Month: July 2019

Yesterday I did some work on our deck. Over time, some of the screws have loosened so I spent some time adding new ones to stop the creaking and squeaking. I will do more today because it got too hot yesterday afternoon.

Then we went to see a recently released movie starring Brad Pitt and Leonard DiCaprio written and directed by Quentin Tarantino called Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

It was a great movie. MY Jane and I enjoyed it a lot.

The drip irrigation system that I felt met our needs is only available in the US, so I decided to check out Home Depot myself and Found all the components I need for a reliable set-up in the back yard.

I have also ordered a WiFi compatible timer so we can control the system from anywhere. It will also pair up with the local weather network so if rain is predicted, the system will not activate.

Once I get that timer, I will install the supply hose and hook things up. The cost is about $200 total but as MY Jane has pointed out, it will protect our investment of time and money we have spent over the last several years to get our garden where we want it.

While we were away on our two week cottage vacation, our back garden didn’t get watered and there was little rain. Consequently, many of the annuals died and some perennials May have died as well.

MY Jane and I have spent a lot of time and money getting our garden where it is, so we have decided to put in a garden irrigation drip system on a timer.

Yesterday I began doing some research into this idea and I have found the timer we need. Now I need to come up with a durable drip system.

Yesterday morning MY Jane and I started the final packing to return home after two wonderful weeks on Bonnie Island. No sooner did we get Shenanigans loaded when it began to rain.

We waited a bit, hoping it would let up, but finally decided to head over to Sturgeon Bay marine.

Just then, Brandon, one of the owners showed up in his boat and offered to take something back, but we were OK.

Burdie called and said he was on schedule but was going to check out Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park with a view to camping there in the Fall.

Once he arrived we got the trailer hitched up and our first try at loading it didn’t work out too well. One of the bunks had come loose from the bolts and we had to return the dinghy to the water and spend another hour fixing it. Luckily Burdie came prepared with his tools,

Needless to say, a quick loading was not to be had. We spent about an hour fixing the one trailer bunk that had come loose.

Finally got it loaded and Shenanigans is now back at Brandy’s and we are back home.

Today is our last day on Bonnie Island. It has been a wonderful two weeks.

The first week, we had the whole family here and they all had a great time too; all of them want to do it again next year.

It was just MY Jane and me the second week and it was just a beautiful time together.

Yesterday kind of topped it off with a heron landing on a rock right in front of the cottage and later, Jane saw a hawk swoop down and grab a fish from the water.

A fantastic two weeks that went by so quickly.

Yesterday MY Jane and I didn’t go anywhere. We just stayed around the cottage enjoying the view and each other’s company.

After lunch we went to the nearby seating platform and watched boats go by. Later, we decided to try swimming off the rock cliff.

We gingerly made our way and, using the natural rock ledges to get to the water’s edge, went swimming.

We found the water cooler out here in the open, but refreshing nonetheless.

After a cottage dinner of hot dogs and homemade blueberry pie, we returned to the platform to to watch a gorgeous sunset.

Yesterday morning MY Jane and I enjoyed Egg McMuffins and coffee on the Bay. We turned the motor off and drifted quietly while we ate.

Shortly after, we continued onward to Point au Baril Station which was about 15 minutes by boat. There, we did a bit of shopping and then Jane took the helm back to Bonnie Island.

We gathered up a few things for the return home so that on Saturday, our check out date, we would have to make only one trip.

While over at Sturgeon Bay Marine, I bought some firewood and we had a bonfire later that night and toasted a few marshmallows.

Yesterday was quiet on Bonnie Island. MY Jane and I did some exploring, walking toward the middle of the island. We were surprised at the dryness of the area back there.

We took turns floating on the inflatable chair and I had a nap in my hammock.

I was surrounded by a flock of geese while I slept.

We played our daily round of Yahtzee and then chilled on the deck.

For dinner, Jane put together a delicious combo of Chinese noodles and shrimp and BBQd sweet potatoes.

We ended the day by watching a movie called the Time Machine, made in 1960. Entertaining for sure.

Yesterday MY Jane and I went for a toodle in Shenanigans just to explore the area a bit.

We went all around Skunk Island and looked at cottages west of Bonnie Island. We didn’t see any skunks, but we did stop, turn the engine off and watch a loon fishing for awhile.

One cottage had a nice trawler tied up at their dock.

And our Inukshuk that Sara, Steve, Jane and I made is still standing.

It was a nice little jaunt after which I had a nap and Jane relaxed in the anti gravity chair from which she spotted a Bald Eagle perched in the tree above!

We finished the day with a delicious supper on the deck.

Yesterday MY Jane and I chilled on the cottage deck after breakfast.

Then we went swimming after which we took all our garbage and recycling to Point au Baril Station, a fifteen minute boat ride from the cottage.

After dark, we were sitting inside the cottage when we smelled and saw smoke coming from the next door cottage which we thought was unoccupied.

Thinking something might be amiss, we hopped in the dinghy to investigate. Turns out there was somebody there after all.

A big relief and some satisfaction that we did the right thing.

Yesterday everyone left for home. Just after a late breakfast, they started gathering their stuff together and by mid afternoon, I began transporting Steve and Sara.

Then I returned for Chris, Tonya and Max❤️.

By then, Steve had Chris’ car cooled down with the AC.

They both went straight through to their respective homes in Toronto.

We already miss them. But all of them want to do it again next year.

Yesterday was a lot of fun. We all had breakfast on the deck and enjoyed the view.

Later Steve & Sara and Chris & Tonya went out for a dinghy ride and took turns jumping into the lake to beat the heat.

Steve lit a bonfire and we toasted marshmallows.

Grandma got some cuddle time with Max.

The boys and I smoked cigars on the deck after a delicious dinner of BBQ turkey.

Then it was a fireworks display at the waters edge to cap off the day.

We’ll be sad to see them all go today.

Yesterday, just after 11am, Chris Tonya and Max arrived at Sturgeon Bay Marine. Steve was there with Shenanigans to meet them. They had stayed in Barrie at our place overnight.

This was Max’s very first boat ride and he loved it.

MY Jane and I were pretty excited to have Max here with us and everybody together.

Tonya went tubing later in the day and we enjoyed libations on the deck.

Later Grandma got to cuddle Max.

Yesterday was tubing day.

Then in the afternoon it was time to swim and float.

This morning, MY Jane and Steven got up bright and early to see the sunrise.

While they were down at the dock, they observed a family of otters nearby and Steve got pretty close to them with the kayak.

Yesterday, we just hung out and took a spin in Shenanigans over to the store at Point au Baril Station.

There’s a picturesque little church near there.

Steve and Sara made dinner for us – Steve’s specialty of Spaghetti Bolognese. It was delicious.

After that we went a platform lookout at the other side of the island to watch the sunset and Steve let off some fireworks.

Another superlative day.

Yesterday morning, right after coffee, Steven made a fire in the firepit to cook up a breakfast sausage.

And after breakfast he headed to the dock in search of the resident turtle. He found it.

It was a huge snapper and very aggressive. After a few minutes we returned it to the water.

Later, Sara made a portobello and cheese entree and MY Jane made a huge salad. Both were delicious.

We finished the day off with a campfire after which it began to rain.

Another great day.

Yesterday, Steven and Sara arrived just after noon. We got all their stuff loaded into Shenanigans and headed over to the cottage.

It was great to see them both and they were happy to finally be here.

The rest of the afternoon was spent just chillin. Steve had a snooze in the hammock while Sara and Jane sunned on the dock.

I napped in the floating chair for awhile.

After a small lunch, I caught a small pike off the dock and Steve discovered a baby muskrat hiding near the shore.

We had a delicious salmon dinner on the deck after which we began watching a movie called The Handmaiden’s Tale.

Steve flew his drone amongst the trees and way out over the lake. His I phone showed the view from above. Fantastic!

A great day once again.

Yesterday morning we packed up the car and headed to Point au Baril and our cottage rental on Bonnie Island.

We stopped for lunch and afterward, loaded Shenanigans with supplies.

We were met there by the owners who helped us take stuff up to the cottage.

They left and we went back to the marina, a short boat ride away, for a second load.

Later today Steve and Sara will be coming up for a week.

It’s all good!

This morning we have a few things, including a frozen turkey, to pick up at the grocery store, after which we will pack up the car and head off to our two week cottage rental near Point au Baril.

Steven and Sara will be coming up tomorrow and on Thursday we will be joined by Chris, Tonya and Max.

We have been looking forward to this for months and the day has finally come.

Yesterday we got Shenanigans tied up at Sturgeon Bay. It wasn’t without its tribulations, though. The battery had gone completely dead because a toggle switch for the bilge pump had inadvertently been turned on last time I put the dinghy cover on. It’s happened before, but this time because the battery was six years old, I decided to get a new one.

I have ordered toggle switch protective covers to prevent this from happening in future.

The high water level in Georgian Bay is quite evident.

Even the marina office had water on the floor.

Today my friend Burdie is meeting me at Brandy’s Marina to tow our dinghy up to Sturgeon Bay Marina, near our cottage rental location.

I don’t have a trailer hitch on my car and because we are thinking of getting a new one next year, it doesn’t make sense to get one put on the KIA right now, hence Burdie, who has a hitch, is doing it.

We’ll get Shenanigans launched and tied up at one of the Marina docks until we begin our vacation this Saturday – only two days from now.

Today we continue getting ready for the cottage vacation. We did some grocery shopping and continued gathering items that we’ll need. We have started using the dining room table as a central staging area.

Continue reading “More Prepping”

Yesterday MY Jane continued working on menus for our upcoming two week cottage vacation. She started baking things too, which we will freeze.

While she was doing that, I began to gather up things like life jackets and water toys and placed them on a “staging” table of sorts out in the garage.

And while I was out picking up a prescription, I located another geocache-my second. This one was pretty easy to find, tied with an electrical tie in a tree.

Yesterday, after we left Steven and Sara’s, we decided to give geocaching our first try. Geocaching is a sophisticated form of treasure hunting where you use your gps to try to locate a cache that has been placed by someone else. When you find it, you sign the logbook and check it off your own list. There are thousands of these caches all over.

The nearest one to Steven and Sara’s was showing on the map as being at the Dawes Rd Cemetery near St. Clair Ave. We tried to find it but no luck.

We did, however find one near our place in Barrie. It was a metal peg inside a branch that was stuck in a tree.

Bu there was no place to record our find.

Yesterday afternoon, we drove down to Steve and Sara’s to stay the weekend and meet up with Chris and Tonya and their friend Maria.

We got there shortly after 2PM. Maria was already there and Chris, Tonya and Max arrived not long after.

We had great conversation over cold drinks and marvelling at how alert Max has become. He is staying awake longer and I even got a couple of smiles from him much my delight.

His uncle Steve is getting more comfortable holding him too.

Mom and Dad did some multi tasking.

Yesterday I relocated the sensor lights Over the garage door so the flag doesn’t activate them and then I put an exterior cover on the Wyze camera that overlooks the driveway.

And last night we enjoyed a BBQ chicken done on the rotisserie.

Later today, we head off to Steven and Sara’s place for an overnight stay where we will be join Ed by Chris and Tonya and Max. Maria, Tonya’s friend will be there too.

Looking forward to seeing everyone, especially our grandson, Max.

Yesterday MY Jane and I took a spin up to Helens cottage on Whalens Island in Georgian Bay.

It was a perfect day for a dinghy ride. The sun was bright, the temperature hot and the water warm for swimming.

We spent the afternoon there, chatting and enjoying the picnic lunch inside the cottage.

On the way back, we stopped at Port Severn and had a Hero Burger. It was a perfect day.

This morning we are heading up to Georgian Bay for some dinghy time and we will be visiting Jane’s cousin, Helen, at her cottage on Whalens Island.

This is the island where Jane’s parents had their cottage which was sold after Jane’s Dad passed away.

We visited with Helen up there last year and had a great time. Here’s a shot of them sitting on the dock.

Looking forward to a good day. The weather is shaping up nicely. We’ll take a picnic lunch there and maybe do some swimming.

Yesterday I installed a solar powered sensor light on the front of the garage as a security deterrent in light of the recent thefts from our car.

In addition, I have installed a security camera overlooking the front walkway and driveway. I am awaiting an exterior cover for that camera.

I learned that it takes seven days for the nicad batteries to fully charge at which time I can fully test the camera.

We had a great Canada Day weekend here with all of the Toronto Family members, Chris Tonya & Max and Steve and Sara, being here.

Uncle Steve held Max for the first time with Aunt Sara looking on.

It was a great weekend but when Chris Tonya & Max we’re all set to leave, Chris could not find his house keys which he had left in the car.

Turns out that both his car and our car had been ransacked because both of us had failed to lock them overnight. His keys had been taken.

A locksmith was called to get in their house and in the meantime they drove to Steve’s place to await a call from the locksmith.

Shortly after they left, MY Jane decided to post some signs in the neighbourhood regarding lost keys and as we slowly drove down the street keeping our eyes peeled, neighbours three doors down noticed we were driving a KIA and that we appeared to be looking for something.

I checked the top of the community mailbox hoping they might be there but no luck.

Jane got out to check a nearby shortcut pathway between the houses when she was hailed by this neighbour who asked if she was looking for something.

When she said she was looking for her son’s keys, he immediately responded, “I have them.”

We couldn’t believe it, but sure enough he handed over Chris’ keys.

We then drove them down to Steve’s and handed them over to a relieved Chris.

To top it all off, we ended up having a Family BBQ at Steve’s. A happy ending to an otherwise downer of a day.

Last night, immediately before I went to bed, Sara and Steven arrived at our place after visiting friends at nearby Friday Harbour.

I stayed up long enough to greet them and then retired for the night.

It was such a delight spending most of yesterday with Max here. He is such a cute guy and so well behaved too. He hardly cries and we didn’t hear him at all through the night.

I have been busy making wooden toys for him and all future grandchildren. Here’s one of the first.