Work creeps in at the Cottage

There I was, my feet firmly dipped into the water and the inner protests started. I don’t want to go back to work. The endless paperwork, the new label for our guys (they went from clients to tenants, to consumers (I am glad that consumers didn’t stick because it sounded as if they consumed everything in their path including our souls) and now they are customers), the new pod business model (we are all interchangeable parts), going from Residential Counsellor III to Service Worker III (only three groups SWI, SWII, SWIII – no identifying distinctions within the groups), another work funeral, end of the month stuff and somewhere buried in all the revolutionary new way of working is the main reason to go back to work – the gang. The water gently laps on to the shore and the birds are singing not at all concerned about the what to do about the new med administration sheets. As the weekend draws to a close work seems to intrude more harshly with each passing moment. I try desperately to keep that inner calm and peace that the cottage brings but there is packing to finish and the long trip back.

Being Sick at the Cottage

Quinton took his first ride, swim of the season. After walking back and forth at the water's edge Quinton was coaxed on to the board and soon learned to paddle around. He now likes to stay in the water until very pruney.

A new thrill added to dipping your feet into the lake. Splashing water around so that the dogs jump and snap at the flying water.

Lincoln enjoys biting the splashing water. Shelby started out biting the water then slowly went for the source of the splashing ... the feet. That game soon ended as she was circling like a shark for the opportunity to take somebody’s foot.

All this fun and activity, sunshine and water was going on and I was deathly ill. Well, I had a stomach ache but it was bad enough that I had to call in sick for two days. The group home gang was suffering from the stomach flu also so when I returned to work I was dealing with the very thing that laid me low. I think what was the most annoying is the long torturous walk to the outhouse. I feel the need to describe all the gurgles of my illness but I will decline at this time. I can't remember the last time I was sick while up north but I do not want to repeat it any time soon. I will be leaving ginger candies up there and a bottle of Pepto.

CSI Woodville & Opening the Cottage

At my brother's farm we went on a long walk to look at a deer carcass. A coyote had taken down the former deer earlier in the week and its remains were lying out in a far field. After walking through a rain sodden laneway and a couple of fields later we stumbled on a scapula - (shoulder blade) and a leg and hoof of the deer. There were piles of fur strewn in several places but no massive remains. Tucked under a bush lay the spine of the deer. We all stared at it amazed that it didn’t take long for the body to be reduced to a few bones. In the background Codie, my brother’s Border Collie was happily chewing on his own piece of deer bone left over from the coyotes’ feast.


Now on to the opening of the cottage.

On the drive up there was a magical moment when it hit me that yes; I was on my way to the cottage. I was flooded with joy and burst into smile as we passed the familiar landmarks. When we arrived there wasn’t any major catastrophes, no break- ins, no trees down and we still had the roof. What we did have was an army of mosquitoes. Bitey, whiney, in your face and buzzing in your ear mosquitoes. Everything had to be done with speed and precision and very economical moves so to lessen our exposure to the blood-sucking vampires of the north. First thing I had to do was to visit the outhouse, long ride and plenty of ice tea. I ran as fast as I could, trying to be thoughtful that if I hurried by the time my Dad made it up the path I would be done. Flinging open the door, dropping my drawers, flipping the lid up … what was supposed to be a very relieving moment turned into a scream fest. In the bucket of peat (used to quell the odors of the outhouse) there was a female Deermouse with little mousies hanging on her teats scurrying around the bucket, one little mouse then jumps out of the bucket flies by my feet and hides behind the toilet. Immediately I finish and run out and down the path.
Later that evening I again had another mouse encounter. Details omitted, suffice to say that I found the mouse behind the toilet again. After that I wandered down to the lake because I spotted something odd. I saw a really bright light in the sky that was brighter than any star I’ve ever seen. I called my Dad to show him and between the both of us we figured out that it was the star Arcturus, part of the constellation Bootes.
On Saturday it was sunny and warm, the sky was filled with Dragonflies and on Sunday it was filled with mosquitoes and rain.
There are many little stories, Lincoln warding off the bugs by sitting in the lake, cleaning frenzy, cool fireplace evenings, waking up in a fright thinking it was 11:30 a.m. when it was really 8:00 a.m., tying the boat down because of high waves, watching the first Humming bird and many more special moments.
What a wonderful start to the cottage season.

Quinton's Birthday

Happy 3rd Birthday Quinton
New pictures much later, so don't count the candles on that cake.