The Days are Lengthening - the Light is Growing

The days are getting longer and warmer.


It is lighter in the evening as I put little James to bed.


The sun glows against the edges of the sky when we wake up.


I know we'll have more snow, but 6 degrees above freezing is a nice interlude.


I'll take it.


Light is good for me for taking pictures and I am looking forward to getting out here and there to take this year's crop of pics.


And while I'm at it, I'll get a few of those bushcraft projects done.


Hope y'all had a nice weekend,


Cheers,

Mungo

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Planning a Dramatic Modification to a Buck Vanguard & More...

It's been fairly quiet on Mungo Says Bah! of late - this doesn't mean that Mungo's life has been quiet. Little James has started day care, Spring is back at work, and I've been working away while our company has been broadcasting the Olympic Games in Vancouver.



Some moments at work - as always - are awfully exciting, some are fairly benign, and some are dreadfully banal. I work in I.T. and many people in I.T. enjoy using jargon and Three Letter Acronyms (TLAs) with reckless abandon - to wit:



With everything going on, I've been making notes to myself to post various pieces on equipment tips, net-making (in the comfort of your own home - sounds catchy, huh?), and I am planning a dramatic modification on a wood-handled Buck Vanguard (non Zipper variation) to closely meet the specifications of a bush knife that Mors Kochanski describes in Northern Bushcraft. Hint: For the latter, I am going to use my Dremel with reckless abandon.

Cheers,

Mungo

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Mungo Says Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year to All!

Well, another year has scooted past and what a year it has been. We were at the hospital last January and all of a sudden a bunch of green clad doctors said 'Here' and presented us with a visitor. I snipped his umbilical cord, and Spring revived from surgery and held him closely. His name - we decided - was James Ozan. He has been an incredible joy to be with. This experience has woken me up and Spring is learning to live with a better fellow - I hope.


In less than a fortnight we'll be celebrating his first birthday. I think a very basic bushcraft kit for him - some string, a pot, a spork, a bowl and maybe a compass. I'll make him a little woolen jacket from a blanket.


Spring makes an appearance in the photograph above - she's the one attached to the hand feeding James. As you can see, she is looking healthy and happy, and will be returning to work in the new year. Mixed feelings about that. James is going to daycare - a really nice place.


The winter is upon us now - the Winter Solstice arrived a couple of nights ago. This means fires in the valley and a chance to sleep in the woods.


I will need to bribe Spring to allow me out to do this. I will go with a minimum of kit. It will be good and I will document it.


But until then, we all wish you Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year.


Stay warm by a fire or under a wool blanket and remember Of Each Other We Should Be Kind While There Is Still Time.


Cheers,

Mungo

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A Walk on the Weekend With Few Words

Here are a few pictures from a walk on the weekend:

































Hope you had a nice weekend,

Mungo

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A Bumblebee, A Beagle, and a Future Camping Trip

We dressed James up as a bumblebee on Halloween.


He was a very determined bumblebee.


After a quick visit to the leaves on the front lawn, we visited a few neighbours and collected a few treats.


He is growing up quickly - two little teeth are beginning to appear in his mouth. He can say 'Da-da' and 'Ma-ma' and 'guhguh-ihgu-eeeeeei'. While he his not crawling, he is able to piece together various rolling movements to arrive at his intended location. Roll, rotate, roll, rotate, roll.


He is getting interested in Monty. He spent a while tussling with his tail. At one point he lifted the tail, and prompted Monty's natural gaseous inclinations to emerge. This brought pause to James, who then spent the next minute or two watching the tail end carefully, trying to figure out what happened. Monty happily chewed away on his toy. I am really happy that the two of them get along - you don't want an irritated dog around a child.


It won't be long until he is able to come camping with his Daddy. Mummy will help get him all ready, and will wish us lots of luck, and keep down the fort while we are away. Daddy will remain in cell phone contact by staying close to a cell tower, and report every hour on our progress. This probably won't take place until next year though.

Hope you're all having a good day!

Mungo

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Fall is Coming to the Park

Fall is coming to the park.


Though colours remain,


the last of the perennials are blooming.


Crabapples are glowing.


Canada geese are headed south.


A blurry hummingbird is having a snack - I wonder if they migrate south too.


The maple leaves are turning red on some of the trees.


Squirrels are active - hoarding acorns and any food they can find.


Blackeyed Susans remain tall.


Coneflowers are Echinecia.


James and me.


James and me.


A big ol' fungus sticking out of the ground.


A big ol' plane flying overhead.


Lines in the air.


An American Goldfinch eating the coneflower seeds.


They're flighty.


Bright colours before everything turns cool and brown.


Another big plane flying overhead.


I'm getting awfully artsy with these shots.


James like to concentrate on things.


He likes the grass.


And the leaves - I carry him past low hanging branches and he grabs for the leaves.


Cicadas have emerged from their carapaces and sung their last songs of the year.


They're still about, in a way.


At one point, a Spitfire flew overhead. Seriously. A Spitfire.


James concentrated on the ground.


The ground caused him to giggle.


He looked about.


He thought long and hard.

He is going to enjoy nature, I hope.

Cheers,

Mungo

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