Today, May 29, is the tenth anniversary of moving into this house that has been our home and haven. We were still feeling our way, then. A bit shell shocked, I think, and a bit giddy at the enormity of what we had done in crossing the pond.
April 25, 2021 – A little afternoon rest under the Oak tree.
As I’ve worked to pack up our home during the past few months, there have been so many memories. I’ve been a bit more ruthless about what I’m keeping. I have things that I haven’t looked at since I brought them here from Canada. Gone. Given to a local charity shop.
They’ve had their nap, now it’s time for food.The Goslings are safe as long as Mama and Papa are there.My sweetheart has been throwing food, but Papa wants me to know, he knows, I’m there.At one day old, they are still very tiny and vulnerable. And so sweet!While three of the Goslings sit and have a natter, two are over seeing what Mama and Papa are up to.Finally, all of the Goslings are on the move. Much easier to watch over.Papa has a look at my sweetheart, who’s talking to him, while the Goslings chill.And it’s time to have a swim, so down to the pond.
We have known such joy here, and heartache. We have fought mighty battles, and known peace and heart’s ease. We have celebrated new friendships, and mourned lost ones. We have missed our families, and created a new one in the friends we have found.
They’ve had their swim. Now it’s time for a walk and some food.Sometimes, you need to feed a bit before continuing.Little wings help to balance a fellow while he runs, you know.There’s always one that lags behind.There’s always something good under the Ash.They disappear amongst the Daffodils at this age. What’s over there, the little one seems to say, as Mama and Papa watch every direction at once. The Goslings are hidden, but vigilance is key at this age.
“Oh, you should see them. They’re right under the Ash!” I exclaimed the day after we first saw the Goslings last year.
“I’m going to feed them,” my sweetheart declared.
“You were going to wait until they were older,” I reminded him.
“I changed my mind!” he stated as he strode out the door with food in his hand and I grabbed my camera.
Papa lays down the ground rules with the Man, while Mama keeps the Goslings together.What are they going on about, the Goslings seem to say, as they cluster behind Mama.Oh look, something to eat!Hey guys, Mama’s eating something!!Is it good, Mama? Can I have some?“Mama, why didn’t you tell us about this?” the little one seems to say.And for the first time, I’m ‘seen’ by a Gosling.She’s comfy in her spot, while the others scramble about.What do you have over there?Really, is it good?Do you think it will still be there, tomorrow?
The next day, April 26, 2021, I didn’t see the family at all. I had been working at my desk most of the day; surely I would have seen them at some point.
Remembering the family that was wiped out a few years back, I was more than a little worried by 5:00 that afternoon, so I grabbed my camera and went out to find them. There was no sign of them on either pond. No sign in any of their usual spots. I became very concerned.
As I hurried around the corner of one of the ponds, I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of Papa and Mama in the high growth on the edge of the water.
I can’t see the Goslings and Mama and Papa seem tense. I edged a bit closer, trying to see if the Goslings were with Mama, but no joy.
This behaviour was uncharacteristic. I’d never seen them like this, ever. My hope was that it was rest time and the Goslings were nestled around Mama, hidden in the leaves. Slowly, I backed off and went back to the house.
About an hour later, I went out again. I walked all the way around the ponds and as I came back across the property, I was relieve and delighted to see the Canadians. All of them!
I could only see five clearly, but all six were there. Whew!
They were headed for the grass by the drive, so I hurried to catch up and walked with them at a distance as they went.
I speed walked to catch up.Thankfully, the Goslings needed to rest, so they had to stop.Mama and Papa and I had a companionable walk, the Goslings safely on the far side.There’s always one that has a sense of the elegant in the stretch of a leg.Oh, that looks good!
As the family paused in the drive, I had a fabulous photo op with them before heading happily back into the house.
Always on the hunt for something good.That looks interesting. Is it good?There’s always one that goes off in a different direction.First, you look at it with one eye.Then, you look at it with the other eye.Just chilling.
Fast forward back to this year, it’s been about three days since I last wrote. We are closer to our move date, my mortgage offer finally having come in and with only a few outstanding bits of information remaining.
I’ve had a quote from a mover and am now faced with trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my unpacked belongings. All the easy stuff is done. What’s left are the odds and sods, the overlooked items, drawers or containers I had forgotten to look at, awkward things like jig saws and drills, rolls of twine and vacuum parts. And everything else that we are still using.
But I rather know how Papa was feeling when he did this, last year. What I didn’t realise, of course is why he was doing it, but man would I ever like to just get it out of my system like he does.
Papa’s absolute discomfiture is apparent, but I can’t see why.As the Goslings gather closer to Mama, Papa begis to flex his wings.“Hide!” he seems to hiss, as the Goslings huddle under Mama.And then began an amazing display of wing power.As the display continues, the Goslings snuggle closer to the ground as Papa rises to full height.I still don’t know what he’s on at, but he really is upset. I wouldn’t want to get close!That point having been made, it was time to directly confront the threat.This explains it all. At three days old, the Goslings are still in danger from the local predators. This Crow was far too close.The Crow flies up to a branch as Papa turns back to his family.And it’s time for a bit of calm.
A bit of calm. Wow. That’s been in short supply this past eight months or so. Soon. I hope.
In the meantime, I feel rather like the Goslings … always moving and always vulnerable.
Always on the hunt for something good.That looks interesting. Is it good?There’s always one that goes off in a different direction.First, you look at it with one eye.Then, you look at it with the other eye.Just chilling.
Sometimes, you just have to stop.
April 30, 2022 – It’s shortly after noon and they’ve had their swim. Every family ends up under this tree at some point during the day.
This is the Jubilee weekend, here. The country is awash in Union Jacks, flags, bunting, Platinum Jubilee flags. It was fun driving to and from the grocery store, seeing all the creative ways people had of displaying their affection for the Queen.
A late afternoon walk up by the pasture.As always, the search for food is constant.A little spontaneous wing action begins. So young!And off goes another spontaneous wing training session.At least two of them seem to think it’s time for a swim. They’ve turned rather decisively toward the pond!
Last year, we were dreading a veterinary appointment with Aleksandra. We knew by then that something was very wrong. She was walking much more slowly, stopping to rest increasingly frequently, and asking to turn back earlier each time.
The Canadians helped keep us grounded and focussed on something other than our fears for our girl.
There’s always one that goes off on his or her own. There are lots of good things to eat here. Always alone, except for the parent that watches.Mama isn’t taking any chances. Allow the Gosling some freedom, but make sure she’s safe, just in case.I’ve been seen. The biggest threat, in this moment, is me with my camera.
Papa has a word with me, just in case.But all is well and Papa can relax a little.Good pickings in this spot!And still, there is one alone. Vigilance is key.While Papa watches, the Goslings feed.Something has caught Papa’s attention, but we’ll never know what it was.
That afternoon, I got this series of shots.
Papa has seen something. I don’t know what, but …He really checks it out. First ceck with one eye, Then check with the other eye.I’m a much more interesting subject, apparently.
The house purchase process is so much simpler in Canada. Here, it drags on and on with no end in sight. It can take up to six months! And right up to the eleventh hour, after months of this, one party or another can pull out, nixing the entire thing. The government is actually taking action to address this, because sales are being cancelled over it and people are losing out.
They’ve been for a swim, so now it’s time to eat their way across the yard.Papa stands just a bit taller to make sure who those other Geese are, but he’s not upset.The Goslings are content. They have lots to eat there. Papa just makes a point by getting a bit closer.And there is always one that roams off intrepidly, not yet aware of the dangers.
The thing is, we have no choice. We have to move. We have to work within the system here. The one constant for me, other than my sweetheart, my Wee Gurrl and the Canadians, has been packing. No matter what, we have to move and our home has slowly filled with boxes. Ready or not, we have to strike out on a new path.
May Day begins with Baryshnagoose. The Goslings are too hungry to admire it, however.
As I look back at last year, I can’t help but wonder what we could have done differently. Could we have seen certain signs and heeded them more quickly? I don’t know … but I can’t help but wonder. Second guessing the past is futile. I know that … but I can’t help but wonder.
It’s mid-aftgernoon and time for a swim. I have been seen where I stand on the banks. Mama leads the way.As Mr and Mrs Mallard happen by, some of the Goslings have seen something.Let’s go see that!A noise from Papa and all the Goslings are back on track. In the meantime, Mr Mallard is much more interested in grooming than swimming.As the Goslings gather adorably behind Papa, Mr Mallard has a sudden urge to check his underwing.Mama waits patiently as Papa brings the Goslings over.
But now, we have a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. We are within a few weeks. Soon, we can rest a little. So lovely to be able to lose myself in last year’s family for a while as I share their life with you.
Papa checks me out, as do Mama and the Goslings.They look for my sweetheart, but he isn’t there. Really, she seemst to say. Where’s the seed?Finally, Papa’s eagerness says. But no, it wasn’t seed, just something floating. I love how disciplined the Goslings are by Mama.The Man isn’t here and there’s no seed. Papa turns his back completely as if to show his disgust.The Goslings mill about under Mama’s watchful eye, while Papa takes the lead.Clearly disappointed in the lack of seed, the Canadians head off.But they are polite enough to turn and say good-bye. Don’t worry, they seem to say, we understand.They are being perfectly behaved, tucking in close behind Papa, while Mama hangs back slightly.But curious Goslings can’t see anything from back there.
In the end, things will either turn out the way we want them to, or they won’t. The strength lies in being able to just get on with things. You can fight for better circumstances, but at some point, you need to just deal with the inevitable, when the inevitable is clearly delineated, and move on.
They move through life together, good or bad, happy or sad. They stick together and work together to succeed. In their case, success is raising their Goslings to flight. Then living, to succeed again.
Living to succeed again … I like that outlook. Shit happens, my friends. My goodness, sometimes it happens in spades. It can overwhelm. It can shock and awe. But in the end, we do what we must to get through.
The British saying comes to mind: Keep Calm and Carry On.
Well, I can’t promise to keep calm throughout, but I’m all over carrying on.
I'm a Canadian who loves our planet and the people living on it. I also love to travel and take pictures. I'd like to think I've improved a little, but am pretty sure there's room to be better.
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A Canuck's Eye View 
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