Raising Rabbits

During the years after the great Depression of the North American economy, my maternal grandparents moved from Regina, Saskatchewan to the Eastern Townships of Quebec. My Gramma had missed being closer in proximity to her sisters, and it had been a longtime coming!

One of the ways my Gramma brought income to the home was raising rabbits – two varieties and both for different markets. The Belgian hares were for eating – large and meaty. The Angoras were for furriers in Montreal to buy and create jackets, stoles and other wraps and trims.

I myself have a fondness for rabbits, and my small collectibles have been acquired as gifts over the years. They are discreet, in various poses, and valued from very little to slightly significant in dollars. There’s a consistency that runs through whatever theme a person is drawn to – whether it be elephants, dolls, silver spoons, teacups,  golf hats or fishing lures, to name just a few.

Last week my “joy-trip” friend added a new member to the bunny collection – a small representation made by the famous Swarkovski™ manufacturers.

This fellow is the tiniest of all in size, but represents a huge affection that’s been long-term and unbroken. He is golden in colour and facets sparkle, even through the glass case.  I feel like he is more powerful in feel than  any of the others – the proverbial “small but mighty”.

I’m glad my rabbits don’t reproduce and crowd out their space with diminished appeal – just 8 in the collection – each one symbolizing a special friendship. It’s a pleasure to be raising rabbits!

Enterprising Women...

I recently received an online invitation to register for a professional business event which would include up to 50 area women for dinner and a seminar.

The YWCA-Muskoka is a forward-thinking and totally committed advocacy group which supports and encourages women entrepreneurs with educational opportunities, and regularly scheduled programmes on pertinent subject matter for women who are at specific levels of personal or business development.

The two distinguished Presenters from Rotman School of Business (associated with the University of Toronto) sounded exciting, and I registered promptly. My sense of anticipation was fulfilled – the ladies were excellent and enthusiastic – as was the audience.

The only tinge of disappointment, and it was slight, was that my business income does not yet qualify me to participate in the School of Business courses which are available. It would have been terrific to have a group of Muskoka participants – even if we could have met in a selected location and tele-conferenced or joined in a webinar.

The experience which the presenters acquired and developed into presentation form was inspiring – I wish I was the “American Express income” league and could qualify for further participation sooner than later.

Thanks to Susan Lovell for including so many of us on her mailing list – keep ‘em coming!

Indeed, the numbers in Muskoka are significant and truly promising when we think of Enterprising Women.

Rabid encounters of the worst kind….

The days of mid-August are often referred to as the dog days of Summer.

I’ve heard that, historically, crimes of passion increase when the weather is hot and tempers are short. Highways are clogged, the parking lot at the liquor and beer stores are packed tight, and lineups at the grocery store checkouts can feel tedious.

Local citizens of any cottage-country community are well aware of the seasonal influx to towns, villages and hamlet destinations – store owners anticipate exchanging coin for goods and folding money to see them through a lean Winter and business practices include happily greeting visitors whenever the door swings open!

It’s important to realize that time is valuable to everyone, streaming up the highways bumper-to-bumper can be hair-raising; by easing up just a little people will be more likely to reach their destination! Clerks at the till ringing through customers’ purchases are seldom harried by the volume – they are doing their very best - and undeserving of being hassled by those in line. When the weather’s hot, everyone feels sticky, and there’s no time to waste!

Everyone should try hard not to bare their gums and growl at one another….

it’s unnerving and onlookers feel helpless when tempers rise. Those unforgettable incidents are rabid encounters of the worst kind!

I've Heard It Said...

Some folks feel just plain important and sit just that little bit “higher” than many others when they tool around in big name, brand name, luxury cars – sometimes speeding and otherwise showing off.There are more prestigious vehicle makes on the roads now than ever before – zowie…the monthly payments must be astounding. Even to lease is a big ticket item. Different strokes for different folks.

Fashionwise as well, everyone has their own style – sometimes it is more flamboyant or attention-getting than another person might choose, but nonetheless, we are all individuals. Dressing for success can also be dressing with flair, as long as it’s in good taste.

Another significant manifestation of “having arrived” may be observed in how supervisors manage their staff.  Some folks swagger, some act totally rigid, and some look at others either through their eyebrows, over the rim of half-glasses, or down their noses. Ah, the grandeur of positioning oneself “up there”!

In my profession as a REALTOR® one of the greatest pleasures is making contact and building a business relationship with both prospective Buyers and Sellers; striving to earn their trust;  thus turning them into clients who will recommend my services without hesitation. My disposition is such that I feel comfortable and seem to interact well with everyone…  Colleagues have been heard now and then to mutter about “that so-and-so, who does he think he is…..grrr, grrr, grrr”, after an unwieldy conversation.

Hail to the high-end achievers who have retained a sense of mortality. It’s a pleasure to share the lineup in the grocery store with you on Friday nights!

A Mentor of mine said on more than one occasion that everyone should “be nice to the people you meet on the way up because they’re the same ones you’ll meet on the way down.”

Waiting All Year...

Waiting all Year…

One of the celebrations at Summer’s end is the great number of Fall Fairs throughout not only Muskoka, but the entire Province. People of all ages anticipate these festivals…families rooted in the community for generations and visitors from more urban areas.

For some children it’s a first-time opportunity to see farm animals up close – giggling over miniature goats perhaps or awestruck by the sheer size of working horses as they pass by – their hooves causing the very earth to tremble!

I am an avid fair-goer, and my sister as well. We attend the Bracebridge Fall Fair every year, rain, shine or sleet!

“Layering” ones attire is the secret – early mornings perched at the horse ring can be chilly and damp, when the sun peeps through it feels promising, and midday can be time to peel off the jacket or heavy sweater and let one’s bare arms absorb some of the last rays of summer.

Whatever the appeal may be, everyone admires the freshly picked vegetables, ooh and ahh at the size of weighty pumpkins, marvel at the intricacies of quilts and knitted goods or other textiles on display. “Junior” classes feature the efforts of imaginative young school children, and there’s often live music or dancers on stage in the background.

Support the Agricultural Societies everywhere by attending an annual event closest to you. These earnest folk continue to educate, promote and invite people to come, see and inhale the sights, scents and flavours of the annual Fall Fair dates.

See you there!

Speculating In Real Estate...

Whatever one’s occupation or profession,  it seems inevitable that the male species has admired from afar a well-turned ankle or scintillating personality.

Regardless of one’s personal sexuality, I think everyone from time to time views another person as “interesting”or “intriguing”. It’s simply the chemistry of attraction; and when tempered with ethics and impeccable personal standards a little speculation does no harm to anyone.

As a REALTOR®, my work in Muskoka includes the delights of meeting many people from various walks of life. Whether their interests are buying a high end property or not matters little to me – as long as their budget accommodates their wish list. There have been many business articles and admonitions regarding personal decorum and dressing professionally at all times. On sweltering summer days it’s truly better to be stuffed into a demure tank top and jacket rather than something cool that may be frothy, loose and gaping . Hopefully one may be forgiven for a peep-toe sandal or tailored capris on occasion, as long as the styling is appropriate.  Hard to climb a fence in stiletto slides at best!

On rare occasions, a new client may have many interesting facets to their character which prompt easy conversation. Occupations, interests in common, or personal experiences perhaps having vacationed at the same locale, or even pets are just a few subjects  that people may have in common. It is seldom that I include any personal information about myself, and I don’t pry too deep into others’ detail that does not pertain to the job of buying or selling real estate.

When the transaction is complete, or the search is discontinued for certain reasons that can’t be unravelled by me, there is sometimes a very faint regret that paths may not cross again. So many very lovely people come and go – and though I do keep in touch regularly with all of my buyers and sellers it’s simply not the same as interacting face to face, sharing a purpose, and discussing the intricacies of probability.

Very recently a prospective buyer found a different locale to search in – he

e-mailed to say that he and the “kids” (his 4 cats) had found and purchased outside of Muskoka. And “by the way”, please stop for a drink if I’m in Florida vacationing”. A pleasant thought, a pleasant invitation, and a pleasant fellow.

Pure speculation!!!!

In the “A-choo-li” Patch…

One of my Seller clients habitually wears the patchouli scent – which I, at first meeting,  almost mistook for another pungent aroma some people refer to as “pot”.

Having developed adult-onset asthma several years ago, I am constantly searching out the triggers that make me lose my voice within 30 seconds and reach for my puffer. After my first flare up my pipes were tickly and I was over-anxious. Even going into the grocery store aisle with scented laundry products and other cleaners was intolerable – so as a result, such delights as the Body Shoppe stores became  pretty much out of bounds!

For fellow-sufferers, I think I’ve discovered a truly “scents-ible” alternative.

The owner herself has COPD and asthma – an unwieldy combination – and Donna is  walking/talking proof that the products she and colleague Sue produce are a wonderful alternative to perfumes and chemical additives.

The Manitoulin Soap Factory at Shegundiah, Ontario is housed in a non-descript accessory building on the property where Donna’s home is situated. At 10955 Highway 6 between 10-mile point and Little Current, you need sharp eyes to spot the location – when I was there out of tourist season the road sign had blown into the brush.

When you enter, feel free to breathe deeply without fear. All of the ingredients are natural scents. The Manitoulin Chamber of Commerce website describes this must visit destination as

“ A place where scents and sensation come together in a glorious bath of colours and textures! “

*Handmade on Manitoulin Island/* All natural vegetable based glycerin soap
* Body Lotions/* Bath bombs/salts/* Lip balms/* Shampoo & Conditioner
* Wedding soaps/ And much ... much more!.

My Seller client loves the Patchouli Lotion and glycerine hand soap – I couldn’t resist buying these items for her – and I don’t need my puffer at hand when I’m standing near!

e-mail: Soap@amtelecom.net for online catalogue