap - and renews every Sept. I am well aware that each province pays differently - and we are under 65 - not by a lot though - just off. A change in medication - even if you are run over by a bus, can result in the company not paying. It makes absolutely no sense. We also have extra life insurance through the company noted in the Marketplace expose - funny, I never watch Marketplace and neither do many of the people we know, but I guess everyone was flipping chanels and everyone saw it. It is very true - I have seen their medical form since they send it every year trying to sell us more insurance - my doctor wouldn't be able to fill it out. And if you call, as the program pointed out, you do not speak with a licensed insurance rep - you get someone who has absolutely no idea what would happen if you died of something totally unrelated to something they think you "lied" about. One section asks if you have experienced - even once - basic things - a migraine, a UTI etc. So what, you were run over because you might have had a headache? Hard to lie when you didn't even know about something. Same with the travel plan - what do you do, call them and report if you have to take Sinus meds for 6 days? Or you are given painkillers due to a root canal? I know someone who was told when she purchased private insurance that birth control pills were a pre-existing condition so would not be covered. Then there is me - I have been called - AGAIN - as a potential juror for a FIRST DEGREE (wonderful) murder trial. The insurance company tried to tell me last time that jury duty was a pre-existing condition - that one I won. But I am appalled that I might be called for a 6 - 8 week trial - my dog would have to be boarded - and I wouldn't receive any $$$ for the first 10 days of sitting plus the 5 days while they pick the jury. Even taking public transportation alone would cost about $105.00 - before the cost of boarding our older dog - or sending him to daycare. There is something wrong with our system. And I almost bought a cheap ticket to NY on the day the jury notice arrived - 10 minutes before - but the AC website crashed. Just as well, because the insurer allows 14 days from date of the summons to cover the cost of a ticket - it took 18 days for it to get here. The person did believe me - but he told me that claims would have given me a very hard time. Last time I was given only 5 days' notice and they wouldn't let me out of it and I had a plane ticket. My husband is also on the rotation - yet so many people have never been called - and others have been excused for the most frivolous of reasons - while others with very legitimate reasons have to serve. At least pay me my costs. Once the $40 a day kicks in in week 3, that would have to be taken into income. Can't win! I would hate to be an honest banker on trial - or someone with money. Last time I wore a suit and was accused of being a lawyer - unfortunately I am not so had to stay as well as a "sneak in a suit". Many people were there in Joe Boxer PJs and slippers. When my husband served the person responsible for filling Ontario juries wrote an article for the paper reading that jury panels do not have a proper demographic because too many people get out of it leaving only those with a similar mind set. On the news there was an interview with the public defender for a murder trial - jury selection started this week. He said that the best jurors are construction or trade workers because they are much more independent thinkers? What was he smoking? Some provinces pay everyone the equivalent of UIC from day one -that we need. This will cost us our vacation.