Sitka = 2 ; Strawberries =0

So far, the predator had the upper hand. Or the upper paw. In any case, some strawberries vanished recently, with Sitka’s signature on it: the stalks cut neatly where the fruit should be. She grabs the strawberry and just pulls on it. 

She did it in one fluid movement right under my eyes one morning and I did not even have time to say the magic word: NO! This was one strawberry I had my eyes on, almost ready to eat. Sitka looked very pleased with herself and I wonder for a moment: this could have been the work of a slug or a bird. Maybe I’d rather have my faithful puppy enjoy it? Or not.

In another corner of the yard where I don’t go very often, I discovered that same day that blueberries bushes planted there two years ago have been fruitful. The blueberries are pink and delicious. They are called “Pink lemonade blueberries”. Strangely enough, Sitka never took notice. Maybe she does not like pink?

A strawberry in peril

Fruits are growing in short number in the yard. However, a few strawberries have been showing up, with the support of abundant sunshine and patient streaming of water. 

But a predator is roaming, fast and experienced. She will not hesitate to snatch away an unripe fruit – even if it is still a flower. 

I am watching but the animal is sneaky. Who will have the last word – and the strawberry? Suspense is on… 

The Day the Icicles Ruled

Each storm has its own way to transform the daily lives of whoever meets its path. We were used to face guts of winds and abundant showers. This time, the real disruption arrived silently, discreetly after the snow.

For 12 hours, a relentless freezing rain fell. Every surface got coated with ice. Ice is heavy… The branches of the trees started to lean then broke, taking with them cables and phone lines along the roads.

On the morning of the 19th, we lost power for the second time. We were not the only ones: the radio (powered by batteries) let us know that over 250 000 homes were in the dark too. Teams from California and Oregon were called to assist the exhausted repair teams. The icy roads were treacherous. And our home was getting fresh.  

The puppies were interested by the turn of event: after they experienced their paws sinking deep in the snow, they now were able to walk on the white smooth shell.

The next day, the temperature rose. We were still in the dark but the icy roads were turning into slush. So we went looking for food – and a warm drink. It was 57 in our living room.  Our whole neighborhood was cut off power. Even Walmart or Target were closed. What happened to their generators? After a few miles of traffic jam on Meridian, we reached an opened (and very full) Starbuck. Ah, the joy of a Tall Hot Chocolate with No Whip!

Later that afternoon, the light came back. Our phone line stayed mute for two more days but with our cell phones and our computers back on track, we were ok. Poor Irvin… He spent his birthday in the semi-darkness of the icicles shadows.

Blueberry Thief!

We are very happy with our blueberry bush this year. Summer was rainy and cold so it bloomed late but with fortitude and its fruits came to maturity early this September. Even before harvest, I noticed that bunches of fruits would vanish, as if delicately picked while no leaves would be damaged. The mystery just got solved… No comment.