Zephyr & Sandford News

by Pat Asling

It’s been another strange week weather-wise with the three days of yellow air and terrible air quality. It is hard to imagine what it could be like closer to the fires. Here we are thousands of miles from our burning forests, and it can still be deadly to some people. And what would it have been like for those people whose communities were in the path of the fire and they had to flee, some by boat, some walking from communities with no road access, leaving their homes with only what they could carry. Or, in the case of Collins, leaving and knowing their homes would be destroyed and there would be nothing to return to. It’s been interesting to read reports from firefighters who explain how, when and why they fight certain fires and not others, what they can use and what they can’t, under which circumstances. Imaging the railway guys trapped in a car on a rail line, flames on both sides. As far as I have read, there have been no deaths, but for so very many in our North Western communities, mostly Indigenous, much of what they worked for their whole lives has been lost. I hope our government will find the funding to help these communities rebuild and start anew, and there are several ways we as fellow Ontarians can also contribute. Please do what you can. Lately in our communities we have had several examples of families helping families, so we know how to do that.

The day after the worst of the smoke pollution, we received much-needed rain, as I was just trying to rig up something to water my pots. Rain always does it better, but with the Winds that followed, especially Sunday, it’s drying up quickly. On Saturday, while listening to the Gardening Show, twice one of those warning buzzers sounded. These were about the possibility of a tornado. That was mid-morning, but there was nothing else, and I never heard that such an event ever occurred. Certainly there was no sign of it here. Thank goodness.

When the air had cleared, I took a wander around the yard to see my lilies. They are probably at their peak just now,, but sadly, because I didn’t get any gardening done earlier, lots of tall stuff, grass, Queen Anne’s Lace, and other “weeds” are blocking the view. I checked my milkweed as well since I have seen 2-3 monarchs but no sign of caterpillars as yet. I usually like to trap them and confine them to a clear container, feed them there, and watch while they morph into butterflies.

Not much happened this past week, but the crops are growing well. I have seen a number of loads of hay bales go by that look pretty good. These have been rounds bales, but I was interested in reading Bryan Smith's Facebook posts about him learning to create small square bales. I didn’t know there were such things, which would certainly be easier to handle. I remember manoeuvring big bales at home as a teen. Couldn’t do it now, of course. I can finally see growth in my field to the north where Wayne has planted soya; Smiths have a good crop of corn across the road, and Tindall’s Market opened on the weekend selling their vegetables and other produce. Karyn showed off some gigantic cauliflower. Sadly, strawberries are finished.

Congratulations to Ron and Doris Stewart who celebrated their 63 anniversary last week with their three children and many more grandchildren. Congratulations also to Amanda Van der Gulik and Cindy Risebrough who have found a new home, close to their old one and much closer to me, just over on the 6th. Happy that they are happy.

On Friday, I was privileged to be part of a group of friends and family who gathered at the home of Dorothy Munro to help her celebrate her 100 birthday. She is looking great even as she recovers from several injuries suffered in a fall.

Friday Night at the Foster with the performers being Laurelie Augustyn and her friends, all on guitar, with Laurelie singing in a variety of styles. I do wish performers would understand you don’t need amplification in the Foster. It has its own unique sound, and using amplification muffles rather than clarifies. The entertainer next week is one of my very favourites, Jane Loewen, an exceptional singer and musician who needs no amplification for her beautiful voice. Doors open at 7 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m. Admission by donation, suggested $10.

The Lucy Maud Montgomery Society is still holding presentations and lunches. Check their webpage for dates and times. Coming soon: the stage performance of “Maud of Leaskdale” by our own Jennifer Carroll. North Durham Nature will be doing some nature walks over the summer. Please check the website for dates and times, as well as talks. This coming weekend the the Scottish Festival comes to Uxbridge, always a great experience. Check out details.

I notice that signal lights of sorts have been added to the stop lights at the Sandford Road/ 6th Concession intersection. They are small lights over the sign but better than nothing, and hopefully it will prevent any more accidents at that corner. Some of my friends enjoyed the Pow Wow on Scugog Island. I have been a couple of times, but it’s been awhile. Always great to see and hear.

Sandford/Zephyr Church service was conducted this week by Darlene Hallett LLWL. Her message revolved around something most of us know about: weeds in our garden and the parables Jesus told about the farmer sowing good wheat and someone coming along and sowing weeds in the field. Jesus’ solution was to let them grow together until harvest, when they would both be pulled up, the wheat harvested and the weeds burned. We can never be sure who are weeds and who are wheat. We are not the judge. Next week at the Glen Major Church, the trio, Reflections, will bring their beautiful music for all to hear at 7 p.m. Next week is our final service at Sandford before our summer break. You are invited to join us for the service, with a picnic lunch to follow. Our next service will be on September 13th/26th.