What to do at the cottage

On this rainy day in Muskoka, I know there will be complaints. Canadians always complain about the weather. A couple of my Facebook friends have been complaining about those who are complaining.

The rain is a welcome break in the heat and humidity. We have been careful to open up the house at night, and close up, closing curtains in the day time.

This post arises from my experience as a teacher. While visiting the library yesterday, I noticed a drawing program for kids, as well as an intriguing box.

Our local Muskoka Lakes libraries have some great programs, as well as the books available!

They are hatching some monarch butterflies. Cathy released a butterfly while I was waiting for my hubby who was in a meeting!

As they emerge from the cocoon, and sit for awhile, eventually they can be released into the outdoors.

Specifically for kids: especially for kids with any learning disability, they need to keep up their reading and practice literacy and numeracy skills over the summer.  Good readers get to be great readers by... reading!







Here are some things you can do to keep kid's brains working:

1. Keep a journal. (Do not mark their spelling, ask them to choose 3 words they want you to check. No more!)
   
2. Keep track of money spent: how much per day or per month does your family spend on vacation for groceries, transportation, accomodation, entertainment?
   
3. Create a dream location: locate your holiday destination(s) on a map, find your location on Mapquest or Google maps.
   
4. Create some skits about cottage life. Write a play. Do some improv plays.
   
5. Write a creative story about where you are or would like to be this week.
6. Write about Fridays, or Someone Who Understands.
   
7. If you have access to Internet &/or TV, do an Olympic Project.
   

8. Create a bird watching list, take photos, make a scrapbook, study insects, rocks, trees.
9. Visit the MNR info page and collect pamphlets and flyers about wildlife, ponds, turtles.
   
10. Create a scavenger hunt.
    
11. Do book talks as a family.
12. Create a written or verbal Reading Response.
13. Ask kids to earn computer time by writing an essay.
14. Purchase writing books and drawing pads, bring new coloured pencils or crayons.
15. Buy the kids a disposable camera, let them plan a photo show, and teach them photography.
    
16. They can used the photos for a scrapbook for memories.
    
17. Blow bubbles.
    
18. Create a slide show or video of cottage events.
19. Scrabble, Monopoly, Backgammon, Sorry, card games, activity books (Soduko or crosswords!).
    
20. This is a great time to do a BIG puzzle - set it up out of the way and work on it when you feel like it.

Lots to do. Don't believe the Cottageocracy!

Medical Emergency in Muskoka

Before you travel, driving is a dangerous proposition, can you and your family answer the 5 questions? Read more ...

Have these things on hand...

10 things you need to know about your health
 adapted from the Mayo CLinic, for Canadians, further adapted for Ontario travellers.

1. Health Cards, extended health insurance. This will have more information, and may be in a wallet, or not!

2. Names of physicians. This is one of the first questions they will ask. Primary physicians, as well as specialists: heart, oncologists, will have the most up-to-date records. Also, find out the phone number and office locations.

3. List of allergies, infections, eating disorders, addictions. This is especially important if one of your parents is allergic to medication — penicillin, for example, or food allergies. Some seniors have Sundowner's Syndrome, and

4. Advance directives; Power of attorney for personal care. *Know where they are, and your loved one's wishes for DNR orders, or other issues. This is an important discussion for you to have with them. Start be telling what YOU would wish.

5. Major medical comorbidities. This includes such conditions as diabetes or heart disease. My mother had colitis, celiac disease, skin conditions, white coat syndrome - high blood pressure, and she was lactose intolerant). She needed a special diet when in hospital. Dad had high blood pressure, a brain tumour, dementia, and arthritis in his knees.

6. List of medications and/or supplements.  Many seniors jump on bandwagons, and take over-the-counter vitamins, or herbal supplements, and these might interact with blood thinners, or other medications. You pharmacist can give you a list if you go with your parents and talk to them about it. If your parent is incapable of keeping them straight, talk to the pharmacist.

7. Prior surgeries and major medical procedures. List past medical procedures including implanted medical devices such as pacemakers. I wrote in my personal agenda whenever my mother had surgery, when she had radiation treatments or follow-up appointments. Once I scanned this, I realized she was developing a tumour a year between 2002 and 2006. Otherwise, it is worth it to write down all of their issues and concerns. If they have questions, e.g., my mom didn't know what Leukplakia was, her type of cancer. I collected this information for her.

8. Names and phone numbers of extended family and close friends. We were unaware of some of these people, and neglected to speak to some.

Another great resource is the newly established 211Ontario.ca services locator website.

Muskoka has just signed on and provides many resources.

What to REMEMBER on vacation

Remember...

1. Prepare for your trip. Read a bit about the place you are visiting. (more: Cottage reading) It gives you some appreciation for the locals, a history of the flora and fauna and people, and some perspective. Raisin Wine - Bartleman is a terrific one for Port Carling, for example. But there are many books on Muskoka and cottage life. Educate yourself!
2. What to take away! Clean up after yourself. We only have garbage once per week. Take it with you, park it in a good place, not at the end of your driveway where it is thrown to the wind by nature. We do not want your garbage littering, attracting bears, raccoons, crows, vultures, and other animals that should not be ingesting the plastic, cigarette butts, beer cans, and fast food wrappers some choose to leave behind.
3. Show respect for the culture of a place: environmental, wildlife, social, and municipal standards (e.g., burning by-laws). We know how to host visitors in Muskoka. If you treat us well, we will give you much more back.
4. SMILE! YOU ARE ON VACATION; you can take your time! You can visit with us. We want to like you!
   
5. Remember your manners. You are paying for service, but you can earn respect. The guy in the grocery store who complained about 'locals' shopping on a Saturday had his face smacked. Seriously. He can wait in line in the city, but rural life needs to be faster...
   
6. Much of Muskoka runs on volunteers. You will meet a fair number of them. They might be canvassing, since services in Central Ontario are fewer and farther between. I spent a couple of hours doing this for Hospice Muskoka. Be generous. We need your help with a 3-season economy, average pay $15,000 below that in the city, and many young, disabled and seniors who need access to services.
   
7. Buy local, respect and support our economy. That ensures that you will have good service when you return. We depend upon tourism dollars.
   
8. Read the weather predictions - or check the sidebar for current temperatures. We do not get good coverage in the media, but dress for the weather that can change on a dime. Check the webcams, too. See my Weather coverage - a rant on disparities,
   
9. Prepare for the bugs. They are beautiful, but they are bad at night- even in summer.
   
10. Be a good neighbour; even if you are simply renting. Our local OPP are our friends, too. They are happy to help you settle in for the evening. Some of us have to be up for work early in the morning!
11. Read: Dos & Don'ts of cottage life!
    
12. Read: What to bring to the cottage.
    

References:

• You need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card: from any accredited course provider.
  
• Transport Canada provides a full on-line version of The Safe Boating Guide .
• Transport Canada also provides a complete list of acts and regulations .
• There is a Clean Boater Program

What to bring to the cottage

1. LIFEJACKETS are a must. Label yours as the wind can pick them up and take them down wind!
2. CLOTHING: Ensure that you bring clothes to allow for every weather condition. Life by the water can be cool in the night while hot in the day. We are often 5 degrees cooler than, for example, Toronto only a couple of hours to the south. Several sets of clothes are wise for kids. I know mine always had a 'soaker' within the first hour of their visit. Long sleeves are important -again- just in case! Boots, extra shoes, hats, rain gear, warm sweaters.
3. PHARMACEUTICALS: Be prepared with toiletries that include sun lotion, bug spray, and moisturizer for those inevitable dry skin or sun burn episodes. Band-aids and a First Aid kit are important tools. If you have allergies, bring antihistamines. Remember tylenol and other medications, just in case. Get regular Rx refilled, too. We take handkerchiefs, so as not to add to our garbage.
4. ENTERTAINMENT: I firmly believe that 'when in Rome do as the Romans do' - cottage life means Scrabble, Monopoly, Backgammon, Sorry, card games, activity books (Soduko or crosswords!) NOT computers and computer games. Writing and drawing pads. This is a great time to do a BIG puzzle - set it up out of the way and work on it when you feel like it.
5. READING MATERIALS: Visit the (local?) library and find some books. I save my magazines to read by the lake. There are many good books on Cottage Life that include information on wild life, crafts for kids, for example. If you visit a small, local book store you will find books by local authors.
6. FOOD: I used to bring peanut butter, jam, and other necessities in a cooler, which is always handy. If you rent ensure that you have flour, sugar, spices, etc. as well as tissues & toilet paper.
7. EMERGENCY ITEMS: Power outages can happen, especially in isolated cottages. Flashlights, batteries. Canned food.

Neighbourly Cottage Visitors -Dos of cottage life/boating

Neighbourly Cottage Visitors

1. My neighbours keep their music to themselves, know how far sound travels, and understand that we have different tastes in music and respect our bedtime.
2. When my neighbours build a fire they ensure that they don't let the smoke waft across our property. They check that there is no fire burning by-law in effect. They compost leaves, rather than burning them and putting hydrofluorocarbons in the air.
3. They only rent their property to people who keep their pets under control. They keep their dogs off of our property, and they don't let their pets chase the wildlife off of our lawn or scare our pets.
4. They teach renters about the etiquette of lake life and teach them how to paddle a canoe, run their boat properly, and sail our wee lake without ending up in trouble and requiring rescue! They waterski only during daylight hours and keep well away from sailboats & canoes. Traffic can be busy on busy weekends.
   
5. They refrain from lighting fireworks seven nights in a row, especially week nights they know that some of us have to go to work in the morning.
6. They have never fished thirty feet off of the dock of cottagers and respect the personal space. We only fear those who do, and their lures that get left at the bottom of our swimming area.
7. They don't cruise aimlessly up and down the lake, dumping gas into the lake from their boat or Personal Watercraft polluting the air and water with its gas smell and noise.
8. They stay away from our shoreline, keeping their speed low so as not to ruin vegetation, enervate us and dislodge wildlife from their shoreline habitat, respecting our Watch Your Wake� sign. In most provinces there is a 10 kph speed limit within 30 metres (100 feet) from shore. Fine is $125. Maximum fine is $500 or six months imprisonment. (Canada Shipping Act: Boating Restriction Regulations)
9. If they waterski they don't go into our lake's little lagoon, which is narrow and not suited to their noisy machines. They stay away from swimmers and only ski during daylight hours. They refrain from swearing and assaulting our ears with fouls language, which carries easily across the water, and respect our right to living in a peaceful Muskoka.
10. They keep their boat clean, and refrain from dumping pollutants in our waters. Many of our fellow cottagers must use lake water for their drinking and cooking.

What to remember: boating safety

1. Only swim with others. Swimmers are at great risk in cottage country. No one should be at the water unsupervised. Death by drowning cannot be a pretty sight.
2. Little kids should be supervised carefully. Last year I saw two little girls wandering around a barge deck at the end of the dock - 30m from mom on the cottage deck. They did not have lifejackets on.
3. Boating and drinking is still a concern. Safe boating is a vigilant practice. This is a self-inflicted wound and highly preventable by following the safe driving Transport Canada guidelines. Those who operate a boat must have operator cards. The Safe Boating Guide is required knowledge to pass this test.
4. Passengers cannot be sitting in front of drivers, especially small children.
   
5. Lifejackets are a must. Label yours as the wind can pick them up and take them down wind! Put on your life jacket. Emergency crews and neighbours do not want to have to rescue you! Life jackets need to be 'onboard' Personal Water Craft (PWC), but they are so very dangerous and cannot be accessed in an emergency.
6. Ensure that you bring clothes to allow for every weather condition. Life by the water can be cool in the night while hot in the day. We are often 5 degrees cooler than, for example, Toronto only a couple of hours to the south. Several sets of clothes are wise for kids. I know mine always had a 'soaker' within the first hour of their visit.
   
7. Be prepared with sun lotion, bug spray, and moisturizer for those inevitable dry skin or sun burn episodes. Band-aids and a First Aid kit are important tools.
8. Ensure that you have enough towels. Young kids get cold.
9. If you bring water toys buy a repair kit for an emergency.

What to bring

1. LIFEJACKETS are a must. Label yours as the wind can pick them up and take them down wind!
2. CLOTHING: Ensure that you bring clothes to allow for every weather condition. Life by the water can be cool in the night while hot in the day. We are often 5 degrees cooler than, for example, Toronto only a couple of hours to the south. Several sets of clothes are wise for kids. I know mine always had a 'soaker' within the first hour of their visit. Long sleeves are important -again- just in case! Boots, extra shoes, hats, rain gear, warm sweaters.
   
3. PHARMACEUTICALS: Be prepared with toiletries that include sun lotion, bug spray, and moisturizer for those inevitable dry skin or sun burn episodes. Band-aids and a First Aid kit are important tools. If you have allergies, bring antihistamines. Remember tylenol and other medications, just in case. Get regular Rx refilled, too. We take handkerchiefs, so as not to add to our garbage.
   
4. ENTERTAINMENT: I firmly believe that 'when in Rome do as the Romans do' - cottage life means Scrabble, Monopoly, Backgammon, Sorry, card games, activity books (Soduko or crosswords!) NOT computers and computer games. Writing and drawing pads. This is a great time to do a BIG puzzle - set it up out of the way and work on it when you feel like it.
   
5. READING MATERIALS: Visit the (local?) library and find some books. I save my magazines to read by the lake. There are many good books on Cottage Life that include information on wild life, crafts for kids, for example. If you visit a small, local book store you will find books by local authors.
   
6. FOOD: I used to bring peanut butter, jam, and other necessities in a cooler, which is always handy. Power outages can happen, especially in isolated cottages. If you rent ensure that you have flour, sugar, spices, etc. as well as tissues & toilet paper.
   

To market, to market!

What fun it is to be able to go out to the market again. The Gravenhurst market continued every Wednesday, from 9:00 to 2:00, all winter. The Bala market has begun again, it is on Mondays. The first one was a bit quiet, but I am sure it will pick up as folks realize it is back on. It was a quiet winter, but we are anxious to see our friends back in town.

We traveled to Seguin township, and Rosseau's market is on Fridays. Thursdays the market is on in Huntsville. Bracebridge market is on Saturdays.

Market days are fun. It takes one back to the days when one had to go to market to pick up fresh goods. There are may in other countries who do not need the refrigeration we need, as they can pick things up on the way home from work. I love the variety of goods: stone work, iron and metal work, fudge, baked goods, fresh produce, Vietnamese food, BBQs with freshly cooked lunch, crepes, honey, meat, wood carvings, clothing, and a great variety of arts and crafts.

Friends visit each other, cottage neighbours run into one another, and there is a festive air for all. What is the most fun is that on a quiet day, or if a storm is brewing and business is slow, the vendors visit with each other!