Mother's Day to Midland

Celebrating Mother's Day with Mom

...and Bob

Loved the food!

Next day...Mother's Day with Aunt Dorothy (left), Bob and
Jack with their Mom Helen at Jack and Barb's home
in Ingersoll

By May 16th, the house was spotless, the van and car packed and we were off in our convoy of two, to Penetanguishene and our boat TULAW.  We have missed her and were very excited to be back on the water.

Our welcome party included this little barn swallow, perched
on the rail

The rest of the greeters in the channel in front of our boat

Always something going on here.  This is the remote-controlled
travel lift taking a boat to the launch area and past our friends,
Linda and Warren's boat 'Hectic Day', sadly still on land getting
a few repairs done prior to launch.

 We were thrilled to have my sister Jan and husband Elliot visit us for a fun, albeit very short visit.  They drove from Miramichi, New Brunswick to visit Mom and Jan's daughter Tara and son in law Tom.  On their way home they came to see us, on their way to visit other rele's and friends along the way.  We really appreciate them taking the time to stop by.

Out on the water highway, headed for the town of Midland
in the next bay, we find increasing activity on the water

.....and in the air.  This guy is coming in low for a landing and did
so, right behind us.  He keeps his plane parked right
outside his home on the bay.

Nice!

Pretty views from Central Marina in downtown Midland

doo, doo doo, doo doo...keep that chin flat!

Always perfect sunsets

There are gorgeous walking paths around Georgian Bay and as we
take one of our strolls by the water, we find this curious fellow.
I took this shot with my telephoto, expecting him to leap at any second

But no, he just sat there as I got closer and closer...probably a rabid rabbit

Beautiful parks and wildlife areas.  Love this Inukshuk 

Private gardens as well with interesting driftwood
creatures.  Recognize this as a meerkat?

Fabulous peonies!

We are off and out to anchor for a couple of nights.  Let the good times roll!

Performances to Celebrate

Mom's friend Agnes, a writer and music composer, decided last summer, to write the lyrics for a song about Valley Vista, the retirement home where they live.  Mom talked to us about it for months and called herself "the cheerleader" who took it upon herself to encourage Agnes to tell the General Manager and Activities Director about her accomplishment.  While we were away in the U.S. early this year, Mom said that Agnes' talented and musical daughters, had matched music to the lyrics and that it might be performed at the Valley Vista 4th anniversary some time in April.  Mom and Agnes were almost afraid to believe that it might happen.  On April 28th it did happen and in front of a huge audience, Agnes, Mom and their dear friend Kay, along with Addis, one of the staff, sang this lovely song called "Home Away from Home".  The video recording is pretty bad because  I was attempting to film with my tiny camera while mopping my eyes.  It was such an emotional experience and the applause from the residents and guests, deafening!  Further evidence that we can continue to reinvent ourselves, no matter the age.

Congratulations to three great women!!  A huge "thank you" to the wonderful and caring staff of Valley Vista who celebrated the accomplishment by including the performance in the 4th anniversary celebrations.

Left to right:  Kay, Mom and Agnes ( Chef Toni in the background)

Getting ready:  That's Addis, dining room hostess who sang with
the trio.

In the next video, you will notice that Addis began to sing as soon as the music started instead of after the usual lead-in that Mom, Agnes and Kay were used to.  We found it amusing that Mom looks up at Addis and asks "are we starting?", then quickly composes herself and performs as though nothing had happened, professionally, just as she has since she began public appearances as a 3 year old child, 91 years ago.  A lovely afternoon.  A wonderful celebration!

Second Performance 

Our grandson Matthew was selected from the Grades 1 and 2 classes, to recite a poem to the school population   Another star in our midst.  Way to go Matt!