Feb 14, 2009
Sep 28, 2008
Ahhh, animals!
Finnigan has been enjoying camp so much. Since his first swim [not on purpose - he jumped out of the boat. That's whole other story!] he's been actually quite calm in his crate to and from home. He stays outside almost every night and sleeps during the day. He's brought us a critter or two, but he basically sticks close to the camp and explores his surroundings.
Gracie, of course, is our cutie patootie. Loves camp. Enough said!!
Now, here's the thing. Porcupines are cute and all, but I'm not sure I like them hanging around. This one has been sticking close by for the past several weeks. So far, Gracie hasn't really seen it [maybe smelled it] and I'd like to keep it that way. I'm not sure how curious she would get, but I don't want to take any chances. Let's hope it's moved on it's way....
Sep 12, 2008
I'm Crafty!
I've been into a crafty mood lately. Last week at camp I made a large dream catcher made with two intertwined rings. I'll post a pic when I've got it completely done.
Then I was in the mood for making smaller ones. I really liked how they turned out, so I'm thinking of posting them on-line for sale!
Would you buy one for $12? It's about 2.5" in diameter. Is the price okay or too high/low?
Sep 11, 2008
Did you Wonder where I've Been?
At the end of May, I ended up in the hospital for four days after complications with my Crohn's. However, since then I am happy to say that I've been totally symptom free! Keeping my fingers crossed....!
The summer weather could have been better, but every day we were at camp was a good day. We did some renovations. I cleared a lot of brush...again. We had lots of company, lots of good times. Doug was on holidays for six weeks and the time just flew by.
Here it is September already and I look back and wonder where the summer went. I hate to admit it, but I am kind of looking forward to Autumn! There's something about the end of summer that brings a sort of renewal. Most people might feel that in the Spring, but for me it's when the nights get cooler and the days are crisper. I feel like I want to purge things that I haven't looked at for months. We're having a yard sale on Saturday and I hope to get rid of a lot of STUFF. On the other hand, I want to store and gather like the squirrels and chipmunks do. This is the time of year that I want to spend money. I want to buy things for the house [maybe it's the thought of winter around the corner] to make me cozy and keep me busy. Like a new laptop or new towels for the bathroom!
But I don't want to rush it. I'm hoping that September brings some unseasonably warm temps and that October will be sunny and mild. Looking forward to more weeks at camp before the ice starts forming on the lake.
Here's a few photos from the past few months to share with you!
May 11, 2008
Duck Dash
I am a member of a Facebook group of local photographers. I went out yesterday to the Rotary Club's annual Duck Dash! People purchase tickets on a rubber duckie. Each ticket represents one duckie. They are all released into Lily Creek at once and the winner of the race, wins the prize!! Proceeds all go to charitable organizations! Over 13,000 duckies were sold this year, [I think at $5 each!!]
Balloon animal maker
I think these guys are called the Soggy Bottom Boys [not sure]
Apr 15, 2008
New Dance Company
My daughter has started an independent Modern Dance company. Together with her sister and another dancer, they are starting out to gain exposure, raise funds and show the city that Modern Dance is alive and well!! I am so proud!!
elle Q dance company debuts this summer at our annual Northern Lights Festival Boreal. They needed a photo for some media coverage and for the NLFB program, so I got to shoot the trio last weekend.
I learned a lot on this shoot:
1. My kit lens came through and proved to be a darn good lens.
2. Lighting in an OLD house basement can be awesome
3. After setting CWB, don't forget to switch your focus back to Auto. I learned this the hard way as some of the shots were kinda blurry. DUH
4. A tripod is my friend
5. 160 shots isn't too many. Out of that many shots, I managed to get a really good selection of decent shots!!
So, if you live in Sudbury, be on the lookout for this amazing dance company!
Apr 12, 2008
earthdancers 2008
[My #1 daughter is in the first and last photo!]
Mar 23, 2008
Mar 5, 2008
There's something about this image I just love. The sun peeking through the trees, the snow blowing off the roof of the shed, the shadows, the trees. Once in a while a photo just grabs me and this one did. It's so peaceful.
Feb 25, 2008
Folk Art
We finally got some tongue and groove Pine installed at camp. I was getting tired of looking at yellow and pink insulation for the past three years!!
Since we've had so many mouse problems in the past, I wanted to paint a faux mousey on one of the boards in hopes that the fake one is the only one we'll ever have! As well, I painted a bird/nest on the peak boards!!
Just thought I'd share how they turned out! I love them! Now I want to do another tole painting in the other room! Any suggestions??
Feb 18, 2008
Another beautiful day on Lake Panache
Winter can't get any better than this. Okay, for those of you that know I hate winter, you must wonder if I've lost my mind. I'm not a winter lover in general. I hate driving on snowy, slippery roads. I hate slush. I hate how dirty the snowbanks get and it makes the whole city look icky. I admit that I love shoveling, so that part of winter is okay!! I hate being cold. In summer, there's always a place you can go to cool off - like the basement, or a cool shower, or an air conditioned mall, or to the lake. But in winter, it's not so easy to warm up when you've got that deep-down chill.
BUT, at camp - winter is amazing. The snow couldn't be any whiter. The quiet is so quiet, you can practically hear your own heart beat. The birds flit from one feeder to the next and they are quite mesmerizing to watch. The snow seems to stay on the trees longer at camp and the branches are heavy with the white stuff. It even smells better.
As always, food tastes better at camp -- no matter what it is. Even a hot dog can taste gourmet - and I LOVE hot dogs.
Welcome to our camp....
Feb 6, 2008
I've been Tagged!
Heather, from CottageBlogger tagged me to list 7 Strange-but-true things about me! I'm always up for a challenge, so here goes:
1. I am really, really, really, really fastidious about waste reduction. I CAN'T throw something in the trash that can be recycled or reused, etc. I just can't. You might say that's a good thing, but it can be very annoying to friends and family members. I have been known [on many occasions] to take things OUT of the garbage that shouldn't be there. I am constantly razzing people for not following MY good habits!! I've also been known to pick fights about the importance of environmental issues. Oh, I could go on....
2. I can pick up almost anything with my toes!
3. I have an uncanny ability to harmonize to songs - even to ones that I'm hearing for the first time! Now, that in no means says I'm a GOOD singer, just that I can do it!
4. I secretly hoard chocolate.
5. I probably shouldn't admit this, but I like to peek into people's medicine cabinets! Once, at a party I hosted, I posted a sign inside my medicine cabinet that said, "I just caught you peeking inside my medicine cabinet. If you are reading this, you have WON - come to see me for a prize." Nobody claimed the prize!!! Hmmm, either no body looked, or they were afraid to admit it!!
6. I can't stand the sound of windshield wipers. When I'm driving, I set it to the slowest speed I can possibly tolerate. If Doug is driving, he usually puts them at the highest speed and I grit my teeth and seethe inside. I especially go nuts when it's stopped raining or slowed down and the wipers are still on high. Once, he got upset with me for telling him to turn them off, so now I have to grin and bear it and anxiously wait for the rain to stop. If he happens to run into a store or something, I quickly reach over and turn them down. If the wipers squeak -- it's even worse!! I can't explain it but they drive me NUTS!!!
7. When using the microwave, I have to stop the timer when the seconds read :09 or :13. It's a thing.
While I'm at it, I figure I'll post some photos from the cottage!
< 
Jan 22, 2008
January Blahs
I heard on the news yesterday that the third monday of January is known as Blue Monday. It's apparently the saddest day of the year for a lot of people. Resolutions are broken, holiday bills are pouring in, the weather is depressing and cold. This year things are even worse with rising gas prices and even worse for some because of the crash of the TSE yesterday!! Yikes!
I'm glad I don't suffer from S.A.D.
I can't say I love winter, or slushy driving conditions or frigid temperatures. I don't love having to wear layers of clothes inside because our house is so cold. I don't like that it gets dark so early. But, I am proud be a Canadian and I live in a wonderful city that is surrounded by lakes and forests and clean, fresh air.
They say that the cure for the saddest day of the year is exercise!! I can't say that I love exercise either, but I do love the fresh air and the outdoors.
So, I bundled up in my parka, snow boots, Hot Paws mitts, Penguin hat and took the dog for a walk. I didn't want to bring my dSLR because it was way too cold out, so I grabbed my old 3mp Sony P&S and went out on Lake Ramsey. The sun was getting low in the sky and it was dull and grey, but what a beautiful day!! The skating path was plowed and ready for eager skaters, but this day it was just me, Gracie, one ice-fisher dude and one skater... on the whole lake and on the boardwalk beside it!!
So, where was everyone? If exercise is supposed to be the cure, why weren't there more people out there walking, skating, skiing?
Hmmm, I guess Blue Monday didn't affect anyone in Sudbury!! Not only are we the Nickel Capitol of the world, I guess we're also the happiest! ha ha
Jan 2, 2008
Memory Ornaments
When I was un-decorating today, I decided it was time to get rid of some old stuff. A wreath, some small metal trees, a bunch of gift bags, some ornaments and more. As I took items off the trees, I started to have a nostalgia attack!
Just looking at some of the ornaments brought me back to my childhood. Remember those big, honking light sets we used to have? Big thick electrical cord and bulb glass so thick you couldn't break it without stepping on it! Mom and Dad had the most beautiful garland that I used to love to touch because it was so soft. It was a deep red rope of velour. I still have a small piece of it, about 2 feet long. It's over 50 years old! I turned 50 yesterday, and it hit home. 50!! That's a LONG time!
I remember how fragile the glass balls were and I stuck my fingers through many with my little 5 year old hands. Like the velour rope, I have a few of the original tree ornaments that my Mom and Dad had. They have to be at least 50 years old as well, but likely older. They are getting thin and more fragile every year and I thought it was time to take a photo of them, just in case I lost them.
I used some flowers from the funeral arrangement.
We also found old magazines and newspapers from the '30s and '40s!
Not sure how old these ones are.
The Clan
Each year, my family gathers after Christmas to celebrate the holidays together. We take turns hosting the event between my two sisters, my mom and myself. This year was Mom's turn, but she's 83 and not able to very much any more, so I pretty much took over the organization.
We arranged to hold the event in one of the large party rooms at Mom's retirement village. We all bring pot-luck dinner. The village provides the dishes and even washes them afterwards for us - which is a bonus! Our family has grown over the years with the addition of more Great - Grandchildren for Mom and various boyfriends/girlfriends and fiance[e]s. The farthest anyone has to travel is 5 hours, but sometimes some of us just can't make it. This year we were missing 4 people. So our total count for this year's celebration was 19.
We played games, had a gift auction with play money and White Elephant wrapped gifts from home! We laughed, we cried, we ate, we drank and we reminisced.
I took over 100 photos, all on P mode and I only had to delete 5 or 6! Not too bad! Here's a few of my favourites! There weren't very many appropriate places for me to take a family photo, so this had to do. I wish I could have turned down the overhead lights.
Dec 28, 2007
Our Christmas
We had a wonderful celebration yesterday. All of us together - perfect. We started the day with coffee and chat. Meg showed us all the gifts she had already receved from Jay's family down south. What a haul! But look at our loot! Aren't we spoiled!?
I took several photos, with my camera on Auto. Got some great keepers. A few of them were blurry, and some of the DOF was a bit off, but hey - they're still keepers!
Gracie was right in the middle of things like a bull in a china shop. She got several new toys and went from one to the other. A few of them are squeaky toys and she's not too sure about that. She starts to whine when it squeaks!
Here's one of Gracie opening another one!
Lauren and Meghan were side by side on the loveseat on their laptops. So nice to see my girls having fun together.
Tomorrow is MY side of the family's celebration. There will be 19 of us for fun, food and family good times! Can't wait.
Dec 26, 2007
A few Christmas Moments
We don't celebrate our Christmas until tomorrow! The presents are still under the tree and the stockings have just been stuffed! My daughter is on the road, on her way home. She should be home by midnight, so I'm anxious to know when she'll be home safe. Hubby is working nights tonight, so once he gets up, we'll be having our traditional family Christmas - two days late! No problem though - as long as we're together.
We did have some great moments with extended family though. Here's some of my favourite shots from the last few days.
Dec 23, 2007
The Gingerbread Angel
A story of goodwill, cherished memories and what Christmas is all about. Please feel free to share it with your family, but please DO NOT PUBLISH.
I won a short story contest in 1993 with this story! Enjoy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
[I tried to enlarge the font, but it wouldn't work. If it's too small to read, just press Ctrl +]
_____________________________________________________
THE GINGERBREAD ANGEL
1993 - © Deborah Pero
The old man picked up his cane from beside his chair. He grasped the handle and gently placed the cane's tip on the wooden floor. Before rising completely from the squeaky rocker, he paused briefly for balance and winced with pain as his knees quickly reminded him of his arthritis. Brutus was insistently scratching on the outside of the cottage door as the old man slipped his feet into his moccasins before going to let the small pug in.
"I must have fallen asleep," said the gentleman to himself as he glanced at the clock on the wall. "Poor 'ol Brutus has been out all this time. I'm comin' Brute!", he yelled from the hallway.
The old-timer propped his cane in the corner and gave his long grey beard a gentle massage before opening the wooden door. Standing before the outer screen door, he called for Brutus. The chubby pug wagged his curlicue tail vigorously when he saw his master through the screen. Frigid gusts of wind licked at the man's feet. He pulled his sweater tighter around himself and shivered. A fluffy layer of snowflakes was stuck to the canine's sandy coloured fur - from the tip of his tail to his little blacked pushed-in snout. The mutt gave himself a mighty shake to rid himself of the snowy burden. As the pup was about to climb the stoop to the warmth of the bungalow, a large mushy snowball whizzed through the crisp air and landed with a 'splat' just inches from the pooch's backside. The senior was just about unleash his pet when from the street he heard a chant.
"
Mr. Adams was used to the jeers and taunting now. Most of the neighbourhood children had ridiculed him at least once these past few weeks.
Unleashing Brutus, he led him into the protection of his home and closed the door to the coldness outside. It was December 18, the last day of school before Christmas holidays.
- - - - -
Jeremiah Adams thought he would never get over his wife's death. Just a few months earlier, Heather Adams was a lively, gentle woman full of zest and vitality.
Heather became a teacher when she and Jeremiah found out they could have no children of their own. For 30 years she taught kindergarten at the elementary school at the end of the street. She taught at that same school until the day she died.
Heather was walking home from classes one crisp autumn day when she was suddenly struck by a car, whose driver had lost control of the vehicle. Jeremiah was at his job as a carpenter when he received the call that his wife had been involved in a serious automobile accident. She never regained consciousness. Jeremiah's heart was broken. He would never smile again.
Things got even worse for the widower. The couple had not a great deal of money, so after funeral costs and endless debts, Jeremiah had barely enough to live on. He found it harder and harder every day to be able to work. His arthritis worsened.
Weeks passed slowly by as Jeremiah became more and more depressed. He neglected his household chores, inside and out. The leaves piled up beneath the trees that fall and remained there until the snow gently blanketed the ground. Not only was Jeremiah lax in the upkeep of his home, but his personal appearance suffered as well. Even though he rarely went outdoors, the children began to tease him as his beard grew longer, his clothes more ragged and his face more sullen.
Things went from bad to worse when the children that Heather loved so dearly, began to mock and tease him and throw rocks and snowballs at his home.
Jeremiah might have resorted to suicide that cold winder day in December had it not been for Marcy.
- - - -
It was love at first sight for Marcy on her very first day of Kindergarten that September. Ever since she was three years old, she had been looking forward to starting school. That first morning, she eagerly hopped into the bus, her green eyes full of excitement. Her naturally curly auburn tresses bobbed ever so gently as the bus took her to school. When she stepped into the large classroom full of toys and books and pictures and wonderful bright colours, she just knew she was going to love her teacher too. And sure enough, standing in the middle of the room, was a plump little woman with the warmest smile Marcy had ever seen.
"Hello Marcy. I'm Mrs. Adams. I sure hope you'll enjoy being in my class. Come with me and I'll show you around." At that moment, as Marcy clasped her tiny little hand in Heather's, they instantly became friends.
Each day was a wondrous joy for both teacher and student. Heather had never taught anyone quite so bubbly and sweet as Marcy. She was intelligent too. She sometimes forgot that the little girl was only five years old.
Mrs. Adams made learning fun for her students, but Marcy was like a sponge soaking up every little bit of knowledge with wonderment and amazement.
Their fondness for each other grew and blossomed every single day. The last thing Marcy saw when her school bus pulled away from the school on that fateful autumn day was the glowing smile on the best teacher in the whole world.
For a few days after the woman died, Marcy would remain in her room for several hours at a time. She would look at the books that Mrs. Adams liked to read. She would sing to herself the songs her class would sing everyday. And sometimes she would cry. When her mom and dad first told her that her teacher had died, Marcy did not cry right away. She began to sob only when she realized that Mrs. Adams would never again be her teacher.
Weeks passed. Marcy still liked school, and her new teacher was OK, but she didn't quite have the same enthusiasm as she once had.
On Christmas Eve, Marcy reluctantly pushed aside her sad thoughts to let in the magic of the day. She gleefully sang carols with her parents while helping decorate the tree. She secretly assisted her dad in wrapping a few gifts for her mom. Later, as Marcy's mother was removing a batch of gingerbread angel cookies from the oven, Marcy asked her, "Do you think Mrs. Adams is a Christmas angel up in Heaven?" Mother and daughter decided that a person so kind and wonderful as Mrs. Adams was, she just had to be an angel. In fact, they were positive that right at that very minute, she was gazing down at her loved ones from Heaven.
For just a brief instant, they though they could actually feel the feathery touch of the angel's great wings on their shoulders. "Mommy, Now that I know Mrs. Adams is a Christmas angel, she can be with me all of the time. I don't have to be sad anymore," the little girl exclaimed.
Later that afternoon, just before dusk, Marcy knocked loudly on Mr. Adams' door, as her mother waited for her near the street. As soon as the old man opened his door, the young girl began, "My nave is Marcy. I brought you a present."
The old man was puzzled. Who was this child? She continues, "Mrs. Adams was my teacher, and I miss her very much. I know I'll never see her again, but she'll always be with me!" With her mittened hands she thrust forward a delicate gingerbread angel. The angel's gown, painted with a frosty pink icing was adorned with gold and silver candy dragees. Its sugar crystal wings sparkled like snowflakes in the moonlight.
"This is for you," the tiny one said. "Now Mrs. Adams can always be with you too. Merry Christmas, sir."
The old man didn't know what to say. With a lump in his throat and a cold shiver in his veins, he reached for the wondrous gift. A soft sudden breath of air caressed the old man's face like a kiss as he held the Christmas Angel in the palm of his hand. An odd glow warmed his heart like a shining star within his breast. He turned his gaze to the skies and a moistness momentarily blurred his sight. A glorious beam of moonlight seemed to fill the world with light. Jeremiah heard a choir softly singing in the distance. He was sure he heard his wife's dear sweet voice echoing in the twilight. And he smiled.
Dec 7, 2007
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
It's been quite a while since I last posted. Partly due to health issues, partly due to total lack of motivation and inspiration! It's not that I haven't thought of blogging, I have - but from mind to computer is another thing altogether!!
Each year I like to take a family photo for Christmas. Last year's is HERE.
This year I wanted to do something funny. I had in my mind to do this outside, because we were having a very mild November. Of course, just before we planned to do the shoot, we got dumped with several inches of snow and it turned COLD. I don't have a lot of room in my living room, but it's the nicest room in the house so I set up there. Not a lot of room for good depth of field either, but you do what you can! We made some fun and unusual clothing choices and had a total HOOT taking these! I had some issues with backlighting, but I think I managed to deal with it okay. Hope you enjoy them!
Tuning up for a Jingle Jamboree!!
Thanks for looking!
HAVE A FUN AND GROOVY HOLIDAY SEASON!!
Oct 27, 2007
My Prince Charming ?
We closed up the cottage the other day. It's always a sad time, saying goodbye to the place for the next few months. Besides getting the chores done - packing up the perishables, the freezeables, bedding and clothing, etc., we turned off the power, winterized the water pump and put away all the water toys and canoe. We hung up the snow shovels in a tree. [One winter we got to camp to find they were frozen solid into the ground. We had to 'shovel' with our feet!]
It was quite cool outside, but not raining, so we had a campfire and just sat and stared at the flames for awhile, neither of us talking. It amazes me how long we can stare at dancing flames and jumping sparks. Very mezmerizing.
By the time our campfire had turned to coals, the camp was warm enough to go inside. We took the wood-stove out when we were doing our renovations, so until next summer all we have for heat is a construction heater. It works great, but it takes awhile to heat up the whole camp.
I bought some Roman style, roll-up blinds for the four new windows. Each window is 6x4'- that's a lot of window! I didn't want our place to look like an aquarium with the possibilities for looky-loos and shady snoopers to peek inside - [ not that there any such characters on our lake!!]. So, we installed the blinds mainly for privacy. Also, because there's so much window I didn't want the cute little chickadees and nuthatches to break their necks thinking they could fly through them! So, after the blinds were installed we took a walk in the bush. Our last one of the year. The smell was divine! There is nothing like the fresh, damp, biodegrading smell of fallen leaves and moose poop. No really, it smells like nature. I'd love to bottle that smell and in the middle of winter take the cap off the bottle and take a good whif - so it can take me back to the middle of the bush, at least in my mind.
I took a few photos of water droplets on the leaves. Just a few of them turned out. I was feeling very uncreative lately in the photography department. Must be the rain. Or the lack of GREEN. Or the lack of anything ALIVE!! But, just as we were ready to pack up the recyclables and the empty beer bottles we saw a big, honking TOAD!! This dude's body [or dudette - how can you tell?] was about the size of my fist. I thought for sure he was going to scurry [do toads scurry?] under the camp, but he hopped up onto a rock as if to say, "I'm here for my photo shoot". He sat for me and posed while I took shots from several angles. What a guy!! Don't you wish your guys were that cooperative?
I named him George. Anyway, I started thinking it was a sign. This guy was my good luck charm. First of all, I thought toads and frogs would have already hunkered down for the season, here this one was right out there enjoying the near zero temps! I just kinda knew that it was going to be a great autumn and an even better winter. I knew that our camp would fare the loneliness just fine until we next returned when the ice is safe for crossing. I felt that I was going to have a better year, healthwise. I can't explain it, but George made things feel right.
That evening, back at home there was a clear sky and a gorgeous full moon. I went to Google and look what I found on the first hit!!
The ancient Chinese revered a mythical creature known as the Chan Chu or "Toad God". This toad is believed to be bring good luck, prosperity and wealth to its owner. Frogs have traditionally symbolized good luck and prosperity.
The Chan Chu is said to appear every full moon close to the people who are about to receive good luck regarding money!! 
Maybe I should have kissed George!
My Own Karma
