We are Windsor Fine, upright and breathing!

 Caitlin came over, as I wrote previously [Slow recovery continues], to do some chores for me when I was ill [I am a wreck!]. She said we were 'Windsor Fine!'  AKA – upright and breathing. I promised a story.

 On a Friday night in 2006,  I'd moved to Bala to provide care while my father was having radiation therapy for his brain tumour, and my mom was dying of cancer. Mom's tumours were spreading, she'd been pulled off chemotherapy, as it was making her too sick. 

I knew I had to go to Toronto for my mental health, but mom had a bad morning that Friday. I called the doctor, he came and said she was palliative. (My mom thought we should call him to 'find a solution.') She was so secretive about her health issues. Her best friend didn't know she had cancer. I called Home Care, who'd been providing housekeeping help, and arranged for a nurse to be there for a few hours until my brother arrived home from Toronto. He was staying with Dad in the cancer lodge, where they house people from away getting treatment (radiation). 

Off I went to Toronto, a drive south for a couple of hours. The nurse was there in Bala, and I was confident all would be good. Robin and Dad were on their way home from Toronto. I was giving three Curriculum and Technology workshop to female teachers, sponsored by my teacher's federation. It was an honour to do so.

My poor Mom thought the ER could help her. Unbeknownst to me, my brother took Mom to the ER Friday night, as she wanted them to fix her up. My brother, Robin, left Dad at home asking a neighbour to check in on him. He took Mom into the ER. Mom spent the night there, with Robin returning home late. There was nothing they could do. What a breakdown in communication. I was presenting that evening. 

 They lived on Windsor Drive, in Bala. At the time, Dad had a brain tumour, and had delirium from a UTI. It was not pretty. He would get up at 2 a.m., leave taps running, and tried to light a fire in the wood stove in the wee hours. Anyway, the neighbour told Robin she'd checked in on Dad. He was sitting all alone on the couch. She told Robin that Dad was 'fine!' For years, now, when we ask one another how we are we say we are 'Windsor Fine,' upright and breathing. It's a standard! 

This was the house and the cottage.

We lived there four years. The kids would visit and stay in the attached cottage.

It's been a sad decision

 I have come to the decision to give my canoe away to the neighbours who let me berth it in their bay for a number of years.  I'm at the point where I have to work up to canoe rides. A half hour is the max for the first time, then I should increase my time in it.  

This was my most amazing canoe ride on Otty Lake. A canoe ride marathon: 9 km! <= THAT was a trip. I'd worked up to that distance, but no more. It's not worth back pain for days.

There are so many happy memories canoodling. I was a bit verklempt as I thought about it. Beginning with my first canoe, bought second hand from a kiddie camp when I was 15. I taught my kids to canoe in it! Here they are, back in Bala. 

The grandies haven't wanted to canoe in a couple of years. Now, they have gone canoe camping all over southern Ontario and in Algonquin Park. My canoe is too tippy for me with the girls, anyway. I bought it from the previous house owners. My old one, in Bala, was just about tip-proof! 

I used to wheel it back and forth to its berth, spring and fall.

 These days, I cannot sit for long, my back hurts too much. I love the wildlife, turtles, frogs and water snakes.

You can hear the birds on the creek that leads into the lake.

Canoeing on Jebbs Creek from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

July, 2012 

 

Loon on Otty Lake, Lanark County from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Long Lake

I remember gunnel bobbing, and twice in one day fell and hit my nose. Aye, youth! Long Lake is 2 km long, and I would do the full circle by August.

   

My most epic canoe ride was on a Monday morning, on a rock, sunning itself... It was happy the tourists had gone home.

 

2008

   

This bay was my favourite part of Long Lake. We could see the rocks from the cottage, and the meltwater shone in the sun in spring.

 

Jesse on his way for a canoodle.

Josee waiting for her ride!

A fall trip on the lake.

Life on the lake has changed. The motor boats and jetskis have changed the lake. People chasing loons, and each other. The power and the speed of boats, especially on these small lakes, has changed lake culture. 

We're doing pretty well today. I'm feeling human. I had three meals yesterday. A miracle. We may do Gramma Camp next week. JB isn't too bad. Still cannot use his one arm, has a few hot flashes from his Lupron, and his sore neck, but we're managing! Thank you for hanging in there with me. 

We are Windsor fine, upright and breathing! (A story for another day!)