CN Tower Stair Climb for WWF:

I just made it up the 1776 stairs in 23:35. I'm proud of myslef.

CN Tower Stair Climb:

Brian, Ryan , Barry and I, will be climbing the stairs up the CN Tower this weekend. The event is in support of the WWF. If anyone wishes to sponsor me, on-line donations can be made from this link.

Several weeks of training, mostly on Ryan's appartment building stairs, have strengthened my legs and humbled me enough to realize that I will not be able to "double-stair" the entire 1776 stairs. My public goal is to make it up < 40 minutes. My private goal is -- ---- -- -- -- ---- ---- ---- --- ---- -- ---- ---- ------.

It should be a good event and a good road trip.

Moss: A forest within a forest

Climbed Calabogie Peaks on Saturday:

Seedling update:




















Japanese Maple germinated 2 years ago. Growing is much slower than I expected. Several other seedlings perished for unknown reasons. This one died back a bit after last season, and looks like a bit recently as well. Fortunately some buds are breaking and it looks like it's getting started with some new growth.




















Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) germinated about 4 weeks ago. It germinated in warmth, with no stratification, although the other seedlings perished, possibly due to inadequate drainage.

unknown Rhododendron, germinated around 8 months ago, and still barely 1" tall! Quite a bit bigger than the seeds which were the size of a speck of dust. (pictures back in August). These germinated easily in a warm, moist, soil-less medium. The challenge is keeping mould and fungus growth down. I used 50% peat, 25% perlite, 25% vermiculite, and cooked it in the microwave in attempt to kill pathogens. I'm getting a bit of alge and moss growth, but nothing too serious as to impact the seedlings.















Tomato and Watermellon, these were quick and easy to germinate

Curling:

Although I have never been much for team sports, I could see myself curling again.