The Pool

This summer, mostly while we were away, we had a pool put in the backyard. We love it. It's late Sept and there has been quite a heat wave so we are still enjoying it. We'll close after Thanksgiving.

It looks better now as we've laid sod and fixed up flagstone, etc. But, they were able to install without disrupting the existing gardens. The back wall of the garage was taken off to get the necessary equipment in and then put back up! The pool is 16x32 and is kept at 84F! It is a saline pool and it is so much easier (and less expensive) to maintain than the chlorine pool we had in Dundas. The water is much nicer, too. The heat is from a heat exchanger which is also a lot more efficient than the gas heater we had in the past. Can't get Kaylee to go swimming yet, but we're working on it. There are stairs so she could get in and out. She fell in the last pool when she was a pup and couldn't get out - only ladders. Maybe next summer.

No, it's not a circulation desk

Anita at the Waterloo board office tried to comfort me that the till couldn't be more demanding than the circ desk in the library. Oh how so wrong consultant one! No bar codes! Memory is the key and I'm over 50 remember! What's taxable and what's not is very strange. Salsa isn't, tortilla chips are. Why? Isn't learning fun?

In Case You Thought I Was Kidding

Yes, I really do go to work - why else would I wear this silly apron? Today (Saturday) saw a lot more people. I had to train a high school student for the afternoon shift. Me, after just a few days on the job training! I put out the wagons and produce in the morning after I've watered the plants. Believe it or not, it takes about an hour. I baked more cookies (yes, Marg, I do cookies) a few times today as they really do move. Actually, I'm enjoying the learning.

Tomatoes

Well, today I learned the fine art of putting field tomatoes into 3 l baskets. The father of the farmer was my instructor. He's very picky about how it's done and there is a knack that he has for it. Then again, he's been packing tomatoes for over 40 years. It's like doing a jigsaw puzzle unfortunately as I'm not good at that at all. Well, I managed and he only redid a few! Lots more activity today and more time with customers. I'm getting the hang of the cash register and debit and credit cards. No bar codes so I do have to know prices but I have a cheat sheet. Opening in the morning has lots of chores so I'm busy all the time.

The Waves

More Pancake Bay

I suppose it is silly to feel this way, but as nice as it was to come home from work and go for a swim I really miss the lake. So, it prompted me to look some more at the pictures from Pancake . I hope you enjoy them.

And What Was I Thinking?????

It seemed like a good idea at the time! I noticed on the sign outside Lindley's Farm Market that they were looking for fall help. I applied and they actually hired me. So, for the past two days I have been helping set up for the fall trade and we open tomorrow.

I have never done retail. I have never operated a cash register. For goodness sake they even have me baking cookies!

Need a pumpkin anyone? Oh well, it's just for 6 weeks.

www.lindleysfarm.com

Lions and tigers and bears - no moose!

The black bear is likely 3-4 years old. Still lots of growing to do.

After all my travels in Northern Ontario, NS and NB I have yet to set sights on a moose.

If you need to travel by car in any of these areas and want to be safe, call me!

Sorry Joyce

After dinner we went for a tour of the lake. It got a bit chilly.

Some people just have a sense for fashion - what can I say!

What A Great Place!

The lodge is on Lake Wabagonushi and there were many loons (often an adult with a young one) and immature bald eagles who had yet to develop the white head feathers.

The people were terrific and the food great.

Errington's Wilderness Camp

Linda, Joyce (our pal from Ft Frances, Ont) and I decided to extend the canyon trip. We transferred from the tour train to the passenger train at the canyon and travelled to Mile 204 where we were met by Al Errington and his pontoon boat. The train is like a bus - it stops where ever people want it to and drop off and pick up. The train is the only way in or out in many places. The people were mostly going or coming from fishing camps. The area is the Chapleau Reserve and there has been no hunting in the area since 1925. There was a family that got off just a few miles before us. I think, from what I observed, that the older man was likely a track manager years ago. With him were two daughters and a son in law. The son in law as frantically making video footage. They got off at a little house on the side of the tracks where the older man must have once lived while working. The women expressed that it looked a lot different 25 years ago! I guess the family were taking him back for a last visit. Actually, it was very touching. When we took the return train back to the Sault, the men were out fishing and the women waved to the train.

Some Colour

It was hard to get good pictures from inside the train but it really was beautiful.

Ontario doesn't get the respect it deserves. I think this is an absolutely beautiful province. I've been to a lot of it especially with the union work. Maybe it's because it is so big and takes so much time to get around. My advice, pick an area and go explore.

The Canyon

I took this shot after climbing 320 steps to an observation post. I huffed and puffed but it was worth the view.

The Train Ride

The tour train leaves at 8 am and arrives at the canyon around 11:30 am. The 1940's passenger cars apparently are being up dated soon (Ont govt is making an investment) which will be great for the already large tourist market. The canyon is at Mile 112. Passenger trains have a speed limit of 35 mph (freight is 25 mph) so it is a leisurely trip and lots of time to look, reflect and just soak it all in. We took the train on Sept 12. If I were to do it again, and I likely will, I think I'd wait to the 3rd week of Sept. The colours just got better and better with each passing day.

Agawa Canyon Trip

Some time ago, just after the amalgamation of school boards, I was assigned to work on the new contract for high school teachers in Algoma. Travelling there in the fall was wonderful - the colour on the trees viewed from the plane were fabulous. I told myself that as soon as I retired I was taking the Agawa Canyon train to see the colours. We left Ancaster on Sept. 10 and drove through Michigan to the Sault. Linda and I took a drive out to Pancake Bay for old times sake for me. Barry, my brother, worked there for a couple of summers as a teen. My parents and I took trips up to visit him. I love the beach. It is long, sandy and the Lake Superior waves are tremendous.

Best Seafood Finds in NS

I have had considerable trouble with pictures from NS. I had them printed but do not seem to be able to access them on the computer. I didn't like the camera much - bought it new for the trips. I took it back to Henry's and they were very accommodating. I like my new one much better and have pictures of the last adventure.

Anyway, to my mind my best lobster was at the Lobster Pound at Hall's Harbour. The best clams (actually whole and not strips) at a little place called Mom's Diner at Caning and by best scallops were not at Digby but from there prepared at Acton's in Wolfville.

I've discovered I really am not that enamoured with the ocean. I think Lake Huron has spoiled me. The scenery was often quite beautiful or rugged. The biting insects drove me crazy. Glad we went and having a home base on the mainland and Cape Breton was a good idea for us. Fort Loisburg was probably the highlight. We had a wonderful guide (Iris) who had loads of wonderful stories to tell. The reconstruction is very impressive and we got a real feel for life in the booming port. Stop for breakfast at Judy's Lil Diner and tell her you'll take cookies to her husband at the forge. She sent us with a treat for him.

Oh, and it is true - NS are exceptioanlly friendly.