August Vacation - Looking Back!

When our children were young, we usually took family vacations in August.

I often taught summer school in July - so, during that month, the children attended day camps and enjoyed activities we never did as a family: tennis camp,  YMCA camp outdoors in the woods - where a squirrel memorably chewed a hole on one of the kid's backpacks because he could smell a peanut butter sandwich inside.

Then in August, we'd pack everyone into the station wagon and head off - some years to Texas, where my brother's family lives. Some years out west, where both Terry and I have relatives. Other years, we'd stay closer to home.

In 1988, we headed to New England, Maine - and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, where Terry was born.

If our kids learned to be adventuresome, to get along - and to know their cousins - I credit these long family vacations - when we spent 3 or 4 weeks together - in a cramped vehicle - on the road!

Reconnecting!

On a recent visit to Merrickville, we happened to see the "Kawartha Voyageur" - a cruise boat I took down the Rideau Canal 10 years ago.

It was such an interesting experience! 

I wanted to view the canal from a different perspective - from the water, rather than the land. 

What a fun - and relaxing - learning experience that was!

 I would definitely love to do it again!

Beginning to Bloom!

One of my favourite perennials in our front garden bed is beginning to bloom...

Japanese anemones! I just love them.

I see a lot of buds, so hopefully we'll enjoy a long blooming season.

Granny Square Day?!

Last Saturday was "Granny Square Day" - according to an online yarn store I get emails from...

I wonder what I was supposed to do to celebrate?!

I haven't made granny squares for a long time...

But I did notice these two creations in the mall. Both used timeless granny squares to make modern designs!

Woodland Sounds

Often in summer we leave a few windows open for fresh air.

On quiet mornings, bird songs - and the chattering of chipmunks - remind us that there's an active world out there!

Those who enjoy the sounds of nature - but can't open their windows - can still listen to forest sounds from around the world on a website called Tree.fm.

A world map is even provided to indicate where these forest sounds have been recorded.

Another kind of "virtual" travel!

Brockville Rib Fest

Last weekend, we drove to Brockville - a town on the St. Lawrence River - for their annual rib fest.

The live music was great!

The barbecued corn on the cob, blooming onion...

And, of course - the ribs - were a treat.

The views were spectacular!

So nice to be back... It's a great place to visit - especially in summer!

Storm Passes Through!

Two nights ago, a sudden, fierce storm passed through our neighbourhood - and at 10:35 pm, our power went off.

The next day, it was still off, so we headed over to our nearest McDonalds to have coffee and charge our cell phones. (For a while, at home, Terry was able to use a battery for a cordless branch trimmer to power his computer! Life is forcing us to be innovative!)

En route, we saw piles of downed branches...

Now we're back home, hoping that power will be restored soon...

Here's another downed tree on a path often used by dog walkers...

I wandered over to Earl and Mary's yard where part of a neighbour's tree snapped off, pulling down some wires.

There's lots of tidying up to do, apart from our loss of electricity!

It's been quite a summer - and we haven't reached hurricane season yet!