THE WATER'S EDGE

Time to put the boat away and plan for winter sports. The same water that enjoyed boating in the warm weather becomes a haven for the ice fishermen. Revisiting the same spot during all the seasons reveals the changing seasons. This little spot at Palmer Park in Port Perry at the south end of Lake Scugog,  is a favourite 1/2 day jaunt for Adolph and me. I took a little walk along the shoreline one last time this year, probably returning in the Spring. Do you have favourite places to visit? Photos during all the seasons can be a statement of life.

PORT PERRY THAT LITTLE TOWN OF LAKE SCUGOG

Lake Scugog is a lake near Toronto. It actually started as a river but a dam created in the 1800s near Lindsay created the lake. The water levels rose wiping out the cranberry and wild rice crops of the Native Canadian people living in the area. The farmers lost many acreage of crop land as well. There is a road that is called the causeway in Port Perry that joins the land to Scugog Island. It is a picturesque drive for a Sunday afternoon. Port Perry's main street has some interesting stores which make the trip fun. Of course good old fashioned Canadian Fish and Chips can be found in several locations. So why not take a drive east and north of Toronto to discover this little community.

 

Palmer Park is a good place to have a little picnic if a restaurant is not for you.

 

 

 

I love the architecture of old towns. The brick work is so Victorian period. The walk on the main street is not long so can be enjoyed in a short time before the drive home. 



BARNS HAVE MANY USES

Old barns can have many uses. Some people build houses, some people use them-well as barns for farm animals. Near Port Perry, Ontario is the Ocala Winery and the barn is used as a store with lots of wine and other items for sale. There are collections of items such as old pictures and antiques. Social functions can be booked there. Finding little treasures such as small wineries made the summer months fun and interesting. When travel afar is not possible, travel near becomes another opportunity. The wine was actually quite good. Not only using grapes but apples and pears to make some dessert wine. Of course, I have one bottle left for my Thanksgiving dinner!

Don't the bottles have pretty labels! It is an easy little day trip from home. A quick jaunt to the winery then off to a park for a picnic or a a quaint restaurant for lunch. Do you have places close to home that give a fun time?

CANADIAN CORN

We often think of wheat as being the Canadian staple. Corn is grown across the country too.
Throughout the summer a drive anywhere north, east, west of the GTA reveals farms with many corn fields.

In my immediate area, just north of Toronto, the Huron Nation lived hundreds of years ago. They were long gone in the area when the white man arrived ( 1790). Corn was a staple food for them. They would live in an area for about 12 years until the soil was quite leeched then found a new location. Their homes were long houses not the teepees often depicted for Native Canadians. There have been several archeological digs in the area that have revealed their history. In 1649 they were almost wiped out by the Iroquois. Regrouping with other Native nations in the late 1600's, the land in Southern Ontario was reclaimed by the Confederacy of several nations. In the Midland area there are historic sites honouring the Hurons. The history and story is very interesting. One day we can discuss it more.

In one of our many summer drives, Adolph and I stopped at a roadside farm- Willowtree farm- just west of Port Parry. We bought some brocoli, cauliflower and of course a few cobs of corn. Freshly picked corn is so good with some butter and a little salt. I just eat mine with a bit of butter though. After husking,  we still boil our cobs but some people like to leave the husk and pick it on the barbecue to steam. August is the time for a good corn roast. Corn is just a welcome addition to any meal throughout the week. The taste of the "Peaches n Cream type" is delicious. Do you like corn on the cob? Does it become an August staple for you? Take a drive to your local farm and buy some!