Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Love the Chase

You love the chase, but hate me for the run around ~ Sara Bareilles

The summer is proving to be one of minimal blogging. I'm snapping photos. I'm even uploading and sorting through them, from time to time. But when it comes time to actually creating a blog post, I am lagging behind. Similarly, I have been slacking off of the blog visits lately. As I type this, I have 386 unread posts in my Feedly list. And I'm not going to get to most of them anytime soon. Summer has a way of keeping me from spending a lot of time in front of the computer.

Here's some of what's keeping my focus, these days.

My older son, Jeffrey has been living in Cold Lake, Alberta (a four day drive) for the last couple of years. For the next few months though, he'll be closer to home as he is on course in Borden, Ontario (a three hour drive. He's figuring that he'll probably end up back in Cold Lake once he is done but from now until November, I'll get to see my boy every couple of weeks or so. He traveled across country with his cat, Hunter, who has joined our menagerie for those few months. That's creating a bit of a challenge for all of us. Hunter got along well with Benny, right off the bat. Zephyr (luke) warmed to him after a few days. Skittles is not impressed with this young (Hunter is 3 and my guys are 15), playful and at times, domineering cat, and he has turned this competition for top cat into a pissing contest - literally. Hunter is a very sweet, loving and gentle cat and I think that for the most part, he's just trying to engage him in play but he's bigger, stronger and far more rambunctious than my guys and it comes across as aggressive. It's a challenge but I think/hope that Skitty will accept him as part of the group before too much longer. Until then, buy stock in cleaning supplies and odour neutralizers.

Caroline and Lloyd are the best neighbours I've ever had. They lived next door to me at my previous home for over twenty years and losing them as next door neighbours was one of the hardest parts about leaving my street. They are up here visiting for a few days and have hit the lake fishing shortly after sunrise. They are out there in search of our lunch as I type. Frank is less of a morning person but we'll probably join them out there a little later on. I figured I could take advantage of some quiet time and get this blog post out.

This one is for all you Benny fans.

I have been keeping a list of the various animals I have seen since moving here. The mammals are many and the birds, even more so - several of which I'd never seen before.

mallard drake
But on this day, it was a pair of simple Mallards which waddled around on the grass near the water's edge. You can easily see the drake but the female is kind of hidden in the grass closer to the water.





mallard pair and trouble
Of course, Benny spotted them too and if there's something that a Jack Russell Terrorist must do, it's chase. Here he is, not so subtly sneaking up on them.





mallard run
Quick as he is, ducks are even faster - particularly when their necks are at risk.





mallard be gone
Plus they can fly.





mallards - Benny job is done
Panicked birds can leave quite the wake. Bored with their easy departure, Benny turns back for home. His job is done.





mallard mama
Benny receives a good scolding from the safety of the water.

More photos coming up... eventually.

47 comments:

DJan said...

Thanks for the Benny pictures from one of his greatest fans. I hope you enjoy your days away from the computer and enjoying the summer, mosquitoes and all. :-)

Anvilcloud said...

Glad that life is ... um ... just ducky.

Brian Miller said...

hey life is made to be lived right? smiles...enjoy it while you have it...smiles...and great to see benny as well..ha...

joeh said...

It's warm, you live on a lake, stay off the computer for a bit.

Theresa said...

LOL, Benny pics always make my day.
Nothing like a good chase for a JRT and they certainly go at it whole heartedly.
Enjoy your summer, the computer is a patient sort. :)

Gillian Olson said...

Benny is quite a character. Hope you have a relaxing summer, computers and sun screen somehow don't go together.

TexWisGirl said...

benny is all boy and all terrier. :) so glad you're getting to see your son more often for a while, but sorry about the boy cats doing their marking! ugh!

enjoy your neighbors' visit! blogland can wait. :)

Gail Dixon said...

Enjoy your summer Hilary! Sounds like a fun-filled one. Love that shot of the duck showing her displeasure and enjoyed seeing Benny. Thank you for indulging us Benny fans. :)

Out on the prairie said...

Lots of fun, I miss hearing from you

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

I love it when you post. Always something wonderful to share. Benny is the best little dog. Love that he does his job so well. But the ducks won't be signing up for his fan club anytime soon. I've been away from blogging myself. Summer is a time of "other stuff to do" and we should enjoy it. xoxo Oma Linda

Daryl said...

Hunter sounds like our Harry …. Jack hissed at him for weeks before deciding that he would let him be the alpha … Jack's so laid back he lets Harry rule and it works .. i hope your guys all work it out … soon

Rita said...

So great that you got to visit with your old neighbors!

Mallards are so funny when they scold and complain about bad treatment. Not that Benny cared one bit--LOL! :)

Summer is a busy time. We'll be here when you have time. But I think you may have to delete some blog posts--LOL! That's just too many to read. That happens to me on occasion, too. May happen more now with the grandbaby due soon. Real life comes before virtual life, I guess. ;)

messymimi said...

It's so nice that you are enjoying your new home!

L. D. said...

I see your dog believes it is his job to clear the yard of all ducks. It is cute to see the terrier barking at them. We have two terriers in our neighborhood and there is always actions happening with these dogs.

Cloudia said...

I loved Benny's duck story so much and needed a good soul laugh.

Glad you are in such a place, with such friends, family and companions.

I will eagerly snap up whatever you put up, but take real vicarious pleasure too in yours. . . .so unwind by the lake for me
:-)



ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= <3




stephen Hayes said...

That duck does look good and cranky at being chased.

Red said...

Military life is full of changes. there are always courses and then thee are moves and then promotions. I'm proud of my son for putting in 5 years in reserve forces.

Tabor said...

It is hard being away from your children, but they must follow their own paths and I find mine have returned, which makes me so happy. I keep wishing we could get a dog, but our current travel and the huge amount of ticks in tnis area have put me off.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

haha, a visiting cat WOULD create some waves, hmm?

ADRIAN said...

Great shots of the terrorist.
My two are almost reliable when it comes to chasing birds and animals but it is a continual battle.

Betty Manousos said...

enjoy your summer my dear friend!
summer shouldn't be spent sitting indoors in front of the computer.

enjoyed seeing benny!:)) good boy!

happy summer!
big hugs~

Crabby McSlacker said...

Oh dear, so sorry about the Pissing Contest! Cats are so funny the way they express themselves, and by "funny" I mean annoying as hell.

Sounds quite lovely to be catching up with friends and seeing more of your son and snapping photos and enjoying your beautiful surroundings, don't let blog guilt spoil anything, we'll always be hanging out waitin' for ya!

Linda said...

Thanks for the Benny update. He seems to like his new home just fine. I also suspect we will be seeing some baby pictures soon. A friend of ours has a duck nesting in her herb pot on her deck.

ellen abbott said...

life tends to get in the way. what I want to know is what's the deal with the wheelbarrow full of sticks that was in every picture.

Lisa Gordon said...

Summer is most definitely a time for slacking off. At least here where summers are so short, and winters so long.

I just love your little Benny!

happy day to you, Hilary. :-)

Shammickite said...

You are easing off the blogging for all the right reasons... summer and sunshine and visitors and fishing and being by the water and... and... well, lots more reasons to get way from the computer screen.
Bet those ducks had a few choice words to say about Benny1

Lynne with an e said...

Apologies accepted. Benediction granted (not to be confused with Benny addiction). Go forth and revel in the blessings that summer brings, guilt- blog- and -comment box free!

Anonymous said...

Sounds as if life is idyllic! Nice to see Benny!

Kamana said...

enjoy your summer.

Glo said...

I can see Benny is not ducking his duties of protecting the home front! Way to go Benny ~ and great picto-story Hilary! Enjoy your summer :)

Maggie May said...

Naughty Benny! You might have had a roast duck lunch!

Good you will be seeing more of your son and I hope Hunter and the others soon get the right pecking order without causing too much disruption and boundary spraying!
Maggie x

Nuts in May

Friko said...

Actually, I think that duck is having a good laugh at Benny!

I know what you mean about summer blogging. It doesn’t seem quite so important or necessary as it does in winter.

Enjoy your son while he’s near.

Slamdunk said...

I think summer has that effect on most of us--blogging takes a backseat to all things family and outdoors.

Glad to see Benny is doing his part and the ducks know who is boss.

Mandy said...

I've been blogging for a long time now too and I've always noticed people are busiest in their 'real lives' over summer! When I'm busy I just allow myself a nice long break, come back refreshed, clear my Feedly and start again. Have a lovely summer!!

Eddie Bluelights said...

Quite a chase!
Glad the ducks got away LOL

Hey Hilary, can I nominate Hilary for POPTW for her remarkable acount of D-Day,

http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/d-day-remembrances-70-years-on-6th-june.html

Thanks ~ Eddie x

Jenn Jilks said...

Benny is a hoot! Our cats chase the ducks, too. sigh.
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

Bone said...

Gotta love the scolding!

My cat caught a bird once :-/ I know it's their natural instinct and all, but it still broke my heart.

Hope your summer is full of smiles.

Anonymous said...

What a delightful series of images. And the final images with the duck scolding Benny is hilarious. Very well done.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Enjoy the time with your son and company. Summer is short and I'm sure the winter will provide you with more than chance to catch up.

Bob Bushell said...

Naughty Benny, lol.

Suldog said...

I am much the same vis-a-vis blogging. Just don't have the verve.

Still love your photos, though, and always a joy to see Benny in action!

Scott Law said...

Looks like fun for Benny and I doubt that he cares about the scolding.

Anonymous said...

I love seeing Benny in action! I still laugh, remembering the squirrel he would play games with. Enjoy your summer and the chance to spend time with your boy! I bet that's worth all the extra cleaning.

Mage said...

I too am running behind myself these days, but it's such a pleasure to stop in and see Benny chasing the ducks. :)

Unknown said...

This sounds to me like time well spent, Hilary. Enjoy yourself!

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

Summertime and the livin' is easy... if you are Benny! It's good to read that you are spending time with beloved friends and family. That is much more important than unread blog posts in a feed reader.
Not so good to know that you are dealing with cat pee (oh, my! Is there anything worse?) and attempting to make one peace within your household. If only Skitty could know it is just for a few short months...
(He has Cleopatra's commiserate sympathy -- we tried to accommodate my mom's cat here, with 2 months of misery for all. Luckily it didn't go from hissing to pissing!)

SandyCarlson said...

I love the chase, too!