Well, not really. But it’s definitely what came to mind when I saw the close-ups of these quackers (female and juvenile mallards, I believe) in a marsh near St. Albert, AB.
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Photo Memory of the Week
Posted: 2024 May 11
Prose of the Week
"This is the way of providence: dandelions in abundance that give pleasure by their beauty and create fun for children who blow the seeds everywhere. I think it is a kind of proof of original sin that whenever we are given something in abundance, we are not grateful but instead invent some silly category to tarnish these gifts simply because they are common. We call them weeds: invasive species. . . . If dandelions were only found on obscure Pacific islands, people would book eco-tours to see them, and all the best magazines would contain sermons masquerading as articles on how global warming, overpopulation, warm houses, and free markets threaten endangered dandelions."Source: Being Perfect, by David Beresford; Gilbert Magazine, Volume 24, Number 3, Jan/Feb 2021
Posted: 2024 May 11
Poetry of the Week
The Dandelions
- Helen Gray ConeUpon a showery night and still,
Without a sound of warning,
A trooper band surprised the hill,
And held it in the morning.We were not waked by bugle-notes,
No cheer our dreams invaded,
And yet, at dawn, their yellow coats
On the green slopes paraded.We careless folk the deed forgot;
Till one day, idly walking,
We marked upon the self-same spot
A crowd of veterans talking.They shook their trembling heads and gray
With pride and noiseless laughter;
When, well-a-day! they blew away,
And ne'er were heard of after!Posted: 2024 May 11
Music of the Week
Tweet of the Week
Posted: 2024 May 11
I’m starting a support group for people who didn’t see the Northern Lights last night.
We are valid. Stop erasing our existence
Any joiners
This is our flag pic.twitter.com/sCIpt5rSNn
— Helen Nettleship (@Nettleshippy) May 11, 2024
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Nicely displayed soup. Duckweed that thick sure looks like split-pea soup for sure.
(I must have missed that marsh when I lived in St Albert)
Jim R – Ah, it’s duckweed, is it? For sure the ducks seemed to get into it. As for missing the marsh, I expect it’s been there for a long while (it’s on the shore of Big Lake) but has only recently had a boardwalk added by Poole Construction, making it possible to walk across without getting your feet wet.
Super pictures, Isabel.
Tom
Tom – Not souper? Hahaha. (And many thanks.)
Last summer our dog, Casey, mistook duckweed for solid ground, and tried to take a shortcut from his path to where we were standing. Total immersion, and difficult swimming. He eventually got to shore, but did he stink!
Ian – Oh dear. I can see why it might fool someone, canine or otherwise. It’s very thick in some places. Didn’t know it was smelly.
Just thought I’d let you know I’m still reading! Glad you had a sunny day in St Albert
Alison – Hey, thanks! It was sunny, although I needed a few more layers for the NW wind. There were people (locals, I presume) wearing lightweight parkas, and me in my cropped leggings and little sweater. Brr.