| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CityCat |
Posted - Aug 17 2005 : 11:04:04 PM
Hi everyone. Just wanted to introduce myself. I live in a little city about an hour west of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I live in a small apartment in the top part of a house with my cat, Marlowe. With my downstairs' housemate, Lennie, we planted an organic vegetable garden in the backyard and we are currently bemoaning the bumper crop of zucchini! Needless to say, we are making LOTS of muffins, breads, and brownies. Yes! Zucchini brownies! Yummy!
I work for a small environmental company as an aquatic taxonomist. Basically, I take water samples and pull out all the worms, clams, snails, and bugs for identification and innumeration. Contrary to family and friends, I think my job is fabulous and there is always something new to learn. Why just today I learned a new Leptophlebiidae.... Okay, okay, I'm a science nerd... 
Guelph is a wonderful city to live in. The farmer's market runs year-round, the people are very friendly and genuine, and the pace is not rushed. Time doesn't pass so quickly that you miss the flowers blooming, or the bees buzzing, or tree branches swaying in the breeze. It's not quite the country, but having previously lived most of my life in a big city (Toronto), Guelph is a welcome hideaway from the bussle everywhere else. Not that Guelph isn't changing and getting busier, but I'm in blissful denial and I happily shop at the Farmers' Market each Saturday.
I wish I could say I knew anything about life on a farm. I grew up a suburban brat, riding the subway downtown to concerts at bars and clubs. I liked the music loud and live. Never did the camp thing; never did the cottage thing. Attending UofMoo (University of Guelph) has been my exposure to the farm life. Where else can you see a cow with a hole in its side? And did you know that the Yukon Gold potato and Omega-3 eggs were developed at Guelph? And Guelph has the oldest insect collection in Canada? (oh, getting a little off track there...) But yeah, not a country girl, but I am at heart. I love the smell of sun-baked grass and the sharp lingering smell of rubbed tomato vine. I love the sweet trills of the crickets at night, and the drone of the cicadas during the day. I love the warm lick of sun on skin and the refreshing whisp of breeze.
What else to say... I like to read cookbooks, poetry, sci-fi and Canadian literature. I like going to bars to hear up and coming bands. I enjoying cooking and at least twice a month I try a new recipe. When my granma died last October, I took up crocheting again. It made me feel close to her. I hadn't crocheted since I was 12, but it came back so naturally: I'm sure my granma was there guiding me. I like to browse thrift shops and garage sales. Basically all my furniture are hand-me-downs. I've never ridden a horse. I would love to learn how to make furniture, bind books, and sew. I love taking pictures, particularly in black and white. And I've finally come to terms with being okay about being single. Although, the bugging of my mother is irksome, with her list of necessary requirements, the primary one being he must be Japanese.
So, that's me. In a nutshell. Perhaps more nut than shell? Found this website where ideas were shared and I felt comfy and joined, hence the preceeding introduction. Hope to talk to many of you soon!
Cat |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CityCat |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 5:11:06 PM
Thank you for all the kind words. I'm a bit isolated in Guelph from all of my friends, and it's nice to connect with people. 
Nancy: I've thought a writing career would be cool, but for now it's only a hobby.
Kathy A.: I'm still tweaking the zucchini brownie recipe. When it's perfect I'll post it to the forum.
Tova: Cobourg, huh? Yeah, I know where Cobourg is! I used to have friends living in Port Hope! I didn't study with Ian Martin at UofG. I learned insects from Steve Marshall(a fly guy) and Gard Otis (a bee guy). Because of my job, I'm now very familiar with the insects of the Grand River. I live really close to the Eramosa River, and I enjoy walking beside it checking out the wildlife. I've never tried fly-fishing, but I've always been curious. Seems a very serene way to commune with nature.
Alee: And the fact that the cow doesn't even care! Now that's a bit freakish... |
| Kathy A. |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 2:54:04 PM
Welcome Cat!! we need an enviromental "science Nerd" to join the farmgirls! Hope you enjoy reading the informative and friendly posts and will join in often, we have had several Canadian gals join lately and it's great fun to hear their stories. How about posting your Zucchini Brownie recipe in the kitchen forum? One can never have to many zucchini recipies. ~Kathy |
| Canadian Cowgirl |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 04:52:17 AM
Welcome Cat,
I live a few hours down the 401 from you (Cobourg/Grafton)and am a frequent visitor to Fergus and Elora to flyfish. I spend as much time looking at the insects on the Grand River as I do fishing so I can totally relate to your fascination with your job. I bet you studied with Ian Martin at Guelph. He is such a wealth of knowledge. We have a farm with a huge organic garden but this year time just got away from me and it is a mess. We didn't do zucchini's but I always plant hundreds of pumpkins to give to all our friends. I hope you enjoy the chat room. Talk soon. Tova |
| quiltedess |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 03:04:20 AM
Welcome Cat:
Your job sounds so interesting, really! Even better that you LIKE it. Your writing is so nice and descriptive I think you could be a writer too, if you'd like. Your little town sounds wonderful. I AM a farmgirl and I've ridden a horse and never did get the hang of it, so as far as I'm concerned it's OK that you haven't ridden. Plus, it is certainly OK to be single, just keep on doing what you're doing and someone may come along and surprise you. Maybe even a Japanese someone. :-) In any case, keep doing what makes you happy and that's what counts.
Well, I'm getting tired again, so I'm going to try going back to bed.
Take care,
Nancy |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 17 2005 : 11:35:14 PM
Welcome Cat-
We welcome everyone here- whether you are a farmgirl or a farmgirl at heart!
University of Idaho does the Porthole Cows also. It is kindof weird, eh?
Looking forward to getting to know you more!
Ciao
Alee |
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