How to make a snow lantern
(Found here at instructables.com.)
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Archive for December, 2008
There really is a power problem
So apparently that power use warning is for real after all. The Nanaimo Daily News has the story. Gabriola Islanders are being asked by B.C. Hydro to reduce their power consumption, and/or shift the times of the day they use more power, over the Christmas season. The best line is attributed to BC Hydro spokesman [...]
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How’s this for a strange snow shovel?
Pardon my obsession with the snow these days — it’s just that I haven’t a hope of going anywhere until I shovel the driveway, and (after much effort!) I am only one-seventh of the way done. So this is an interesting product. It’s called the wovel, and is supposed to make it easier and faster [...]
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How snow is saving you money
Is the snow getting you down? Here’s cheer, then! I bet you’re saving money in these areas, all because of the snowfall:
Filed in Gabriola Island,weather Comments Off
Uh-oh! A power-usage warning
I’ve had several versions of this email today: BC Hydro phoned our RDN rep Gisele Rudischer and said that they are trying to stabilize our power today and would like us to cut back our usage. They are worried that we will lose our electricity. It is especially important to conserve during the peak hours [...]
Filed in Gabriola Island,Nanaimo Comments Off
How much snow?
"So how much snow did you get on Gabriola, anyway?" This is what my city friends are asking. And here — this is how much snow we have in our back yard. I’d guess that lots of places on Gabriola have about 15 inches of snow, but at our house we’re extra lucky. In other [...]
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Beekeeping on Gabriola
Remember the beekeeping course I mentioned the other day? I’ve been thinking about that, partly because I need a warm-weather thing to think about in the midst of all this snow. And who doesn’t like honey? Besides, the idea of being a beekeeper has a certain appeal. What I’m wondering is: could I do it, [...]
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On thawing frozen water pipes
Our water pipes froze during that power outage the other day, so we’ve had no water for a while. Today The Guy Who Knows (GWK) came by to thaw our pipes for us. GWK’s approach involves using a propane-powered blow-torch to thaw the earth and the lines from the cistern to the house. It’s alarming [...]
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Gabriola recreation programs, winter 2009
Oooh, new stuff! The Gabriola Recreation Society has posted their list of new programs. They’ve got the usual assortment of programs for kids, and the usual assortment of fitness and sports things as well. This, though — this seems more than usually interesting: BEEKEEPING — February/March; Gabriola Commons, 4 sessions, plus field trip; $150 Join [...]
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Oh, brrr
Oh, man, wasn’t that frustrating: no power for 19 hours. I spent the whole time thinking about the warm shower I was planning to have when the power came on. (People from elsewhere, note: we can’t run water when the power’s out here, because the pump that brings water from the well or from the [...]
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In snow: things to be grateful for
In the midst of a Gabriola blizzard, these ten things make me happy: The neighbour who sometimes clears everybody’s driveways. (What should I get him for Christmas?) Drivers who are willing to pick up hitchhikers. Businesses that welcome the occasional dog inside, thus making it possible for a dog owner to hike to the village [...]
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Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Have you noticed that brochures and pamphlets that promote Gabriola –usually published by tourism-based businesses or realtors– never seem to include photos like this? (Click on image thumbnail for larger version.) I suppose we wouldn’t want to admit that we’ve had to shovel snow every day for the last week. Ah well. It’s beautiful, and [...]
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It never snows here?
Dear neighbours from the cold north of Ontario, Somebody told you that you’d love it here, partly because it never snows on Gabriola. I notice that your truck is now covered in snow, and that you haven’t a prayer of getting out your driveway anytime within the next week or so. I bet you wish [...]
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All you want to do is dance, dance!
Well, goodness! We have a new dance teacher on Gabriola. From MaraGoldTheatre.com: Miss Mara recently moved here from Bowen Island where she had a thriving dance school for 16 years. (…) She creates ballet and pilates programs for children, teens, adults, and seniors that encourage the development of strong technique, body awareness, poise, and grace. [...]
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Let me translate that weather forecast for you
What Environment Canada says: Snowfall warning in effect. Today: Periods of snow. Amount 10 to 15 cm. Windy. High zero. Tonight: Flurries. Amount 5 cm. Windy. Low minus 8. Wind chill minus 16. Thursday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries in the morning and afternoon. Clearing late in the day. Windy. High minus 4. [...]
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Island Marble butterfly
I don’t usually think of butterflies while in the midst of a snowstorm, but look what showed up over here on biologicaldiversity.org yesterday: The island marble butterfly faces multiple threats from development, road maintenance, invasive plants and severe weather events. The butterfly historically lived along coastal grasslands and adjacent prairies in British Columbia on Gabriola [...]
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Christmas concert postponed
A while back I blogged about the Christmas Gloria concert, which was to happen at Gabriola United Church today. The concert has been cancelled due to the snow, so please stay home today even if you’ve got a ticket. The event will be re-scheduled for sometime in January.
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Huckleberries in the snow
Evergreen huckleberry has been one of my favourite island plants for years now, ever since I discovered that the berries are scrumptious. I’m used to eating them in the summer or early fall. And, since I eat them, the ones around here are all gone. So what a happy surprise today, while stumbling around in [...]
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