We gathered a random collection of recent experiences and encounters around town to share with you.
The Seed Library
We love libraries. Either for physical books or the convenience of borrowing an eBook online. But did you know that some libraries offer seeds? Well, around here they do! You can “borrow” seed from a long list of available seeds and below are a few that we chose to start with.
They come with information
and planting instructions,
and you don’t actually have to return them (since you can’t if you plant them), but you are encourage to harvest your own seeds and share.
Between these seeds and other seeds that we already had, we have a small grow-op going.
By the way, some other things you may be able to borrow from the library here are snow shoes, weeklong passes to provincial parks, and passes to museums. How cool is that?
Trees of distinction
Sarnia has a small brochure that identifies trees of distinction around town. The other day we stopped by one of them, a large bur oak tree.
It’s a very large tree that can live about 300 years. We are not sure how old this tree is, but it looks like its been here for a long time.
We ‘ll try and visit some of the other trees when they have leaves on.
swimming with icebergs
Although the weather is warming up quickly, it is far from swimming weather and the shoreline is still encased in beautiful ice dunes.
This is how we dress when we go for a walk on the beach: Winter jacket over a hoodie, winter hat, gloves, and a neck warmer.
But not this guy. He said that for the past two years he’s been coming for a swim every day! Some people swim with dolphins, but our Sarnian friend swims with icebergs.
He definitely looks healthy.
Spring is in the air
The ice is receding rapidly and dumping rocks and beach glass in its wake. But look how blue the water is!
We even saw a few robins around town so we know that spring is around the corner.
Grandpuppies updates
Penny is almost a complete grown up and is learning how to quietly manipulate her human.
Parker had his first vet visit for his shots and the vet thinks he will be 70-80 lbs! Yikes! Here he is after one of his puppy crazies.
What a life!
Great post! Interesting info about the seeds. What a great idea. Btw, these dogs are beautiful.
Thanks, Fawaz! i love the seed library idea too. And the dogs, of course 🙂 Any trips planned?
Yes what a life. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time enjoying your life.
I meant what a life these dogs have, but, I have to agree that ours are are not too bad 🙂
We picked up a packet of heirloom tomato’s and lettuce from the Pinnacle peak branch of the Phoenix public library a week ago. Wonder how well they will do back in Niagara?
You can borrow fishing equipment from the Chippawa branch library in Niagara Falls.
Seeds from Sarnia will probably do fine Don. I think we’re all in the same growing zone. Unless you mean Phoenix Arizona. Then perhaps not so good.
I love how libraries are reinventing themselves, while still keeping their identity! Good like with your Phenix seeds and let us know how they did!
That Penny has it going on 🙂
She sure does and she know it!
We do not get anything at our libraries in U.S. except books and DVD movies to watch and return. How neat your libraries are. Oh that guy swimming with ice bergs made me feel so cold – goodness!! Looks as if the dogs are doing well.
Don just posted above that he got seed from the library in Phoenix. You may want to look closer on your library’s website asd they don’t always advertise this!
Surprised they get seed in Phoenix. I will check and see if our libraries offer anything free. I know they don’t in the town near us.
What a great idea with the seeds! I will be looking for a picture of your tomatoes in a few months 😄
Wow that guy sure has my respect. I can’t even imagine how cold the water would be 🥶
Your grand puppies are doing well! Our dogs are both in that weight range. Loads of fun to come 😂
I hope that the tomatoes will do well here! Parker is becoming quite the little terrorist…
I love the seed library! What a great idea
Isn’t it? We love it too!
Great ideas all, except for perhaps the iceberg swimming. Brrrr! I’d rather cuddle up warm and toasty with those doggies. They are welcome to manipulate me anytime. So adorable.
Yeah, not going anywhere near the water yet 😊
Your dogs look so beautiful and healthy! Also, seeing water freeze and thaw is an amazing spectacle!
Thank you! And, yes, I can watch the beach change its shape and colours for hours!
It sure seems like you’ve found the perfect landing spot in retirement. Those puppies sure grow up quickly, at least physically, though we always have to waif for them to mature. I have a couple of friends who go for a dip in the Pacific Ocean each day. I don’t know that much about it, but they do it for health reasons. Maybe you need to get Tony a new bathing suit. 🤣
I also think we did! Yeah, the guy said that this is part of a health regime that he is doing. I told him that I will probably die from a heart attack if I tried this…
Others have also noted this, but I love the seed packets! I do not have a “green thumb” in any wya, so information on how to grow them properly is really useful to me!
I love them too, and the information that comes with them is really helpful! Let’s see what the results will be 🙂
As someone who is the public library profession, I will second your shoutout for libraries, even if I’m biased. And seed libraries are truly awesome!
I love the promotion for local trees. We take them for granted and I love that your town promotes the unique ones in your community.
Swimming in iceberg sounds like a great way to wake up!
Oh, I didn’t know that you worked in a library! Very cool and I think that libraries need to be supported and promoted as much as possible, especially now that our lives are so digital. I hope to see more of those trees and learn to identify them better. As to swimming with iceberg…for me it looks like a permanent wake up, or an instant death 🙂
the seed library is such a good idea, as is The Trees of Distinction.
And that guy that swims everyday, he may be in good shape but he’s crazy! 🙂
I agree with all of the statements above!
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I’m not a gardener, but the concept of a seed library sounds ingenious: I can imagine it must be perfect for avid green thumbs! Sounds like being back home and in its comforts is treating you well (and your dog is so cute; he’s really growing up!).
I thought it was an amazing idea too! Yes, being home and planting in the garden is fun, but it will not keep us off the open road for long!
Nice post format! It makes you keep an eye on everything that might be interesting in everyday life. Commonplace at home but exotic from elsewhere
Thank you and you make a very good point. For us it’s all still exotic as we discover all the new things in our new city.
I understand, in a few years you will be swimming with icebergs routinely. 🙂
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Love your puppy. Yes, he’ll be big. You’d better save your nickels for dog food. Ha. ha.
Wish we had a seed library. I just have pots on a balcony so my extra seeds live in my freezer — but spring is here!!!! Yeah! Each year spring has promise…..
Spring in Canada is the promise of life. At least for those of us who don’t ski, that is.
I love this seed library idea, I think this is the second year they are offering. But how neat is that you can borrow a park or museum pass? I’ll definitely look into this, great tips🙂
I really think that these initiatives are simply wonderful! They are educational, provide accessibility, and promote equality in education. All of these are so important today!
I actually checked my library this morning🙂They are offering park passes only, and the wait list is quite long, but there are also some availabilities. Always good to know!
I’ve never heard of a seed library before, but I love the idea of it. I’m hoping to plant some veggies this spring. Apparently there are a lot of health benefits of cold water swimming or cold water therapy, but it does not seem appealing. That is one brave dude. It’s amazing how different the beach looks. It’s supposed to reach a high of 18C on Thursday, that’s practically shorts wearing weather!
It’s a wonderful idea! Ther guy did say that he is doing this for health reasons and that he’s never been healthier. Good for him. We are very ready for these shrt-weather days!
I didn’t know libraries shared seeds. Thanks for the info. My daughter also swims in Lake Ontario all year round. One time her hair immediately froze into icicles when she stepped out of the lake. Crazy!
That’s insane and brave at the same time! I can barely go in the water in the summer 🙂
Penny is clearly trying to put thoughts into people’s heads. Parker is just so cute! The seed library is an interesting idea.
They are booth really cute!
Brrr! Swimming in snow and ice, yikes! There is a university near here that has a seed-sharing program. I’m not much of a gardener, but some friends have used it extensively. Great idea.
I thought is was insane, but he looked healthy, so maybe there is merit to this craziness!