catchall

Bamboo Fire

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:06:53 +0000

Here’s a word of advice. Don’t use bamboo products in the kitchen or anywhere that is near combustible rags. It burns to a cinder. Unlike cotton, which burns much more slowly, an 80% bamboo and 20% cotton dish cloth caught fire on our stove and continued burning and smoking outside even though it was damp and the air was partially spitting rain. Have a look at the comparison of the two. The kitchen filled with smoke, and unlike the cotton towel which flamed out by itself, the entire cloth continued to burn. You can imagine if left in the kitchen, how much damage it would do. On the left is the cotton towel, on the right the bamboo. Look at the flame and the smoke.

Toads and Frogs

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:20:34 +0000

Water features are the heart of my garden, attracting birds, raccoons, toads and sometimes a large grey crane that clears out the koi. I wonder what kind of toad this is, a cane toad? Or a bullfrog? No, I don’t have any this size, but there are toads. That means my garden is healthy and I don’t use too much fertilizer and no pesticides at all.

See the Island Race

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:37:42 +0000

The used to be “Round the Island Race” is now called “See the Island” race and takes us round T1 and a few other marks. Here Tommy is taking away the winnings from his fan club. He’s working on a new team for next year! Heider and Tom were in the lead but it was by no means an easy victory. See the concentration! Here’s Mirad at the tiller while Anna is looking for duct tape. Notice the sail numbers! That main was fast! It was a light air race, just enough to keep us moving but with plenty of shifts and holes. We had fun anyways!

Who caught the biggest fish?

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:26:00 +0000

Thanksgiving at the Larson’s cottage was a big event in many ways, big turkey and big catches. Tom thought he couldn’t be outmatched as the fish caught was landed in record time – about 5 minutes. No other dared venture close to the dock after that one. It was a fine specimen of pike and was released unharmed after the photo on Stefan’s blackberry proved the bragging which surely would follow. Not to be outdone, Tommy got a big one too using ma’s photoshop skills.

Summer 2009

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:20:16 +0000

It’s now August and 4 neighbors have decided that it’s time to spend money on their homes. The trench is going in next door with its huge cement retaining wall. Gravel and bricks are stacked ready to go. Across the road, the whole drive is taken up with reconstruction and bobcats repairing the outside. Down the road, the newly finished house and freshly tended lawn is again being torn up by 2 bobcats with four dump trucks waiting to take away the load for a swimming pool going in the back. I guess this was an after thought? Visited the Mississauga website on planning permission recommendations and two of the houses have been approved the put in side garages where there is not enough turning radius for the triple car entry to work. You know the saying, there’s nothing worse than fast stupid sailors? How about rich, stupid people?

How to do podcasts

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:22:14 +0000

Here’s a video on how to take podcasts for your ipod. Get a video one and here are some of the best to subscribe to: cbc documentaries, bbc documentaries, gq, etc.

Storm Hits Carmen Drive

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:36:25 +0000

Daylilies in Creemore

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:27:11 +0000

A great place to visit is Creemore, or in lily season, July, middle of..go to Notawasaga Lilies. Find the map here. Bring a camera. Here is the link:

Sailing on the Bay

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:57:02 +0000

Charlie and mom Tanya take a broad reach up the bay with Charlie on the alert for wind coming from the stern, and probably pa with camera.

May in Georgian Bay

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:03:01 +0000

May is wet this year but spring is always beautiful here. All the plants are looking rejuvenated given that the rocks are heating up the ground very well. Thomas has found his Star Wars part, so life is good. Charlie has frogs to catch and caterpillars to wear. Favourite saying “Who ‘dat name?” Just waiting for the dragon flies to come to the dragon fly tree. No fishing in the rain though. Jenny is farming the rocks in the lake and Harry has friends in all the cottages. Please see the video here. Video