June 15, 2008. Canyon Lake, Texas.

Bud and Mary have been very gracious to us over the years. They lived in Parry Sound,but owned a property on Otter Lake, about twenty miles from town. Mary's parents used to own almost all the land around Otter Lake but when Mary's Father was away fighting in the Second World War, the taxes went unpaid and the township claimed the property for unpaid taxes. After all was said and done, and after trying to fight the authorities when he came back home, he was given back a piece of land at the end of the lake. The grandparents lived at the lake until they died. They also divided up the remaining property amongst their children, so Bud and Mary had a lovely piece of land right on a beautiful clear lake. They had a camper trailer, and spent the summers at the lake with the children.

Now here is the nice part. They graciously invited us to join them at the lake for two weeks every year, with us staying in our tent, complete with a good fly to keep off the rain. This is the same tent Ken set up for Kate at the farm a few weeks ago. The boys were young and loved to fish so they could fish to their heart's content right off the dock. And every day we went in to see Ken's Mother to load up on her very good baking. It was a very good arrangement for us, and I hope we were not so much bother for Bud and Mary and the children. If you are interested in seeing us as we were at Otter Lake with the boys, you can see a picture of the four of us, taken by Bud, sitting on the dock, in our bathing suits, while I am washing clothes. We were quite a sight. The picture is on the wall at the farm.

Next Bud and Mary built a cottage at the lake, and when the children were out of school, sold their house in town and moved to the lake full time. Now Bud told Ken that they are going to move back to town, as keeping up that property is difficult in the winter. They have 400 yard of driveway, and even with a snow blower, it is a difficult task. I am sure they will keep the Lake property and close it for the winter then go back to the lake in the summer. It is a lovely spot and we were always grateful they shared it with us.