Things that happen around my house

Friday, April 25, 2008

Backyard Ponds

Now that summer is almost upon us, people are starting to clean up debri from the winter. We had lots of dog poop to clean up since we have 2 large dogs. My son was good in keeping it clean until the snow came then it was covered and we had to wait for the melt-down to come along.

My son built this pond for me. It is a pre-fab pond and can be bought at Home Depot, and some stores that sell aquariums and such. We tried different ideas for our pond, and the first time we set it up, I wasn't quite satisfied with it, I knew something was missing. I had my plants and statues, but I just couldn't put a finger on it as to what it was. Well, my son came up with a plan. He went and purchased stones for the front and red wood chips for around the back. The large flat stones was part of the original beginnings of the pond and has a waterfall going into the pond. When I saw the finished work, I was totally awe-struck. It was beautiful, and was something I was proud of.

I put in 3 large goldfish, about the size of Koi. I didnt use Koi, because they can really make a mess of the water. They like to dig in the plants and stir up plant dirt and then you end up with the water being very murky. I was lucky, because we have raccoons around the neighbourhood and I was afraid they might try and eat my fish. With lots of plants in the water, and rocks underneath, the fish could hide out really well. I didn't lose any.

In the late summer when the weather was starting to get cooler, I brough my fish inside and put them into an aquarium. They have thrived well and I am looking forward to putting them outside again soon. When the weather stays warm and the water temperature gets to about 60 degrees, then I am able to transfer the fish into the pond, but you have to bag them and let them float on top of the water for about 20min.

My next project is to make the pond just a bit bigger and add another piece to it to make a bigger waterfall. Anyone who is thinking of wanting a pond, I would highly recommend it. It is so peaceful just sitting there listening to the water. At night it is really pretty. Under the water there are 3 different coloured lights and I also have solar lights around the pond. I just love sitting outside in the backyard, listening to the water trickle and trying to catch a glimpse of the goldfish, which can be very hard to see, they tend to hide during the day and will come out at night. So if you are thinking of putting in a pond, do it., you won't regret it at all..

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Tug of War.....who won??

Ok, here is a picture of my 2 dogs. Talon is on the left he is a cattle dog/border collie mix and is 8. Shadow is our Golden Retriever and is 3. Talon weighs 85lbs and Shadow weighs 65lbs. WEll tonight I decided to take both of them for a walk together. Talon normally doesnt even need a leash on, but because Shadow is with us, and I can't keep him off the leash because he doesnt listen sometimes, I had both on their leads. Shadow wears a halty so he doesnt pull, I can't hold him back when he does. We're walking and talon decides to sniff the post, well of course who else has to sniff it also, Shadow...he pushes poor talon out of the way, to sniff where he did., I finally get him to start walking, then Shadow has to try and take his halty off, he does this probably 20 times during the walk. Poor Talon is trying to mind his own business, but here comes Shadow, pushing his way into Talon. It is quite comical, and Im sure anyone who saw me walking them would say so and laugh. I think I had the better work out than the dogs....But you know, I wouldnt trade them for anything, Shadow is young he will eventually do better, and Talon well he is wonderful to walk with...whew... I have to go relax, the dogs are both at my feet here by the computer, sound asleep...I wish......

Posted by Mary at 8:58 PM 0 comments