Manitoulin Movies
A special post featuring Brian’s GoPro videos.
Mast Year
Cedars heavily loaded with seeds.
Lots of spruce cones too. But no Tamiasciurus hudsonicus to enjoy the bounty. Haven’t heard or seen a little red squirrel in the last month. The trees were stingy the past two years, and apparently got rid of their perceived threat. I’m just hoping that some squirrels have survived on the Island, and that next year the population will spread from wherever that is back to here. The forest is diminished without Tamia.
Forlorn Sandbox
Pretty much everything reset from family gathering place to to quiet, out-of/the-way, natural retreat.
Forlorn sandbox
Cinqfoil
Delicious Fish
Bri’s lake trout on the menu tonight—prepared and cooked here but taken to Pinebox for the actual serving. Irrigated in a mix of egg, milk, and butter, then dredged in a mix of flour, cornmeal, and saltine crumbs. Fried on the outdoor griddle in just a little oil.
Sensational. Loud acclaim and cries of “more!”
Lots of moisture today. Light rain at 5:30 as the Nies contingent was boarding for departure, followed minutes later by a heavy downpour. Then, just after noon, another round of precip, this time an hour or more of rain coming down heavy as stair rods. Good for the forest and garden, and no threat of a fire ban this summer, thank the lucky stars.
Wrapping It Up
Abby, Katy, and Will on the road back to Wisconsin by 5:30 a.m. Nies family, while still busy, slowly gathering and packing up for a 5:30 start tomorrow. Bri able to spend a few hours fishing the big water with Andrew.
Lake trout
More Pinebox lamps
To The Falls…
…and the rock maze, the tree maze, Chocolate Works, to the marina by Wilker, to the driveway for the dance show, etcetera—in other words three days worth of fun shoehorned into one day.
Pizza Day…
…and market day. A variety of delicious pizzas, all made by cousins (with dough by Mary Ellen).
Time In A Bottle
From a.m lamp making at Pinebox to evening native dance around the fire pit, another full day, including lunch and exploration in Gore Bay.
S’mores, Skinny Dipping, Sun and Moon
From big breakfast from the grill to s’mores, skinny dipping and minute of silence watching the moon rise.
Sun (and water) Day
Overall fun day.
And, They’re Here
Abby, Katy, Will arrived this afternoon and the cousins are hiking, swimming, building Fairy houses, reading, and generally having a great time.
They’re Here…
…and so busy having fun I almost forgot to do a blog.
Great Lakes Islands Alliance…
…Manitoulin Team.
Three years in the making, and at last a team—with bylaws, officers, and an agenda. Delicious lunch provided by Mary Ellen and Sue.
Sun and Wind and Warmth
Perfect summer day, especially on or by the water.
Bunchberries
West wind, so calm on our side of the bay, thus a good day to launch chi-cheemaun (big canoe), a 21 foot handmade cedar strip kayak.
Time To Start Stacking?
Almost certainly.
And a day of awnings, curtains, and gates.
Division of Labor
Unfair, division of labor. While I went to Prov. to prepare with Therese for Thursday’s GLIA meeting, Sue continued preparing for company, including cleaning and organizing the bunker and the workshop. Not to mention windows. A warm day for that kind of work, too.
Cribs Up…
…and other chores in prep for company. Worked in a swim and a kayak, nonetheless. The photos below, however, are of last evening’s after-dinner cruise on board the Wilker.
Civic Holiday Weekend
Marina packed, falls crammed, but quiet on the Lane (so far, though fireworks likely tonight ‘cause you-know-who are here).
With an extension on the farm jack the pier was lifted, and with a clothes pin on the nose a week’s garbage was taken to the dump.
Pickin’ Peas
Early June peas in early August.
Actually Braiding Sweetgrass
Over to Wikwemikong for conversation with First Nation elder, Josh, discussing indigenous wisdom, among other things. And then to wrap things up, I actually got to braid some sweetgrass.
Later, in the evening, it was the Serendipity Lane farewell potluck party for the Lloyds, at the Kagawong shelter. Lots of delicious.
As a fond farewell Sue made the fabric wall art, below, the back of which was signed by all of us. Truly a high speed creative endeavor.
