Long weekend approaches

Ahhhh, spring. Brown trees, buds growing every day, pines standing majestically, bracketing the scenery.

It is going to be a very busy Easter weekend in Muskoka. I can tell!

The OPP are warning that with the weather forecast, cottagers could be flocking north, like the geese,  looking for an early start to the cottage season. And OPP information officer Lynda Cranney advises that police will be out in extra numbers this weekend. GO, OPP, GO!

Slow down, people, enjoy the scenery, respect the other drivers.

If you go out in your boats, those lakes that are open, be careful as there are chunks of ice here and there. Wear your lifejackets, since the water is about 8 degrees (near our shallow shore) and you can succumb quite quickly to the cold.

I remember a Rick Mercer show about this. They studied the difference between a life jacket and none - and you are likelier to survive. I suppose, however, that those who insist on driving too fast believe they are immortal and it could never happen to them. Gene pool..



The animals are out and about, many on the handy little transportation routes that the two-legged ones built across their territories. I spotted a larvae of some sort trying to eat a caddisfly larvae. (You know, the ones who live in a little house of sticks.)

I will look up their names, after I do groceries!!! Still preparations to do for our family/guests!

Then, there was a spider taking a drink of water from Sady's usual drinking spot.

Early cottagers are likely to find more than they bargained for. There is still ice on some lakes.

The bears are out and about. The deer feeding babies. Squirrels lactating.The turkeys are out, too. Prancing across the road.

Now, many families celebrate Easter this weekend. Food bought, preparations made. I found Oliver playing floor hockey with one of those small Easter eggs. 'What was up?' I thought. Out loud, I yelled, "Where the heck did you get that?"

Oliver is known for stealing stocking stuffers, eating chocolate and toothpaste alike. I found out what happened. He stole poor Josephine's Easter surprise that Grandpa had thoughtfully bought from the store. Lolling on the tissue paper, now ripped to shreds, he was quite pleased with himself for having knocked it off of the bar and digging out booty: the knitted duck, egg and bunny cookie.

Below is my favourite video: Jesse, et al, taking a dip in the lake last Easter.