March Break at the Cottage
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| Typical cottage entertainment--unplugged! |
As I sit down to write this blog I am struck by the difference between this March Break and the last one here at the cottage. Last year it was all about renovations, tearing out the old, manky carpet, laying flooring, varnishing beds and painting. The weather was still wintery, but temperatures moderate with lots of sunshine to warm things up. This year there are no renovation projects underway--just discussions about possibilities. It’s nice to truly relax and unwind. However...
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| Rocket and Buster |
We are here with our two dogs, Dermot and Pippa and their four puppies. Rocket, Buster, Bandit and Isla are 6 weeks old and BUSY!! They, like their parents, love the cottage. They run around like demented things, chew anything in sight, clamber all over each other, our feet, our shoes. They are getting better at doing their business on the provided mat, but we still spend lots of time cleaning up after them. We do have a nice little “puppy yard” for them, but when awake, they want to be dashing about. Can’t blame them really.
Yesterday was sunny and warmish--on the plus side of zero anyway. We haven’t had many days like that this winter. In fact, this is the snowiest winter I can remember since childhood. The snow has been magnificent. It has also been the coldest winter I can remember, it seems like there were weeks and weeks of -20*C weather. Despite the cold, I have been out cross country skiing a few times with my friend Arlene, back home in Guelph. Here at the cottage, John and Anne got out on that gloriously sunny day and skied around the islands and up to the Ramparts Cottage (ruined by the current owners apparently). Kate, whose feet seem to be growing exponentially does not have cross country ski boots that fit. She was able to get out on snowshoes though and toured around with John (on skis), and claims that snowshoeing is a much more intense work-out!!
Once again we are here with the delightful heat of the fireplace insert, but no running water. It is amazing how little water you can get away with using. It makes me re-think my wasteful ways when at home. Of course, we do have a huge lake, albeit under about 2 feet of ice, so water is there, available and just has to be hauled up the steep, snowy hill. Easy? John chopped the hole in the ice with the chain saw. Frankly that sounds really dangerous to me. I think I’ll get him an ice auger for Father’s Day (I’m sure he’ll be thrilled!)
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| What a great Dad Dermot is! |
Anne and Kate are working on a 1000 piece puzzle of the cover of the Abbey Road Album, something they rarely have time to do at home. It is really coming along. The games table that John made is working beautifully, and even if they don’t finish this time, they can leave it all set up for when they arrive next time. Simple pleasures.
Today John, Anne and Kate went over to Uncle Mac’s for a visit and a trip back to the sugar bush. With the cold weather, the sap wasn’t running much, but it was still a lovely time, and always great to see family. What was I doing at the time? I was back at the cottage, puppy-sitting and doing homework--ugh. At least it is done for the moment, and we can travel back to Guelph tomorrow without me panicking about all the work I have to do! So we will stop en route at Aunt Virginia’s for breakfast, and then in Cobourg to visit with John’s parents.
I must admit--I love every opportunity to come to the cottage. It is so serene here, so quiet, so pretty. We all sleep better too--comfy mattresses? Fresher air? Less stress? All of the Above??? Nice.
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| The Moon from our Front Porch |
