For three hours today we rode in a very comfortable pontoon boat. Bruce was the driver and he took us all around the Lake of Bays, pointing out famous old resorts and cottages of famous people. None of the four of us had even been on The Lake of Bays. This lake is the second largest of the Muskoka Lakes but until fairly recently, it had been sparcely populated with cottages, but now the large cottages are being built everywhere. The restrictions of boat houses is new, in that you can not build any living quarters over the boat house. This time of year is perfect to spying on cottages, as the leaves are not in full leaf, so you can clearly see these cottages from the water. Many cottages will be covered with leaves in just a few weeks, but for now, my desire to be nosy can be indulged. Bud and Mary and Ken and I enjoyed the ride, as the water was not rough and the weather was pleasant. Fortunately Ken went over to the store for sun screen.
It is a bit like Potomac. The old cottages on the lake were small, and built into the natural slope of the land. The new cottages are large and built to be sure you notice this new beautiful home. A great deal of stone has been added to allow access to the water, so along with the large boat house, the whole package stands out from the shore. My favourite cottage scene was the one with the boat house built right along the stone, with the cottage just a few feet higher, nestled into the rocks at the edge of the water. I would like that cottage. Bruce our driver is a third generation of his family to love this lake. He and his family spends the summer in his cottage on the lake and in the winter he lives in Bracebridege. He has noticed a change in the lake the last two years, with more people and larger cottages, but his children and his wife still love life at the lake, where the water is clean and the air is clear. Of course, everyone is friendly. I too liked the lake and may even take another trip tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
April 5, 2009. Baysville, Ontario. Bud and Mary.
I am waiting for them now, watching from the den. They are coming from Parry Sound and will spend a coupe of days with us here in Baysville. From my spot in the den, I overlook the gardens and the large entertainment center, with just a corner of the driveway into this resort, so I am hoping I can catch them as they drive up. Parry Sound is about an hours drive from here so they should be here mid-morning. Ken and I consider Bud and Mary good friends, which is interesting because we are almost totally opposite from each other. They have stayed put in one place, Parry Sound. They were both born and raised there. Bud spent nine moths attending College in Toronto, but for the rest of his life, he has lived happily in Parry Sound. Bud completed his Bachelor of Education Degree via long distance. He taught school, and for years was the principal of an Elementary school. He retired several years ago. They have three children. Mary is good at everything. For years she gave dinners for organizations at the Hockey Arena, The Bobby Orr Arena, and just a few years ago stopped doing it. They are good friends and have put up with our comings and goings throughout the years. They were married two weeks ahead of us so you can see they are not young either.
Ken and Bed went to school together, which means, all through school together. Bud tells the story of one sunny Spring day when both boys were in a study hall. Of course they were not studying. The windows were open, so the two boys jumped out the window and were lying in the sun on the grass, sans shirts, when a teacher called out the window, "Dickie, what the hell are you doing now?" The teacher knew that it was Ken's fault they were laying outside without their shirts on. Bud also reports that it made him mad because Ken always did well at school while Bud also did well, but had to work hard while Ken did not appear to do any work at all, which would have been true. Bud and Mary have been examples to me that living in a small place requires greater intellect and drive than living in a big city.
Bud is the youngest son of a large Family. I believe he is youngest of twelve, so some of his brothers were old enough to be his uncle. Now here is a new story. One of Bud's older brothers was in the Second World War. Just two years ago, a woman contacted Bud, to say that she thought they were related. She is now coming to visit her long lost relatives next week from England. Evidently as often happened, a baby was born during the war, and the child was told that Father died during the war. The child grew up, then retired, then started looking through the Mother's belongings, to find that a strange person from Canada had sent money over to the child all throughout many years. After investigating the records, she discovered that their never had been a husband, but that she had a big Family in Canada, so she contacted them. It turns out that several family members were aware of the child in England, but the Mother's wishes were to say nothing to the child., so they kept quiet. Bud is excited to meet this new step-sister. I am sure this a story tat has been repeated many times from the discombobulation of the Second World War, but this is a story with a happy ending.
Ken and Bed went to school together, which means, all through school together. Bud tells the story of one sunny Spring day when both boys were in a study hall. Of course they were not studying. The windows were open, so the two boys jumped out the window and were lying in the sun on the grass, sans shirts, when a teacher called out the window, "Dickie, what the hell are you doing now?" The teacher knew that it was Ken's fault they were laying outside without their shirts on. Bud also reports that it made him mad because Ken always did well at school while Bud also did well, but had to work hard while Ken did not appear to do any work at all, which would have been true. Bud and Mary have been examples to me that living in a small place requires greater intellect and drive than living in a big city.
Bud is the youngest son of a large Family. I believe he is youngest of twelve, so some of his brothers were old enough to be his uncle. Now here is a new story. One of Bud's older brothers was in the Second World War. Just two years ago, a woman contacted Bud, to say that she thought they were related. She is now coming to visit her long lost relatives next week from England. Evidently as often happened, a baby was born during the war, and the child was told that Father died during the war. The child grew up, then retired, then started looking through the Mother's belongings, to find that a strange person from Canada had sent money over to the child all throughout many years. After investigating the records, she discovered that their never had been a husband, but that she had a big Family in Canada, so she contacted them. It turns out that several family members were aware of the child in England, but the Mother's wishes were to say nothing to the child., so they kept quiet. Bud is excited to meet this new step-sister. I am sure this a story tat has been repeated many times from the discombobulation of the Second World War, but this is a story with a happy ending.
Monday, May 4, 2009
April 4, 2009. Baysville, Ontario. Family Dinner.
They were leaving the next morning for Bangkok, but they took the time to come to dinner with us. And another spent the day making wine, but made the extra effort to drive to Ancaster from Toronto to join in the festivities. They came to their parent's home to have dinner with their Aunt and Uncle, Ruth and Ken. And two off-spring came to join us for appetizer, along with one boyfriend. It was a lovely event and I am grateful they came. I have known Norm and Wendy all their lives. Dave and Irene married in 1953, and their three children, born four years apart, were always a part of our lives. Our children were born in 1968 and 1969, so we watched those children grow up , before we were even interested in children. When Irene was in the hospital for the birth of their youngest child Ken, my Ken was a medical student, and after hours, he walked through the hospital with his stethoscope around his neck, and went to visit Irene and the baby Ken. We have always felt part of their lives. All three children are very successful in their chosen fields, the result of native intelligence plus very careful upbringing. The three children might have objected about their home routines, and Dave and Irene have laughed about the fact that their Sunday dinner served in the dining room is never carried out in homes of the children, but the results speaks for itself. The three children are spunky and smart, but polite and accomplished, so the parents must have done something right. Dave commented once that one problem with trying to bring up independent children is that they are independent, and no longer need their parents and their aunt and uncle. But it is the best way and I am proud of their children and their accomplishments.
Our Family Dinner was delightful. Norm and Diane were there along with Wendy and Ken. Rachel and Ariel, two of Norm's children came for a couple of hours before dinner, and Fraser, the friend of Ariel came too. It is always interesting to speak to these young folks, who are all so anxious with their education and their careers. I always wonder how they will all turn out, and look forward watching them assume their roles in life. Both Ariel and Rachel were in Nova Scotia, so we saw them last summer, but with so many people there we did not have time to spend much time with each one, but now I am up to date and I will cheer them on in any way I can. Ariel is just finishing her course work for a Masters degree in Literature from McGill University, and hopes to get funded to go on with a PhD. First she must write her thesis, which will be rationing during the Second World War in Canadian literature. Rachel has just completed her Degree and may join her brother teaching in Bangkok.
Of course the whole evening was orchestrated by Irene with no fuss or muss. Dinner for eight, ready to eat, before I was even aware that she was cooking. Of course, I was undoubtedly talking while Irene was working. This is the story of my life. I talk while everyone else works. The dinner was marvellous, both the food and the conversation, and I enjoyed every bit of both.
Our Family Dinner was delightful. Norm and Diane were there along with Wendy and Ken. Rachel and Ariel, two of Norm's children came for a couple of hours before dinner, and Fraser, the friend of Ariel came too. It is always interesting to speak to these young folks, who are all so anxious with their education and their careers. I always wonder how they will all turn out, and look forward watching them assume their roles in life. Both Ariel and Rachel were in Nova Scotia, so we saw them last summer, but with so many people there we did not have time to spend much time with each one, but now I am up to date and I will cheer them on in any way I can. Ariel is just finishing her course work for a Masters degree in Literature from McGill University, and hopes to get funded to go on with a PhD. First she must write her thesis, which will be rationing during the Second World War in Canadian literature. Rachel has just completed her Degree and may join her brother teaching in Bangkok.
Of course the whole evening was orchestrated by Irene with no fuss or muss. Dinner for eight, ready to eat, before I was even aware that she was cooking. Of course, I was undoubtedly talking while Irene was working. This is the story of my life. I talk while everyone else works. The dinner was marvellous, both the food and the conversation, and I enjoyed every bit of both.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
May 3, 2009. Baysville, Ontario. The Landscapes.
This place is just beautiful. It is spacious and gracious. The Landscapes is a new development, in fact they are selling phase one and are just beginning to build phase two. For the first time, we have exchanged one week of our interval ownership property in Mexico, to use one week at a similar interval ownership property in the Muskoka Lake area of Ontario. We are about three hours north of Toronto. When you do something for the first time, no telling what you are going to find, but this place is lovely. The organization that operates the exchange is call "The Registry", and all the resorts are supposed to be five star, but you really never know. But this place called The Landscapes is beautiful. Our townhouse type home has three bedrooms and a den, along with a games room and a patio overlooking the lake. Three full bathrooms plus a large full kitchen plus living room and dining room makes for a comfortable home. It is a good thing too, because we have a lot of company coming this week. Now we are set. The refrigerator is full as is the pantry so we are ready to party.
The weather is helping. The temperature today was sixty degrees and sunny, with a slight breeze. No black flies or mosquito's in sight. This area is loaded with lakes and rivers, so the drive up reminded us why we like this area so much. Ken was brought up in Parry Sound, which is on Georgian Bay, a large bay off Lake Huron, so he is partial to the Bay. I like Georgian Bay too, but I also love The Muskoka Lakes. Lake of Bays, Lake Muskoka, Lake Joseph, and Lake Rosseau are lovely lakes with clear water and many cottages. Dave and Irene and Wendy own a cottage on Lake Jo. We love the rocks, these large slabs of granite, streaked with pink and white and black, and we love all the rivers and streams, which connect all the lakes one to the next. We have enjoyed the drive up memory lane. Now we are enjoying this place. It seems such a good idea to share ownership on these properties. The arrangement is that you buy four weeks of the unit at a time, one week in the summer and the other three at other times. Of course you can buy eight or twelve weeks for three times the price of four weeks, but in today's world, staying at the cottage all summer is not feasible, so these shared interval places should be popular. There are storage units in our home here so as an owner you can leave clothes up here, just as we do in Mexico.
This is a pleasant surprise and I am sure we will exchange more weeks for other places over the next few years.
The weather is helping. The temperature today was sixty degrees and sunny, with a slight breeze. No black flies or mosquito's in sight. This area is loaded with lakes and rivers, so the drive up reminded us why we like this area so much. Ken was brought up in Parry Sound, which is on Georgian Bay, a large bay off Lake Huron, so he is partial to the Bay. I like Georgian Bay too, but I also love The Muskoka Lakes. Lake of Bays, Lake Muskoka, Lake Joseph, and Lake Rosseau are lovely lakes with clear water and many cottages. Dave and Irene and Wendy own a cottage on Lake Jo. We love the rocks, these large slabs of granite, streaked with pink and white and black, and we love all the rivers and streams, which connect all the lakes one to the next. We have enjoyed the drive up memory lane. Now we are enjoying this place. It seems such a good idea to share ownership on these properties. The arrangement is that you buy four weeks of the unit at a time, one week in the summer and the other three at other times. Of course you can buy eight or twelve weeks for three times the price of four weeks, but in today's world, staying at the cottage all summer is not feasible, so these shared interval places should be popular. There are storage units in our home here so as an owner you can leave clothes up here, just as we do in Mexico.
This is a pleasant surprise and I am sure we will exchange more weeks for other places over the next few years.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
May 2, 2009. Ancaster, Ontario. Ellen Irene Buckley.
I have known her since I was fifteen and she is even more competent now. She is also just as thin as she was all those years ago. And to top it all off, her disposition is still bright and sunny even though she is just a tad older than me. She is my sister-in-law, Irene Buckley.
When we arrived yesterday to visit with Dave and Irene, I knew exactly what I would find. I would find the home beautifully furnished and clean as a whistle. Our room had everything in order with everything for our every needs. And even though we arrived at one-o'clock, Irene had the lunch all ready for us. She has the happy ability to anticipate the needs for everyone around her and the energy to carry out the tasks. She is actually quite a remarkable person, although she does not know it. I always wished she worked for me, because we work well together. Over the years, remember I have known her for fifty-five years, we worked together on many events. They often visited us in Washington and I was always pleased when they were with us for a big party, as Irene was a huge help. When we are both in the kitchen, we do not bump into each other. This is a big deal.
Irene is as good as sister-in-law as a sister-in-law could ever be. Ken and I spent every Christmas with their family and all arrangements were always in order. This weekend is a perfect example of her attention to detail. Every day is planned and the meals planned and implemented. Last night the four of us dined at a wonderful restaurant called "Spencer's", in Burlington right on the lake front. Tonight Norm and Diane and Wendy and Ken will be here for dinner along with two grandchildren. We are having a wonderful time, all thanks to Irene's competence. But the best part is her enthusiasm. Always ready to go and do and try. Ken and I are blessed with having our sister-in-law Ellen Irene Buckley.
When we arrived yesterday to visit with Dave and Irene, I knew exactly what I would find. I would find the home beautifully furnished and clean as a whistle. Our room had everything in order with everything for our every needs. And even though we arrived at one-o'clock, Irene had the lunch all ready for us. She has the happy ability to anticipate the needs for everyone around her and the energy to carry out the tasks. She is actually quite a remarkable person, although she does not know it. I always wished she worked for me, because we work well together. Over the years, remember I have known her for fifty-five years, we worked together on many events. They often visited us in Washington and I was always pleased when they were with us for a big party, as Irene was a huge help. When we are both in the kitchen, we do not bump into each other. This is a big deal.
Irene is as good as sister-in-law as a sister-in-law could ever be. Ken and I spent every Christmas with their family and all arrangements were always in order. This weekend is a perfect example of her attention to detail. Every day is planned and the meals planned and implemented. Last night the four of us dined at a wonderful restaurant called "Spencer's", in Burlington right on the lake front. Tonight Norm and Diane and Wendy and Ken will be here for dinner along with two grandchildren. We are having a wonderful time, all thanks to Irene's competence. But the best part is her enthusiasm. Always ready to go and do and try. Ken and I are blessed with having our sister-in-law Ellen Irene Buckley.
Friday, May 1, 2009
May 1, 2009. Ancaster, Ontario. Carol.
Today my sister turned 74. Happy Birthday to Carol. She has been a good sister to me and is enjoying her retirement now. As young people, she always fixed my hair, in fact when she left for Training College I had no clue about managing my hair. She also was very competent with sewing so everything that needed to be done in the sewing department was always her responsibility. In other words, she looked after me and the interesting thing is that she never seemed to resent it. In truth, she has a helpful heart and she still has. She works at a very fast clip. She did when she was young and she still does now. At school she trained to be a Secretary as she had no interest in the Academic life. Her positions were always in administration. Most of her career she was responsible for event planning with a major organization in Canada. She was very success in that career. When she retired at 65 she took a position in Owen Sound, running the Food Bank for The Salvation Army. Then a couple of years ago she retired from that position too.
She still is active in the Owen Sound Salvation Army. She sings in the Songster, she leads the Corps Cadet Brigade and she organizes the Fellowship pot luck lunch once a month right after church. Of course, her husband Ken helps her with this. Every one who wonders how to succeed in retirement should talk to Carol. She is a busy and a happy lady. I am fortunate that she is also my Sister.
She still is active in the Owen Sound Salvation Army. She sings in the Songster, she leads the Corps Cadet Brigade and she organizes the Fellowship pot luck lunch once a month right after church. Of course, her husband Ken helps her with this. Every one who wonders how to succeed in retirement should talk to Carol. She is a busy and a happy lady. I am fortunate that she is also my Sister.
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