CANADA DAY - JULY 1, 2014

Happy Canada Day, eh!  Rain rain go away 'cause we want to fish today! (Again!) And watch fireworks! And drive the Gator! And buy a 4-Wheeler! LOL

The K pups are celebrating! Kyle and Gavin helped with the posing! Cute!!!

This morning, Sue and Wayne took the boys shopping at Walmart (20th anniversary of the big W in Canada) to find the bargains. They are having fries at the "Chip Truck" for lunch. Mark and I took laundry to Keewatin and fueled up the truck. 

Practicing "Solitaire". 

Snuggling with Julius. 

Assistant Shorty Hot Pants "Takin' care of business" with Wayne. LOL

Walking the doggies was very buggy this afternoon ... 

Here's Robbie ... ready for the bugs!

Tonight, Wayne is treating for supper at Boston Pizza where it's "Pasta TUESDAY!"  Alright!!!

Boston Pizza antics ... Gavin ordered a "Shirley Temple"! It was a great dinner ... we had a lot of laughs. 

We all came back and played the second half of Mexican Dominoes. Sue was the winner ... final score of 125. Not a record but very good. 

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2014

Last night, amid gusty wind and squally rain, we had a good pork loin dinner and a rousing game of Mexican Dominoes. 

Gavin and Mark outdid each other with their own brand of goofiness and had us all laughing!!!

We headed down the hill about 8:30 during a rain break to watch a movie. The boys tanked on us and went to bed at 9:10!!!  Hahaha ... but Mark didn't last beyond 10. 

This morning, Kyle invited Maggie into their room to wake Gavin. Then, the boys headed up to Nana Sue's and Grandpa Wayne's for breakfast ... at least the FIRST breakfast. They arrived back down here an hour later for toast and Nutella. 

Maggie is having THE BEST time with the boys here!

Nana Sue drove us all downtown to see the Muskies on Main displays. There are some great ideas!

A Muskie display ... very nautical. 

The train museum's Muskie. Cool. 

The boys wanted fries at Ye Olde Chip Truck 

but it was closed due to blustery weather! Wha wa waa. LOL. Look at those faces. 

We had Teen Burgers and fries with giant A & W Root Beers for lunch. It was a good outing. After, we went to Safeway where the boys had $10 each for their choice of snacks. 

In the afternoon, Mark took the boys fishing (in the dang rain) ... then Nana Sue and Grandpa Wayne entertained with Mexican Dominoes. Our dinner was 3 pizzas done to suit everyone's taste followed by a game of Eye Spy ... Wayne eventually won! LOL. 

While Sue tidyied up, we went down the hill to watch a movie at Chippy's Hollow. 

SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014

"The boys are back in town" and they WANT to go fishing. LOL. And drive the Gator! And eat cake. And stay up late. Haha. 

Watching "The Little Rascals" with Kyle, Gavin, ROBBIE and Mark last night! We ate popcorn and stayed up til 11:10. Wow. Robbie was very interested in Petey! Mark recalled all the characters from the original movie. LOL. The boys stayed with Mark and I at Chippy's Hollow last night!  It was fun. 

Sue, Wayne, Penny & Ron have gone to breakfast this morning! 

We had already eaten cereal and toast when we heard about the "breakfast out"! So, instead, we walked the Scotties ... saw a deer ... came home and slathered on the sunscreen then the boys went with Mark to wade on the flooded dock to fish. 

Fishing on the floating dock ... 

Mark caught a big one! Apparently they had two ... you know, "the one that got away!"  Haha. 

Yesterday's find ... a  B I G dock spider. Yucky. 

Maggie loves having the kids around. Maybe she originated in a home with kids! She was a 9 month old stray when we adopted her!

Robbie's enjoying a beef hide chew on the new rug. Yes, he's allowed. ;-)

Gavin and the big one!!! LOL

After lunch, Kyle took Grandpa to fish on the dock! About 3 they had given up and Mark and Gavin took their spot on the floating dock until storm clouds chased them inside. After popcorn and drinks the shower ended and we walked up for 4 o'clock Happy Hour. Rose came by on her Quad, as promised. (Kyle wants one of THOSE!). LOL. Gavin entertained himself with a round of Solitaire!  

Tonight is pork tenderloin and a side of Mexican Dominoes!!!

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2014

Good day y'all. Mark and I were up and off to Shopper's for the Canada Day sale! When we arrived home, the family had arrived for the weekend ... and it's Kyle's 12th birthday!  

Gavin showed us his DVD of the Goldberg Project done over the year at his school. It was very entertaining!!! Kyle got bored with us and went to drive the Gator with Grandpa Wayne. 

Mark took the boys fishing on the dock ... had a bite but no supper. LOL. Alas, we'll  have to eat steak. ;-)

Penny and I had a good gab at Chippy's while Sue set the birthday table and got organized. (Actually, they were all creeping about the cottage thinking Penny was laying down as the guest room door was closed. LOL). 

Ron and Wayne fixed the garage door panel ... again. Last time, the panel was the wrong one!    

Auntie Sue with Robbie at Chippy's Hollow. 

Penny with her boys, Gavin and Kyle ... modeling their new Tom Sawyer hats. 

Gavin and Kyle are both June birthdays. We had a Jeannie's Chocolate Cake Roll!!! Everyone loved the cookie crust and the boys enjoyed their pressies. 

Afterward, we played 99 ... I was the first one out ... by the time I got down the steps to Chippy's, Gavin was behind me. 

Ron and Gavin ... 

My TV surfer. Haha. 

DOCK/DECK PARTY - FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2014

Good morning! Wow, we had two hours of sunshine! 

Today, Les & Lynne are dropping in on their way to Northern Harbor. The lake water is very high but, according to pals Ken & Dale, it's doable. We heard Northern Harbour, where their boat is docked, shut down all power, fuel service and pump-out due to flooding. We must be optimistic!

Right on!

Mark BBQ'd burgers while I set the table and made a salad. We had a good visit with Lynne and Les and caught up on news. Les was suffering with a runny nose and taking Zicam. Sue popped in  to visit for a few minutes. (Wayne was on the phone arranging a serviceman to replace a pump to the septic system.)

Tonight, is Marybeth's and Monty's deck party. Just as I wrote this the sun came out. I made two Biltmore House dips ... one is bacon cheddar onion, and the other is a spicy fiesta dip. Hopefully they will be delicious. We really liked them both when we tried them on our visit there in April. (We've been away from home along time!) LOL

MaryBeth & Monty hosted the Dock Party this week ... Look at the size of those shrimp!!!  

It actually got HOT!!! What a fun time we all had!!!

Wayne, Sue, Mark and I tried to "sneak off" about 9:30 but Wayne screwed up and said his farewells to the host and hostess.  LOL. It was a great par-tay!!!

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

We awoke to water lapping over the dock and cloudy skies. 

Today, Maggie has an appointment with the Kenora vet. We hope all is well ... she has several "fatty tumors" we know about but the one on her shoulder now feels harder to the touch. She's too young at 8 1/2 for these issues! We hope to get some questions answered. 

Maggie and Robbie modeling their new T-Shirts ... "I'm Too Cute".

Casey's was very nice. Mark and I hadn't been there before ... it's a large bar with nicely presented entrees ... in our case, good burgers!!! (It's quite pricey but Sue saw they had 1/2 priced burgers advertised!) Rose D and Jim G joined us too. Sue met us there as she had her 2nd golf lesson at 5 o'clock. 

Our sofa cover and chair protector arrived through the mail without an issue. The fit is crappy, but what do you get for $125 investment?  At least the furniture is brightened up and the dogs can sit with us too. LOL. 

This is how it's supposed to look ... 

yeah, right. LOL. 

Mark and I watched the FIFA USA and Germany game this morning. We're still learning the ins and outs and why some penalties are called and some go "unnoticed". Much to learn. 

Tonight, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are playing. Sue and Wayne are going to Heather's and Bruce's to watch. 

Mark is cooking perogies that Jim gave us ... they smell good! We had some potential bad news on our Maggie ... praying the vet is proven wrong with cell tests ... and drinking ... doubles tonight. 

NO FRILLS ... WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

Yesterday afternoon, Mark and I went grocery shopping at Kenora, Ontario's "Ted's No Frills". The store is nice ... clean and tidy ... with a good produce and frozen food area. We pushed our loaded cart into Cashier #3 ... unloaded ... Mark began packing (bring your own bags) while I paid with my Visa card. The cashier said "Debit or Credit?" 

"Credit". said I

"MasterCard only!" said the girl. 

I told the cashier "I've shopped here twenty times and my Visa has always been accepted!"

So, the head cashier came over and said we'd have to pay cash or MasterCard. 

I replied, "This is what I've got, Visa or American Express! Take it or leave it."

The head cashier tried every trick in the book to get me to "go get cash" but finally said "We'll accept it just this time but bring cash next time!"

When I saw her talking to Ted, the store manager, I stopped and asked him the reason why my Visa was not accepted. The answer involved Loblaws not allowing their No Frills stores to accept Visa because rates were higher than MasterCard. I explained we are visiting for summer, have Visa or American Express credit cards and limit our cash spending as our bank account is in the USA. "Oh we'll accept your American funds as payment!" (Yes, I bet you would.)

So, as Visa says in their ads ... 

Apparently, "No Frills" is "Nowhere I want to be."

I see Loblaws has their own President's Choice MasterCard ... raping and pillaging on many levels. (And to think I once worked at Weston Foods. Shame.)

For a little humor after my rant ... Have you heard about the "Y" Chromosome?

People born before 1946 are called "The Greatest Generation". 

People born from 1946 to 1964 are called "The Baby Boomers".

People born between 1965 and 1980 are called "Generation X".

And people born between 1980 and 2010 are called "Generation Y".

Why do we call that generation, "Generation Y" ???

... Y should I get a job?

... Y should I leave home and find my own place?

... Y should I get a car when I can borrow yours?

... Y should I clean my own room?

... Y should I wash my own clothes?

... Y should I pay for my own food?

Apparently this cartoonist has it right. LOL. 

Thanks to Rick M for this one!  LOL

It's Scottie dog haircut and bath day! Yay. Mark is quite good at their grooming. Now the towels are hanging on the deck rail blowing in the breeze. (There goes the neighborhood!) LOL

This evening, Sue has her 2nd golf lesson! Wayne, Mark and I are meeting her at Casey's for burgers later. 

Ta ta for now!

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2014

Good morning! It's a rainy cottage morning. What to do? Do you remember the terrarium craze in the 1970's? Sue and I were buying cottage flowers yesterday and I spotted a neat idea ... a possible rainy day project. It's sort of like a terrarium garden!

I could make use of Christmas village houses!

The tiny garden could be moveable if made in a wagon ... 

Or an old wheelbarrow. 

There's some nice landscaping here. Haha. 

Bonsai plants would be really nice in the miniature garden. 

The "gemstone" glass is easily bought in Walmart's candle and silk flower area. I'm getting excited about this!

An English Manor. Cute. 

What a nice gift these would make!

Little fairies sit among the tiny violets. LOL. Imagination at work. 

This flowerpot has it all. 

A tisket a tasket ... everyone's got a spare basket. I suppose using a water proof barrier would suffice ... and air plant types that would just need an occasional misting. 

What a great project!!! Here's how:

1.  Ideally, a container about 3-4" deep ... with drainage. But, hey we're flexible. If you like a container that's larger, such as a wheelbarrow, make drainage holes in the bottom, add a few inches of gravel, activated charcoal, a screening material and then a few inches of potting soil. Leave 3/4" from the lip of your container. 

2.  Choose small plants with similar water and light needs. Vary the height of your plants ... an odd number of plants looks best. Choose colors that suit your decor. 

3.  Start landscaping ... place your focal point first ... maybe a bench, or an arbor. Then, begin placing your plants. Make a little space for the plant roots ... gently loosen the roots with your fingers ... place the plant and gently put soil around the roots to secure the plant. Water just the roots area with a turkey baster. Keep adding plants ... but don't crowd them, they need room to grow!

4.  Add decorative touches ... make it your personal minature garden. There are lots of craft shop things you can buy. 

5.  Remember to water your plants as needed ... just to keep the roots moist; not wet. Don't use distilled water! Tap water is okay but let it stand on the counter overnight to allow the chlorine to dissipate before you water your garden! Enjoy!

MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2014

We have another gorgeous morning! Last night, Mark cooked Black Angus burgers on the barbie ... they were great! I made a Caesar Salad and French Fries. Yummy.

This morning, Mark and Wayne worked on a gangplank system so they can reach boathouse controls and the boats! C'mon ... let's get this high water crap over with already. Unfortunately, we know it could last a few weeks!!!

Sue went grocery shopping as we're having Penny, Ron, Kyle and Gavin visit for the weekend. Yay.  It's Kyle's birthday so special "stuff" is in order!

I cleaned Chippy's and readied the boys' guestroom. The floors had to be washed after a week of rainy weather and dirty dog paws. 

Wayne sprayed the pungent garlic mosquito repellant around the estate's buildings this afternoon. The odor will last a couple of days ... but hey, if it keeps the mozzies away we're all fans of it! The instructions say we need two dry days after spraying ... no rain dances please. Haha. 

A couple of days ago I wrote about high water at Lake of the Woods caused by, in part, the Rainy River system. That got me thinking ...

Canada has some unique river systems and one of the most unique is the Red River of the North.  (Growing up, Sue and I lived on the Red and knew its charms and curses well. Additionally, we all boated on the Red from the Royal Manitoba Yacht Club for many years!) The Red River of the North is actually part of the Nelson River system that empties into Hudson Bay (via Lake Winnipeg)!

 

This mighty river is a mischievous meandering waterway. It is both American and Canadian - a dual-citizen. Haha. The Red River flows through the City of Winnipeg and northward to Lake Winnipeg. The current wet climate cycle started in 1993 and since then the Red entered flood stage at least once per year somewhere along its length. Fargo, North Dakota and Moorehead, Minnesota have been hit particularly hard in the USA. Winnipeg has been mostly spared thanks to "Duff's Ditch", (Premier Duff Roblin of Manitoba) a floodway used to divert floodwaters around the City of Winnipeg. Have you heard the song about the Red River valley? Pretty, right? It is a lovely fertile valley that grows wonderful crops. But, it's devious. It's very fertility depends on a flood, often. 

The Red River flows northward at a lazy drop or gradient of 5 inches every mile north from it's start at the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail Rivers to the United States border towns where the gradient lessens to 1 1/2 inches. Now, combined with a spring thaw that proceeds (warms) steadily northward, the Red River valley's southern runoff is progressively pushing the later melting iceberg choked waters in the more northerly locations and VOILA!  A flood!!!

A home during the 1950 flood, Winnipeg's worst. 

I'm no scientist, but it seems because it's a northward flowing river, it's a unique troublemaker. The southern valley area gets restless for spring and wakes it's northern valley cousin with a bucket of cold water but meets resistance in the form of giant icebergs. This creates a giant kerfuffle.  LOL.  The ice jams up, and creates a backup of water. 

The Red is a young river at 9,300 years! It's carved a sinuous valley across one of the flattest expenses of land in the world, the ancient seabed of glacial Lake Agassi. When this river floods, it doesn't have a deeply etched floodplain so spills over onto a vast region. 

Okay. So that was interesting ... I didn't wake thinking about this subject!

So that's the word for today! ;-)