Realism - more than Patriotism

[Shinpachi]

It looks a guardian deity placed on the shrine gate

 

[michaelmaltby]

July 25 - 26 High 26, low 9

Looking back: New Years, 1983. September, 1981.

 

[michaelmaltby]

August 11 High 27, low 11.

... we're all in this together. Why can't we get along?

 

[michaelmaltby]

August 18, Low 9, high 17.

It's been an emotional year. First Suzanne's sudden departure and recently my niece (her daughter) Raymonde lost her husband of 47, Justin, to colon cancer. He lasted a year after diagnosis and surgery.

The 2 nieces and Ray's kids Jasper and Chloe were up at the cabin last week for a couple of days between the passing and the memorial service. I believe the uncultivated bush is very healing. Mom always spoke of how her Dad and the 2 boys Richard and Arthur all agreed that having Muskoka to return to got them through WW1 ... and I can believe that.

 

[michaelmaltby]

The Estonians: for the Record

30 years ago Tiina and I made this film together. The Iron Curtain and the USSR were still standing. With what we are now watching unfold in the Ukraine, it seems nothing has changed ... when it comes to Russia.

Worth 29 minutes of your time .... excellent stock footage:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_MuNvTW_xY

 

[michaelmaltby]

September 2 High 21, low 17 Overcast with showers.

Productive day trip: winter hardwood stacked in the basement, new limestone path to the woodshed laid. Von Panzer is missing it appears. I'm up again tomorrow and I'm hoping to find him waiting in the cabin

 

[michaelmaltby]

Beginning .....

... Christmas presents for Tiina in the making.

I salvaged this healthy piece of hard-wood maple from the Ice Storm cleanup crew on our street .... thought it would make something nice.
Willy will fashion iron tripod legs for these to mount on ... and will use outdoors on the deck for side tables

 

[Shinpachi]

They will be nice tables

 

[michaelmaltby]

September 15 High 17 low 2 degrees

Restoring the 100-year-old fence on the eastern property line, running from the railroad to the river. Harley - on the trail home, upriver.

 

[Shinpachi]

Nice place and picture as always.
Might be needless to dare to say but I am wishing your good health, MM.
Not only for yourself but your son. I mind it too for me and my kids though they are totally independent.

 

[michaelmaltby]

Thank you, for your good wishes. The time to mind my health was when I was younger ... and I didn't. I smoked ... heavily. My son on the other hand rarely drinks and has never smoked.

 

[Shinpachi]

Please take care of yourself, MM.
I want to chat with you for more 20 or 30 years

 

[gjs238]

Has Von Panzer turned up?

 

[michaelmaltby]

Yes, to my surprise and pleasure. Last week when Leks and I were up for a day trip he walked in after 9 days. He was the same weight so his hunting must have been profitable, He's home with me now ... thank you for asking

 

[gjs238]

Does Meander, I mean BeaverBend, have telephone service?

 

[michaelmaltby]

Yes .... buried cable ... rotary dial ... party line. We had it ploughed in back in the good old days when Bell Canada was a monopoly and were mandated to provide POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service). The cable feed in from up the railroad where there are year-round residents.

 

[michaelmaltby]

September 19. Low minus 4, High 17

And technically, still summer

von Panzer has his winter coat. Battery service. Plantation pine. Fall colors. New black steel for Willy. September trail.

 

[gjs238]

How does von Panzer take to the car trips?

 

[michaelmaltby]

He needs to be lifted in ... will not hop in like a dog would ... but once in he is usually very quiet and curls up on a folded blanket. At any stop ( to buy eggs or gas) he sits on the center console and looks out.

He is back up alone this week but the weather is agreeable and this year has produced a large populations of various rodents ...

 

[Wildcat]

Nice! I think I'd like your place better without the snow.