Taking Advantage of the Day

Ron and I had one of those rare days.  We had nothing on the calendar, household duties were semi caught up and Sarah was away for the day.  We decided that the weather was just right for a motorcycle ride.  I wasn’t feeling the best but I didn’t want to waste a good day.  We rode down towards Lake Ontario and then waited for the ferry to arrive.  

We drove on and enjoyed the calm ride over to the county.  A couple from Savannah, Georgia chatted with us and told us that they were planning on doing the same drive and were stopping at an outdoor restaurant that served fresh pickerel.  

The ride from the ferry was beautiful.  We got lots of views of the water and the temperature was perfect.  We stopped at a fruit stand and picked up a few apples to take home.  Just around the corner, we found the Cressy Mustard restaurant.  We found our way to a table in the shade and ordered.

 Ron and I split a fish and chips meal with a side of dill pickle macaroni salad.  It was all very tasty.  By the time we were done eating, I felt done.  Ron headed home.  When we got there, I crawled into bed and fell sound asleep.  

Meanwhile…Sarah had gone to the Fun Zone with friends from the church.  The two young moms have four children between them.  I am sure that they enjoyed Sarah running after their children almost as much as Sarah enjoyed getting her children fix.

In the evening, we went over to watch the start of the FireFit competitions.  Tonight there were just local businesses competing against each other.  The next two days will be when the competition heats up when the firefighters take over the course.

Special Delivery

This morning Purolator arrived at our door.  They required a signature for a parcel.  We weren’t expecting any thing.  The driver said that it was from the RCMP.  Ron opened the package to find his badge encased.  We placed it on the shelf with other memories.  

Sarah and I walked over to the post office to pick up the mail.  She had received a letter.  She now has a picture ID which also makes her a legal driver.

Exciting and interesting deliveries today.

Found

Found…one set of keys!  If you have been following along with my blog you will know that on Ron’s birthday, while in Bon Echo we lost a set of keys.  Today they were found!

You know when you lose something how you check every place over and over again.  Well, I thought we did that.  We had walked the trails, checked the beach and looked through every bag many times.  When we got home that evening, I repeated the check of every bag again.

This afternoon, Ron and I were getting ready to head to a lake.  I pulled out my usual backpack and I felt something.  Inside the pocket where I had put my keys was another little hiding spot and there they were. The question still remains how they got there but we now have the keys back and an extra set that Ron had already ordered and got programmed.  Sarah is kind of excited about now having her own set of keys to the truck.

So the case of the missing keys has been closed.  Certain questions will remained unanswered because we are dealing with a couple of people who seem to forget where they put their things.

I did take my extra set of keys today and we came home with both.

89 Years!

August is a birthday month for us.  Sarah turned 16, Ron turned 62 and today dad turns 89!

Wow…89?  It’s hard to believe that he has arrived at that age.  He has had health concerns along the way.  Close to 20 years ago he had a couple of heart attacks and went through the procedures of stents.  His mobility has caused many issues and he now walks with a cane and had difficulty getting up from a sitting position.  Recently his eyes have been giving him lots of concern.  He has lots of appointments and he keeps going.

So what do you get someone that is turning 89?  He has not ever been the easiest to buy for.  Back in the day he would suggest a gift.  I would get it and it would be not the right one or he had already purchased it. So….what to do?

The perfect solution is to make a favourite dessert.  Coconut Cream pie made with love…

• 1936

  Food Prices:

  • Milk: 10 cents per quart (0.95 litres), according to Statistique Canada. 
  • Eggs: 31 cents per dozen. 
  • Sirloin steak: 25 cents per pound (454 grams). 
  • Tinned tomatoes: 10 cents per tin. 
• Wages:

  • Halifax trackmen and laborers: $0.35 to $0.47 per hour. 
  • Montreal trackmen and laborers: $0.31 per hour. 
  • Halifax unskilled factory labor: $0.30 to $0.40 per hour. 
  • Montreal unskilled factory labor: $0.225 to $0.50 per hour. 
• Personal Income:

  The average personal income in 1935 was $313 per year, according to Statistique Canada. 

Happy Birthday Ron!

We have been busy with birthday celebrations for a 16 year old but today we had to set that aside and celebrate Ron.  Sarah gifted Ron two golf passes.  He booked a tee time for tomorrow.

It was another hot day so the only natural thing to do was head to the lake.  Just before we left, Ron told me to grab the extra set of truck keys just in case.  I secured them in my back pack and off we went. Today we chose Bon Echo Provincial Park.  We arrived right around lunch time.  I barbequed hamburgs and we enjoyed them under a tree.

We then headed closer to the lake.  It was a very busy day at the beaches but we finally found a little piece along the water.  We swam, kayaked and went on the paddle board.  We rested on the chairs and then repeated the process.  

The afternoon went by with lots of water time.  

Around 6:30, we decided it was time to pack up. We started to look for the keys.  They weren’t anywhere that we expected.  We began looking in the unexpected places.  We retraced our steps and Sarah and Jett even looked in the water.  Thankfully, Ron had told me to bring my keys.  On our last load to the truck we kept our eyes on the path hoping to find our lost keys.  No luck.  We loaded the kayak and stopped at the park office but no lost keys there either. Even after getting home, we hoped that they would appear in one of our bags but nothing.

The moral of the story is try to be prepared for the unexpected because some times what you fear will happen.

Ron will be getting a belated birthday gift…a new set of keys.

Too Hot To Not

We have been in a heat wave.  Our air conditioner has definitely been getting a work out.  Ron went for a bike ride this morning before it got too hot.  We had an errand in Napanee so we took the motorcycle in to town.  By the time we got home we were hot.

We had lunch and then started to pack up for the lake.  On our way, we picked up Jett.  We purchased an Ontario parks seasonal pass a few months ago and it has been used regularly.  Today, we went to Sharbot Lake Provincial Park.  We drove to the far side and set up our area.  This area has been a place that we have been going for over thirty years.

It was hot and the water was warm.  We all enjoyed a swim.  Sarah and I brought books and read for a bit before we worked on supper.  

We ate well. We enjoyed more swimming and I kayaked across the bay while Ron swam.  

Jett and Sarah had a unique experience.  They were floating and enjoying the lake and a loon swam close to them.  They watched him and he kept an eye on them.  After a few minutes, he dove and wasn’t seen again.

After one more swim, we packed up and drove home.  I still needed to get some steps so while I was doing that the others set up the viewing area in our driveway.  Tonight and tomorrow are supposed to be the best nights to watch the meteor showers.  The moon was a little bright and we saw a few.  It was nothing like our previous experiences in Waterton National Park but it was a nice ending to a good day.

It’s important to find those good moments to make memories.  When some say that it’s too hot, we say it’s too hot to not think about finding a lake!

Birthday Celebrations

Today was a full day.  We separated and conquered the tasks.  Ron and Sarah left for Kingston first thing in the morning.  They picked up Ariana, the birthday cake and shopped a little bit at Lululemon.

Cheryl and I worked at organizing the house for the birthday celebration.  We straightened, decorated and prepped for the party.  I was so thankful that Cheryl had agreed to come.  She helped in so many ways.

Lunch was served and then Ron took the girls to Gary and Denise’s to see the sheep and The Soap Shack.  Cheryl and I worked on the final touches.  We were ready!

The Bruyere’s were the first to arrive.  We were now a party of 11.  Next mom and dad arrived and found their chairs.  The last to arrive was Sarah’s grandma Lynn, her Aunts Christina and Liz.  The party was ready to start.

The table was set with food and everyone served themselves and found a place to eat.  

People chatted across the table and around the room.  

Downstairs, the kids were doing more laughing than eating.

Cake and icecream was served after the meal.  

Sarah opened her gifts and thanked everyone for their thoughtfulness.  She made her rounds to give everyone a hug.

The kids drifted off downstairs.  The Wii was given a work out with each one taking their turn. The pool table got a little attention too.

We made sure to take pictures as everyone was leaving.

We also took pics of those staying…

It was a good day.

16 and Driving

Sarah started her day with Aunt Christina.  This was a day talked about and planned for years.  Aunt Christina wanted to be the one to take Sarah for her driver’s test. We drove to Kingston and went for a walk and then got the message… “Well…I finished.” I waited and then sent a reply that just said, “and.”  Almost immediately I received two messages.  Sarah responded with, “passed” and Christina sent a picture of a happy girl.

Christina then let Sarah drive around Kingston.  First was a drive through to get a free drink from Starbucks.  They drove around Kingston and then found us at Reids’s Dairy.  Christina said that she thought she was ready for this maiden voyage but it took a little more out of her than she expected.  It was so nice of her to give Sarah this experience.

Once we got out of Kingston and onto quieter roads, Sarah drove.  She really did amazing.  She even pulled into the garage and not once did I slam on the brakes from the back seat.

We had a steak lunch and a little rest and then the girl was ready to go.  She wanted to get her free treat from Dairy Queen.  Off we went with Sarah as the chauffeur.  

Still recovering from the poison ivy

We stopped at Nana and Papa’s to give them the news that a new driver was in town.  Sarah drove home and took us through Frizzell Road where the birthday tour continued with a stop to see the sheep.  Gary and Denise were no where to be found but the sheep wished Sarah a very Happy BAAthday.

Ron decided that if a girl can drive our car, she should be able to drive the lawn mower.  Yikes, I hope he never thinks that of me!

Sarah looked at the car and thought it was a little dirty so out came the cleaning supplies for the vehicles.  With Grandpa’s instructions and direction, we now have a clean car.

Finally, as the evening approached we sat down to some cake.

It was an exciting day…driving, cutting grass and washing a car!  Who could ask for anything more?

Sweet Sixteen

Today is the day that Sarah has been waiting for.  Today she turns 16!  Many, many years ago I remember the excitement of that special birthday for me.  Being able to write a test and given the permission to drive.  It’s pretty exciting and worth celebrating.

It’s hard to believe that our little princess is now Sweet Sixteen and yes, she is the sweetest.

We are so proud of the young woman she is becoming but of course, to her old grandparents, she will always be our little grand baby.

Happy Birthday Sarah!  Praying that this year will be filled with happy memories, good friends and lots of joy.

Love you more!

Nanny and Grandpa

The Front Porch of Paradise

My front porch is our little haven.  I look forward to the mornings when the schedule is clear and the weather is nice.  I take my coffee and sometimes a blanket to enjoy the start of the day.  Usually Ron is with me and we chat and identify the bird songs.  This morning, he is off to a lake somewhere and I chose to have a slower morning and enjoy my front porch.

This is where I can slow my breathing and enjoy the quiet moments.  I can hear a few cars moving down on the main road.  People off to appointments or work but I just listen to them as the noise disappears.  The fountain in our garden gurgles and as the sun hits it waters sprays out into the bird bath.  

The birds are singing in their choir.  The Merlin Bird Ap has identified them as…

This morning I am treated to a new song.  The Bobolink has joined and added their sweet voice to the mix.

A buzz overhead causes me to stop and look up as a humming bird flew in to enjoy his breakfast on the porch.  

Yesterday, when we sat enjoying the morning sounds, a deer came up to grace us with her presence.  We have been treated to a turtle trying to get somewhere and even a fox trotting up the road all from our comfortable chair in front of our home.

There are very few vehicles that pass our house but when they do it usually is a neighbour who waves and smiles.  Sometimes there are morning walkers..the usual are the lady from the bake shop walking her dog and the United Church minister getting her legs moving before the day gets going.  Occasionally, others may pass and we wonder, are they local or just visiting the area?  Sometimes Penny, the cat comes for breakfast.  Oh…there goes the United Church minister…right on cue.

Last summer a friend had her porch lined with ferns.  They were beautiful but in the fall she was going to throw them away.  I took one and nursed it all year in the house.  It was constant labour of love….spraying, watering and cleaning up after it.  It made it through the winter but did not look healthy in the spring.  When the weather warmed up, I moved it to the front porch.  At first, I didn’t think it would make it and then the humidity came.  New sprouts shot up.  It became vibrant and full of life.

 I think I relate to my “Roxy” fern.  After I sit enjoying the gentle breeze, the warm air and beautiful sounds from my front porch I feel a little more refreshed and ready for my day.