Baby got back

Back from holiday


We had a lovely time. Didn't go much of anywhere, as we thought that Grant had to be back last Thursday for a meeting. We slipped out for a few days to Ojibway Bay, thinking we would have to come back after just 2 nights out. Happily, Grant got a call on Tuesday saying his meeting was cancelled, so we were able to stay out for the whole week. Ojibway is one of our favourite docks--one we haven't been able to get a spot on all season long--and were not only able to get a spot: we were by ourselves completely for nearly 24 hours!!

All by ourselves

The first few nights we docked facing the woods. That's my favourite spot, just us and nature.

Ojibway Sunset
Grant prefers the other side of the dock. He likes to watch boats coming across the larger bay outside of our little one. So after two days in my spot, we moved.

Sunset reflected

We spent five nights in all, through sun, wind and rain and came back relaxed and content. Still, nice to sleep in our comfy bed at home.


Back to school

After all that, I was not feeling the whole back-to-school vibe at all. Funny, when I was a kid, I really looked forward to going back. Now, as a teacher, my emotions are definitely mixed.

But I got in this week and got most of my office set up. No classroom this year; I am providing special ed support to three different classrooms. I had a terrific chat with one of the three teachers I will be supporting and suddenly, I got excited. I really do love to teach- being at school reminded me of that.


Back massage

Just got back from the massage therapist. All this time on the boat has not been particularly theraputic for my poor back. Boat manufacturers don't seem to spend enough time making sure the backs of boats are ergonomically beneficial. Yeah, I know: bitch and moan. And cry me a river while you're at it!

And finally...


I wanna be your Back door man

You Are Whole Lotta Love

You are interested in 2 things in this world: Love and sex. You are a complete romantic (and probably a big whore.) You just want to be loved.

You really value your friends and your family, but more than anything, you value your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/person you are stalking.

You don't necessarily value yourself very much, but it's ok because you will find someone else to value you. Sad, but you're oblivious, so it doesn't matter.

Take the Which Led Zeppelin Song Are You? Quiz

Inspired by Helen

I think a toned, lightly tanned back on a woman is a sexy feature. Also toned and tanned arms, and... oh screw it, men really got the fuzzy end of the lollipop when it comes to body aesthetics!

This brought back such a memory...

When I was nineteen, I worked at Marine World Africa USA, a theme park close to my home. When people asked me what I did there, I always said I trained the orcas, but in truth, I worked in one of the fast food restaurants, taking orders and serving various hamburgers, fries and soft drinks. I worked the main restaurant, which was where the employees came to get their discounted lunches and I frequently worked the employee window.

One day, this guy walked in, wearing a sleeveless black wetsuit. He was one of the park divers, in charge of cleaning out the dolphin and other tanks. He walked up to my window and all I could focus on were the most gorgeous sunburnt shoulders I had ever seen in my life. The rest of him was quite pretty as well, but those shoulders!! They were glorious!

Later, I told him that I fell in love with him because of his shoulders. Oh yes, we fell in love , a true summer romance: sweet and messy and life altering. With one particular residual effect: a set of well toned, sunburnt shoulders still makes me go rrrrowrrr!!

Thank you (with pictures!)

I have the best stalkers ever.

Thank you for letting me bitch. I think I will let the holiday posts percolate for a bit. There are still a couple of things I want to tell you all about (and yes, I will have photos!) but right now I am going to let that go.

And now,
The Back of the Boat-August 3-5

I promised not to bitch about the boat, didn't I?

Okay, no bitching. Or moaning, for that matter. However, this weekend was a bit a of challenge. We had planned on spending the long weekend in one isolated spot, but the PTB decided to mess with us. Just cause they can. I will not bore you with our trials and tribulations because, at the end of the day, we still got to spend 3 nights on Georgian Bay and you didn't.

Weather: Gorgeous
Wildlife spotted: 3 loons, 2 chipmunks, 13 mergansers, 1 tiny green frog, various and sundry gulls
Wildlife not spotted by us, but by our friends who actually could get their anchor to set in a remote spot: 1 black bear
Fish and chips consumed at Henry's: 2 platefulls
Books read by me: The Wonder Spot, Seasons of Mist, The Mermaid Chair
Feet of chain purchased for our anchor: 15


Anchored Outside Ojibway Bay


Overnighting on the dock at Henry's Fish Restaurant


On the dock at Wanaketa Campground on Beausoleil Island

Bitch and moan

I'm wondering. Apart from the gratuitous experience factor, are people interested in the rest of my Europe trip? You see, there are a couple of issues here:

1. As the days slip by, my memories become blurred. Yes, boys and girls, that's what happen as you approach 50. Or maybe only if you drink too much.

2. The trip (sad to say) really wasn't All. That. Neither Grant or I can summon up much enthusiasm when talking about it. Actually, writing about it has made me appreciate some of the better aspects of it. The day I returned, I wrote the following

We got back yesterday and I am feeling strangely ambivalent about our trip. This will be the complaining portion of my summary. I am sure that once I look at the pictures again that I will remember the good parts, but for now:

How to sum up our holiday?

Too hot
Temperatures ranged from 28-nearly 40 c. Then, when we went to a beach resort- it rained.

Too much walking
Grant got blisters, which meant he was cranky. My poor blistered sweety.

Too much food
We ate far too much and not nearly enough vegetables. I missed my veggies! And despite all of the walking, we also gained about 10 lbs each. Pooh.

Too many places and not enough time
See, I know that I do better on holidays where I stay in one place over an extended period of time. This trip had too much damn travelling.

Too much luggage
I have got to remember- travelling by train, PACK LIGHTLY!!

Yeah, I know. Bitch and moan. Not many people have the opportunity to travel that I have had and I should be grateful for it all.

I promise not to complain about my time on the boat. We are off for another long weekend this morning. I will see you all on Tuesday!!

By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea

After the heat and bustle of Rome, we looked forward to Rimini, a resort on the Adriatic coast. Rimini is not exactly the kind of place most North Americans visit when in Italy, but our travelling companions, both Brits, had been there nearly 40 years ago and wanted to revisit their youths.

Our hotel was wonderful. We got excellent dinner recommendations from the manager and reservations for our own private beach chairs (complete with striped umbrella) for the next day. We ate dinner on the beach, drank far too much wine and watched the World Cup semi-final. We over-tipped our adorable waiter for moving us to a special table to watch the game after we ate. Needless to say, when we returned the following evening, we got huge smiles and more excellent service.

The next morning was spent lounging in our beach chairs, reading and people watching. There were times when I felt like Marilyn Monroe waiting for Tony Curtis to show up in striped ascot and white duck trousers. No Shell Oil for me though, just olive oil that night on my bread. And not nearly enough fun in the sun either, by midday, the thunder clouds threatened and we beat a hasty retreat to our hotel room.

We didn't take a single photo in Rimini. I really have no idea why. I did get some shopping done, though-- a lovely red merino sweater (purchased in 35c weather, no less) and a straw hat for which I paid the extravagant sum of 5 euro. If you look through my photos you will see it. That women in the straw hat? Me.

After our single day of resort life, Grant and I left our friends behind for a few days and boarded the train to Venice. But that's a tale for another day...