Geese figure out the meaning of life

The heat continues to beat down. To think that a mere 10 days or so ago, it was snowing. What consistently astounds me – and if you have heard this before, have pity on Mrs. Ottawacker, who gets the full, unedited version of my repetition on a daily basis – is the speed with which nature revitalizes itself.
 
Whereas last week, the first buds were tentatively appearing on the trees, colour was peeking above the parapets in the hope the shelling had stopped, now we are in complete festival of colour mode. The trees that surround our garden have changed from sickly, spindly sticks to fully canopied sky covers in a week. I am reminded of the scene in Jurassic Park where the Dilophosaur turns from cuddly little reptile to poison spitting killer by opening up its fan.
 
The world continues to amaze and disappoint in equal measure. The latest “crock-a” from the UK involves the government-advising eugenicist Dominic Cummings, who fearing he had Covid19, drove his wife and four-year-old child from London to Durham – some 270 miles – to his elderly parents so he could get child care. Apart from the complete lack of judgement he showed in exposing his parents to this hugely contagious virus, he also broke lockdown regulations; the very ones he helped put in place. Obviously he has to go – you cannot have people undermining the very health regulations that protect the country – yet, so far, there has been little condemnation from Johnson or the government. Indeed, so far, the comments are supportive, saying it is what any father would do.
 
I like to think I am a reasonable father – certainly, I have the best interests of Ottawacker Jr. at heart – but if Mrs. Ottawacker or I had Covid19, we would not be travelling to North Bay to pass it on to Mrs. Ottawacker’s father. Especially if, as a government adviser, I was able to receive support in situ.
 
The rest of the day was much more pleasant. Mrs. Ottawacker took OJr. on a long bike ride (only one injury) and then on a visit to Vincent Massey Park. It was almost empty, and pleasing to see that in Ottawa, at least, people are still maintaining social distancing.

Back home to wreck a little more of the garden with goalkeeping practice, a good session of Lord of the Rings, in which we travelled to the land of Lothlórien (also known as page 365 or the point at which it is still possible to return), showers and dinner. 
 
Today’s blip was taken by Ottawacker Jr. on his bike ride. The Canadian geese, dominating the path and the park, chasing off errant joggers and would-be cyclists, are captured in more peaceable, cuddly mode. Rather like the Dilophosaur before its moment of attack.

And if you have not heard Canadian Geese by Damien Dempsey, it is well worth a good five-minutes of your life.