We are suffering through the 4th(?) cold snap since it started to get warmer here in the Soo. The spring was already pretty cold but with all these regressions it’s been impossible to get anything planted. It will be June before we can solidly get the garden going, which isn’t too far out of the norm but it’s still disheartening.

Last winter was one of the worst on records, it actually broke the snowfall record. Yeah you move to northern Ontario you got to expect that but with climate change it’s getting worse. There is also talk that this summer is going to be a real hot one. For once I’m ready for the warmth.

Sometimes I wish I had an organized method for what chores I end up doing each Saturday. It tends to be a hodgepodge of whatever I think needs doing. Rake leaves? Clean the utility room? Bathrooms? Change a light fixture? It’s all lopped in there together.

I guess it works for my brain because I need a change of scenery more often than others. If I were to clean all the hardwood floors in the house, I would get bored of it after a half hour and rush through the rest. But if I say I’m only going to clean the hardwood floors in the living room, then my brain accepts that and I get a little hit of dopamine when I finish.

It’s a weird way to operate but it works well for me and my wife. I tend to clean more often and do smaller jobs while she can dedicate a whole day to doing one large chore. What that means is that the floors get swept multiple times a week and the shower also gets a nice deep clean. I am glad we can complement each other in such a way.

So this summer Kate and I are having a fence built around our home. We had been thinking of this since last year but with the theft of my bikes it became a higher priority. Plus with a fence, Moon can run around in the backyard unleashed.

Phase 1 happened today. We had the cedars betwen my property and our neighbours removed. To be honest, while I hate to cut down a tree, these weren’t in the best condition. None of the trees along this property line are. With that said, all but one are going to come down as apart of this fence build. That last one will get some TLC from us to see if we can save it.

Last Friday I went to the garage and found the side door open, not unusual since that latch sometimes doesn’t catch but when I walked to the car I noticed something looked off. It only took a second to realize my commuter bike and my gravel bike were gone. I could talk about my feelings about the violation of my space and the heartbreak of losing that commute bike which I had for 19 years but I won’t. Its life, it happens, it sucks.

After that I did all the things that one would expect. I called the cops to submit a report and fixed the door (even added a padlock!). I then bought some security cameras. Kate and I were also talking about building a fence and that idea went from a possibility to a definite. It won’t happen again as long as I keep up my security posture, not because I am making some sort of fortress but because the opportunity costs won’t be there. Cameras, fence, and locks mean more chances to get caught and there are easier targets around.

I am trying not judge everyone by this incident. I live close to a poorer neighbourhood and I don’t want to start thinking of the people I see trying to live their lives as wanton criminals and drug addicts. It’s easy to do after an incident like this but I am trying not to make my hurt turn into hate.

Climate change is a wild one. Living by Lake Superior I already knew that the weather could get erratic but this year has taken it up a notch. We are exiting the largest snowfall on record for my town and a winter that just did not want to quit. Now the temperature has risen dramatically and we are hitting a stretch of sunny weather causing massive flooding. Our house is ok since we are on the hill but others aren’t so lucky. The summer is predicted to be warmer than normal, just like last year.

The extremes will soon become the normal and then new extremes will come. I wonder what that will look like for us? This picture is from 2 days ago and that snow hill is now half that size…