For the Soul

To see in color is a delight for the eye 

but to see in black and white is a delight for the soul.

~ Andri Cauldwell

My longtime blogger buddy, Kaye of The Bucksnort Chronicles recently created a black and white photography challenge on Facebook. I tend to shy away from memes and challenges for the most part but every now and then, one catches my attention - especially if the rules are relaxed enough. They were plenty casual in this case - simply post black and white images throughout the month of February, as often or infrequently as the urge strikes. It struck a few times and those efforts are below.

Of course, I have to admit that I never shoot in monochrome. My personal challenge was just finding subjects which I thought could look better in black and white than in colour. All of these images were photographed in full colour and turned into black and white photos for the event. Most have probably been posted on my blog at some point through the years. I hope you enjoy them.



This tiny hand belongs to my past-neighbour Lilly. Remember her? That sweet little munchkin has recently celebrated her sixth birthday. Time sure flies, doesn't it?








She's always been utterly delicious from tip to toe. Thankfully, I get to read about her brother's and her antics on FB, occasionally.







The protective arms and helping hands of a patient father teaching his child how to fish off of the dock.






Same dock, different day. I was out for a walk when I spotted his quartet fishing. I stopped for a quick shot and then hurried along.








A macro view of a teeny-tiny seed which landed on a narrow railing of a different dock.







And still another dock, at night, shortly after the moon rose in the hazy sky.







From hazy night to misty morning. This was the view across the bay.







Late day sunlight presents the shadow of a planter as it falls across a back wall and door.







Just a couple of bar chairs which caught my eye while waiting for lunch one day, a few years back.







And since we're talking about chairs and lunch, I had a decent meal at a little restaurant near my place, one day. For some reason I was intrigued with getting a shot of the boots under the table. I grabbed this one on the sly - without use of the viewfinder. I just lowered the camera, took my chances and clicked blindly.







It's not every day you see a bearded dragon out for a walk in the park. Especially when he and his person are wearing matching leather vests.







My neighbour, Carol kindly gave me a few old books for which she no longer had room. Among them was a 75 year old copy of Treasure Island, a 1917 copy of The Merchant of Venice, Black Beauty from the 1930s and a couple of copies of Tom Sawyer - one from 1949 and this opened one which is undated.







Zephyr's little black and white, heart-shaped nose which is magically dark grey and pink in true colour.

I hope you enjoyed these. Full colour and I will return before too long.

Where Many Paths and Errands Meet

Long time no post. Shall I catch you up?

There has been feline chaos in our house. My Skittles and Zephyr are not getting used to my son's cat, Hunter (who is visiting while my son is on course until November).

They show their displeasure frequently.

With their bladders.

Hunter is a very sweet and loving cat with the human population. But with the other kitties in this house, he most definitely lives up to his name. He sees a moving cat as a challenge and will often ambush them on their way to or from the litter boxes. For this reason (and because cats are vindictive creatures by nature), they are frequently finding other areas to pee. I know it's a sign of their distress. They have never had a problem with inappropriate peeing before. My cats are old (fifteen) and they can not hold their own with this large, strong, young (three) male. When Hunter attacks, he really hurts my guys. He'll jump them, bite the back of the neck and kick hard with his hind claws. There is a lot of screaming (from the victim and from me!) during these sessions - which happen at least once every couple of days. A spray bottle helps break it up but there's not always one at hand. If we're lucky, it can be averted altogether if we happen to notice Hunter's tail just before an attack. It gets all bushy. Hunter is an otherwise sweet cat, and he seems genuinely perplexed when he is removed from the situation for a time out in the laundry room. He is always isolated at night which bothers me more than him. But my guys need some peace. Come morning, he's full of purrs, piss and vinegar.

We've gone to considerable expense trying to eliminate the problem and the odour. We've invested in this (far too expensive for the area we need to cover) and this which was 100% useless at $125 for the diffuser and spray. Next up we're going to try this much less expensive solution. From what I'm reading, it sounds promising.

Despite the unpleasant atmosphere, we've still had a few guests come to visit. My cousin Marcy, Frank's friend Peter and my son, Jeffrey have all spent some time here over the last few weeks. We're hoping to have more company through the months of September and October. And less cat pee.

Our family is mourning the loss of our dear Auntie Gertie, earlier this month. She was my late Dad's youngest sister, and the last one standing from his generation. She was a wonderful lady with a quick sense of humour and I will miss her dearly. Some of you might remember my post when Frank and Jeffrey demolished her sofa. And some of you might also be familiar with my cousin Phyllis who blogged over at Prompt Prose and eFoodAlert. My aunt was mom to her and her sister, Barbra. Phyllis' blogging is on hold while she is writing a book and moving house.

Our renovations are still incomplete and untouched for several weeks at a time. Someone is supposed to be coming out again next week. We'll see.

I finally bought myself a television - one that doesn't have any sports on it whatsoever! Along with it, I purchased a Roku and am now enjoying Netflix. Unfortunately, the Canadian version doesn't offer nearly as much as the U.S. network but there are still a few things of interest, and I'm already hooked on Orange is the New Black. But does it ever cut into blogging time...

And with that update, I'll move right along with a few photos.

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

~ J.R.R. Tolkien

This is the view from one of the many side roads which surround our place. The numerous hills and valleys are less fun in the winter but every bit as beautiful.

I was so naive as a kid I used to sneak behind the barn and do nothing.

~ Johnny Carson

One of the many rickety barns which charmingly dot the countryside.

There is no reason to fear the wind if your stack of hay is well tied.

~ Irish Saying

Of course, if there are country roads and barns, there's going to be hay. This truck was spotted rounding a corner and the photo was snapped from my seat inside a Bancroft, Ontario restaurant.

The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you're doing, someone else does.

~ Immanuel Kant

If you're at all curious about Bancroft, here's a small look at one of its side streets. It could just as easily be Mayberry, with that bench outside of Floyd's Tony's Barber Shop.

Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.

~ Emily Dickinson

This sad memorial stands by the highway a few kilometres from our house. I tried Googling the name, location, dates.. etc but came up empty. He died heartbreakingly young at 19.

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

~ Henry David Thoreau

As the quote indicates, we were out fishing not too far from this pretty little point. We didn't catch anything that day but...

If you work on a lobster boat, sneaking up behind someone and pinching him is probably a joke that gets old real fast.

~ Jack Handey

... we were able to catch some lobster at the local grocery store. Dipped in garlic butter... yum!

What a joy it is to feel the soft, springy earth under my feet once more, to follow grassy roads that lead to ferny brooks.

~ Helen Keller

Also yummy with garlic and butter are fiddleheads. I don't think these are the right ferns for fiddleheads, and if they are, they've already passed the stage at which they're prime for picking, but if you ever get the chance to eat some, don't pass it up. They're delicious.

It is at the edge of a petal that love waits.

~ William Carlos Williams

Growing amid the ferns are the fruits of the previous owner's labours. She planted lovely flower gardens in both the front and the back, and we're enjoying it all immensely. Thanks, Josie.




We learned to be patient observers like the owl. We learned cleverness from the crow, and courage from the jay, who will attack an owl ten times its size to drive it off its territory. But above all of them ranked the chickadee because of its indomitable spirit.

~ Tom Brown, Jr.

The chickadees are also enjoying our space, along with the seeds and occasional fruit left out for their dining pleasure. Don't you just love their ever-watchful little black button eyes?

That's it for this post. More photos coming up next time.

Autumn's Palette

Breathe deeply and smell the intoxicating fragrance of autumn - the heady scent of fallen leaves, a smokey wood fire, the spicy perfume of mulled apple cider. Fill a thermos and come with me. Let's enjoy this season's palette of vivid hues.


“There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir: We must rise and follow her, When from every hill of flame She calls, and calls each vagabond by name." ~ William Bliss Carman

By the side of a road, beautiful shades of autumn as seen from the bridge above.




"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf's a flower." ~ Albert Camus

Have a look down into the water. Brilliant leaves dot the meandering creek.




“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." ~John Muir

Watch your step along the water's edge. Fallen leaves blanket the shore in shades of yellow, orange and red.




"Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt." ~William Allingham

A pile of firewood is aglow with the saturated sunlight of late afternoon.




"There is a harmony
In autumn, and a luster in its sky,
Which through the summer is not heard or seen.
As if it could not be, as if it had not been!"
~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

A never ending road lined with brilliant colour.




“Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees.” ~ Faith Baldwin

I think the above quote says it all. This tree reminds me of a torch against a sky of most intense blue.




"Often, while sitting on a log or a rock, mentally adrift in that limbo between bites, I begin to fancy that I'm starting to belong there, that roots are about to spring from my boots and moss may start to form on my arms and legs. I feel I am becoming a part of where I am. " ~Frank P. Baron

This angler reminds me of my favourite fisherman and author - hence the above quote is his from his own book What Fish Don't Want You to Know. I think we should leave him to fish in peace. Besides, I'm ready for a refill of apple cider. Let's add some spiced rum to it this time, shall we?

By the Shore

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore…
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
W. B. Yeats

Earlier this month, when we planned for a few days up at the cottage, Environment Canada was being a big party pooper. Their long-range forecast warned of cool, rainy weather for the full time we hoped to be there, beginning with the three-hour drive up on the Tuesday. Thoughts of rainy fishing days and wet, empty hammocks prevailed. Gone was the hope of a campfire each evening and long walks devoid of pesky mosquitoes. We packed for all kinds of weather and card games, and went anyway.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with only stray gray wisps of cloud in an otherwise blue sky. Also greeting us were Frank's sister, her husband and their brother in law. We spent the afternoon sitting and chatting on the dock where the grand total of four raindrops touched my skin. The rest of our visit was met with mostly sunny skies, warm days and comfortable nights. I love it when meteorologists are wrong like that.

Theresa's usual menagerie accompanied her. Her kittens (found abandoned within a day or two after their birth - umbilical cords still attached) Luca and Sambuca are now a few months old and are at that incredibly cute stage where they have to play with everything - all night long. The critters, having been separated from their mother at such an early age, still have a strong sucking and kneading urge.

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When Luca is tired, he climbs up onto his blanket, then kneads and sucks it until he falls asleep. Similarly, Sambuca settles in and grabs his own tail to suck on. They're incredibly cute.

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Her big, beautiful sheep dog, Duncan was there. And so were 6 baby squirrels which Theresa is raising to maturity. Add Benny to that mix and we had quite the activity level at times.

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Of course Sugar and Spike were around in the evenings too.

By the following afternoon, Frank, Benny and I were alone at the cottage. Being the incurable romantic that Frank is, it wasn't long before he had that irresistible gleam in his eye. He sidled closer to me, cupped my chin in his hand and looked deeply into my eyes so that there was no mistaking what he wanted me to do next. "Sweetie, the worms are on the lower shelf of the back room fridge. Grab them for me, willya?" Yeah, he's hot when he's got fishin' on his mind.

Between the two of us, we grabbed the worms, rods, tackle boxes, vests, PFDs, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, the cooler should we get lucky (by now you'll have figured out that means "if we should catch something") and various other paraphernalia which might come in handy at some point. We grabbed Benny and put him in the cottage and then headed out for a couple of hours of fishing.

The eagles' nest was empty more often than not, that week, but we did see them flying around at various times of the day.

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One drive-by with the boat proved worthwhile when we saw one of the adults perched proudly atop its nest.

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Another time we noticed him on a branch which topped a tree within clear, but distant view of the cottage.

Our fishing luck was pretty much in keeping with the rest of the summer - poor. About mid-week, one of our trips out in the boat resulted in two catches.

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This bass was one of them. It was released back into the lake immediately after the photo was taken.

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That same day, I also caught this walleye which became our lunch the next afternoon. Yum!

Some afternoons were too clear and breeze-free for fishing, so we each got some reading done out on that dock.

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Benny was happy to just lounge around nearby, but kept a watchful eye to to be sure we didn't make moves to get into the boat.

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Occasionally, he'd wander over to the edge of the dock to check out that twin JRT in the water. And yes, he fell in once or twice while going after it.

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Nearby, colourful clothespins on the line caught my eye.

Nighttime comes sooner at this time of year, and shortly after securing the boat and returning worms to the fridge, Frank would build a fire.

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He's been referred to as the Fish Whisperer, Dog Whisperer, Tree Whisperer and probably more, but after three or four nights of perfect campfires, he is also most definitely the Flame Whisperer.

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Just look at that baby burn!

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A last glance or two out on the water just before all colour disappeared from the sky. Weakening ripples gently lapped the shore.

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The night sky descends to kiss the last shades of the sun goodnight.

The small photo at the top, is of the cottage as seen from the boat on the way back from an afternoon of fishing. Please click on it to enlarge.

The Great Angler

Anyone who knows Frank reasonably well also knows that he's an avid angler and a very talented writer. He's so fond of both activities, that a few years back, he wrote a wonderful, humourous book called What Fish Don't Want You To Know, based on his years of fishing experience.

I never really thought I'd learn to enjoy fishing. It involves holding worms, hooking them and sometimes injecting air into them so they'll float above the sinker. That's gross - but if I wanted to get to know the pastime with which Frank is so enamoured, I had to put my squeamish side on hold and just do it.

Now, three summers later, I scarcely shudder when removing a worm from its styrofoam container. I can hook it with hardly a wince. And my stomach only flips, and stops short of a flop when I insert a needle and squeeze air into it to puff it up a tad. It's a pleasure to be out on the boat watching loons float by. I enjoy feeling the sun on my skin and the breeze on my face. I get a kick out of feeling that tug on the end of the line and reeling in a fish sometimes occasionally rarely if I'm lucky. And if the day works out right, it's such a thrill to see the sunset on our way back to shore.

Frank's passion for fishing was not passed along to his sons. Oh they'll fish, much like I will - probably far more intuitively than I do but they don't live and breathe it the way their father has for all of his life. Fortunately, there is yet another family member who appears to be developing a love for the sport.

This video was taken shortly before we left to go up to the cottage last week. There's a creek across the road from Frank's place, and that's where he generally walks Benny twice a day. At this time of the year, salmon are swimming upstream to spawn. They make an impressive sight.

Frank doesn't fish for salmon - but others do...

I'll have some photos for you in a few days.

Cottage Colours

A short while back, Frank and I spent a few days up at his cottage. The company was good, though the fishing was mildly disappointing.

The weather was mostly fine despite a strong summer storm which arrived just as we did - making a wet task of unpacking the car. However the sun shone for much of the rest of our stay.

We had a wonderful opportunity to see plenty of wildlife - some of which was only semi-wild. I'll post more about the creatures next time but today, just sit back and relax on the deck, dock or hammock. I hope you enjoy your visit. Please remember to click on each image to enlarge.




We arrived to discover a couple of new additions to the lakefront - this pair of colourful hammocks, which I'd remembered from my childhood cottage life as difficult to maneuver. A first attempt at getting settled down in one of them was easier than I'd recalled. It was comfy. (please click to enlarge)





Very comfy! (please click to enlarge)





And they made for a colourful foreground against the beautiful sunsets we experienced most evenings. (please click to enlarge)





Like this one which was actually photographed from the boat as an evening of fishing came to an end. (please click to enlarge)





After the last worm had been sacrificed to the lake, we secured the hooks to the rods and headed back to the cottage under golden skies. (please click to enlarge)





And peachy mauve skies. (please click to enlarge)





Of course Benny was waiting for us faithfully. We tried taking him on the boat with us but he was like a canine pinball machine. He bopped back and forth between us, jumped from lap to lap, barked at each cast, bit the rods, almost jumped in the lake (again) and refused to settle down. So that was his first and last boat ride - for this visit anyway. (please click to enlarge)





Once we were back, and the boat was secured, it was time to sit back and enjoy a drink on the dock. (please click to enlarge)





So dangle your feet, or grab a chair and a drink, and sit back and enjoy the sky. (please click to enlarge)





It's as yummy as it looks. (please click to enlarge)





Goodnight! (please click to enlarge)


I'll be back in a few days with various animal photos. See you then.