Father's Day rolls around

Here is Mom, Dad, my paternal Grandmother and step-grandfather. All of whom are no longer living in this world. I have fond memories of family visits here at the cottage. Grandma lived in England, and went back to her home after emigrating to Canada back in the 30s or 40s. They lived in England in one of those delightful something-upon-avon towns.

With my late father's passing in 2007, these days are a bit peculiar. For those who never knew their birth parents it must be a poignant day. I met my birth mother, she never spoke of my birth father. I have no clues. It makes me understand how the detached feel on Valentine's Day! That said, for me it is a day to look back at the life my adoptive parents created for me.

My father was a totally supportive man, despite losing his father at age 15. It seemed a common problem in those days, as my mother's father died when SHE was 15, the same year, for the same reason.

(On the left is mom's father, who died in 1940.)

Hiding behind his paper at the end of the day, my Dad cooked and cleaned on Saturdays (before it was kewl) when Mom had to work. I have many memories of fishing with Dad (right). I remember one day, we could see the clouds forming, and could see the wall of rain moving towards us from across the lake. It was incredible. We scurried to clean up our fishing gear and high tailed it into the cottage, laughing so hard.

He was a wonderful grandpa, taking Caitlin, and subsequent grandsons, shopping, giving them spare change for the Balacade. Here he is with Caitlin by the lake he loved so much. Caitlin turns the big 30 this year! How time flies.

I attended a Palliative Care Conference last month. One of the workshops featured ways to celebrate loved ones. To that end, I created an iMovie from our family's slides to celebrate my Dad's life. He so loved 'the cottage', as many do. These slides from the 50s, 60s, 70s showing the old days in Toronto, family picnics, the cottage, Muskoka, pets and parties.

Here is Dad raking his beloved Muskoka property, happy as a clam - Mom ever the photographer.


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Celebration of Dad - music by Bev Foster, Warm Breezes, Room217.ca


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Celebration of Life- for Dad's funeral in Feb., 2007. It is one idea for a memorial!

The Butterfly Ball

It was with great delight that I attended the Butterfly Ball at the Muskoka Wharf Gallery. A fundraiser for Hospice Muskoka, many made valuable financial and temporal contributions.

As a Hospice Muskoka volunteer I have a deep commitment to helping families manage the care of family members in palliative care. I blog about current issues in Health Care - having done much research for my book.

Hospice Muskoka has two beds in the local hospital

Be sure to visit the Hospice Muskoka website (click on the logo) for more information. (or here: To make a donation. )Sandra Winspear (right), our Executive Director, is a hard-working person committed to helping provide care to clients and their families at home, in hospital, in seniors' residences and Long-Term Care home. We welcome volunteers, people to serve on committees, and donations.

We are only funded 22% by the government, yet provide an important service by volunteering in the community. Fundraising consumes much time and energy. Volunteers are reimbursed mileage, but otherwise we are experienced, trained caregivers who have taken the Foundations of Palliative Care Course, a provincially-mandated program delivered by RNs. Quality End-of-life care: the right of every Canadian.

We provide

• companionship, a listening ear, reading aloud, simple comfort measures (i.e., Therapeutic Touch), assistance with daily activities, writing letters, relief for caregivers, telephone support, bereavement follow-up, bedside vigil while family members rest.

There is much misinformation about palliative care, perpetuated by the myths surrounding pain and pain management. That said, this fundraiser was wonderful fun-filled event. Jim, suitably attired, affable host and owner of Muskoka Bay Gallery & Gifts, hams it up with hard-working Elke Scholz. She is a well known artist and expressive arts therapist.

Elke and I exchanged books at the last hospice volunteer conference, Live~Love~Laugh, and I am taking great delight in reading it, with a wealth of creative emotional and spiritual activities for those dealing with affective beliefs.

Patrons ambled around, viewing the incredible pieces on view. I must admit that my garden contains many pieces purchased here!
Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound Muskoka was there in support. While Sandra Winspear, Executive Director of Hospice Muskoka listens attentively.

Norm Miller

Riverwalk Executive Chef, David Friesen, prepared delicious treats for all - right there on the porch.

Everyone waited with baited breath, including my husband, as Sandra chose another draw winner. There were several door prizes.

Jack and Linda Hutton were there, long-time supporters of Hospice and pillars of the Bala volunteer community, including Meals on Wheels.

From My Muskoka

Artist: Elsa Boisjoly; a delightful francophone, spoke with guests. Incredible works with butterflies and flowers. The colours are wonderfully vibrant.

Sandra auctioned one of Elsa's painting; with proceeds to Hospice.

From My Muskoka

Marcel, of Imagine Wood , here chatting with customers. He donated butter knives for the gift bags we all took home. (We bought a scoop, too!)


The event was spearheaded by the affable actor turned bank manager, Kyla Taylor, of National Bank. She radiates energy and enthusiasm, a new supporter of Hospice Muskoka. I loved watching her - my actor son, I know, exhibits the same "on" qualities!

Janice Smith, and Sandra Winspear, of Hospice Muskoka worked from their office.

Many thanks to all who made this event a fine one, in Muskoka tradition!


My YouTube Video of the fun and merriment!