Alan Skeoch

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  • EPISODE 613 How could 40 to 70 wild buffalo hide themselves? Elk Island National Park 2022


    EPISODE 613   ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, ALBERTA   JULY 20, 2022


    alan skeoch

    july 22, 2022

    “What can we do while waiting for Jack to be welcomed into 
    the Canadian army?”
    “Visit Elk Island National Park.”

    Pictures taken by Marjorie skeoch with her iPhone


    “Alan, how did buffalo like this one get to live in Elk Island National Park?
    ‘That’s a buffalo?
    “Stop being stupid.  How did that buffalo get here?”
    “Fascinating history.”
    “Do you want the short or long version.?”
    “Short version…, Dad.” 
     The federal government had bought buffalo
    from an American park then did not know where to put them   …They decided to use this park as a temporary holding ground for the buffalo before
    shipping them to Wood Buffalo National Park. …when the time came to move them a bunch…40 to 70…
    could not be found. “
    “How could these huge animals be missed?”
    “Elk Island is huge…194 square kilometres….75 square miles.”
    “But open prairie…”
    “not open…great swaths of aspen and boreal forest…miles and miles of water.Sometimes a buffalo
    looks like a rock…invisible.”
    “So they stayed”
    “Yes and Elk Island is now a famous buffalo breeding ground…bison is a better word.”
    “How many buffalo now?”
    “somewhere around us are 300 wood bison and 400 plains bison.  The population is
    kept around that figure.”
    “How?”
    “By selling buffalo to small holding  grounds around North America and the world.  One herd
    was even sold to Russia.   The Park officials…veterinarians ….believe small herds could
    prevent extinction should an outbreak bovine  tuberculosis strike again.”
    “Extinction?”
    “Disease almost finished off the buffalo after European sport hunters nearly slaughtered the plains buffalo into extinction.  Actual historians thought the plains  buffalo were gone
    until a small herd was found in Wood Buffalo Park.  They were moved here and live in the south part
    of Elk Island.”


    map

    ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK

    “How could 40 to 170 buffalo be missed?”

    “I know it’s hard to belleve.”

    “But we nearly missed a buffalo who was sleeping at the side of the road
    in the shade of an aspen grove.”
    “Elk Island National Park remains a wilderness.”



    Pictures by Marjorie Skeoch






    We spent two days in Elk Island National Park and managed to see 5 buffalo.   There are hundreds there.  The park is immense.  Lots of room for buffalo.

    Bison des prairies et bison des bois : évaluation et rapport de situation du COSEPAC 2013 - Canada.caKey morphological differences between mature Wood Bison (top) and... | Download Scientific Diagram

    “How are wood buffalo different from plains buffalo?
    “You tell me….look at the pictures.  Darn similar to my eyes.”

    Where once there were no surviving beaver,there ere are now 1,000


    “Thajt’s Andrew trying to get a picture of two buffalo way in the distance.”

    “If they charge Andrew, can you outrun them?”
    “No, but I am no worried.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because I know I can outrun you. dad.”

    alan skeoch
    July 22, 2022

    Note:  This short story only touches on the history of the buffalo in Canada.    The herds were once so large
    that 40,000 wolves preyed on them.  Yes, 40,000 wolves.  To kill the wolves a few buffalo were shot and 
    their corpses loaded with strychnine poison.  The wolves were then skinned.  The buffalo were expendable
    in early Canadian history.  Sometimes all that was taken were the tongues.  Piles of buffalo bones once dotted the
    prairies to be grand up into fertilizer for farmers.  The history of the buffalo is not a pretty story.

    More pictures to come.

  • EPISODE 612 THE LITTLE BOY, JACK, IS GONE…I COULD TELL BY HIS BED


    episode 612    PRIVATE JACKSON SKEOCH SHOWS US HOW TO MAKE A CANADIAN ARMY BED



    alan skeoch
    July 20, 2022

    Keeping Jackson Skeoch under the microscope. How would army life change him?




    On July 19, 2022, Jackson Skeoch became Private jJackson Skeoch of the PPCLI.
    (Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry).  Jack’s Parents, Julie and Andrew Skeoch
    and his grandparents, Marjorie and Alan Skeoch caught an Air Canada flight to
    Edmonton, Alberta and from there to CFB Edmonton where the official ceremony
    was held complete with a military marching band.

    A SURPRISING LESSON

    “Where will we stay?”
    “There’s a hotel on the base”
    “How much will that cost?”
    “$57 per person….no frills”
    “What does the Canadian army consider  a frill?”
    “No towels, TV that only a sapper could understand, no air conditioning….”
    “No cool air”
    “None”
    “This is the hottest day on record…temp in high 30’s…and we re expected to sleep
    without air conditioning.”
    “That’s not the big problem, Alan.”
    “Something worse?”
    “Take a look at the bed”
    “What’s that big lump in the plastic bag?”




    “Our bedding…we have to make our own bed.”
    “What?”
    “True….the army is making a point.”
    “A point?”
    “We must make a regulation army bed….45 degree corners…”
    “Get serious.”
    “I am serious.”

    And there on our bed was a big lump of textiles….our bedding

    “Hi grandma….greandpa…what’s up?”
    “Our bed”
    “Thought you would be surprised.”
    “You joined the army to make your own bed?”
    “Surprised me too, grandpa.”
    “LIke this?” and Marjorie made the bed…tight sheets.
    “Not good enough…corners had to be exactly 45 degrees””
    “How would you know ?”
    “The sergeant would tip the bed over if corners were not precisely 45 degrees….
    measured with a ruler.”
    “How are my corners”, said Marjorie.
    “37 degrees,,,not regulation, grandma….do the bed again…or would
    you rather I did it for you?”
    “You do it, jack”

    And he did.
    That was the first big change I noticed in Jack.



























    This week end we experienced a rite of passage …. a stage in the life of Jackson Skeoch.
    All of us were changed as a result.  The little boy is gone.

    alan skeoch
    July 20, 2022



    Sent from my iPhone


  • EPISODE 611 CURSE OF THE GINAT HOGWEED

    EPISODE 611    CURSE OF THE GIANT HOGWEED


    alan skeoch
    July 14, 2022

    “Please just whisper…the GIANT HOGWEED might hear us and then try
    to get us….deadly plant.  I wonder if John Wyndham used giant hogweed  
    when he wrote Day of the Triffids? Hush!”


    Giant hogweed stalk and flower clusters.
    Quite pretty when in full floor stage.


    118223. sy475
    Charlotte McLeod wrote a book with Giant  hogweed in mind.  The book
    jacket cover says it all.



    RETURN OF THE GIANT HOGWEED

    “Marjorie, The GIANT HOGWEED is back..now ten feet tall.”
    “Where?”
    “Same place where we thought it had been killed.”
    “How come, Andrew put on overalls and mask and spent a day
    cutting and bagging the cursed plant…then he poured poison down
    the throat of the roots…the giant hoqwwed seemed gone for the
    last couple of years.”
    “Well the cursed plant fooled us.   Hid for a couple of years. Now it 
    is back worse than ever.”
    “Some say the hogweed plant can hide for 15 years then pop up.”


    Giant hogweed can blend in to its surroundings until it reaches full flowering stage.


    Hogweed plants are now higher than our ATV.  Seems we just noticed the plants.  But “Vroooom!” ….plants are ten  feet high.


    the hogweed patch is on the far left…hardly noticeable right now..July 14, 2022.  Those gloves are not
    enough protection.  Need full body armour!


    The return of Gint Hogweed was a mystery until I found a short note saying the seeds of giant hogweed can remain dormant for years and
    then suddenly germinate.   The giant hogweed patch in the farm fencerow cannot be ignored for as much as 15 years.   Yesterday these picture were taken and
    the plants are higher than ten feet already.  That growth happened fast.  So fast that we did not notice until now.  Now 10 feet high…may grow to
    15 feet and even higher.  Getting rid of the plants
    is not easy….need to cover all flesh so that no sap gets access to flesh.  Particular danger to the eyes.  Do not try to be heroic when destroying
    the plant.  Hogweed will get you before you will get hogweed.

    WHERE DID GIANT HOGWEED ORIGINATE?

    Giant Hogweed was a natural plant in the Caucasus Mountain region of Asia.  Victorian gardeners and scientists brought the seeds to Kew
    gardens in the early 19th century.  From there seed companies began selling the seeds as curiosities. It took some time before the
    danger was noticed.  Now considered one of the most dangerous plants on earth.


    Dangerous Hogweed Plant Found in VirginiaUPDATE 2: Giant Hogweed rash/burn. + Full story. : r/WTFHealth Hazards & Safety Instructions for Giant Hogweed (with graphic photos) - NYS Dept. of Environmental ConservationParents warned of toxic plant that can cause blistering skin burns - Netmums


    Biology

    Seeds may take several years to germinate and are viable in the soil for up to 15 years. During the first year, the plant produces a rosette of leaves up to one metre high. After 2 to 5 years the plant produces flowers. As it grows a large root, thick hollow stems and large lobed leaves are formed. The stems of the plant are covered with reddish-purple flecks and stiff hairs filled with sap. Sap may also collect in the hollow stem bases. Giant hogweed flowers once in its lifetime, unless the flower clusters are damaged before opening. Once the plant produces seeds it dies. Each plant can produce up to 120,000 winged seeds (typically 50,000). Seeds dropped in streams can float for three days. They can move long distances via water in ditches and streams. Seeds can also be spread up to 10 metres by the wind.

    Giant hogweed stem. Note coarse hairs.
    Giant hogweed stem. Note coarse hairs.

    Photo courtesy of Ron Black, NDMNRF

    Natural resource impacts

    There is evidence that Giant hogweed can shade out native plants, although scientists have not done extensive research on its impact in Ontario or Canada. In the United Kingdom it grows in areas bordering lakes, streams, and wetlands and causes rocks, soil and other material on stream banks to fall into streams. This threatens salmon spawning sites. Similar impacts may occur in Ontario.

    Health concerns

    The clear watery sap of Giant hogweed contains toxins that can cause severe dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). You can get severe burns if you get the sap on your skin and the skin is then exposed to sunlight. Symptoms occur within 48 hours and consist of painful blisters. Purplish scars may form that last for many years. Eye contact with the sap has been reported (in the media and by various web sites) to cause temporary or permanent blindness. However, evidence of permanent blindness linked to exposure to Giant hogweed cannot be substantiated by any existing research. Coming in contact with Cow parsnip and Wild parsnip can cause similar reactions.



  • EPISODE 611 “1931…What have you got for 1931 or earlier, ALAN”

    EPISODE 611   “1931…What have you got for 1931 or earlier, ALAN”


    alan skeoch 
    July 10, 2022




    RING RING RNG…

    “Hello, Alan, we’re doing a movie and need tools…kind used by violin makers.”
    “I have some.”
    “Nothing can be later than 1931…The set director is a bit of stickler…”
    “See what can do.  When needed?”
    “Next Wednesday…we will send a truck.”
    “Can you give me an idea of the script?”
    “Two scenes need your kind of things…I’ll send  pictures.”
    “ 1) A violin makers workshop…small tools for fine work…workbench
       2)And a Moonshine makers still….homemade whisky

    Marjorie and I have been providing props and sets for movies now for nearly 30 years.
    We have a lot of things from commercial playgrounds to derelict farm machines and
    everything in between.

    Here are some pictures of the things we assembled to help make the movie set
    look like real life in 1931




    .











    Movie making is a secretive business.  The last thing a movie maker wants is visitors
    or early release of set construction.  Tough for  Art Directors to ever get much recognition,. 
    Set designers are very creative people but often they have to act fast.
       A set is built one day, filmed the next day and demolished
    the following day. Often but not always.  Some sets last a month tucked away in some
    semi hidden location.  Some sets last for years

    Only rarely do Marjorie and I ever see what is done with our things.

    So use your imagination

    The Key?   The year 1931.  

    alan


    Take a look.  Nearly everything here could be used in the movie.

  • EPISODE 610 JAZZ IN THE SUMMERTIME AT BENARES, FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022…The Octokats

    EPISODE 610     JAZZ IN THE SUMMERTIME AT BENARES, FRIDAY JULY 8, 2022


    alan skeoch
    July 8, 2022

    WHAT A privilege to sit in the front row of a jazz concert like no other.  Feels like we are 
    selected to a private concert.  But it is not private .   Every Friday night
    for the rest of the summer there will be music for anyone who can bring a portable chair
    and find a spot on the front lawn of Benares.  Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and end around 9 p.m.
    while the sun is still shining. Get there early if you can.  Cost?  If you are a little short on cash, the night will be
    free.  But it would be better to fork out $10 per person to help keep these concerts
    rolling.   A t half time volunteer Friends of the Museum with baskets will give you the chance to support 
    professional musicians.    

    A DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE EVERY FRIDAY
    NEXT WEEK, July 15…   LAURA FERNANDEZ…pianist, singer, songwriter.

    sponsored by Friends of the Mississauga Museum


    “Marjorie. the Octokats are almost ready.”
    “You could help drag our lawn chairs across the grass.”
    “I am carrying your purse, “
    “How did I ever marry such a person as you”
    “Just good luck.”
    “Where will we put the lawn chairs?
    “Right up front.”
    “Unfold a chair.”
    “Is unfolding difficult?”
    “Not for me, maybe for you”
    “Best you do the unfolding then.”

    “Too busy taking pictures.”
    “Love conquers all, I read somewhere.”

    Then it all began … with the winning smile of the band leader




    This is Roxy, the best behaved person (dog) at the jazz concert.
    Certainly the biggest.





    HOW TO GET TO BENARES…


    Benares Historic House

    • 1507 Clarkson Road North, Mississauga, ON, L5J 2W8
    • Tel: 905-615-4860 x 2110


    History

    Benares Historic House was built in 1857, although parts of the home and several outbuildings date back to 1837. The house was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1977.

    Benares was home to four generations of the Harris and Sayers families. Today, more than 95% of the artifacts on display are original to the Harris family and the home. These include furniture, dishes, letters and pictures.

    The house and most of its contents were donated by the great-grandchildren of Captain Harris (Geoffrey Harris Sayers, Dora Sayers Caro and Barbara Sayers Larson). It was restored to reflect daily life in the World War One era and opened to the public as a museum in 1995.

    Why Benares

    Varanasi, also known as Benares or Banaras, is a city in northern India on the banks of the Ganges River. It’s the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism and also played an important role in the development of Buddhism.

    The original owner and builder of Benares Historic House in 1835 was Edgar Neave. He named the property “Benares”. At the time, naming a property after a travel destination was common practice.