Opening the Cottage and a Side Trip to Marks Point Park

Posted on June 1, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…May 31, 2026

Last week, our daughter, Andrea offered to drive with me to the cottage to open it up for the season. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

We left Sunday morning and arrived at the ferry dock about an hour early. It was a beautiful day. The new ferry wasn’t up and running yet but it was the last day for the Sandy Graham. Starting today a barge is taking its place until the new boat passes inspection.

When we arrived at the cottage we went to see our neighbours and shared some tea before the work began. We heard stories about how bad the mouse infestation was for some of our other neighbours. Fingers crossed, we opened the cottage to find only one dead mouse and minimal evidence that mice had even been there. We wiped down all the counters, swept the floors, put the deck furniture back outside, unpacked all the cushions, set up the BBQ and racked the leaves off the pathways and the deck.

Not wanting to return on the barge the next day we decided to take the old ferry back to the mainland that evening and have dinner at Andrea’s cottage which was only 10 minutes away. Seeing we weren’t rushed for time we decided to explore a road that we don’t normally take. We took it as far as it went and ended up at a very small park called Marks Point. We parked the car and walked towards the water.

There wasn’t much to see so after 10 minutes we got back into the car and drove to Andrea’s cottage. The lot next to her place had recently sold and the new owners had cleared out quite a few trees. Hopefully that is all that they’re planning to take out. It certainly changes Andrea’s and Josie’s view but there is more sun on their deck.

Water, Water Everywhere – Looking Back

Posted on September 16, 2025 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Jez for hosting Water, Water Everywhere https://jezbraithwaite.blog/2025/09/15/clyde-reflections-water-water-everywhere-279-2/

I decided to look back in my archives to see if I could share some oldies but goodies. From Niagara Falls to Ireland to Venice and everywhere in between from 2012 to 2016.

Macro Monday – From Acorn to Oak Tree

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Mama Cormier

….June 30, 2025

Last year we had an abundance of acorns. When you have a metal roof you become acutely aware of that fact when they start to fall.

I’ve never given much thought as to how acorns germinate to become trees until this summer. The pathways around my cottage are littered with tiny oak saplings and directly below the leaves are the acorns that have ruptured open and developed roots growing into the ground and leafy stems reaching for the sky. Luckily they are easy to pull up or I would have dozens of unwanted oak trees on my property.

Macro Monday – From Acorn to Oak Tree

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Mama Cormier

….June 30, 2025

Last year we had an abundance of acorns. When you have a metal roof you become acutely aware of that fact when they start to fall.

First Breakfast at the Cottage

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Mama Cormier

…June 30, 2025

I arrived at my cottage for the first time this season. Knowing we were going to be in London for a month I hired two young men (friends of the family) to go to the cottage and open it up, tidy, sweep, wipe down counters and set up the deck furniture and build me a railing for the deck. It was the best money I ever spent.

When I arrived I only had to make up my bed, cover the couches, start the fridge and put away the food. Today I will do a deeper clean of the cupboards and give all the dishes a quick wash.

This morning I made my first thermos of filter coffee and prepared oatmeal with fresh Ontario strawberries, drizzled with wildflower honey, cream and cinnamon. Yum!

Pic and a Word Challenge – Shoreline

Posted on November 9, 2024 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Patrick Jennings for hosting the Pic and Word Challenge https://pixtowords.com/2024/11/06/shoreline-pic-and-a-word-challenge-394/

Most of the year I live close to the shoreline of Lake Ontario and in the summer my cottage is a two minute walk from Georgian Bay.

I’ve also been lucky enough to walk along the shoreline of the Bay of Fundy and the shorelines of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick on Canada’s East Coast.

Seven Years Ago in September

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Becky B for hosting September Squares Seven https://thesquaresofb.com/2024/09/06/seven-squares-6/

Fond memories of time spent at Kahshe Lake.

Opening the Cottage – June 21-24, 2024

Posted on June 24, 2024 by Mama Cormier

…after making sure that someone I know was going to be close by

It’s getting harder and harder to find people to go up the cottage with me to open up but I have to admit that It’s actually getting easier and easier. I’m more worried about falling and not having someone close by to check up on me.

Of course the weekend I chose to open it rained all weekend. I did, however, manage to set up the BBQ, put out the deck furniture, rack the leaves and sweep the the deck. Inside the cottage there was very little to do. For some reason, the mice stayed away this winter (hooray!) so I just had to wipe down the dust and put away the groceries that I brought along. Luckily I had a new book with me so I managed to get a good start on that.

Naturally, the sun came out today when I was getting ready to leave. The next visit will be easier and I will actually start the refrigerator. This time I just kept my food on icepacks. Maybe I’ll even go for a swim but I’m sure the water is freezing.

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Sunsets

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Sue W and GC for hosting Weekly Prompts https://weeklyprompts.com/2024/06/05/weekly-prompts-wednesday-challenge-sunset/

Over the years I’ve taken numerous photos of sunsets but the most spectacular have almost always been at my cottage, overlooking the bay.

Cee’s Which Way Challenge – Dirt Roads or Pathways

Posted on February 8, 2024 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Cee for hosting CWWC https://ceenphotography.com/2024/02/08/cwwc-dirt-roads-or-dirt-pathways-or-trails/

From trails in the neighbourhood parks, to hiking trails along the Bruce Trail, walking on the sandy trails at Big Sand Bay and back to the trails at Colonel Sam Smith Park in the neighbourhood.