The Dock

This heavy unyielding dock had to be pulled up and put on dry land for the winter. It was just me and my 81 (he just had a birthday) year old father up north to lug this thing up the rocky hill. Using a winch, a chain, a rope, a couple of boards and a log we set it up and slowly pulled it up on to the shore. I want to be sarcastic and stand on the dock to organize all the volunteers that came up to help us but why dwell on it. 

I did give my Dad 2 pairs of Thermal Underwear for his birthday. He can wear it the next time we go up. As it was I was wearing a touque & coat in the kitchen. Even Lincoln decided not to go in the water for a dip - it was just to cold. 

This season was filled with work. Tarring and patching the roof being the main work. I did get a new leaf blower and enjoyed blowing leaves into the next county. I didn't do as much reading, a sad result of all the work that had to be done. 

I love Turkey. I love Thanksgiving. Turkey sandwiches, picking at the turkey, tasting the dressing, all the side dishes. I love having the family get together and sit around chatting about whatever, the noise of it all, just the flow of being surrounded by the people who touch your life. On top of that a birthday cake - sorry no pumpkin pie for me - pumpkins are for carving not eating. Time to check out the turkey again.

The Begining of Fall at Redstone Lake

I had a couple of days off and went up to the cottage.  At the landing where we keep our boat we were unloading the van when I cut my thumb on a razor snips (or the package it came in). I screamed, threw everything down and had to tend to the 3/4 inch slice on the pad of my thumb. In the meantime Lincoln came up and hid in the van, maybe hiding from the razor snips that will bite for no reason.

It was cool at night, enough for a small fire just to keep warm. A very restful night and in the morning I woke up to a cacophony of sound. It surrounded the cabin and kept growing louder. Now fully awake I opened the door and saw a murder of crows. Crows everywhere, they filled the trees, chatting about crow stuff, flying in swarms. I have never seen so many crows at the cottage.

The porch roof still leaks so once again we were up there patching away. Dad brought out an old bike that he rode around the yard with Lincoln biting the wheels then just running beside him.  Poor puppy, he is sore and limping when he gets up.

Dock Spider and the Supervisor

Gotta love the size of the Dock Spider with her egg sac. She looked dried out and sort of dead but when we touched her leg she moved slightly. Girly screams were heard amongst the pines. 

Being away from the group home is weird. Not working directly with the gang but working on the workings of the group home is totally different than what I am used to. Taking on two group homes is a challenge and I wish it were just the one - my group home. It is a nice break from the physical work. 

Maybe I can make a difference or maybe it will be just a break for me. Time will tell.

Redstone Lake Sunset

How can you not feel relaxed and happy while standing at the lakes' edge and looking out at this beautiful sunset. I had the company of many mosquitoes and some black flies and the thankfully the deer and horse flies decided to wait in the woods till daylight before rejoining me in the delights of the cottage. 

We had thunderstorms, a leaky porch and the general opening of the cottage to work through. I am tired, bruised but the restful sleep without all the city noise was well worth it.

Lincoln smells lake fresh after continually taking dips in the lake to cool off and remove pesky bugs. I can not wait till the next trip up to the cottage.