….week 6 of Cee’s new photo challenge
Cee’s Compose Yourself Photo Challenge – Horizons and Horizontal Lines
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Category Archives: At the cottage
Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge – Week 44
…..Cee is taking a week off from blogging but she’s still encouraging everyone to continue with her challenges
I love taking photos of odd ball abandoned rusty things.
I’m not sure why you need a fire hydrant on the edge of a rugby field. There are no buildings close by.
Closing the Cottage
….closing the cottage took place later than normal
Traditionally many people close their cottages on the Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. For us this year that date was pushed forward by two weeks.
Our first grandchild was due to arrive on October 4th and we wanted to be close to home when she made her way into the world. As a result we didn’t venture too far from home from October 1st on. One week after the due date was Thanksgiving, which we spent with our daughter and the following weekend it snowed up north. Snow in mid-October is pretty rare in this part of Canada so we weren’t prepared, physically or emotionally, to drive in 15 cm of snow this early in the year.
Earlier this week we had beautiful weather and all the snow up north had melted away. We left after rush hour and made it up to the ferry dock on time, so we thought, to catch the 11:30 boat. What we didn’t know at that moment was that the schedule had been changed in early September when the kids on the island went back to school in Midland.
A nice young man came over to the car and told us that the next boat wouldn’t be for another two hours so we decided to drive back into Midland and have some lunch. We had Frances with us which meant that we had to find a place where we could eat outside. Luckily it was warm enough to do that and one of my favourite restaurants in town still had their patio tables and chairs outside on the sidewalk.
After a delicious lunch of butternut squash soup and a couple of grilled sandwiches we drove back to the ferry dock where I got out of the car and took a few photos of the surrounding area and gave the dog a little bit of exercise while we waited for the ferry to be loaded.
When we finally got to the cottage we quickly started to do what needed to be done. I stripped all the beds and bagged and stored away all the pillows and blankets. I removed all canned and bottled foods from the cupboards so that they couldn’t freeze over the winter. I removed all paper products from the counters and put them into sealed containers so that the mice that move in couldn’t shred them for bedding materials. My husband brought all the outdoor chairs and tables inside and moved and covered the barbecue. We loaded up the car with the bedding and clothes that needed washing and all the canned food. The last thing we did was board up the door so that the snow couldn’t blow in and to keep the glass window from shattering.
We took one last walk on the beach with the dog, keeping her on the least so that she didn’t go swimming. There’s nothing worse than having to drive for two hours with a wet dog unless of course that dog has been sprayed by a skunk.
We left in good time to catch the 4:00 ferry but when we got down to the loading dock we saw that the ferry was on the other side of the lake. I guess that this scheduled time had been changed as well. When the ferry got closer I could see why the time had been changed. The ferry was loaded with high school children coming home from school.
When we finally got on the ferry we were allowed to drive on, front end first, instead of backing on. What a treat! After 20 minutes on the ferry the car ride home took just over two hours.
Another great summer at Christian Island has come to an end. Thank goodness we were able to close on such a beautiful day.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Boundaries
….what do you think of when the theme is boundaries?
Join The Daily Post and submit a photo or two that shouts out ‘boundaries’.
Share Your World 2015 – Week 36
…..thanks for Cee for sharing your world with us this week
If you were a pen, what type, style and color would you be?
I would be a black fountain pen.
How many languages do you you speak?
I speak three languages, One well (English) and two poorly (German and French).
Are you a listener or talker?
I’m both. When I became a guidance counsellor I honed my listening skills but as a teacher I need to talk to get my point across. The other day someone commented that I was very quiet. Sometimes I just like to listen to what others have to say. Another time I was told I talked too much and that I should let others answer for themselves. I just can’t win.
Rather Have: Which would you rather have, 2 million dollars or true love?
Can’t I have both? I hate these questions. They say you can’t buy love so I guess I’d have to go with ‘true love’. All the money in the world wouldn’t make me happy if I couldn’t experience true love.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
I’m grateful for a beautiful summer weekend. The weather, although hot, was glorious and the lake at the cottage was the best it’s been all summer. I would have loved to stay all week. Another argument for retiring now.
This week I’m looking forward to seeing all the children back at school and catching up with my colleagues. I’m also looking forward to finally getting the results of my husband’s biopsy (a little nervous as well).
Here are a few photos of my busy week. I didn’t take any new photos from the cottage but I did snap a shot at the farm where we stopped to pick up some fruit and vegetables for the weekend.
Share Your World 2015 – Week 35
…..thanks to Cee for four more great questions
What made you feel good this week?
My family and friends sent me wonderful birthday wishes this week and brought me very thoughtful gifts. I got to go to the AGO (art gallery) with my husband and had a wonderful meal in Chinatown. The next day my girls and their significant others and a couple of dear friends came to the house for a BBQ and my husband outdid himself.
For potlucks or parties do you cook it yourself, buy from a grocery store, or pay for catering?
I went to a potluck yesterday and I brought an arugula and apple salad and spinach and cheese crepes. If I have time I usually prepare something on my own and I like to make appetizers. If I’m short on time I will sometimes go to a take out place and bring samosas, pakoras, fried calamari or sushi (things that I wouldn’t make myself). Cheese and crackers and veggies and dip are also easy.
What is your favorite part of the town/city you live in. And what Country do you live?
I’d have to say that I really like where I live in Toronto. I live right by Lake Ontario (I can see it from my house). I’m right on hiking and cycling trails so going for walks is very enjoyable and I’m only a 15 minute drive from downtown or a 10 minute train ride. The streetcar is about 45 minutes and the subway is 30 minutes (including the 10 minute car ride to get to it). For those of you who don’t know Toronto, I live in Canada.
Complete this sentence: My favorite place in the whole world…..
My favourite place in the summer is my cottage on Georgian Bay. I don’t travel extensively but every place I’ve ever been to I’ve really loved. Some of those places are Ireland, The Netherlands, Hawaii, San Francisco, New England and Quebec City. Funny how all these places are on water.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
I’m grateful for time spent with family and friends on my birthday. I’m also grateful for a wonderful day spent with my Dad. He treated me to a very special lunch at the Royal York Hotel and a visit to the Ripley’s Aquarium. Yesterday I spent a few hours with my daughter, A and her partner, J at the CNE. We played some games, took in the sights and tried some new food.
Today I was grateful to my good friend L who stepped up and helped me clean up the library and transferred all my art supplies to a new home in the school. She came just at the right time when I needed her moral support the most. In the end many people chipped in to make sure that the library would be ready for the first day of school.
For the rest of the week I’m looking forward to spending a few more days at the cottage before I head back to work on Tuesday. I’m also looking forward to getting back to working on my art. Have great long weekend. I’ll be back on Sunday or Monday.
Share Your World – Week 34
…..more great questions from Cee
Was school easy or difficult for you? How so?
School was always pretty easy, especially in elementary school. I did well in school right up to grade 10 and then I was more interested in the social aspect of school. I always managed to miss the honour roll by 1% in the last three years of school. I excelled in math but after grade 10 I started to struggle and in my last year I had an English teacher whose mantra was to make his students sweat and make life as difficult as possible. The grade average in English was 50% and I sat right on the 50% line. I almost had a nervous breakdown that year.
What is your favorite animal?
My favourite animals have to be dogs. I love most of them. In the wild I’m fascinated with Panda bears and the red panda.
If you had to have your vision corrected would you rather: glasses or contacts?
I need glasses for distance and for a long time I wore contact lenses. When I had difficulty reading things close up with my contact lenses I switched to glasses and took them off when I wanted to read a book. It’s only been in the last year that I’ve also needed reading glasses.
List: Name at least five television shows (past or present) you enjoyed?
Survivor, Amazing Race, Friends, CSI (all of them), Grace and Frankie (on Netflix)Grace and Frankie
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
I’m grateful that my husband is recovering nicely from his surgery and that he has continued to can tomatoes. I’m also grateful that my daughter and daughter-in-law finally came up to the cottage last weekend. We had a wonderful time. Every time J comes to the cottage she becomes more and more comfortable with our rustic lifestyle. She announced that next year she wants to come up for a week. Yay!
This week I’m looking forward to getting my own car back (it’s been in the body shop) and celebrating my birthday with the family. My husband is planning a BBQ for Saturday.
Today Was a Good Day
…..Saturday, August 22, 2015
Thanks to Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge
Saturday was a great day…..sunny skies, walking/hiking/running through the woods, walking on the beach and experiencing the joy of my daughter-in-law’s first time in a canoe. I also logged in at 12 000 steps.
Share Your World 2015 – Week 33
……thanks Cee for four more great questions
What are some words that just make you smile?
Ice-cream, babies, wine, family and friends are some of the words that will bring a smile to my face.
You’re given $500,000 dollars tax free (any currency), what do you spend it on?
I would pay off the rest of my credit cards and then take some of that money to renovate my house and cottage. I’d also put some money aside for travelling. That would still leave me with a nice sizeable chunk and I couldn’t enjoy any of that money knowing that my children also have debts so I would probably give each of them $50 000. and put the rest away for our retirement.
What subject would you like to study in depth, if given the time to do so?
I’d love to study visual art in depth. I’ve contemplated going back to university after I retire, just for the fun of it.
Would your rather be stuck in a small plane with bad turbulence for 2 hours or be a passenger in a car racing the Daytona 500?
I’d rather do neither but if I have to make a choice I think I’ll put up with two hours of turbulence. But wait! You did say ‘in a small plane’. Hmmm? Maybe being a passenger at the Daytona 500 would suit me better. I don’t know! I’m a terrible passenger in a car that is travelling at high speeds.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
I’m grateful that my husbands surgery is over and that the prognosis looks good. Will know for sure in a couple of weeks. I’m also grateful that our youngest daughter was able to spend some time at the cottage last week.
I’m looking forward to spending the weekend at the cottage with my older daughter and her partner. It will be the first time that they’ve made it up to the cottage this summer. I’m also looking forward to spending some time with our friends D & D, who I haven’t seen much of this summer. Hopefully the weather will be good so that I can get in some swimming and of course lots of walking. Maybe I’ll even start running again.
A Working Lighthouse Among the Ruins
….Christian Island still has a working lighthouse
At least once a summer I like to drive to the south west shore of Christian Island where the light house is situated. It is the oldest lighthouse in Georgian Bay, established in 1859. The first light house keeper was William Hoar and his son took over when he passed away. The families of the keepers lived on the island in a small house that was built next to the light house.
Today the light house is automated and the house next to it is in ruins. Over the years the light house has seen many changes. During World War II the lantern room was removed and the scrap metal was used to support the war effort. In 1965 the coast guard placed an automated beacon on top of the tower and in the early 2000s the lantern room was returned to give the tower its original look.
Mama Cormier 