Monthly Archives: June 2019

Bamboo In The Windows To Keep Birds Away

For years I could count on at least a few birds hitting a window every spring. We already had the deflector stickers on the windows but they didn’t seem to work. I tried hanging a few other things in the window before discovering that I could bend some bamboo (from the back yard) into the window frame to hopefully create some awareness for the birds. It seems to have worked! On numerous occasions I’ve seen birds go into emergency stop mode as they neared the window. I’ve also seen them slow down but not in time enough to avoid a hit, but then be undamaged enough to fly off. If you’ve ever heard that tell-tale ‘thump’ against your window only to find a dying bird lying on the deck, then you’ll know what a relief it was to find something that helps.


Sometimes you can recover a stunned bird by gently holding it in your hands (for the warmth) until they come to.

Flower Boxes 2019

I have a few tomato plants, some lettuce, basil, kale, broccoli and chives growing in the flower boxes this year. As leaves become abundant I’ll often clip a few off for my salads. Dear Pip’s Place guests, please feel free to do the same and please water!

And a reminder of why we keep the deck to the gate closed (and why we don’t allow pets at Pip’s). This buck lounging in the front yard keeps the rose bushes trimmed.

Hornby 2019!

It’s starting to feel a lot like Hornby! Beautiful weather we’ve had this spring. I’ve been up since the beginning of May getting the cabin ship-shape. This lovely rose bush is on the deck of the Cardboard House Bakery, which I’m sad to report has closed permanently. I did see a sign for a new pizza oven just down the road at a winery. Will report back when I haveĀ  sampled their wares.

hornby island cardboard house bakery rose bush

And while I’m thinking of it… Unless your day starts at 5 AM you might want to consider bringing along a sleep mask. There are a lot of windows, also skylights in the cabin so if you’re a night owl like me, a sleeping mask is essential. They sell them at the Co-op.