Nifty Glasses At Michael's Bay

On my three day Manitoulin adventure my friend and I pored through several tourist directories as the Chi-Cheemaun ferry carried us smoothly from the Tobermory Terminal to South Baymouth where vehicles stream off the ship with obvious enthusiasim.

Our first stop was at Watson’s General Store in Sandfield, then we backtracked a little and turned off Government Road onto Michael’s Bay Road. Aiming south, the Sheepish Grin signs were both amusing and easy to follow.

We drove right to the studio – which is tucked cleverly away from the main house. Scott greeted us with a big smile – he was doing some raking and immediately unlocked the Studio so we could enter. Two Wheaten terriers are members of the family too. Diane Cruttenden was on hand immediately - what a pretty and talented woman -  with bright sparkly eyes and very nifty glasses!   Like other artisans, she and Scott transplanted themselves from elsewhere onto Manitoulin Island – a leap of faith for most!

The studio has a wide variety of knitting, weaving and spinning supplies – but for me the most breathtaking were Diane’s bead creations. If you visit their website at www.sheepishgrinstudio.com you’ll quickly realize  why this is an amazing “must-see” when you’re visiting Manitoulin Island!

I did come away with a handmade fiber brooch for a friend -  produced at this nifty studio by the pretty lady with the nifty glasses!

Humming Along...

It’s always a thrill when an unexpected and delightful surprise also includes an opportunity to see something you’ve never seen before, and to learn about a subject previously unfamiliar.

Several days ago, while on a mini vacation to Manitoulin Island, my friend and I discovered a small advertisement in a tourist guidebook about the Noble Alpaca Farm (www.noblealpacafarm.com) located at 224 Scotch Line in the community of Sheguiandah. Having travelled north from M’Chigeeng along Highway 540, we actually caught a very fleeting glimpse of a side road named Bidwell – and could have turned eastward then. However, the location is easily accessed from Highway 6 just south of Little Current.

Glen Totman drove into the driveway seconds behind us – and greeted us warmly though we were not expected. Their brochure, which I now have in hand,  does say please call ahead. This is a destination not to be missed – and one of the most inspiring. Rochel Totman creates all of the items in their gift shop, and also takes custom orders. I did some Christmas shopping early!

A most endearing little baby alpaca was cavorting around the fenced paddock area – and their personalities, as described, are truly enjoyable. This little cria’s name is Brittany and she will soon be greeted by other newborns within days.

Glen Totman told us that within 10 days of an alpaca giving birth, it begins a sort of  humming  sound, almost continuously. The unborn youngster of course hears this – and at birth the cria recognizes its mother then, and forever after, by her hum.

When you visit beautiful Manitoulin Island do try to visit the Noble Alpaca Farm. You’ll find that Glen and Rochel Totman’s interesting business is truly humming along!

Air Mail Delivery...

I’m familiar with the tune lyrics from the song “Pennies from Heaven” but never thought about other possible deliveries by air, specifically for me!

Tonight, without forewarning,  a special package arrived as I was on my back deck, barbecuing. From the balcony above, suspended by a rope, there suddenly appeared a worn-looking canvas bag  - therein contained a bottle of red Zinfandel  wine – namely, Cline™.

A carrier pigeon could not have borne the weight, a St. Bernard would not have fouled its around-the-neck barrel with such a seemingly inferior life-saver, nonetheless, I was really tickled with the creativity of said delivery!

The most obvious and simplistic solution to alleviate descending and re-ascending two flights of stairs was circumvented with a creative solution – the wine arrived in style and a good laugh was shared!

P.S. The ginger-marinated chicken was yummy!!

Dark, dank and dripping...

The name which my four nieces use for me is “Auntie Lou” –this past weekend caused me to ponder a revision to become “Auntie Move”…A wearying and strenuous effort to assist as best I could with the relocation of my youngest niece from one apartment to a new one just a block away!

After travelling several hours with my brother to a small northern city, we arrived after dark in inclement weather. It was immediate that my niece’s reasons for moving were well-founded – the apartment where she had been living was a basement cave. 

There had also been two floods from the upstairs apartment – and the overflows were not dishwater. ‘Nuff said about that one..And lastly, as the rain continued to pelt down, inside windowsills overflowed and the exterior walls were slick with wet, seeping onto the already-reeking carpet.

Parents who search out Accommodation to Rent for students are often at a disadvantage from the get-go. Unfamiliar with the proximity to whichever school, college or university can result in a trek that’s simply too far. Arriving on site with a truck full of dreams can turn into a nightmare of despair – with no alternatives.

With nobody to stand up for their human rights, students away from home often have to endure dark, dank and dripping rentals with the most unholy of neighbours, fouled surroundings and an overwhelming sense of despair. Boarding kennels can sometimes feel closer to heaven!

Talk about taking advantage of unsuspecting and unprepared tenants – slum landlords have no excuses! If you hear a sensible young person complaining about their living conditions while at school, check out their story – it may be that they too are living in a dark, dank and dripping rental!

A Light In The Window...

Everyone who’s been out after dark and wends their weary way home has traditionally been cheered, even from afar, by a light in the window beckoning.

In days of yore, more often a candle – but nonetheless a beacon.

Front porch lights are a thoughtful gesture when flicked on before retiring, especially in a rural area when someone may be in need of help. I was thinking of this recently when my youngest niece recounted a hair-raising tale of a nighttime walk from New Liskeard to Haileybury…stranded when her ride left unexpectedly.

Every snap of a branch or unfamiliar murmur of “something” out there gave her goosebumps galore and when she and her girlfriend arrived at their apartment they simply fell onto their beds with exhaustion!

I admonished her gently, suggesting they should have knocked on someone’s door….

Driving back to Muskoka from a weekend visit to the Tri-Town communities known as Temiskaming Shores, I gasped with incredulity when I saw a unique fixture mounted next to the front door.

Not immediately recognizable as a light in the window, or even near the window, it was a stuffed bear head! And that was hair-raising!

When in the dark, personally or professionally, tread lightly!!

"Your name's on it"...

On a recent jaunt to beautiful Manitoulin Island, it was a coincidence to see a vehicle with company logo and contact info parked in the next space to mine at the motel where my friend and I had reserved. It would be usual for me to introduce myself as hailing from Bracebridge too, but the driver and occupants were elsewhere at that moment.

 

After our dinner, we climbed to the second floor and found that the lounge chair outside our front door was occupied by an already-impaired lout, who scarcely moved his feet to allow us entry to our room. Two younger fellows, presumably travelling with this person, had also commandeered an extra chair so the three were in a cluster on the verandah.

The volume of conversation increased as the evening turned to night – and I was glad my friend had removed her hearing aid devices…the profanities, vulgarities and truly shocking inferences that percolated the man’s speech were appalling.

However, amongst the grandstanding, it became clear that this particular person was the job supervisor,  he knew his work, and was passing along his experiences to the younger men. Included in his sermonizing was an urging that they take pride in their workmanship and be accountable – because “your name’s on it”.

By 1:30 a.m., with the security-chain in place, I opened the door just a smidge and very politely greeted the group with a “Hey fellas, would you keep the noise down please. It’s late…”. The two young men were relatively sensible, and in fact had spoken in low tones from the start – but the boss man was more drunk than anyone I’d ever seen; and a slurred apology which held no merit was spewed forth.

In the morning they were stumbling and bumbling down the metal stairs – and off to a head-pounding nail-driving day in the sun. I was muttering still – but did remember to write down the company contact information and identifier from the side of their van. Guess the bozo forgot that “your name’s on it” and I’ve got it……

Tugging Mom...

A good friend of mine has been a REALTOR® for over twenty years, and at this point in her life her children, while still in elementary school, are grown enough that she can see her way to the future and increasing her business again.

It’s tough sledding – Mom’s taxi service is a feat of endurance that can be observed from the very early hours of the morning heading out to hockey or swimming practices or beating the highway homeward with the athlete in the back seat fast asleep!

The many other routine duties that most Mom’s perform result in a long list that requires agility and stamina to accomplish. Whatever the woman’s occupation may be outside of the home, all Moms are faced with decision making that sometimes tears at their heartstrings and creates an internal sinister and simmering probability that they’re a “bad Mom” if their response is the least popular.

Two decades ago many husbands who became fathers did not participate in any tasks they had not previously been responsible for. Changing a diaper was an absolute and emphatic “No!” – and pushing the baby buggy was nearly as distasteful. Nowadays it seems nearly the reverse – and yet, manipulative tactics still exist.

Observing the travails of my friend in balancing responsibilities and work I today wish I had a hank of rope to noose around her partner’s thick neck! My father always knotted his necktie with a Double Windsor style configuration – I’m sure I can remember the how-to!