SEE WHAT WE SEE AND DO

Island life

We dealt with septic problems for the first month upon arriving at the cottage

First Joe dug up the septic tank

Second he dug up the weeping tile box

Third he dug up the  second septic tank

Then he took the toilet apart taking it outside thinking maybe a pill bottle had fallen in

NOPE

Then he called Steve the grave digger at St. Joseph's Church

Steve used to work with septic tanks

Before Steve arrived Joe dug out the connection between the house and the septic system

Let me say Steve was our hero!!!!!!!!

Between the two of them they got everything going again

Oh boy oh boy oh boy

I could now have a bath!!!!!!!!!!

xoxoxoxo to Joe!!!!

Next on the list was the issue with the ever rising waters of the St. Clair

We are loosing dirt along the break wall

You can see the small dock is just about under water

Boats like this are not helping the situation

Here come the waves from the boat!!!!!!!!!!

Here we have a nice sunny day

We've had many days of rain

Broke the rain record for June since 2007

There's my favourite chair by the window

Have had it recovered twice over the past 40 years

Everyone knows this is lug island

From the lumber store in Courtright

to

the boat

to

the island

to 

the cart

to

the backyard

Meet Susan our neighbour

She is practicing her swimming skills 

for a 5 mile swim under the Mackinaw bridge

Labour Day Weekend

She is raising money for the Michigan  Habitat for Humanity

Ah.......the bird watcher

She unfortunately caught two yellow finches

I moved one of the bird feeders and put it more in the garden area close to the break wall

Well..................last week she flew in the air to try and catch a bird and ended up in the river

Needless to say

She flew out of the water!!!!!!!!!

Always have to get a picture each year of the freighter

Roger Blough

This garden was not getting enough sunlight so Joe took care of it

Pretty well every weekend brought  rain and winds

This one was a a good one!

Heavy winds took the portable garage for a ride

Of course everything in the 'garage' got soaked

All of Joe's tools were in there

He dried them out and oiled them

We had just finished dinner Saturday evening when the power went out

Sunday morning Joe cooked breakfast for Curt, Chris and I

Sunday morning the boys went about putting the tent back together

Our daughter Jennifer was interviewed by Global TV British Columbia re the Bee Hotel on top of the Fairmont Hotel, Whistler

So.............
Joe decided to build a Bee Hotel 

Stefan and Kate

Long story short

Stefan's Aunt Susan and I grew up together in Chatham across the street from one another

Small small world

Kate's family have a cottage on Stag island

I want to come in!

Not a good idea to let us know this way!!!!!

Early morning on the St. Clair

Sporting a new umbrella

Each morning we sit on the deck with our coffee and breakfast and watch the world go by

NICE

Chris and Curt's dog Molly sporting a new life jacket

'

Parts of the gardens and boxes

Morning on our bed

One rolls on it's back

The other rolls on it's back

If you can do it

I can do it!!!!!!!!!

The lavender is beautiful this year

Wind turbine 'blades' being delivered somewhere????

Mr. Frog lives in our pond

Conjunction of two Canada Steamship freighters

In days gone by the freighters would salute one another when passing 

Now

they probably say 

Hello

by computer

Lunch with Peggy and Charles

Of course

Tightrope wine

Oh dear

Engine problems????

Small cruise boat going up to the lakes

Here comes another storm

Now a larger cruise boat going up river

Sunday morning

8th annual Hadfield/Marsh dockside breakfast

Chris Bob Mary Jane Helena

 

Albert the Pug getting cooled off

Man it was hot hot hot and humid humid humid Sunday morning

This is a lovely little story

Our friend Blake brought his Mom to the island on Sunday morning for the breakfast 

and

to meet our Canadian Astronaut

Chris Hadfield

'HER HERO'

When it was time to take the photo Chris told Mrs. Morrison to sit her bum down on the steps

of which she did

Notice how Mrs. Morrison has locked her arm through Chris' arm

Every once in awhile a photo 'grabs me'

This is one of them

Don't know why but I must say this will be one of my all time favourite photos that I have taken

'The picture says it all'

Thanks Chris

Blake had driven his Mom from her home in Mississauga that morning and drove her home again later in the day

Blake later told us she talked about her day on the island all the way home

(in between naps)

l

Gwendolyn cooling off  too

Albert in the morning

Gwennie in the afternoon

One more project for Joe

He raised the dock

I jumped in the river on Saturday for the first time this season

Temperature of the water

68 degrees

Did I scream upon hitting the water

You betcha

*********************************

Just added a sweet memory picture

1998

FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA TO ONTARIO

Here it is June 17th, 2015

We have travelled 3750 km 

since my last blog

Ethan's braces are on

I think maybe for a couple of years?????

I am sure by now Garen's 'new' teeth will be starting to come in

A swim in the pool before leaving for Ontario

Not sure what the conversation is about?????

My little swimming buddy

Night before we left Gwennie had a bath

The shack is surrounded by fine, fine dirt

She rolled and had afternoon naps in the dirt

To say the least

She was forever dirty

We are on our way

Heading towards Calgary

where we had dinner with niece Patricia and nephew Matthew Brister

Ha.................

Can you see  my co-pilot?????

I talked to her a lot during the trip

Kept telling her how beautiful she was

She smiled ha ha

We stayed at a great RV park in Saskatchewan

Joe had to do a few repairs to a vent on top of the air stream

Perfect way to end a day of driving

Near Marquette MI

We came across a crowd of people by the side of the road

so..............

Pulled over and joined in the picture taking!

Quick shot out the window

Name of a town in Minnesota or Wisconsin or MI???????

Same name of the city where Joe and I were born and raised

Chatham, Ontario

 

Just up the street I came across this neat little trailer

FUN

Driving over the Mackinaw Bridge

We had a good trip

As you can see I drove my car home

Stella did a fine job

and

I must say

It was fun

I listened to my music and

Joe listened to talk shows

Perfect!

Well not really

but

It worked out well

Five and a half days after leaving Penticton we were on the Stag Island ferry making our way across the St. Clair River

I looked over at Finnigan and saw a look of horror on his face

First time rider then he had to take another ride on the golf cart!

We discovered a robin's nest at the back door

The door was then locked

Every day I would check the nest

Momma  was not too sure of us

She kept a keen eye

I see you Gwennie!!!!!!

Sunset over the river

Nice to see the sun

Since coming home we have had rain every weekend and sometimes during the week

The grass loves the rain

The flowers think they have had enough

Actually as I type this we are having rain!

First there was one baby bird

Then I saw two babies

Then three babies

I was told Momma lays one egg then a few days later another and another

That way she has lots of food for each one!

The day the babies left the nest was a lucky day for them as we were away and the cats were indoors which was a good thing

Our friend Devonna's two sisters

They sure look like sisters!!!!!

Last weekend we attended the graduation of Devonna's granddaughter Paeton

Here she is with her brother

It was a great party

The first bloom of my Iris plant

Beautiful swan passing by the dock

Finnigan taking a walk on the dock

He reminds us of Tulip

He has visited our next door neighbours Ray and Diana

Walked right in their cottage

Just like Tulip!!!!!

No way was Gwennie giving up her stick!!!!!!!!!!

Peony bush bloomed today

Slowly but surely the cottage is taking shape

Working on the gardens

Garen's friends are out and about

It is good to be on the island

LIFE IS GOOD